Newsmakers | WPRI 12 News

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic congressional candidate Don Carlson discusses why he's running to replace David Cicilline, his previous experience in the U.S. House, his campaign strategy and more; Joe Fleming and Steph Machado join a political roundtable about the state of the special election.

This week on Newsmakers: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley discusses the backlash to some of his PVDFest changes, the new city budget, his dispute with Rhode Island’s biggest hospital group, public safety and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, D-Warwick, discusses the close of the recent legislative session, the new state budget, the Scout scandal, the congressional special election and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Jack Reed discusses former President Trump's indictment, the ongoing fight over federal spending, the war in Ukraine, his political future and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor discusses his vision for easing Rhode Island's housing shortage, the future of the "Superman" building and the old Memorial Hospital, the explosive email about a state business trip, and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White, Ted Nesi, Joe Fleming and Cara Cromwell break down the latest on the 1st Congressional District special election with just three months to go before the primary.

Congressman David Cicilline's announcement to leave Washington next month has resulted in an increasingly crowded Democratic primary to fill his seat. Now, as he prepares to take the reigns at the state's largest fundraiser for the non-profit community, we sit down with the congressman to reflect on his biggest accomplishments representing Rhode Island in the nation's capitol.

Rhode Island Foundation CEO Neil Steinberg reflects on his 15 years at the helm of the state’s largest funder of nonprofits as he prepares to retire next month. On the second half, Justin Silverman, Executive Director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, joins us to discuss your right to know and why access to government is facing road blocks.

We sit down with former state representative Aaron Regunberg, who is among over a dozen Democrats running to replace U.S. Rep. David Cicilline. Regunberg responds to recent criticisms from the left, where he stands on immigration, the debt ceiling, and President Biden seeking re-election. On the second half, a political roundtable with 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming.

Tim White is joined by political strategist Cara Cromwell, investigators Steph Machado and Eli Sherman for a political roundtable analyzing Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District race. On the second half, our interview with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse just hours after the Senate Judiciary heard his bill calling for more ethics oversight of the U.S. Supreme Court.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: Roger Williams University School of Law Dean Gregory Bowman on the school’s efforts to increase inclusion and equity in its law curriculum, preparing for upcoming changes to the BAR exam, and the importance of free speech on campus. On the second half, Common Cause Rhode Island Executive Dir. John Marion reacted to the AG’s recent advisory opinion on APRA requests and the governor delaying appointments to the Cannabis Control Commission.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha discusses his relationship with Gov. Dan McKee and his office's request for more money in the state budget being ignored. He also reflected on potential challenges to tougher gun legislation in Rhode Island and the FBI investigation of an accused drug ring leader's ties to the Providence Police Department.

This week on Newsmakers: Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss discusses the arrest of a Dighton man suspected of leaking highly classified military documents, a scandal in the U.S. Supreme Court, and the legal battle over an abortion pill.

This week on Newsmakers: Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos. Just four months after taking the oath of office to be the state's second in command, Matos announced she was running for Congress to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. David Cicilline. Matos discusses why she is running, and where she stands on policy issues from gun control to housing to term limits for members of Congress.

This week on Newsmakers: state Sen. Sandra Cano, Pawtucket Democrat and Education Committee chair, discusses the Pawtucket soccer stadium situation and her newly announced candidacy for Congress; then, 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to break down the latest developments in the 1st Congressional District race.

This week on Newsmakers: General Treasurer James Diossa discusses how the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank is affecting Rhode Island's pension fund, as well as other economic issues; on the second half, a reporters' roundtable featuring Target 12's Steph Machado and Eli Sherman discussing the special-education crisis in Providence, the 1st Congressional District race and more.

The new colonel of the Providence Police Department sits down with Target 12's Steph Machado.

This week on Newsmakers: Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien. The veteran Democrat talks about the latest developments in the city, including the new train station and soccer stadium as well as the future of McCoy Stadium and a troubled elementary school. On the second half, 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss House Speaker Joe Shekarchi's potential entry into the 1st Congressional District race, as well as other developments related to the special election.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline talks one-on-one with 12 News politics editor Ted Nesi about his shock decision to retire from the House to become Rhode Island Foundation CEO; on the second half, 12 News reporter Steph Machado and 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming look ahead to the special election to fill Cicilline's seat in the 1st Congressional District.

This week on Newsmakers: Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson. The Senate's two top Democrats discuss their priorities for 2023, lowering the state sales tax, their political futures and more.

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. The veteran Rhode Island Democrat shares his reaction to President Biden's State of the Union. He also discusses his recent trip to Ukraine, his re-election bid in 2024 and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Ted Nesi sits down with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo at her office in Washington to discuss her priorities as a cabinet member, her biggest regret from her time as governor, and her political future. On the second half, a profile of a Pawtucket native now working at the White House and a roundup of the latest developments involving the region's congressional delegation.

This week on Newsmakers: Providence Police Col. Hugh Clements. After more than 37 years at the Providence police department – 12 as chief – Clements is moving on. He was hired by the U.S. Department of Justice to head their COPS program, that encourages community policing at departments across the country. Clements reflects on his years on the job, the hardest day, and his proudest accomplishment.

This week on Newsmakers: Congressman Seth Magaziner. After a tumultuous start to the 118th Congress, Magaziner is settling into the new job, but has a lot on the horizon including the pending debt ceiling crisis. Magaziner also discusses the war in Ukraine, the classified documents scandal, his goals for the year, and more.

This week on Newsmakers: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. The veteran Democrat, now in his 11th year leading the region's second-largest city, is currently weighing whether to run for another term this fall. He discusses Gov. Maura Healey's visit to the region, offshore wind and fishing, the City Council and more.

This week on Newsmakers: exit interviews with two veteran Rhode Island elected officials who are leaving office at the close of 2022, Congressman Jim Langevin and Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. Langevin speaks with 12 News anchor Patrick Little, and Gorbea speaks with 12 News reporter Adriana Rozas Rivera.

This week on Newsmakers: Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence discusses the appointment of his successor, the state of the Church in Rhode Island, the Christmas season and more.

This week on Newsmakers: after eight years in office, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza is preparing to move on. Steph Machado sat down with Elorza in his City Hall office to look back at those eight years, and look ahead to what's next.

This week on Newsmakers: Providence Mayor-elect Brett Smiley discusses his plans for the city when he takes office in January, upcoming negotiations with the universities and the hospitals, housing policy, law enforcement leadership and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Brown University President Christina Paxson discusses the school's ongoing expansion in the Jewelry District, its research collaboration with local hospitals, upcoming financial negotiations with the city and more.

This week on Newsmakers, Matt Santacroce, Chief of the Rhode Island Office of Cannabis Regulation and Interim Deputy Director of the Dept. of Business Regulation, sat down with Tim White and Steph Machado to discuss the state's entry into recreational marijuana sales. On the second half, RI Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff talked about the recent uptick in food insecurity for Rhode Islanders and ways to help.

This week on Newsmakers: Katie Nee Zambrano, campaign manager for Congressman-elect Seth Magaziner, and Bob Walsh, an outside adviser to Gov. Dan McKee, go behind the scenes on their election strategies; on the second half, Joe Fleming joins Tim White and Ted Nesi for a closer look at the final results.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Cara Cromwell and Lisa Pelosi for a political roundtable analyzing the results of the 2022 elections in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers – a debate between the candidates for Rhode Island general treasurer: Democrat James Diossa and Republican James Lathrop. The winner will succeed outgoing Democrat Seth Magaziner, who is term-limited.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers – a debate between the candidates for Bristol County sheriff: Republican incumbent Thomas Hodgson and Democratic challenger Paul Heroux. The winner will serve a six-year term.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Joe Fleming and Lisa Pelosi to break down this week’s 12 News debate for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District between Allan Fung and Seth Magaziner. The panel also looks ahead to next week’s debate for Bristol County sheriff between incumbent Thomas Hodgson and challenger Paul Heroux.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Joe Fleming and Lisa Pelosi to break down this week's 12 News debate for Rhode Island governor between Dan McKee and Ashley Kalus. The panel also looks ahead to next week's 2nd Congressional District debate between Allan Fung and Seth Magaziner.

This week on Newsmakers: a political roundtable breaks down the brand-new 12 News/Roger Williams University poll of Rhode Island voters. Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Joe Fleming and Cara Cromwell.

This week on Newsmakers: Gregg Amore, Democratic nominee for secretary of state and a state representative, discusses what changes he plans to make if elected to replace Nellie Gorbea; on the second half, Common Cause Rhode Island chief John Marion talks about potential improvements to the state's elections administration.

This week on Newsmakers: meet some of the Republicans seeking statewide office in Rhode Island this year. On the first half, GOP gubernatorial nominee Ashley Kalus joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss education, abortion, her critique of Gov. Dan McKee and more; on the second half, GOP lieutenant-governor nominee Aaron Guckian and secretary of state nominee Pat Cortellessa lay out their platforms.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12 Investigator Steph Machado and political strategists Cara Cromwell and Lisa Pelosi to recap this week's Rhode Island primary results and preview the general election campaign.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by political analysts Joe Fleming and Cara Cromwell to break down highlights from this week’s live televised Democratic primary debate for Rhode Island governor on WPRI 12.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by political analysts Joe Fleming and Cara Cromwell to break down highlights from this week’s live televised Democratic primary debate for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District on WPRI 12.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by The Boston Globe's Dan McGowan to break down highlights from this week's live televised debate for Providence mayor on WPRI 12.

This week on Newsmakers: a political roundtable breaks down the latest 12 News/Roger Williams University poll of Democratic primary voters and looks ahead to the November election. Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Joe Fleming, Cyd McKenna and Jeff Grybowski.

This week on Newsmakers: JPMorgan Chase Chairman & CEO Jamie Dimon talks with Ted Nesi about the outlook for the economy and his bank's expansion in Rhode Island; on the second half, Boston Globe political reporter Samantha J. Gross gives a preview of the key races to watch in Massachusetts' Sept. 6 primary election.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers - a debate between the Democratic candidates for Rhode Island general treasurer: James Diossa and Stefan Pryor. Moderated by Tim White and Ted Nesi.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers - a debate between the Democratic candidates for Rhode Island lieutenant governor: Sabina Matos, Cynthia Mendes and Deb Ruggiero. Moderated by Tim White and Ted Nesi.