Rhode Island officials are scrambling after being surprised by the news that the iconic toy-maker and entertainment company Hasbro is considering moving its headquarters out of state. “It’s all hands on deck to keep Hasbro in Pawtucket,” Governor Dan McKee said in a statement. McKee said Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien and he are seeking a […]
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 inLocal, Politics
Can Rhode Island voters make a difference in swing states?
Marti Rosenberg is a longtime liberal activist in Rhode Island. So it’s no surprise when she asks the more than 50 people gathered at the Blue Room, a bar and music venue in the Pawtuxet Village section of Cranston, to contribute to Kamala Harris’ campaign for president. “Give big, give now, spread the word,” Rosenberg […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Sept. 13, 2024
Say it with me now: triskaidekaphobia. 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: For all the yak about cranky Rhode Islanders […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
RI GOP Chairman Joe Powers on Tuesday’s primary, Trump, and what’s next for local Republicans
Tuesday’s Rhode Island primary featured a rare spotlight on Republican candidates. Cranston was the scene of a hard-fought mayoral campaign — one of the few places in the state with such high-profile GOP competition. The losing candidate, Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, has been a bright spot for the Rhode Island GOP, but she’s been taken off […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Hopkins cruises to victory over Fenton-Fung in Cranston
In the marquee race of Rhode Island’s 2024 primary, Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins scored a commanding victory over GOP rival state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, as voters rejected her argument that the city needed change. Unofficial results showed Hopkins winning 58.5% of the vote, compared with 41.5% for Fenton-Fung. Fenton-Fung is married to longtime former […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Highlights: Sept. 10 Rhode Island state primary
READ MORE: Hopkins cruises to victory over Fenton-Fung in Cranston Live updates Race calls are based on reports from the Associated Press, unless otherwise noted. Results are preliminary and subject to certification by the Board of Elections.
Posted inPolitics
GOP contest for Cranston mayor is a race to watch on RI Primary Day
In the marquee race of Rhode Island’s 2024 primary, Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins is facing a GOP challenge from state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat first elected in 2006, is opposed by Michael Costa, who argues it’s time for a change. Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The winner of […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Sept. 6, 2024
Happy PVDFest Weekend! 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: The marquee race in Rhode Island’s primary election on Tuesday is […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Common Cause’s John Marion on 2024 elections, open records, and more
The former Providence Journal reporter Elliot Jaspin once called Rhode Island a theme park for journalists. The same could be said for advocates of good government. Although there have been fewer cases of public corruption in recent years, issues of government accountability and transparency remain front and center. One person closely monitoring these issues is John Marion, who has served as executive director of Common Cause of Rhode Island since 2008. He keeps a watchful eye on state government and spends long hours at the Statehouse monitoring the General Assembly. Over time, Marion and predecessors including Phil West have been an important voice for reform in Rhode Island. But is that enough when many people believe democracy is on the ballot this November? What is the effect when Donald Trump perpetuates a false narrative about crooked elections? And why are we not seeing more robust competition for legislative seats in Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, political reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with head of Common Cause of Rhode Island, John Marion.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Lawsuit against Hopkins sparks heat in Cranston mayoral race
According to Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins, a lawsuit alleging he took a car without paying for it is baseless, while rival Republican Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung is calling for State Police and the attorney general’s office to review the matter. The Superior Court lawsuit, filed by Davide Broccoli, emerged last week. It charges that Hopkins wrongfully […]