Ian Donnis

1 week ago | ripbs.org | Ian Donnis |Luis Hernandez

We’ve been asking for your questions as part of our project Breaking Point: The Washington Bridge. Political reporter Ian Donnis responds to a question from community member Ian B., who asks: Why did the state stop offering ferry service to commuters just as it was getting off the ground? Ian Donnis: The service was operated by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). They said it cost $50,000 a day to run the service, and there just was not enough ridership to justify the expense.

3 weeks ago | thepublicsradio.org | Ian Donnis

The tempers are rising with the temperature at the Statehouse. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. ***1. STORY OF THE WEEK: When does the calculus of doing nothing outweigh the value of doing something at the Statehouse? That question will hang over Smith Hill until the resolution of the proposed “assault weapon” ban becomes clear in the Senate later this month. The bill sponsored by Rep.

3 weeks ago | thepublicsradio.org | Ian Donnis

This action, known as a “rescission request” has to be approved by a majority in the U.S. House and Senate in the next 45 days in order for it to become law. If it passes both chambers, it would have an effect on the budget of The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS. Our political reporter, Ian Donnis spoke with our CEO Pam Johnston about what this could mean.

3 weeks ago | thepublicsradio.org | Ian Donnis

The legislation to ban new sales of guns defined as assault weapons is seen as having the support to make it through a vote by the full state Senate. But therein lies the rub. To get to the Senate floor, the bill first has to win approval from the closely divided Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate President Val Lawson could use her power to move the legislation to a different committee with more support.

3 weeks ago | thepublicsradio.org | Ian Donnis

Ian Donnis: Let’s let the cat out of the bag. What is the new name for public media in Rhode Island as of this fall? Johnston: We are going to be called Ocean State Media, and we’re so excited to be at this moment to have a new unified brand that speaks to who we are and who we’re becoming. There’s been a lot of talk about our merger and public media in the world, and I’m so very excited to be at this part of our journey. Donnis: Tell me why this particular name was chosen.