Rhode Island voters will decide the outcome of two primaries in the First Congressional District next Tuesday. The Democratic side of the race has gotten most of the attention, since the district is heavily Democratic and the primary winner has a strong chance of coming out on top during the general election.
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
Rivals target Regunberg during televised CD1 debate
Rival Democratic candidates focused criticism on Aaron Regunberg during a televised debate Tuesday night, cementing the view that he is the front runner in the race for an open seat in Rhode Island’s First Congressional District, with one week to go until voters make their choice. The debate was broadcast by WPRI-TV, Channel 12, live […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
GOP candidates make their case in CD1 forum
The Public’s Radio conducted a forum for Republican candidates running to represent Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, ahead of the special election primary on Sept. 5.
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Magaziner on Biden’s approval, challenges for Democrats, and the outlook on Social Security
In the race last year for the seat formerly held by Langevin, Democrat Seth Magaziner beat Republican former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung by almost four percentage points. Magaziner kept CD2 in Democratic hands, but he has little seniority in Congress and Republicans control the House of Representatives. So how much can he get done, and how concerned is he that Donald Trump may be able to regain the White House in 2024?
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Aug. 18, 2023
Smithfield Little League is making us all proud – regardless of how far they travel in the Little League World Series. Go Smithfield! A quick program note: my TGIF column is skipping next week and will return Sept. 1. You can follow me through the week on what we used to call the twitters. Here […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Hellendrung on the resurgence of Narragansett Beer and what it shows about Rhode Island and brewing
Narragansett Beer used to be the best-selling lager in New England and it sponsored the Red Sox baseball back in the day. But by the turn of the century, Narragansett faced an uncertain future. Then in 2005, Rumford native Mark Hellendrung spearheaded a resurgence for the brand after buying it with a group of investors.
Posted inArticle, Politics
RI CD-1 Democratic candidate Walter Berbrick
Walter Berbrick is one of 12 Democrats running for the open seat in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District. Berbrick lives in Middletown and is a U.S. Navy veteran who later served as a civil servant at the Naval War College in Newport. He stopped by The Public’s Radio to speak with our political reporter, Ian Donnis.
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Aug. 11, 2023
There’s no truth to the rumor that MTV’s bygone series The Real World will be resurrected as the template for a Providence Newspaper Guild Follies’ sendup of the gigantic field of CD1 Democrats. Enjoy summer while you can and maybe think about your vote in CD1. You can follow me through the week WTU2B. Here […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Powers on next steps for the Rhode Island GOP, how Republicans can court more Latino support, and Donald Trump
The last GOP governor was elected in 2006 and the party holds just 14 of 113 legislative seats. Now, can Rhode Island Republicans overcome their long-term challenges to play a more muscular role in local politics? This week, our guest is the new Republican chairman in the Ocean State, Joe Powers.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Elections board backs probe of Lt. Gov. Matos’ CD1 signatures
The announcement comes after the board had voted last month to refer Matos’ signatures to Attorney General Peter Neronha, who said his office was narrowly focused on possible criminal wrongdoing.
