Back on May 28, Thames Street’s Stoneacre Pantry owners, Christopher Bender and David Crowell, joined with owner Tony Lorusso of Lorusso’s Newport, to add a Puglia-influenced Italian dinner menu to Lorusso’s current breakfast and lunch selections. Since May, the trio has acquired Wellington Square Liquors and its Class A alcoholic beverage license and now they are looking to expand into Unit of […]
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
Representative Lauren Carson Officially Announces Campaign for Re-election
Representative Lauren Carson officially announced she will seek re- election to the House of Representatives. Ms. Carson represents District 75, Newport. Representative Carson first announced that she would run for re-election on Monday with me on The Open Forum on WADK 1540 AM. The official announcement from Representative Carson; Rep. Lauren Carson today announced she […]
Posted inNews
Late-Inning Heroics Stymied as Newport Gulls Fall 8-6 at Cardines Field on Monday Night
Jake Brodt (Santa Clara) powered some energy into the Newport Gulls line-up in an attempt to facilitate another walk-off win at Cardines Field, but the Gulls were unable to fight all the way back, as the Winnipesaukee Muskrats defeated the Gulls 8-6 on Monday night at Cardines Field to extend the Gulls winless streak to five […]
Posted inNews
Adrienne Haylor Throws Her Hat into Newport Public School Committee Race
Newport resident Adrienne Haylor was among the 4 outside candidates to file declarations of candidacy on Monday. “I turned in my declaration of candidacy papers, 8:30 this morning for the Newport Public School Committee. I am a first time candidate. I retired from a 15 year career in education in June 2015, returned to my […]
Posted inCity & Government
Construction to Begin on Cliff Walk on July 5th
Construction will soon begin (again) on the Cliff Walk to repair damage from Hurricane Sandy and to make needed safety improvements. Newport’s most visited attraction was heavily damaged by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, $5.2 million was spent to restore the Cliff Walk between 2012 to 2014. While the Cliff Walk will remain open during construction, pedestrians will […]
Posted inCity & Government
12 Incumbents and 4 Candidates File Declarations of Candidacy on Monday
Day one of the Declarations of Candidacy window saw 16, 12 incumbents and 4 others, file declarations to be candidates in local offices on Monday. June 27, 28 and 29 are the dates in 2016 for filing declarations to be candidates in primaries or to be independent candidates in the general election. Candidates for federal […]
Posted inNews
Podcast #136: Representative Lauren Carson, City Council Candidate Jamie Bova and More
I turned my focus on this June Monday to the 2016 election calendar and focused on the declaration of candidacy in some of our local and state offices. Representative Lauren Carson called into the program around 12:30pm to announce for the first time that she would be running for re-election in November to continue representing District […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Return To Camelot: The Kennedy Wedding Remembered’ Returns to St. Mary’s For Summer Season
Here’s your opportunity to re-live that special September day back in 1953, when Jacqueline Bouvier married then Senator John F. Kennedy at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Return To Camelot – The Kennedy Wedding Remembered, a live musical performance and video presentation of Jackie and JFK’s Newport wedding, will return to St. Mary’s Catholic Church beginning on July […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Lauren Carson Confirms She Will Seek Re-election in November
Representative Lauren Carson (D – District 75, Newport) called into my show, The Open Forum, on WADK 1540 AM today to announced that she would be filing candidacy declaration paperwork on Tuesday and would be seeking re-election to represent District 75. Hear The Announcement: Carson was elected in November, 2014 after out-seating former District 75 Representative, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Converse Announces Return of Converse Rubber Tracks x Newport Folk Festival Recording Week
Converse Rubber Tracks and the Newport Folk Festival have announced the return of Converse Rubber Tracks x Newport Folk Festival Recording Week, a special weeklong residency that offers three aspiring artists the opportunity to record for free at the state-of-the-art Converse Rubber Tracks recording studio in Boston, as well as the chance to perform at […]
Posted inCity & Government
All Seven Newport City Council Members Intend to Run For Re-election in November
The time to declare your candidacy for general assembly, city council, school committees and other local offices has come, and the next three days is when we will find out who will run again and what challengers will come forward. Before today, What’sUpNewp reported that 6 out of the 7 current Newport City Councilors would […]
Posted inThings To Do
New Rhode Island State Beach Pass Rates Go Into Effect on July 1
Per the Rhode Island FY2017 Budget signed today, beach pass rates for parking at Rhode Island state beaches will be reduced, effective July 1, 2016. By law, current pass rates will apply through June 30, 2016. Beach Parking Fees & RI State Beaches New beach parking rates, effective July 1, 2016, are as follows: Resident:$6 […]
Posted inCity & Government
RI Delegation Cheers NOAA Funding to Help Rhode Island Fishermen
Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline welcomed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) announcement that it will be able to cover a significant portion of Northeast groundfish fishermen’s at-sea monitoring (ASM) costs for this fishing season—relieving a significant financial burden for the Rhode Island groundfish industry. Citing […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Brian G. Lipinski: August 6, 1970 – June 25, 2016
Brian G. Lipinski, age 45, of Newport, died Saturday, June 25, 2016, at Newport Hospital after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Brian was born August 6, 1970, in Pawtucket, RI, and soon thereafter adopted by the late Joseph and Claire (Connors) Lipinski, formerly of Locust Avenue, whom he would often describe as “the best […]
Posted inThings To Do
Best Things To Do This Week In and Around Newport | June 27 – July 1
Discover the best events, activities and things to do during this weekend in and around Newport, RI. Monday, June 27 5pm – Rough Point After Hours: Sights and Sounds of Shangri La 6:35pm – Newport Gulls Home Game @ The Deck: Live music with Justin Pomfret from 5pm to 8pm. No cover.Fastnet: Live music with The Ubiquitones from 10pm […]
Posted inNews
Look Who’s Talking About Newport: June 27, 2016
This is a daily look at where and why Newport is being mentioned locally and around the globe over the last 24 hours or so, for the latest news from What’sUpNewp, check out All The News. This story will be updated throughout the day to include new mentions and news; Providence Journal – Newport Flower Show basks in […]
Posted inOpinion
Voice Of Newport: An Open Letter to Andy Lavarre, Newport City Council Candidate
Following the announcement by Andy Lavarre that he would be running for Newport City Council, there has been an abundance of feedback in the community and online regarding his comments he made in his announcement towards the LGBT community. Christopher Rondina, a Rogers High School graduate and Newport resident, provided the following response and open […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Winners at the 14th Clagett Regatta are Announced
The final day of the 14th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta has been raced and the winners in the 2.4mR and Sonar classes have been decided. The race committee took the 17 boats out to a course set up between Rose and Goat Islands with the Pell Bridge as a backdrop. The […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
More Than 50 Boats Win Newport to Bermuda Race Prizes
His Excellency, The Governor of Bermuda, George Fergusson did his duty Saturday night on the podium in front of Government House. The seasoned diplomat shook hands, shared awards and trophies, and posed for photos 114 times with skippers and crews of more than 50 yachts. Sharing duties with the Governor were Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Leatrice […]
Posted inNews
2017 State Budget Triggers Layoffs at Newport County Chamber of Commerce
With Governor Gina M. Raimondo’s signature on Friday morning, the $8.94 billion 2017 state budget bill passed by the General Assembly is now law. In the 2017 budget, legislators eliminated the Community Service Grant program in favor of two transparent methods of funding community organizations: itemized budget appropriations and competitive programs, both administered by state […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: 50+ Local Businesses | June 26
Looking for a job in Newport, RI? Here’s our weekly roundup of job opportunities that are currently available in and around Newport, RI. All jobs posted within the last 7 days; 22 Bowen’s – Line Cook – 22 Bowen’s, Restaurant Manager – 22 Bowen’s, Dining Room Supervisor – 22 Bowen’sAPG Security – Security OfficerBank Newport – Branch Operations SupervisorBlackstone Caterers – Catering Sales […]
Posted inNews
Phase 1 of IYRS Campus Expansion Begins, Demolition Underway on Project Site
The expansion of IYRS’s campus got underway last week on Spring Wharf, where an old building is being demolished to make way for a new 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art structure on a half-acre site the school acquired in 2015. The new site, adjacent to the IYRS’s Newport campus, will be home to new programs in digital […]
Posted inNews
Look Who’s Talking About Newport: June 26, 2016
This is a daily look at where and why Newport is being mentioned locally and around the globe over the last 24 hours or so, for the latest news from What’sUpNewp, check out All The News. This story will be updated throughout the day to include new mentions and news Turn To 10 – Newport police investigate unattended […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Newport to Bermuda Race Awards 114 Prizes
An international group of sailors and guests at the 2016 Newport Bermuda Race prize-giving will celebrate the final moments of a spectacular week after starting the 50th Thrash to the Onion Patch Friday, June 17 in Newport, RI. Of the 185 boats officially registered to race, 133 boats set out expecting be sorely tested by […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Sailors Enjoy Another Day of Challenging Racing at the 14th Clagett Regatta
Day two of racing at the 14th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta had a delayed start when the race committee held the sailors ashore while they waited for the breeze to fill in. The 22 sailors taking part headed out to the course after an hour under the postponement flag and the […]