The 88-foot grand prix ocean racer Lucky has entered the 21st Ida Lewis Distance Race presented by Kiel James Patrick, adding star power to a growing fleet for one of offshore sailing’s most distinctive 24-hour challenges. The race is set to start Friday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. off Fort Adams in Narragansett Bay. Organizers […]
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 inSports
54th Newport Bermuda Race celebrates centennial of organizing partnership
The 54th Newport Bermuda Race will set sail Friday, June 19, on a 636-mile blue-water passage to Bermuda, marking the 100th anniversary of the partnership between the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Known as the “Thrash to the Onion Patch,” the biennial race is one of the world’s oldest ocean […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
RIDOH recommends reopening swimming at Easton’s Beach in Newport
The Rhode Island Department of Health is recommending that the swimming areas at Easton’s Beach in Newport and Briar Point Beach in Coventry reopen after bacteria counts returned to safe levels. The recommendation comes two days after the department advised closing the swimming areas at both beaches, along with Oakland Beach in Warwick, because of […]
Posted inSports
After a misplayed foul pop, Valenzuela hits go-ahead double in Blue Jays’ 4-3 win over Red Sox
BOSTON (AP) — Brandon Valenzuela hit a go-ahead RBI double off Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with a 4-3 win Thursday. Valenzuela’s tiebreaking hit clanked off the Green Monster and came after Red Sox catcher Connor Wong […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island election agencies announce first graduates of certification program
The Rhode Island Board of Elections and the Rhode Island Department of State have announced the graduation of the first cohort of election officials from the Election Training and Certification, or ETAC, program, a professional development and certification program jointly developed and administered by the state’s election agencies. Sixty-seven election officials received their ETAC certifications […]
Posted inNews
Norman Bird Sanctuary and Salve Regina expand conservation partnership, launch Kiernan Scholars Program
The Norman Bird Sanctuary and Salve Regina University welcomed 75 guests on June 16 for an evening of public engagement and scientific insight, celebrating a growing collaboration that is advancing ecological research and hands-on conservation training on Aquidneck Island. The program featured a lecture by Dr. Jameson Chace and the announcement, by sanctuary Executive Director […]
Posted inNews
Preserve Rhode Island awards $105,000 in historic preservation grants, including four in Newport
Preserve Rhode Island, in partnership with The 1772 Foundation, has awarded about $105,000 in matching grants to 13 nonprofit organizations across the state to support urgent repairs and long-term preservation at some of Rhode Island’s most treasured historic places, including four in Newport. The one-to-one matching grants will fund bricks-and-mortar work at sites ranging from […]
Posted inNews
Newport Airport Day returns June 28 with aircraft displays, helicopter rides and family fun
Newport State Airport will host the seventh annual Newport Airport Day on Sunday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., welcoming the public for a community aviation event for all ages. The event will feature aircraft static displays, giving visitors a close-up look at a variety of airplanes and helicopters. Attendees will also have […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council to weigh flood grants, tax rate and tourism commission June 24
The Newport City Council will take up a full agenda at its regular meeting Wednesday, June 24, including major flood-resiliency grant requests, an adjustment to the non-owner-occupied residential tax rate and a series of resolutions aimed at council operations. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway. The meeting […]
Posted inInstagram
Historic Warwick Neck Lighthouse headed to public auction this summer
The historic Warwick Neck Lighthouse is set to go to public auction this summer, offering buyers a rare chance to own one of Rhode Island’s iconic light stations. The waterfront property at 1350 Warwick Neck Ave. features the 51-foot-tall lighthouse, which has guided mariners since 1827 and remains an active aid to navigation, capped with […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center presents ‘A Celebration of Trees’ summer exhibition
The Jamestown Arts Center will present “A Celebration of Trees,” a multimedia group exhibition exploring humanity’s enduring relationship with trees, on view from June 26 through Aug. 29. Curated by Laurie Dolphin, the exhibition features 21 artists from Southern New England and around the world working in painting, sculpture, photography, film and mixed media. The […]
Posted inNews
Music in Middletown summer concert series set to launch July 1
Middletown’s popular Music in Middletown series returns this summer with a slate of free, family-friendly concerts running from July through August at Second Beach and Paradise Valley Park. The season opens Wednesday, July 1, with an America 250 celebration from 6 to 9:15 p.m. at Second Beach, 315 Sachuest Point Road. Hosted by the town’s […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Island Robotics team showcases talent at People’s Credit Union
People’s Credit Union recently hosted Aquidneck Island Robotics at its Middletown headquarters, where students showed their appreciation for the sponsor with a hands-on robotics demonstration. Aquidneck Island Robotics, known as AIR, is the largest community-based youth competitive robotics organization in the state. Open to all K-12 students in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts from public, […]
Posted inNews
Newport International Boat Show celebrates 55 years with expanded programming and early ticket sales
The Newport International Boat Show, presented by BankNewport, has opened ticket sales for its 2026 edition as it prepares to mark 55 years as one of the largest in-water boat shows in the Northeast. Set for Sept. 17 to 20 on Newport’s waterfront, this year’s show will feature expanded educational programming, a reimagined Windward VIP […]
Posted inArts & Culture
newportFILM announces 2026 outdoor summer documentary series
newportFILM has unveiled the schedule for its 2026 outdoor documentary series, a run of free Thursday-night screenings at venues across Newport, each paired with live music and many with conversations featuring filmmakers and special guests. The series opens Thursday, June 25, with “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” at the Great Friends […]
Posted inNews
Secretary of State reminds candidates of June 22-24 declaration filing period
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the Rhode Island Department of State’s Elections Division are reminding prospective candidates of the upcoming filing period for declaration of candidacy forms. Declarations of candidacy must be filed on June 22, 23 or 24, with a deadline of 4 p.m. on June 24. Candidates for federal and statewide […]
Posted inNews
RIPTA’s summer service changes take effect June 20, with free Newport routes and the return of the beach bus
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will implement its summer service changes on Saturday, June 20, bringing the return of seasonal beach service and several adjustments aimed at Newport-area riders. RIPTA adjusts its service three times a year in response to seasonal changes and passenger use. This round affects Routes 23, 65x and 67, and […]
Posted inNews
South Kingstown police investigating fatal motorcycle crash on Route 1
A 28-year-old North Kingstown man died in a single-motorcycle crash on Route 1 on Tuesday night, the South Kingstown Police Department said. Officers responded at about 10:15 p.m. on June 16 to a report of a motorcycle crash on Route 1 northbound, south of Torrey Road. They found a single motorcycle involved in the crash, and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum to honor Sheila Isham and celebrate Angel Otero at 2026 Summer Art Party
The Newport Art Museum will welcome supporters to its annual Summer Art Party on Friday, July 10, marking the opening of two major exhibitions and raising funds for the museum’s school and education programs. The gala, a staple of Newport’s summer season that drew more than 550 guests last year, coincides with the opening of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Revolution Reimagined’ exhibition at Rosecliff offers fresh look at America’s founding
A new exhibition at Rosecliff will mark the 250th anniversary of the United States by taking a fresh perspective on the American Revolution and how it has been remembered and understood over the centuries. “Revolution Reimagined: Evolving Stories from Newport’s Past” opens June 26 and runs through Nov. 1. The exhibition focuses on Newport, where […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
RIDOH recommends closing swimming areas at three Rhode Island beaches, including Easton’s Beach
The Rhode Island Department of Health is recommending the closure of swimming areas at three beaches, including Easton’s Beach in Newport, because of high bacteria counts. The recommendation also applies to Oakland Beach in Warwick and Briar Point Beach in Coventry, the department said. State health officials will continue to monitor and review beach water […]
Posted inSports
Champions and rising stars set for Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open in Newport
Defending women’s singles champion Caty McNally, 2025 women’s finalist Tatjana Maria and former Newport ATP finalists Alex Michelsen and Jenson Brooksby will headline the singles field for the Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open, presented by the MARGARET Fund. New England’s only professional tennis tournament returns to the International Tennis Hall of Fame from July […]
Posted inCity & Government
Largest Rhode Island health care union endorses McKee, Matos for re-election
The United Nurses and Allied Professionals, Rhode Island’s largest health care workers’ union, has endorsed Gov. Dan McKee and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos for re-election. The union, which represents more than 5,500 nurses, technologists, therapists and other frontline health care workers in the state, pointed to the administration’s role in keeping two community hospitals open. […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIHEBC awards $1 million in capital grants, including several to Newport County organizations
The Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation has awarded $1 million in capital grants to 45 health, education and community service organizations across the state, including several in Newport County, to help complete capital projects or purchase equipment. Locally, the John Clarke Retirement Center, doing business as John Clarke Senior Living, received $23,940 to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Olympic medalist Elizabeth Beisel joins Kingston Chamber Music Festival’s 2026 season
The Kingston Chamber Music Festival will present its 38th season, “Life, Liberty, & Music,” from July 22 to Aug. 2 on the University of Rhode Island campus, highlighted by its first collaboration with Rhode Island native and Olympic medalist Elizabeth Beisel. While many Rhode Islanders know Beisel as a three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist […]