Newport Jazz Festival Assembly, a new performance series presented by Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™, Inc. will bring music to elementary schools throughout Rhode Island beginning this week, it was announced today by Governor Gina Raimondo and George Wein, Chairman of Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. The series, funded by Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. with support from the […]
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 inCity & Government, News
What To Watch For: Newport City Council’s February 10th Meeting
The Newport City Council will host their regularly scheduled meeting on February 10th at 6:30 p.m.at the Pell Elementary School Cafetorium, 35 Dexter Street. Heading to the public meeting? Here’s a quick round-up of some of the more interesting items that will be reviewed, discussed and introduced – the full agenda for the meeting is here. Can’t make it […]
Posted inThings To Do
Best Things To Do This Week In and Around Newport (Feb. 8 – 12)
{Photo via Sail Newport of sledding at Fort Adams} Discover the best events, activities, entertainment, live music and things to do in and around Newport, RI this week! It’s going to be a messy start of the week, keep up with what you need to know here – Winter Storm Live Blog: Tracking Newport’s Closures, Delays […]
Posted inNews
Where You Can and Can’t Park in Newport During a Parking Ban
Newport City Council, with recommendation from the Department of Public Services, recently increased the number of roads where parking bans are established during snow emergencies from 9 to 24 to give them the ability to better serve residents during winter events and will improve general snow removal relating services during and after storm events. The list […]
Posted inNews
Experience Winter Storm Lexi Through These 50 Amazing Newport Photos
{Photo by Morgan Macia/ Macia Photography} Winter Storm Lexi (yes, we know it’s a Weather Channel name. It’s just easier to call it that then the “snow storm that hit Newport, RI on February 5th, 2016”) made landfall in Newport, RI around 3 a.m. on Friday, February 5th and left around 6 – 12″ of snow for […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport City Council Will Recognize Sid Abruzzi on His Induction into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame
At their regularly scheduled meeting on February 10th at Pell Elementary School, the Newport City Council will recognize Sib Abruzzi for his recent induction into the East Coast Surfing Hall Of Fame. The resolution has been introduced by Councilor John Florez and states the following; Abruzzi was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall Of Fame […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Two Newport Restaurants Receive AAA Four Diamond Recognition
Four Diamond restaurants account for just 2.3 percent of the more than 30,000 AAA-approved and Diamond rated restaurants, and four of them are in Rhode Island, AAA Northeast has announced. The four Rhode Island restaurants are among just 683 throughout North America and the Caribbean to receive this designation for 2016. The local recipients are: […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
UPDATE: Newport Wine Cellar and Gourmet Is Now Open in New 3,000 Square-Foot Space
Newport Wine Cellar & Gourmet begins this new year by tripling the shops’ size and inventory in a brand new 3,000-square-foot space in the International Tennis Hall of Fame building on Memorial Boulevard. The new locale will increase NWC&G’s capacity to supply the community with inspirational ingredients and wines that make one eat, drink, and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Where To Watch Super Bowl 50 in Newport, RI
(Photo of fans cheering on a game at Caleb & Broad) Whether you’re cheering on the Panthers, the Broncos or the commercials, chances are you’ll be tuning into the Super Bowl on Sunday. If you’re headed out to enjoy the big game, check out the following spots for great food and drink specials. Listed in […]
Posted inNews
Bomb Threat Forces Evacuation of Local Schools on Thursday
The following information was released by the Middletown Police Department At approximately 12:30pm, the Middletown Police Department received a robo voice call stating that a bomb was planted in three Aquidneck Island Schools. The three named schools were Rogers High School, Thompson Middle School and Middletown High School. Upon receiving the message, the Newport Police […]
Posted inArts & Culture
PODCAST: Interview with Mark Gorman of The Playboys
Thursday’s edition of “The Open Forum with Ryan Belmore” on 1540 AM WADK Newport featured a great conversation about live music with Mark Gorman, a local musician and writer. Mark and I discussed the area’s live music scene, world-class musicians you shouldn’t miss, how to get kids actively involved in music and much more. 12:30pm […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Two New Restaurants Coming Soon to Bellevue Avenue
There’s two new places to eat are coming soon to Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Picnic and Christo’s Pizza of Newport. Photo of Bellevue Avenue, looking south from Vernon Court via Wikipedia Both places are expected to open up over the next several weeks according to new victualing license applications. These two new victualing license applications […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Interview with Nancy Parker Wilson, General Manager of Greenvale Vineyards
Nancy Parker Wilson from Greenvale Vineyards stopped by the 1540 AM WADK Newport studios on Wednesday, February 3rd and joined Frank Prosnitz and I to discuss the wine business/industry and all that is happening at their vineyard. Greenvale Vineyards is a family run vineyard located along the beautiful Sakonnet River in Portsmouth, RI, five miles […]
Posted inThings To Do
Volunteers Sought for 11th Annual Illuminated Garden at Ballard Park
Friends of Ballard Park is hosting its 11th Annual Illuminated Garden on Thursday, February 18th, Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th. The 11th Annual Illuminated Garden is a free event which features light displays and sculptures set up in the three acre quarry meadow of Ballard Park. Volunteers are needed to help with event set up, during the event […]
Posted inNews
Rogers High School Receives Third Anonymous Threat This Week
The Superintendent of Newport Public School sent out the following message to parents of students just after 10:30am this morning; “Dear Newport Families and Community, Within the last five minutes, we have received another call indicating a bomb threat at Rogers High School. In an abundance of caution, we are evacuating Rogers High School to […]
Posted inNews
Interior Photography to be Allowed at Newport Mansions for First Time
The Preservation Society of Newport County will allow visitors to The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House to use their “smart phones” to take interior photographs of the houses starting Friday, February 12th, the first day of Newport Winter Festival. The exception to the long-standing “no interior photography policy” allows photography only with smart phones, for […]
Posted inNews
Mokka Coffeehouse To Move To New Space, Expand Offerings
Come April 1st, Mokka Coffehouse, the old world style coffeehouse that opened at 476 Thames Street in May of 2012, will move to a new location and expand its offerings to include more sandwiches, soups and things to go. Mokka Coffeehouse’s move is approximately 213 feet north of their current location. The new space will […]
Posted inCity & Government, Food & Drink, Opinion, Style & Shop
Op-Ed: Sales Tax Holiday Would Be A ‘Victory Day’ for Rhode Island Taxpayers and Small Businesses
The following Op-Ed was written by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown), Deputy Majority Leader. Small business is the lifeblood of Rhode Island economy. We have over 95,000 small businesses, and they employ our friends and families. Their success directly impacts the livelihoods of those families as well as our state’s economy in payroll taxes […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Interview with Karen Vebber from People’s Credit Union
Karen Vebber, Mortgage Loan Officer at People’s Credit Union, joined me today on The Open Forum to discuss taxes, mortgages, what to financially think about before you engaged on Valentine’s Day, the local real estate market and much more. Karen joins me on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK on the first Tuesday of […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Jane Pickens Theater Will Host Screening of Sleepless in Seattle on Valentine’s Day
Jane Pickens Theater and Events Center is planning a very special nostalgic and romantic evening with a screening of Sleepless In Seattle on Valentine’s Day. A screening of the 1993 romantic drama film will be shown at 7:00pm and tickets for this special Valentine’s Day screening are just $15. The $15 includes the “Sleepless Valentines Package”, this […]
Posted inNews
UPDATE: Newport Public Schools Receive Another Anonymous Threat
UPDATE from Newport Police Department at 10:20 am At 0530 hours this morning an anonymous call was made to the Newport Police Department, in which a threat was made against the Newport Public schools. The Newport Police Department immediately began investigating this matter. The schools and the grounds were searched and there was no evidence […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News, Style & Shop
On The Move: Keeping Track of What Newport Businesses Are Opening, Closing and Relocating
It’s been a busy start to the new year for new and old Newport businesses, many are moving, some have retired and there’s a few new spots that you should know about. Without further ado, here’s a round-up of what’s new or happening around town since January 1st, 2016. We’ll keep this list going as more information […]
Posted inThings To Do
10 Events That You Shouldn’t Miss In Newport This February
(Photo of Ballard Park) Discover the best events, activities and things to do during February in and around Newport, RI. 1 – Hotel Viking Wine Festival – February 6 & 20, 2016: One Bellevue, the award winning restaurant at Hotel Viking in Newport has announced the Viking Wine Festival, a sequence of exceptional winemaker-hosted dinners […]
Posted inThings To Do
Registration Now Open For Summer Camp at Norman Bird Sanctuary
The Norman Bird Sanctuary anxiously awaits its 57th year of summer camp! During each eight week session campers will participate in fun-filled, hands-on nature exploration, animal encounters, and outdoor discovery. Age-appropriate and innovative camps offer a unique blend of hands-on learning, games, animal encounters and team building. Camp groups are held on 325 acres offering […]
Posted inNews
PODCAST: Interview with Organizers of Night To Shine
Bob Dyl, Night To Shine Coordinator, and Pastor Steve Robinson, from CrossPoint Church, joined me today on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport to discuss Night To Shine, a prom night experience for those will special needs. Crosspoint Church recently announced that they will serve as one of the more than 100 churches around […]