The News with Gene Valicenti

State Senator Lou Raptakis joined Gene Thursday to discuss his push to enhance penalties for drunk driving offenses. Among the bills being pushed would be harsher penalties for drunk driving resulting in death. Senator Raptakis also lays out his plan to crack down on panhandling across the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rhode Island Registrar Bud Craddock joins Gene for the monthly Ask the Registry segment. Director answers all your questions concerning registration, titles, transfers and more. The next Ask the Registry will be May 4th, 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday, Ken Block announced he will be running as an Independent in the 2026 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race. Block previously ran as Republican candidate in a past Gubernatorial election and lost. Allyn Myers is the new Chairman of the GOP in Rhode Island and reacts to the recent news with Gene. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Dan McKee joins Gene to discuss the launch of Real Housewives of Rhode Island and the perception it leaves of the Ocean State. The sitting Governor also talks to Gene about Ken Block's insertion into the Gubernatorial race and other top issues ahead of election season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GOP Gubernatorial candidate in Rhode Island Aaron Guckian joins Gene to discuss the recent addition of Independent candidate Ken Block to the 2026 Governors Race. Guckian also discusses challengers in the Republican primary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Science Professor Wendy Schiller, Brown University, joins Gene to discuss local and national politics. Professor Schiller talks to Gene about Congressman Seth Magaziner ending up on TMZ for hosting a Real Housewives of Rhode Island watch party during the on going Government Shutdown. Wendy and Gene also talk about the recent Providence controversy surrounding the mural of Iryna Zarutska being taken down outside of the Dark Lady following criticism from Brett Smiley and other leaders.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Dan McKee joins Gene Valicenti in studio to talk about the millionaires tax and other timely issues. Governor McKee also takes your calls on this Friday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, CBS corporate leaders announced the ending of the company's radio division, CBS Radio Network. Michael Harrison of Talkers Magaziner discusses the implications behind this decision and what it means for the radio industry as a whole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley takes your calls and questions during the monthly Ask The Mayor segment. Mayor Smiley also responds to recent criticism about his handling of snow and other city issues from his Democratic Mayoral opponent, State Rep. David Morales. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents exiting Massachusetts took a net of $4.2 billion in adjusted gross income with them in 2023, one of the largest totals in the country, after a tax on millionaires took effect.  A similar millionaires tax proposal is working its way through the legislature in Rhode Island. Former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino joined Gene to discuss his objection to the tax and how it can hurt the Ocean State.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone joins the show to talk about changes coming to Capron ZooSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former City Councilor and now Executive Director at the Providence Foundation, David Salvatore joins the show to talk about rent stabilization in Providence.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to a new report, OnlyFans spending in Massachusetts is over 55 million dollars. Creators can be found all over New England, even here in Rhode Island. Ivy Carmella talks to Gene about how she got into OnlyFans and how muc she makes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RIDMV Director Walter Craddock joins the show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AG Peter Neronha joins the show with reaction to yesterdays report on abuse within the Providence Diocese See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harry Kazianis from the National Security Journal joins the show to talk about the latest on the strikes in Iran See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley talks about snow clean up in the aftermath of the Blizzard of 2026 and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashley Kalus joins the show to talk about her thoughts on the election for Governor in 2026 and moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brown University Professor Wendy Schiller joins the show to talk about the latest on the strikes in Iran and Hilary Clinton's testimony regarding the Epstein files See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Dan McKee joins the show to talk about clean up efforts in the aftermath of the Blizzard of 2026, Energy bills, polling heading into the 2026 election, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell joins the show to provide and update on snow clean upSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan provides and update on snow clean up See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.