The local pols were all snug in their beds, while visions of plush campaign checks danced in their heads. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and what we used to call the twitters. My column is taking next week off — happy holidays! — so this missive will next materialize on […]
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, Political Roundtable
Housing Network of RI’s Melina Lodge on the housing crisis and how to move forward
Almost 66 percent of Rhode Island voters approved a November ballot question asking if they wanted to borrow $120 million to create more housing. But there are also signs around the state of a housing backlash, with some residents and local officials opposing the development needed to expand the housing stock. And the median price of a home in Rhode Island is now $480,000, about 12% higher than one year earlier. Here we are as the state tries to dig its way out of a housing crisis that developed over many years. As executive director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island, Melina Lodge is on the frontlines of this issue. The network is a membership group for agencies committed to developing affordable housing. How does the high cost of housing affect Rhode Island? And do advocates like Lodge have a strategy for overcoming obstacles?
This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with head of the Housing Network of Rhode Island Melina Lodge.
Posted inLocal, Politics, Technology
Deloitte faces more scrutiny after cyber breach in RI
The state of Rhode Island is facing questions about its ongoing reliance on Deloitte after the personal information of hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders became potentially vulnerable during a recent cyber attack. The hack was revealed late Friday and involves RI Bridges, the state’s portal for an array of health and public benefit programs. […]
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
A new strategy for overdose prevention, a bid to allow an illegal seawall, and more
Rhode Island is now home to the first state-sanctioned overdose prevention center in the country. Advocates hope the new facility will lead to fewer overdose-related deaths, and more people getting connected with drug treatment. And the Quidnessett Country Club is trying to get retroactive approval for an illegal sea wall that they *already* built. But they hit a hurdle this week with a subcommittee of the state Coastal Resources Management Council. Also, we hear about the centuries-old process of woodblock-printed wallpaper, from the curator of the RISD Museum’s exhibit, “The Art of French Wallpaper.” That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Dec. 13, 2024
Thirteen items, appropriately, for your Triskaidekaphobia Day consideration. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo, […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo on where Democrats went wrong, what’s next, and his expectations for the Trump administration
Rhode Island’s two-member U.S. House delegation has turned over in the last few years. In the Second District, Congressman Jim Langevin dropped a surprise announcement in 2022 that he would not seek re-election after 22 years in office. Then First District Congressman David Cicilline, initially elected in 2010, made his unexpected departure last year. That latter move opened the door for Gabe Amo, a son of West African immigrants, to become the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress. Along the way, the moderate pro-business candidate beat 10 primary rivals.
But Amo now faces being part of the minority party in Washington as Democrats adjust to the new reality of Donald Trump’s second term in the White House. What does this Pawtucket native think his party needs to do differently to find its way back? How does Amo expect the Trump administration to affect the federal government? And what level of responsibility does he assign Democrats for the party’s struggles?
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
Finalists announced to replace westbound Washington Bridge
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee marked the one-year anniversary of the emergency closing of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge by announcing two finalists to replace the structure and by asserting that things are going in the right direction after some initial missteps. “It has been a difficult year for everyone impacted by the […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Dec. 6, 2024
It’s beginning to feel a lot like … winter. Welcome back to my weekly column. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY […]
Posted inEnvironment, Political Roundtable, Politics
Save The Bay’s Jed Thorp on climate change, Narragansett Bay, and more
The intense downpours causing more street flooding in the region in recent years reflect the impact of climate change. At the other end of the weather spectrum, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee this week issued a statewide drought advisory.
But there’s some good news when it comes to the health of Narragansett Bay. Water quality has improved so much that Crescent Park Beach in East Providence will be reopened as a swimmable beach in 2026, after more than a century of non-use.
Jed Thorp is on the frontlines of these issues as director of advocacy for Save The Bay. The nonprofit environmental organization was founded in 1970 to protect Narragansett Bay. More than a half-century later, Rhode Island continues to wrestle with myriad environmental issues. So how does Thorp see the outlook, and is Rhode Island prepared for the environmental future? Political reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with Thorp on this week’s episode of Political Roundtable.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Orientation offers a glimpse of Statehouse culture for new lawmakers
Focus, go slow, go small to start off, learn the rules. That was the advice offered by state Rep. Tina Spears (D-Charlestown) — who joined the Rhode Island House of Representatives as a freshman in 2023 — as she helped orient a group of recently elected state reps. Spears recounted how she thought she would […]
