Newsmakers | WPRI 12 News

This week on Newsmakers: Joe Fleming and Cara Cromwell join Tim White and Ted Nesi to break down the results of Tuesday's special election for Congress in Rhode Island as well as other local and national races.

This week on Newsmakers: Democrat Gabe Amo and Republican Gerry Leonard square off in a debate for next week's special election to represent Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers – a debate between the candidates for Fall River mayor: incumbent Paul Coogan and challenger Sam Sutter. The winner of the Nov. 7 election will serve a two-year term.

This week on Newsmakers: R.I. Cannabis Control Commission Chair Kimberly Ahern discusses the state of the new industry, her agency's efforts to get up and running, safety and more; then, Eli Sherman and Alexandra Leslie join Tim White and Ted Nesi to break down the newly released RICAS standardized test scores.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, discusses the war in Israel, how the U.S. should assist, the risks in the region, Ukraine and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Gerry Leonard, Republican nominee for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District, discusses his campaign, how he'd handle House GOP infighting, and why he wants more debates against Democrat Gabe Amo; on the second half, 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to break down the outlook in the 1st District race as well as upcoming Massachusetts mayoral elections.

This week on Newsmakers: Lifespan President and CEO John Fernandez discusses the future of Rhode Island's biggest hospital group, tensions between him and Providence's mayor over PILOT payments, executive compensation and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health and former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, discusses the new COVID-19 vaccines and reflects on the pandemic; Adam Greenman, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, discusses the Jewish holidays and concerns about rising antisemitism.

This week on Newsmakers: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley discusses his major new agreement with the city's private colleges, his plan to address recent flooding, the response to PVDFest and much more.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Joe Fleming and Cara Cromwell to break down the results of this week's special primary election for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District and look ahead to the general election between Democrat Gabe Amo and Republican Gerry Leonard.

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers: highlights from this week's live primetime WPRI 12 Democratic primary debate for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District, plus a breakdown of what to watch as the votes come in next Tuesday.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and Boston Globe reporter Steph Machado to break down the state of the Democratic primary for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District and preview WPRI 12's live primary debate coming up Tuesday night at 7.

This week on Newsmakers: two Democratic candidates for Congress, Providence City Councilman John Goncalves and former U.S. Navy officer Walter Berbrick, discuss their campaigns and positions on the issues.

This week on Newsmakers: two Democratic candidates for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District, state Sen. Ana Quezada of Providence and state Rep. Stephen Casey of Woonsocket, discuss their campaigns, the big issues in Washington and the controversies affecting their rivals.

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic congressional candidate Gabe Amo on why he's running, the Matos signature scandal, outside money in the 1st District and more; on the second half, Allan Fung and Angel Taveras join Tim White and Ted Nesi to analyze the state of the race and share their experiences running a high-stakes campaign.

This week on Newsmakers: Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, R-North Smithfield, discusses the 1st Congressional District signature scandal, her top legislative priorities, the outlook for the GOP in Rhode Island and more; then, 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and Providence Journal reporter Antonia Noori Farzan join Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss the state of the race for Congress.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha discusses violent crime, drug prosecutions, the ILO Group contract, and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Citizens Financial Group Chairman and CEO Bruce Van Saun discusses the fallout from last spring's banking crisis, where the economy is headed, the future of New England's biggest bank and more.

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.