The real menace in baseball is less robot umpires and more the relentless stream of sports-betting ads between innings. 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? Sign up right here *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: […]
General Assembly
Posted inEconomy, Local, Politics
Fiscal watchdog raises concern about growth in Rhode Island state spending
State spending in Rhode Island continues to rise at an unsustainable rate amid slowing revenues and uncertainty about federal funding, a business-backed fiscal watchdog group warned in a report released Wednesday. The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council found that state general revenue spending climbed by 10.9% over the last two fiscal years, while state general […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for July 25, 2025
Bark at the moon, eh, Ozzy? I’ve heard worse ideas. Welcome back to my Friday column. 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? Sign up here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: With the lazy days […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Economy, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Local tourism slumps under Trump, highlights of the 2025 RI legislative session, and more
In the 2025 Rhode Island General Assembly session, lawmakers passed a major gun law and numerous bills tackling housing and healthcare. We’ll look into what legislators achieved and failed to get done, as well as what to expect in 2026. Also, Trump administration policies are scaring off tourists. Hotels have higher than normal vacancies, and restaurants are closing on certain days due to low traffic. What kind of summer season will we have this year? Plus, thousands in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cape Verdean independence this weekend. We talk with two people from our region who are being featured at a national celebration in Washington, D.C. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Bill to ban sales of ‘assault weapons’ in RI poised to become law
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is poised to sign into law a bill that will ban the sale and manufacture — but not the use or possession — of guns defined as assault weapons. Any uncertainty about the legislative path for the bill ended when the House of Representatives approved the measure on a 43-to-28 […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for June 20, 2025
I volunteer to play 1B for the Sox for a lot less money than Rafael Devers. 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: More than […]
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 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 inArts And Culture, Politics, The Weekly Catch, Transportation
What federal budget cuts would mean for RI, an uncertain future for RIPTA, and more
One in three Rhode Islanders depend on Medicaid. That’s why there’s grave concern if the Senate passes Trump’s budget plan, which includes massive cuts to the health insurance program. We’ll talk about what’s at stake with Rhode Island representative Gabe Amo. Also, RIPTA officials are facing a $33 million deficit. Lawmakers in the General Assembly need to pass a budget with the money to fill that gap, or cut bus lines and schedules throughout the state. And we speak with Westerly documentarian Hilary Steinman, who tackles the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act in her new film “Change, Not Charity.” Plus: A look back on the week in Rhode Island politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.
