Miss the convenience of the ferry that used to run between Providence and Newport? Well, it may soon return. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) on Friday, April 8th seeking an operator to run service between Newport and Providence. At this RIDOT is asking for 7 day a […]
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 inJobs
Now Hiring: 50+ Companies Currently Hiring in Newport (March 10)
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 in the last week 11th Hour Racing: Marketing Assistant22 Bowens: Kitchen Supervisor- 22 Bowen’s & Restaurant Manager and Dining Room Supervisor – 22 […]
Posted inThings To Do
T.J. Wray to Launch New Book, Kick Off Scholarship Honoring Memory of Former Student
Dr. Tina (T.J.) Wray, assistant professor of religious studies, will celebrate the launch of her new book, “Good Girls, Bad Girls of the New Testament: Their Enduring Lessons,” and kick off a scholarship fund to honor the memory of one of her students during a public event at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20 at McKillop Library. A book […]
Posted inNews
WPRI: Pedestrian Struck By Car on West Main Road on Friday Night
Middletown police confirmed to Eyewitness News that a pedestrian was struck by a car overnight on West Main Road in Middletown. For more information and updates, visit Police: Pedestrian struck by car in Middletown
Posted inNews
Farewell Street Will Close For Road Work on Monday
The Department of Public Services and its contractor, Narragansett Improvement Company, are scheduled to begin road work on Farewell Street from Broadway to Marlborough Street on Monday, April 11, 2016. What to Expect: Farewell Street will be closed to all thru traffic and a detour will utilize Washington Square and Meeting Street. The project includes the […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST #78: Chat with Erika Van Pelt, Newport Restoration Foundation and Discover Newport
Today’s shows was the definition of “The Open Forum”, topics ranged from what’s going on this weekend, to DYCF, to American Idol, to Keeping History Above Water and finally tourism. Rhode Island’s own Erika Van Pelt joined me to discuss the end of American Idol, her journey on season 11 of the show, what she’s up to […]
Posted inNews
Open Houses This Weekend on Aquidneck Island (April 8 – 10)
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. Friday, April 8th – […]
Posted inNews
Eco-Depot Headed to Second Beach on April 16 for Styrofoam and Electronic Waste Collection
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) in conjunction with the town of Middletown Department of Public Works will host a special collection of household hazardous waste (HHW), electronic waste (e-waste) and Styrofoam on Saturday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Second Beach located at 474 Sachuset Point Road. This special event is available free of charge to Rhode Island residents only. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Best Things To Do This Weekend in Newport (April 8 – 10)
Discover the best events, activities and things to do during this weekend in and around Newport, RI. (In chronological order) 1 – Salve Regina 11th Annual French Film Festival April 3 – 14 Six thought-provoking films, including the 1959 classic, “Hiroshima Mon Amour,” will be featured when Salve Regina University presents its French Film Festival April […]
Posted inNews
RITBA to Open High Speed Lanes on Pell Bridge on Friday Afternoon
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) today announced that it will be closing the high speed lanes (known as open road tolling or ORT lanes) to install new hardware and digital infrastructure in order to modernize the Newport Pell Bridge’s tolling apparatus. UPDATE: April 8 – Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has wrapped up […]
Posted inNews
Newport Fire Department Responds to 18 Memorial Boulevard For Fire
Newport Fire Department responded to18 Memorial Boulevard (former Arch Beauty) on Thursday evening for a structure fire. The scene is now under control but as of 5:30 p.m. crews were still on scene and traffic was blocked or stopped in the area from Memorial at Spring to Memorial at Bellevue, seek alternate route. Scene from William […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Discussion with Sail Newport and Aquidneck Community Table
On the Thursday, April 7th edition of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport I shared some of my own thoughts on Newport current affairs and then was joined by three guests between 1pm – 2pm. Sail Newport and DEM are proposing a new marine educational and recreational facility at Fort Adams State Park, Brad […]
Posted inFood & Drink
What’s On Tap In Newport: 10 Great Places For Craft Beer in Newport, RI
What’sUpNewp has taken notice of the ever-growing craft beer community, scene and business in Newport and is excited to announce the launch of our weekly column dedicated to craft beer. This column will run every Friday and will be written by our staff and other members of our community that are lovers of craft beer. There […]
Posted inNews
Newport Skating Center Will Return to Newport Yachting Center Next Winter
After a very successful return this past winter, Newport Waterfront Events, a division of Waterfront Productions LLC, has announced that the Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI will maintain its standing as a go-to winter tradition in Newport as Scott’s Wharf LLC and Peregrine Group LLC have agreed to the continued operations of […]
Posted inHistory
This Day In Newport History: William Ellery Channing Was Born on April 7, 1780
William Ellery Channing,the son of William Channing and Lucy Ellery, was born April 7, 1780 in Newport, Rhode Island. He was a grandson of William Ellery, (1727-1827) a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, Deputy Governor of Rhode Island, Chief Justice and influential citizen. Channing is widely seen and known as the founder of […]
Posted inNews
St. George’s Says Administrator Put On Leave Following “Secondhand Allegations”
In a letter sent to alumni on Wednesday, St. George’s School announced that Bob Weston, Associate Head for External Affairs, had been place on leave in January after receiving “secondhand allegations” regarding the administrator’s “boundaries with students”. The allegations and Weston’s future at St. George’s is pending the outcome of an independent investigation. St. George’s […]
Posted inCity & Government
Coast Flood Watch Issued For Newport on Thursday
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Coastal Flood Watch for the entire south coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This watch is being announced due to projected high winds along astronomical high tides which are likely to cause significant storm surges. Coastal Flooding: Widespread minor coastal flooding is expected with isolated pockets of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Preview of April 13th Newport City Council Agenda
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Newport City Council at its regular meeting to be held on April 13, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at the Pell Elementary School. CITIZEN’S FORUM: (Speakers must sign in with the City Clerk). The Citizen’s Forum period shall be […]
Posted inCity & Government
Public Hearing Will be Held Regarding Adoption of Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update
The City Of Newport has given notice of a public hearing before the Planning Board of the City of Newport, Rhode Island at which the proposed adoption of the Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update will be considered. The public hearing will be be held at the Pell Elementary School Cafeteria / Auditorium, 35 Dexter Street on Thursday, […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Arlene Violet Talks About Her New Book and Rhode Island Politics
Frank Prosnitz, former Reporter for Providence Journal and Providence Business News, and I caught up with Arlene Violet today on The Open Forum on WADK 1540AM about her new book and her current thoughts on what’s happening around Rhode Island. Former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet recently co-authored “Dance of the Chameleon” with Jim Squadrito, a […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Fatulli’s Departs Newport Vineyards, Will Open New Location on Lower Thames Street
What’sUpNewp has learned that Janet Fatulli, well-known for Fatulli’s Bakery & Deli, will open a new concept and location at 476 Thames Street in Newport, RI. The space was formerly operated by Mokka Coffeehouse before they moved to 469 Thames Street on Spring Wharf. Kirby Commercial has confirmed that Janet Fatulli has rented the upstairs / […]
Posted inNews
Bike Newport to Transform Former Detail Shop Into Administrative Offices and Bike Barn
Bike Newport, a non-profit organization that improves, encourages, and facilitates bicycling, will move its operations to 29 Spring Street in Newport, Rhode Island on May 1. The former detail shop will house Bike Newport’s administrative offices and a new Bike Barn. Modeled after community bicycle projects such as Recycle-a-Bike in Providence, the Bike Barn allows residents […]
Posted inNews
Bob Hewitt Expelled from International Tennis Hall of Fame
Former South African tennis player Bob Hewitt has been expelled from the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The expulsion is a result of a conviction against Hewitt on two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The conviction was issued by a South African court in March 2015, and the appellate courts have […]
Posted inHistory
Important 18th Century Marine Chronometer Identified at Newport Historical Society
An important marine timepiece, made as part of the British race to determine longitude at sea, has been discovered in the collections at the Newport Historical Society in Rhode Island. Ingrid Peters, a staff member of the Newport Historical Society, recently traveled to the Royal Observatory, Royal Museums Greenwich, England to have curator of Horology, […]
Posted inNews
Newport Hospital Used in Filming of ‘The Discovery’ with Jason Segel, Robert Redford and Rooney Mara
Newport Hospital has confirmed via Facebook that their facility has recently been used for filming of The Discovery. It was confirmed back in March that Robert Redford, Rooney Mara and Jason Segel would be filming the movie on Aquidneck Island and throughout Rhode Island in 2016. “It’s been pretty exciting here at Newport Hospital lately as […]