On Tuesday, the Trump administration formally asked Congress to take back the money it had set aside for all public broadcasters for the next two years. This action, known as a “recission request” has to be approved by a majority in the U.S. House and Senate in the next 45 days in order for it to become law. If it passes both chambers, it would have an effect on the budget of The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS. Our political reporter, Ian Donnis spoke with our CEO Pam Johnston about what this could mean.
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 inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
State Rep. Jason Knight on the uncertain outlook for banning ‘assault weapons’ in Rhode Island
For people who want to ban new sales of so-called assault weapons in Rhode Island, this is the best of times AND the most uncertain of times.
For years, supporters called on lawmakers to take a vote. This week, the House of Representatives put its support behind the bill. The legislation to ban new sales of guns defined as assault weapons is seen as having the support to make it through a vote by the full state Senate. But therein lies the rub. To get to the Senate floor, the bill first has to win approval from the closely divided Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate President Val Lawson could use her power to move the legislation to a different committee with more support. But Lawson’s deputy, Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, is a staunch gun rights supporter — and it remains unclear if the effort to ban so-called assault weapons will make it to the Senate floor this year. So has the effort in the House been for nothing? If the Senate kills the bill, what comes next? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with state Representative Jason Knight, Democrat of Barrington, who sponsored the assault weapon ban in the House.
Posted inLocal, Media
A new name for public media in Rhode Island: Ocean State Media
The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS merged in May 2024 and now plan to unify under a new name this fall. The Public’s Radio political reporter Ian Donnis spoke about the name change with our CEO, Pam Johnston.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
President Trump’s DOJ tells Rhode Island it’s under investigation
President Trump’s U.S. Justice Department notified Rhode Island on Wednesday that it is opening an investigation of whether the state engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race or other protected aspects of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The notification came in a letter to state Attorney General Peter Neronha […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
RI House Judiciary Committee approves assault weapon ban bill
In a historic vote, the Rhode House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would ban guns defined as assault weapons as of July 2026, sending the legislation to the House of Representatives for a vote on Thursday. If the measure becomes law, guns purchased before the effective date will still be legal. The […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Six big questions about Rhode Island’s 2026 race for governor
The Rhode Island General Assembly is set to approve a budget and recess later this month, signaling the approach to the next statewide election season. With that in mind, here are some of the top questions looming over the race for the state’s top job. 1. CAN DAN MCKEE WIN? If you’re not a fan […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 30, 2025
There’s no truth to the rumor that the Red Sox’ mojo was MIA when the latest time capsule was unearthed on the former site of McCoy Stadium. 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 […]
Posted inEducation, Health, Local
Proposed URI medical school could fill doctor shortage, boost economy, draft report finds
Creating a medical school at the University of Rhode Island would help to address the shortage of primary care doctors in the state, boost the economy and offer other benefits, according to a draft version of a consultant’s report. The draft said that between 200,000 and 400,000 Rhode Islanders lack access to primary care services, […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
R.I. Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos on responding to Trump, food deserts and Providence taxes
Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos is expected to face competition from fellow Democrats when she seeks re-election next year. That is due to how a signature-gathering controversy dragged down her First Congressional District campaign in 2023. She finished fourth in the 12-way Democratic primary, with just 8% of the vote. But Matos is already staking out the ground to defend her job as lieutenant governor and perhaps one day climb higher in local politics. She’s speaking out about immigrant rights and small businesses, and drawing attention to the problem posed by so-called food deserts. The lieutenant governor in Rhode Island has just a few official functions, and some Rhode Islanders question the value of the office. So is Matos now making more of a difference as the state’s second ranking elected official? And can people like her do more to tackle Rhode Island’s biggest challenges? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos.
Posted inHealth, Local, Politics
Neronha unveils new approach on RI’s health care crisis
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha ratcheted up his years-long advocacy on health care Tuesday by unveiling a series of steps meant to address the state’s health care crisis, including a newly filed lawsuit accusing the nation’s three largest pharmacy benefit managers of driving up prescription costs. “We allege that they effectively extort manufacturers of […]
