Newsmakers: Wpri 12 Eyewitness News

This week on Newsmakers: Evan Smith, president and CEO of Discover Newport, discusses how the City by the Sea is bouncing back from the pandemic as the summer tourism season heats up; Tim White and Ted Nesi recap the week in the news.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: after seven years at the helm of the Rhode Island School of Design, Rosanne Somerson is stepping down at the end of June. Ted Nesi interviewed Somerson on the RISD campus, exploring the future of the school, the high cost of tuition, and the treasures in RISD's famous museum. Then, Target 12 Investigator Steph Machado joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss her new report revealing that 60% of Providence public school students were considered chronically absent this year.

This week on the first half: U.S. District Judge William Smith discusses the court's approach to inmate compassionate release requests during the pandemic. Then on the second half, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management's Janet Coit exit interview after 10 years with the agency, and the longest serving director in RIDEM history.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. The city’s plan to borrow more than $700 million by floating a bond to shore up its beleaguered pension system was met with a chilly reception by the state’s general treasurer, Elorza discusses why he thinks its a solution to the decades-long problem. Plus, he weighs in on a homeless encampment that is getting shut down by the city, the troubled Providence school system, a potential run for governor, and more.

Attorney General Peter Neronha gave the transfer of ownership for the company that runs Roger Williams Medical Center and Fatima Hospital the green light. But in doing so, he shined a light on what he said was a focus on wealth, over the health of the hospital. Plus Neronha discusses his support for police body worn cameras and recent hate crime prosecutions.

One year after the Providence riot that erupted in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Tim White sat down with the leaders of the Providence Police Department - Commissioner Steven Paré and Col. Hugh Clements - about that night and the lessons learned.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers, with the Providence school department in turmoil, School Board President Nick Hemond discusses what he thinks should happen to Superintendent Harrison Peters, and the status of the state's take over of the beleaguered school system. Then Target 12 investigator Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi for an update on the coronavirus in Rhode Island as the mask mandate is lifted.

This week on Newsmakers: General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, a second-term Democrat, discusses the health of the state and Providence pension funds, whether he's running for governor and what's next for rebuilding Rhode Island's school facilities.

A 12 News exclusive television interview with the vice president during her visit to Rhode Island; plus, Common Cause's John Marion on the census and redistricting.

This week on Newsmakers: with the murder conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the president of the Providence branch of the NAACP, Jim Vincent, discusses what the verdict meant for the country and where he thinks the police reform movement goes from here. He also calls for the repeal of a Rhode Island state law that governs how police officers are disciplined. On the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the week in local news, including the pending public corruption trial against former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia.

This week on Newsmakers: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed discusses President Biden’s decision to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, and why he is still concerned about security in the region; then on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the week in local news, including Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos’s first news conference.

This week on Newsmakers: Providence Performing Arts Center President and CEO J.L. “Lynn” Singleton talks about how the pandemic has affected PPAC, when he expects the curtain to rise again, and the future of Broadway; on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi recap the week in local news.

This week on Newsmakers: R.I. Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor discusses the state’s ongoing reopening efforts, the billions in federal stimulus dollars heading to Rhode Island, his relationship with Gov. Dan McKee and his own future. Then on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi look back at the week in local news, including McKee’s choice of Sabina Matos as lieutenant governor, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in New Bedford, and a Target 12 investigation of North Providence Town Hall.

Michael DiBiase, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council think tank, discusses what Rhode Island leaders and taxpayers should know about the billions of dollars set to flow to the state under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act; then on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi recap the week in local news.

Gov. Dan McKee. On his 17th day in office, Rhode Island’s new governor talks about the state of the vaccination rollout, his top policy priorities and what’s surprised him most about his new job. The Democrat also discusses the search for a new lieutenant governor, charter schools and marijuana legalization.

An exclusive interview about the proposal for a new Rhode Island hospital system with Lifespan CEO Dr. Timothy Babineau, Care New England CEO Dr. James Fanale, Brown University President Christina Paxson and Brown University Medical School Dean Jack Elias.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: Kristen Adamo, President and CEO of the Providence/Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau and Dale Venturini, President and CEO of the RI Hospitality Association, discuss the impact of the pandemic on hotels, restaurants and tourism in the state and where things go from here. Then Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the week in news, including Gina Raimondo's first week as US Commerce Secretary, Gov. Dan McKee taking over at the State House, and Steph Machado's Pulse of Providence interview with Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: with the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Rhode Island on Monday, 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian sat down with R.I. Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott to reflect on the turbulent year, what she's learned and what brought her to this moment. Then Tim White and Ted Nesi dissect the latest development in the hospital merger announcement between Lifespan and Care New England, along with a partnership from Brown University.

This week on Newsmakers: Congressman David Cicilline. The six-term Rhode Island Democrat talks about his role as a House impeachment manager in the Senate trial of former President Trump, and why his side fell short in the effort to win a two-thirds vote for conviction. Cicilline also discusses Rhode Island’s troubled vaccine rollout, the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, the Equality Act, regulating social media, and his own political future.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers: Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on what voters need to know about the upcoming bond referendum election on March 2. The second-term Democrat also answers questions about her political future. On the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi break down Gov. Gina Raimondo's first interview since Dec. 22 when 12 News caught up with her outside the State House on Monday.