John Callaghan and Sheryl Callaghan, Proprietors of Bellevue Wine and Spirits in Newport and Milk and Honey Kitchen in Tiverton, have purchased Aquidneck Meat Market in Middletown. The purchase of the business at 800 Aquidneck Avenue was completed on Thursday, February 18th and the restaurant closed temporarily on Monday, February 21st for renovations. “We will add our […]
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
UPDATED: Ocean Lawn, Newport Mansion That Was Home to Firestone Family, Goes on Market for $18.5 Million
The Wall Street Journal first reported on Wednesday morning that Ocean Lawn, the Newport, R.I. estate that housed the Firestone family for decades, is going on the market for $18.5 million. Melanie Delman, President of Lila Delman Real Estate International, has just listed “Ocean Lawn,” a stately Gilded Age estate once owned by Harvey S. Firestone and […]
Posted inNews
Nominations Are In for the Newport County Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Business Awards
The Newport County Chamber of Commerce will host their Excellence in Business Awards at their Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 26th at Oceancliff in Newport. The Excellence in Business Awards are presented annually to honor outstanding business achievement in Newport County, RI. They are designed to celebrate the achievements of our businesses and to recognize […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Pabst Blue Ribbon Northeastern Fishing Tournament Announces 2016 Tournament Will be Entirely Catch and Release
Pabst Blue Ribbon has announced that its 5th annual Northeast Fishing Tournament will be an entirely catch and release event as an effort to make the tournament more sustainable. The 2016 Tournament will start on Sunday, June 12 and run through Saturday, August 20, 2016. Registered anglers will compete in three divisions: Striped Bass, Bluefish and Fluke. Participants are eligible to catch […]
Posted inNews
Seafair Keeps Top Spot as Most Expensive Property Available to Purchase in Rhode Island
The most expensive property currently available for purchase in Rhode Island? Forbes and Trulia collaborated to come up with The Most Expensive Listing in Every State 2016 and a home in Newport is still the priciest in Rhode Island. Seafair, located at 254 Ocean Avenue, priced at a cool $19 million takes the top spot for the most […]
Posted inThings To Do
newportFILM Will Show Vanderbilt Documentary at The Breakers on March 29th
newportFILM will screen the new Vanderbilt family documentary “Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper” in the ballroom of The Breakers on Tuesday, March 29th. Born into a family whose name is synonymous with wealth, Gloria Vanderbilt has lived in the unsparing glare of the public eye for more than 90 years. In this poignant, […]
Posted inNews
Pulitzer Prize-Winning photojournalist Javier Manzano to Receive 2016 Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and documentary filmmaker Javier Manzano, whose career has taken him to Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Nigeria, among many other places, has been named the 2016 winner of the Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square. The prize honors a storyteller whose work has significantly influenced the public dialogue. As […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Residents Invited to Join Citywide Tree Awareness Campaign by Lighting Up Their Beech Trees
The Newport Arboretum, Arboretum at Salve Regina, and Newport Mansions Arboretum invite city residents to join an awareness campaign by lighting their iconic beech trees. Newport residents with European beech trees on their properties are encouraged to illuminate them with special laser lighting as part of a citywide campaign next month to raise awareness about […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
FatFace Will Open Store in Newport, RI
FatFace, a UK based company that specializes in lifestyle clothing and accessories, is coming to Newport, RI. What’sUpNewp has confirmed that FatFace will open at 172 Thames Street, formerly operated as A Christmas To Remember and Potter & Co. Jack Wills, another British Company, was located right next door to their new home and just […]
Posted inThings To Do
AOH’s Pipes & Drums and Men’s Singers Will Perform at Midtown Oyster Bar on St. Patrick’s Day
Join Bobb Angel and me (Ryan Belmore) on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) as we broadcast live from 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Midtown Oyster Bar. Whaler’s Brewing Company, Midtown Oyster Bar and 1540 AM WADK will be teaming up to raise money to help support Newport’s Ancient Order of Hibernian’s Pipes and Drums. Newport’s Ancient Order of Hibernian’s […]
Posted inCity & Government
Former NBA Player, Newport Business Owner Will Speak at Annual State House Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day on Wednesday
Two cultures and two patron saints will be recognized by the House of Representatives and Senate tomorrow, Wednesday, March 16, when the legislative chambers conduct their annual St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day celebrations. Among those who will be speaking during the celebrations is Kevin Stacom who calls Newport home, previously owned Mudville Pub […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport County Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Women’s History Month with Preservation Society of Newport County
The Newport County Chamber of Commerce will host their Women in Business After Hours on Thursday, March 24th at the Elms located at 367 Bellevue Avenue. This event, sponsored by the Preservation Society of Newport County, provides opportunities for women representing all types of industries and professions to meet, mingle and learn from one another. Join the […]
Posted inHistory, Things To Do
Museum of Newport Irish History Will Host Lecture in St. Mary’s Church
The Museum of Newport Irish History presents the fourth talk in its 14th Annual Michael F. Crowley Lecture Series, Tuesday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m.. The lecture will be held within St. Mary’s Church, at the corner of Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard in Newport. Guest speaker, Edward H. Fury, founder and president of the Keely Society, will present […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Rhode Island’s First “Quahog Week” Will Be Celebrated at Local Restaurants
Governor Gina Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit, along with state and food-industry leaders, will kick off Rhode Island’s first Quahog “Restaurant” Week on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 2pm during a special launch event at Save The Bay in Providence. Rhode Islanders take great pride in their fishing heritage and diverse food cultures. And […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Interview with Evan Smith, Executive Director of Discover Newport
Evan Smith, Executive Director of Discover Newport, joined me for his monthly chat on the Monday, March 15th edition of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport. Topics today included: What effect the NCAA Tournament in Providence has on our region.The 2016 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day ParadeRhode Island will celebrate Quahog Week starting on […]
Posted inNews
Questions Raised About the Use of State Grants Awarded to Newport County Chamber of Commerce
State officials have raised questions about the use of state grants awarded to the Newport County Chamber of Commerce and paid to a lobbying firm. The Providence Journal reports in Political Scene: State grant lands at firm employing Keith Stokes that RI Commerce Corporation President Darin Early wrote in a letter this month that the chamber used […]
Posted inNews
Providence Journal: R.I. Bills Would Report Pell Bridge Toll Violators to Registry
The Providence Journal reports that the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) wants to be able to block Pell Bridge toll violators from getting their driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations renewed until they settle up. A series of bills filed in the General Assembly on behalf of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority would allow […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Despina’s Cafe on Bellevue Avenue is Now For Sale
Despina’s Cafe, which is owned and operated by Jim and Janice Tasso of Newport, has recently been listed for sale with Keller Williams Realty of Newport. Despina’s opened the 2,000 square foot restaurant on March 28th, 2014 at 258 Bellevue Avenue and is currently listed for sale at $129,000. Despina’s is currently still open for business […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring in Newport: 50 Companies That Have Jobs Openings (March 13)
Looking for a job? Here’s our weekly roundup of job opportunities that are currently available in and around Newport, RI. Here’s our list from last week – Now Hiring in Newport: 50 Companies Currently Seeking Help (March 6th) [the_ad id=”9856″] All jobs have been posted in the last 7 days. Newport Polo – Newport Polo is Now Hiring […]
Posted inNews
In Pictures: Our Favorite Instagram Photos of the 2016 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade saw thousands line the streets of Newport, Rhode Island on Saturday, March 11th. Here are some of our favorite Instagram photos from the 2016 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. [View the story “Photos: 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day parade” on Storify]
Posted inNews
TV Station Roundup: Video Coverage of Newport Celebrating 60th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade took place on March 12th, here’s some video of the coverage from NBC 10, WPRI 12 and ABC 6. NBC 10 News – Newport celebrates 60th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade WPRI 12 – Sunny skies for Newport’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade ABC 6 – Tony ‘The Dancing Cop’ dances on in […]
Posted inJobs
Newport Polo is Now Hiring for Full Time and Part Time Seasonal Positions
Newport Polo, host of the Newport International Polo Series and home of America’s first polo club, is now hiring for full time and part time seasonal positions for their 2016 season. The Newport International Polo Series features teams from around the world & from major US cities playing against USA / Newport from June through […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Christie’s Will Reopen for Parade Day and Plans on Being Open for Summer Season
After being closed for almost all of 2015, What’sUpNewp has learned that Christie’s will re-open on Saturday, March 12th for a special pop-up opening in honor of the 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. The restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be serving up beer, cocktails, the Classic […]
Posted inNews
Where to Park in Newport on Newport Saint Patrick’s Parade Day
Coming to Newport on Saturday, March 12th for the 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and not sure where to park? The parade will being at 11:00 a.m. on Broadway in front of Newport City Hall and make it’s way down to the Fifth Ward, traffic will be congested and parking will be limited from 9am to […]
Posted inCity & Government
Traffic Flow and Parking Restrictions for 2016 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held, rain, snow, or shine, on Saturday, March 12th, 2016. It will begin promptly at 11:00am from Newport City Hall and will proceed to Carroll Avenue at Saint Augustin’s Church in the heart of the Fifth Ward. The parade this year is estimated to last 2 hours. […]