Story developing, this story will be updated as more information is received. 252 of 919 passengers onboard a cruise ship that visited Newport last week have reported being ill upon arriving in Portland, Maine over the weekend. Balmoral has now left the US and is due to arrive in Saint John, New Brunswick later today Fred Olson […]
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 inThings To Do
Best Things To Do This Week in Newport (May 9 – 13)
Discover the best events, activities and things to do during this weekend in and around Newport, RI. 1 – 2nd Spring Session: Monday at 9:30 a.m. The JAC 2nd Spring Session begins Monday, May 9 and runs through Friday, June 17. Classes for children, teens, & adults include: Creative Movement, Kids’ Drawing and Painting, Kids’ Pottery, Cafe […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: Help Wanted at 75+ Local Businesses (May 8)
Looking for a job in Newport, RI? Here’s our weekly roundup of job opportunities that are currently available in and around Newport, RI. In case you missed it, here’s our list from last week. All jobs have been posted between May 2nd – May 8th; Now Hiring In Newport Mokka Coffeehouse – Looking for experienced barista/counter server. F/T and […]
Posted inThings To Do
Date Set for Annual Summer Party Fundraiser for SSV Oliver Hazard Perry
Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI), the non-profit organization behind SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, has announced that their Annual Fundraiser/Summer Party will take place on July 1st at Newport Shipyard. Credit Onne van der Wal This year’s fund-raising party begins at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails, raw bar and passed hors d’oeuvres, allowing guests to mingle dockside […]
Posted inThings To Do
Running of Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 10th Annual 5K Run/Walk Set for June 18th
Norman Bird Sanctuary will host its 10th Annual 5K Run/Walk in honor of David Ley’s, Jr. on Saturday, June 18th 2016. A Father’s Day Weekend tradition for many, this will be the perfect family activity where participants will run, walk, or jog past scenic vistas of field, ridge and beach while the birds cheer everyone […]
Posted inNews
Newport is Among the 25 Best Small US Cities to Spend the Weekend, According to Thrillist
When Thrillist took into account Newport’s bars, breweries, parks, museums and outdoor activities that you could enjoy in a 3-day getaway, the City-By-The-Sea found themselves among the 25 Best Small Us Cities to Spend The Weekend (published May 6, 2016). Why did the Thrillist team come up with the list? America has a lot of cities. Like, a lot. And […]
Posted inNews
Middletown Company Recipient of $800 Million Contract to Support U.S. Navy Radio Frequency Systems
Systems Engineering Associates Corporation (SEA CORP) of Middletown, Rhode Island was recently awarded an $800 million, five-year multi-award contract from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in support of the Electromagnetic Maneuver, Command and Control (EMC2) program. This effort will focus on science and technology to enable a next generation of integrated, multifunction Radio Frequency […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST #98: All Saints Steam Academy Chats With the International Space Station
All Saints STEAM Academy, Middletown RI will made history today when they became the first Rhode Island school to chat with International Space Station. Students from across the state — Providence, Greenville, Barrington, Jamestown, and Aquidneck Island asked Astronaut Jeff Williams (veteran NASA astronaut, with RI connections – 1996 graduate of the Newport Naval War College, 2007 […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport’s Water Division Releases ‘2015 Consumer Confidence Report’ Online
The City of Newport’s Water Division announces that the 2015 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is now available on the City’s website at www.cityofnewport.com/ccr15 . The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act requires water systems to provide this annual report to all its consumers. The requirements for report content, format, and […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
GQ Magazine: Everything You Need to Know About Nautical Style, From John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy
In a feature called “TBT, a look back at the epic style moves from decades past,” GQ Magazine has paid tribute to the style of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy. Particularly they look back to September of 1962 when the power couple was sailing aboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. in Newport, Rhode Island during […]
Posted inCity & Government
City Of Newport Releases New Comprehensive Land Use Plan Local Adoption Timeline
The City of Newport and the Planning Board are in process of updating the Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This update includes only the updating of data and statistics to keep the document that was adopted in 2004 in compliance with current State requirements. A City Plan provides the foundation for a wide variety of actions, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Chef Rich Silvia from The White Horse Tavern will Serve Up 34th Annual Birds & Breakfast at Norman Bird Sanctuary
Norman Bird Sanctuary will host its 34th Annual Birds & Breakfast on Saturday May 15th 2016. Attendees will be treated to a delectable breakfast buffet prepared with local ingredients by Executive Chef, Rich Silvia of The White Horse Tavern under a tent overlooking fields and the ocean. Along with plenty of food, the morning will be full […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Foundation Awards Grants to Middletown and Portsmouth Teachers for Classroom Innovation
The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded grants to elementary school teachers in Middletown and Portsmouth through a program designed to encourage classroom innovation. Launched by philanthropists Letitia and John Carter in 2013, Spark Grants were available to full-time third-grade teachers in any public or charter school statewide were eligible to apply for grants of up […]
Posted inNews
Newport Expected to See Highest Tides Of The Year This Weekend
With the May new moon on Friday and Saturday night, Newport is expected to see “King Tides” this weekend. King Tides, Spring Tides or Moon Tides are the highest forecasted tide of the year and Newport will experience them at 8:26 p.m. on Friday, May 6th when the tide is expected to be 1.1 feet above […]
Posted inCity & Government
Susan Donovan Declares Her Candidacy for House District 69 (Portsmouth and Bristol)
Susan Donovan has declared her candidacy for District 69 (Portsmouth and Bristol) in the House of Representatives. Bob Plain of RIFuture.org reports “Susan Donovan, a lifelong Bristol resident and a longtime teacher in the local schools, is running for former Rep. Ray Gallison’s State House seat, she announced in a news release today.” Read The […]
Posted inCity & Government
What’s On The Docket for Newport City Council’s May 11th Meeting
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will go before the Newport City Council at its regular meeting to be held on May 11, 2016, at 6:30 p.m at Pell Elementary School, 35 Dexter Street. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG CITIZEN’S FORUM: (Speakers must sign […]
Posted inFood & Drink
What’s On Tap at The Wharf Pub: May 6 – May 12
What’s On Tap at The Wharf Pub is a sponsored weekly column written by Sarah Fimple, Beverage Manager of The Wharf Pub. It’s meant to keep you in the know of what their serving up for beverages, food and entertainment. The Wharf Pub is currently featuring 20 draft lines (mostly New England based beer companies) and 63 bottles (local, […]
Posted inNews
Salve Regina Names Nursing Department to Honor Multi-Generational Support of Rodgers Family
The Rodgers Family Department of Nursing was officially dedicated today by Salve Regina University’s Board of Trustees to honor the passion of their longtime fellow trustee, the late Thomas A. Rodgers III, and to pay tribute to the multi-generational support of the entire Rodgers family. The action was taken on the eve of National Nurses […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST #97: Dr. Kathy Abbass from RIMAP Talks About Discovery of Captain Cook’s ‘Endeavour’ in Newport Harbor
Dr. Kathy Abbass from Rhode Island Marine Archeaolgy Project joined me today on The Open Forum on WADK 1540 AM for 60 minutes to discuss her teams possible recent discovery of Captain Cook’s Endeavour and 13 other ships off the coast of Newport. Helpful Links Captain Cook’s Endeavour May Have Been Found Off Coast of Newport, RI […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
VIDEO: Joe Harris Completes Solo Circumnavigation
Joe Harris on board his Class 40, Gryphon Solo 2 completed his solo circumnavigation of the globe around 8:00 a.m. this morning. Joe joins a small select group of approximately 136 who have sailed solo around the world leaving the five great capes (Good Hope – South Africa, Leeuwin – Australia, South East Cape – Tasmania, […]
Posted inNews
Open Houses on Aquidneck Island This Weekend (May 7 – May 8)
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. Open Houses In Newport […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Volvo Ocean Race in Newport: One Year Ago, Two Years Away
Sean McNeill also contributed to this story It’s hard to believe that it has been exactly one year since the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Race Village opened at Fort Adams State Park, isn’t it? The village opened on May 5th, the boats arrive on May 6th and 7th, the In-Port Race entertained on May 16th […]
Posted inThings To Do
Bowen’s Wharf Set to Host First Annual Newport Oyster Festival on the Waterfront in Downtown Newport
With the arrival of the warm weather, Bowen’s Wharf Co. is excited to announce the addition of a new event in downtown Newport: the First Annual Bowen’s Wharf Newport Oyster Festival on May 21st and 22nd, with the Opening Night Party on May 20th. The Festival will celebrate Rhode Island’s aquaculture with the intention of raising awareness of […]
Posted inNews
Newport Historical Society Will Host Unique High School Essay Competition
During the forthcoming academic year, high school sophomores have the chance to enter a unique essay competition sponsored by the Newport Historical Society. This writing contest, entitled Big Ideas for a Changing World, asks students to explore the question, “What is happening now in your community, or what could be happening, that has the power to […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Discussion with Sid Abruzzi About His Decision to Close Water Brothers Retail Store
Sid Abruzzi, Owner and Operator of Water Brothers, stopped by The Open Forum on WADK 1540 AM to discuss the recent news (Water Brothers Will Close Retail Brick-And-Mortar Store) that Water Brothers would be closing their retail store at the end of May. If you are short on time, Sid joined me on the program from […]