Newsmakers | WPRI 12 News

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.

This week on Newsmakers: House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, D-Warwick, discusses the end of the legislative session, a last-minute deal to keep Citizens Bank in Rhode Island, accessory dwelling units, public records, the next election and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Lou DiPalma, D-Middletown, discusses the end of this year's legislative session, the new state budget, public records and more; then, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Ian Donnis of The Public's Radio and Nancy Lavin of Rhode Island Current to break down what passed and what didn't as the General Assembly wrapped up for the year.

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 breakdown of the new state budget bill and what's on the table in the final days of Rhode Island's General Assembly session; then, 99-year-old Woonsocket veteran Richard Fazzio shares his memories of taking part in D-Day on the 80th anniversary of the invasion.

This week on Newsmakers: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley discusses the future of the state-controlled city schools, negotiations with top hospital group Lifespan, the housing crisis, safety on North Main Street, Pride month and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Neil Steinberg, chair of the new R.I. Life Science Hub, discusses a new push led by House Speaker Joe Shekarchi to expand the industry in Rhode Island; then, Chafee Center director Eva-Marie Mancuso discusses Bryant's 38th World Trade Day and the future of the state's economy.

This week on Newsmakers: Common Cause Rhode Island executive director John Marion discusses controversy over the LEOBOR reform bill, public records, court magistrates and more; then, Target 12's Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to break down the U.S. attorney's accusations against the R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families.

This week on Newsmakers: Secretary of State Gregg Amore discusses cleaning up the voter rolls, beefing up the signature process, his proposed State Archives building and more; then, Target 12's Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss the new $455 million estimate for the cost of closing and rebuilding the westbound Washington Bridge.

The former CVS executive discusses her second-place finish in the 2022 Democratic primary for governor, whether she's running again, the future of RIPTA and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and The Boston Globe's Steph Machado to break down new poll numbers on Rhode Island politicians; then, Providence author Philip Eil discusses his new book "Prescription for Pain."

This week on Newsmakers: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell discusses the latest South Coast Rail delay, the outlook for offshore wind, his recent trip to Israel, challenges downtown and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Providence City Councilwoman Shelley Peterson talks with Alexandra Leslie about her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis; R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti talks with Kim Kalunian about what's next on the Washington Bridge crisis.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner, a first-term Democrat, discusses the war in Israel, chaos in the U.S. House, the November election, the Washington Bridge, his upcoming paternity leave and more.

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sits down one-on-one with Ted Nesi to discuss the Washington Bridge crisis; Attorney General Peter Neronha talks with Kim Kalunian about the federal investigation into the bridge and more; then, Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the outlook for federal funding.

This week on Newsmakers: Ken Block, author of the new book "Disproven" and former candidate for Rhode Island governor, talks about what he found examining the 2020 election results for the Trump campaign; on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12's Eli Sherman and Rhode Island Current's Nancy Lavin to break down the announcement that the Washington Bridge must be demolished and rebuilt.

This week on Newsmakers: Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson. The Senate’s two top Democrats discuss the Washington Bridge crisis, the new package of health bills, their political futures and more.

This week on Newsmakers: highlights from Target 12's weeklong investigation of Rhode Island's housing crisis, including an extended interview with Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse discusses his recent trip to the Munich Security Conference, the wars in Ukraine and Israel, fixing the Washington Bridge, immigration and more.

This week on Newsmakers: R.I. House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, R-Foster, discuses the nearly four-hour oversight hearing about the Washington Bridge, health care, the Act on Climate, Donald Trump and more; on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12's Eli Sherman to break down the latest headlines on the bridge crisis and the Pawtucket soccer stadium project.

Congressman Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., discusses concerns about President Biden, aid to Israel, the collapse of the border bill, the Washington Bridge crisis and more.

This week on Newsmakers: East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva discusses the latest on the Washington Bridge crisis, whether he expects a complete rebuild, police discipline, housing and more; on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12's Eli Sherman and Rhode Island Current's Nancy Lavin to break down the release of internal RIDOT emails about the bridge closure.

This week on Newsmakers: Kim Kalunian sits down with Gov. Dan McKee and R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti to discuss the Washington Bridge crisis and other news of the week.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Steph Machado of The Boston Globe and Nancy Lavin of Rhode Island Current to break down Gov. Dan McKee's newly released $13.7 billion state budget plan.

This week on Newsmakers: Attorney General Peter Neronha discusses his concerns about the state's health care system and potential solutions, his conflict with a local judge, social media, major investigations, his political future and more.

This week on Newsmakers: House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, D-Warwick, discusses his push to lower housing costs in Rhode Island, the state budget outlook, health care, the new Life Sciences Hub, who's running in 2026 and more.

This week on Newsmakers: a New Year's reporters roundtable looks back at the top local news of 2023 and ahead to what will make headlines in 2024. Ted Nesi is joined by Eli Sherman, Antonia Noori Farzan and Ian Donnis.

This week on Newsmakers: Roman Catholic Bishop of the Providence Diocese Richard Henning. After taking over for Bishop Thomas Tobin this past year, Henning discusses what he has learned about the church in Rhode Island as he works to form his vision for the Diocese. He discusses the new guidance from the Vatican on same sex couples, and the financial state of the diocese, including the outlook for church closings.

This week on Newsmakers: Congressman Gabe Amo discusses his first month in the U.S. House, the Washington Bridge crisis, debates over Israel and antisemitism, immigration negotiations and more. The newly elected Democrat won a special election last month.

This week on Newsmakers: Secretary of State Gregg Amore discusses preparations for the 2024 election, early voting, recruiting poll workers, the State Archives and more; on the second half, Target 12's Eli Sherman and The Boston Globe's Steph Machado join Ted Nesi to discuss the news of the week (including Taylor Swift).

This week on Newsmakers: Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor discusses Providence's highest-in-the-nation rent increases, Rhode Island's low rate of new construction, winter shelter, the Superman building, the old Memorial Hospital and much more.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: Katie Langford Sonder, the associate director of the Pell Center at Salve Regina University, discusses the results of a new survey examining Rhode Islanders’ attitudes toward the state of democracy, political polarization, news consumption and more. On the second half: RI Community Food Bank’s CEO Andrew Schiff on their Status Report on Hunger.

This week on Newsmakers: two extended interviews with prominent local leaders who've faced adversity. On the first half, Tim White sits down with Superior Court Judge Richard Licht to discuss the severe injuries he sustained when he was struck by a Jeep crossing Smith Street, and his road to recovery; on the second half, former Care New England CEO Dr. James Fanale discusses his cancer diagnosis and what it's taught him about the medical system.