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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Unique Holiday Gift Pairs Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity with a Donation to Historic Preservation
Looking for the perfect holiday gift for someone who has everything? Shoppers in search of a unique present need look no further than a ticket to luxury with the Live the Gilded Life Sweepstakes. Gift givers can feel good that with each tax-deductible donation they make, they’re helping to preserve some of America’s greatest architectural treasures while […]
Posted inCity & Government
Hanos Becomes School Committee Chair, Winthrop to Become Next Mayor
There is change of leadership coming for both the Newport School Committee and Newport City Council. Last night, Newport School Committee unanimously voted David Hanos as Chair of the Newport School Committee. Ray Gomes, who is a newcomer to the Committee and was top vote-getter on November 8th, will serve as Vice-Chair. What’sUpNewp has confirmed […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival Nominated for ‘Music Festival Of The Year’
Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival will do something that they don’t do often in February, face off against each other, and four other festivals, for the title of ‘Music Festival Of The Year’ at the 28th Annual Pollstar Awards. Both Newport festivals have landed on the list of nominees for Music Festival Of […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Business News and Buzz: November 14, 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. Introducing ‘Newport Business News and Buzz’, a weekly column where we keep you in the know of what’s happening […]
Posted inCity & Government
Road Work Scheduled on Lower Thames Street, Broadway This Week (Nov. 14 – 18)
Expect delays and detours on Broadway and Lower Thames Street this week. Broadway Streetscape Improvement Rhode Island Department of Transportation is planning alternating one-way traffic for the installation of a raised crosswalk on Broadway at Cranston Street, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ongoing drainage work within the sidewalk area is also anticipated at Marlborough […]
Posted inNews
Newport County Students Participate in Defense Internships via Real Jobs RI
Four local students are participating in Defense industry internships through The Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance’s Real Jobs RI Partnership grant. These paid internships for undergraduate and graduate-level students from Rhode Island colleges and universities focus on learning and gaining experience in information technology and cybersecurity, and undersea technology and engineering. “SENEDIA’s internship program […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ Great Things To Do This Week In Newport: Nov. 14 – 18
Discover what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI this week. Wondering where to find karaoke, trivia, live music, dancing, comedy or some other form of fun entertainment this week in Newport, RI? Scroll down for live music and entertainment listings. Monday, November 14th 4:30 p.m. – A Man Called Ove At Jane […]
Posted inJobs
40+ Companies Hiring Right Now in Newport
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 From […]
Posted inThings To Do
Save The Bay’s two-hour Seal-Lighthouse Tours set to begin on November 19th
While the first of this season’s Save The Bay’s Newport Seal Tours will begin on Friday, November 11, the organization’s two-hour Seal-Lighthouse tours will launch a week later, on Saturday, November 19, combining the best of the Newport Seal Tours with a tour of one of Rhode Island’s most beloved historic lighthouses. The first Seal-Lighthouse […]
Posted inCity & Government
Expect Detours on Lower Thames Street from November 15 – 17, 2016
The Newport Police Departments is alerting residents that National Grid Gas will be conducting required maintenance next week on a gas main on Lower Thames Street, the work will require a detour. Work consists of the excavation of Thames Street in three separate areas between Dearborn Street and Wellington Ave. This work and traffic detour will occur […]
Posted inThings To Do
25+ Great Things To Do This Weekend In Newport (Nov. 11 – 13)
Now that the 2016 Election Season is over, it’s time to step outside, breathe, get along and enjoy all that Newport has to offer. Here are some great events happening in and around Newport this weekend that will help take your mind off of the week that was. Friday, November 11th 8th Day of Fall […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Mail Ballots Counted, Final Results Are In For Newport City Council and School Committee
The Rhode Island Board Of Elections finally finished counting more than 42,000 mail ballots on Thursday afternoon. Following Tuesday night’s results, Rhode Island Board of Elections had 1,382 mail ballots to count and verify from Newport, those mail ballots resulted in no change in how the races for School Committee and City Council finished or in the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Paul Taylor Dance Company to Conduct Dance Workshop for 3rd & 4th Graders at Pell School
Dance master Paul Taylor is arguably the greatest living choreographer across the 20th and 21st centuries. At an age when most artists’ greatest work is long behind them, he continues to create works that are vibrant, powerful, and thoroughly new. Fifty years after his first appearance in Providence, Taylor returns with his namesake company to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society’s Holiday Events Will Include Tours, a Revolutionary War-era lecture & a Living History Program
The holidays are a great time to explore Newport’s early history, whether on foot, during a special event or by chatting with costumed interpreters. This season the Newport Historical Society will present a diverse selection of programs ranging from a revival of a popular local tradition at the annual Holiday Open House, an author talk […]
Posted inThings To Do
Schedule Of Veterans Day Events on Aquidneck Island
Veterans – Our relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers who committed to a cause larger than their own and accepted the challenge to defend our Nation. On this Veterans Day and everyday, we salute our Veterans and extend our gratitude for their service, dedication and sacrifices. Here is a list of public events happening on this Veterans […]