Philanthropists Peter D. Kiernan and Eaddo Kiernan join MLK Community Center Executive Director Marilyn Warren has announced the challenge has been met: donors from across Newport County and beyond have given more than $58,000 to the Kiernan Challenge benefiting the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. “It’s a great day to be a Newporter. Eaddo and […]
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 inBusiness
Newport Business News: November 21, 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
Tickets for 2017 Newport Folk Festival Will Go On Sale On November 30th
If you want to go to the 2017 Newport Folk Festival, purchasing tickets at 10 a.m. on November 30th will be your best and probably only shot. With the announcement from Newport Folk Festival via social media and e-mail today, NFF also announced that their is a new ticket provider and payment plan option; We […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Skating Center On Schedule to Open In Time For a Full Winter Season
Newport Waterfront Events, a division of Waterfront Productions LLC, has announced that the Newport Skating Center presented by ALEX AND ANI is once again on schedule to open at its downtown Newport Yachting Center location for the winter season. In fact, the Grand Opening of the rink and its popular Tree Lighting Ceremony is slated […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Restoration Foundation Will Offer Holiday Programs This Season That Are Both Classic and Unique to the Traditional Newport Holiday Experience
This holiday season, Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is offering a variety of holiday programs that are both classic and unique to the traditional Newport holiday experience. The events this December will include UnDecked Halls, an authentic view of a Newport mansion during the holidays, The Newport Historical Society’s Holiday Open House where a local tradition will […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Opera House Theater Will Hold Event Celebrating Construction Milestone Today
The Newport Opera House Theater and Performing Arts Center begins the next phase of the restoration of the historic theater with an event observing and celebrating the installation of structural steel colums and beams. This work launches the next phase of the construction project, and will serve as an important milestone in the work on […]
Posted inCity & Government
Aquidneck Island Road Construction Report for Week of November 21 – 25
Here is what’s happening for road work, closures and detours in and around Newport, RI this week. Middletown: East Main Rd. East and West, from West Main Rd. to Rego Rd., one lane open in each direction for construction, Monday and Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 1 […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ Things To Do This Week In Newport
Discover what’s happening, new and to do this week for events and activities in and around Newport, RI! Monday, November 21 4:30 p.m. – Moonlight at Jane Pickens Theater 7 p.m. – Moonlight at Jane Pickens Theater Tuesday, November 22 4:30 p.m. – Moonlight at Jane Pickens Theater 6:30 p.m. – November Owl Prowl at Norman Bird […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: 40+ Companies
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 inCity & Government
Community Forum to be Held on Planned Improvements to the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center
The Alliance for Livable Newport (ALN) will host a Community Forum and Information session on the upcoming improvements to the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center (Gateway Center). The forum will be held on Monday, November 28 at 6:30 pm, in the lobby of the Transportation and Visitors Center on America’s Cup Avenue. Representatives of the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Susan Taylor, Newport City Councilor-Elect, Voices Concerns About Mayor Selection Process
Beginning on December 4th, Susan Taylor will represent Ward 1 on Newport City Council. She takes over the seat that Marco Camacho has occupied on the council. Taylor has submitted the following Letter To The Editor following her election victory and the news that Harry Winthrop has been chosed to serve as Committee Chair and […]
Posted inThings To Do
Great Things To Do This Weekend in Newport: Nov. 18 – 20
Discover the best events, activities and things to do in and around Newport, RI this weekend! Friday, November 18th 4:30 p.m. – Moonlight at Jane Pickens Theater 6 p.m. – Beyond the Velvet Rope at Clarke Cooke House 7 p.m. – Moonlight at Jane Pickens Theater 8 p.m. – Live Improv Comedy with The Bit Players at The […]
Posted inThings To Do
Christmas at the Newport Mansions Opens Today
Beginning November 19, 2016 and running through January 2, 2017, guests are invited to join The Preservation Society of Newport County at The Breakers (1895), The Elms (1901) and Marble House (1892) to create holiday memories as they enjoy music, tours, visits from Santa Claus, model trains, antique toys and shopping at three of America’s most […]
Posted inNews
RI Good Neighbor Energy Fund Kicks Off 31st Annual ‘Warm Thy Neighbor’ Campaign
The Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund (GNEF) announces the kick-off to its 31st annual “Warm Thy Neighbor” campaign to help Rhode Island households in temporary crisis, and who have not qualified for federal and state assistance programs, with the payment of their energy bills. At a kick-off event held this past Wednesday morning at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Which Student Art Work Do You Like Best? The Aquidneck Land Trust ‘Sixteen on Center’ Art Contest Results Are Ready For Viewing
Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) is excited to announce that the Sixteen on Center Art Contest drawings are on our Facebook page and ready for your ‘likes’. There will be a total of three student winners of the art contest that will be delineated by category: Kindergarten – 4th; 5th – 8th and; 9th – 12th. […]
Posted inNews
Trump Offers Lt. General Michael Flynn, a Middletown Native, National Security Advisor Position
Donald Trump has offered Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn (Retired), a Middletown, RI native, the job of national security adviser, multiple national sources are reporting. Besides growing up on Aquidneck Island, Flynn graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science degree in management science, commissioned a distinguished military graduate through Reserve Officers’ Training […]
Posted inCity & Government
Jamie Bova, City Councilor-Elect, Explains Why She Made Decision to Vote for Winthrop to Become Mayor
Former Mayor Harry Winthrop will officially become Newport’s next Mayor at Inauguration of the new council on December 4th. Winthrop and current Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano were both vying for the position, but Winthrop gained the support of Councilor Florez and newcomers Jamie Bova and Susan Taylor to secure the votes needed. Councilor-Elect Jamie Bova has […]
Posted inCity & Government
UPDATE: Paving of Broadway Scheduled to Begin on Friday
If all goes well and the weather cooperates; Broadway could be paved by this weekend! In an earlier version of this story – Robin Steele Walsh, Senior Civil Engineer/Resident Engineer – Construction Management for Rhode Island Department of Transportation, told us that Cardi Corporation anticipated paving Broadway on Monday, November 21st and Tuesday, November 22nd. […]
Posted inBusiness
Peregrine Group Expands Its Expertise Through A Merger With Eric Busch & Rustpoint Advisory
Peregrine Group LLC, a real estate development, property management and third-party advisory firm, announced today it has merged with Rustpoint Advisory of East Greenwich, RI. Rustpoint Principal Eric Busch will join Peregrine’s leadership team as partner, bringing 20 plus years of experience to the firm. He and Partner Samuel Bradner will lead the Advisory practice. The […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Abbey Rhode: It’s Now Time For Us To Bring The Band To An End
On behalf of the band Abbey Rhode, I want to express our deepest thanks to our many friends and fans for their steadfast support over the past 12 years. It is now time for us to bring the band to an end. Our goal was to bring to life the phenomenal music of The Beatles […]
Posted inThings To Do
Bowen’s Wharf Christmas Tree Arrives, Lighting Scheduled For December 3rd
The Christmas season begins at the Anchor of the Newport waterfront with the arrival of our tree today! The countdown to Christmas kicks off November 25 with a wharf-wide Holiday Block Party and the City of Newport’s boat parade. The waterfront at Bowen’s Wharf offers exceptional views of the Illuminated Boat Parade which starts at […]
Posted inCity & Government
City Council Will Adopt ‘Comprehensive Plan Use Update’ at Special Meeting on November 16th
Newport City Council will host a special meeting and workshop on Wednesday, November 16th to adopt the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update. The Newport Planning Board completed and approved the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update on October 17th and submitted it to City Council. Section 45.2.2-12 of the Rhode Island General Laws require that […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Jazz Assembly Wraps Up Fall Season This Week
Newport Jazz Assembly, a performance series presented in elementary schools by Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™, Inc. wraps up its Fall season this week with concerts in Manville and Cumberland, RI, and Stamford, CT. Now in its second season, the series has reached 7,800 students. The season kicked off in Pawtucket on October 11 and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island’s Ballet Theatre Will Perform a Newport Holiday Show at Casino Theatre
Rhode Island’s ballet theatre (RIbt) performs its Newport Holiday show at the Casino Theatre. The show is Sunday, December 18th at 3pm. The dance performance includes the storybook children’s ballet “Alice in Wonderland” as well as excerpts from the traditional Nutcracker. In addition,there will be a special guest singing performance. “As a training performance company […]
Posted inNews
“Swinburne”, Once Home of 19th-century Newport Mayor, Sells for $2,847,500
Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty has announced the sale of “Swinburne”, an in-town home located at 115 Pelham Street in Newport’s Historic Hill neighborhood. The property sold on November 14th for $2,847,500. “Swinburne” is sited on a half-acre lot with a 4,653 square foot main house and also offers guest quarters above a two car garage and […]