Newsmakers: Wpri 12 Eyewitness 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.

This week on the first half of Newsmakers, Tim White and Ted Nesi breakdown a signature element of Gov. Gina Raimondo's tenure: RhodeWorks. Ted Nesi talks to RIDOT Director Peter Alviti about the program. Then a closer look at what was likely Gov. Raimondo's final State of the State speech and what is the timeline for her transition to Washington.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha discusses the inquiry his office launched on the vaccine rollout, what aspects of the distribution he's examining and when he'll release results. Neronha also discusses his political future, police misconduct cases, and a recent campaign finance case that ended in an acquittal.

Target 12 investigator Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to discuss where things stand with the vaccine rollout in Rhode Island, including what public health officials say is the timeline for people to receive the inoculation. Then U.S. Senator Jack Reed on his front-row seat at the presidential inauguration and what he expects to come from the Senate in the coming weeks.

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi analyze the transition in the Rhode Island governor’s office and the impeachment of President Trump; R.I. National Guard Adjutant General Christopher Callahan discusses local security precautions after the Capitol riot.

Tim White and Ted Nesi break down a chaotic week, including pro-Trump protestors breaking into the U.S. Capitol, the Senate's change in political power, and Gov. Gina Raimondo being chosen by President-elect Biden to be the next U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Then Ted Nesi spoke with Senator Jack Reed via Zoom - hours before the chaos at the Capitol - on the prospect of him becoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

This week on Newsmakers: Lt. Gov. Dan McKee discusses the possibility he could replace Gov. Gina Raimondo should she land a job in President-elect Biden's cabinet, and weighs in on the key issues facing Rhode Island in 2021. The second-term Democrat also talks about his potential run for governor in 2022.

This week, Gov. Gina Raimondo reflects on a turbulent 2020.

This week on Newsmakers: Congressman Joe Kennedy, D-Mass., discusses his eight years representing the 4th Congressional District, his unsuccessful challenge against U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, and his future.

This week on Newsmakers: Citizens Financial Group Chairman and CEO Bruce Van Saun discusses the economic outlook for 2021 and how the bank is faring amid the pandemic; then on the second half, Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the biggest headlines in Rhode Island this week.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff discusses how the pandemic has affected the most vulnerable; 12 News reporter Steph Machado gets the latest on coronavirus with Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health.

On the first half, Care New England President and CEO Dr. James Fanale on what he is seeing in his hospitals, then Dr. Otis Warren, the R.I. head of the American College of Emergency Physicians, on the lack of testing for frontline healthcare workers. Then Ted Nesi and Eli Sherman join Tim White for an in-depth look at COVID-19 data they have been tracking since the beginning of the pandemic.

After R.I. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello lost reelection, the Democratic caucus threw their support behind Warwick State Rep. Joseph Shekarchi as their new leader, and State Rep. Christopher Blazejewski, D-Providence, as the new majority leader. Shekarchi and Blazejewski talk about their vision of the House and when the state will tackle the daunting state budget.

After an intense week of vote counting in the national election, a political roundtable breaks down key elements from the race. Joining Tim White and Ted Nesi are Stephanie Murray of Politico Massachusetts and 12 News Political Analyst Joe Fleming. Then Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the results from the race where Barbara Ann Fenton Fung defeated House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello.

This week on Newsmakers: a debate for the Massachusetts 4th Congressional District between Democrat Jake Auchincloss and Republican Julie Hall. The seat is opening up after incumbent Democrat Joe Kennedy moved on to run for U.S. Senate.