Following Tuesday’s Rhode Island Primary where 6 long-time serving Democratic Incumbents were knocked out of the state house, Mike Smith (Candidate for House District 75) has released the following statement. The following was submitted and written by Mike Smith, candidate for House District 75. Responding to the “stunning” upsets that occurred during yesterday’s primary election […]
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 inNews
Newport Shipyard to be Honored with Annual Anchor Award by Rhode Island Marine Trades Association
RIMTA to Honor Newport Shipyard with Annual Anchor Award Newport Facility Recognized for Positive Impact on State’s Marine Trades The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) will present its annual Anchor Award to Newport Shipyard to recognize the role this company has played in transforming a part of Newport’s waterfront into a world-renowned shipyard […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust Launches Sixteen on Center Art and Writing Contest for Aquidneck Island Students
Aquidneck Land Trust has announced the launch of the “Sixteen On Center Art and Writing Contest”. The contest aims to promote the importance and value of a healthy environment to the youth on Aquidneck Island. The contest consists of two categories, one art and one writing, that will run concurrently as a way to engage […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Eight Nationally-Ranked Collegiate Tennis Teams to Compete in Newport This Weekend
International Tennis Hall of Fame to host nationally-ranked collegiate teams for grass-court tournament in Newport, RI The Hall of Fame ITA Grass Court Invitational will draw four men’s teams and four women’s teams for a first of its kind tournament, which is free and open to the public. In a first of its kind event, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Preservation Society Will Offer Newport County Residents Free Admission to Properties This Weekend
Preservation Society Offers Free Admission For Newport County Residents, September 17 & 18, 2016 The Preservation Society of Newport County invites residents of all Newport County communities (Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth and Tiverton) to “be our guest” at the Newport Mansions this weekend, Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18, 2016. Visitors showing proof […]
Posted inCity & Government
UPDATE: Agenda for Newport City Council’s Meeting at City Hall on September 14th
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will go before Newport City Council at its regular meeting that will be held at Pell Elementary School on September 14, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. UPDATE: What’sUpNewp has confirmed that the agenda placed on the City Of Newport’s website […]
Posted inNews
Sail Newport Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony For New Mid-Park Marine Education and Recreation Center
State and local officials joined Sail Newport on Monday afternoon for a Groundbreaking Ceremony that will launch the construction of the new Mid-Park Marine Education and Recreation Center. Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, RI DEM Director Janet Coit, Representative Marvin Abney, Representative Lauren Carson, Newport City Councilor Marco Camacho and Former Governor Lincoln Chafee were […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Island Energy Forum to be Held at Salve Regina’s Pell Center on September 22nd
Solar and Beyond: the Aquidneck Island Energy Forum Coming to Salve Regina Pell Center on September 22nd We are in the midst of a revolution, with signs all around us that Rhode Island’s energy landscape is rapidly changing. This summer we watched the nation’s first offshore wind turbines make their journey south through Narragansett Bay […]
Posted inBusiness
Local Resident, Business Owner Questions President Obama’s Use of Antiquities Act
Freedom Comes In Many Forms: What warrants the use of the unilateral Presidential authority encompassed in the Antiquities Act? William Palombo, President of Palombo Fishing Corporation, of Newport, RI and resident of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, has recently written a letter to President Obama urging him to reconsider his use of the Antiquities Act in order to […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH and RIDEM Recommend Avoiding Contact with Two Local Aquidneck Island Ponds
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) are advising people to avoid contact with St. Mary’s Pond in Portsmouth and South Easton Pond in Middletown because of blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) blooms in those ponds. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that can harm humans and animals. […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Construction on Coggeshall Ave Should Be Concern Of All
The following Letter To The Editor was written submitted by Ross Sinclair Cann, AIA – Managing Director, A4 Architecture. The views and opinions in this piece are not necessarily those of What’sUpNewp ownership, staff or advertisers. To the Editor: Something is happening at 236 Coggeshall Avenue that should be of concern not just to the […]
Posted inNews
Video: USS ZUMWALT Departs Newport
After spending four days docked at the Naval War College in Newport, the USS ZUMWALT departed the City-By-The-Sea on Monday morning around 11:00 a.m. The What’sUpNewp Crew set up at Fort Adams State Park to record the following cellphone video of the USS ZUMWALT (DDG 1000), the US Navy’s newest warship, passing under the Claiborne […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Six to be Inducted in to Newport Gulls Hall Of Fame on October 22
Newport Gulls Hall of Fame Dinner Set for Oct. 22 Six inductees, silent auction will highlight Fourth Class Hall of Fame banquet NEWPORT, R.I. – Five team alumni and one long-time volunteer will be inducted into the Newport Gulls Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 22, in a dinner ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Newport. […]
Posted inJobs
60+ Companies Hiring Right Now In Newport
Looking for a job in 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 Our Classifieds […]
Posted inThings To Do
15+ Best Things To Do This Week In Newport: September 12 – 16
Discover the best events, activities and things to do in and around Newport, RI this weekend! Entertainment Listings: Here’s where to find live music, comedy, trivia, karaoke, open mic and more this week. Monday, September 12th 4:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – The Light Between Oceans at Jane Pickens Theater Tuesday, September 13th 4:30 p.m. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where To Find Live Music and Entertainment in Newport This Week: September 12 – 16
Wondering where to find karaoke, trivia, live music, dancing, comedy or some other form of fun entertainment this week in Newport, RI? Here’s what’s happening around the City-By-The-Sea…. Newport, RI Live Music & Entertainment Listings This information was provided to us by the venue or musicians, it is subject to change. Did we miss something […]
Posted inArts & Culture
United States Navy Band Will Perform at Easton’s Beach on September 11th
The United States Navy Band will perform at 4 p.m. at the 3rd Annual New England Festival of Hope held at Easton’s Beach, Newport, RI, on Sunday, September 11, 2016. Navy Band Northeast was officially established in 1974, and performs regularly throughout the eleven-state Northeast region. Navy Bands have been an integral part of the Naval […]
Posted inNews
$30,000 Powerball Ticket Sold In Portsmouth Remains Unclaimed, Will Expire on September 16th
PowerBall PowerPlay Ticket from September 2015 About to Expire A $30,000 winning PowerBall PowerPlay ticket sold at Clement’s Marketplace, 2575 East Main Rd., Portsmouth, for the September 16, 2015, drawing is about to expire. Drawing DateWinning NumbersPowerballPower PlayAnnuity JackpotCash Jackpot 9/16/2015$188,000,000$118,700,000 Players have a year from the date of the drawing to claim their ticket. If the prize […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ Best Things To Do This Weekend In Newport | September 9 – 11
Here’s a look at some of best activities, events and things to do this weekend in and around Newport, RI! Related Link: Where To Find Live Music, Comedy & Entertainment This Weekend In Newport Friday, September 9 8:30 a.m. – Get Sweaty with Newport’s Fittest at lululemon Newport 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Secret Garden Tours 4 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where To Find Live Music and Entertainment in Newport This Weekend: September 9 – 11
Discover the best places to find live music, comedy, karaoke, dancing and entertainment in Newport this weekend. Wondering what else is happening this weekend in and around Newport? Here’s 20+ Best Things To Do This Weekend In Newport | September 9 – 11. If you find value in these listings, please consider supporting the venues in […]
Posted inNews
34 Open Houses on Aquidneck Island This Weekend: September 9 – 11
Looking for a new house to make a home on Aquidneck Island? Here are 34 Open Houses taking place this weekend in Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport. Newport 603 THAMES ST Newport, RI / 02840 $215,000 MLS# 1123819 Type: Condo Complex Name: Timothy Mahoney House Beds: 1 Beds Baths: 1 Full / 0 Half Living Area: […]
Posted inNews
33,221 Tickets Sold During Newport-Providence Ferry’s Inaugural Season
Rhode Island Department of TransportationCelebrates Successful Inaugural Season for Providence-Newport Ferry The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) released final ridership statistics today for its seasonal ferry service, from its inaugural launch on Friday, July 1 through its final run on Labor Day weekend. According to RIDOT; the service proved extremely successful with a total […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Kim Clijsters, Andy Roddick, Monique Kalkman Named to 2017 Ballot for Tennis Hall of Fame Induction
Kim Clijsters, Andy Roddick, Paralympian Monique Kalkman have been named to the ballot for 2017 International Tennis Hall of Fame induction Former world No. 1’s Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick have been nominated for the highest honor in the sport of tennis- induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Clijsters and Roddick are both on […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport International Boat Show Is Just One Week Away
NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW KICKS-OFF THE FALL BOAT SHOW SEASON Gates Open on September 15th to the Largest Show Since 2009 Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the Newport International Boat Show, announced today that it has secured a record number of exhibitors, and organized more educational activities and attractions for showgoers than ever […]
Posted inNews
Newport Historical Society Finds New Ways to Make Newport’s History Available To The Public
New online resources, “Hamilton” essay contest & the NHS approach to practicing public history Over the last several years, the Newport Historical Society has received growing recognition for its innovative approach to public history. The Society is pleased to announce its most recent activities which bring history to the public in meaningful ways: an exclusive […]