The Jamestown Arts Center will trade the conventional artist talk for buzzers and games when it presents “The ‘Next’ Contestant,” an experimental, game show–style program on Sunday, May 17. The event runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and is described as part panel discussion, part improv. Rather than a moderator leading questions from the audience, […]
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 inEnvironment & Health
RI health officials urge tick and mosquito bite prevention as warmer weather arrives
With warmer weather settling in across the state, the Rhode Island Department of Health is reminding residents to take steps to prevent tick and mosquito bites when spending time outdoors. State officials said avoiding bites is the most effective way to prevent the spread of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Author Michael Klein to discuss ‘Happiness Ruined Everything’ at Jamestown Arts Center
Local author Michael Klein will discuss his new essay collection, “Happiness Ruined Everything,” during an evening event at the Jamestown Arts Center on Tuesday, May 12. The talk, presented by Newport’s Charter Books in collaboration with the arts center, will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 18 Valley St. RSVPs are encouraged for the pay-what-you-can […]
Posted inNews
Middletown postpones Sweet Berry Farm planning board hearing, citing anticipated overflow crowd
A planning board public hearing on a major development proposal at Sweet Berry Farm that was scheduled for May 13 has been postponed because the town anticipates more people than Town Hall can accommodate, according to a notice issued Wednesday morning by the Town of Middletown. “Due to an anticipated overflow crowd that cannot be […]
Posted inNews
Discover Newport to host marketing strategy workshop June 9
Discover Newport will host a Marketing Strategy Workshop on Tuesday, June 9, inviting members of the local tourism and hospitality community to help guide the organization’s future marketing direction. The interactive session is scheduled for 9 a.m. at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway. Organizers said the workshop will facilitate discussion around industry priorities and opportunities, with […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts & Cultural Alliance opens nominations for LeRoy White Soul & Conscience Award
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County and the White Family Foundation are accepting nominations for the fourth annual LeRoy White Soul & Conscience Award, a $5,000 prize given each year to a musician whose life or art contributes to and connects the community. Musicians may apply on their own behalf or be nominated […]
Posted inNews
Community invited to Krupowicz Planetarium for one of its final public shows in Middletown
The public is invited inside the Krupowicz Planetarium at Gaudet Middle School next week for a community night billed as a rare chance to experience the historic facility before it is taken down. The Gaudet Parent Teacher Group will host the event on Tuesday, May 12, at 1113 Aquidneck Ave. Two shows are scheduled: 5 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Puddingstone Summer Music Festival returns to Newport for second year
Puddingstone has announced the program for its second annual Summer Music Festival, which will run June 21-27 at the Casino Theatre on Freebody Street. Following last year’s sold-out inaugural festival, which spread performances across the Redwood Library, Rough Point and the Colony House, the 2026 edition consolidates programming at a single venue with five concerts […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport’s Yagi opens second location at Providence’s Track 15
Yagi, the acclaimed Newport restaurant from Chef Basil Yu and Kodi Keith, has officially opened its second location at Track 15, the food hall at 1 Union Station in downtown Providence. The opening, announced Tuesday, follows news in March that Yagi would fill the space previously occupied by Giusto PVD, which closed at the end […]
Posted inBusiness
Heritage Restaurant Group completes acquisition of Mews Tavern in Wakefield
Heritage Restaurant Group has finalized its acquisition of Mews Tavern, the company announced Monday, completing a deal that was first disclosed in February when the Newport-based hospitality firm went under contract for the longtime South County gathering spot. The tavern, founded in 1947 as a small fisherman’s bar serving the local coastal workforce, will continue […]
Posted inRhode Island
Rhode Island state beaches set to open May 23 for Memorial Day weekend
Rhode Island’s eight state beaches will open for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23, the Department of Environmental Management announced Wednesday, marking the official start of summer at the shore. DEM said most locations will have lifeguards, beach staff, concessions, restrooms and other amenities in place through Labor Day. Two facility improvement projects are […]
Posted inSports
Sail Newport to commission new J/7 fleet Saturday at Fort Adams
Sail Newport will commission its new fleet of J/7 sailboats Saturday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the Alofsin Piers in Fort Adams State Park. The public is invited to the ceremony, which will officially launch the season for the boats. Designed and produced by Newport-based J/Boats, the new vessels were purchased for community sailing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
French naval officer to discuss French Social Model at Portsmouth library May 17
The Alliance Française de Newport will host a talk by Commandant Igor Maury, the French naval officer assigned to the Naval War College in Newport, on Sunday, May 17. The program will run from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Road, in the library’s Michael W. Mello Program […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
DEM closes Lower Providence River shellfish area after 800,000-gallon sewage discharge in East Providence
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has closed the Lower Providence River conditional shellfish area, known as Area 16E, after a break in an East Providence sewage line discharged roughly 800,000 gallons of untreated sewage into the river. The closure took effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice, DEM said in […]
Posted inNews
REGENT CEO Billy Thalheimer to deliver commencement address at IYRS graduation May 30
Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of North Kingstown-based REGENT, will deliver the commencement address at IYRS School of Technology & Trades’ 28th annual Graduation & Launch Day on Saturday, May 30. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in Restoration Hall at IYRS, 449 Thames St. REGENT is pioneering maritime mobility through high-speed hydrofoiling wing-in-ground effect […]
Posted inThings To Do
Tickets on sale for 2026 Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open
Tickets went on sale Tuesday for the 2026 Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open, the combined ATP Challenger and WTA 125 grass-court tournament returning to the International Tennis Hall of Fame July 5-12. This year’s event, presented by The MARGARET Fund, will offer $225,000 in equal prize money — a $25,000 increase from 2025 — […]
Posted inCity & Government
Reed marks 250th anniversary of Rhode Island’s break from King George III at Old State House reopening
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed joined community leaders and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission on Monday to mark the 250th anniversary of Rhode Island Independence Day at the newly reopened Old State House, the building where the General Assembly voted on May 4, 1776 to sever ties with King George III. The vote […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport superintendent says new urban district designation could unlock state grant funding
Newport’s formal designation as one of Rhode Island’s five core cities for child poverty, announced at Monday’s Kids Count breakfast in Providence, is a long-overdue recognition of data Newport has been “bumping” the state’s traditional urban districts on for years and could help the city tap new state grant funding, Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain said. […]
Posted inSports
Olympic medalist Lijia Xu to compete in inaugural Women’s International Championship in Newport
Two-time Olympic medalist Lijia Xu of China will be among 20 international skippers competing in the inaugural New York Yacht Club Women’s International Championship this September at Harbour Court. The regatta will be sailed Sept. 12-19 using the club’s fleet of 20 identical IC37 yachts. The 37-foot keelboat, designed by Mark Mills to a brief […]
Posted inNews
41st Aquidneck Island National Police Parade steps off Sunday in Middletown and Newport
The 41st Aquidneck Island National Police Parade is set to step off Sunday, with participants marching two miles from Middletown into Newport in honor of law enforcement. The parade begins at 11:50 a.m. in front of the Hampton Inn and Suites at 317 West Main Road in Middletown. Marchers will head south on West Main […]
Posted inNews
RIPTA launches third annual ‘No Pollute Commute’ bike challenge for May
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority kicked off its third annual No Pollute Commute Bike to Work Challenge on Friday, inviting commuters across the state to swap car trips for bike rides throughout May in recognition of National Bike Month. The free challenge, organized by RIPTA’s Commuter Resource RI team, runs through May 31. Participants […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island FC suffers first home loss of 2026, falling 3-1 to Birmingham Legion FC
Rhode Island FC suffered its first home loss of the 2026 season Saturday, falling 3-1 to Birmingham Legion FC on Star Wars Night at Centreville Bank Stadium despite dominating possession and the shot count. Birmingham (2-3-2) struck less than three minutes in, when Dawson McCartney tore down the left wing and crossed into the box […]
Posted inInstagram
Newport community gives back to longtime advocates with new roof for Jimmy and Barbara Winters
Jimmy and Barbara Winters, founders of the Newport Housing Hotline, are being recognized for more than 45 years of helping others with a brand-new roof for their Newport home, courtesy of a community partnership that came together on Thursday. Middletown-based A1 Roofing & Construction led the project alongside the Newport County Board of Realtors Charities […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The Vanderbilt opens Roof Deck for the season today
The Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection officially opens its Roof Deck for the season today, returning one of the city’s popular sunset spots to the rotation just in time for the first weekend of May. Overlooking Newport Harbor and the Claiborne Pell Bridge, the Roof Deck offers wraparound views, handcrafted cocktails and a seasonal menu. It will […]
Posted inCity & Government
Assembly passes Finkelman, Cortvriend bill bringing property tax relief to Middletown veterans
The Rhode Island General Assembly has passed legislation that would clear the way for property tax relief for Middletown veterans, sponsors announced. The bill, 2026-H 7662, was introduced by Rep. Alex S. Finkelman, D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown, in partnership with Rep. Terri Cortvriend, D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown, and the Middletown Town Council. It passed the […]