A frenetic two-way fight for the presidency of the Rhode Island Senate is playing out behind the scenes following the death of state Sen. Dominick Ruggerio at age 76 on Monday. The battle is taking place through ongoing phone calls, as the contenders — Majority Leader Val Lawson (D-East Providence) and Sen. Frank Ciccone (D-Providence), […]
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 inHousing, Local, Politics
New plan targets 15,000 more housing units in RI by 2030
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard unveiled Wednesday a plan to build 15,000 new housing units over the next five years through what Goddard called a “carrot” approach. “We’re going to set municipal goals for every community, both production goals and low-mod housing — low- and moderate-income housing goals — and […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Rhode Island remembers Senate President Dominick Ruggerio
Rhode Island Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, 76, the longest serving lawmaker in the state and an influential local political player for decades, died early Monday. “It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio earlier this morning,” the Senate said in a statement. “We are so grateful […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 18, 2025
Is it too much to yearn for a major motion picture about Buddy Cianci and a cool indie about the Dorr Rebellion? 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? Just sign up right here. *** 1. […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed on the fight over due process, and how Democrats should respond to Trump
The latest showdown involving President Trump centers on whether the White House violated a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” the release of a Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, after he was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador. A federal judge criticized Trump officials earlier this week for not following up on the order. Democrats say the standoff raises vital questions of due process, while the Trump administration accuses Abrego Garcia of being part of the violent MS-13 gang. Trump this week said his administration is also examining the possible deportation of U.S. citizens to El Salvador. So where are things headed if the Trump administration flouts the rule of law? With Elon Musk overseeing sharp cuts to government programs, how should Democrats respond? And how can people concerned about the Trump administration make their voices heard? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with U.S. Senator Jack Reed.
Posted inEconomy, Local, Politics
Amid tariff battle, support for Trump remains strong in his best Rhode Island community
Don Fox has a front row seat to the trade war between the Trump administration and China. That’s because his Burrillville, Rhode Island-based company, Alashan Cashmere, imports cashmere sweaters made in China. Now, tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump threaten to bring Fox’s business to a standstill for the fall season. The tariffs on the […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Reed, Magaziner say GOP plan is to slowly kill Social Security
While Republicans have long accused Democrats of using scare tactics to fan fears about Social Security, two Rhode Island Democrats say the GOP’s planned cuts to the taxpayer-funded retirement system speak for themselves. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner were among those who spoke Tuesday at a midday news conference at the St. […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 11, 2025
April vacation week is here for the General Assembly, so prepare for a more active phase of the session once lawmakers return to the roost. 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? Just sign up right […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
RI House GOP Leader Mike Chippendale on Trump’s tariffs, government accountability and more
For now, it’s unclear if Trump will be able to deliver on his promise to increase prosperity by bringing more manufacturing back to the US. Rodin was a hub of industry 100 years ago, and state leaders have struggled for decades to bolster the state’s economy. So is Trump on the right track by trying to wind back globalization or is his approach a recipe for chaos and uncertainty? Does voter discontent with the status quo offer an opening for Rhode Island Republicans, and is Trump’s overall approach good or bad for the state. This week on Political Roundtable, Ian Donnis goes in depth with the Republican leader in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Mike Chippendale.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Bipartisan push begins in Rhode Island for latest inspector general proposal
State Rep. George Nardone (R-Coventry) is spearheading the latest legislative effort to create an Office of Inspector General in Rhode Island, arguing that the state sorely needs an independent voice for accountability. Speaking during a Statehouse news conference on Wednesday, Nardone said about 20 lawmakers — a mix of Democrats, Republicans, and the lone independent […]
