On the Friday edition of The Open Forum with Ryan Belmore on 1540 AM WADK Newport I discussed briefly truck tolls being singed into law by Governor Raimondo, as well as a quick recap on what my opinion’s mean and how I want to hear yours. I then dove into what’s happening this weekend in […]
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
National Weather Service Issues “Wind Chill Watch” For Our Area
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a “Wind Chill Watch” for our area. This advisement goes into effect at 1 pmon, Saturday, February 13, 2016 and will continue until 1 pm on, Sunday, February 14, 2016. If you need to know where to go during severe cold weather, head here – Warming Centers Around Newport Open Ahead of Forecasted Extreme […]
Posted inThings To Do
One Month Until 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 […]
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Coast Guard and Good Samaritans Respond to Disabled Fishing Boat 30 Miles South of Block Island
The Coast Guard assisted two people aboard the 50-foot fishing boat Lois Virginia Thursday after the boat became disabled 31 miles south of Block Island. The crew aboard Lois Virginia used a VHF-FM radio to contact Coast Guard watchstanders at about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday to report their distress. The crew aboard the nearby 87-foot fishing boat Sao […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Two of Three Aquidneck Island State Senators Vote In Favor of Truck Tolls on Thursday Night
After two hours of debate, the Rhode Island House of Senate voted 25 – 12 in favor of RhodeWorks (Truck Tolls) on Thursday night at the Rhode Island State House. After seven hours of debate, the Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 52 – 21 in favor of RhodeWorks (Truck Tolls) on Wednesday night at the Rhode […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Warming Centers Around Newport Open Ahead of Forecasted Extreme Cold Temperatures
The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement in response to expected bitter cold conditions this weekend. It is anticipated that temperatures will drop down into the single digits overnight Saturday and could even fall below zero. Additionally, with the projected blustery weather wind chill values as low as negative twenty-five degrees are […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Historical Society Will Host An Interactive Living History Event on February 20th
What was it like to live in a once thriving colonial seaport in February 1775 on the eve of the American Revolution? The Newport Historical Society will host costumed interpreters from the Middling Sort, a living history group, who will represent personas from colonial Newport on Saturday February 20, 2016from 10am-2pm during Liberty or Loyalty. During this interactive program […]
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February 11th Podcast: Truck Tolls, Ballard Park and More…
The conversation for much of the beginning of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport today was all about the seven hours of debate by the House of Representatives last night at the State House. Tony Gugliotta from NBC 10 News joined Ryan at 1pm to chat about his coverage of the issue and […]
Posted inThings To Do
Jamestown Arts Center will host Dr. Adam Levine for a Presentation Entitled: “Lessons from Ebola as we Face Zika and Other Global Outbreaks”
{Photo: Dr. Adam Levine with President Obama} Jamestown, R.I. – Jamestown Arts Center has announced they will host Dr. Adam Levine for a presentation entitled: “Lessons from Ebola as we Face Zika and Other Global Outbreaks” Adam C. Levine, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Brown University Global Emergency […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Five of Seven Aquidneck Island State Representatives Voted In Favor of Truck Tolls on Wednesday Night
After seven hours of debate, the Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 52 – 21 in favor of RhodeWorks (Truck Tolls) on Wednesday night at the Rhode Island State House. Here’s how Aquidneck Island’s seven representatives voted tonight, Voted For – Representative Raymond Gallison (District 69, Portsmouth and Bristol)Voted For – Representative John Edwards (District 70, […]
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Newport Flower Show Call for Photography Entries
The 2016 Newport Flower Show, Gilded-Artful Living, invites photographers of all experience levels to submit an entry in the Photography Division of the Show, which will take place June 24-26, 2016, at Rosecliff, one of Newport’s most beautiful historic mansions. Ten different Photography Classes are available to showcase various photo subjects and techniques. Photographers must submit a […]
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PODCAST: RhodeWorks, Black History Month, Theatre and More (Feb. 10)
Frank Proznitz, former Reporter/Bureau Manager at the Providence Journal and Editor of Providence Business News, joined me as Co-Host (as he does every Wednesday) today on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport. Among the topics discussed with Frank and our special guest Ricardo Pitts-Wiley from Mixed Magic Theatre were RhodeWorks, Black History Month, arts, theatre and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Joan Hall Wins Newport Annual Best-In-Show Award and Newport Art Museum Award
{Photo: BEST IN SHOW – Joan Hall | Global Warming/Algae Bloom} The Newport Art Museum has announced the winners of the 2016 Newport Annual Members’ Juried Exhibition. One of the Museum’s most anticipated annual events, this exhibition highlights top talent from the region, bringing together an eclectic mix of art sourced from Rhode Island and beyond. Entries […]
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Rogers High School Receives Anonymous Email Threat on Wednesday
Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools, notified parents and the community this morning about another threat made at Rogers High School. The latest threat to Rogers High School was received by e-mail at Rogers High School. The following communication was shared by Mrs. Jermain; “Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Dear Parents and Community, This […]
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Rogers High School Robotics Team is Raising Money to Fund Trip to Nationals
The Rogers High School Robotics Teams, a high school division team and an advanced division team, both won their New England Regional Underwater Robotics competition in December. It was the second year in a row that both teams won overall champions in their divisions. Both teams have been invited to participate in the National SeaPerch Championships […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Majority Of Aquidneck Island’s Legislators Expected To Vote In Favor of Truck Tolls This Week
After approval by the House and Senate Finance committees today, the RhodeWorks legislation to rebuild Rhode Island’s roads and bridges is headed for votes on the floors of the House and Senate. Here’s how Aquidneck Island’s legislation voted in the two finance committee meetings for RhodeWorks (truck tolls) today and how remaining reps are expected […]
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PODCAST: Chat with Rep. Daniel Reilly, Kathy Staab from Jane Pickens Theater and More… (Feb. 9)
On Tuesday, February 9th I was joined on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport by Representative Daniel Reilly (D-72 Middletown and Portsmouth) to chat about RhodeWorks and how he thought the finance committee vote may go. Later in the program, Kathy Staab from the Jane Pickens Theater joined the program to chat about […]
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Governor Raimondo and George Wein Announce “Newport Jazz Festival Assembly”, a New Performance Series That Will Bring Music to Elementary Schools
Newport Jazz Festival Assembly, a new performance series presented by Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™, Inc. will bring music to elementary schools throughout Rhode Island beginning this week, it was announced today by Governor Gina Raimondo and George Wein, Chairman of Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. The series, funded by Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. with support from the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
What To Watch For: Newport City Council’s February 10th Meeting
The Newport City Council will host their regularly scheduled meeting on February 10th at 6:30 p.m.at the Pell Elementary School Cafetorium, 35 Dexter Street. Heading to the public meeting? Here’s a quick round-up of some of the more interesting items that will be reviewed, discussed and introduced – the full agenda for the meeting is here. Can’t make it […]
Posted inThings To Do
Best Things To Do This Week In and Around Newport (Feb. 8 – 12)
{Photo via Sail Newport of sledding at Fort Adams} Discover the best events, activities, entertainment, live music and things to do in and around Newport, RI this week! It’s going to be a messy start of the week, keep up with what you need to know here – Winter Storm Live Blog: Tracking Newport’s Closures, Delays […]
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Where You Can and Can’t Park in Newport During a Parking Ban
Newport City Council, with recommendation from the Department of Public Services, recently increased the number of roads where parking bans are established during snow emergencies from 9 to 24 to give them the ability to better serve residents during winter events and will improve general snow removal relating services during and after storm events. The list […]
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Experience Winter Storm Lexi Through These 50 Amazing Newport Photos
{Photo by Morgan Macia/ Macia Photography} Winter Storm Lexi (yes, we know it’s a Weather Channel name. It’s just easier to call it that then the “snow storm that hit Newport, RI on February 5th, 2016”) made landfall in Newport, RI around 3 a.m. on Friday, February 5th and left around 6 – 12″ of snow for […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport City Council Will Recognize Sid Abruzzi on His Induction into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame
At their regularly scheduled meeting on February 10th at Pell Elementary School, the Newport City Council will recognize Sib Abruzzi for his recent induction into the East Coast Surfing Hall Of Fame. The resolution has been introduced by Councilor John Florez and states the following; Abruzzi was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall Of Fame […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Two Newport Restaurants Receive AAA Four Diamond Recognition
Four Diamond restaurants account for just 2.3 percent of the more than 30,000 AAA-approved and Diamond rated restaurants, and four of them are in Rhode Island, AAA Northeast has announced. The four Rhode Island restaurants are among just 683 throughout North America and the Caribbean to receive this designation for 2016. The local recipients are: […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
UPDATE: Newport Wine Cellar and Gourmet Is Now Open in New 3,000 Square-Foot Space
Newport Wine Cellar & Gourmet begins this new year by tripling the shops’ size and inventory in a brand new 3,000-square-foot space in the International Tennis Hall of Fame building on Memorial Boulevard. The new locale will increase NWC&G’s capacity to supply the community with inspirational ingredients and wines that make one eat, drink, and […]