In order for the Newport School District to receive 35% reimbursement on the Rogers High School Roof project that was approved by voters in November 2014, Rhode Island Department of Education requires the district to notify the community twenty working days in advance of the request for a variance. Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport […]
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 inNews
Look Who’s Talking About Newport: May 14, 2016
This is a daily look at where and why Newport is being mentioned locally and around the globe over the last 24 hours, 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. WPRO – Miss Rhode Island and Miss Rhode Island’s Outstanding […]
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Report: Rev. Dom Caedmon Holmes Abruptly Resigns as Abbot and Chancellor of Portsmouth Abbey School
Newport Patch is reporting (Portsmouth Abbey Abbot Abruptly Resigns) that Reverand Dom Cadmon Homes, Abbot and Chancellor of Portsmouth Abbey School, has abruptly resigned. The reason for his abrupt resigning is attributed to admitting misconduct. “The abbot and chancellor at Portsmouth Abbey School has abruptly resigned after admitting misconduct.” For more information, read the story […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Pagliarini Seeks to Reduce Severance Pay and Benefits for Contracted State Workers
Senator John A. Pagliarini Jr. (R- District 11, Bristol, Portsmouth, Tiverton) and Representative Robert Nardolillo III (R-District 28, Coventry) have recently introduced legislation, that they are calling “Betsy’s Bill” that would reduce a non-union state employee’s salary and benefits after leaving their position. Senator Pagliarini (R- District 11, Bristol, Portsmouth, Tiverton) In a State House […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senate Clears Senator Whitehouse’s Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize National Estuary Program
The Senate has unanimously approved Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and David Vitter’s (R-LA) bill to reauthorize the National Estuaries Program (NEP), which now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The program was first established in 1987 by the late Senator John Chafee (R-RI) to protect and restore estuarine […]
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Podcast #106: Politicians, Musicians, Students and Riverkeepers
In case you missed it, it was a free-form kind of Friday on The Open Forum today on WADK 1540 AM. Despite some technical errors to start the show (you’ll hear the awkwardness), we were able to catch up with a lot of guests about a variety of topics. 12:45 p.m. – Representative Carson dialed […]
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Attorney General Kilmartin Schedules Second Shred-a-Thon for Aquidneck Island
With the overwhelming success of the shred-a-thon held at the Middletown Police Department on May 5th, Attorney General Kilmartin has scheduled a second free shred-a-thon event at the Middletown Senior Center on Thursday, May 19th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., or until capacity. The event will take place in the rear parking lot of […]
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Expressive Arts Institute at Salve Regina Still Accepting Applications for its Foundation Course
The Expressive Arts Institute at Salve Regina University, which is celebrating 20 years of successfully implementing a holistic approach into the training of skilled professionals, is accepting applications for its foundation course being offered in three 3-day-weekend sessions from May 20-22 to July 8-10; and Aug. 12-14. This introductory training course is designed to provide […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
Give Old Denim a New Purpose by Upcycling at Laura Jean’s Denim Drive
Laura Jean Denim is holding a denim drive Wednesday, May 25 through Wednesday, June 15 that will upcycle donated jeans into housing insulation. Participants that donate at least one pair of used jeans will receive a coupon for $20 off a new pair of jeans. All donated denim will be upcycled into UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation as […]
Posted inThings To Do
Island Moving Co. Dancers and Staff Invite Public to “From Kazakhstan With Love”
Island Moving Co. (IMC) dancers and staff invite the public to “From Kazakhstan With Love,” an informal opportunity to learn about the Company’s recently completed two week tour of three cities in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The gathering will be at the Jamestown Arts Center on Wednesday, May 18th beginning at 7pm. There will be photos and videos from the […]
Posted inThings To Do
Coast Guard Station Castle Hill Will Host Open House During National Safe Boating Week
The U.S. Coast Guard is scheduled to host multiple safe boating events in Southeastern New England as part of National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 21-27. A precursor to the busy summer boating season, National Safe Boating Week promotes safe and responsible recreation at sea. Here in Newport, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Castle […]
Posted inThings To Do
Great Things To Do This Weekend in Newport: May 13 – 15
Discover the best events, activities and things to do during this weekend in and around Newport, RI. Wondering what’s happening for live music, comedy and entertainment this weekend? Listings are here – Where to Find Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment This Weekend in Newport: May 13 – May 15 (In chronological order) 1 – Live Improv Comedy with The […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where to Find Live Music, Comedy and Entertainment This Weekend in Newport: May 13 – May 15
Discover the best entertainment, comedy and live music happening around Newport, RI this weekend. If you enjoy What’sUpNewp, please consider supporting those businesses in bold below! They sponsor us and make what we do possible. Friday Buskers: Live music with Live Music with Greg Burgess from 9pm to 1am. No Cover.Celtica: Karaoke at 10pm. No cover.Clarke Cooke House: DJ […]
Posted inNews
Look Who’s Talking About Newport: May 13, 2016
Newport Newswire is a daily look at where and why Newport is being mentioned locally and around the globe over the last 24 hours, 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. The Independent – The nitro effectComcast Sportsnet New […]
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Antiquated Explosive Device Discovered at Fort Adams State Park on Thursday
Newport Police Department, Newport Fire Department, State Bomb Squad and the U.S. Navy responded to Fort Adams State Park today when a visitor to the park discovered what’s believed to be an antiquated explosive device. At 1:28 p.m. today, Navy EOD was in the process of containing what they believe is some form of a land mine […]
Posted inThings To Do
Aquidneck Land Trust’s Trolley Tours Will Offer Four Opportunities to Explore Aquidneck Island This Summer
Hop aboard an old-fashioned trolley and discover the past, present and future of conservation on Aquidneck Island. Led by one of the Aquidneck Land Trust’s (ALT) expert staff members, the tours visit protected working farms, wildlife habitats, water resources, outdoor recreation areas and scenic vistas on the Island. The first tour of the season will […]
Posted inNews
Podcast #105: Sailors For The Sea Chats About Tiny Giants Exhibit and World Oceans Day
Today’s show included a discussion with Sailors For The Sea and a whole lot of updates on local news and the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, R.I. Shelley Brown, Education Director for Sailors For The Sea, joined me on The Open Forum from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Catherine Elsie Gray: July 17, 1940 – May 12, 2016
Catherine Elsie Gray, 75, of Middletown, died peacefully surrounded by her family on May 12, 2016 at Newport Hospital. Kay was born on July 17,1940, in Newport, RI, the daughter of the late Ernest J. and Catherine Elsie (Bucci) Arsenault. When Kay was just 16, her mother died and she left school to help raise […]
Posted inNews
Three Contestants from Newport Will Compete for Miss Rhode Island
When the Miss RI Pageant is held in Newport, for the first time in the competition’s history later this month, three contestants from Newport will take to the stage to compete for the title of Miss Rhode Island America. More on that here – New ‘Miss Rhode Island’ and ‘Miss Rhode Island Outstanding Teen’ Will be […]
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Performance Physical Therapy Opens Its Newest Location in Middletown
Performance Physical Therapy’s newest location at 66 Valley Street, inside the popular Newport Athletic Club is now open for business! Performance Physical Therapy, a Rhode Island based state-of-the-art, physical therapist-owned practice, has announced that they have opened their 10th clinic at Newport Athletic Club. Performance Physical Therapy and Newport Athletic Club have partnered to create a unique […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) Seeks Further Information About Recently Launched Statewide Tourism Campaign
Representative Lauren H. Carson (D-District 75, Newport), as chairwoman of a House commission studying the potential for growing tourism through a coordinated marketing effort, has sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor thanking him for recently meeting with the commission and seeking further information about the recently launched statewide tourism campaign. Representative Carson requested […]
Posted inNews
Robert Redford Sends Open Letter to City Of Newport
Upon completion of principal photography of filming for “The Discovery “in and around Newport over the last two months, Robert Redford has shared his thanks and gratitude with the City of Newport and its residents through an open letter. May 6, 2016I have had the privilege of working on two films in Newport the first time […]
Posted inCity & Government
State Looks to Raise Meal and Beverage Tax in Newport and Middletown
Dining in Newport and Middletown may soon cost restaurants or customers 1% more than it does anywhere else in Rhode Island. On May 10th, Senator Louis P. DiPalma introduced Senate Bill #2987, a bill that would authorize Newport and Middletown to collect an additional one percent meal and beverage tax to fund road and sewer […]
Posted inNews
Newport Newswire: May 12, 2016
Newport Newswire is a daily look at where and why Newport is being mentioned locally and around the globe. For the latest news from What’sUpNewp, check out All The News. Delaware Online – Fate of presidential yacht debated in Delaware courtPatch – Carson Keeps Plugging Away at Review of Botched Tourism …Patch – Historic William Street Home Sells […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Abney Fails to Include Wife’s Board Position on Newport Housing Authority, Corrects Ethics Filing
Just a week after being appointed the House Finance Committee Chairman, Providence Journal reports that Representative Marvin Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown) has had to correct his latest ethic filings after failing to disclose his wife’s position on the Board of the Newport Housing Authority, an organization that has received/receives grants from the Rhode Island General […]