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 […]
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
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 […]
Posted inNews
Historic Building on Bellevue Avenue Sells for $2.6 Million
According to a recent report of real estate transactions, a historic commercial/mixed use residential building located at 103-111 Bellevue Avenue sold for $2.645 Million on February 10th, 2016. (Zillow reports that the property was purchased for $2.905 Million) The property was sold by Christine Tellefsen to Stonehenge Partners, LLC and is currently home to Griswold’s […]
Posted inNews
Portsmouth Abbey and St. George’s Among “50 Most Elite Boarding Schools in America”
Business Insider released their annual list of the 50 Most Elite Boarding Schools in America on February 17th. [contextly_auto_sidebar] Portsmouth Abbey School came in at #46 on the 2016 list with an acceptance rate of 37%, endowment of $45 million and enrollment of 360. The website had the following to say about the Portsmouth, RI […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Skating Center Will Host Many Activities Before Their Season Glides to a Close at End of Month
Newport Waterfront Events is not looking towards spring just yet! Activities, discounts and a charity benefit are all being featured at the Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI over the final weeks of the skating season. Upcoming events at the Center include: Salve Regina University Student Discount Night on Thursday, February 25th, 2016 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ruby Amanfu Has Been Added to 2016 Newport Folk Festival Lineup
{Photo via Newport Folk Festival} Ruby Amanfu, a Ghanaian-born singer and songwriter based out of Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA., will perform in Newport, R.I. on Saturday, July 23rd at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival. Amanfu released her most recent studio album, Standing Still, on August 28, 2015, following a double single release of “Bluff” […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Hope on Broadway is Now Officially For Sale
{Photo via Libby Kirwin Real Estate Listing} After several months of rumors around town regarding the possibility of a sale, Hope on Broadway is now officially listed for commercial sale. The restaurant, located at 8 – 10 Broadway, has been listed this week with Libby Kirwin Real Estate for $1.5 million. The sale does include […]
Posted inNews
Pell Center at Salve Regina University will Partner With “White House Chronicle,” a National PBS show, to Produce Episodes of “Story in the Public Square”
The Pell Center at Salve Regina University will partner with “White House Chronicle,” a national PBS show with global reach, to produce episodes of “Story in the Public Square.” Hosted by Pell Center Executive Director Jim Ludes and G. Wayne Miller, visiting fellow and director of the Story in the Public Square initiative, the new […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Paul Gordon, B-52s Guitarist/Keyboardist and Newport Native, Has Passed Away
{Photo by Rick Farrell/Mojo Photography} Paul Gordon, a successful musician, composer, producer and Newport, R.I. native, passed away on Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 52 from ongoing health problems/complications. Growing up in Newport, Gordon lived on Bedlow Ave, Malbone Road and was a proud member of Rogers High School Class of 1981. Gordon leaves […]
Posted inNews
WPRI: Stalise in Portsmouth Forced to Close Twice in Two Years After Water Damage
{Photo via www.wpri.com} WPRI.com has reported that a Portsmouth business has been forced to close for the second time in a year after the same pipe burst inside the building. Read The Full Story: Portsmouth business closes twice in two years after water damage
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Discussion with Norman Bird Sanctuary and Musician Justin Pomfret
On the Thursday, February 18th edition of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport, Ryan spoke about local issues involving police worn cameras as well as a resolution to add cameras to Downtown Newport. I was joined at 12:45pm by Lesley Muir, Special Events Manager for Norman Bird Sanctuary, who discussed upcoming events that the […]
Posted inNews
SALVEtoday: Certified Students Offering Tax Preparation Assistance
Salve Regina’s accounting students, in cooperation with AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), will offer free tax preparation assistance from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through April 15. Read Story & Get More Information on SALVEtoday [the_ad_group id=”217″]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City Of Newport Launches “Report It! Newport” Smartphone App
The City Of Newport has announced the launch of Report It! Newport, a digital tool that leverages advancing mobile and desktop technologies to provide citizens with a simple means to report non-emergency issues such as potholes or graffiti. Partnering with City of Newport and the Public Services Department is SeeClickFix, a digital communications platform which allows […]
Posted inThings To Do
Illuminated Garden Will Return to Ballard Park This Weekend
{Photo by Jennifer Carter} Ballard Exploration Company, Inc. presents the 11th Annual Illuminated Garden on Thursday, February 18th; Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th, 2016 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Ballard Park. The free event features thousands of lights displayed on the trees and unique features of Ballard Park’s three acre quarry meadow. In addition to lights set up […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Willy’s Burger Bar Back on The Market After Sale Falls Through
Willy’s Burger Bar + Rotisserie Sale Falls Through, Back On The Market Willy’s Burger + Rotisserie is back on the market after potential buyers that had agreed to buy the property backed out of the deal earlier today. Joe Fitzpatrick, Real Estate Agent for Re/Max of Newport’s Fitzpatrick Team, confirmed with us on Wednesday that although a binding contract […]
Posted inCity & Government, Opinion
Op-Ed by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (Jamestown/Middletown): RhodeWorks is Right Route to a Stronger Economy
Op-Ed by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown), Deputy Majority Leader Rhode Island has the least-safe bridges and roads in America—visible to anyone traveling the state. A thriving Rhode Island economy is predicated on investing in infrastructure. That’s how we grow the economy, by creating more taxpayers and not more taxes. [contextly_auto_sidebar] Over the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rogers High School Only RI School Selected for 2015 Gaston Caperton Honor Roll
Rogers High School is one of 130 school districts in the United States being recognized for creating opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students. [contextly_auto_sidebar] The districts featured on the honor roll have expanded access to higher education by providing students with rigorous academic offerings and innovative college-preparation programs. They demonstrated significant and consistent growth in the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Folk Festival adds Flight Of The Conchords to 2016 Lineup
Flight of the Conchords, a New Zealand-based comedy band, will perform in Newport, R.I. on Friday, July 22nd at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival. The duo’s comedy and music became the basis of a BBC radio series and then the television series that aired for two seasons on HBO. The entire 2016 Newport Folk Festival is […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Jobs
Now Hiring In Newport: Rosemary and Thyme Artisan Bakery
Rosemary & Thyme Artisan Cafe, located on Spring Street, is now hiring counter help for their cafe. This is a part – time position that would require 15 -20 hrs per week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are looking for someone who can work with their customers, make them feel comfortable, and answer any questions or […]
Posted inNews
NBC 10 News: Tree falls, crushes cars on Dresser Street in Newport
NBC 10 reported that a 60-foot tree fell on Dresser Street in Newport around 5 p.m. on Tuesday night, crushing two cars and narrowly missing a house. Read The Full Story [the_ad_group id=”217″]