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.
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RI Foundation Announces Scholarships Targeting Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth Students

by Ryan Belmore

RI Foundation now taking applications for $1.5 million in college scholarships At the time of year when colleges are sending out financial aid packages, the Rhode Island Foundation has announced it is now accepting applications for more than $1.5 million in scholarships. Dozens of individual, family and organizational donors established scholarship funds at the Foundation […]

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The Boston Globe: One Perfect Day In Newport

by Ryan Belmore

The Boston Globe has some suggestions on how to spend a perfect day in Newport, including where to play, where to eat and where to shop. Some of those local businesses mentioned are Brick Alley Pub, Save The Bay, Newport Daffodil Days Festival, Fluke, Perro Salado, Thames Street Glass. Read The Entire Story – One Perfect […]

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10 Best Things To Do This Weekend In and Around Newport (April 1 – 3)

by Ryan Belmore

Discover the best events, activities, live music, entertainment and things to do in and around Newport this weekend. (In chronological order) 1 – Daffodil Days at Blithewold  Friday Tens of thousands of daffodils trumpet the arrival of springtime along with afternoon teas and Friday evening garden parties. blithewold.org/daffodil-days 2 – Newport Restaurant Week  April 1 – 10 Treat your […]

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Open Houses This Weekend on Aquidneck Island (April 1 – 3)

by Ryan Belmore

Here’s our weekly roundup of open houses taking place on Aquidneck Island over the weekend, happy home shopping! Friday, April 1st – Sunday, April 3rd [the_ad_group id=”61″] 821 FOREST PARK MOBILE HOMES (Middletown) – $59,000 4/3/2016: 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM 79 GORMLEY AV (Portsmouth) – $175,000 4/3/2016: 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM 2 RUTH ST (Middletown) – $324,900 4/3/2016: 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM 20 THURSTON […]

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Newport County Students Getting Ready to Talk to International Space Station

by Ryan Belmore

A local Middletown school is accelerating efforts to get ready for a rare educational event. During the first week of May 2016, a small group of lucky students from All Saints STEAM Academy (AS²A) in Middletown will be posing questions to one of the astronauts aboard the  International Space Station (ISS). As the space station passes overhead Rhode Island, […]

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Newport Public Library Wins Grant from RI Foundation to Upgrade Children’s, Teens’ Areas

by Ryan Belmore

The Newport Public Library is among 15 organizations statewide to receive $28,000 from the Rhode Island Foundation through its Archive, Document, Display and Disseminate (ADDD) Fund. “By offering the resources to strengthen libraries and other civic, cultural and literacy-focused organizations, we can expand their role as community centers that stimulate dialogue around critical issues,” said […]

Posted inThings To Do

Art After Dark Will Celebrate Advent of Spring and Bid Farewell to Beloved Beech Tree

by Ryan Belmore

Art After Dark, the Newport Art Museum‘s popular late night event, held each month on the second Thursday (Newport Gallery Night), will celebrate the advent of spring with “Primavera” and also bid a sad farewell to the Museum’s beloved 180 year old Fernleaf Beech tree, on April 14 from 5-9pm. In the spirit of the Culture of Yes!, […]

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Newport Will Host Northeast Trade & Transportation Conference in April

by Ryan Belmore

Top policymakers and industry experts will share their perspectives at the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade’s (CONECT) 20th Annual Northeast Trade & Transportation Conference, April 12–14 at the Newport Marriott Hotel in Newport, R.I. Over 250 importers, exporters, government officials, legal experts, and providers of international trade and transportation services are expected to […]

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The 16 Most-Read and Talked-About Newport Stories in February of 2016

by Ryan Belmore

Here’s what Newport was reading, talking about and most interested in during March of 2016! 16 – Cafe Zelda Aiming to Reopen on March 18th Under New Ownership 15 – The Culture Trip: Newport’s 10 Must-Try Cultural Restaurants 14 – Original Bar from Yesterday’s Finds New Home in Rhode Island 13 – Hoax: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Aren’t Moving […]

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Newport Based Marketing Communications Firm Wins Multiple Awards for Marketing Creativity

by Ryan Belmore

Newport based marketing communications firm, Black Diamond Marketing Group, has won multiple awards for its creative work for Natick, MA headquartered Middlesex Savings Bank. Black Diamond Marketing Group created the bank’s 2016 calendar, featuring photographs of places of interest or historical significance within the bank’s territory that was honored with an “Award of Excellence” from The Communicator […]

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