Efforts by Republicans in Washington to change Medicaid and other programs are sparking uncertainty about the budget outlook here in Rhode Island.
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
Providence Foundation Executive Director David Salvatore on city finances, downtown’s future, and more
Rhode Island’s capital city of Providence has experienced dramatic ups and downs over time. These days, the city is still trying to bounce back from the loss of office workers and shrinking foot traffic caused by the pandemic. Providence has a lot of assets, including a strong sense of place, a great restaurant scene and […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
Senate leadership change might open the door for curbing payday lending
Rhode Island Senate President Val Lawson said she supports a bill to cap payday lending in the state — a sign that the long-running battle to curb a practice that critics say traps poor people in a cycle of debt might be drawing to a close. However, Lawson offered a caveat, and opponents of restricting […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Advocates renew call to modernize government transparency in Rhode Island
Supporters of government transparency are renewing their push to modernize Rhode Island’s Access to Public Records Act, or APRA, for the first time since 2012. Ahead of legislative hearings, advocates are gathering at the Statehouse on Wednesday to urge support for bills sponsored by Sen. Louis DiPalma (D-Middletown) and state Rep. Patricia Serpa (D-West Warwick). […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Ethics Commission says Ciccone can vote on gun bill
On an eight-to-one vote, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission said Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone — who holds a federal firearms license — can debate and vote on a proposed ban on new sales of assault-style weapons. Ciccone (D-Providence) was first elected to the Senate in 2002. He sought an ethics advisory opinion after becoming […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Sen. Whitehouse says Republicans are just better than Democrats at politics
Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says Democrats need to do a better job at politics. With Republicans in full control in Washington, Democrats hope voters will vent anger at President Donald Trump in the 2026 midterm elections. But that’s cold comfort for Democrats today. Whitehouse spoke with The Public’s Radio political reporter Ian Donnis […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Health, Immigration, Politics, The Weekly Catch
R.I. Lawmakers consider the value of community healthcare workers
A New Bedford man – who spent weeks in an ICE detention center – is out. He could pursue legal action for wrongful detainment. We’ll get an update on the story. Also,- community health workers provide a unique service that advocates say is vital to keeping healthcare costs down. Rhode Island lawmakers are considering a bill that forces private insurers to cover many of the services provided by these workers. And Leo’s bar was an institution in Providence. For Artscape we look back on how the bar, and its owner John Rector were so important to so many people. That and more on this week’s show..
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 16, 2025
There’s still time for the Sox to shape up, but who thought the team would be battling to play .500 ball at this point? You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. A quick program note: my column is taking next week off and it will return on May 30. Here […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
State Sen. Meghan Kallman on Pawtucket soccer, responding to Trump and top legislative issues
Pawtucket got a recent lift when the city’s newish soccer team, Rhode Island FC, played to a sold-out crowd during the home opener at the new stadium there. There are plans for new housing to be built near the Centerville Bank Stadium and boosters of the stadium hope it will catalyze more growth. But Pawtucket has also wrestled with challenges in recent years, including the loss of the PawSox and the closing of Memorial Hospital. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is causing uncertainty for the state budget outlook as lawmakers approach the end of the legislative session. And the state Senate is working to make up for lost time after a recent change in leadership. Big issues hang in the balance, including a proposed ban on new sales of assault style weapons and a potential tax hike on Rhode Island’s richest one percent. So how’s the outlook amid uncertainty in DC? And does the new soccer stadium signal brighter days for Pawtucket? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with Pawtucket state Senator Meghan Kallman.
Posted inLocal, Politics, Technology
RI considering legal action against Deloitte after cyber-breach
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha is considering possible legal action against state contractor Deloitte following a third-party review into a cyber-breach that put the personal data of more than a half-million Rhode Islanders at risk. “The state is pursuing all available remedies at this time,” Neronha spokesman Tim Rondeau told The Public’s Radio. Gov. […]
