News

Today’s shows was the definition of “The Open Forum”, topics ranged from what’s going on this weekend, to DYCF, to American Idol, to Keeping History Above Water and finally tourism. Rhode Island’s own Erika Van Pelt joined me to discuss the end of American Idol, her journey on season 11 of the show, what she’s up to […]

Here’s our weekly roundup of open houses taking place on Aquidneck Island over the weekend, happy home shopping! Need real estate help or a reliable agent? E-mail us at Ryan@whatsupnewp.com, we’d be happy to put you in touch with a preferred and reliable real estate agent that can fulfill your needs. Friday, April 8th  – […]

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) in conjunction  with the town of Middletown Department of Public Works will host a special collection of household hazardous waste (HHW), electronic waste (e-waste) and Styrofoam on Saturday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Second Beach located at 474 Sachuset Point Road. This special event is available free of charge to Rhode Island residents only. […]

Do you know the feeling of discovering a small town in New England and saying to yourself, “I can totally live here…”? The LKRE team certainly believes that every visitor who experiences the beauty of Newport, Rhode Island — have the inclination to come back. If you are one of those visitors and you are […]

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) today announced that it will be closing the high speed lanes (known as open road tolling or ORT lanes) to install new hardware and digital infrastructure in order to modernize the Newport Pell Bridge’s tolling apparatus. UPDATE: April 8 – Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has wrapped up […]

Newport Fire Department responded to18 Memorial Boulevard (former Arch Beauty) on Thursday evening for a structure fire. The scene is now under control but as of 5:30 p.m. crews were still on scene and traffic was blocked or stopped in the area from Memorial at Spring to Memorial at Bellevue, seek alternate route. Scene from William […]

On the Thursday, April 7th edition of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport I shared some of my own thoughts on Newport current affairs and then was joined  by three guests between 1pm – 2pm. Sail Newport and DEM are proposing a new marine educational and recreational facility at Fort Adams State Park, Brad […]

After a very successful return this past winter, Newport Waterfront Events, a division of Waterfront Productions LLC, has announced that the Newport Skating Center Presented by ALEX AND ANI will maintain its standing as a go-to winter tradition in Newport as Scott’s Wharf LLC and Peregrine Group LLC have agreed to the continued operations of […]

In a letter sent to alumni on Wednesday, St. George’s School announced that Bob Weston, Associate Head for External Affairs, had been place on leave in January after receiving “secondhand allegations” regarding the administrator’s “boundaries with students”. The allegations and Weston’s future at St. George’s is pending the outcome of an independent investigation. St. George’s […]

Frank Prosnitz, former Reporter for Providence Journal and Providence Business News, and I caught up with Arlene Violet today on The Open Forum on WADK 1540AM about her new book and her current thoughts on what’s happening around Rhode Island. Former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet recently co-authored “Dance of the Chameleon” with Jim Squadrito, a […]

Bike Newport, a non-profit organization that improves, encourages, and facilitates bicycling, will move its operations to 29 Spring Street in Newport, Rhode Island on May 1. The former detail shop will house Bike Newport’s administrative offices and a new Bike Barn. Modeled after community bicycle projects such as Recycle-a-Bike in Providence, the Bike Barn allows residents […]

Newport Hospital has confirmed via Facebook that their facility has recently been used for filming of The Discovery. It was confirmed back in March that Robert Redford, Rooney Mara and Jason Segel would be filming the movie on Aquidneck Island and throughout Rhode Island in 2016. “It’s been pretty exciting here at Newport Hospital lately as […]

Learn about the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (PTECH), launching this fall through a partnership between Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA) and Newport Public Schools. PTECH is an innovative “school within a school” that combines the best elements of high school, college and career over […]

The Monday edition of The Open Forum with Ryan Belmore on 1540 AM WADK Newport included a discussion in studio with Alexandra Curtis, Miss Rhode Island, and Mark Hellendrung, President of Narragansett Brewing Company. Alexandra joined me from 12:30pm to 1pm, then Mark called in from about 1pm to 1:20pm and then Alexandra joined back […]

Widespread vulnerabilities in America’s healthcare industry have left hospitals, insurance companies, and other providers exposed to an ever-increasing number of cyber attacks that target sensitive medical records and leave untold millions of patients at risk for identity theft. A panel of experts will share tips and advice on how the healthcare industry and individuals can […]

Newport is one of the twenty nominees for Best Historic Small Town by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2016 for having a big history and small populations. “Home of the highest number of surviving colonial buildings in the entire US, Newport has long been the summer retreat of the American well-to-do. The city of just 23,000 or […]

RI Foundation now taking applications for $1.5 million in college scholarships At the time of year when colleges are sending out financial aid packages, the Rhode Island Foundation has announced it is now accepting applications for more than $1.5 million in scholarships. Dozens of individual, family and organizational donors established scholarship funds at the Foundation […]

Narragansett Brewing Company announced this morning that they will soon start brewing again in Rhode Island. The announcement was made today by Mark Hellendrung, the Middletown resident who just so happens to be President of Narragansett Brewing. “Hi Neighbors! As I write this, I’m sitting on the floor of what has been my office for […]

The Boston Globe has some suggestions on how to spend a perfect day in Newport, including where to play, where to eat and where to shop. Some of those local businesses mentioned are Brick Alley Pub, Save The Bay, Newport Daffodil Days Festival, Fluke, Perro Salado, Thames Street Glass. Read The Entire Story – One Perfect […]

Here’s our weekly roundup of open houses taking place on Aquidneck Island over the weekend, happy home shopping! Friday, April 1st – Sunday, April 3rd [the_ad_group id=”61″] 821 FOREST PARK MOBILE HOMES (Middletown) – $59,000 4/3/2016: 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM 79 GORMLEY AV (Portsmouth) – $175,000 4/3/2016: 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM 2 RUTH ST (Middletown) – $324,900 4/3/2016: 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM 20 THURSTON […]

A local Middletown school is accelerating efforts to get ready for a rare educational event. During the first week of May 2016, a small group of lucky students from All Saints STEAM Academy (AS²A) in Middletown will be posing questions to one of the astronauts aboard the  International Space Station (ISS). As the space station passes overhead Rhode Island, […]

For the second time this week we’re able to share the news that one of our neighbors has found a bone marrow transplant match! What’sUpNewp brought you the news first on Wednesday that Jaime Crowley, Principal of Thompson Middle School, had found a perfect bone marrow match (his twin brother). Today we’re proud to report that […]

Top policymakers and industry experts will share their perspectives at the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade’s (CONECT) 20th Annual Northeast Trade & Transportation Conference, April 12–14 at the Newport Marriott Hotel in Newport, R.I. Over 250 importers, exporters, government officials, legal experts, and providers of international trade and transportation services are expected to […]

NBC 10 has reported that the suspect wanted in connection to an assault in Newport that left a man severely injured has turned himself in to the authorities. Freddie Hicks is accused by Newport Police of an assault that took place on January 15th on Bliss Road near Wilbur Avenue, he has been wanted by police since […]

Here’s what Newport was reading, talking about and most interested in during March of 2016! 16 – Cafe Zelda Aiming to Reopen on March 18th Under New Ownership 15 – The Culture Trip: Newport’s 10 Must-Try Cultural Restaurants 14 – Original Bar from Yesterday’s Finds New Home in Rhode Island 13 – Hoax: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Aren’t Moving […]

Travel + Leisure came out today with a story titled The Coziest Places to Stay In America and two iconic and popular Newport, RI hotels found themselves among the list of nine. Castle Hill Inn landed at #9 on the list and Chanler at Cliff Walk came in at #3. Among the other nine places mentioned were Tickle Pink […]

Just last weekend three people in Newport and on person in Middletown overdosed and was brought back by police officers using Narcan. Ben Ellcome, Coordinator for the Newport Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, joined me today on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport to discuss this incredibly important issue, substance abuse and what Newport is doing […]

Jaime Crowley, Principal of Thompson Middle School and winner of the Middle School Principal of the Year Award in 2015, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome RAEB (MDS) in 2015 and has been in need of a bone marrow transplant. After a long search, Crowley has learned that his twin brother is a perfect bone marrow […]

Representative Daniel P. Reilly (R-District 72 Middletown, Portsmouth) has introduced legislation (H-7964), which would require that toll rates and the location of tolling facilities require General Assembly approval prior to the collection of any tolls or the construction of any tolling facilities. “My proposed legislation is a companion bill, to legislation submitted by Senator Marc […]

Rep. Marvin L. Abney recently toured the under-construction expansion of the St. Clare skilled nursing facility in Newport.  St. Clare’s currently is a 47-bed skilled nursing facility on Spring Street.  The expansion and renovation will add 13 skilled nursing beds, 40 new independent/assisted-living units, an adult day care program, a memory care unit and a […]

Newport’s Ancient Order of Hibernian’s Pipes and Drums are currently in Dublin and participating with other pipe bands to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising. The parade is one of many events to commemorate this important event in Irish history. The parade is being organized to honor those who fought for Ireland’s independence during […]

A car crashed into the front of Mama Leone’s on J.T. Connell Highway late Friday night. There were no reported injuries. NBC 10 has reported that A Jacksonville, Florida man has been issued a citation after driving into the front of the restaurant. Cindy at Mama Leone’s told us over the phone that the restaurant will be […]

What’sUpNewp has learned that Newport will play host to a an independently organized TEDx event on June 18th. The location and speakers for the TEDx event have not been announced.The event is being organized by Alyssa Mae and at this time the event is invite-only. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program […]

The Donald J. Trump for President campaign has selected Dave Chiokadze from Newport, RI as the State Director for Rhode Island. The announcement was made this week by Rhode Island for Donald Trump 2016, a “grassroots organization for Rhode Island residents to help elect Donald Trump for President”. According to the announcement, Chiokadze has worked as […]

With spring underway, National Grid is beginning its routine maintenance tree trimming program starting the first week of April in Newport. As part of its focus on providing safe and reliable electric service to Rhode Island customers, National Grid invests annually in trimming trees that are overgrown and have the potential to cause service interruptions. […]

On March 26, 2016, Shepherd’s Men will begin a run from Boston to Atlanta through 10 cities to benefit the SHARE Military Initiative at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center and raise awareness of the suicide epidemic plaguing veterans of the U.S. armed forces. Shepherd’s Men is a fundraising group comprised of 14 men who will make the […]

NBC 10 News has reported that Salve Regina University is working to make contact with a 2015 graduate student who is pursuing her graduate degree in Brussels. Salve is trying to determine if the student and a Fulbright TA from Belgium are safe, according to Matt Boxler, spokesman for Salve Regina. READ MORE: Salve Regina, others report […]

“The Final Cut,” a horror-slasher short film – the first produced by Salve Regina’s student-run film production club – will premiere on Friday, April 1. Free and open to the public, the screening will be presented at 6 p.m. in Bazarsky Lecture Hall, located in O’Hare Academic Center on Ochre Point Avenue. The film is a found-footage style […]

It was a jam-packed edition of The Open Forum with Ryan Belmore on 1540 AM WADK Newport on Tuesday, March 22nd from 12:30pm – 2pm. Our first group of guests were Ann Connor, Keith Tavares and Sarah Hiebner from Child & Family, much of the discussion was about what services and impact they have on […]

As the first morning rays of sunshine break over the Evangelical Friends congregation on Easter Sunday, so begins the Christian celebration of Jesus rising from the dead. Located on the shore of Green End Pond at the southern end of Aquidneck Island, the small contemporary Christian church observes the Resurrection with passion and joy. For […]

On today’s edition of The Open Forum on WADK 1540AM from 12:30pm – 2pm we discussed the latest local news (included the passing of the “Cool Moose” and what’s ahed for the week and spring) and were joined by two folks from the Preservation Society of Newport County. Andrea Carneiro from the Preservation Society of Newport County (PSNC) will stopped by […]

A Winter Storm Watch from the National Weather Service in Taunton remains in effect for all of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts from Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Monday Morning. UPDATE: Winter Storm Watch has been changed to a Winter Storm Warning. Winter Storm Warning URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL […]

The National Weather Service in Taunton has announced that a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for our area from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. The Winter Storm Watch is in effect for all of Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts in anticipation for heavy snowfall  that could see snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches […]

When multiple Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride was recently named artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival, it was also announced that Danny Melnick, a 25-year veteran of Wein’s organization, would move from Associate Producer to Producer of the festival. Danny called in to The Open Forum with Ryan Belmore on 1540 AM WADK Newport on […]

After 15 years of bringing stand-up comedy to Downtown Newport, Newport Comedy Series has announced that they will not host any shows in 2016. The decision was announced on March 16th and Joe Rocco, Co-Founder and President of the series, has shared that he is hoping to find a new venue to host the series […]

The Wall Street Journal first reported on Wednesday morning that Ocean Lawn, the Newport, R.I. estate that housed the Firestone family for decades, is going on the market for $18.5 million. Melanie Delman, President of Lila Delman Real Estate International, has just listed “Ocean Lawn,” a stately Gilded Age estate once owned by Harvey S. Firestone and […]

The Newport County Chamber of Commerce will host their Excellence in Business Awards at their Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 26th at Oceancliff in Newport. The Excellence in Business Awards are presented annually to honor outstanding business achievement in Newport County, RI. They are designed to celebrate the achievements of our businesses and to recognize […]

The most expensive property currently available for purchase in Rhode Island? Forbes and Trulia collaborated to come up with The Most Expensive Listing in Every State 2016 and a home in Newport is still the priciest in Rhode Island. Seafair, located at 254 Ocean Avenue, priced at a cool $19 million takes the top spot for the most […]

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and documentary filmmaker Javier Manzano, whose career has taken him to Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Nigeria, among many other places, has been named the 2016 winner of the Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square. The prize honors a storyteller whose work has significantly influenced the public dialogue. As […]

Evan Smith, Executive Director of Discover Newport, joined me for his monthly chat on the Monday, March 15th edition of The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport. Topics today included: What effect the NCAA Tournament in Providence has on our region.The 2016 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day ParadeRhode Island will celebrate Quahog Week starting on […]

State officials have raised questions about the use of state grants awarded to the Newport County Chamber of Commerce and paid to a lobbying firm. The Providence Journal reports in Political Scene: State grant lands at firm employing Keith Stokes that RI Commerce Corporation President Darin Early wrote in a letter this month that the chamber used […]

The Providence Journal reports that the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) wants to be able to block Pell Bridge toll violators from getting their driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations renewed until they settle up. A series of bills filed in the General Assembly on behalf of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority would allow […]

The 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade saw thousands line the streets of Newport, Rhode Island on Saturday, March 11th. Here are some of our favorite Instagram photos from the 2016 Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. [View the story “Photos: 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day parade” on Storify]

The 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade took place on March 12th, here’s some video of the coverage from NBC 10, WPRI 12 and ABC 6. NBC 10 News – Newport celebrates 60th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade WPRI 12 – Sunny skies for Newport’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade ABC 6 – Tony ‘The Dancing Cop’ dances on in […]

Coming to Newport on Saturday, March 12th for the 60th Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and not sure where to park? The parade will being at 11:00 a.m. on Broadway in front of Newport City Hall and make it’s way down to the Fifth Ward, traffic will be congested and parking will be limited from 9am to […]

Chris Maxwell from the Rhode Island Truckers Association has told Bill Rappleye NBC 10 News that a planned national conference of the trucking industry that would have taken place in Newport, RI has been relocated in response to the RhodeWorks truck toll plan recently passed. Read More: RI truckers move conference due to RhodeWorks It is […]

On Thursday, 10 March, the Cluny School will welcome to Newport the Superior General of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, Sr. Claire Houareau, who is visiting North America from France. She will be accompanied by  Sr. Luke Parker, SJC, Superior of the Province of the United States and Canada of the Sisters of St. […]

Robert Redford, Rooney Mara and Jason Segel will film “The Discovery” on Aquidneck Island and throughout Rhode Island in 2016. Principal photography is slated for March and April in Rhode Island. “With our unique locations in close proximity and an organized talent pool of local artists and professional technicians, Rhode Island is the perfect place to make […]

Michael Slein, President of the Board of Directors for The Museum of Newport Irish History, stopped by The Open Forum today from 12:30pm  to 1:40pm to discuss Newport’s Irish history, Newport Irish Heritage Month and all that’s happening and new at The Museum of Newport Irish History. The Museum of Newport Irish History is located […]

The McKenzie Post which states they share “Local News From Around The Country” shared a story on March 1st stating “Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Moving to Newport, Rhode Island“. Chances are your friends, family and co-workers are probably sharing or reading the story now, it’s gone a bit viral in the City-By-The Sea. Before […]

Producers Hope to Score ‘Making a Murderer’ Success {Photo of Clarendon Court in Newport where Von Bulow lived} The New York Daily News has reported that Universal Cable Productions plans to develop a potential series based on true crime book “The Von Bulow Affair,” by author-playwright William Wright. They are hoping to the famed criminal case […]

The following press release was released by Portsmouth Fire Department on Wednesday morning and has been written to provide information on a fatal accident that occurred at the intersection of Turnpike Avenue and Gordon Street at 6:39 pm on March 1, 2016. Portsmouth Rescue 1 (ambulance), staffed by Lieutenant CJ Bowley and Firefighter Brendan Phelan, […]

Tanya Kelley and Howard Newman from the Historic Newport Town Spring Leadership Committee joined me on The Open Forum on 1540 AM WADK Newport on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the launch of the planning and design of the Historic Newport Town Spring and the public informational meeting that was set to take place on March 1st […]

Newport’s Fire Marshal has told Channel 12 – WPRI Eyewitness News that the Stonor Lodge fire investigation is ongoing and that photos and video footage are still being examined in the investigation. Newport Fire Department and mutual aid responded around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday to a full involved structure fire at 479 Bellevue Avenue, “Stonor Lodge”. No injuries were reported […]

The Historic Newport Town Spring Leadership Committee is launching the planning and design of the Historic Newport Town Spring with a public informational meeting to take place on March 1st at the Colony House in Washington Square from 6-7:30pm. The site is the former location of the freshwater spring around which the original settlement of […]

The Monday, February 29th version of The Open Forum  on 1540 AM WADK Newport included a lot of discussion about and audio from this morning’s groundbreaking ceremony at the Opera House Theater and Performing Arts Center, Newport, RI (1pm – 1:30pm in podcast). In the podcast you’ll hear the entire program from this morning’s ceremony […]

Lauren Daley, a freelance writer, music columnist, book columnist and poet, recently wrote 8 Ways To Fill The Void After Downton Abbey for The Huffington Post. Among the “eight ways to fill the PBS period-drama shaped hole in your heart” is “Get your Grantham on with a visit to Newport, R.I.”.  Among those locations mentioned […]

Here’s what Newport was reading, talking about and most interested in during February 0f 2016! 16 – UPDATED: Restaurant Deals, Discounts and Special Offers 15 – On The Move: Keeping Track of What Newport Businesses Are Opening, Closing and Relocating 14 – Barking Crab Will Become The Boat Yard Bar and Grill 13 – Hope on Broadway is Now […]

February 29  – March 4th Discover the best events, activities, entertainment, live music and things to do in and around Newport, RI this week! Scroll down for live music, entertainment and comedy listings this week! (In chronological order) 1 – Cocktails Wars Monday at 9pm The 3rd edition of Cocktail Wars, the competition that challenges the area’s […]