This Sunday, April 28, marks an important milestone in Rhode Island politics. That day marked the beginning of the end of Buddy Cianci’s long tenure as the 800-pound gorilla of Providence politics. And Cianci’s legacy remains a subject of debate.
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 inArticle, Politics
RI House Approves Continuing Contracts Bill Opposed By Cities And Towns
A continuing contracts bill that attracted sharp opposition from Rhode Island’s city and town leaders was passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives, on a largely party-line 60-8 vote. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson (D-Warwick), would keep in place the terms of a previous teachers’ or municipal workers’ contract if negotiators fail to […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Whitehouse Blames ‘Dark Money’ For Why He Raised So Much For ’18 Campaign
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island raised a large amount of money for his re-election campaign last year. Whitehouse said the untraceable campaign spending known as dark money made him do it.
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For April 19
April showers bring …. May revenue estimates? Thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. 1) Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza has a little less than four years left in his second term at […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Bonus Q&A: Elorza On Immigration, Education, Fane Tower & More
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza joins Bonus Q&A to discuss immigration, education, the proposed Fane Tower, his political future, and other subjects.
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Elorza On Providence Pension, Firefighter OT & PILOT Cut
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza joins Political Roundtable to discuss the city’s pension problem — and whether resolving will it be passed on to his successor; as well as how Rhode Island’s capital city will be affected by some of the things coming out of the Statehouse this year.
Posted inArticle, Politics
RI AG Neronha’s Office Finds Additional Backlog Of Unprosecuted Cases
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said his office has uncovered almost 1,700 additional unprosecuted criminal cases, and that his office is making progress in reducing the backlog.Issues with unprosecuted cases emerged last year, during the tenure of former AG Peter Kilmartin. About 1,300 cases were found, most with the statue of limitations already expired. […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Reed Leading U.S. Senate Delegation To Afghanistan, Iraq
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island is leading a congressional delegation to Afghanistan, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries that is meant to assess the impact of American policies. Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, is being joined by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, a member of Armed Services and […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Cicilline Portrait Unveiled At Providence City Hall
Friends and supporters of David Cicilline touted him as someone who helped move Providence past the corruption associated with the Buddy Cianci era, as Cicilline’s mayoral portrait was unveiled Sunday at City Hall. Cicilline, a liberal state rep from Providence’s East Side, was a long shot when he announced his campaign in February 2002. But […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics & Media Roundup For April 12
We’re edging closer to crunch time at the General Assembly. With in mind, thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. NEW: Amanda Milkovits is joining The Boston Globe to cover Rhode Island […]
