It was a fast paced Monday edition of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport today. I was immediately joined by the Rhode Island Blood Center, a Be The Match partner, to discuss the Bone Marrow Drive happening at the Pell School earlier today. Bonnie Gomes, President of 3G Broadcasting, then joined me to […]
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
Newport Police Identify Man Who Is Wanted For Felony Assault on Bliss Road
Newport Police have been investigating an assault that took place at 1:38 a.m. on Saturday, January 16th on Bliss Road near Wilbur Avenue. As a result of the assault a 28 year old Newport man sustained serious head injuries and remains hospitalized. More Info The Assault: UPDATE: Newport Man in Coma Following Assault on Bliss Road on […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Andy Roddick and James Blake Will Play Tennis in Newport, RI
As What’sUpNewp first reported, Newport Will Welcome PowerShares Series Tennis Event in July. The PowerShares Series, the tennis circuit for champion players over the age of 30, announced its slate of player fields for its 12-city circuit that begins April 8 in Chicago. Competing players in 2016 are Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust Conserves Arnow Property in Middletown and Wild Moor Property in Newport
Aquidneck Land Trust Conserves Unique Properties in Middletown and Newport Middletown, R.I. – The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced conservation of two properties: a 12.5 acre property known as the Arnow property in Middletown and the 14.75 acre Wild Moor property off of Hammersmith Road in Newport. The Arnow property is located off of Howland […]
Posted inNews
Cluny School to Open Its Doors on 31 January and 3 February for National Catholic Schools Week
(Photo: Tiffanie Groth, Charlotte Rochelle and Mayer Bansal, Cluny School Kindergarten) The Cluny School will celebrate National Catholic Schools Week with an Open House on Sunday, 31 Januaryfrom 11am- 1pm and Wednesday, 3 February from 10am- 12 noon. Prospective parents and students are invited to tour the upper and lower school, mingle with current students and their parents, meet the principal and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Wild Ponies Performance at Common Fence Music Has Been Postponed
The Wild Ponies performance originally schedule at Common Fence Music, 933 Anthony Road for February 6, 2016 at 8 pm has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Doug and Telisha Williams, Virginia alternate-country singer songwriters appeared at Common Fence Music in April 2012 and were enthusiastically received. They have since added a bass player and now appear […]
Posted inThings To Do
10 Great Things To Do This Week in Newport (Jan. 25 – 29)
(Photo via Morgan Macia/Macia Photography) Discover the best events, activities and things to do in and around Newport, RI this week! FYI – MANY Newport restaurants will be taking some time off this week, visit When Newport Restaurants Are Open and Closed This Winter for full details. Have something you would like to add to this story? […]
Posted inCity & Government
What Bills Aquidneck Island’s Legislators Introduced & Sponsored Last Week (Jan. 18 – 22)
The Rhode Island General Assembly has just completed the first three weeks of the 2016 session. Aquidneck Island’s seven State Representatives and have been quite busy introducing dozens of bills that range form topics such as charter schools, cell phone use, animals and more. ICYMI: Aquidneck Island’s Legislators Sponsor Dozens of Bills in First Two Weeks of […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: Sephora, Bike Newport, Five Below and More
Are you looking for a job? Here’s our Sunday roundup of job opportunities in and around Newport, RI that have recently been advertised or posted someone out there on the world wide web. Here are 10 current job opportunities in and/or around Newport, RI. Sephora is looking to fill 11 different positions for their new location […]
Posted inThings To Do
5 Best Things To Do In Newport Today (Jan. 24)
(Photo of sledding at Fort Adams via Sail Newport Facebook Page) Happy Sunday! Hope you all faired well throughout the wicked snow storm over the last 24 hours! Things and business should be back to normal today, we have a full list going on here of any updates that we receive regarding business and restaurant […]
Posted inNews
Experience Winter Storm Jonas With These Snowy Newport Photos
(Featured Photo by Madeline Berry) Winter Storm Jonas (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 January 23 and 24th, 2016”) made landfall in Newport, RI around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 23rd. While it’s had an impact business […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
Portsmouth, RI Fashion Designer to Show in New York Fashion Week
Chaz Aracil, recent Rhode Island School of Design Alumni and Portsmouth local will showcase at Art Hearts Fashion at New York Fashion Week. The presentation takes place in New York City this upcoming February at the Angel Orensanz Foundation. New York Fashion Week is a semi-annual series of events where fashion collections are shown to […]
Posted inNews
Coast Guard Responds To Disabled RI Fishing Vessel Off of Block Island on Saturday
It’s been a busy and dangerous day for local U.S. Coast Guard crews as they had to respond to a disabled Rhode Island ahead and during winter storm. Update from US Coast Guard Station Castle Hill: “Today the crew faced 50 mph winds, up to 14 foot seas and minimal visibility in the blowing snow […]
Posted inFood & Drink
12 Newport/Middletown Restaurants Where You Can Order Food Online For Take-Out or Delivery
(Pictured: BBQ Chicken Pizza at VanGogh Pizza) Is the weather frightful or you just don’t feel like leaving the house? There are plenty of great local places throughout Newport and Middletown that will deliver you a great meal or even an adult beverage. What’sUpNewp has partnered with our friends at HungryRhody to give you the […]
Posted inNews
Winter Storm Live Blog: Tracking Newport’s Closures, Delays and Impact (Jan. 22 – 24)
Live Updates On What’s Closed, Delayed and Happening In and Around Newport Due To This Weekend’s Snow Storm The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a Winter Storm Warning for our area, both are in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday morning. The Winter Storm Warning has been issued for heavy snow with accumulation of 6 to […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport Will Implement Parking Ban on Saturday Night
The Newport Police Department has announced there will be a “Parking Ban” in effect at 10:00 PM on Saturday, January 23, 2016, until Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 8am due to the forecasted snow storm. Motor vehicles parked on such a street one-half hour after the public ban has been announced may be towed. Residents […]
Posted inNews
Winter Storm Watch In Effect For Newport From Saturday Morning Through Sunday Morning
(Photo: Most Likely Snow Accumulation Potential) The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a Winter Storm Watch and Hazardous Weather Outlook for our area, both are in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday morning. The latest Winter Storm Watch (located below) is forecasting our area to see possible snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches. […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Three Newport Gulls Pitchers Will Return for 2016
Pitchers Wegman, Schryver, and Wilpon all set to come back to Newport for second summer By: Nick Lima, Director of Media Relations for Newport Gulls The Newport Gulls are welcoming back pitchers Brad Wegman, Hunter Schryver, and Bradley Wilpon to the roster for the upcoming summer season. The three pitchers each played prominent roles in the team’s 2015 NECBL campaign. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Island Moving Company Will Open Their 34th Season at Rosecliff on February 26th
ISLAND MOVING CO. OPENS ITS 34th SEASON AT NEWPORT’S ROSECLIFF MANSION Island Moving Co., Newport’s contemporary ballet company, opens its 34th season with an Opening Weekend at Newport’s most romantic mansion, Rosecliff, February 26, 27 & 28, 2016. The Company restages its popular ballet for the very young, Mother Goose, at four matinees; and presents two evenings of […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Newport Hospitality, Inc. Wins International Gala Award from Special Events Magazine for Planning Events for Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover
Newport Hospitality, Inc. was awarded a prestigious Gala Award for Best Multiple-Day Event Program for a Corporation or Association at The Special Event Conference awards ceremony in Orlando, FL. Spectator Event at Castle Hill during the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover The award was earned for the company’s role as the appointed DMC partner for […]
Posted inCity & Government
PODCAST: Chat About Issues Of The Day and Interview with John Florez, Newport City Councilor
Topics on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport today from 12:30pm – 2pm ranged from the three structure fires on Aquidneck Island last night, what to do this weekend, snow storm forecast and the latest headlines from St. George’s School. I was also joined by Tony Gugliota from WJAR Channel 10 and had […]
Posted inNews
After Nearly 35 Years, Potter League Executive Director M. Christie Smith Announces Retirement
M. Christie Smith, CAWA, has announced that she will be retiring from her position as Executive Director of the Potter League for Animals in December 2016. During her nearly 35-year tenure, Smith’s tireless dedication and expertise have built the Potter League’s strong reputation as a trusted community resource in animal welfare. “I love the Potter League,” […]
Posted inThings To Do
10 Best Things To Do In Newport, RI This Weekend (Jan. 22 – 24)
Discover the best events, activities, live music, entertainment and things to do in and around Newport, RI this weekend! Scroll down for live music, comedy and entertainment listings. 1 . Live Improv Comedy: Friday at 8pm & Saturday at 8pm and 10pm The Bit Players, RI’s most award-winning comedy troupe, hits the stage at The Firehouse Theater with […]
Posted inJobs, Style & Shop
Sephora is Now Hiring For New Newport, RI Location
Sephora is now hiring for their new location in Newport, RI at 49 Long Wharf Mall that is expected to open this spring. What’sUpNewp was the first to bring you the news that Sephora would open in Newport, RI back on December 8, 2015. The company is currently hiring for 11 different positions for their […]
Posted inNews
Portsmouth Fire Department on Scene of Structure Fire on East Main Road
This story was originally published at 9:44pm on January 20th, it was last updated at 1:00 a.m on January 21st. Portsmouth Fire Department responded to a 2-Alarm Structure Fire at 1250 East Main Road. The call came in around 9:30pm on Wednesday night. Tiverton Engine 3, Car 3, Bristol Engine 4 with chief 3 and a […]