Amid the hurdles posed by higher interest rates and increased building costs, a spokesman for the owner of the Industrial Trust Building, aka the “Superman Building” in downtown Providence, said the project is moving ahead and the company has not requested additional public funds “to date.” Bill Fischer, spokesman for David Sweetser of Massachusetts-based High […]
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
Matos unveils campaign for open seat in RI’s 1st District
Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos announced Monday that she is a candidate for the open seat in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District. Matos, who said she will formally kick off her campaign next month, is the first prominent candidate to declare a run for the office being vacated by U.S. Rep. David Cicilline. In a statement, […]
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 10, 2023
More daylight = all the better to scrutinize the emerging field in CD1, yes? Thanks for stopping by. You can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here *** STORY OF THE WEEK: With Lt. Gov. […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Auchincloss on Ukraine, Biden, Fall River’s economy & more
The 35 year-old congressman has emerged as a rising star in Massachusetts politics.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Frank Corrente, prominent in Plunder Dome probe of Buddy Cianci, dies at 94
Frank Corrente, a central figure in the Plunder Dome case against former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci, died Wednesday at age 94. Corrente was taped during an undercover video in 1999 depicting him accepting a $1,000 bribe from businessman Tony Freitas, who was working with the FBI. While a number of staffers were convicted of corruption-related […]
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 3, 2023
Here’s your Women’s History Month reminder that female state reps didn’t get their own bathroom at the Statehouse until 2007. Thanks for stopping by. You can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here *** STORY […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Alviti on highways, mass transit answering his critics & more
Peter Alviti is the longest serving cabinet member in state government in Rhode Island. But the RIDOT chief also has a share of critics. Some of them sounded off during a state Senate confirmation hearing this week, charging that Alviti is too focused on cars.
Posted inArticle, Housing, Politics
New legislation aims to stimulate affordable housing in RI
Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi unveiled Thursday a 14-bill package that he predicted will spark production of affordable housing in the state. One of the bills would reduce the number of steps in the permitting process for affordable housing, from three to two. Others would encourage the production of accessory dwelling units; incentivize housing […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
RI website offers a portal into a world of conspiracy theorists and election deniers
Voters who believe former President Trump’s false assertion that the 2020 election was stolen appear to be few and far between in Rhode Island. Despite that, some say the virulence of election denialism remains a grave threat to American democracy, and a Rhode Island software developer is behind a website that continues to challenge the voting process.
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for February 24, 2023
Blockbuster political news in a legislative vacation week is proof-positive that Rhode Island is the state that keeps on giving. Thanks for stopping by. You can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here *** STORY […]
