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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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. […]
Posted inNews
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. […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jane Pickens is One of 32 Theaters in U.S. Chosen to Host Kickstarter Film Festival
On Thursday October 15, over 30 theaters across the United States will screen an expertly curated selection of some of the best short and feature films funded on Kickstarter. In Rhode Island, Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (Newport) and Cable Car Cinema (Providence) are among those who will feature the 5th Annual Kickstarter Film Festival. […]
Posted inNews
Fair Chance of Seeing “Shooting Stars” on Thursday and Friday Night
Photo Credit: Richard Klofac If you’re in Newport or Southern New England later this week, there is a fair chance to see some “shooting stars” with the annual Draconid meteor shower. The meteor display, which peaks overnight on Thursday, October 8th and Friday, October 9th is caused by the remains of a comet raining down on Earth. […]
Posted inNews
Parking Ban Will be in effect on Broadway on Thursday and Friday
A PARKING BAN will be in effect on Broadway in order to pave the corridor. Broadway from Marlborough Street to Cranston Avenue: West side angled parking NO PARKING ANY TIME until 8 PM Friday, October 9, 2015. East side parallel parking NO PARKING from 5 AM to 8 PM Thursday and Friday, October 8 and […]
Posted inThings To Do
Art League of RI Sponsors Stem to Steam from the Trenches at the Newport Art Museum
Photo of Babette Allina On Wednesday, October 14th, from 7-9pm, the Art League of RI will present STEM to STEAM at the Newport Art Museum. Presented by Babette Allina, Executive Director of Government & External Affairs, at the RI School of Design (RISD), the event will focus on keeping art and design in the forefront […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Sage Cellars Brings Rebel Coast Wine to Rhode Island
Sage Cellars, located in Warren, RI, has announced the latest edition to their portfolio of wineries, Rebel Coast Winery. With the tagline Distractingly Sexy,it’s clear that this new brand is all about having fun, but don’t be fooled, this high quality wine is uniquely crafted from different regions of California and is “made by real people, […]
Posted inThings To Do
Halloween Movie Night at Ballard Park Will Include ‘Hotel Transylvania’ and ‘Young Frankenstein’
For the past two weeks the public has voted on which movies they’d like to see at the 2nd Annual People’s Credit Union’s Halloween Movie Night at Ballard Park. Friends of Ballard Park has announced the winners are Hotel Transylvania and Young Frankenstein. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 17th. In addition to the two […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jane Pickens Will Host One-Night-Only Screening of ‘Roger Waters: The Wall’
Photo by Morgan Macia/Macia Photography As a followup to Roger Waters performance at the Newport Folk Festival this past summer, Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center will screen Roger Waters: The Wall on October 29th. This film details one of the most elaborately staged theatrical productions in music history as Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters performs the […]
Posted inThings To Do
Things You Must Do in Newport This October
From a pig roast to Newport Seafood Festival, here are the top events that you shouldn’t miss in and around Newport this October! 1 – Goose Island Beer Dinner at Midtown Oyster Bar, October 7th Midtown Oyster Bar will host their 3rd Annual Pig Roast and Beer Dinner on Wednesday, October 7th at 6:30 p.m. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Why You Shouldn’t be Against Paying a Cover Charge in Newport
After recently writing about Jimmy’s Saloon upcoming schedule, that will see bands from near and far perform in The City By The Sea in October, there have been a few comments that have brought up “cover charges”. Specifically two comments on this recent post about Jimmy’s Upcoming Schedule really got us thinking and talking amongst […]
Posted inFood & Drink
3 Hard Cider Cocktails You Have to Drink Out of a Boot in Newport This Fall
Starting on September 30th, you can drink hard cider cocktails out of a boot in the lounge of One Bellevue at Hotel Viking! One Bellevue will pair these fun, delicious and unique hard cider boot cocktails with Oktoberfest fare including Goose Island Dijon Chicken Wings, Beer Braised Apple Sausage with a Spicy Mustard, Reuben Fritters with Russian dressing, Sauerbraten […]