Newsmakers | WPRI 12 News

This week on Newsmakers: Attorney General Peter Neronha talks about his sweeping new health care proposals, his political future, litigating against the Trump administration, the Aaron Thomas case and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12's Eli Sherman and Alexandra Leslie to break down the week in the news, including flag and budget controversies at Providence City Hall, the U.S. House reconciliation bill, next year's World Cup and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Senate President Val Lawson and Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone make their first appearance since winning the race to succeed the late Dominick Ruggerio. The two Democrats discuss their backgrounds, their policy priorities, the budget, the proposed Assault Weapons Ban Act and much more.

Reporters Tim White, Eli Sherman and Amanda Milkovits break down testimony in the criminal trial of Aaron Thomas, including testimony from the defendant. This episode was recorded on location from outside Washington Superior Court in South Kingstown.

This week on Newsmakers: Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos reveals she almost stepped down from her position two years ago amid the signature scandal that derailed her campaign for Congress in a one-on-one with Kim Kalunian; then, state Sens. Val Lawson and Frank Ciccone were elected as senate president and majority leader, respectively, after the death of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.

This week on Newsmakers: Dr. Mariah Stump and Dr. Thomas Bledsoe of the Rhode Island Medical Society discuss the closure of Anchor Medical and how to address the state's primary care crisis; plus, Kim Kalunian talks one-on-one with House Speaker Joe Shekarchi.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by The Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson and Rhode Island Current's Nancy Lavin to break down the week in the news, including tariffs and the stock market, the closure of Anchor Medical, State House happenings, the state's new Catholic bishop and more.

URI President Marc Parlange joins us to talk about the state of higher education and the school's recent achievements. In the second half, Eli Sherman and Tim White look at the Aaron Thomas trial underway in Washington County Superior Court.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner discusses President Trump's first two months in office, the Signal chat scandal, divides among Democrats, his change of plans on moving to his district and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by The Boston Globe's Steph Machado for a look at the latest headlines; then, a preview of next week's special coverage commemorating the 70th anniversary of WPRI 12, featuring vintage clips from Newsmakers' nearly half-century on the air

This week on Newsmakers: Brown Health CEO John Fernandez and Care New England CEO Dr. Michael Wagner discuss their opposition to the governor's budget bill, how to get more Medicaid funding for Rhode Island, the future of their hospitals and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Marc Dunkelman, a fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute, discusses his new book "Why Nothing Works" and what Democrats need to do to run government more effectively; plus, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming to break down Gov. Dan McKee's campaign launch video.

This week on Newsmakers: Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz and House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale discuss their legislative priorities at the State House, the GOP's ongoing struggles in Assembly races, the first month of the new Trump administration and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo discusses how Democrats are handling the new Trump administration, pushback from both sides of the aisle, the upcoming budget fight and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard discusses the state's new goal for adding more houses and apartments, how she'll address community opposition, the pallet shelters and more; plus, Kim Kalunian's one-on-one interview with Gov. Dan McKee about President Trump, Hasbro, his reelection and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Maj. Gen. Christopher Callahan sits down with 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian for an exit interview during his final days leading the Rhode Island National Guard; then, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by The Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson to break down how the local congressional delegation is responding to President Trump's early moves.

This week on Newsmakers: Attorney General Peter Neronha discusses his office's early legal challenges against the new Trump administration on federal funding and immigration, as well as the future of Roger Williams and Fatima hospitals, the Washington Bridge, politics and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux discusses President Trump's new policies on immigration, how his agency currently handles the issue, politics and more; then, Kim Kalunian talks one-on-one with former White House press secretary Sean Spicer about what he expects from the new administration.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by The Boston Globe's Steph Machado and The Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson for a reporters' roundtable on Gov. Dan McKee's State of the State speech and his newly release $14 billion state budget bill.

This week on Newsmakers: House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Majority Leader Chris Blazejewski discuss the new General Assembly session, the budget deficit, housing and homelessness, truck tolls, the Washington Bridge, politics and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi discusses his recent reelection victory, the funding crisis in the city schools, new housing construction, the airport and more; then, Target 12's Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss the cyberattack on a state IT system.

This week on Newsmakers: a New Year's reporters roundtable looks back at the top local news of 2024 and ahead to what will make headlines in 2025. Ted Nesi is joined by Dan McGowan, Antonia Noori Farzan and Ian Donnis.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced a sweeping civil case against CVS this week, alleging unlawful prescriptions that fueled opioid crisis. Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha talks about that case, his future as new presidential administration is poised to take over, and what he expects with a Trump-era DOJ.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO David Cicilline discusses the organization's newly released five-year plan, his priorities for 2025, politics and more; plus, Attorney General Peter Neronha talks to Kim Kalunian about the Washington Bridge, his political future and more.

This week on Newsmakers: former Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, the honorary Massachusetts chairman of President-elect Trump's campaign, discusses the incoming administration's immigration policy and why Trump did so well in Bristol County; plus, Target 12's Eli Sherman and Globe RI's Steph Machado join Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss the one-year anniversary of the Washington Bridge closure and the Providence Place mall's turnaround plan.

Roger Williams University School of Law Professors Nicole Dyszlewski and Natasha Varyani discuss their research into racial covenants and redlining, and how the practices permanently shaped neighborhoods across the Northeast. Then R.I. Community Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff discusses the latest "Hunger in Rhode Island Status Report" report that shows an increase in food insecurity in the state.

This week on Newsmakers: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley discusses the city's $15 million settlement with the state over school funding, a looming tax hike, the city's financial stability, the slow rollout of pallet shelters in the city, Gina Raimondo's future and more.

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed discusses President-elect Trump's initial cabinet appointments, his concerns about the military under the new administration, Democrats' election loss, his 2026 reelection campaign and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and political strategist Cara Cromwell to break down Donald Trump's victory on Tuesday as well as his gains locally, the results for Congress, and what happens next.

This week on Newsmakers: Senate President Dominick Ruggerio sits down with 12 News politics editor Ted Nesi to discuss his health, his political future and shaking up his leadership team; then, 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and Boston Globe reporter Steph Machado join Tim White to break down the news of the week and look ahead to Election Day.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates running for Cranston mayor, Republican incumbent Ken Hopkins and Democratic challenger Robert Ferri.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates running for Rhode Island's U.S. Senate seat, Democratic incumbent Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican challenger Patricia Morgan. It is the only scheduled debate in this year's Senate race.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates running for Woonsocket mayor, incumbent Christopher Beauchamp and challenger John Ward.

This week on Newsmakers: Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien discusses Hasbro's potential relocation, the controversy around state Sen. Sandra Cano's resignation, the Tidewater Landing project and more; then, Politico senior political columnist Jonathan Martin talks one-on-one with Ted Nesi about the state of the presidential race.

This week on Newsmakers: Patrick Crowley, incoming president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, and Michael McDonald, new president of AFSCME Council 94, discuss the future of organized labor in Rhode Island; then, 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian interviews Gov. Dan McKee.

This week on Newsmakers: East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva discusses the Washington Bridge crisis, his relationship with the City Council, the future of Crescent Park and the Henderson Bridge, and whether he's running again in 2026; then, Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the results of a new UNH survey of Rhode Island voters and the latest news about Hasbro's potential relocation.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and Boston Globe reporter Steph Machado for a recap of Rhode Island's statewide primary and a look ahead to the November election.

This week on Newsmakers: R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green discusses the start of the new school year, the future of the Providence takeover, post-pandemic student challenges, teacher morale, her own future and more.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates seeking Cranston's Republican nomination for mayor, incumbent Ken Hopkins and challenger Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. The winner of the Sept. 10 primary will be the GOP nominee in November against Democrat Robert Ferri.

This week on Newsmakers: Ted Nesi hosts a political roundtable on the Democratic National Convention and the fall campaign featuring Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan, political strategist Cara Cromwell and 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates seeking Rhode Island's Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, Patricia Morgan and Ray McKay. The winner will be the GOP nominee in November for the seat currently held by Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse.

This week on Newsmakers: Attorney General Peter Neronha discusses potential litigation over the Washington Bridge, the future of health care in Rhode Island, the Woonsocket land deal scandal, public records, his political future and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo discusses former President Trump's controversial remarks about Vice President Harris, the new energy among Democrats, the Washington Bridge and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and political strategist Cara Cromwell to discuss President Biden's decision to step aside and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, what a race between Harris and former President Trump will look like, and takeaways from the latest poll of Rhode Island voters.

President Biden's decision to quit the presidential race, after three weeks of turmoil, makes history and upends the dynamic of the 2024 presidential race. In this podcast extra, Tim White and Ted Nesi examine why Biden made the decision and what happens next.

This week on Newsmakers: state Rep. Brian Newberry, R-North Smithfield, and former R.I. Republican National Committeeman Steven Frias discuss how the GOP has changed in the Trump era and what it means for local Republicans; then, Tim White and Ted Nesi break down a new survey of Rhode Island voters.

This week on Newsmakers: state Rep. Jason Knight, D-Barrington, and state Sen. Gordon Rogers, R-Foster, discuss the failure of the Washington Bridge bidding process and what should happen next; then, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12's Eli Sherman for a reporters roundtable on the bridge situation.

This week on Newsmakers: Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong discusses the summer tourism season, housing and short-term rentals, Easton's Beach, the new Rogers High School and more; then, Kim Kalunian's one-on-one with RIDOT Director Peter Alviti from Tuesday's edition of 12 News at 4.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and political strategist Cara Cromwell to examine what Joe Biden's widely criticized debate performance means for the presidential race and break down the new poll of Rhode Island voters by Salve's Pell Center.