Friends of Ballard Park’s 11th Annual MOVIES ON THE ROCKS continues on Wednesday, August 10th with a screening of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The short Chateau de sable by Quentin Deleau will be shown prior to the movie and is provided by Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival. The screenings is free and open […]
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
Agenda for Newport City Council Meeting on August 10th
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at its regular meeting to be held on August 10, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at Newport City Hall. For links to any of the applications, visit here. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG CITIZEN’S FORUM: […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Politics Trumps Questions – Approval of Fire Boat Expected
The following Letter To The Editor was written and submitted by Mike Cullen, a resident of Newport. The views and opinions expressed within this piece may not be those of What’sUpNewp’s staff, advertisers or sponsors. “While many community members have raised solid questions that should have been prepared by city staff weeks ago, it’s dawned on me […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ Great Things To Do This Week in Newport: August 8 – 12
Looking for something fun to do this week in Newport, RI? Discover some great events, activities and things to do this weekend in the City-By-The-Sea. Looking for live music, comedy, entertainment, trivia, karaoke, a movie or some other form of entertainment this week? Here’s where to find live music and entertainment around Newport this week. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where To Find Live Music and Entertainment This Week: August 8 – 12
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…. Wondering what else is up this week around Newport? Here are 20+ great things to do this week in the City-By-The-Sea. Monday, August 8th Fastnet: Live music […]
Posted inNews
At Annual Fiesta Verde Event, Aquidneck Land Trust Celebrates New Acquisition Project and Raises $194,000 for Conservation
Over 350 people attended Fiesta Verde on July 23, 2016 in support of Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT), a non-profit dedicated to open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of the Aquidneck Island community. The fundraiser, which was held at Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, RI, has become one of the most-anticipated summer bashes […]
Posted inNews
Podcast: Made In Newport, Fire Boat, Newport Gulls and More…
Usually on the second Monday of the month I’d be joined by Evan Smith from Discover Newport, because Evan is on vacation this week, I had a full show to talk about whatever need to be talked about (or what I wanted to talk about). The show started off with a conversation about locally made […]
Posted inThings To Do
LT. General Michael T. Flynn Will Host National Security Briefing and Book Signing in Newport on August 22nd
Lt. General Michael T. Flynn, Author of the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Ingram, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon Bestseller, “The Field of Fight: How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and Its Allies” and Native Rhode Islander, will speak and present his winning strategy in Newport, RI on Monday, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
5-Person Team Takes Top Overall Time in 2016 ‘Race the State’
It was a great day yesterday as 75 athletes competed in the second edition of Race The State sponsored by BankNewport and Ocean Point Insurance! Individuals and teams ran 3.8 miles through Tiverton, paddled 1 mile across the Sakonnet River, ran 12.3 miles from Portsmouth to Newport, kayaked 5.6 miles to Narragansett via a portage in Jamestown and […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Lucia M. Arruda
Lucia M. (Amaral) Arruda, 63, of Peleg Road, Portsmouth, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 7, 2016. She was the beloved wife of Jack Arruda. Born in Newport, RI on June 24, 1953, she is the daughter of Ermelinda (Andrade) Amaral of Newport, RI and the late Jose Amaral. Mrs. Arruda was a 1971 graduate […]
Posted inOpinion
Editorial: Residents Right To Be Concerned About Purchase of New Fire Boat
At a time when families and businesses of Newport are concerned about keeping their taxes, water rates and expenses down, and when aid to local nonprofits and public services are at risk after grants have been cut, it makes sense that there has been a lot of public outcry and support over an upcoming resolution […]
Posted inArts & Culture
newportFILM Will Screen ‘Betting on Zero’ on Lawn Of Ochre Court
newportFILM has announced that writer William Cohan will talk with hedge fund titan Bill Ackman and director Ted Braun following a screening of Braun’s film “Betting on Zero” on August 11th on the seaside lawn of Ochre Court in Newport, RI. Close to a thousand people are expected to attend. “Betting On Zero” is a documentary about Ackman’s crusade […]
Posted inNews
Newport Gulls Will Host Game 2 of Southern Division Championship Series Tonight
Despite jumping out to an early lead – and holding it until the eighth inning – the Newport Gulls dropped Game One of the NECBL Southern Division Championship Series to the Mystic Schooners last night, 7-5 the final at Fitch Field in Groton, Connecticut. The Gulls, who appeared to be cruising to a Game One […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for MaryJo Buckley
Mary Jo Buckley, our mom, died August 7th, 2016 with her face kissed by the last rays of the setting sun of a perfect summer day. She left us peacefully. In her last days we gathered around her. We laughed and cried and sang songs, we held her hand and kissed her face, and said […]
Posted inJobs
50+ Companies Are Now Hiring in Newport
Looking for a full-time, part-time, or seasonal job in Newport, RI? Here’s who’s currently hiring in the City-By-The-Sea, all jobs have been posted within the past 7 days. 22 Bowen’s – Bussers and Greeters – 22 Bowen’sAstyra Corporation – Executive Receptionist (BHJOB1435_18264)Bohlin – Banquet Server – BohlinCastle Hill Inn – Seasonal Restaurant Manager – Castle Hill InnCitizen’s Bank – Asst […]
Posted inCity & Government
Poll: Should The City Of Newport Acquire New $1 Million Fire and Rescue Boat?
On August 10th, Newport City Council will receive a “Request For City Council Action” from the City Manager and Newport Fire Department that will ask the city council to accept the 2016 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) Award for the procurement of a new Fire & Rescue Boat. Many residents have voiced concern or support […]
Posted inThings To Do
Miantonomi Tower Will Open to Public Every Sunday This August For Free Tours
The City of Newport and Aquidneck Land Trust has announced the Second Annual Miantonomi Exploration Days! Established as a World War One memorial park, Miantonomi Park includes Miantonomi Hill, the highest point in Newport. The Hill, once the seat of power for the Narragansett Indians, has housed colonial beacons, revolutionary war fortifications, and finally, a […]
Posted inThings To Do
URI Master Gardeners Will Host Open Houses at 4 Aquidneck Island Public Gardens on August 20th
Gardeners looking for inspiration are encouraged to attend one of 16 open house events at demonstration gardens throughout Rhode Island as part of the University of Rhode Island Master Gardener Program’s first Project Open House on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. The free events will be held at gardens designed and maintained […]
Posted inCity & Government
Memorial Mass for Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Will be Held in Newport on Sunday
The Newport Police Department has shared that a memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 7th to honor all fallen law enforcement officers. The event is scheduled to take place at St. Mary’s Church on Spring Street in Newport and all are welcome to attend. Of cou
Posted inFood & Drink
Has The Shop on Thames Abruptly Closed? Customers Wonder What’s Up
The Shop on Thames has been closed for more than a week, and many local residents and business owners are wondering what the future is for the sandwich shop on Lower Thames Street. “I used to eat there all time but they’ve been closed for like a week, they’ve always had weird hours and would […]
Posted inNews
Newport Gulls Defeat Danbury on Friday Night, Will Move on to Southern Division Championship Series
The Newport Gulls defeated the Danbury Westerners 6-5 in Game Three of the NECBL Southern Division Semifinals on Friday night at Cardines Field, and will move on to face the Mystic Schooners in the Southern Division Championship Series this weekend. Game One of the second-round playoff series is set for 6:05 p.m. at “The Shipyard,” […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
If Re-Elected, Representative Lauren Carson Says She Will Change Scoot-Coupe Laws
Following a Scoot-Coupe accident on Sunday, July 31st where a 38 year old and 10 year old were seriously injured, Representative Lauren Carson (D-District 75, Newport) has said that if she is re-elected in November that she will introduce legislation to hopefully make being a passenger of the 3-wheeled vehicle a bit safer. The concern came […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
USA Athletes Competing in Rio 2016 Olympic Games Receive Bags That Were Made in Newport
Ralph Lauren, the official outfitter of the 2016 USA Olympic Team, identified a select group of manufacturers from across the United States to produce Team USA’s opening and closing ceremony uniforms—from yarn to dye to finished product. Each Olympic athlete competing in the Rio 2016 Games reportedly received a sailcloth duffel and tote bag from […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Casting Call for Independent Documentary Film Will Be Held in Newport on Saturday
There will be a casting call on Saturday, August 6th in Newport for two males between the ages of 25-35 for Restoring Arthur, a independent documentary film that will explore the life of railroad magnate and philanthropist Arthur Curtiss James (1867-1941). Surprise Valley Farm Arthur Curtiss James held controlling interest in the Western Pacific line, Great Northern, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Things To Do This Weekend in Newport: August 5 – 7
Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Newport, RI? Discover some great events, activities and things to do this weekend in the City-By-The-Sea. Wondering where to find live music, comedy, karaoke, dj, dancing or some other form of entertainment this weekend? Here’s what can be found in Newport for live music and entertainment […]