Newsmakers | WPRI 12 News

Lt. Gov. Dan McKee, a second-term Democrat, discusses his approach to education policy, the Providence schools takeover, whether he'll run for governor in 2022 and more.

U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island. Recently, Langevin announced he now supports an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. He explains why he had a change of heart and admits it could be bad for Democrats politically. Plus, Langevin weighs in on the likelihood of Rhode Island losing a congressional seat.

This week on Newsmakers: former New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang discusses why he's considering a Democratic primary challenge against U.S. Sen. Ed Markey; UMass Dartmouth's Shannon Jenkins and the Liberty Square Group's Scott Ferson analyze Congressman Joe Kennedy's potential Senate campaign.

Warwick Mayor Joseph Solomon, a Democrat, discusses his first year as mayor, the city's uncertain financial picture, restoring school sports, declining passenger traffic at T.F. Green and more.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: Gov. Gina Raimondo. Gaming giants IGT and Twin River have been embroiled in a public battle over a contract to manage the state's gambling technology and lottery systems. Raimondo discusses why she supports extending IGT's contract over the objections of the casino. She also reacts to the mass shootings in Texas and Ohio. On the second half, WPRI.com repo...

The President of the Providence Performing Arts Center, Lynn Singleton. With the smash hit "Hamilton" in Providence, Singleton talks about the impact the show has had on subscriptions to PPAC now and moving forward. Singleton also talks about the history of PPAC and how they have evolved over the years to host major shows, like "Hamilton."

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. Newly minted education commissioner Angélica Infante-Green took a major step earlier this week in taking over the beleaguered Providence schools. Mayor Elorza discusses what he'd like to see from the change and says there should be an end date on the state intervention. He also discusses city taxes, the closing of a Federal Hill nightclub and more.s

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Cicilline will be questioning Robert Mueller next week on the special counsel's investigation into his Russia probe. Cicilline previews that hearing, weighs in on talk of a division among House Democrats, and reacts to a devastating report about the Providence public school...

Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Office of the FBI, Joseph Bonavolonta and U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, Aaron Weisman. From national security to public corruption, Bonavolonta and Weisman discuss regional and national priories for both agencies.

This week on Newsmakers: political roundtables look back at the first half of 2019 and preview the rest of the year in Rhode Island and Massachusetts politics. With Ian Donnis of The Public's Radio, Dan McGowan of The Boston Globe, Stephanie Murray of Politico Massachusetts, and Peter Ubertaccio of Stonehill College.

This week on Newsmakers: Congressman Joe Kennedy III, D-Mass. The fourth-term House Democrat explains why he now supports impeachment proceedings against President Trump, shares his concern about the ongoing migrant crisis, handicaps the 2020 presidential race and discusses his own political future.

R.I. Senator Judiciary Chair Erin Lynch Prata. In an unusual move, Lynch Prata moved a controversial abortion bill to another committee to ensure its passage. Lynch Prata discusses her decision and weighs in on other hot-button issues facing lawmakers as the General Assembly session nears its end. As a lawmaker from Warwick, she also reacts to the budget woes the city is facing.

This week on Newsmakers: Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. The second-term Democrat discusses moving the primary election, preparations for 2020, the fight over birth dates in the voter file, and her political future.

R.I. General Treasurer Seth Magaziner. Eight years after landmark pension reform in the state, Magaziner provides an update on the health of the retirement system, answers questions about a potential run for governor and discusses his legislative priorities as the general assembly session nears the end.

Sid Wordell, the executive director of the R.I. Police Chiefs' Association. Wordell discusses the challenges department face in recruiting and retaining officers, and which legislative proposals they support and oppose on Smith Hill. Then Target 12 Investigator Walt Buteau and Dan McGowan from the Boston Globe discuss the week in news.

Candace Caluori, principal of Toll Gate High School in Warwick. This academic year, an ambulance has been called to Warwick schools five times for students who have had a bad reaction after using the drug THC - which is the chemical that gives marijuana its psychoactive effects. R.I. Dept. of Education data shows THC use has spiked at schools statewude in the past year. Caluori discusses was she c...

Angélica Infante-Green, commissioner of the R.I. Department of Education. Shortly after Gov. Gina Raimondo announced Infante-Green was taking the helm at the state's education department, legislative leaders announced a sweeping package of reforms aimed at the state's K-12 public school system. Infante-Green weighs in on the bills she likes - and doesn't like - and what her priorities are as the n...

This week on Newsmakers: Lifespan President and CEO Dr. Timothy Babineau and Dr. James Fingleton, chief of Lifespan's Cardiovascular Institute. With state regulators considering a proposed takeover of Care New England by Boston-based Partners HealthCare, Babineau and Fingleton make the case on why the deal shouldn't get the green light.

This week on Newsmakers: Norm Birenbaum, the R.I. Department of Business Regulation's point person on marijuana policy, and state consultant Andrew Freedman discuss the governor's proposal to legalize cannabis; Rhode Island College President Dr. Frank Sánchez discusses free tuition, school safety, his future and more.

This week on Newsmakers: Mayor Allan Fung, R-Cranston, and the executive director of the National Education Association Rhode Island, Robert Walsh. House lawmakers passed two controversial bills pushed by organized labor in recent weeks: one would continue union contracts after they expire, the other provides overtime for firefighters any time over 42 hours in a week. Municipal leaders say the bil...

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha. After a review of his office, Neronha announced this month the backlog of unprosecuted cases was larger than first thought. He discusses what's being done to move those prosecutions along, and reacts to the release of the redacted Mueller report.

A political roundtable. Joining Tim White and Ted Nesi are Eyetwitness News Political Analyst Joe Fleming, Former RI GOP Chairman Brandon Bell, and Public Affairs Consultant Cara Cromwell. The group discusses the latest out of Washington D.C., President Trump's reelection chances and takes an early look at the 2022 gubernatorial race in Rhode Island.

This week on Newsmakers: Suzanne Cienki, R.I. Republican Party Chairperson. After a devastating election cycle for the state Republicans in 2018, Cienki discusses where she wants to put the Party's focus in 2020, and who she sees as the rising stars in he state GOP.

Rhode Island U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. With the conclusion of the Robert Mueller probe, the third-term Democrat reacts to the summary of the investigation by Attorney General William Barr, what he would like to see happen next, and what should be made public.

This week on Newsmakers: Vincent Mesolella, Chairman of the Narragansett Bay Commission. Mesolella discusses the third and final phase of the massive combined sewer overflow project - estimated to cost $779 million - and the plans to pay for it. He also weighs in on Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's pitch to monetize the Water Supply Board.