Dozens of local retail stores, restaurants and hotels are currently preparing for the inaugural Newport Holiday Stroll, a two-weekend event aimed at promoting Newport as New England’s Premier Holiday Shopping Destination. The 2016 Newport Holiday Stroll, scheduled for December 3rd – 4th and 10th – 11th, will feature free parking, complimentary gift wrapping, sip & shops, 15% discount at […]
Ryan Belmore
Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).
He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.
Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.
In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.
In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.
Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Skating Center Reopens Tonight
Newport Waterfront Events invites one and all to help brighten downtown Newport with seasonal cheer at the Opening of the Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI and 35TH Annual Tree Lighting, to take place next Friday, December 9th at 5:00 p.m. at the Newport Yachting Center. The illumination of the 30-foot evergreen tree, […]
Posted inCity & Government
‘Transit’ App is Now Offering Real-Time Information for RIPTA Passengers
Waiting at a bus stop and wondering if your bus will arrive on time? You don’t have to wonder any more. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has announced the introduction of real-time transit information through “Transit” – North America’s most popular public transportation app. Using the Transit app, which is available for both […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
The Countdown Begins:12 Metre Class Maps Road to 2019 Worlds in Newport
The International 12 Metre Class has announced the ROAD TO THE WORLDS, a 900-day schedule of international regattas and social events leading up to what will arguably be one of the most highly anticipated Metre yachting events since the America’s Cup Jubilee in 2001: the 2019 12 Metre World Championship in Newport, R.I. Scheduled for […]
Posted inThings To Do
9th Annual ‘Singing For Shelter’ Set to Take Place on December 8th
Mark and Anne Gorman of Newport will be hosting their 9th Annual Singing For Shelter acoustic Christmas concert, for the benefit of Lucy’s Hearth and The McKinney Shelter, on Thursday, December 8th at Channing Memorial Church. Many of Aquidneck Island’s favorite musicians join together every year to raise money for the area’s homeless shelters. “As […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Miki Ohlsen Receives Discover Newport’s Hospitality Champion Award
At a celebration of Island Moving Co’s Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff’s 15th Anniversary season, Kathryn Farrington, Vice President of Marketing at Discover Newport, presented Artistic Director Miki Ohlsen with the agency’s Hospitality Champion Award. The award recognizes Ohlsen’s outstanding contributions to the hospitality industry of Newport & Bristol county. “I am honored and thrilled that […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Dust and Thunder: Mumford & Sons Live from South Africa’ is Coming to The Jane Pickens Theater
The Jane Pickens Theater and Event Center has announced that they will host a special-event screening on December 8th of Dust and Thunder: Mumford & Sons Live from South Africa, a music spectacular documenting the final concert stop of their widely attended world tour. The footage, shot and edited by award-winning director/cinematographer Dick Carruthers, showcases […]
Posted inNews
Salve Students complete 365-page ‘Siege of Newport’ analysis for National Park Service
Salve Regina University students working in collaboration with the Middletown Historical Society have completed a 365-page investigative analysis of the Siege of Newport, a 1778 battle fought from opposing hills in Middletown that became one of the largest military operations of the Revolution. The historic effort to retake Newport – known as the Battle of […]
Posted inNews
The Newport Historical Society Receives $1 Million Grant from Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust
The Newport Historical Society announced on Monday that it has received a $1 million grant – the largest single grant the NHS has ever received – from the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust. The grant, which will support a campaign to increase endowment and support essential staffing, is also a challenge. NHS now must raise $1 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
National TV Network Will Film at The Hungry Monkey in Newport on Saturday
A major television Network will be filming on Broadway in Newport on Saturday, December 10th. The Hungry Monkey has announced that a “major network” will be visiting their restaurant on Saturday and that they are looking for five people to accept their King Kong challenge for the filming. With the Hungry Monkey’s King Kong 15 Egg […]
Posted inNews
USS Sequoia: Former ‘Floating White House’ Could Be Coming to Newport For Restoration
The USS Sequoia, a meticulously restored, 104-foot, 1925 Trumpy-designed yacht that has served more than nine Presidents, could soon be coming to Newport for restoration. In a story on Monday, the Daily Mail wrote about the current condition of the boat and its decline in – The sad decline of the ‘floating White House’: How RACCOONS […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Discovery: Movie Filmed on Aquidneck Island Will Make World Premiere at Sundance Film Festival
The movie that took Aquidneck Island by storm in March, April and May of 2016 will make its World Premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival in January. The final pieces of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival feature film program fall into place yesterday, as Sundance Institute announced the lineup for Premieres, Documentary Premieres, Midnight, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Santa Will Begin Touring Newport Neighborhoods Tonight
The Newport Fire & Police Departments will, again, be assisting Santa Claus to tour the neighborhoods of Newport. He will be visiting our area on four nights from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. He plans on riding with Newport Fire Department through the streets to see the City’s children on Tuesday, December 6th; Thursday, December […]
Posted inFood & Drink
In Celebration of 36th Birthday, Brick Alley Pub Will Serve Nacho Platters at 1980’s Price on 12/6
To celebrate their 36th Birthday, Brick Alley Pub will serve their world famous Nacho Platters on December 6th at their 1980’s price of $3.95. “Mark your calendars for December 6, 2016, this year’s installment of International BAP Nacho Day To celebrate our birthday, we are rolling back our Nacho Platters prices to what they were […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Business News: December 5, 2016
Keeping up with what’s happening and new with Newport businesses can be tough, we decided to do something about it in order to help you (and us) keep track of all that’s happening in the City-By-The-Sea. This is ‘Newport Business News’, a weekly column where we keep you in the know of what’s happening with […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Salve Dance Club will Host Fall Performance, ‘Final Song,’ on December 9th and 10th
Salve Regina University’s student-run dance organization, the SRU Dance Club, will be presenting its fall performance, “Final Song,” on Dec. 9-10 in the Rodgers Recreation Center. This fall show will feature 22 dances with styles varying from hip hop, jazz, tap, contemporary and Irish step. Performances will be held Friday, Dec.9 and Saturday, Dec. 10. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Aquidneck Island Road Construction Report for Week of Dec. 5 – Dec. 10
Here is what’s happening for road work, closures and detours in and around Newport, RI this week. Roadwork scheduled by Rhode Island Department Of Transportation: 12/3 – 12/9 Jamestown: Rte. 138 East and West, from Rte. 1 to the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, watch for our crews in a moving operation for highway lighting work, Monday-Thursday nights […]
Posted inNews
Bridge To Fitness Launches Toy and Gift Drive, Will Benefit MLK Center’s Santa’s Workshop
Bridge to Fitness is holding a toy and gift drive to benefit the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center’s Santa’s Workshop! The toy and gift drive is to benefit children of all ages throughout Newport County during the holiday season that may want to experience the joy of receiving a gift during the Holiday […]
Posted inNews
New York Times: Newport, a City That Loves Its Mansions, Shudders At Its Newest One
The home being constructed on Coggeshall Avenue, that many are calling “The Spaceship” has garnered the attention of The New York Times. The New York Times wrote about the published “Newport, a City That loves Its Mansions, Shudders At Its Newest One” on page A8 on December 5th. Read it here – http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/04/us/newport-rhode-island-mansion-complaints.html?emc=edit_th_20161205&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=55010121&_r=1 Many first learned about […]
Posted inJobs
60+ Companies Hiring Right Now in Newport (Dec. 5)
Looking for a job in or near Newport, RI? Whether you’re looking for a part-time job, seasonal gig or new full-time career, chances are that someone is looking for you out there. Have a job posting you would like to add to this list and have featured? You can add a listing here. Featured Listings: […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ Fun Things To Do In Newport This Week (Dec. 5 – 9)
Discover what’s happening, new and to do this week for events and activities in and around Newport, RI! Christmas In Newport, a month-long celebration of the Holiday Season throughout Newport, begins on Thursday, December 1st! Monday, December 5 10:30 a.m. – Rogues and Scoundrels Walking Tour 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. – Loving at Jane Pickens Theater […]
Posted inThings To Do
Bowen’s Wharf to Host 46th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday
This Saturday, December 3rd, at 6pm sharp, hundreds of sparkling white lights will illuminate the 25-foot tree at our historic wharf during the 46th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting. The whole family can join in caroling, meeting Frosty the Snowman, and to whisper their wishes to Santa, and Mrs. Claus at ‘The North Pole’. […]