Newport Fire Department responded to Del Nero Cleaners just after 5 p.m. for a fire alarm/reported fire. A witness next door at Mission reported to us over the phone that the fire alarm began going off in the restaurant and everyone was asked to exit the building. The witness also confirmed with us that there was […]
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
The 10 Most-Read Newport Stories in August
As expected, August was one of the busiest months when it came to events, fundraisers and activities around the City-By-The-Sea. While covering dozens of events and posting hundreds of stories in the month of August, it’s the news that’s unexpected, original and breaking news that saw the most traffic on www.whatsupnewp.com. More than 53,000 unique […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Opinion
Guest Column: Can Oysters Increase Your Chance Of A Second Date?
Brian Ashness is the Raw Bar Chef at the Midtown Oyster Bar, luckily he also loves oysters. Can oysters increase your chance of a second date? The short answer— yes, significantly! According to a Singles in America survey, people who go out for sushi on the first date increase their chances of a second date by […]
Posted inThings To Do
Star Light, Star Bright: Friends of Ballard Park Will Star Gazing Program on September 10th
Friends of Ballard Park will hold a star gazing program in Ballard Park’s quarry meadow on Saturday, September 10th from 8 to 9:30 pm. Robert Horton, Manager of Astronomical Laboratories at Brown University, and telescope operator Scott MacNeill will guide event goers through the fall constellations. The astronomers will bring their telescopes for up closing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
16 Can’t Miss Events in Newport This September
Discover the best, biggest and most popular events happening in and around Newport, Rhode Island this September For a full listing of events, visit our Events Calendar. One. newportFILM presents Maurizo Cattelan: Be Right Back – September 1, 2016: newportFILM’s final outdoor screening of the summer will be “Maurizio Cattelan: Be Right Back” on the Lawn of […]
Posted inNews
$50,000 Winning PowerBall Ticket Sold in Middletown on Sunday
There was a $50,000 winning PowerBall ticket sold for Saturday’s $140.1 million drawing at the Stop & Shop on 1360 West Main Road in Middletown. The ticket, which has not been claimed, matched four numbers and the PowerBall number. The winner did not add the PowerPlay feature for an additional dollar. If the winner had […]
Posted inNews
Crane Overturns On Sakonnet Bridge on Monday Afternoon
At 1:33 pm the Portsmouth Fire Department received multiple 911 calls for an overturned crane on the northbound side of the Sakonnet Bridge. Portsmouth Fire Department responded with Rescue 3, Engine 1 and Tower Ladder 1. Tiverton Fire Department received 911 calls for the same incident and responded with their assets. Fire officers also summoned […]
Posted inNews
Final Boarding Call: Newport-Providence Ferry Set to Wrap Up 2016 Season on Labor Day
The Newport-Providence Ferry will wrap up their 2016 season and pilot program on Labor Day, the service has proved popular with Rhode Islanders and visitors alike. The vessel, named the Ocean State, saw immediate success with 1,000 riding during Fourth Of July Weekend and 5,000 tickets sold in it’s first twelve days. On August 7th, […]
Posted inNews
UPDATE: Donald Trump Cancels Newport Fundraiser, Hopes To Reschedule
What’sUpNewp was among the first to announce that Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump would be in Newport on Friday night for a campaign fundraiser. On Monday afternoon, the Providence Journal reported that a scheduling conflict will keep Trump from attending and that the fundraiser will have to be rescheduled. Previous Story Republican Presidential Candidate Donald […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Representative Lauren Carson Will Host Constituent Meeting Focused on the Arts
Representative Lauren Carson (D-District 75, Newport) will hold a constituent meeting dedicated to the arts on September 7th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Newport Art Museum. “I enjoy holding constituent meetings throughout the year as a means for gathering ideas for my work at the State House, and as a way to […]
Posted inHistory
A Look at What Was Happening in Newport The Year Salve’s Incoming Class of 2020 Were Born
Salve Regina University will host move-in day for the Class of 2020 (can you believe it?) this weekend and classes will get underway next week. Students heading into their first year of studying at college this year are mostly 18 and were born in 1998 (again, can you believe it?). Since they are 18 or soon […]
Posted inThings To Do
Hotel Viking Will Host Meet-And-Greet with New England Patriots Cheerleaders on September 15th
Football fans are invited to an autograph and photo opportunity with three of the New England Patriots Cheerleaders at Hotel Viking on September 15, 2016. Cheerleaders will be at Hotel Viking from 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Sept. 15 to pose for photos and autograph posters and copies of the 2017 New England Patriots Cheerleader Swimsuit Calendar. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Defense Innovation Days Brings Defense Industry Leaders to Newport This Week
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, Under Secretary of Defense Frank Kendall to Keynote Defense Innovation Days, the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance’s (SENEDIA) annual three-day event highlighting innovation and technology in the defense arena, will be held Monday, August 29 – Wednesday, August 31 at the Hyatt Regency in Newport, RI. The event includes in-depth […]
Posted inJobs
50+ Companies Who Are 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? You can add a listing here. All jobs posted within last 7 days. […]
Posted inThings To Do
10+ Great Things To Do In Newport This Week: August 29 – September 2
Discover the best events, activities and things to do in and around Newport, RI this week. Monday, August 29th 8 pm – Laughter for Locals at The Firehouse Theater Tuesday, August 30th 5:30pm – Summer Concert Series with Louis Vaughan Trio at Sweet Berry Farm 5:30pm – Arts Behind the Scenes – Fiber Art Paints at Newport Congregational Church 6pm […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where To Find Live Music and Entertainment This Week: August 29 – September 2
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…. Monday, August 29th Fastnet: Live music with The Ubiquitones from 10pm to 1am. No cover.Fifth Element: Live music with The Groove Merchants from 7pm to 10pmFirehouse Theater: Laughter […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Launches Classifieds: A Place To Buy, Sell, Hire and Share
Looking for a job in and around Newport? Searching for an apartment in Newport? Have an Aquidneck Island-based job to advertise? Looking to sell something in the area? Have some local community news to share? An apartment to rent in Newport? What’sUpNewp is excited to announce we launched our new Classifieds feature on Saturday, August 27th. […]
Posted inNews
Why ‘Car Crashes Into Building’ is Becoming A More Common Headline
In the last 16 months, there have been several different incidents where we’ve had to run a headline that reads something like “car crashes into _________”. You can fill in those previous mentioned blanks with Andria Bird Bridal (May 2, 2015), Libby Kirwin Real Estate (May 5, 2015) Mama Leones (March 26, 2016) and Micki’s Laundromat (August 26, 2016). […]
Posted inNews
What’sUpNewp Is Giving Away The Ultimate Newport Classic Yacht Regatta Experience
What’sUpNewp, in partnership with the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), is giving away the ultimate Labor Day Weekend experience. On Labor Day Weekend, IYRS will host the 37th Annual Newport Classic Yacht Regatta, the third and final leg of the North American Circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge. What You Win What’sUpNewp is offering the […]
Posted inNews
In Pictures: Naval Station Newport’s 2016 Salute To Summer Concert and Fireworks Show
Naval Station Newport hosted their annual ‘Salute To Summer’ on Saturday, August 27th at Dewey Field. The free event featured live music and entertainment by Navy Band Northeast, plenty of activities for children and a fireworks show. Here’s some of our favorite photos that were shared on social media of the free concert, activities and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Fest Returns To Downtown Newport This Weekend
Festival Fete is returning to The City By The Sea August 27th and 28th to host its second Newport Art Festival of 2016. The two day art festival is free to attend and will be hosted in the Lobster Bar parking lot down on Bowen’s Wharf from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Overlooking […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
15+ Great Things To Do This Weekend in Newport: August 26 – 28
Discover the best events, activities and things to do this weekend in and around Newport, RI. Live Music Listings: Here’s where to find live music, comedy and entertainment this weekend in and around Newport. Friday, August 26th 1pm: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Trinity Church 2pm – 4pm: Trunk Show-Antique Button Jewelry at Marble House 7pm: Live music […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where To Find Live Music and Entertainment This Weekend in Newport: August 26 – 28
Discover the best entertainment, comedy and live music happening around Newport, RI this weekend. Looking for more than live music and entertainment? Here’s a look at 15+ Great Things To Do This Weekend in Newport. If you find value in these listings, please consider supporting the venues in bold. These are the businesses who make […]
Posted inCity & Government
Chat With Representative Lauren Carson (Part 1): 38 Studios, Tourism & City Adminstration
Following the recent announcement that the State Of Rhode Island reached a $25.6 million deal over 38 Studios, and her opponent calling her out for her stance on the issue, Representative Lauren Carson (D-District 75, Newport) reached out to us and invited us to sit down on Friday, August 26th so she could share her thoughts […]
Posted inNews
SUV Crashes Into Front of Micki’s ‘Mat Laundromat on Bellevue Avenue
An SUV crashed into the front of Micki’s ‘Mat Laundromat, a.k.a. Bellevue Cleaners and Laundry, on Friday morning just after 11:30 a.m. A witness did report that a man was transported from the scene by ambulance. Micki’s is located in the Bellevue Shopping Plaza at 272 Bellevue Avenue, Susan and David Chevalier have owned the […]