President Trump’s new budget proposal calls for cutting the main source of federal funds for state and local libraries. The president’s budget outline, released earlier this month, would eliminate a little known federal agency called the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The proposed cuts weren’t exactly a surprise. Executive Order 14238, signed by […]
Sheldon Whitehouse
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 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 inEnvironment, Local, Politics
Lawmakers seek to ban offshore drilling in New England
On Earth Day, members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation announced a bipartisan effort to ban offshore oil drilling. But the legislation announced Tuesday may be little more than a symbolic gesture. On his first day back in office, President Trump declared a national energy emergency. “We will drill, baby, drill,” Trump said in his second […]
Posted inLocal
Rhode Island Democrats say Brown Medicine doctor deserves her day in court
Rhode Island’s top elected officials are keeping a close eye on the Trump administration’s effort to deport a Lebanese transplant physician with ties to Brown University. Dr. Rasha Alawieh was detained at Boston Logan International Airport last week and sent back to Lebanon on the grounds that she may be sympathetic with the Lebanese militant […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 14, 2025
What better way to celebrate Sleep Awareness Week than with a nap? 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: “Don’t tax you, don’t tax me, […]
Posted inHealth, Local, Politics
Rhode Island lawmakers call on Congress to defend Medicaid
Stephanie Manfredo, a Rhode Island mother of three, says Medicaid was a life saver for her family after several of her children were born at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence with significant health complications. She said she worries about cuts Republican lawmakers in Washington are now considering. “The cuts being proposed could absolutely cripple […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 7, 2025
I’ll take the deal if an hour less sleep brings more daylight. 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: Tariffs “will always tend to crush […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Feb. 28, 2025
The Providence Newspaper Guild Follies are gone, but Rhode Island politics remains the gift that keeps giving. 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: Despite […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Feb. 7, 2025
When it comes to the Super Bowl, I am mostly there for the nachos — and the harbinger of baseball drawing closer. 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. […]
