Newsmakers | WPRI 12 News

7/3/2024: Newport's Mayor Xay; RIDOT Director Alviti

This week on Newsmakers: Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong discusses the summer tourism season, housing and short-term rentals, Easton's Beach, the new Rogers High School and more; then, Kim Kalunian's one-on-one with RIDOT Director Peter Alviti from Tuesday's edition of 12 News at 4.

6/28/2024: Political roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and political strategist Cara Cromwell to examine what Joe Biden's widely criticized debate performance means for the presidential race and break down the new poll of Rhode Island voters by Salve's Pell Center.

6/21/2024: Speaker Shekarchi

This week on Newsmakers: House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, D-Warwick, discusses the end of the legislative session, a last-minute deal to keep Citizens Bank in Rhode Island, accessory dwelling units, public records, the next election and more.

6/14/2024: Sen. DiPalma; reporters roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Lou DiPalma, D-Middletown, discusses the end of this year's legislative session, the new state budget, public records and more; then, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Ian Donnis of The Public's Radio and Nancy Lavin of Rhode Island Current to break down what passed and what didn't as the General Assembly wrapped up for the year.

6/7/2024: Reporters roundtable; D-Day

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by The Boston Globe's Steph Machado and The Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson for a breakdown of the new state budget bill and what's on the table in the final days of Rhode Island's General Assembly session; then, 99-year-old Woonsocket veteran Richard Fazzio shares his memories of taking part in D-Day on the 80th anniversary of the invasion.

5/31/2024: Mayor Smiley

This week on Newsmakers: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley discusses the future of the state-controlled city schools, negotiations with top hospital group Lifespan, the housing crisis, safety on North Main Street, Pride month and more.

5/24/2024: Neil Steinberg; Eva-Marie Mancuso

This week on Newsmakers: Neil Steinberg, chair of the new R.I. Life Science Hub, discusses a new push led by House Speaker Joe Shekarchi to expand the industry in Rhode Island; then, Chafee Center director Eva-Marie Mancuso discusses Bryant's 38th World Trade Day and the future of the state's economy.

5/16/2024: John Marion; reporters roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: Common Cause Rhode Island executive director John Marion discusses controversy over the LEOBOR reform bill, public records, court magistrates and more; then, Target 12's Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to break down the U.S. attorney's accusations against the R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families.

5/10/2024: Secretary Amore; reporter roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: Secretary of State Gregg Amore discusses cleaning up the voter rolls, beefing up the signature process, his proposed State Archives building and more; then, Target 12's Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss the new $455 million estimate for the cost of closing and rebuilding the westbound Washington Bridge.

5/3/2024: Helena Foulkes

The former CVS executive discusses her second-place finish in the 2022 Democratic primary for governor, whether she's running again, the future of RIPTA and more.

4/26/2024: Political roundtable; Philip Eil

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and The Boston Globe's Steph Machado to break down new poll numbers on Rhode Island politicians; then, Providence author Philip Eil discusses his new book "Prescription for Pain."

4/19/2024: Mayor Jon Mitchell

This week on Newsmakers: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell discusses the latest South Coast Rail delay, the outlook for offshore wind, his recent trip to Israel, challenges downtown and more.

4/12/2024: Councilwoman Peterson; Director Alviti

This week on Newsmakers: Providence City Councilwoman Shelley Peterson talks with Alexandra Leslie about her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis; R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti talks with Kim Kalunian about what's next on the Washington Bridge crisis.

4/5/2024: Congressman Magaziner

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner, a first-term Democrat, discusses the war in Israel, chaos in the U.S. House, the November election, the Washington Bridge, his upcoming paternity leave and more.

3/29/2024: Heather Singleton; Rep. Thompson

3/22/2024: Transportation Sec'y. Pete Buttigieg

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sits down one-on-one with Ted Nesi to discuss the Washington Bridge crisis; Attorney General Peter Neronha talks with Kim Kalunian about the federal investigation into the bridge and more; then, Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the outlook for federal funding.

3/15/2024: Ken Block; bridge roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: Ken Block, author of the new book "Disproven" and former candidate for Rhode Island governor, talks about what he found examining the 2020 election results for the Trump campaign; on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12's Eli Sherman and Rhode Island Current's Nancy Lavin to break down the announcement that the Washington Bridge must be demolished and rebuilt.

3/8/2024: Sens. Ruggerio and Pearson

This week on Newsmakers: Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson. The Senate’s two top Democrats discuss the Washington Bridge crisis, the new package of health bills, their political futures and more.

Newsmakers 3/1/2024: Housing Crisis

This week on Newsmakers: highlights from Target 12's weeklong investigation of Rhode Island's housing crisis, including an extended interview with Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor.

2/23/2024: US Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse discusses his recent trip to the Munich Security Conference, the wars in Ukraine and Israel, fixing the Washington Bridge, immigration and more.

2/16/2024: Rep. Chippendale; reporters roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: R.I. House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, R-Foster, discuses the nearly four-hour oversight hearing about the Washington Bridge, health care, the Act on Climate, Donald Trump and more; on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12's Eli Sherman to break down the latest headlines on the bridge crisis and the Pawtucket soccer stadium project.

2/9/2024: Congressman Auchincloss

Congressman Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., discusses concerns about President Biden, aid to Israel, the collapse of the border bill, the Washington Bridge crisis and more.

2/2/2024: Mayor DaSilva; bridge update

This week on Newsmakers: East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva discusses the latest on the Washington Bridge crisis, whether he expects a complete rebuild, police discipline, housing and more; on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12's Eli Sherman and Rhode Island Current's Nancy Lavin to break down the release of internal RIDOT emails about the bridge closure.

1/26/2024: Gov. McKee; Director Alviti

This week on Newsmakers: Kim Kalunian sits down with Gov. Dan McKee and R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti to discuss the Washington Bridge crisis and other news of the week.

1/19/2024: Everything you need to know about the RI budget

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Steph Machado of The Boston Globe and Nancy Lavin of Rhode Island Current to break down Gov. Dan McKee's newly released $13.7 billion state budget plan.

1/12/2024: AG Neronha

This week on Newsmakers: Attorney General Peter Neronha discusses his concerns about the state's health care system and potential solutions, his conflict with a local judge, social media, major investigations, his political future and more.

1/5/2024: Speaker Shekarchi

This week on Newsmakers: House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, D-Warwick, discusses his push to lower housing costs in Rhode Island, the state budget outlook, health care, the new Life Sciences Hub, who's running in 2026 and more.

12/29/2023: New Year's roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: a New Year's reporters roundtable looks back at the top local news of 2023 and ahead to what will make headlines in 2024. Ted Nesi is joined by Eli Sherman, Antonia Noori Farzan and Ian Donnis.

12/22/2023: Bishop Richard Henning

This week on Newsmakers: Roman Catholic Bishop of the Providence Diocese Richard Henning. After taking over for Bishop Thomas Tobin this past year, Henning discusses what he has learned about the church in Rhode Island as he works to form his vision for the Diocese. He discusses the new guidance from the Vatican on same sex couples, and the financial state of the diocese, including the outlook for church closings.

12/15/2023: Congressman Amo

This week on Newsmakers: Congressman Gabe Amo discusses his first month in the U.S. House, the Washington Bridge crisis, debates over Israel and antisemitism, immigration negotiations and more. The newly elected Democrat won a special election last month.

12/8/2023: Secretary Amore; reporter roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: Secretary of State Gregg Amore discusses preparations for the 2024 election, early voting, recruiting poll workers, the State Archives and more; on the second half, Target 12's Eli Sherman and The Boston Globe's Steph Machado join Ted Nesi to discuss the news of the week (including Taylor Swift).

12/1/2023: Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor

This week on Newsmakers: Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor discusses Providence's highest-in-the-nation rent increases, Rhode Island's low rate of new construction, winter shelter, the Superman building, the old Memorial Hospital and much more.

11/22/2023: Pell Center’s political survey, Status report on hunger

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: Katie Langford Sonder, the associate director of the Pell Center at Salve Regina University, discusses the results of a new survey examining Rhode Islanders’ attitudes toward the state of democracy, political polarization, news consumption and more. On the second half: RI Community Food Bank’s CEO Andrew Schiff on their Status Report on Hunger.

11/16/2023: Richard Licht; James Fanale

This week on Newsmakers: two extended interviews with prominent local leaders who've faced adversity. On the first half, Tim White sits down with Superior Court Judge Richard Licht to discuss the severe injuries he sustained when he was struck by a Jeep crossing Smith Street, and his road to recovery; on the second half, former Care New England CEO Dr. James Fanale discusses his cancer diagnosis and what it's taught him about the medical system.

11/9/2023: Post-election roundtable

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.

Campaign 2023 Debate: RI 1st Congressional District

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.

Campaign 2023 Debate: Fall River Mayor

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.

10/20/2023: Cannabis Commission's Kimberly Ahern; RICAS roundtable

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.

10/13/2023: US Sen. Jack Reed

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.

10/6/2023: Gerry Leonard; political roundtable

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.

9/29/2023: Lifespan CEO John Fernandez

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.

9/22/2023: Dr. Ashish Jha; Adam Greenman

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.

9/15/2023: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley

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.

9/8/2023: Primary election analysis

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.

9/1/2023: Congressional debate recap

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.

8/25/2023: Congressional debate preview

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.

8/18/2023: Councilman Goncalves; Walter Berbrick

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.

8/11/2023: Sen. Quezada; Rep. Casey

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.

8/4/2023: Gabe Amo; Fung & Taveras

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.

7/28/2023: Sen. Jessica de la Cruz; political roundtable

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.