We will all be very glad when Election Day is passed. This election season has been too long, too divisive and too destructive. The worst parts of our society have reared its head; sexism, racism, dishonesty and manipulation. I am writing to set the record straight. Thousands of out of district dollars have poured into […]
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
Broadway Construction Expected to Resume on Monday; City Prepares Back Up Plan
It has been four weeks since the inaugural Broadway Street Fair, it has also been four weeks since crews have returned to Broadway to wrap up Newport’s version of “The Big Dig”. Several business owners and residents pleaded with us this week to “please find out why no work has been done on Broadway in […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Committee Candidates Share Why They’re Running For Office
When Newport voters go the polls on November 8th, they will see that they have the option to choose seven out of twelve candidates (and the option to write-in their own candidate) to fill the seven At-Large seats on the Newport School Committee. Adrienne Haylor, Ray Gomes, Jennifer Jackson, Henry Kniskern and Thomas Phelan are running against current Newport […]
Posted inNews
Neighbors Say Irish American Club is Taunting Them With Outdoor Sign
“Many a man’s big mouth has given him a broken nose”, that was a message outside of the Newport Irish American Club that has many in the Lower Thames Street neighborhood talking and furious. Two nearby neighbors, who spoke on guarantee of anonymity on Saturday, said that the sign is in response to incidents over […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Art After Dark at Newport Art Museum Will Present Providence Art + Design Film Festival
The Newport Art Museum’s sparkling monthly late night affair Art After Dark, is back on Thursday, November 10, from 5-9pm. Each Art After Dark has unique programming for the whole family. This event joins the ranks of the many events and educational programs the Museum currently offers in its galleries at 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. And the best news. Admission is free or by […]
Posted inCity & Government
School Committee Candidates Share What They Believe Is The Most Important Issue Facing School System
When Newport voters go the polls on November 8th, they will see that they have the option to choose seven out of twelve candidates (and the option to write-in their own candidate) to fill the seven At-Large seats on the Newport School Committee. Adrienne Haylor, Ray Gomes, Jennifer Jackson, Henry Kniskern and Thomas Phelan are running against current Newport […]
Posted inCity & Government
What’s Broken and How do we Improve Newport’s Public School System? School Committee Candidates Share Their Ideas
When Newport voters go the polls on November 8th, they will see that they have the option to choose seven out of twelve candidates (and the option to write-in their own candidate) to fill the seven At-Large seats on the Newport School Committee. Adrienne Haylor, Ray Gomes, Jennifer Jackson, Henry Kniskern and Thomas Phelan are running against current Newport […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Committee Candidates Share What They Believe Sets Them Apart From Other Candidates
When Newport voters go the polls on November 8th, they will see that they have the option to choose seven out of twelve candidates (and the option to write-in their own candidate) to fill the seven At-Large seats on the Newport School Committee. Adrienne Haylor, Ray Gomes, Jennifer Jackson, Henry Kniskern and Thomas Phelan are running against current Newport […]
Posted inOpinion
Mike Smith, Independent Candidate for House District 75, Outlines 8 Priorities For Newport
I’m Mike Smith, Independent Candidate for House District 75, and I ask for your vote on November 8th. I’ve knocked on thousands of doors during this campaign and listened to our neighbors’ concerns. As a father of three, Newport small business owner, member of numerous chambers of commerce, and marine and environmental advocate, I too […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
WATCH: Salve Regina University Football vs Western New England University for NEFC Title
The Salve Regina University Seahawks (7-0, 5-0 NEFC) will take on Western New England University Golden Bears (8-0, 5-0 NEFC) in the New England Football Conference Championship at Gaudet Field in Middletown at 12 p.m. today. The New England Football Conference is the only conference in all of Division III Football with two teams still undefeated and today’s […]
Posted inNews
Live Video: Watch 13 Locals Share Their ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’ at Inaugural TEDxNewport
The inaugural TEDxNewport will take place today (Saturday, November 5th) at the historic Jane Pickens Theater from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The independently organized event, licensed by TED, will feature 13 local voices as well as TED Talk videos under the theme “Tides of Change”. The presentations will explore changes, patterns, and forward-thinking ideas that are […]
Posted inCity & Government
The November Ballot: What to Know About the Seven Statewide Questions
WhatsUpNewp and WhatsUpRhodeIsland have profiled each of the statewide referenda, read on to find out what the bond question means for you as a citizen and taxpayer of Rhode Island. Here are profiles on each question; The November Ballot: Question 1 – Tiverton CasinoThe November Ballot: Question 2 – Ethics The November Ballot: Question 2 – Ethics, ACLU Opposes […]
Posted inNews
Reminder: ‘Fall Back’ This Weekend; Check Smoke Detectors, Too
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6th at 2 a.m., which means you gain an hour of sleep this weekend! Look for lighter mornings, but for it to get darker much earlier in the evening. For example, the sun will rise at 7:23 a.m. on Saturday and set at 5:35 p.m.; while rising at […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ Great Things To Do This Weekend In Newport: Nov. 4 – 6
Discover what’s happening, new and to do this first weekend of November in and around Newport, RI! Don’t forget that Newport Restaurant Week runs from November 4th through 13th, enjoy three-course lunches for $16 and three-course dinners for $35. Scroll down for the most thorough, complete and correct live music, comedy and entertainment listings you […]
Posted inNews
Lessons in Civic Participation: Thompson Students Query Newport School Committee Candidates
With the guidance of Newport County League of Woman Voters President, Susan Wells, Lisa Olaynack’s 6th grade English Language Arts (ELA) students conducted “meet and greet” sessions with the Newport School Committee candidates. All candidates were invited to visit their Thompson Middle School (TMS) classroom to offer personal viewpoints regarding the importance of “public service.” […]
Posted inNews
Rally in Support of Standing Rock Will be Held in Newport on November 5th
A rally in support of indigenous rights, the protection of water and the peaceful stand at Standing Rock against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) will be held on Saturday, November 5th at 10am in Eisenhower Park in Newport. A group of area residents met Sunday for the first time at Gather on Broadway. A Facebook page, […]
Posted inNews
SSV Oliver Hazard Perry on Track to Begin Offshore Ocean Voyaging in Early 2017
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a stability letter to America’s newest Tall Ship for operation on “Exposed Waters,” confirming that SSV Oliver Hazard Perry exceeds their most stringent Sailing School Vessel standards for stability. This assures that the vessel is on track to begin offshore ocean voyaging in early 2017 following the successful near-shore […]
Posted inHistory
Local Legend Claims One Of The Most Famous Questions in History Was Formulated at Sachuest Beach
In 1728, after marrying Anne Forster (daughter of John Forster, Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas), Dr. George Berkeley, an Anglo-Irish philosopher moved from Ireland to America. Upon arrival he bought a plantation in Middletown, RI and spent three years in Newport and was much indebted to the members of the congregation at the Trinity Church. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council: Agenda and Meeting Preview (Nov. 9)
Newport City Council will host their one-and-only November meeting on Tuesday, November 9th; less than 24 hours after polls close on Election Day and they find out who the Council will be made up of going forward. The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come […]
Posted inNews
Bike Newport Will Move From Spring Street to Broadway
Bike Newport, the non-profit organization that improves, encourages, and facilitates bicycling in and around Newport, RI, is moving operations to 62 Broadway in Newport, Rhode Island – the site of the former Newport Medical Center. Since May, Bike Newport has been temporarily housed in a former gas station on Spring Street, a space that supported […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society to Host Book Talk with Todd Braisted, Author of ‘Grand Forage 1778’
The year 1778 marked a crucial year in the American Revolution. The French entry into the war supporting the patriot cause forced the British to completely alter their strategy, having to both put down a rebellion and engage their traditional European rival. The unenviable task of carrying out London’s strategy fell upon the new commander-in-chief […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To Editor: School Committee Candidate Hopes to Increase Achievement and Success of All Our Children
The following Letter To The Editor was submitted by Ray Gomes, Candidate for Newport School Committee. The views and opinion expressed within are not necessarily those of our ownership, writers or advertisers. Have a Letter To The Editor? E-mail it to us at ryan@whatsupnewp.com. I am a candidate for the Newport School committee for a […]
Posted inNews
Perry Mill Wharf Hits Market for $28 Million
Lila Delman Real Estate International has announced that they have listed Perry Mill Wharf, located at the epicenter of downtown Newport, for $28 million. “It’s exciting to be a part of the effort to advance one of the most important properties in Newport’s famed waterfront district,” said listing broker, Greg Arakelian, Lila Delman Real Estate […]
Posted inCity & Government
City Council Candidates Share Thoughts on Newport Grand and Naval Hospital Properties
When Newport voters go the polls on November 8th, they will see that they have the option to choose four out of seven candidates (or write-in their own candidate) to fill the four At-Large seats on the Newport City Council. It should be noted that one of those candidates, Kimberly L. Shute, has dropped out of the […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restoration Foundation and US/ICOMOS Announce a New Collaboration Around Global Climate Change
Rising sea levels, the increasing frequency and intensity of storms, desertification and other intensifying impacts pose both obvious and unprecedented challenges to the cultural and natural heritage of humankind. A new collaboration announced recently by US/ICOMOS and the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is designed to better connect US historic preservationists to the global conversation around this […]