Newsmakers | WPRI 12 News

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.

This week on Newsmakers: R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha. It was a busy week for the state's top prosecutor that included filing charges against a former North Kingstown basketball coach, and issuing decisions on a case against the governor's former chief of staff, gun laws and more. Neronha also discusses recent Supreme Court decisions and how they affect Rhode Island.

This week on Newsmakers: state Sen. Tiara Mack, D-Providence, discusses her TikTok video that went viral and why she has no regrets about it; then, Steph Machado and Joe Fleming join Tim White and Ted Nesi for a political roundtable.

This week on Newsmakers: Republican congressional candidate Allan Fung. Recent polling shows Fung is a formidable candidate in the race to replace Congressman Jim Langevin. Fung discusses his stances on abortion, gun laws, inflation, energy costs and more.

It was an unusual legislative session for the R.I. General Assembly as lawmakers were dealing with a surplus rather than a deficit while carving the budget. House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, D-Warwick, breaks down the decisions behind why certain bills survived and others failed in the final weeks of the session. He also discusses the upcoming elections, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on abortion, and much more.

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic candidate for general treasurer Stefan Pryor discusses his recent departure as state commerce secretary, his policy ideas and criticism from his opponent; then, Boston Globe reporter Ed Fitzpatrick joins Ted Nesi and Steph Machado for a review of the week in the news.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha discusses the North Kingstown coach scandal, marijuana and gun prosecutions, the ILO Group contract, and more; Target 12 investigator Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to break down the week in the news.

This week on Newsmakers: Joy Fox, a Democratic candidate for Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District, discusses why she’s running to succeed Jim Langevin, gun control measures, inflation, the Supreme Court, and more; on the second half, Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Steph Machado to discuss the state's $13.6 billion budget proposal, the Providence pension vote and the soccer stadium development in Pawtucket.

On Tuesday, Providence voters will be deciding if the city should borrow $515 million to go toward the city's beleaguered pension system. On the first half of Newsmakers, two sides debate the pros and cons of the pension obligation bond. Then, Michael DiBiase of the R.I. Public Expenditure Council discusses how Rhode Island policymakers should approach a recent influx of federal relief aid and tax revenue as lawmakers carve out a state budget.

This week on Newsmakers: Sarah Morgenthau, a Democratic candidate for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District, discusses why she's running to succeed Jim Langevin, the Supreme Court, Biden's record and more; on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the results of the new 12 News/Roger Williams University poll.

This week on Newsmakers: Matt Brown, a Democratic candidate for governor, discusses his campaign platform, his leadership of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, rising inflation and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss, a first-term Democrat, discusses the leaked U.S. Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, the war in Ukraine, economic concerns, Title 42, and the upcoming midterm elections.

This week on Newsmakers: Gonzalo Cuervo, a Democratic candidate for Providence mayor, discusses his pitch to voters, crime, the Superman building deal, housing and more; on the second half, Target 12 investigator Steph Machado joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss Mayor Jorge Elorza's final budget address and Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District race.

This week on Newsmakers: Republican candidate for governor Ashley Kalus talks about why she’s running, where she stands on the issues, and how she managed a $7.9 million state COVID contract.

This week on Newsmakers: Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos talks about kicking off her campaign for a full term, the role she plays in the McKee administration and more; Target 12 investigator Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to break down the newly announced $220 million "Superman" building deal.

This week on Newsmakers: state Rep. Deb Ruggiero, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, discussed why she jumped into the race, how she differs from incumbent Sabina Matos, and more; then, 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to break down the latest fundraising numbers in the 2nd Congressional District race.

This week on Newsmakers: Michelle Wilcox of Crossroads Rhode Island and David Salvatore of the R.I. Association of Realtors discuss the cost crisis in Rhode Island's housing market; on the second half, Target 12's Steph Machado and Eli Sherman join Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss the week in the news.

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic congressional candidate Seth Magaziner, Rhode Island's general treasurer, discusses why he switched out of the governor's race and what he'd do in Washington; outgoing R.I. State Police Col. James Manni reflects on his years leading the agency.

This week on Newsmakers: Marc Parlange, the new president of the University of Rhode Island, discusses his vision for the flagship university, the "blue economy" and COVID-19 protocols; on the second half, Target 12's Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss the North Kingstown schools scandal and the 2nd Congressional District campaign.

This week on Newsmakers: Sue Cienki, chair of the R.I. Republican Party, and Jesus Solorio, the party's new executive director, discuss the GOP's hopes for the 2022 election cycle locally; Lifespan President and CEO Dr. Timothy Babineau lays out the future of Rhode Island's biggest hospital group after a failed merger effort.

This week on Newsmakers: Care New England President and CEO James Fanale on what's next for the No. 2 Rhode Island hospital group after its failed merger with Lifespan; then, Steph Machado and Joe Fleming join Tim White and Ted Nesi for a roundtable on the week's headlines.

One of the first Democrats to announce a run to replace Congressman Jim Langevin, former state Rep. Ed Pacheco discusses why he is seeking a congressional seat and where he stands on the pressing issues. Then, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This week on Newsmakers: Attorney General Peter Neronha explains why he denied a merger proposal by top hospital groups Lifespan and Care New England, how he views the future of Rhode Island health care, and other issues his office is tackling.

This week on Newsmakers: R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green discusses the coming end of the statewide school mask mandate, what the state-controlled Providence schools will do, and the long-term effects of the pandemic; on the second half, Target 12 investigator Steph Machado joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to review the week in the news.

Congressman Jim Langevin's retirement announcement took many by surprise, including many members of his own party. What the landscape looks like right now to replace him in the 2nd Congressional District, and how it impacts the Democratic primary for governor -- joining Tim White and Ted Nesi for a political roundtable are Target 12 Investigator Steph Machado and 12 News Political Analyst Joe Fleming.

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic Congressman Jim Langevin discusses his surprise decision to retire from Congress after 11 terms, the crowded field of potential candidates to replace him, and the latest happenings on Capitol Hill.

This week on Newsmakers: Brown University President Christina Paxson discusses how her school is handling the latest COVID surge, the Lifespan-Care New England hospital merger, Brown's growing endowment and more.

One year ago this week, a mob of rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol in Washington, assaulting Capitol Police officers. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse was at the Capitol that day and recalls his experience, then reflects on the state of the country and how divided the nation is one year later.

This week on Newsmakers: Dale Venturini, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, discusses how restaurants are handling the latest coronavirus surge; Dr. Megan Ranney, a Rhode Island emergency doctor and Brown University professor, breaks down the latest CDC guidance and the situation in local hospitals.

With the omicron variant sweeping across the globe, Dr. Philip Chan, the consulting medical director for the RI Department of Health, discusses the state of COVID in the Ocean State and the outlook for 2022. Then - ending the year on an uplifting note - 12 News anchor Danielle North brings us her 12 on 12 Digital Original: Holiday Rhode.

This week on Newsmakers: Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence Thomas Tobin. Ahead of Christmas Week, the bishop discusses how the Diocese of Providence has been affected by the pandemic, internal church debates, and the outlook for 2022.

This week on Newsmakers: two top physicians at the Lifespan hospital group – Dr. Mitchell Levy, director of critical care medicine, and Dr. Stephen Traub, an emergency medicine physician – discuss Rhode Island’s coronavirus surge and the health care staffing shortage; then, a recap of the latest data on the pandemic locally and Gov. Dan McKee’s response.

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic candidate for governor Helena Foulkes talks about why she’s running, where she stands on the issues, and what she did as a top CVS executive in her first television interview since launching her campaign.

This week on Newsmakers: Professors Teresa McCarthy Byrne of Bryant University and Diane McCrohan of Johnson & Wales University examine the outlook for the holiday shopping season, how the pandemic has changed retail, and supply-chain issues. Then on the second half, the Rhode Island Food Policy Council’s Nessa Richman and Jazandra Barros discuss their organization’s efforts to expand the local food ecosystem.

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic candidate for governor Seth Magaziner. The second-term general treasurer discusses his vision for Rhode Island on issues including health care, energy and federal relief funding. He also responds to criticism from his rivals.

R.I. Republican Party Chair Sue Cienki talks about the outlook for the GOP in the 2022 elections; then, Steph Machado and Eli Sherman discuss the controversies in the North Kingstown School Department and at Providence City Hall.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO Neil Steinberg discusses his organization's newly released recommendations for spending the state's $1.1 billion American Rescue Plan Act allocation. Then on the second half, two local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs leaders -- Larry Connell, director of the VA Providence Healthcare System, and E.J. McQuade, executive director of the Veterans Benefits Administration's Providence office -- explain how their agencies seek to help veterans.

This week on Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates for Fall River mayor, incumbent Paul Coogan and challenger Cliff Ponte. The pair spar over city finances, marijuana regulations, campaign controversies and much more. The city election is Nov. 2.

This week on Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates for mayor of Attleboro. Incumbent Paul Heroux, who is seeking a third term as mayor, faces challenger Todd McGhee. The candidates sparred over rodent infestations, federal pandemic relief funds, pension debt, politics, the Attleboro High School mascot and more.

With Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza term-limited, several candidates have thrown their hat into the ring, including Ward 3 City Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune. She discusses city violence, the unfunded pension liability and more. Then the executive director of the Latino Policy Institute, Marcela Bentancur, talks about her organization's 15th anniversary and the increase in the Hispanic population in Rhode Island.

Providence City Council President John Igliozzi on the increase in shootings and homicides in the city, a controversial police hire, what the city plans to do with an influx in federal COVID relief funds and more. Then, Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Steph Machado to break down a series of State House hearings focused on a controversial taxpayer-funded contract awarded to a new firm with political connections.

In the coming weeks, Rhode Island lawmakers will be considering how more than $1 billion in federal coronavirus aid money should be spent. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ryan Pearson, D-Cumberland, discusses the process moving forward, and questions he wants answered surrounding a controversial multimillion-dollar state contract that is being paid for with those funds. Then Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the latest in the 2022 governor's race.

This week on Newsmakers: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. A Democrat first elected in 2011, Mitchell talks about the struggle to increase vaccination rates in his city, the challenging facing the fishing industry, offshore wind, his own political future and more.

This week on Newsmakers: state Rep. Gregg Amore, D-East Providence, discusses his newly launched campaign for Rhode Island secretary of state; Shannon Buss and David Salvatore of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors break down the latest trends in the state's housing market.

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., talks with Ted Nesi about the budget talks on Capitol Hill, America's exit from Afghanistan, and her political future; Matt Newell, whose mother Renee died on Sept. 11, looks back with Mike Montecalvo in Newell's first sit-down interview about the topic.

Steph Machado interviews the acting superintendent of Providence schools, Dr. Javier Montañez; Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the controversy involving the governor's now-former chief of staff.

Among President Joe Biden's most vocal supporters of the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan is U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Massachusetts. Auchincloss served in Afghanistan as a U.S. Marine in 2012, and said Biden's decision was the right one, though the execution of the plan could have gone smoother. Auchincloss also weighed in on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and what it could mean to towns in his district including Attleboro, Taunton and parts of Fall River.

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, discusses the chaotic American evacuation of Afghanistan and whether President Biden made a mistake ordering the withdrawal. The fourth-term Rhode Island Democrat also looks back at why the U.S. mission struggled and what he learned during his 18 visits to the country since 2001.

This week on Newsmakers: Tom McCarthy, executive director of Rhode Island's COVID-19 response, lays out the state's strategy to deal with the delta variant and open schools; Ben Downing, a Democratic candidate for Massachusetts governor, explains why he's running for the state's top job.

This week on Newsmakers: Brett Smiley, candidate for mayor of Providence, discusses rising concerns about violent incidents in the city and other policy issues; Target 12 investigator Eli Sherman shares an update on the latest coronavirus trends in Rhode Island.