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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
Best Things To Do In Newport This Weekend (Nov. 20 – 22)
The holiday season kicks off this weekend in and around Newport, RI! Friday, November 20th Rum and Revolution Tour, November 20 at 3:30pm. From the thriving colonial rum trade through the temperance movement and Prohibition era smuggling, learn about the changing role of alcohol in the community. Tour will end at Diego’s on Bowen’s Wharf for a […]
Posted inFood & Drink
UPDATE: November 20th is Last Day to Order Thanksgiving Heat & Serve Meals and Pies from Cru Cafe
Photo by Marial Maher/Visual Manor Thanksgiving is right around the corner Newport! Looking to dine-out on Thanksgiving in Newport? Well THIS STORY will let you know about all the restaurants that will be opening their doors on November 26th to feed you. Interested in dining at home but you can’t cook, keeping it as simple […]
Posted inNews
Newport News Headlines (Nov. 20)
A roundup of today’s big stories that have to do with what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI… Newport, RI News Headlines [the_ad_group id=”217″] Taxi companies agree to pause Uber case until after RI General … (Projo)Hotels and Villas offer Savings on Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Virtual Strategy Magazine) [wp-rss-aggregator]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Newport Shipyard Acquires Newport Charter Yacht Show
Photo ©Billy Black Newport Shipyard General Manager Eli Dana announced today that Newport Shipyard has acquired the Newport Charter Yacht Show from Newport Exhibition Group. “We are very pleased to announce that the 2016 Newport Charter Show will be managed and hosted by our team at Newport Shipyard. We will work closely with the Newport Exhibition […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jay Sweet Named Executive Producer of Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.
Photo of Jay Sweet, George Wein and crew at 2015 Newport Folk Festival (via George Wein on Facebook) Jay Sweet, producer of the iconic Newport Folk Festival® since 2009, has been named Executive Producer of the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ (NFF), effective immediately, it was announced today by George Wein, the Foundation’s Chairman. In his new role, Sweet […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
UPDATE: After 35 Years, Tropical Gangsters Has Permanently Closed
After 35 years, the owners of Tropical Gangsters are retiring and their Thames Street store will soon close. While there has not been a definitive closing date set for the women’s clothing, shoes and accessories store, the space is available for lease through Hogan Associates Real Estate and there are huge sales happening in both […]
Posted inThings To Do
Fort Adams Will Host Multiple Holiday Themed Activities and Events
The Fort Adams Trust located at 90 Fort Adams Drive Newport, RI announces that the trust will be undertaking multiple holiday activities and events for deployed service members, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, as well as holding special children’s events. For deployed service members, the fort is coordinating with Newport and Middletown elementary […]
Posted inNews
Newport News Headlines (Nov. 19)
A roundup of today’s big stories that have to do with what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI… [the_ad_group id=”61″] [wp-rss-aggregator]
Posted inNews
Discover Newport Welcomes Four New Members to Board of Directors
Discover Newport announces four new members to its Board of Directors. The new appointments will be filling the seats of board members whose terms have expired. Keith Chouinard, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa, will be representing hotels over 100 rooms within the destination. With more than 15 […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
UPDATE: New Owners Of Rhumbline Apply For Entertainment License; Face Heavy Opposition
What’sUpNewp brought you the news first on October 12th that the Rhumbline had been purchased by Larry Silverstein and Patrick Kilroy, co-owners of Midtown Oyster & Surf Club (formerly Perry Mill Tavern). The closing date for the sale of the property was November 4th and reports indicate that the property at 62-64 Bridge Street was purchased […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor Raimondo Appoints City of Newport Councilor Naomi Neville to School Building Authority Advisory Board
In August Governor Gina M. Raimondo launched the School Building Authority, a component of her Jobs Plan, that includes conducting the first statewide school construction assessment as well as a new funding mechanism for public schools with immediate renovation needs. When she launched this initiative she stressed that the Authority would be hitting school building […]
Posted inNews
10 Long-Time Businesses on Lower Thames Street Are For Sale or Will Close by End of Year
Big chances are coming for Lower Thames Street, and it’s not just the usual every few years changes – some long-time businesses are for sale or calling it the end of a long run in 2015. 1 – Tropical Gangster After 35 years, the owners of Tropical Gangsters are retiring and store at 375 Thames Street closed […]
Posted inNews
Get Your Business Involved With The What’sUpNewp Card
Welcome to the What’sUpNewp Card Offers registration page. This is your chance to promote your business to an audience of highly social, active and engaged people who love Newport County. Learn More About The Card: Introducing the What’sUpNewp Card, An Annual Membership to Curated Experiences and Exclusive Discounts With the What’sUpNewp Card there are no sign-up fees […]
Posted inNews
Newport News Headlines (Nov. 18)
A roundup of today’s big stories that have to do with what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI… Tiverton casino proposal could be decided by RI voters (WPRI)Social Snaps: Taste of Newport raises nearly $100000 for Child … (PROJO) [wp-rss-aggregator]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Newport Skating Center Will Return to Downtown Newport This Year
Newport Waterfront Events, a division of Waterfront Productions LLC, has told What’sUpNewp that although the Newport Skating Center fundraising campaign has yet to completely meet its goal there is enough confidence that additional funds will be received over the next few weeks to move forward with the return of the rink to its former downtown […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Haven Brothers, ‘The Oldest Diner On Wheels’, is Coming to Newport
Haven Brothers Concessions Food Truck will handle the on-site concessions at the Newport Skating Center this season. The Rhode Island icon has been serving Rhode Islanders from it downtown Providence location since 1893, making it the oldest diner on wheels. Dates and hours that Haven Brothers will be on hand at the Newport Skating Center will […]
Posted inNews
Newport News Headlines and Notes (Nov. 17)
A roundup of today’s big stories that have to do with what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI… Tiverton casino proposal could be decided by RI voters (WPRI)Social Snaps: Taste of Newport raises nearly $100000 for Child … (PROJO) [wp-rss-aggregator]
Posted inThings To Do
Calendar: The Best Things To See and Do in Newport County This Holiday Season
Photo via Bowen’s Wharf There’s Christmas In Newport, Holidays By The Sea and dozens of other events happening throughout Newport to celebrate the holidays this December. The What’sUpNewp has gone throughout countless websites, Facebook, press releases and combined multiple calendars to curate the most thorough and complete Christmas and Holiday Calendar you can find. Events […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Salve Regina Football Will Play in Clayton Chapman Bowl Championship
The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced the pairings for the 2015 Division III Football Bowl Championships to be held Nov. 20-22 at a pre-determined neutral site for the first time in Conference history. Just this past weekend, Salve Regina University fell to Western New England University in the NEFC Championship. All six games […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Food & Drink, News, Things To Do
Holidays By The Sea, A Shop, Stay, Dine and Explore Initiative, Will Begin on November 27th
Newport’s holiday season is right around the corner and with that comes a number of traditional family fun festivities and hours of sensational shopping throughout the County during the 3rd Annual Holidays by the Sea initiative. The Newport County Chamber of Commerce along with members of their board and its Retail Committee created the […]
Posted inNews
Wyndham Estate Is Back On The Market For $8 Million
Wyndham Estate, one of the highest points in Newport with 360 degree ocean and harbor views, is back on the market for $7,999,995. The 12,279 square foot property includes 8 beds and 9 baths. The property was purchased by former Alex & Ani CEO Giovani Feroce back in January 2014 for $6.8 million in a cash transaction. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Start Your Thanksgiving Outdoors With the 30th Annual Pie Run
The 30th Annual Pie Run, organized by the Newport Running Club, is set to return on Thanksgiving morning at 8:30 a.m. The 5 mile USATF sanctioned road race and 3 mile non-competitive walk starts and ends in front of the Newport County YMCA in Middletown and is a scenic course with panoramic views of Sachuest Beach. Participants are asked […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
10 Best Things to do in Newport This Week (Nov. 16 – 19)
Photo of Revolving Door, the home of Battle Chefs Just when you would think events, activities and things to do would be slowing down in and around Newport; we have a hard time narrowing down the best things to do this week! There’s a lot of unique and fun events happening around town this week, […]
Posted inNews
Newport News Headlines and Notes (Nov. 16)
A roundup of today’s big stories that have to do with what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI… The Latest Newport, RI News Headlines [wp-rss-aggregator]