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
State lawmakers pressed Director Peter Alviti for answers Thursday, marking the most intense public scrutiny of the Washington Bridge collapse since the release of a critical audit this fall
The Ward 3 councilor touts her policy background as a member of the City Council since 2022
For the first time since a critical audit, House and Senate Oversight committees will grill RIDOT leaders about who knew what — and why warning signs were missed before the bridge’s abrupt closure in 2023
Rhode Island’s senators cite an ongoing threat to health coverage
What Trump and Mamdani share in common, plus RI Senate leaders turn out for a rival to a Senate incumbent