Newport City Council has voted 4-3 against Chomp Kitchen and Drinks’ application for outdoor seating on Broadway. The decision comes amid concerns about pedestrian safety and what some council members view as excessive capacity. Chomp, a new restaurant at 111 Broadway, wanted an 8-foot by 48-foot sidewalk cafe with eight tables and 46 seats. This […]
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
Newport Planning Board to host special meeting on proposed Waites Wharf hotel project
Newport’s Planning Board is gearing up to review two major hotel development proposals for Waites Wharf tonight (May 15). The board will look at plans for a 54-room hotel with a restaurant on the north lot and a 35-room hotel with a restaurant/event space on the south lot. Both projects also include 7-unit residential buildings. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment
Reach thousands of Newporters: Promote your event on What’sUpNewp!
Looking to attract more people to your upcoming local gathering? Submit it to What’sUpNewp’s event calendar and connect with locals searching for things to do in our community. Thousands of Newport residents turn to our calendar when planning their activities. What’sUpNewp offers options to fit your promotional needs. Free basic listings help spread the word […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport wants your ideas for Open Space Plan Update
Good Thursday morning, Newport! Here’s our daily rundown of what’s happening out there today, plus all that you need to know; enjoy! Weather Forecast Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8 am, then isolated showers. Patchy fog before 7 am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. The chance […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council takes aim at non-owner occupied short-term rentals
The Newport City Council voted at their Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday (May 14) to request ordinance changes that would prohibit all new non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in the city. The resolution, which passed with a 4-3 vote, directs the city administration and solicitors to present a plan, including ordinance changes and administrative policies, by the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council takes first steps in broadening smoking ban
Newport’s City Council is considering changes to widen the city’s smoking ban, adding marijuana and vaping to the list of prohibited activities in public areas. The council approved on first reading on Wednesday (May 14) amendments that would ban cannabis use and vaping in places where tobacco smoking is already not allowed. Melanie Saunders from […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport’s $92 million budget put on hold after unexpected City Council vote
The Newport City Council has tabled its vote on the proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 in a surprise procedural move that halted discussion on the financial plan. During their Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday (May 14), Councilor David Carlin moved to table the budget ordinance immediately after the hearing was closed, […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
MLK Center expands access to free fresh produce to four locations
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center today (May 14) announced the expansion of its Produce to the People program, which offers weekly fresh produce to anyone in Newport County free of charge. In addition to offering this resource on Thursdays at the Center from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the program has expanded […]
Posted inBusiness
SeaMist MedSpa unveils new Newport location with grand reopening
SeaMist MedSpa is set to unveil its newly renovated Newport location at 35 Broadway on May 29. The grand reopening event, happening from 4 to 7 p.m., showcases the spa’s fresh 1,100-square-foot space. “This new space is a reflection of the growth we’ve experienced and the elevated care we strive to offer every client who […]
Posted inCity & Government
11th Hour Racing awards Aquidneck Community Table $150,000
Aquidneck Community Table (ACT) today announced a $150,000 grant award from 11th Hour Racing to support its work to build a stronger and more just food system on Aquidneck Island. The funding will help increase access to local foods, along with garden and compost programs, in local communities with need. “Everyone deserves access to fresh foods and […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport Dems to host rally against President Trump’s ‘harmful actions and policies’ on Saturday
Good Wednesday morning, Newport! Here’s our daily rundown of what’s happening out there today, plus all that you need to know; enjoy! Weather Forecast Today: A chance of showers, mainly after 1 pm. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight: A chance of […]
Posted inNews
Governor McKee allocates $1.5 million to Portsmouth, Middletown, and Jamestown for affordable housing projects
Rhode Island is investing big in affordable housing, with three Newport County communities set to receive a total of $1.5 million in grants. This is part of the state’s largest single-year investment through the Community Development Block Grant program. Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Housing have announced over $3.5 million in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Jazz Festival adds Flying Lotus and Nubya Garcia to 2025 lineup
The Newport Jazz Festival is adding Flying Lotus and Nubya Garcia to its Friday lineup for the 2025 event. This 71st annual festival, happening August 1-3 at Fort Adams State Park, promises a wide range of artists over three days. Grammy-nominated producer Flying Lotus and indie jazz composer and saxophonist Nubya Garcia are joining an […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tiverton’s historical cemeteries take center stage in upcoming talk
History buffs and curious locals are in for a treat as Jim Spears, co-chair of the Tiverton Historical Cemeteries Commission, prepares to share insights on the town’s old burial grounds. The free talk is scheduled for May 27 at 6 p.m. at the Tiverton Public Library. During the hour-long presentation, Spears will walk attendees through […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Sons of Union Veterans to host Memorial Day Ceremony
Newport’s Sons of Union Veterans chapter is holding its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Island Cemetery on May 26, 2025, at 2 p.m. The event, put together by Major General Thomas West Sherman Camp 1, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Everyone […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Tom Petty fans rejoice: The Breakers coming to Newport
The Breakers, a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band, is gearing up for a performance at The JPT Film & Event Center on Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. This band isn’t just another cover act – they’re all about giving fans a genuine live experience that channels the spirit of the late Tom Petty’s […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
Newport students commit to high-demand careers at ‘Signing Day’ event
Newport Area Career and Technical Center recently celebrated 22 graduating seniors at its annual National Signing Day event. The ceremony, held with SkillsUSA, recognized students committing to careers in high-demand fields like construction, culinary arts, engineering, cosmetology, and IT. Students signed letters of intent for their next steps, including jobs, apprenticeships, technical training, military service, […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Absenteeism and tardiness on Newport School Committee agenda
Good Tuesday morning, Newport! Here’s our daily rundown of what’s happening out there today, plus all that you need to know; enjoy! Weather Forecast Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. East wind 5 to 11 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind around 8 mph. Marine Forecast Today: Variable […]
Posted inNews, Police & Fire
Portsmouth Police make multiple DUI arrests over weekend
Portsmouth police are stepping up their efforts to combat drunk driving, with several arrests made during a recent weekend enforcement push. From May 9-11, 2025, officers patrolled the town and responded to calls, resulting in four DUI charges and one arrest for public drinking. On May 11, Christina Santos, 27, from Fall River, Mass., was […]
Posted inCity & Government
RI Supreme Court Justice to discuss advancing civil rights in state courts during an event at The JPT
The League of Women Voters of Newport County is set to host Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Melissa A. Long for a discussion on advancing civil rights in the state’s courts. The event, “Justice for All: Advancing Civil Rights in Rhode Island’s Courts,” is scheduled for May 20, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the Jane […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County teens recognized as Rhode Island’s future leaders
Three Newport County students were among those honored at the Young Leader Awards ceremony at the Rhode Island State House on May 9, 2025. General Treasurer James A. Diossa hosted the event, recognizing outstanding high school juniors’ academic success, community involvement, and entrepreneurial spirit. The local winners include Kira Pearson from Rogers High School in […]
Posted inSports
Salve Regina tabbed No. 1 Seed in Penn State Harrisburg Regional
The Salve Regina University baseball team is headed to Pennsylvania after earning its 10th trip to the NCAA Division III Championships. The 10th-ranked Seahawks will take on Little East Conference champions Keene State College in their first game of the regional, while host and 19th-ranked Penn State Harrisburg matches up with The College of New […]
Posted inCity & Government
DEM ramping up patrols and education during National Safe Boating Week
Environmental Police Officers from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are teaming up with boating safety advocates across the U.S. and Canada to promote safe, responsible boating and encourage life jacket use during National Safe Boating Week, taking place May 17-23. Throughout the week, DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) will increase water patrols, conduct additional […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Euer introduces bill to protect ratepayers from rising costs related to utility company spending
Senator Dawn Euer has introduced legislation to limit which public utility company costs are born by ratepayers and to cap increases to their capital spending plans. “This bill sets down in law a list of costs to utilities that should not be passed on to the ratepayers,” said Senator Euer (D-District 13, Newport, Jamestown). “Some of these […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police K-9 Bo to be officially sworn in as member of police department on Wednesday
Newport’s police force recently got a new four-legged member, and the public is invited to witness the official ceremony. K-9 Bo will officially be sworn in to the Newport Police Department on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 6 p.m. The swearing-in will take place in the Newport City Hall chambers. Lt. Joseph C. Carroll, who […]