Newsmakers: Wpri 12 Eyewitness News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.