Keith Hoffmann, who worked in a series of different roles in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office, formally announced Tuesday his campaign to be the state’s next attorney general. Hoffmann, 38, until recently served as director of policy in current Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office, and before that as chief of the civil and community […]
Ian Donnis
One of the state’s top political reporters, Ian Donnis joined The Public’s Radio in 2009. Ian has reported on Rhode Island politics since 1999, arriving in the state just two weeks before the FBI raided City Hall and Buddy Cianci’s East Side home. Ian covers breaking news, develops in-depth features and investigative reports, and welcomes a range of newsmakers to “Political Roundtable” each week. He also writes our Friday political newsletter and maintains a strong social media presence.
For many years, Ian was a panelist on WPRI-TV’s Sunday morning public affairs show, Newsmakers, and he’s a regular guest on A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS. His previous experience includes serving as news editor of The Providence Phoenix and as a reporter for the Associated Press and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. He has a BS in journalism from Boston University.
Outside of work, Ian enjoys baseball, cooking, and exploring Rhode Island.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
State Rep. Robert Craven announces run for Rhode Island attorney general
At least three Democrats will compete in the September 2026 primary State Rep. Robert Craven (D-North Kingstown), a long-time lawmaker and former state prosecutor, announced Monday his run to be Rhode Island’s next attorney general. Craven, 69, was first elected to the House in 2012 and he currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee. According to […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Sept. 26, 2025
The real menace in baseball is less robot umpires and more the relentless stream of sports-betting ads between innings. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Sign up right here *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: […]
Posted inEconomy, Local
Union representing workers at Providence’s ABC6 calls for boycott of Channels 6 and 10
The union representing workers at ABC6 is calling for a boycott of the station and NBC 10 in response to how WJAR-TV’s owner, Sinclair Broadcast Group, recently acquired the non-signal operations for WLNE-TV. Meteorologist Kelly Bates is among workers who lost their jobs at Channel 6 as part of the change in management. She said […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Rhode Island election expert Ken Block on why election fraud is less likely after 2020
Ken Block founded the Rhode Island Moderate Party in 2010 and ran for governor of Rhode Island as the Moderate candidate. He then left that party in 2014 to run for governor as a Republican. In the wake of the 2020 election, he was hired by the Trump campaign to search for election fraud. After […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
5 biotech startups are coming to Rhode Island life science incubator
Rhode Island officials on Wednesday touted the unveiling of the first members of the state’s new life science incubator as a sign of economic progress. The incubator, due to open next year, is meant to spur the growth of innovative companies by bringing together researchers, investors and entrepreneurs. The project is to be housed in […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Sept. 19, 2025
Let’s hold off on the Halloween stuff for now — it’s not even October. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Sign up right here *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: Fallout from the assasination of […]
Posted inHousing, Local, Politics
R.I. House GOP says state housing finance agency spends too much on administrative costs
Rhode Island’s House GOP caucus asserted Wednesday that the state’s housing financing agency spends too much on administrative costs and not enough to create housing. An analysis unveiled by the caucus during a Statehouse news conference shows that RIHousing has 2.13 employees per 10,000 residents compared with 0.51 for its counterpart agency in Massachusetts. When […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Helena Foulkes on why she’s making a second bid to become Rhode Island’s governor
Last week, Helena Foulkes announced she was running for governor of Rhode Island. This is the second attempt for the former CVS executive. She spoke with our political reporter, Ian Donnis.
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Politics
Rhode Island State Rep. David Morales announces run for mayor of Providence
With a message emphasizing the high cost of living in Rhode Island’s capital city, state Rep. David Morales announced a challenge on Monday to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in next year’s primary election. “It’s time City Hall worked for us,” Morales said in a video announcing his campaign. “For too long, politicians like Brett Smiley […]
