Newsmakers | WPRI 12 News

5/18/2023: RI Foundation CEO Neil Steinberg

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.

5/12/2023: Aaron Regunberg, candidate for Congress

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.

5/5/2023: Political roundtable; US Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

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.

4/28/2023: RWU Law Dean Gregory Bowman, Common Cause RI

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.

3/21/2023: Attorney General Peter Neronha

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.

4/14/2023: Congressman Jake Auchincloss

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.

4/7/2023: Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, candidate for Congress

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.

3/31/23: 195 Commission Chair Marc Crisafulli; reporters' roundtable

3/24/2023: Sen. Sandra Cano; election update

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.

3/17/2023: Treasurer Diossa; reporters' roundtable

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.

3/10/2023: Chief Oscar Perez

The new colonel of the Providence Police Department sits down with Target 12's Steph Machado.

3/3/2023: Mayor Grebien; race for Congress

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.

2/24/2023: Congressman Cicilline; special election preview

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.

2/17/2023: 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 their priorities for 2023, lowering the state sales tax, their political futures and more.

2/10/2023: US Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

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.

2/3/2023: Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo

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.

1/27/2023: Prov. Police Col. Hugh Clements

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.

01/20/2023: Congressman Magaziner

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.

1/13/2023: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell

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.

1/6/2023: Speaker Shekarchi

12/30/2022: Langevin; Gorbea

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.

12/21/2022: Bishop Tobin

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.

12/16/2022: Elorza - 'The Exit Interview'

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.

12/9/2022: Mayor-elect Brett Smiley

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.

12/2/2022: Brown Pres. Christina Paxson

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.

11/23/2022: Recreational cannabis, food insecurity

This week on Newsmakers, Matt Santacroce, Chief of the Rhode Island Office of Cannabis Regulation and Interim Deputy Director of the Dept. of Business Regulation, sat down with Tim White and Steph Machado to discuss the state's entry into recreational marijuana sales. On the second half, RI Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff talked about the recent uptick in food insecurity for Rhode Islanders and ways to help.

11/18/2022: Inside the winning campaigns

This week on Newsmakers: Katie Nee Zambrano, campaign manager for Congressman-elect Seth Magaziner, and Bob Walsh, an outside adviser to Gov. Dan McKee, go behind the scenes on their election strategies; on the second half, Joe Fleming joins Tim White and Ted Nesi for a closer look at the final results.

11/11/2022: Post-Election Political Roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Cara Cromwell and Lisa Pelosi for a political roundtable analyzing the results of the 2022 elections in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Campaign 2022 Debate: RI General Treasurer

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers – a debate between the candidates for Rhode Island general treasurer: Democrat James Diossa and Republican James Lathrop. The winner will succeed outgoing Democrat Seth Magaziner, who is term-limited.

Campaign 2022 Debate: Bristol County Sheriff

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers – a debate between the candidates for Bristol County sheriff: Republican incumbent Thomas Hodgson and Democratic challenger Paul Heroux. The winner will serve a six-year term.

10/21/2022: RI congressional debate recap

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Joe Fleming and Lisa Pelosi to break down this week’s 12 News debate for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District between Allan Fung and Seth Magaziner. The panel also looks ahead to next week’s debate for Bristol County sheriff between incumbent Thomas Hodgson and challenger Paul Heroux.

10/14/2022: RI governor debate recap

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Joe Fleming and Lisa Pelosi to break down this week's 12 News debate for Rhode Island governor between Dan McKee and Ashley Kalus. The panel also looks ahead to next week's 2nd Congressional District debate between Allan Fung and Seth Magaziner.

10/7/2022: 12 News/RWU Poll Roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: a political roundtable breaks down the brand-new 12 News/Roger Williams University poll of Rhode Island voters. Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Joe Fleming and Cara Cromwell.

9/30/2022: Gregg Amore; John Marion

This week on Newsmakers: Gregg Amore, Democratic nominee for secretary of state and a state representative, discusses what changes he plans to make if elected to replace Nellie Gorbea; on the second half, Common Cause Rhode Island chief John Marion talks about potential improvements to the state's elections administration.

9/23/2022: Ashley Kalus; Guckian, Cortellessa

This week on Newsmakers: meet some of the Republicans seeking statewide office in Rhode Island this year. On the first half, GOP gubernatorial nominee Ashley Kalus joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss education, abortion, her critique of Gov. Dan McKee and more; on the second half, GOP lieutenant-governor nominee Aaron Guckian and secretary of state nominee Pat Cortellessa lay out their platforms.

9/16/2022: Political roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12 Investigator Steph Machado and political strategists Cara Cromwell and Lisa Pelosi to recap this week's Rhode Island primary results and preview the general election campaign.

9/9/2022: RI governor primary debate recap

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by political analysts Joe Fleming and Cara Cromwell to break down highlights from this week’s live televised Democratic primary debate for Rhode Island governor on WPRI 12.

9/2/2022: RI 2nd District primary debate recap

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by political analysts Joe Fleming and Cara Cromwell to break down highlights from this week’s live televised Democratic primary debate for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District on WPRI 12.

8/25/2022: Providence mayor debate recap

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by The Boston Globe's Dan McGowan to break down highlights from this week's live televised debate for Providence mayor on WPRI 12.

8/19/2022: Political Roundtable

This week on Newsmakers: a political roundtable breaks down the latest 12 News/Roger Williams University poll of Democratic primary voters and looks ahead to the November election. Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Joe Fleming, Cyd McKenna and Jeff Grybowski.

8/12/2022: Jamie Dimon; Mass. primary preview

This week on Newsmakers: JPMorgan Chase Chairman & CEO Jamie Dimon talks with Ted Nesi about the outlook for the economy and his bank's expansion in Rhode Island; on the second half, Boston Globe political reporter Samantha J. Gross gives a preview of the key races to watch in Massachusetts' Sept. 6 primary election.

Campaign 2022 Debate: RI Treasurer Primary (D)

This week on a special edition of Newsmakers - a debate between the Democratic candidates for Rhode Island general treasurer: James Diossa and Stefan Pryor. Moderated by Tim White and Ted Nesi.

Campaign 2022 Debate: RI Lt. Governor Primary (D)

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.

7/22/2022: Attorney General Peter Neronha

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.

7/15/2022: Sen. Tiara Mack; political roundtable

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.

7/8/2022: Allan Fung

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.

7/1/2022: Speaker Joseph Shekarchi

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.

6/24/2022: Stefan Pryor; reporters' roundtable

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.

6/17/2022: US Attorney Cunha; reporters' roundtable

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.

6/10/2022: Joy Fox; RI budget breakdown

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.