Ian Donnis

Political Reporter

Ian Donnis has reported on Rhode Island politics since 1999, when he arrived in the state two weeks before the FBI raided City Hall and Buddy Cianci’s East Side home.

Ian has been the political reporter for The Public’s Radio since 2009. He covers breaking news, develops in-depth features and investigative reports, contributes to RIPBS Weekly, hosts the weekly Political Roundtable with a range of newsmakers, writes a well-read Friday afternoon political newsletter, and maintains a bad social media habit.

Ian was for many years a panelist on Newsmakers, the Sunday morning public affairs show on WPRI-TV, Channel 12, and he’s a regular guest on A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS. His previous experience includes serving as news editor of The Providence Phoenix and as a reporter for The Associated Press and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Outside of work, Ian enjoys baseball, good food, and exploring Rhode Island.

Recently published
From Ken Burns’ view on what we learn from history to new oversight on the Washington Bridge, a booming tourism report and Rhode Island’s latest political moves — here’s what’s making news this week, plus a few thoughts on baseball, public media, and Bulldogs’ soccer glory
Three Democrats and one Republican are now running to replace the term-limited AG in 2026 — with Ahern, a former prosecutor and Cannabis Control Commission chair, pledging to “fight for Rhode Islanders’ rights”
In his new PBS documentary The American Revolution, Burns revisits the fight for independence through a fresh lens — highlighting Rhode Island’s pivotal contributions and what history still teaches us today
A conservative news site and GOP critics accuse Magaziner of hypocrisy for celebrating $39 million in Rhode Island defense projects included in a bill he opposed — but his campaign says he rejected it over anti-abortion provisions
A new book explores ties between religion and guns