On the Thursday, February 18th edition of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport, Ryan spoke about local issues involving police worn cameras as well as a resolution to add cameras to Downtown Newport. I was joined at 12:45pm by Lesley Muir, Special Events Manager for Norman Bird Sanctuary, who discussed upcoming events that the […]
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
SALVEtoday: Certified Students Offering Tax Preparation Assistance
Salve Regina’s accounting students, in cooperation with AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), will offer free tax preparation assistance from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through April 15. Read Story & Get More Information on SALVEtoday [the_ad_group id=”217″]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City Of Newport Launches “Report It! Newport” Smartphone App
The City Of Newport has announced the launch of Report It! Newport, a digital tool that leverages advancing mobile and desktop technologies to provide citizens with a simple means to report non-emergency issues such as potholes or graffiti. Partnering with City of Newport and the Public Services Department is SeeClickFix, a digital communications platform which allows […]
Posted inThings To Do
Illuminated Garden Will Return to Ballard Park This Weekend
{Photo by Jennifer Carter} Ballard Exploration Company, Inc. presents the 11th Annual Illuminated Garden on Thursday, February 18th; Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th, 2016 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Ballard Park. The free event features thousands of lights displayed on the trees and unique features of Ballard Park’s three acre quarry meadow. In addition to lights set up […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Willy’s Burger Bar Back on The Market After Sale Falls Through
Willy’s Burger Bar + Rotisserie Sale Falls Through, Back On The Market Willy’s Burger + Rotisserie is back on the market after potential buyers that had agreed to buy the property backed out of the deal earlier today. Joe Fitzpatrick, Real Estate Agent for Re/Max of Newport’s Fitzpatrick Team, confirmed with us on Wednesday that although a binding contract […]
Posted inCity & Government, Opinion
Op-Ed by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (Jamestown/Middletown): RhodeWorks is Right Route to a Stronger Economy
Op-Ed by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown), Deputy Majority Leader Rhode Island has the least-safe bridges and roads in America—visible to anyone traveling the state. A thriving Rhode Island economy is predicated on investing in infrastructure. That’s how we grow the economy, by creating more taxpayers and not more taxes. [contextly_auto_sidebar] Over the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rogers High School Only RI School Selected for 2015 Gaston Caperton Honor Roll
Rogers High School is one of 130 school districts in the United States being recognized for creating opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students. [contextly_auto_sidebar] The districts featured on the honor roll have expanded access to higher education by providing students with rigorous academic offerings and innovative college-preparation programs. They demonstrated significant and consistent growth in the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival adds Flight Of The Conchords to 2016 Lineup
Flight of the Conchords, a New Zealand-based comedy band, will perform in Newport, R.I. on Friday, July 22nd at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival. The duo’s comedy and music became the basis of a BBC radio series and then the television series that aired for two seasons on HBO. The entire 2016 Newport Folk Festival is […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Jobs
Now Hiring In Newport: Rosemary and Thyme Artisan Bakery
Rosemary & Thyme Artisan Cafe, located on Spring Street, is now hiring counter help for their cafe. This is a part – time position that would require 15 -20 hrs per week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are looking for someone who can work with their customers, make them feel comfortable, and answer any questions or […]
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NBC 10 News: Tree falls, crushes cars on Dresser Street in Newport
NBC 10 reported that a 60-foot tree fell on Dresser Street in Newport around 5 p.m. on Tuesday night, crushing two cars and narrowly missing a house. Read The Full Story [the_ad_group id=”217″]
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Hotel Viking Returns as International Team Sponsor for Newport Polo’s 25th Anniversary Season
{Photo via Newport Polo} The Newport International Polo Series is has announced the return of Hotel Viking as International Team sponsor for its 25th anniversary season. Hotel Viking will be a part of the Opening Day festivities as the team headquarters for the first international challenger of the season, who will experience exquisitely appointed guest rooms, exceptional […]
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NBC 10 News: Teen charged in Newport bomb threat investigation
Following several anonymous bomb threats to Newport and Middletown Public Schools this month, NBC 10 News and the Newport Daily News report that the Rhode Island State Police have arrested a male teenager. Read The Story: Teen charged in Newport bomb threat investigation Related Stories: February 1 – Rogers High School Receives Anonymous ThreatFebruary 2 – UPDATE: Newport […]
Posted inThings To Do
Head to Mount Snow on St. Patrick’s Day with Brick Alley Pub and Bridge To Fitness
Brick Alley Pub announced on Monday that they would be teaming up with Bridge To Fitness once again and that the Mt. Snow Ski Bus is back! Mark your calendars for March 17, 2016, tickets are now available at Brick Alley Pub’s downstairs bar for $89. Ticket price includes bus ride, ski lift pass and late lunch and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
UPDATE: EFC Newport Will Host Their Monthly Coffeehouse at The Annex on Friday
{Photo via Eppley Photography} Evangelical Friends Church Newport (EFC Newport) will host “The Well”, a monthly coffeehouse featuring Christian music and written work performed by area musicians and artists, at the McMaken Center at Fort Adams on Friday, February 19th from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. February 17th Update – As a result of the frigid weather […]
Posted inThings To Do
Boston.com: Redwood Library Adds Books for the Design-Minded
The Redwood Library and Athenaeum has added a collection of 17th and 18th century British architecture books to its collection. Boston.com with the story – Redwood Library Adds Books for the Design-Minded on February 15, 2016.
Posted inThings To Do
10 Great Things To Do This Week In Newport (Feb. 15 – 19)
{Photo of Milk + Honey at Newport Vineyards via Newport Vineyards} Discover the best events, activities, entertainment, live music and things to do in and around Newport, RI this week! The 28th Annual Newport Winter Festival, “New England’s Largest Winter Extravaganza”, is taking place February 12th – 21st, 2016 throughout Newport and Newport County. Featuring over 150 […]
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Presidents Day 2016: What’s Open and What’s Closed Around Newport
It is the third Monday in February, which means it’s Presidents Day, also known as the way the United States honors and pays tribute to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Did you know 25 Presidents have visited Newport, RI before, during or after they served as President? It’s true, read more about it here – The 25 U.S. Presidents That Have […]
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Fundraising Page Set up For Rusty’s Bar & Grill after Valentine’s Day Fire
Middletown Fire Department responded to a reported “kitchen/restaurant fire” at Rusty’s Bar & Grill, 44 Wave Avenue, around 11:10 a.m. on Sunday morning. {Read More: UPDATED: Area Fire Departments Respond to Fire on Wave Ave in Middletown} While responding units worked fast and had the fire under control within 30 minutes, there was significant damages to […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: Preservation Society, City Of Newport, Spiced Pear and More… (Feb. 14)
Looking for a job and not love during the month of February? Here’s our weekly roundup of job opportunities that are currently available in and around Newport, RI. Now Hiring In Newport, RI – February 14, 2016 1 – Petco – Dog & Cat Department Manager 2 – Spiced Pear – Line Cook/Pastry Cook 3 – […]
Posted inNews
UPDATED: Area Fire Departments Respond to Fire on Wave Ave in Middletown
This story was originally posted at 11:24 a.m. on February 14, 2016; it has been updated. Middletown Fire Department responded to a reported “kitchen/restaurant fire” on Wave Avenue around 11:10 a.m. on Sunday morning. The 2 alarm fire saw Tiverton, Newport, Newport Naval, and Portsmouth Fire Departments respond for mutual aid. The extent of the damage is not […]
Posted inNews
Wind Chills of 25 to 35 Degrees Below Zero Expected Overnight
The National Weather Service issued a Wind Chill Warning for most of Southern New England at 9:27pm this evening, the warning is in effect until 12 p.m. on Sunday. Before factoring in the wind chill, Newport is expected to wake up to -4 degree temperatures on Sunday morning. With wind chill reading between 20 and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport Fire Department Wins Newport Winter Festival Chili Cook-Off
It may be frigid outside but Winter heated up today in Newport as area restaurants, caterers, the U.S. Coast Guard and Newport Fire Department competed today at the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel to see who had the best chili in town at the 21st Annual Samuel Adams Chili Cook-Off! This Years Top Winners Were: 1st Place: Newport RI […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
The Foiling Week Series is Coming To Newport in September
The Foiling Week is the first and only series of global events dedicated to the amazingly fast foiling boats, their sailors, designers and builders. {Featured Photo via Martina Orsini} After two successful editions in 2014 and 2015 held at Fraglia Vela Malcesine on Lake Garda in Italy, The Foiling Week has announced that in 2016 the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Newport Folk Festival Wins ‘Music Festival Of The Year” at 27th Annual Pollstar Awards
{Photo of Jon Batiste & Stay Human by LaNita Adams} The Newport Folk Festival was named Music Festival Of The Year yesterday (February 12th) at the 27th Annual Pollstar Awards at the SF Masonic in San Francisco, California. It beat out Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL), Toronto Urban Roots Festival (Toronto, ON) and Treasure Island Festival (San […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: Local Bed and Breakfast Seeks Front Desk/Marketing/Social Media Position
Newport, R.I. – February 13, 2016: A popular Bed and Breakfast in Newport, RI is seeking a part-time, year round front desk and marketing associate. The ideal candidate will be responsible, resourceful, organized, detail-oriented, and have superior computer skills with the ability to learn new programs easily. Experience in marketing, e-newsletters, and managing social media […]