Donald Trump has vowed to go after his political enemies if he wins the presidential election. The U.S. Justice Department is part of the executive branch, so if Trump wins, he would have significant influence over what happens. Closer to home, the timeline for rebuilding the westbound Washington Bridge remains uncertain, although it’s likely to take longer than originally expected. And the healthcare landscape in Rhode Island faces a series of challenges, ranging from lower reimbursement rates than in Connecticut and Massachusetts and precarious finances for some hospitals. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha intersects with all of these issues. As a former top federal prosecutor in the state, Neronha previously worked for the Justice Department. He’s been an outspoken critic of Governor Dan McKee and his handling of the bridge. And Neronha has been one of the most vocal officials in the state in talking about the need for more urgency in confronting Rhode Island’s healthcare challenges. So what does Neronha think about what justice would look like in a Trump administration? What would he do differently on the bridge? And since term limits preventing him from seeking re-election in 2026, what is next for the longtime prosecutor? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.
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 inLocal, Politics
R.I. Senate President Ruggerio wants to sack his majority leader
After months of speculation, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has gone public with his support for replacing his number two, Majority Leader Ryan Pearson, with Senate Democratic Whip Val Lawson. “Val is a vital member of our leadership team,” Ruggerio said in a statement. “She has provided valued guidance and leadership on every aspect of the […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
State unveils two-step process for picking Washington Bridge contractor
More than 10 months after the abrupt emergency closing of the westbound Washington Bridge, state officials unveiled on Tuesday a revised process for picking a firm to build a new bridge. Rhode Island transportation officials issued a request for qualifications for companies interested in building the new westbound bridge, and plan to choose two finalists […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Oct. 11, 2024
There’s no truth to the rumor that $1 tickets will be sold for the chance to swing a sledgehammer as part of the demolition of the Washington Bridge. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. (A quick program note: my column is skipping next week […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
State Rep. Patricia Morgan on her GOP challenge to U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
Morgan, a Republican, says she would fight for her constituents and she’s trying to capitalize on issues like inflation and immigration. But Whitehouse has vanquished a series of rivals since first winning his Senate seat by beating Lincoln Chafee, a Republican at the time, in 2006. When former state Supreme Court Justice Robert Flanders ran […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Oct. 4, 2024
Yeah, I actually like raking leaves, but don’t expect me to come do this at your yard. You can follow me through the week on 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. *** STORY […]
Posted inLocal, Political Roundtable, Politics
Providence Journal columnist Mark Patinkin on violence in the Middle East, RI’s economic challenges and the local mediascape
When Hamas attacked Israel last October 7th, it raised concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East. This week, Iran fired more than 180 missiles into Israel, in response to Israel’s assassination of the head of Hezbollah. The question now is how Israel will respond … and whether the Middle East can step back from the brink of an intensifying war.
Providence Journal columnist Mark Patinkin is no stranger to the region. He traveled to the Middle East after the first intifada in the late 80s and returned this year. His conversations with Israelis and Palestinians became part of Patinkin’s latest book, “The Holy Land at War: A Journey Through the West Bank, Israel and Gaza.” Patinkin has been a columnist at the ProJo since 1979. Forty-five years later, he’s still at it, writing with a mix of humor and outrage about different aspects of life in Rhode Island. So how does Pantikin view the outlook for stepping back from the precipice of wider violence in the Middle East? Does he think Rhode Island politicians are up to the task of building a stronger economy? And how does the longtime columnist feel about the evolving media landscape in the state? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with columnist for The Providence Journal Mark Pantikin.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Approval for McKee and Matos falls in new Pell Center poll
With 2026 drawing closer, the approval ratings for Gov. Dan McKee and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos declined in a new poll by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University. The poll shows approval falling two percentage points for each of the two state officials since an earlier Pell survey in June, with McKee showing a […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Sept. 27, 2024
There is so much pent-up demand for retelling the tale of the secret apartment at Providence Place that it could be a growth industry for Rhode Island (who needs Hasbro?). You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my […]
Posted inHealth, Political Roundtable, Politics
State Sen. Pamela Lauria on Rhode Island’s primary care shortage, Washington Bridge and what’s next in the Senate
Rhode Island faces a growing shortage of primary care doctors. Medical specialists make more money than primary care doctors, and the economic conditions for physicians are better in Massachusetts and Connecticut. This is why a legislative panel is studying whether it would help to create a state medical school at the University of Rhode Island. There are a host of other healthcare-related challenges in the state, including the difficult fiscal outlook for some hospitals and Rhode Island’s heavy reliance on public payers like Medicare and Medicaid. State Senator Pamela Lauria, a Barrington Democrat, has a front-row seat on these issues since she’s a nurse practitioner for Coastal Medical, a primary care practice serving more than 100,000 patients. Lauria is also co-chair of the legislative commission studying the potential of a possible state med school at URI. So what is the freshman senator’s prescription for improving healthcare in Rhode Island? As an East Bay resident, how does Lauria assess Governor McKee’s performance on the Washington Bridge issue? And as a Democrat and longtime gun safety activist, what is her explanation for why Donald Trump remains a competitive presidential candidate? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with state Senator Pamela Lauria.
