Newsmakers | WPRI 12 News

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff discusses how the pandemic has affected the most vulnerable; 12 News reporter Steph Machado gets the latest on coronavirus with Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health.

On the first half, Care New England President and CEO Dr. James Fanale on what he is seeing in his hospitals, then Dr. Otis Warren, the R.I. head of the American College of Emergency Physicians, on the lack of testing for frontline healthcare workers. Then Ted Nesi and Eli Sherman join Tim White for an in-depth look at COVID-19 data they have been tracking since the beginning of the pandemic.

After R.I. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello lost reelection, the Democratic caucus threw their support behind Warwick State Rep. Joseph Shekarchi as their new leader, and State Rep. Christopher Blazejewski, D-Providence, as the new majority leader. Shekarchi and Blazejewski talk about their vision of the House and when the state will tackle the daunting state budget.

After an intense week of vote counting in the national election, a political roundtable breaks down key elements from the race. Joining Tim White and Ted Nesi are Stephanie Murray of Politico Massachusetts and 12 News Political Analyst Joe Fleming. Then Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the results from the race where Barbara Ann Fenton Fung defeated House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello.

This week on Newsmakers: a debate for the Massachusetts 4th Congressional District between Democrat Jake Auchincloss and Republican Julie Hall. The seat is opening up after incumbent Democrat Joe Kennedy moved on to run for U.S. Senate.

This week on Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates running for R.I. House District 15 in Cranston, Democratic Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Republican challenger Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. Mattiello has held the seat since 2006 and been speaker since 2014; Fenton-Fung is a first-time candidate and the first lady of Cranston.

This week on Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates running for Cranston mayor, Democrat Maria Bucci and Republican Ken Hopkins. (Incumbent Allan Fung is leaving office after 12 years due to term limits.)

his week on Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates running for Warwick mayor, incumbent Democrat Joseph Solomon and independent challenger Frank Picozzi. Solomon has been mayor since 2018 and was formerly president of the Warwick City Council; Picozzi was previously chairman of the Warwick School Committee.

On the first half of Newsmakers, a political roundtable breaks down a raucous debate between President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger former Vice President Joe Biden. Tim White is joined by 12 News Politics Editor Ted Nesi, Stephanie Murray, author of Politico Massachusetts, and 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming. Then Anita Baffoni sits down with Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on executing an election during a pandemic.

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who is now a senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, discusses the looming Supreme Court confirmation fight to replace the late Justice Ginsburg. Then Tim White and Ted Nesi discuss the week in politics, including an upcoming trial that could include some key General Assembly figures.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers, Democratic state senate candidates Tiara Mack and Cynthia Mendes on their progressive policy goals, and why they want to see a leadership change in the general assembly. Then House Minority Leader Blake Filippi on the GOP's hopes to expand their footprint in the legislature.

Attorney General Peter Neronha discusses his office's role in police use of force investigations and where he stands on officer worn body camera. Then John Marion of Common Cause R.I. on what Primary Day means for the November elections and how things might be improved.

With Massachusetts voters set to go to the polls on Tuesday - and thousands of mail ballots already cast - Newsmakers takes a look at two hotly contested races in the Commonwealth: The matchup between incumbent Senator Ed Markey and Challenger Congressman Joe Kennedy, as well as the race to replace Kennedy in the 4th District of Massachusetts. The first half is a potion of a debate moderated by Ted Nesi and hosted by Stonehill College among the 4th Congressional candidates. On the second half Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Prod. Shannon Jenkins of UMass Dartmouth, and Stephanie Murray, Author of Politico Massachusetts' Playbook.

Gov. Gina Raimondo looks back at thee state’s response to the pandemic over the last six months, weighs in on what schools may look like opening up, unemployment, nursing homes, politics and more. The interview with Tim White was conducted in the state room of the R.I. State House.

Common Cause R.I. Executive Director John Marion tells Tim White why his organization is suing the state of Rhode Island over mail ballots. Then Steph Machado interviews Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza as part of her new program "The Pulse of Providence."

Tim White discusses what school reopening may look like with teacher's union leader Robert Walsh of the National Education Association of R.I.'s Executive Director Robert Walsh. Then Ted Nesi talks to Ihssane Leckey about why she wants to replace U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy in congress.

This week on Newsmakers: Dr. Ashish Jha of the Harvard Global Health Institute, who is taking over as dean of Brown University's School of Public Health this fall, breaks down the latest on coronavirus; Michael DiBiase, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure council, gives his take on the state budget outlook.

his week on Newsmakers: an exit interview with two departing college presidents. First, in an interview with WPRI 12 anchor Mike Montecalvo, Father Brian Shanley - the longest serving president of Providence College - reflects on his 15 years at the helm of P.C., and what he plans to do next. Then on the second half, reporter Kait Walsh sits down with retiring Bryant University president Ron Machtley on the biggest achievements and challenges he faces in 24 years at the Smithfield campus.

R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green discusses her new plan to turn around the Providence school system and weighs in on what K-12 public schools could look like when they reconvene in the fall. She addresses the challenges of reopening during a pandemic, from class sizes to transportation.

This week on Newsmakers: state Sen. Harold Metts, D-Providence. Metts weighs in on the chances of his push to remove “and Providence Plantations” from the state’s name, an idea that was rejected by voters 10 years ago. He also discusses his bill that would examine overhauling the controversial Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, and his perspective on the protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd.

Incumbent U.S. Senator Ed Markey faced off against his challenger Congressman Joe Kennedy Monday night in the WPRI 12 studios. This week on Newsmakers, highlights from the hourlong debate, moderated by Tim White and Ted Nesi.

Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by UMass Dartmouth professor Shannon Jenkins and Politico Massachusetts editor Stephanie Murray to preview Monday’s WPRI 12 U.S. Senate primary debate between Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy; then, Tim and Ted recap the week’s news in Rhode Island.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers, R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha. The judiciary has quietly been coming back up to speed as the rest of the state slowly reopens. Neronha discusses the grand jury process in the pandemic and the types of cases his office is seeing. Then Ted Nesi joins Tim White to discuss the week in news, including the upcoming Phase 2 of reopening.

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, discusses his primary race against challenger Congressman Joe Kennedy III, the coronavirus crisis, and prospects for another stimulus bill in Washington. On the second half, WPRI 12 politics editor Ted Nesi joins Tim White live from the State House for a breakdown of the week's headlines in Rhode Island.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: R.I. Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey, D-Warwick. Leader McCaffrey talks about the steep budget challenges ahead for the general assembly and what is on the table to make up for a projected $800 budget shortfall. Then Ted Nesi joins Tim White live from the state house to break down the week in news including a new setup for reporters covering the governor's daily press briefing.

Congressman David Cicilline joins Tim White via Zoom to discuss plans for another federal aid package. Cicilline is calling for hazard pay for frontline workers and money for struggling municipalities to help balance their budgets. Then Ted Nesi joins Tim White live from the State House to talk about a rocky week in COVID-19 data from state health officials.

With the crushing effect of COVID-19 on the nursing home population, Tim White interviews the head of the R.I. Health Care Association, Scott Fraser. His group represents 64 of the 81 nursing homes in Rhode Island. Fraser discusses the need for a "strike team" to help staff nursing homes. Then Ted Nesi joins Tim White to discuss a new Bryant University poll that looks at voter's opinion of the governor's job performance during the crisis.

R.I. Dept. of Administration Director Brett Smiley discusses running state government during a pandemic, if furloughs are a possibility for state workers, and how federal emergency aid is being spent. Then Ted Nesi joins Tim White live from the State House to break down the week in news including the governor releasing Coronavirus projections.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers R.I. Gen. Treasurer Seth Magaziner discusses the options for small businesses who have been hit hard during the pandemic, and how much borrowing state government has done to stay afloat. Then Ted Nesi joins Tim White live from the State House to discuss the week in news and the pandemic's impact on politics.

his week on the first half of Newsmakers, R.I. Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea talks to Tim White live from the State House about what the pandemic means for the elections calendar, and how open meetings are getting impacted. Then Eyewitness News Politics Editor Ted Nesi breaks down a chaotic week of news, including answers to common questions from those on unemployment.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: the CEO's of the state's largest hospital groups; Dr. Tim Babineau of Lifespan and Dr. James Fanale of Care New England, discuss their preparedness for dealing with COVID-19. Then Ted Nesi live from the State House about the politics of a pandemic.

Congressman David Cicilline. With federal lawmakers proposing various stimulus packages, Cicilline discusses what he thinks is the best plan for the country and Rhode Island.

In this Newsmakers podcast extra, Massachusetts Congressman Joe Kennedy III talks with Ted Nesi about the response to COVID-19 in Washington and what needs to happen next, as well as how it's affecting his Senate bid.

WPRI reporters Tim White, Ted Nesi, Steph Machado and Eli Sherman break down the evolving development throughout the week on the coronavirus.

This week on Newsmakers: a breakdown of the Super Tuesday presidential primary. Joining Tim White and Ted Nesi are Mike Raia, communications strategist for Nail[PR], political analyst Lisa Pelosi, and Joe Fleming, political analyst for Eyewitness News. The panel discusses Joe Biden's surge and why Sen. Elizabeth Warren failed to gain traction. They also look ahead to Michigan, and whether Sen. Bernie Sanders can again take the state like he did in 2016.

This week on Newsmakers: a closer look at how the coronavirus could affect Southern New England with R.I. Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott; plus, Tim White and Ted Nesi pose your questions about the outbreak to Brown University's Dr. Adam Levine and Rhode Island Hospital's Dr. Selim Sooner.

This week on Newsmakers: Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien discusses the new report about the closure of Memorial Hospital, the Tidewater Landing project and his own political future; Stephanie Murray of Politico Massachusetts and Michael Goodman of UMass Dartmouth break down a busy week in Massachusetts politics.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO Neil Steinberg discusses its new long-term strategy documents about education and health care; a political roundtable breaks down the New Hampshire primary results.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: Democratic presidential hopeful Mike Bloomberg and Gov. Gina Raimondo talk with WPRI 12 politics editor Ted Nesi about her decision to endorse him. Then political analysts Joe Fleming and Lisa Pelosi join the panel to break down the latest news in the presidential race.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: R.I. Convention Center Authority Ex. Director Jim McCarvill. In the wake of a controversial audit ordered by House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, McCarvill weighs in on why he thinks the audit was ordered and the ensuing state police probe. On the second half: State Sen. Ryan Pearson. A new report from a special Senate task force focused on how the state spends $1 billion in education funding each year. Pearson discusses the list of recommendations which will likely lead to series of bills in the coming months.

This week on Newsmakers: Democrat Becky Grossman, a candidate for Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District and Newton city councilor, discusses her campaign to succeed Joe Kennedy III. She is one of seven Democrats who are currently in the race, along with Jake Auchincloss, Dave Cavell, Alan Khazei, Ihssane Leckey, Jesse Mermell and Ben Sigel. On the second half, a reporter roundtable featuring Steph Machado, Eli Sherman and Dan McGowan breaks down the week’s headlines at the Rhode Island State House and Providence City Hall.

This week on Newsmakers: R.I. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. The state's top lawmaker is already bristling over Gov. Gina Raimondo's budget proposal. Mattiello, D-Cranston, discusses how he opposes adult marijuana legalization this year, but may be open to it down the road. And he responds to questions about why he ordered an audit of the R.I. Convention Center at the same time one of his friends is in the middle of a personnel investigation.

This week on Newsmakers: House Minority Leader Blake Filippi, R-New Shoreham, discusses the Republican policy agenda for 2020 at the State House and whether he'll run for governor; Warwick Beacon publisher John Howell reflects on his 50 years running the biweekly newspaper.

This week on Newsmakers: a political roundtable examines 2020. Joining Tim White and Ted Nesi are Eyewitness News Political Analyst Joe Fleming along with political analysts Lisa Pelosi and Joy Fox. The panel looks at the upcoming election year from a national and local perspective, and what policies the governor and General Assembly may tackle in the new legislative session.

This week on Newsmakers: Eyewitness News anchor Kim Kalunian conducts a year-end interview with Gov. Gina Raimondo, who reflects on the ups and downs of 2019 and reveals what she will be pushing in 2020.

This week on Newsmakers: Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence Thomas Tobin discusses his recent meeting with Pope Francis in Rome, the ongoing Catholic sex abuse crisis, declining Mass attendance and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Brett Johnson, founder and principal of Fortuitous Partners, discusses his $400 million proposed soccer complex for Pawtucket; Care New England President and CEO Dr. James Fanale discusses the possibility of renewed hospital merger talks with Lifespan.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: Jesse Mermell, a Democratic candidate for Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District, discusses her campaign to succeed Congressman Joe Kennedy. She is one of six Democrats who are currently in the race, along with Jake Auchincloss, Dave Cavell, Becky Grossman, Alan Khazei and Ihssane Leckey. Then on the second half, a reporter roundtable discusses the $400 million proposed Pawtucket soccer development.

Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff, and the executive director of Meals on Wheels Rhode Island Meghan Grady. Despite the good economy, Rhode Island is still seeing thousands of families who need food assistance. Schiff and Grady discuss the demand they’re seeing. On the second half of Newsmakers: Ted Nesi interviews Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza on the 20th anniversary of the Providence Place Mall.

The leader of Rhode Island's Ivy League institution since 2012, Paxson discusses the state of higher education in America, the Varsity Blues scandal, the ongoing drama in Rhode Island's hospital sector, and the Providence schools takeover.