Billie Jean King, ITHF Secretary Peggy Woolard, ITHF Chairman Christopher Clouser. All photos by Kate Whitney Lucey. Tennis legend Billie Jean King was among the honored guests at today’s International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, during which she was presented with her official Hall of Fame ring. King, a 39-time Grand Slam champion and […]
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 inStyle & Shop
Throwback Thursday: Bill Burr Gives Video Tour Of Newport
Just before comedian Bill Burr performed at the Newport Comedy Series in 2012, he took to the streets of Newport! In this YouTube video, Burr gives viewers and fans a walking tour of the “illuminati resort town known as Newport, Rhode Island”. Note: While this video is funny, it is not safe for work. […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
Google Earth Took Most Recent Satellite Images Of Newport at The Perfect Time
Google took new satellite imagery of Newport for Google Earth during a historic moment in the The City By The Sea’s history, during the 2015 Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover. Newport hosted the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover for the very first time from May 5 – 17th, 2015, the event was a great success and attracted […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Two Naval Officers Participate In ‘Coolest Re-Enlistment Ever’ In Newport
Senior Chief Valdez and Chief Kurtz recently took oath and re-enlisted in the United States Navy while onboard the “command cutter” while underway in Narragansett Bay. While some in the U.S. Navy or other U.S. Armed Forces may argue with the proclamation that it’s the “coolest reenlistment ever”, it could arguably be the best way […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Newport Folk Festival Releases 2015 Schedule
The Newport Folk Festival has announced the release of their 2015 schedule. To be among the first to see the schedule, download the “Newport Folk Festival” app on your iOS or Android smartphone. If you already have a version of the app on your smartphone, Newport Folk Festival encourages users to refresh or update their app to […]
Posted inNews
Sea Turtle And Shark Found On First Beach In Last 24 Hours
Less than 24 hours after a dead shark was found on First Beach in front of the Atlantic Beach Club, a large sea turtle has washed ashore. The turtle was discovered at approximately 11am on Tuesday morning was missing it’s right flipper and deceased. It is unknown at this time why both the shark and […]
Posted inNews
Shark Washes Ashore In Front Of Atlantic Beach Club
Marcos Henrique of Newport discovered something he wasn’t expecting to see while walking on Easton’s Beach just around 8 pm on Monday night, a dead shark was found just feet from volleyball nets at the Atlantic Beach Club. “I was hanging out with my family after the volleyball league at first beach and my wife found the shark”, Henrique told […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Horse Severely Injured at Saturday’s Newport Polo Match
Just moments after the horse was injured | Photo via Mike McDonald USA vs Ireland, the most anticipated face-off yet this season in the Newport International Polo Series, saw tragedy on Saturday afternoon. Just after Ireland had one of the quickest scores possible and just minutes into the match, there was commotion on the field […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Owners Of Midtown Oyster Bar Have Purchased Perry Mill Tavern
Perry Mill Tavern & Music Hall, formerly the Rhino Bar & Grille, has been sold. The property had been on the market for almost one year. The property was purchased by Surf Club LLC, also known as Larry Silverstein and Patrick Kilroy (co-owners of Midtown Oyster), from J.H. Enterprises LLC. The duo opened Midtown Oyster Bar […]