Looking for a job? Here’s our weekly roundup of job opportunities that are currently available in and around Newport, RI. All jobs have been posted in the last 7 days. Now Hiring In Newport, RI – March 6, 2016 [the_ad id=”9856″] Lemon & Line – Retail Associates & Retail ManagersNewport County YMCA – Group Fitness InstructorCrawford Thomas […]
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 inFood & Drink
Former Thames Street Kitchen Space Will Become New Restaurant
There’s a new restaurant concept that will soon take over 677 Thames Street, formerly Thames Street Kitchen. According to a City Of Newport Victualing License Application, the restaurant space will soon operate as a restaurant under the name of “Winner Winner”. It is unknown what concept the restaurant will have or what it will offer. […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Jack Wills Closes Store in Newport
Jack Wills, the British-based retailer offering trendy takes on classic fashions for men & women, has closed it’s store located at 170 Thames Street in Newport, RI. The final day for the Thames Street store and only Jack Wills location in Rhode Island was Thursday, March 3rd. Jack Wills opened in Newport in 2011. Jack Wills […]
Posted inThings To Do
12 Best Things To Do This Weekend in Newport, RI (March 4 – 6)
Discover the best events, activities, live music, entertainment and things to do in and around Newport, RI during this weekend. Mach is Newport Irish Heritage Month, celebrate all that is Irish during this exciting month-long event. Visit www.aohnewport.org for full list of events, activities and things to do! Editor’s Note – In the interest of full […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
International Tennis Hall Of Fame Issues Statement on Passing of Hall Of Famer Bud Collins
The following statement and information has been shared with us from the International Tennis Hall of Fame; Today the International Tennis Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Bud Collins. Bud had an incomparable impact on our sport as a journalist, broadcaster, and historian. He exuded a genuine passion for tennis that was second to none. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
EFC Newport Will Host Coffeehouse Featuring Live Music and Entertainment on March 18th
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 Annex in Newport on Friday, March 18th from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Well endeavors to connect individuals throughout Newport County monthly for an evening of encouragement and fellowship. The event […]
Posted inCity & Government
Voters Will Decide in November if Newport Grand Goes to Tiverton
Legislation seeks voter approval to move Newport Grand operations to site near state line Both chambers of the General Assembly today gave their final approval to legislation necessary to allow Twin River to transfer its operations at Newport Grand to a new facility in Tiverton, pending approval from voters statewide and in Tiverton. The legislation, […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Discussion with Museum of Newport Irish History, Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Marshals
Michael Slein, President of the Board of Directors for The Museum of Newport Irish History, stopped by The Open Forum today from 12:30pm to 1:40pm to discuss Newport’s Irish history, Newport Irish Heritage Month and all that’s happening and new at The Museum of Newport Irish History. The Museum of Newport Irish History is located […]
Posted inNews
Dates Announced for 2018 Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover
{Photo by Dan Nerney/Sail Newport} The Volvo Ocean Race will return to Newport, R.I. for the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover from May 8th – May 20th, 2018. Sailors will arrive in Newport from Brazil around May 8th, will host an in-port race on May 19th and the leg start from Newport to Cardiff will take place […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Green Envy, Newport’s Favorite Eco-Boutique, Will Morph Into New Entity
After over 8 years in business Newport’s favorite Eco-Boutique is morphing into an exciting new entity. Green Envy will move to the internet where customers can shop for all the best sellers and more at www.GreenEnvyShop.com. The shop will also travel throughout Rhode Island and New England to exhibit at Fairs and Festivals. “Newport has […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Navy Band Northeast Will Host Chamber Concert at Ochre Court on Saturday
Navy Band Northeast‘s Chamber Music Ensembles will be performing at Ochre Court at Salve Regina University at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 5th. The Navy Band Northeast’s Chamber music concert is free, open to the public and presents a variety of small ensembles, performing works by Verdi, Copland, Ewazen, Rutter, Sousa and more. Feature ensembles include […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Where to Watch UFC 196, McGregor vs Diaz, on Saturday Night in Newport, RI
Looking for a restaurant or bar in Newport, RI that’s carrying UFC 196, a.k.a. “the McGregor vs Diaz fight”, on Saturday, March 5th? What’sUpNewp has confirmed that Mudville Pub will have the fight on on Saturday night. The cost to get in to watch the fight is $10 and the kitchen will be open until 11pm. Mudville Pub is […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Portsmouth, RI Fashion Designer Recently Presented Runway Show in New York Fashion Week
Chaz Aracil, recent Rhode Island School of Design Alumni and Portsmouth local, had his first large-scale presentation in New York City which took place on Tuesday February 16tth. The emerging designer showcased his talents with Art Hearts Fashion at the Angel Orensanz Foundation. What’sUpNewp first wrote about this back on July 23rd – Portsmouth, RI Fashion Designer […]
Posted inNews
Hoax: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Aren’t Moving to Newport, Rhode Island
The McKenzie Post which states they share “Local News From Around The Country” shared a story on March 1st stating “Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Moving to Newport, Rhode Island“. Chances are your friends, family and co-workers are probably sharing or reading the story now, it’s gone a bit viral in the City-By-The Sea. Before […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Norah Jones Will Perform at Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival This July
Nine-time Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Norah Jones will perform the rare feat of appearing at both the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival on consecutive weekends this July. Demonstrating her versatility and wide appeal, Norah will make her first-ever solo appearance at the Folk Festival on Saturday, July 23 having previously performed at the 2014 festival with her band Puss […]
Posted inNews
New York Daily News: Claus von Bulow Murder Trials Heading for Television
Producers Hope to Score ‘Making a Murderer’ Success {Photo of Clarendon Court in Newport where Von Bulow lived} The New York Daily News has reported that Universal Cable Productions plans to develop a potential series based on true crime book “The Von Bulow Affair,” by author-playwright William Wright. They are hoping to the famed criminal case […]
Posted inNews
Portsmouth Fire Department Releases Statement on March 1st Fatal Accident
The following press release was released by Portsmouth Fire Department on Wednesday morning and has been written to provide information on a fatal accident that occurred at the intersection of Turnpike Avenue and Gordon Street at 6:39 pm on March 1, 2016. Portsmouth Rescue 1 (ambulance), staffed by Lieutenant CJ Bowley and Firefighter Brendan Phelan, […]
Posted inNews
Newport Restoration Foundation Will Host Groundbreaking International Conference on the Impacts of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage
Keeping History Above Water addresses major threat to coastal communities, April 10 – 13 The international debate on climate change, cultural heritage, and how to reconcile the two gains a foothold on the East Coast in April with Keeping History Above Water, a 4-day conference organized by the Newport Restoration Foundation to address potential damage to […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Local Restaurant Owners Open Picnic Gourmet and Cafe on Bellevue Avenue
Picnic Gourmet + Cafe is now open at 26 – 28 Bellevue Avenue in Newport, the gourmet and cafe takes over the space previously occupied by Newport Wine Cellar + Le Petit Gourmet. Picnic is owned and operated by John and Tracy Bach-Sorensen, Owners and Operators of Willy’s Burger Bar + Rotisserie on Lower Thames Street […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Discussion with Organizers of Historic Newport Town Spring
Tanya Kelley and Howard Newman from the Historic Newport Town Spring Leadership Committee joined me on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the launch of the planning and design of the Historic Newport Town Spring and the public informational meeting that was set to take place on March 1st […]
Posted inNews
Fire Marshal Tells WPRI That Stonor Lodge Fire Investigation is Ongoing
Newport’s Fire Marshal has told Channel 12 – WPRI Eyewitness News that the Stonor Lodge fire investigation is ongoing and that photos and video footage are still being examined in the investigation. Newport Fire Department and mutual aid responded around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday to a full involved structure fire at 479 Bellevue Avenue, “Stonor Lodge”. No injuries were reported […]
Posted inNews
Historic Newport Town Spring Will Host First Community Meeting on March 1st
The Historic Newport Town Spring Leadership Committee is launching the planning and design of the Historic Newport Town Spring with a public informational meeting to take place on March 1st at the Colony House in Washington Square from 6-7:30pm. The site is the former location of the freshwater spring around which the original settlement of […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Audio and Coverage of Newport Opera House Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Monday, February 29th version of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport included a lot of discussion about and audio from this morning’s groundbreaking ceremony at the Opera House Theater and Performing Arts Center, Newport, RI (1pm – 1:30pm in podcast). In the podcast you’ll hear the entire program from this morning’s ceremony […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Councilor Justin McLaughlin Recinds Resignation
City Councilor-At-Large Justin McLaughlin submitted his letter of resignation to the City Clerk on Thursday afternoon. UPDATE: 2pm on February 29th – What’sUpNewp has learned that Newport City Councilor-At-Large Justin McLaughlin rescinded his resignation on Monday afternoon. McLaughlin’s resignation is effective February 29th, 2016, the reason for him stepping down is not known at this time. […]
Posted inNews
Huffington Post: A Visit to Newport Will Help Fill The Void Left After Downton Abbey
Lauren Daley, a freelance writer, music columnist, book columnist and poet, recently wrote 8 Ways To Fill The Void After Downton Abbey for The Huffington Post. Among the “eight ways to fill the PBS period-drama shaped hole in your heart” is “Get your Grantham on with a visit to Newport, R.I.”. Among those locations mentioned […]