Notice how most folks have a little more spring in their step with extra daylight? You can follow me through the week on 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 here. *** STORY OF THE […]
Politics
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
AP reporter Michelle Smith on Middletown native Michael Flynn’s role as an evangelist for Christian nationalism
The military career of Middletown native Michael Flynn hit a high point when he was named as Donald Trump’s national security adviser in 2016. But Flynn resigned after being in the role for just a few weeks, and he’s better known now as a leader of Christian nationalist movement. The Christian right embraces Trump, and according to Politico, an influential think tank plans to infuse Christian nationalist ideas in the White House if Trump wins in November. What does this mean for democracy? Is the U.S. moving closer to a theocracy? And how did a high-ranking former military official become a conspiracy theorist and a central figure in this movement? I’m Ian Donnis and this week I’m going in-depth with a Providence-based reporter on the investigations team for The Associated Press, Michelle Smith, who has reported extensively on Michael Flynn. She was the correspondent for an October 2022 PBS Frontline documentary on Flynn.
Posted inHousing, Local, Politics
Shekarchi offers more bills to respond to Rhode Island’s housing crisis
Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on Thursday unveiled 15 bills meant to help the state make progress in the housing crisis. During a Statehouse press conference, Shekarchi expressed disappointment that Rhode Island remains last in the nation in per-capita housing production, despite the allocation of tens of millions of dollars in recent years. He […]
Posted inPolitics, Stories
Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Garvey advance in the California U.S. Senate race
Los Angeles Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff will face Republican Steve Garvey, a former LA Dodgers player, in a general election runoff to decide who will represent California in the U.S. Senate.
Posted inHealth, Local, Politics
Rhode Island Senate touts package to address healthcare needs
The Rhode Island Senate unveiled a package Tuesday of 25 bills meant to boost healthcare access and affordability in the state. A variety of related challenges, ranging from a shortage of primary care doctors to the uncertain future of some local hospitals, have gained growing attention in recent years. The Senate legislation responds by targeting […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 1, 2024
With the arrival of March, we’re on a glidepath to more daylight and the crack of the bat. You can follow me through the week on 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 here. *** […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
RI House GOP Leader Mike Chippendale on the Washington Bridge, McKee’s budget, immigration & more
This week, Ian Donnis talks with Republican leader in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Mike Chippendale of Foster.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Report mulls measures to address complaints on RI’s 2011 pension overhaul
A report prepared by an advisory group to Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa lays out a series of possible options for tweaking the 2011 overhaul of the state pension system. But none of the options are inexpensive. Lawmakers will need to reconcile the possible effects on the state budget with the anger of a […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Feb. 23, 2024
Oh the fun the Follies would have had with the Washington Bridge! You can follow me through the week on 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 here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: On Wednesday, […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the economy and presidential politics
The global scene is marked by violence and uncertainty, with wars in Israel and Ukraine. Closer to home, many Americans are dissatisfied with their choices amid a likely showdown between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Congress remains sharply divided, and paralysis prevails on issues like immigration. Many Americans feel jittery about the economy, even with a soaring stock market and low unemployment. Can politicians make a positive difference on the issues that matter most? Is there a path for less suffering in Gaza and a more robust defense of Ukraine? And is 81-year-old Joe Biden the guy to lead America into the future? I’m Ian Donnis and this week I’m going in depth with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.
