Photo by Marial Maher/Visual Manor Join the What’sUpNewp Crew for Oyster Explorers as we sip and slurp on November 7th at Hotel Viking with Oyster Sommelier, Julie Qiu of In A Half Shell. Julie Qiu is an oyster sommelier, blogger and sustainable seafood advocate from New York City in search of the world’s most exceptional […]
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 inNews
Morning News and Notes | October 16
Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Canfield House Will Close on October 31st: The Canfield House Restaurant, one of the longest-running restaurants in Newport, will soon join the growing list of long-time restaurants that will permanently close in 2015. (What’sUpNewp) Newport restaurant closes; will auction items: A […]
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Newport Morning News and Notes | October 15
Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Newport, RI News and Notes International Tennis Hall Of Fame Will Purchase The Canfield House Restaurant and Pub: The Canfield House Restaurant, one of the longest-running restaurants in Newport, will soon join the growing list of long-time restaurants that […]
Posted inThings To Do
1916 Centennial Committee to Host Irish Historical Presentation in Newport
The Easter Rising of 1916 Centennial Remembrance Committee of Rhode Island will hold a multi-media historical presentation on Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m. at the Ancient Order of Hibernian Hall, 2 Wellington Avenue, Newport. The event is free and open to the public. The Easter Rising, also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an […]
Posted inThings To Do
Fort Adams Will Appear on Syfy’s ‘Ghost Hunters’ Tonight
Fort Adams State Park will be featured on Ghost Hunters tonight, October 14th at 9:00pm, on Syfy . In each episode, Jason Hawes and his team of paranormal investigators, TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) investigate paranormal activity across the country. In this episode, KJ and Dustin investigate the sound of footsteps in the bakery in Fort […]
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Morning News and Notes | October 14
Photo by Marial Maher/Visual Manor Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; International Tennis Hall Of Fame Will Purchase Canfield House: The Canfield House Restaurant, one of the longest-running restaurants in Newport, will soon join the growing list of long-time restaurants that will permanently close in 2015. (What’sUpNewp) […]
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Newport Art Museum Curator to give Gallery Talk on “Reviving Durr Freedley”
The Newport Art Museum invites guests to an afternoon Gallery Talk on Reviving Durr Freedley: Newport’s Forgotten Artist on Sunday, October 18 at 2pm in the Museum’s Cushing Gallery. The talk will be led by Nancy Whipple Grinnell, Newport Art Museum Curator, who will discuss Freedley’s life and work. The event is free with the price of Museum admission. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Owners of Midtown Oyster Bar Purchase Rhumbline Restaurant
According to reports and records, the fate and future of Rhumbline Restaurant has become a little bit clearer. Rhumbline Restaurant, 62 Bridge Street in Newport, RI The restaurant that operated for decades in the Point Section of Newport closed permanently on October 9th, The property was purchased by Larry Silverstein and Patrick Kilroy, co-owners of Midtown Oyster & […]
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Nation’s Chief Justices, Top Court Administrators Will Hold 2018 Annual Conference in Newport, RI
Newport will host the annual joint meeting of the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators in Newport in 2018, Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell announced today. The CCJ/COSCA 2018 Annual Meeting will bring the highest judicial officers of the states and top court administrators together to discuss important issues in the administration of justice. […]
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Make Strides in the Fight Against Breast Cancer in Rhode Island on October 18th
Today is “No Bra Day”, a day created to reportedly raise awareness for breast cancer. Not wearing a bra will not save lives from breast cancer or support men and women fighting it today. Increased access to screenings and funding research to find better ways to detect, treat and prevent breast cancer will. If you don’t want […]
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Morning News and Notes | October 13
Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; Coast Guard Rescues 2 From Burning Sailboat Near Sakonnet Point: The Coast Guard rescued two people from a burning sailboat Monday afternoon about a mile south of Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island. (What’sUpNewp) Local transgender teen crowned Homecoming King: After coming […]
Posted inFood & Drink
20 Must-Have Drinks in Newport, RI
It’s no secret that Newport is home to some amazing mixologists who provide a wonderfully diverse variety of drinks. The What’sUpNewp Crew with the help of a local bartender (thanks TB) has curated a list of must-have drinks for visitors and locals alike! Without further ado (because you’re going to have a lot of drinking to get […]
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Masonic Lodges in Portsmouth and Middletown Will be Open to Public on October 17
The Grand Masonic Lodge of Freemasonry will host an open house at all Masonic lodges throughout Rhode Island on Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The statewide open house is being held in conjunction with Masonic open houses throughout New England on the same day as part of a program initiated to help raise […]
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Coast Guard Rescues 2 From Burning Sailboat Near Sakonnet Point
Black smoke bellows from the sailing vessel Northern Phoenix, Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. A Coast Guard crew from Station Castle Hill rescued the sailing vessel’s two crew members. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Leary) The following news release was provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom. BOSTON — The Coast Guard […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Dave Perry Becomes Five-Time U.S. Match Racing Champion
The action was intense in Oyster Bay on the third and final day of the 2015 U.S. Match Racing Championship, hosted by Oakcliff Sailing. Dave Perry (Southport, Conn.) continues to make history at this premiere match racing event by adding his name to the Prince of Wales Bowl for the fifth time. He proved that […]
Posted inThings To Do
Public Invited to Tour SSV Oliver Hazard Perry During Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival
(photo credit Onne van der Wal) This weekend (October 17-18), attendees at the 25th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival in Newport will enjoy an opportunity to board the 200-foot Tall Ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, the Ocean State’s Official Sailing Education Vessel and the first ocean-going full-rigged ship built in America in over a century. […]
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UPDATE: Former Newport Resident Loses Lower Leg in Shark Attack Off of Hawaii’s North Shore
A 25-year-old former Newport resident is in critical condition following a shark attack while surfing on Friday morning off of Oahu’s North Shore. Colin Cook, now a resident of Kawailoa, moved to Hawaii from Newport, Rhode Island three years ago, according Lisa Kubota from Hawaiian News Now; “Here’s a photo of him with his father. […]
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Queen Mary 2 Will Make Her Only 2015 Stop in Newport Today
Queen Mary 2 will make her only 2015 stop in Newport on October 10th. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, a transatlantic ocean liner, is the only major ocean liner built since Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1969, the vessel she succeeded as flagship of the Cunard Line. The new ship was named Queen Mary 2 by Queen Elizabeth II […]
Posted inThings To Do
Fort Adams Will Host Laser Tag Battles in October
Photo by Morgan Macia/What’sUpNewp Fort Adams will be holding laser tag battles in the inner ditch area of the fort. Participants can wage their own battles against their opponents. Using innovative technology supplied by E-Combat, taggers can point and shoot a harmless laser at their opponent and have it register on the opponents head band […]
Posted inThings To Do
Local Flavor and Family Friendly Festivals Mark Newport County’s Most Majestic Season
It’s no wonder why people from around the world flock to New England during our resplendent autumn months. Festivals abound, the harvest is bountiful and Mother Nature is at her finest. Newport and its surrounding eight coastal communities welcome visitors from near and far to experience the spoils of the season: Oct. 10-31: Trinity Church […]
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After 22 Years in Newport, International Oktoberfest is Set to Take Place at New Home in Providence
Biergartens, bratwurst and Bavarian music will all be on tap at India Point Park, Providence, the new home of the 23rd Annual International Oktoberfest, that’s set to take place next weekend, Saturday, October 17th from noon to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 18th from noon to 6:00 p.m. The Festival, which celebrates everything German, had […]
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UPDATED: Coast Guard Search Narragansett Bay For “Vessel in Distress”
Update: 7:35 p.m. – Coast Guard has called off the search in Narragansett Bay,marine assets returning in service with nothing found A distress call came in at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Thursday for vessel in distress on Narragansett Bay. The vessel and reason for distress call, “mayday”, is unknown at this time. The original search area […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
Salve Regina University to Play in New Football Conference
The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Board of Directors announced on Monday, October 5th that the CCC will begin to oversee football as a championship sport beginning in 2017-18. The CCC will assume operation of a renamed New England Football Conference (NEFC). Six institutions, including Salve Regina University, are expected to compete for the CCC championship and […]
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Waterfront Events Set to Host Fall Waterfront Reggae Festival in Providence
Leading up to the International Oktoberfest on October 17th and 18th, Waterfront Events has announced they will host a Fall Waterfront Reggae Concert on Friday, October 16th. The Fall Waterfront Reggae Concert, to take place rain or shine next Friday, October 16th from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at India Point Park in Providence, Rhode […]
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Morning News and Notes | October 8
Good Morning! Here’s the latest on what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport, RI; ‘Fat Guy Across America’ Hits New York: Nice mention if his time spent here and Newport Bicycle (NY Times) Fair Chance of Seeing “Shooting Stars” on Thursday and Friday Night: If you’re in Newport or Southern New England later this […]