Two Rhode Island House Republicans say Attorney General Peter Neronha’s move to steer $10 million in settlement funds for improving dental health for poor Providence children is against the law. Neronha announced the plan last month as part of construction firm Barletta Heavy Division’s agreement to settle a case involving the unlawful dumping of contaminated […]
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, Metro Desk, Politics
Thousands of Rhode Islanders demonstrate against President Trump
Thousands of Rhode Islanders participated in protests against President Trump on Saturday, expressing hope that their dissent will send a loud message against the president and his policies. “It’s important to show that people all over the country are furious with the way in which his arrogance and his tyranny has taken over,” said Rick […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for June 13, 2025
The General Assembly session is almost all over but the crying. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: In some ways, the $14.3 billion budget […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
RI Senate President Lawson and GOP team up to deal possible death-blow to ‘assault weapons’ bill
The tiny four-member Republican caucus in the Rhode Island Senate made the difference in a vote Thursday that may have killed a proposed “assault weapon” ban in the current General Assembly session. On a 20-to-17 vote, senators effectively rejected an effort by Sen. Pam Lauria (D-Barrington) to move the AWB bill from the Judiciary Committee […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Ashley Kalus on her plans for 2026, President Trump and what’s holding back the GOP in Rhode Island
Republicans run the show in Washington, D.C., these days, but the GOP remains on the margins in Rhode Island. The state hasn’t elected a Republican governor since 2006 and the party holds just 14 of 113 seats in the General Assembly. Back in 2022, Ashley Kalus got almost 39 percent of the vote as the GOP alternative to Democrat Dan McKee. But Kalus faced a handicap since she was a recent transplant to Rhode Island, and her share of the vote was similar to what a generic candidate might receive. Four years later, Kalus is more ensconced in the state and she continues to use social media posts to criticize the status quo. So is Kalus gearing up for another run for governor? What does she make of the Trump administration? And what is Kalus’ prescription for increasing GOP representation in Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with former Republican candidate for governor Ashley Kalus.
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
Bond sale to finance hospital deal in Rhode Island still ongoing
The Centurion Foundation, the Georgia nonprofit attempting to acquire two cash-strapped Rhode Island hospitals, is doubling down on its attempt to sell the bonds needed to finance the deal, although the outlook remains uncertain. Initial plans called for closing the $160 million bond sale in late May. Because not enough bonds have been sold — […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
New RI House budget includes more money for healthcare
A $14.3 billion budget approved Tuesday night by the Rhode Island House Finance Committee funnels more money to healthcare, education and RIPTA, while steering clear of a tax hike for upper income Rhode Islanders. The Finance Committee approved the spending plan, 11 to 3, on a party-line vote, after an hour-long presentation by House Fiscal […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
McKee objects to Trump’s deployment of California National Guard
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has been in the news a lot over the past few weeks, from lackluster numbers in a poll from the University of New Hampshire, to new hires for his re-election campaign, to the announcement of a plan to replace the westbound Washington Bridge. With those issues swirling, The Public’s Radio […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for June 6, 2025
The tempers are rising with the temperature at the Statehouse. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: When does the calculus of doing nothing outweigh […]
Posted inEconomy, Local, Politics
New Washington Bridge expected by November 2028
The westbound Washington Bridge that carries I-195 is expected to be rebuilt by November 2028, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said Friday, setting a target for a return to normalcy for Rhode Island drivers. McKee identified Chicago-based Walsh Construction as the firm that will complete the new span — at a cost of up to […]
