Discover the best activities, events and things to do in and around Newport this Independence Day weekend! Looking for somewhere to sing, dance or be entertained this weekend? Check this out -> Where to Find Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment This Independence Day Weekend Friday 10am – Newport to Providence Ferry Begins 6pm – July 4th Weekend […]
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 inArts & Culture
Where to Find Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment This Independence Day Weekend
Discover the best entertainment, comedy and live music happening around Newport, RI this weekend. If you find value in these listings, please consider supporting the venues in bold. These are the businesses who make what we do on a daily basis possible! Newport, RI Live Music & Entertainment Listings This information was provided to us […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Music Month at Ballard Park Begins July 6th with Navy Band Northeast
For the seventh year, Jenkins Construction Company of Middletown is the presenting sponsor of Music Month at Ballard Park. The series includes four free concerts by a diverse group of bands including The Navy Band Northeast, The Ubiquitones, the Toe Jam Puppet Band and Chelley, Bill & Dyl. The series opens on Wednesday, July 6th when the Navy […]
Posted inCity & Government
John Florez Won’t Seek Re-election on Newport City Council
After announcing that he would seek re-election and after submitting his declaration of candidacy earlier this week, Newport City Councilor-At-Large John Florez has announced that he will not seek re-election come November. The announcement came on his John Florez City Councilor-at-large Newport Facebook Page on Friday; “Serving my community has been an unbelievably enriching experience. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Jaws Will Drop at the Save The Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium in Newport this July
Sharks are in sharp focus next month at Save The Bay’s Exploration Center and Aquarium. July is Shark Month, giving guests the opportunity to learn all about the apex predators from the deep and to find out which sharks and skates populate the waters of the Narragansett Bay. A shark-themed scavenger hunt, hands-on arts and […]
Posted inNews
Mackeral Cove Beach in Jamestown Reopens For Swimming on Friday
After being closed on Thursday, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommended the reopening of Mackerel Cove Beach in Jamestown around 5pm on Friday for swimming. The beach was closed based on results from water samples that measured bacteria counts at the beaches. RIDOH did recommend closing Conimicut Point Beach in Warwick due to high bacteria counts. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Podcast #140: Sav Rebecchi, Candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 13
Sav Rebecchi, a Jamestown Resident who has decided to run against Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed for the Senate District 13 seat this November, joined me on The Open Forum today. Rebecchi spoke about his past, his decision, his platform and what he would propose Rhode Island does to move forward. For more information about Rebecchi, […]
Posted inNews
UPDATE: Two Dogs Found on Hammersmith Road This Morning Have Been Reconnected With Owner
Karen King, Owner of Style Newport, came across two beautiful dog on Hammersmith Road this morning. The dogs were laying in the shade and exhausted, they have matching collars but no tags. Newport Police and Potter League for Animals have not received any calls from anyone looking for the dogs. UPDATE: These dogs have been reconnected with […]
Posted inNews
What’s Being Done and What Can We Do About Wrong-Way and Sidewalk Cyclists?
Since Memorial Day, local residents, business owners and even tourists have been providing us with an overwhelming amount of feedback regarding wrong-way bicycle riders and sidewalk riders. A recent city traffic scanner validated their concern, it counted 150 wrong-way vehicles on Thames Street over a weekend. In a recent study by the League of American Cyclists, […]
Posted inNews
Opens Houses This Weekend in Newport, Portsmouth & Middletown
Here’s our weekly roundup of open houses taking place on Aquidneck Island over the weekend, happy home shopping! Need real estate help or a reliable agent? E-mail us at Ryan@whatsupnewp.com, we’d be happy to put you in touch with a preferred and reliable real estate agent that can fulfill your needs. The following information has […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Edward J. Weyhing: July 22, 1937 – June 29, 2016
Edward J. Weyhing, 78, of Middletown, died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Ed was born July 22, 1937 in Plasterco, VA. He is the son of the late John Louis and Emily Weyhing. He was the husband of Mary Weyhing for 56 years, whom he met and married in Louisville, KY. […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Claire (Humes) Ernsberger: February 26, 1939 – June 30, 2016
Claire (Humes) Ernsberger, 77, of Newport, died Thursday June 30th, 2016. Born on February 26, 1939 in Milford, DE, she was the daughter of the late Alphonso Egbert and Ruth (Claus) Humes, graduated from Westminster College in 1961, and was married for 44 years to the late Roxy Edgar Ernsberger. Mrs Ernsberger was an avid […]
Posted inNews
RIDOT and Public Officials Celebrate Launch of Providence to Newport Ferry; Service to Debut Today
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced at a press conference yesterday that it will debut its new ferry service connecting Providence and Newport on July 1. The new service will run during the busy tourism season, July 1-Sept. 5, bolstering the state’s economy and promoting public transit for visitors to Rhode Island’s two […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Todd Dupont: June 4, 1977 – June 27, 2016
Todd Dupont, 39, of Westport, MA died suddenly on Monday, June 27, 2016. Todd was born on June 4, 1977 in Newport, RI, the son of Ronald and the late Melinda (Arcieri) Dupont. Todd graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts and Hotel Management. He is survived by his […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Dolores “Dolly” S. Chaplin: April 6, 1929 – June 26, 2016
Dolores (Dolly) Sarah Chaplin, (nee Washburn), 87, of Portsmouth, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Sunday, June 26. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Arthur W. Chaplin (Chip), their three children, Peter Chaplin, Judi Mendola (Anthony), Todd Chaplin (Mary Helene), six grandchildren, John Mendola (Anna), Nicholas Chaplin (Brooke), […]
Posted inNews
RI Foundation Awards $259,000 to Fund Services to Newport County Residents
Grants will fund programs ranging from job readiness training and after-school activities to preventing relationship violence prevention and stocking food pantries The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded $259,000 in grants to 40 organizations serving Newport County residents. The grants, through the Foundation’s Newport County Fund (NCF), will underwrite a host of programs ranging from job […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Singers Will Tell Their Stories Through Song at Newport Jazz Festival
No matter the era, idiom or genre, jazz singers have always been the most popular and accessible practitioners of the music. From Louis Armstrong’s down-home, gravely vocals and Nat King Cole’s satin sounds, to Sarah Vaughan’s Afro-operatic airs, Billie Holiday’s dark-and-lovely depths, Ella Fitzgerald’s swing-at-the-speed-of-bop phrasing and Frank Sinatra’s dynamic delivery, it is the vocalist […]
Posted inNews
Podcast #139: Members of Four Historic Houses of Worship Chat About Four Faiths Tour
Members of four historic Newport houses of worship – Touro Synagogue, Trinity Church, Newport Congregational Church, and St. Mary’s Church joined me to chat about the Four Faiths Tour on The Open Forum on WADK1540 AM. Representing the four churches were Chuck Filppo (Touro Synagogue), Harle Tinney (Trinity Church), Andy Long (Newport Congregational Church) and John Hirschboeck (St. Mary’s […]
Posted inNews
Newport Harbormaster Reminds Residents and Visitors to Stay Safe of Independence Day Weekend
Tim Mills, Newport Harbormaster reminds Newport residents and visitors to the City-By-The-Sea to stay safe over the Fourth Of July Weekend. Fourth of July weekend is a time for fireworks, barbeques, boating, friends and family, and of course celebrating Independence Day. Amongst all of the fun, especially on the water, the Newport Harbormaster would like […]
Posted inNews
Newport County Chamber of Commerce Awards Two Scholarships to Graduating Seniors
The Newport County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer scholarships to children and or grandchildren of Chamber members and their employees who are graduating from local area high schools. The two scholarships, each in the amount of $500, are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, community involvement, and the quality of letter of […]
Posted inNews
Mackeral Cove Beach in Jamestown Has Been Closed For Swimming
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has recommended reopening Oakland Beach in Warwick and closing Mackerel Cove Beach in Jamestown for swimming. These recommendations are based on results from water samples that measured bacteria counts at the beaches. The status of a beach may change daily. The most up-to-date beach information is available through […]
Posted inNews
Truck Full of Crabs Rolls Over on West Main Road in Portsmouth
Portsmouth Fire Department and Portsmouth Police Department responded to West Main Road just before 9 a.m. this morning for a truck that had rolled over on its side. The truck, full of crabs, was the only vehicle involved in the accident, there were no injuries reported. As of 9 a.m. all of West Main Road was […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
The 14th Clagett Regatta is in the History Books
The 14th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, which finished on June 26, was attended by 22 sailors from Canada, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and across the US from Rhode Island, Florida, Connecticut, New Jersey, California and Michigan. Many of the sailors taking part have competed in at least five Clagett […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Franklin Spa Lands on MSN’s “Local’s Guide to the Best Diners Across America”
Franklin Spa on Spring Street in Newport has landed itself a national media mention. Mallory Shaner, writer for Spoon University on MSN, recently asked residents from each of the 50 states (and DC) where their personal favorite diner was growing up (and even now). The list “Local Guide to the Best Diners Across America” includes one […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Gulls Snap Losing Streak with 8-1 Win on Wednesday Night
A day after Newport managed one run on one hit last night, the Gulls offense exploded in front of 2,190 fans for eight runs on 15 hits on Wednesday night at Cardines Field. The Gulls defeated the Sanford Mainers 8-1 and snapped their six-game losing streak, while off the field, the organization raised over $1,800 […]