Newport City Council’s upcoming meeting on May 14, 2025, is packed with important items. The agenda covers liquor licenses, budget changes, and various community events. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is seeking approval for three daily liquor licenses for its summer events, including the Hall of Fame Open and Induction Weekend. A public hearing […]
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
Fifth Annual Newport Live Summer Series returns to Norman Bird Sanctuary
Newport Live and Norman Bird Sanctuary are teaming up again for their fifth annual Summer Series, showcasing talented singer-songwriters Laura Cantrell, Jeffrey Foucault, and Leslie Mendelson. The outdoor concerts will happen at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, Rhode Island. Laura Cantrell opens the series on June 20, with Jeffrey Foucault performing on July 18, […]
Posted inBusiness
Save The Date: Broadway Street Fair returns to Newport this October
The popular Broadway Street Fair is back for its eighth year on October 11, with People’s Credit Union once again stepping up as the main sponsor. Stretching across six blocks from Equality Park to Washington Square, the fair celebrates Newport’s vibrant Broadway District. “We’re proud to return as the Presenting Sponsor of Newport’s Broadway Street […]
Posted inBusiness
BankNewport awards $23,000 grant to Child & Family’s Supportive Housing Program
BankNewport has given $23,000 to Child & Family to help their Supportive Housing Program for homeless families in Rhode Island. This money will provide stable housing, healthcare access, and financial education for up to 12 families each year. Child & Family’s program helps about 48 people annually, connecting them with key resources to find permanent […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Rhode Island State House illuminated blue and white in honor of Nurses Week
Good Friday 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: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 pm. Patchy fog before 4 pm, then patchy fog after 5 pm. High near 60. East wind 6 to 11 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Annual Quahog Week returns for ninth edition May 11 – 17
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative, a public-private partnership led by DEM, today (May 8) announced the ninth annual Quahog Week, which will be held from May 11 to 17. This week-long event “shell-ebrates” the cultural and economic importance of the quahog, Rhode Island’s official state clam. The […]
Posted inBusiness
Surv announces major franchise partnership for national expansion
Surv, a home services platform started by a college student in Little Compton, is gearing up for a nationwide expansion through a major franchise partnership announced today. The company, originally called Rent Sons, was launched by Patrick Brown at 18 to help cover his University of Rhode Island tuition. It’s now teaming up with Cornerstone […]
Posted inThings To Do
Things to do in Newport County this weekend: May 9 – 11
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County, Rhode Island, this weekend, Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 4. Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar. Friday, May 9 Things To Do 11 am: Winery Tours at Newport Vineyards 5 pm: Opening Reception for Sean Landers: Lost at […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Instagram
Newport Public Education Foundation receives $1,509 from Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day
Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s in Newport brought in $1,509 for the Newport Public Education Foundation, Inc. The April 8 event raised money through “upsales” like waffle cones and extra scoops of ice cream, with proceeds going to the foundation. On May 8, Tyler Rosenberg and Mickie Deary from Newport Ben & Jerry’s […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Week-long roadwork to impact Bellevue Ave traffic flow next week
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: A slight chance of showers before 2 pm, then a chance of showers after 3 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming south around six mph […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Middletown Town Council cancels Special Meeting to discuss regionalization with Newport City Council
Update Middletown Town Council’s Special Meeting, which was scheduled for Saturday, to discuss regionalization with the Newport City Council, has been cancelled. “A special meeting Saturday on school regionalization called by the #middletownri Town Council has been cancelled after local leaders learn their counterparts in Newport won’t be able to attend,” the Town of Middletown […]
Posted inFood & Drink
22 Bowen’s to host DuMOL Wine Dinner on May 21 with special guest Mariette Catelli
22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille will host an elegant four-course wine dinner on Wednesday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m., featuring the acclaimed wines of DuMOL. Mariette Catelli, East Coast Regional Sales Manager at DuMOL, will be on hand to lead guests through each of the wine selections. Guests will begin with a Caviar Waffle […]
Posted inNews
IYRS School of Technology & Trades to celebrate Graduation & Launch Day on May 31
IYRS School of Technology & Trades has announced that its 27th annual Graduation & Launch Day will occur on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. in Restoration Hall at IYRS (449 Thames Street). This year’s commencement speaker will be Ben Sorkin, CEO of Bristol, RI-based electric boating company Flux Marine. “While most schools figuratively launch […]
Posted inNews
‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ is coming soon
Bravo is bringing “The Real Housewives” to Rhode Island, expanding its popular franchise to the Ocean State. The new series will spotlight a close-knit group of Rhode Islanders with deep roots in the community and multi-generational family ties. Set against the state’s scenic coastline, the show will dive into the lives, businesses, and complex family […]
Posted inNews
Public Enemy, Jack Antonoff, and Robert Lester Folsom added to 2025 Newport Folk Festival lineup
The Newport Folk Festival continued rolling out its lineup for its 2025 event this week, announcing Public Enemy, Jack Antonoff and Bleachers present The Ally Coalition Talent Show at Newport and Robert Lester Folsom will be performing in Newport this July. Set for July 25-27, the festival has already sold out but continues to reveal […]
Posted inCity & Government
Sen. Euer introduces Children’s Cardiac Safety Act
Sen. Dawn Euer has introduced legislation to catch undiagnosed heart conditions in children by ensuring that screening questions about family cardiac history and cardiac symptoms are incorporated in all annual physicals and sports preparticipation physicals for children 19 and under. Senator Euer was inspired to work on this bill by a Rhode Islander whose family […]
Posted inInstagram, News
Newport prepares for 2025 Cruise Season: Full schedule and peak visit times revealed
Discover Newport has unveiled the 2025 cruise ship schedule for Newport. The schedule, shared in an industry newsletter, covers ships anchoring near Perrotti Park. Most visits are set for September through early November. “This information is valuable for Newport businesses that typically see more customers on cruise ship days,” Discover Newport notes in the newsletter. […]
Posted inSports
Infosys and International Tennis Hall of Fame renew collaboration until 2028
Infosys and the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) today (May 7) announced an extension of their collaboration for a further three years that will help support the Hall of Fame’s mission to preserve the history of tennis as well as the iconic induction celebration that will feature the likes of Maria Sharapova and Bob & Mike Bryan in the Class of […]
Posted inNews
Morning Notes: Newport’s Mother’s Day celebrations offer something for everyone
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: Patchy fog before 4 pm, then patchy fog after 5 pm. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 62. South wind 6 to 10 mph. Tonight: Patchy fog. Otherwise, partly […]
Posted inThings To Do
Things to do this week in Newport: May 7 – 11
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County, Rhode Island, this week. Are you organizing an event? Submit events to our community calendar. Community Calendar More Events | Submit Your Event | Promote Your Event
Posted inArts & Culture
newportFILM to screen award-winning deaf rights documentary in Providence
newportFILM is hosting a special screening of “DEAF PRESIDENT NOW!” in collaboration with the Rhode Island School for the Deaf and Apple TV+. The event will be held on May 15 at Avon Cinema in Providence. This documentary captures the powerful 1988 protests at Gallaudet University that resulted in the appointment of the school’s first […]
Posted inCity & Government
House approves bill to encourage affordable housing development
The House today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. June S. Speakman, chairwoman of the House Commission on Housing Affordability, to make various improvements to Rhode Island’s Low and Moderate Income Housing Act to encourage the construction of homes that Rhode Islanders can afford. The bill is part of the 12-bill housing package backed this year […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Thomas Edward Poole
Thomas Edward Poole, 85 years of age, left this world for a heavenly destination on May 3, 2025. He was a resident of Nemasket Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Middleboro, MA since January of 2025. Thomas was born in Fall River, MA to the late Clifford and Mabel Poole. After graduating from Durfee High School […]
Posted inNews, Nonprofit
Registration opens for Kids’ Wonder Lab at MLK Community Center
The MLK Community Center is kicking off registration for the next round of The Kids’ Wonder Lab. This free program helps children between 18 months and 4 years old develop their skills through play. The 10-week session runs on Mondays, with two time slots available: 10:00-11:30 a.m. and 3:00-4:30 p.m. The MLK Center is teaming […]
Posted inPolice & Fire
Man arrested for carrying concealed firearm at Glen Manor House
A Massachusetts man is facing gun charges after police found him drunk and carrying a hidden weapon without proper permits at a historic Rhode Island property. Nelson Rivera, 36, from Chelsea, Mass., was arrested on May 4 at the Glen Manor House in Portsmouth. Police spotted Rivera and three others fishing on the property’s dock […]