The House Commission on Economic Risk Due to Flooding and Sea Rise will meet Thursday with an economist reviewing the costs and benefits of disaster and climate change preparation. The meeting is scheduled Thursday, Feb. 25, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 101 on the first floor of the State House. The meeting will feature […]
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 inThings To Do
What’s Up and Happening This Week In Newport, RI (Feb. 22 – 26)
{Photo of IMC performing Mother Goose at Rosecliff} Discover the best events, activities, entertainment, live music and things to do in and around Newport, RI this week! Scroll down for live music, entertainment and comedy listings this week! [the_ad_group id=”61″] In chronological order: Monday, February 22nd Best Places for Margaritas on National Margarita Day in […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 50 Companies Currently Offering Employment in Newport (Feb. 21)
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. All jobs have been posted in the last 7 days. Now Hiring In Newport, RI – February 21, 2016 [the_ad id=”9856″] [the_ad id=”9856″] [contextly_auto_sidebar] 1. Seafood Restaurant – […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Councilor Florez Proposes City Wide Camera Surveillance Program
Councilor John Florez will introduce a resolution at Newport City Council’s meeting on February 24th that would put surveillance cameras across major streets in Newport. The resolution asks for City Administration to explore funding options for implementing a city wide comprehensive camera surveillance program. Newport City Council will also discuss a resolution that would arm […]
Posted inNews
POLL: How Do You Feel About Surveillance Cameras and Police Cameras in Newport?
Councilor John Florez will introduce a resolution at Newport City Council’s meeting on February 24th that would put surveillance cameras across major streets in Newport. [socialpoll id=”2335338″] Newport City Council will also discuss a resolution that would arm Newport Police Department with cameras on Wednesday night, Newport Police Department May Soon Roll Out Body Worn Camera Pilot Program. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Anthony Spiratos Suspends Campaign for State Senate, District 13 (Jamestown/Newport)
Anthony Spiratos took to his Facebook Page on Monday to announced that he would be suspending his run for State Senate, District 13 (Jamestown & Newport) in order to give enough time to someone who can devote the time that will be necessary to win. Spiratos announced in July of 2015 that he would be running against […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Conversation About Travel and Hospitality (Feb. 22)
Preservation Society of Newport County, Newport Harbor Hotel and RI Hospitality Association stopped by The Open Forum today to discuss travel and tourism. Guests today included Trudy Coxe, Executive Director of Preservation Society Of Newport CountyDale Venturini, President of Hospitality AssociationKristine Cox, General Manager of Newport Harbor Hotel 12:30pm – 1pm 1pm – 2pm Listen […]
Posted inNews
PROJO: Barrington, Middletown and Portsmouth High Schools Receive Bomb Threats Monday
Middletown, Portsmouth and Barrington High Schools all received a robo-call threat “shortly before noon” on Monday, February 22nd – Middletown and Portsmouth High School Receives Robocall Threat on Monday. Donita Taylor, Providence Journal Staff Writer, had more information on Monday night about the threats, 3 R.I. high schools receive bomb threats Monday. [the_ad_group id=”217″]
Posted inNews
Newport Fire Department Responds To House Fire on Catherine Street
Newport Fire Department is currently on scene of a working house fire at 22 Catherine Street in Newport, RI. The call came in around 4:30pm on Monday. According to Truilia, 22 Catherine Street is a multi-family home that was built in 1865 and is a three story wood frame structure. Zillow records show the property […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Castle Hill Inn and Spiced Pear Are Forbes Travel Guide 2016 Star Award Winners
Forbes Travel Guide unveiled its 2016 Star Awards today, posting the largest group of winners in the company’s history. The 58th annual list includes 56 Five-Star restaurants, 187 Four-Star restaurants and 68 Recommended restaurants. In Newport The list of Four-Start hotels included Castle Hill Inn. The list of Four-Star restaurants included the Spice Pear at The […]
Posted inNews
Middletown and Portsmouth High School Receives Robocall Threat on Monday
Middletown High School received a robo-call threat “shortly before noon” on Monday, February 22nd. The following information was received from Middletown Public Schools on Monday; “Today, February 22, Middletown High School received a robo-call threat. School personnel worked with Middletown police officers to ensure that the building was safe and the threat was deemed to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Fruit Bats Added to 2016 Newport Folk Festival Lineup
Fruit Bats, an American rock band formed in 1997 in Chicago, Illinois., will perform in Newport, R.I. on Friday, July 22nd at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival. The entire 2016 Newport Folk Festival is being rolled out (almost) daily on their social media accounts, Ruby Amanfu is the 11th act to be announced for the annual festival at […]
Posted inNews
Rogers High School CyberPatriot Team Wins Rhode Island 1st Place Award
{Photo: From left to right: Matthew Marshall, Alex Bestoso, Michael Garvey, Charles Taylor} A team of high school students from Rogers High School in Newport, RI recently concluded an exceptional round of competition in the eighth season of CyberPatriot – the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. [contextly_auto_sidebar] Established by the Air Force Association, the CyberPatriot National Youth […]
Posted inNews
San Diego Reader: Doug Manchester flips Newport, Rhode Island mansion
What’sUpNewp brought you the news on Saturday that Fairholme Sells For Second Time in 12 Months, This Time for $16.1 Million. The San Diego Reader has more information on the man who sold the property, “Papa Doug” Manchester, San Diego real estate speculator and former owner of the Union-Tribune. Read The Full Story: Doug Manchester flips Rhode […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Speakeasy Bar and Grill is Closed for “Spring Cleaning” This Week
Speakeasy Bar and Grill will be closed Monday, February 22nd through Thursday, February 25th, the restaurant will reopen on Friday, February 26th. The restaurant posted on Facebook that it would be for a “little spring cleaning”. Speakeasy Bar and Grill is one of the latest to close for vacation, spring cleaning or renovations this winter, […]
Posted inNews
Shell Gas Station on Lower Thames Street Will Close For Several Months
The Shell Gas Station located at 560 Thames Street will close for several months starting tonight (February 21st) at 10:00 p.m. for renovations and remodeling. Rendering of a Seasons Corner Market Renovations and remodeling are expected to take three or four months (May or June), when completed the property will become a Seasons Corner Market. The new Season […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
UPDATES: When Newport Restaurants Are Open and Closed This Winter
It’s beginning to look a whole lot more like the off-season around Newport, RI. Many restaurants have already permanently/temporarily closed or are preparing to do so over the next few weeks. As of February 7th, 2016: This story may be updated as more or new information is received @ The Deck | 1 Waite’s Wharf | Phone: 401-846-3600 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Obituary: Paul Gordon, B-52s Guitarist/Keyboardist, Newporter, Father and Husband
{Photo of Gordon performing in Newport with the B-52’s by Rick Farrell/Mojo Photography} What’sUpNewp brought you the unfortunates news on Thursday, February 18th that Paul Gordon, B-52s Guitarist/Keyboardist and Newport Native, has passed Away. Growing up in Newport, Gordon lived on Bedlow Ave, Malbone Road and was a proud member of Rogers High School Class of 1981. Gordon […]
Posted inNews
PROJO: Investigators faced high-tech puzzle in tracing R.I. robocall threats (from Newport Teenager)
Following several anonymous bomb threats to Newport and Middletown Public Schools this month, NBC 10 News reported on February 16th that the Rhode Island State Police had arrested a male Newport teenager. The Providence Journal reported on February 21st that police have said a Newport teenager used a web server in Russia, various overseas and local phone […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Pour Judgment Wins 6th Annual Chicken Wing Cook-Off
{Photo via Pour Judgement Facebook Page} Area restaurants competed at the Hyatt Regency Hotel from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. today to see who makes the best chicken wings, no matter how you like your wings these restaurants were serving them up from Spicy to Sweet! For the third consecutive year, Pour Judgement won Newport […]
Posted inCity & Government
Public Workshop on Newport’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan Scheduled For February 23
Efforts are being made to update the City Of Newport’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. A City Plan provides the foundation for a wide variety of actions, all designed to help citizens accomplish a shared vision for their community. Updating a Plan allows the City to investigate, identify and implement actions that are necessary to address changes […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Fundraising Page Created to Support Paul Gordon’s Family and to Assist with Funeral Costs
Just days after the news that Paul Gordon, B-52s Guitarist/Keyboardist and Newport Native, Had Passed Away, a fundraising page on GoFundMe has been setup by David Wilson to assist the family with funeral costs and to provide short-term support for his wife and children. Gordon did have a pacemaker for many years of his adult life, […]
Posted inNews
Fairholme Sells For Second Time in 12 Months, This Time for $16.1 Million
The iconic Newport estate known as Fairholme, which sold back in July of 2015 for $15 million and was put back on the market for $21 million on November of 2015, sold for $16.1 million on Friday; according to The Providence Journal. [contextly_auto_sidebar] The Providence Journal shares that the property was sold to “Fairholme LLP”. The state’s record house price, […]
Posted inNews
Report: Newport Has Least Safe Crime Index, Highest Crime Rate in Rhode Island
Newport is the least safe community (per capita/1,000 residents) in Rhode Island according to crime index and crime rate data from NeighborhoodScout.com, a website dedicated to building “the best location-based technologies possible to empower businesses to make informed decisions that translate to increased revenue and reduced costs.” We dug into the date after reading The 10 Safest […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2016 Newport Folk Festival Now Officially Sold Out
What remained for available tickets to the 2016 Newport Folk Festival sold out on Friday, February 19th. Tickets to the 2016 Newport Folk Festival went on sale at 10am on December 2nd and within just a few hours 3-Day Tickets, 2-Day Tickets, and Saturday Single Day Tickets sold out. All before knowing a single artist, musician or band […]