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 […]
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
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 […]
Posted inThings To Do
Great Chowder Cook-Off Tickets Set to Go On Sale Today at Noon
Tickets go on sale today at 12 p.m. for the 35th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off, the original and longest-running chowder championship in the country! Starting today at 12 p.m. and through December 31st, chowder fans can pick up $15 discounted tickets for the annual event that is scheduled from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. on […]
Posted inCity & Government
Who Will Become Newport’s Next Mayor?
When Newport City Council meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, will it be Jeanne-Marie Napolitano’s last meeting as Mayor? It may or may not be. While election results are still unofficial and more than 1,300 absentee and emergency ballots still need to be counted, current Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napoliano and former Mayor Harry Winthrop are reportedly beginning […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum Will Host FabNewport Student Exhibition
The Coleman Center for Creative Studies at the Newport Art Museum will welcome a student show to its gallery this November in collaboration with FabNewport. FabNewport provides Newport County residents with alternative pathways to science, technology, engineering, arts and math through mentoring and personalized education. The Newport Art Museum includes this initiative with FabNewport among its many […]
Posted inCity & Government
Carson Will Return to State House to Represent District 75 (Newport)
Representative Lauren Carson (D – District 75, Newport) will be returning to the State House in 2017. Newport voters chose to send the Democratic candidate back to the State House, instead of Independent candidate Mike Smith. Carson defeated Smith 56.1% to 43.5%. “Thank you, RI House District 75. I won my first re-election. Great race, […]
Posted inNews
Changes Ahead for Newport City Council, Newport School Committee
Change. It’s coming soon to the Newport City Council and Newport School Committee, according to unofficial results from the Rhode Island Board of Directions. Note: Rhode Island Board Of Elections says that Mail ballots will continue to be tabulated tomorrow and possibly Thursday. When finished, the results will be added. On December 4th, our local Inauguration […]
Posted inJobs
60+ Local Companies Hiring Right Now In Newport (Nov. 7)
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 inArts & Culture
Second Saturday at Newport Art Museum Will Celebrate Rhode Island Lighthouses
The Newport Art Museum continues to engage and inspire the whole family with “Second Saturdays” (November 12, 10am-12pm), an engaging family-oriented program designed to inspire young minds and satisfy the curiosity of every member of the family. Each Second Saturday is uniquely curated based on a theme, and includes a variety of activities geared for ages 3-10. This event joins the ranks […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ Great Things To Do This Week In Newport: Nov. 7 – 11
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. Reccuring Daily This Week – Newport Restaurant Week Newport Restaurant Week, […]
Posted inCity & Government
New Owners of Irish American Club Respond to Complaints By Neighbors
Following a story we did on Saturday (Neighbors Say Irish American Club is Taunting Them With Outdoor Sign) and several neighbor complaints, the new owners of Newport’s Irish American Club are responding to our story and the recent complaints. Follow the story in order by reading this – Neighbors Say Irish American Club is Taunting Them […]
Posted inCity & Government
Trends of Past Elections: Newport City Council and School Committee
Tuesday evening, after all the votes are counted, the City of Newport and all of its residents may be welcoming new members of the community to their School Committee and City Council. Since we love numbers, we decided to dig into the data from the last four elections. Newport City Council At-Large: In the last 4 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Lauren Carson: I Have Focused My Race on My Real Record and Our Real Issues
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 […]
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 […]