Discover what’s happening, new and to do this weekend in and around Newport, RI! Scroll down for the most thorough, complete and correct live music, comedy and entertainment listings you can find in Newport Friday, October 21 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Gilded Metropolis Study Day: Newporters at Home in New York at The Breakers […]
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
Traffic Advisory: Pell Bridge Run Will be Held on Sunday, October 23rd
The 6th Annual Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run is scheduled for this weekend, the race is set to kick off at 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 23rd. The Citizens Bank Pell Bride Run is a 4 mile run/walk that serves as a major fundraiser for dozens of local charities each year. This race, which has a […]
Posted inNews
Lower Sakonnet River Closed to Shellfishing
A shellfish harvesting closure is in effect for lower Sakonnet River, Harvester Tagging Area 5C, until further notice. The closure is due to a preliminary toxic shellfish finding associated with the harmful algae bloom being monitored in Rhode Island waters. The closure includes carnivorous snails, such as whelk and moon snails. On October 7, The […]
Posted inCity & Government
City Needs To Start Taking Social Media Seriously
Social media has been a place where you can freely (within limits) express your support and opposition for just about any cause, law, sports team or Presidential Candidate. Social media allows conversations to happen between officials and taxpayers, but currently Newport has no social media best practices and a recent post has got some wondering […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Casting Call For National Food Brand, Filming to Take Place in Providence or Newport
Attention chefs, bartenders, servers, foodies and pretty much anyone who wants to model – a National Food Brand has issued a casting call. Filming for the shoot will take place in Newport or Providence, you should react to this quick as the dates they need the right model to be available for filming is October 26th, 27th […]
Posted inCity & Government
ACLU Sends Letter to Newport City Council, Calls Proposed Panhandling Ordinance Inappropriate
Councilor John Florez’s proposed Panhandling Ordinance is inappropriate from both a legal and policy perspective, according to Steven Brown Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Rhode Island. Brown sent a letter regarding directed to Chris Behan, City Solicitor of Newport, this week regarding the proposed panhandling ordinance. All seven members of Newport City Council received a copy […]
Posted inCity & Government
Petition Emerges to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags on Aquidneck Island
By Earth Day in 2017 all single-use plastic bags would be banned in Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport, that’s at least the goal of Clean Ocean Access and their supporters. Following the success of asking Newport City Council to support a resolution that would phase out the use of single-use plastic bags, Clean Ocean Access and […]
Posted inNews
URI to Present ‘Distinguished Achievement Awards’ in Newport on October 22nd
University of Rhode Island President David M. Dooley will spotlight the achievements of a group of alumni and friends at the University’s 11th annual Distinguished Achievement Awards on Oct. 22 at the Newport Marriott. The President’s Awards will be presented to leaders in business, education, economic development and even the world’s leading gaming and lottery […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Horror Movie to be Filmed in East Greenwich an Wakefield This Fall
Rhode Island Producer Tom DeNucci (“Almost Mercy”) has announced that his company, Woodhaven Media, has teamed up with Matt O’Connor and Glenn Jeffrey of 2Cousins Productions to film the horror story “ANDERS MANOR”. Based on a concept by O’Connor and Jeffrey, the screenplay was penned by locals Mike Messier, DeNucci, O’Connor and Jeffrey. Warwick resident, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Small But Mighty Crew is Working to Keep Newport a ‘Clean City’
On a daily basis (on an almost like Groundhog Day schedule) I make the voyage from my home on Lower Thames Street to Mokka Coffeehouse on Spring Wharf to the What’sUpNewp office on Upper Thames Street. To anyone who’s ever walked Lower Thames early in the morning, you too have experienced the disgrace that is the litter that takes over […]
Posted inCity & Government
Sav Rebecchi Demands Senator Paiva-Weed Explain Campaign Contributions from Outside of District
After examining the most recent campaign filings at the Rhode Island Board of Elections, the Independent candidate for Senate District 13, Sav Rebecchi, is demanding that his opponent, Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed explain why she reportedly has accepted over a quarter of a million dollars in campaign contributions from outside of the district. Rebechhi has released […]
Posted inThings To Do
Lecture and Exhibit to Recount Historic Slave Emancipation & Reparation Effort From 1795
With the critical acclaim and success of Academy Award-winning “12 Years A Slave,” the acclaimed remake of “Roots,” and the recent release of “Birth of a Nation,” historical dramas portraying the African American experience from slavery to freedom has inspired many to learn more about this important, yet complex chapter in American history. On Thursday […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Deborah Ruggiero named ‘Community Hero’ by Lucy’s Hearth
Rep. Deborah Ruggiero will be honored as a “Community Hero” by Lucy’s Hearth next week for her consistent and perseverant dedication to the Middletown organization that provides shelter and programs for homeless women and their children. Representative Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown), who has served in the House since 2009, has long worked to assist […]
Posted inOpinion
Local Commentary: RI Senate President & Cabal Stifles Newport’s Potential
Sunday’s Providence Journal ran the article “Challenger takes on R.I. Senate president” featuring the race between Senator Teresa Paiva-Weed and Jamestown independent candidate Sav Rebecchi. To her “credit,” Senator Paiva-Weed, in concert with her close, Newport politician friends (Mayor JeanneMarie Napolitano, Newport school committee’s Jo Eva Gaines, Kathy Silvia, and Sandra Flowers) has done […]
Posted inNews
Historic Gravestones Will be Reset During Public Ceremony in Common Burying Ground on Saturday
The Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission will host a celebration and resetting of historic gravestones at the Common Burying Ground in Newport on Saturday October 22nd at 11a.m. A 326-year old gravestone, which went missing from Newport approximately 37 years ago, was recently returned to Newport after being discovered in a suburban Philadelphia yard. In August […]
Posted inBusiness
People’s Credit Union Earns Multiple Awards At Cooperative Credit Union Association’s Annual Convention
People’s Credit Union was recently awarded the Excellence in Advocacy Award for Rhode Island and the Credit Union of the Year by the Cooperative Credit Union Association. The Excellence in Advocacy Award for Rhode Island award was in recognition of People’s Credit Union’s commitment to promoting awareness of credit unions. In addition to the Excellence […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Mike Smith Will Fight for the Quality of Life of Hard Working Newporters
As a former educator, military officer and native of Newport, I am thrilled a candidate of Mike Smith’s caliber has stepped onto this difficult political stage to fight for the quality of life of hard working Newporters. As the father of three children, a small business owner and a vocal advocate for veterans and senior […]
Posted inNews
Providence College Basketball Coach Ed Cooley Honored with ‘Brighter Futures Award’
Coach Building Brighter Futures for Others to be Honored by Family Service of Rhode Island Family Service of Rhode Island, a statewide non-profit serving abused children and many other Rhode Islanders in need, is honoring Providence College men’s basketball coach Ed Cooley at its 12th annual Brighter Futures luncheon on Wednesday, October 26, at the Rhode […]
Posted inCity & Government
Winthrop Brings In More Donations Over Summer Than All Other City Council-At-Large Candidates Combined
Rhode Island Board of Elections records show that Former Mayor and City Council-At-Large candidate Harry Winthrop raised more cash than all other City Council candidates in the most recent period. Winthrop’s campaign raised $12,525 in donations between July 1 and October 10th, while all other opponents raised less than $8,000 during the same period. Winthrop ended the […]
Posted inNews
Salvation Army in Newport Extends Food Pantry Service in Response to Community Needs
The Salvation Army in Newport, RI is temporarily extending its food pantry to allow individuals to visit twice a month until further notice in response to community needs, according to LT. James Bang of the Salvation Army Newport Corps. Open to families and individuals who are residents of Newport County, the food pantry has been a staple […]
Posted inThings To Do
Let the Dogs Romp on Rose Island This Sunday
Sunset Romp Slated to Benefit The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, with support from Wag Nation, will be celebrating Dogtoberfest on Rose Island this Sunday. Adventurous canines and well behaved humans are invited to join the afternoon romp from 2:30 until 5:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event, which is being organized by Wag Nation, will benefit […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police Seeks Public’s Help Identifying Suspect Wanted in ATM Skimmer Crime
Detectives from the Newport Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a gentleman who is suspected of an ATM Machine Skimmer Crime. From Newport Police Department: Below are two photos that depict a suspect in an active police investigation involving an ATM Machine Skimmer Crime. People’s personal Credit/Bank Card information is skimmed onto […]
Posted inNews
Thousands of Santa’s Expected to Participate in ‘Santa Hustle’ in Newport on November 20th
Thousands of runners, dressed as Santa’s, are expected to participate in the inaugural Santa Hustle 5k and Half Marathon in Newport, RI on November 20th. The Santa Hustle, produced by Illinois-based Adrenaline Sports Management, is a road race series where runners are provided with a Santa hat, beard, and a lightweight performance hoodie to wear while running in a 5k or […]
Posted inNews
The Kind Spirits Launches ‘The Community Action Project’
The Kind Spirits is launching an initiative here on Aquidneck Island called “The Community Action Project”. “Recently there has been much dialogue on local hot-button social issues regarding our community but very few venues to execute solutions,” said Jason Kindness, President of The Kind Spirits. The Kind Spirits is a local business created by Jason […]
Posted inNews
New Thriller, Suspense Movie Now Being Filmed on Block Island
New Shoreham is the setting for the new suspense thriller BLOCK ISLAND, which is currently in production. Tony Glazer is directing from a screenplay by Jon Adler and Ted Weihman. Jon Adler, Summer Crockett Moore and Ken Shur (The Bellmen) are producing. Ms. Moore and Mr. Glazer are Managing Partners and Principals of Choice Films […]