NBC 10 News has reported that Salve Regina University is working to make contact with a 2015 graduate student who is pursuing her graduate degree in Brussels. Salve is trying to determine if the student and a Fulbright TA from Belgium are safe, according to Matt Boxler, spokesman for Salve Regina. READ MORE: Salve Regina, others report […]
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 inArts & Culture
Ben Jaffe Joins Newport Folk Festival’s Board of Advisors
The Newport Folk Festival announced today that Ben Jaffe has been added to the festival’s Board of Advisors. Ben Jaffe is the Creative Director of Preservation Hall and plays tuba and upright bass with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, on March 21st it was announced that the Preservation Hall Jazz Band would play at the 2016 […]
Posted inNews
Salve Regina’s Student-Run Film Production Club Will Premiere ‘The Final Cut’ on April 1
“The Final Cut,” a horror-slasher short film – the first produced by Salve Regina’s student-run film production club – will premiere on Friday, April 1. Free and open to the public, the screening will be presented at 6 p.m. in Bazarsky Lecture Hall, located in O’Hare Academic Center on Ochre Point Avenue. The film is a found-footage style […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Chat with Child and Family, Newport Night Run and A Night To Remember
It was a jam-packed edition of The Open Forum with Ryan Belmore on 1540 AM WADK Newport on Tuesday, March 22nd from 12:30pm – 2pm. Our first group of guests were Ann Connor, Keith Tavares and Sarah Hiebner from Child & Family, much of the discussion was about what services and impact they have on […]
Posted inThings To Do
Ben & Jerry’s on Thames Street Will Celebrate ‘Free Cone Day’ on April 12th
On April 12th, between 12pm – 8pm, head to Ben & Jerry’s on Lower Thames Street and celebrate Free Cone Day in the tastiest way possible….with free cups and cones of your favorite ice cream to once again say “thank you!” It was 37 years ago when future ice cream household namesakes Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield […]
Posted inThings To Do
William Issel Will Present Lecture on Lyndon Johnson and Progress of Racial Justice at Salve Regina on April 6
Dr. William Issel, professor of history emeritus at San Francisco State University and the John E. McGinty Distinguished Chair in History at Salve Regina University for 2015-2016, will present the spring McGinty Lecture, “The Great Society at 50: Lyndon Johnson and the Progress of Racial Justice in America” on Wednesday, April 6. Free and open […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Christo’s Pizza Opens on Bellevue Avenue
Christo’s Pizza of Newport opened in the Stop & Shop Plaza at 266 Bellevue Avenue on Monday, March 21st. The menu includes pizza, grinders, calzones and Italian dinners and is open from 10am to 10pm Sunday through Thursday and from 10am to 11pm on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant, which is owned by Joan Peckham of Newport, offers […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) Introduces Bill to Regulate Daily Fantasy Sports
Representative Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) has introduced legislation aimed at protecting consumers by licensing and regulating daily fantasy sports games in Rhode Island. Representative Ruggiero’s legislation (2016-H 7917) would place the online contests, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, under the oversight of the Department of Business Regulation, and would set up restrictions to […]
Posted inNews
Newport Church Continues 20-Year Tradition of Sunrise Celebration on Easter
As the first morning rays of sunshine break over the Evangelical Friends congregation on Easter Sunday, so begins the Christian celebration of Jesus rising from the dead. Located on the shore of Green End Pond at the southern end of Aquidneck Island, the small contemporary Christian church observes the Resurrection with passion and joy. For […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
C&C 30 One Design Class Will Host Inaugural North American Championship in Newport
The C&C 30 One Design has announced that its inaugural North American Championship will be held this summer as part of New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex. The regatta takes place July 13-16, in Newport, RI. The class has grown steadily since one-design racing began in 2015; 11 teams recently competed […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Polo’s Annual Gala Unveiled, “Bal du Soleil” to Support newportFilm
Haute couture, grande cuisine & French Riviera glam are the inspirations for Bal du Soleil, the social climax of the polo season on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, with the French Polo Team to support newportFilm. Hosted by Newport Polo, the annual sell-out event draws nearly 400 generous and fun-loving attendees to make a red carpet […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Inaugural Frosty Freez Family Fun 5k and Kiddie Cone Run Set to Take Place on Saturday
To help celebrate the start of their 60th Season, Frosty Freez will host their Inaugural Frosty Freez Family Fun 5K and Frosty Freez Kiddie Cone Run on Saturday, March 26th at Sachuest (2nd) Beach. The Kiddie Cone Run starts at 8:15am, and the 5k will begin at approximately 8:30am, right after the Kiddie Cone Run. The Frosty […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Conversation with the Preservation Society of Newport County
On today’s edition of The Open Forum on WADK 1540AM from 12:30pm – 2pm we discussed the latest local news (included the passing of the “Cool Moose” and what’s ahed for the week and spring) and were joined by two folks from the Preservation Society of Newport County. Andrea Carneiro from the Preservation Society of Newport County (PSNC) will stopped by […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 50+ Companies Currently Hiring in Newport (March 20)
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 That Have Job Openings (March 13). All jobs have been posted in the last week. [the_ad id=”9856″] Newport Health Equity Zone – Wellness Hub […]
Posted inThings To Do
10 Best Things To Do This Week in Newport (March 21 – 25)
Discover the best events, activities and things to do during March in and around Newport, RI. It’s going to be a messy Monday morning commute, head here for the latest cancellations, closings and delays. (In chronological order) 1 – Battle Chefs Tuesday at 8pm at The Revolving Door Restaurant Rhode Island’s best chefs go toe […]
Posted inThings To Do
Salve Regina Will Host 11th Annual French Film Festival, April 3-14
Six thought-provoking films, including the 1959 classic, “Hiroshima Mon Amour,” will be featured when Salve Regina University presents its French Film Festival April 3-14 in Newport. All films and special festival events are open to the public and will be presented on the campus of Salve Regina University. Films will be screened in Bazarsky Lecture […]
Posted inNews
Winter Storm Warning in Effect From Sunday Afternoon Through Monday Morning
A Winter Storm Watch from the National Weather Service in Taunton remains in effect for all of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts from Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Monday Morning. UPDATE: Winter Storm Watch has been changed to a Winter Storm Warning. Winter Storm Warning URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL […]
Posted inNews
Heavy Snowfall Possible Sunday Afternoon Through Monday Morning
The National Weather Service in Taunton has announced that a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for our area from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. The Winter Storm Watch is in effect for all of Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts in anticipation for heavy snowfall that could see snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches […]
Posted inCity & Government
Agenda for March 23rd Newport City Council Meeting
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at its regular meeting to be held on March 23, 2016, at 6:30 p.m in the Cafetorium of the Pell Elementary School. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG CITIZEN’S FORUM: (Speakers must sign in with […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Conversation with Danny Melnick, Producer of Newport Jazz Festival
When multiple Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride was recently named artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival, it was also announced that Danny Melnick, a 25-year veteran of Wein’s organization, would move from Associate Producer to Producer of the festival. Danny called in to The Open Forum with Ryan Belmore on 1540 AM WADK Newport on […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Happening This Weekend In and Around Newport (March 18 – 20)
Discover the best events, entertainment, live music, activities and things to do during this weekend in and around Newport! In Chronological Order 1 – Rhode Island Be Green Kids Consignment SPRING/SUMMER Event Friday from 6pm – 9pm, Saturday from 8am to 3pm and Sunday from 9am to 1pm The Rhode Island Be Green Kids Consignment Sale […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Cafe Zelda Aiming to Reopen on March 18th Under New Ownership
After being closed for almost three months, Cafe Zelda is looking to reopen in March. In a perfect world, they hope to be open in time for the 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12th. This story will be updated when we have an exact date and time of the reopen. Update […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Caleb & Broad Becomes Official Game Watch Spot for Providence College Friars in Newport
There is no better way to watch the Providence College Friars in NCAA tournament play than with others who love PC as much as you do. Tyler Bernadyn, a 2011 Providence College Graduate and bartender at Caleb & Broad and Midtown Oyster Bar, will be hosting an official game watch at Caleb & Broad. Round […]
Posted inNews
John Tobin Presents Partners With Jane Pickens Theater to Produce “The JPT Comedy Series”
Need more laughter in your life? Well, you’re in luck! John Tobin has announced that “John Tobin Presents” has partnered with the Jane Pickens Theater and Events Center to bring stand-up comedy acts to Newport for a series called “The JPT Comedy Series“. John Tobin has been responsible for making Boston laugh for years, he produces and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
What’s Up In Newport for St. Patrick’s Day
Many of us may have starting celebrating Newport’s Irish Heritage Month back in February with Dancing at Forty Steps, many more celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with Newport’s 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12th. Thursday, March 17th is the “real” St. Patrick’s Day and a day that any of us who […]