Focus, go slow, go small to start off, learn the rules. That was the advice offered by state Rep. Tina Spears (D-Charlestown) — who joined the Rhode Island House of Representatives as a freshman in 2023 — as she helped orient a group of recently elected state reps. Spears recounted how she thought she would […]
Politics
Posted inArts And Culture, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Reproductive rights under Trump, how Democrats lost Fall River, and more
What could Trump’s second presidency mean for reproductive health in Rhode Island? A reproductive rights advocate tells us what they expect, what they’re hearing from people in our communities, and how they’re preparing for the difficult fights ahead. Also, Fall River has been a Democratic stronghold politically for a century. So how did Trump and the Republicans flip it in this past election? Plus, we’ll hear a studio session with two Lithuanian American siblings who have been singing traditional Lithuanian folk music for as long as they can remember. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Nov. 22, 2024
Count me in for extra stuffing and cranberry sauce. Welcome back to my weekly column. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and what we used to call the twitters. I’m taking next week off, so have a happy Thanksgiving! This column will return on Dec. 6. Here we go. *** Want […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, South County Bureau
How Democrats won over Richmond Republicans
Politically speaking, Richmond is a purple town with some interesting voting patterns. Donald Trump won the rural Southern Rhode Island town this year. But down the ballot, Richmond had a virtual blue wave, with Democrats dominating races for town council, school committee, and state representative. Longtime Republican Richard Nassaney doesn’t shy away when it comes […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Nirva LaFortune on what’s happening at City Year Providence
Nirva LaFortune emerged on Rhode Island’s political scene in 2017. That’s when she won a special election to represent Ward 3 on the East Side on the Providence City Council. LaFortune brought a new perspective and she was the first Haitian-American to win political office in Rhode Island. Five years later, in 2022, LaFortune placed third while running for mayor of Providence. She now serves as executive director of City Year Providence, a nonprofit that recruits young adults for a year of service in the Providence schools. Last year, 24 City Year Providence Americorps members served full-time in six city schools, reaching thousands of students. So what does she think it will take to improve the Providence schools after years of talk? What are LaFortune’s reflections on her time on the City Council? And where does she think Democrats went wrong in taking on Donald Trump, now the president-elect? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with executive director of City Year Providence Nirva LaFortune.
Posted inHousing, Local, Politics, Transportation
McKee appoints former MA official as housing secretary
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee announced Thursday the appointment of Deborah J. Goddard as the state’s housing secretary. If confirmed by the state Senate, Goddard will fill a vacancy created in July when former Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor left for an unspecified private sector job in the finance sector. He is now a partner at […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, South Coast Bureau
How the Democrats lost their grip on Fall River
For a long time, the glue that held together the various constituencies of Fall River politics was the Democratic ward committee. The city’s nine ward committees were little outposts of the party with a presence in every neighborhood of Fall River. Each committee had up to 35 members elected from the surrounding neighborhood, many of […]
Posted inEducation, Immigration, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Providence schools budget feud, preparing for Trump’s mass deportation plan, and more
Providence school officials have persistently warned that if the city continues to underfund education, they will have to make some painful cuts. We hear from two PPSD leaders about what’s at stake if they don’t get the additional $10 million they’re asking for. Also, president-elect Trump has vowed to enact what he calls the “largest deportation operation in American history.” The head of a New Bedford advocacy organization tells us what they’re hearing from local immigrants, what people should know, and how to prepare. Plus, we hear about the community that’s formed around a popular weaving class at a Providence library. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Nov. 15, 2024
The quiet phase of the campaign season got a little louder this week. Welcome back to my weekly column. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
What’s next for the Institute for Cybersecurity at Rhode Island College and RIC President Jack Warner
Rhode Island voters recently approved $73 million in borrowing to enhance the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College. The 60% vote in favor of Question 2 underscores public confidence in the idea that education can help improve the local economy. Voters also approved $87 million for a life sciences center at URI. At Rhode Island College, the man leading the charge is Jack Warner. He is being inaugurated today as RIC’s permanent president after more than two years as interim leader. Warner takes on the role at a time when many Americans wrestle with college-related debt. And with the Trump administration vowing to eliminate the federal Department of Education, Republicans and some other critics believe colleges in America have moved too far to the left. How will these issues affect Rhode Island? Can Rhode Island College really play a bigger role in the state’s economy? And what is Jack Warner’s strategic vision for RIC? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with president of Rhode Island College Jack Warner.
