Enjoy summer while you can and maybe think about your vote in CD1. You can follow me through the week WTU2B. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: If you want to give Democrats agita, look no further […]
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 inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Fine and Koller on the cost of healthcare, the primary care doc shortage and the reimbursement challenge for RI’s hospitals
This week: Dr. Michael Fine who served as head of the state Department of Public Health from 2011 to 2015. He is now a writer, community activist and chief health strategist for the city of Central Falls. And Christopher Koller who served as the nation’s first health insurance commissioner. He is now president of the Millbank Memorial Fund, a public health foundation.
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ roundup on Rhode Island politics for July 28. 2023
Couldn’t say it better than @RobeSmit: “‘Instead of calling it X, Rhode Islanders are just gonna call it ‘where Twitter used to be’” You can follow me through the week on WTU2B. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here *** STORY OF THE […]
Posted inEpisode, Housing, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Santilli on housing, homelessness – and where things go from here
The Rhode Island Association of Realtors recently reported that despite national trends, the median price of a home in the state is still climbing. The median single-family home now costs $443,000, the most ever and a three percent hike from the same time last year. That cost helps to explain why Rhode Island faces a housing crisis.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Bernie Sanders endorses Regunberg in CD1
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the liberal icon from Vermont, on Thursday endorsed Aaron Regunberg in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District race, an indication that progressive support is coalescing behind the former state representative from Providence. “I’m endorsing Aaron Regunberg for Congress because he understands the vital need to stand up against large corporations who have […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
McKee faces Ethics Commission probe over Capital Grille lunch
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission on Tuesday voted to open an investigation to determine whether Gov. Dan McKee violated the state ethics code during a lunch at the Capital Grille with a lobbyist and officials with Scout Ltd., the company that wanted to redevelop the Cranston Street Armory. The ethics code restricts elected officials from […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Lt. Gov. Matos responds to questions about signature controversy
Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos on Friday made her first public comments about a signature-gathering controversy engulfing her campaign in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, apologizing for what happened while also blaming the situation on what she called a betrayal of trust by paid workers. Reading from a statement during an evening news conference at her […]
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ roundup on Rhode Island politics for July 21, 2023
Give it up for the great Tony Bennett, who has left us at age 96. You can follow me through the week on the twitters and threads. Here we go. STORY OF THE WEEK: With a bit more than six weeks until the Sept. 5 primary in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, the race took […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Shekarchi on Cranston Street Armory, Matos’ signature controversy, and firefighter-hypertension bill
The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the most recent state budget in just about three hours last month. That rapid pace reflects strong support in the chamber for House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. But will Skekarchi’s popularity translate into progress on Rhode Island’s toughest issues, including improving public schools and creating a stronger economy? And what does Mr. Speaker have to say about the paralysis gripping attempts to redevelop the Cranston Street Armory, and the signature-gathering controversy dogging Sabina Matos’ congressional campaign?
Posted inArticle, Politics
Newport officials refer ‘suspicious’ CD1 signatures for Matos to police
The news comes after officials in Jamestown also found questionable signatures gathered by Matos’ campaign.
