Middletown Fire Department responded to a reported “kitchen/restaurant fire” at Rusty’s Bar & Grill, 44 Wave Avenue, around 11:10 a.m. on Sunday morning. {Read More: UPDATED: Area Fire Departments Respond to Fire on Wave Ave in Middletown} While responding units worked fast and had the fire under control within 30 minutes, there was significant damages 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 inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: Preservation Society, City Of Newport, Spiced Pear and More… (Feb. 14)
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. Now Hiring In Newport, RI – February 14, 2016 1 – Petco – Dog & Cat Department Manager 2 – Spiced Pear – Line Cook/Pastry Cook 3 – […]
Posted inNews
UPDATED: Area Fire Departments Respond to Fire on Wave Ave in Middletown
This story was originally posted at 11:24 a.m. on February 14, 2016; it has been updated. Middletown Fire Department responded to a reported “kitchen/restaurant fire” on Wave Avenue around 11:10 a.m. on Sunday morning. The 2 alarm fire saw Tiverton, Newport, Newport Naval, and Portsmouth Fire Departments respond for mutual aid. The extent of the damage is not […]
Posted inNews
Wind Chills of 25 to 35 Degrees Below Zero Expected Overnight
The National Weather Service issued a Wind Chill Warning for most of Southern New England at 9:27pm this evening, the warning is in effect until 12 p.m. on Sunday. Before factoring in the wind chill, Newport is expected to wake up to -4 degree temperatures on Sunday morning. With wind chill reading between 20 and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport Fire Department Wins Newport Winter Festival Chili Cook-Off
It may be frigid outside but Winter heated up today in Newport as area restaurants, caterers, the U.S. Coast Guard and Newport Fire Department competed today at the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel to see who had the best chili in town at the 21st Annual Samuel Adams Chili Cook-Off! This Years Top Winners Were: 1st Place: Newport RI […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
The Foiling Week Series is Coming To Newport in September
The Foiling Week is the first and only series of global events dedicated to the amazingly fast foiling boats, their sailors, designers and builders. {Featured Photo via Martina Orsini} After two successful editions in 2014 and 2015 held at Fraglia Vela Malcesine on Lake Garda in Italy, The Foiling Week has announced that in 2016 the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Newport Folk Festival Wins ‘Music Festival Of The Year” at 27th Annual Pollstar Awards
{Photo of Jon Batiste & Stay Human by LaNita Adams} The Newport Folk Festival was named Music Festival Of The Year yesterday (February 12th) at the 27th Annual Pollstar Awards at the SF Masonic in San Francisco, California. It beat out Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL), Toronto Urban Roots Festival (Toronto, ON) and Treasure Island Festival (San […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: Local Bed and Breakfast Seeks Front Desk/Marketing/Social Media Position
Newport, R.I. – February 13, 2016: A popular Bed and Breakfast in Newport, RI is seeking a part-time, year round front desk and marketing associate. The ideal candidate will be responsible, resourceful, organized, detail-oriented, and have superior computer skills with the ability to learn new programs easily. Experience in marketing, e-newsletters, and managing social media […]
Posted inThings To Do
PODCAST: What to Do This Weekend and During Newport Winter Festival (Feb. 12)
On the Friday edition of The Open Forum with Ryan Belmore on 1540 AM WADK Newport I discussed briefly truck tolls being singed into law by Governor Raimondo, as well as a quick recap on what my opinion’s mean and how I want to hear yours. I then dove into what’s happening this weekend in […]
Posted inNews
National Weather Service Issues “Wind Chill Watch” For Our Area
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a “Wind Chill Watch” for our area. This advisement goes into effect at 1 pmon, Saturday, February 13, 2016 and will continue until 1 pm on, Sunday, February 14, 2016. If you need to know where to go during severe cold weather, head here – Warming Centers Around Newport Open Ahead of Forecasted Extreme […]
Posted inThings To Do
One Month Until 2016 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held, rain, snow, or shine, on Saturday, March 12th 2016. It will begin promptly at 11:00am from Newport City Hall and will proceed to Carroll Avenue at Saint Augustin’s Church in the heart of the Fifth Ward. The parade this year is estimated to last […]
Posted inNews
Coast Guard and Good Samaritans Respond to Disabled Fishing Boat 30 Miles South of Block Island
The Coast Guard assisted two people aboard the 50-foot fishing boat Lois Virginia Thursday after the boat became disabled 31 miles south of Block Island. The crew aboard Lois Virginia used a VHF-FM radio to contact Coast Guard watchstanders at about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday to report their distress. The crew aboard the nearby 87-foot fishing boat Sao […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Two of Three Aquidneck Island State Senators Vote In Favor of Truck Tolls on Thursday Night
After two hours of debate, the Rhode Island House of Senate voted 25 – 12 in favor of RhodeWorks (Truck Tolls) on Thursday night at the Rhode Island State House. After seven hours of debate, the Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 52 – 21 in favor of RhodeWorks (Truck Tolls) on Wednesday night at the Rhode […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Warming Centers Around Newport Open Ahead of Forecasted Extreme Cold Temperatures
The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement in response to expected bitter cold conditions this weekend. It is anticipated that temperatures will drop down into the single digits overnight Saturday and could even fall below zero. Additionally, with the projected blustery weather wind chill values as low as negative twenty-five degrees are […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Historical Society Will Host An Interactive Living History Event on February 20th
What was it like to live in a once thriving colonial seaport in February 1775 on the eve of the American Revolution? The Newport Historical Society will host costumed interpreters from the Middling Sort, a living history group, who will represent personas from colonial Newport on Saturday February 20, 2016from 10am-2pm during Liberty or Loyalty. During this interactive program […]
Posted inNews
February 11th Podcast: Truck Tolls, Ballard Park and More…
The conversation for much of the beginning of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport today was all about the seven hours of debate by the House of Representatives last night at the State House. Tony Gugliotta from NBC 10 News joined Ryan at 1pm to chat about his coverage of the issue and […]
Posted inThings To Do
Jamestown Arts Center will host Dr. Adam Levine for a Presentation Entitled: “Lessons from Ebola as we Face Zika and Other Global Outbreaks”
{Photo: Dr. Adam Levine with President Obama} Jamestown, R.I. – Jamestown Arts Center has announced they will host Dr. Adam Levine for a presentation entitled: “Lessons from Ebola as we Face Zika and Other Global Outbreaks” Adam C. Levine, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Brown University Global Emergency […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Five of Seven Aquidneck Island State Representatives Voted In Favor of Truck Tolls on Wednesday Night
After seven hours of debate, the Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 52 – 21 in favor of RhodeWorks (Truck Tolls) on Wednesday night at the Rhode Island State House. Here’s how Aquidneck Island’s seven representatives voted tonight, Voted For – Representative Raymond Gallison (District 69, Portsmouth and Bristol)Voted For – Representative John Edwards (District 70, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Flower Show Call for Photography Entries
The 2016 Newport Flower Show, Gilded-Artful Living, invites photographers of all experience levels to submit an entry in the Photography Division of the Show, which will take place June 24-26, 2016, at Rosecliff, one of Newport’s most beautiful historic mansions. Ten different Photography Classes are available to showcase various photo subjects and techniques. Photographers must submit a […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: RhodeWorks, Black History Month, Theatre and More (Feb. 10)
Frank Proznitz, former Reporter/Bureau Manager at the Providence Journal and Editor of Providence Business News, joined me as Co-Host (as he does every Wednesday) today on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport. Among the topics discussed with Frank and our special guest Ricardo Pitts-Wiley from Mixed Magic Theatre were RhodeWorks, Black History Month, arts, theatre and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Joan Hall Wins Newport Annual Best-In-Show Award and Newport Art Museum Award
{Photo: BEST IN SHOW – Joan Hall | Global Warming/Algae Bloom} The Newport Art Museum has announced the winners of the 2016 Newport Annual Members’ Juried Exhibition. One of the Museum’s most anticipated annual events, this exhibition highlights top talent from the region, bringing together an eclectic mix of art sourced from Rhode Island and beyond. Entries […]
Posted inNews
Rogers High School Receives Anonymous Email Threat on Wednesday
Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools, notified parents and the community this morning about another threat made at Rogers High School. The latest threat to Rogers High School was received by e-mail at Rogers High School. The following communication was shared by Mrs. Jermain; “Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Dear Parents and Community, This […]
Posted inNews
Rogers High School Robotics Team is Raising Money to Fund Trip to Nationals
The Rogers High School Robotics Teams, a high school division team and an advanced division team, both won their New England Regional Underwater Robotics competition in December. It was the second year in a row that both teams won overall champions in their divisions. Both teams have been invited to participate in the National SeaPerch Championships […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Majority Of Aquidneck Island’s Legislators Expected To Vote In Favor of Truck Tolls This Week
After approval by the House and Senate Finance committees today, the RhodeWorks legislation to rebuild Rhode Island’s roads and bridges is headed for votes on the floors of the House and Senate. Here’s how Aquidneck Island’s legislation voted in the two finance committee meetings for RhodeWorks (truck tolls) today and how remaining reps are expected […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Chat with Rep. Daniel Reilly, Kathy Staab from Jane Pickens Theater and More… (Feb. 9)
On Tuesday, February 9th I was joined on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport by Representative Daniel Reilly (D-72 Middletown and Portsmouth) to chat about RhodeWorks and how he thought the finance committee vote may go. Later in the program, Kathy Staab from the Jane Pickens Theater joined the program to chat about […]