Newsmakers: Wpri 12 Eyewitness News

This week on Newsmakers: R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green discusses the coming end of the statewide school mask mandate, what the state-controlled Providence schools will do, and the long-term effects of the pandemic; on the second half, Target 12 investigator Steph Machado joins Tim White and Ted Nesi to review the week in the news.

Congressman Jim Langevin's retirement announcement took many by surprise, including many members of his own party. What the landscape looks like right now to replace him in the 2nd Congressional District, and how it impacts the Democratic primary for governor -- joining Tim White and Ted Nesi for a political roundtable are Target 12 Investigator Steph Machado and 12 News Political Analyst Joe Fleming.

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic Congressman Jim Langevin discusses his surprise decision to retire from Congress after 11 terms, the crowded field of potential candidates to replace him, and the latest happenings on Capitol Hill.

This week on Newsmakers: Brown University President Christina Paxson discusses how her school is handling the latest COVID surge, the Lifespan-Care New England hospital merger, Brown's growing endowment and more.

One year ago this week, a mob of rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol in Washington, assaulting Capitol Police officers. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse was at the Capitol that day and recalls his experience, then reflects on the state of the country and how divided the nation is one year later.

This week on Newsmakers: Dale Venturini, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, discusses how restaurants are handling the latest coronavirus surge; Dr. Megan Ranney, a Rhode Island emergency doctor and Brown University professor, breaks down the latest CDC guidance and the situation in local hospitals.

With the omicron variant sweeping across the globe, Dr. Philip Chan, the consulting medical director for the RI Department of Health, discusses the state of COVID in the Ocean State and the outlook for 2022. Then - ending the year on an uplifting note - 12 News anchor Danielle North brings us her 12 on 12 Digital Original: Holiday Rhode.

This week on Newsmakers: Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence Thomas Tobin. Ahead of Christmas Week, the bishop discusses how the Diocese of Providence has been affected by the pandemic, internal church debates, and the outlook for 2022.

This week on Newsmakers: two top physicians at the Lifespan hospital group – Dr. Mitchell Levy, director of critical care medicine, and Dr. Stephen Traub, an emergency medicine physician – discuss Rhode Island’s coronavirus surge and the health care staffing shortage; then, a recap of the latest data on the pandemic locally and Gov. Dan McKee’s response.

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic candidate for governor Helena Foulkes talks about why she’s running, where she stands on the issues, and what she did as a top CVS executive in her first television interview since launching her campaign.

This week on Newsmakers: Professors Teresa McCarthy Byrne of Bryant University and Diane McCrohan of Johnson & Wales University examine the outlook for the holiday shopping season, how the pandemic has changed retail, and supply-chain issues. Then on the second half, the Rhode Island Food Policy Council’s Nessa Richman and Jazandra Barros discuss their organization’s efforts to expand the local food ecosystem.

This week on Newsmakers: Democratic candidate for governor Seth Magaziner. The second-term general treasurer discusses his vision for Rhode Island on issues including health care, energy and federal relief funding. He also responds to criticism from his rivals.

R.I. Republican Party Chair Sue Cienki talks about the outlook for the GOP in the 2022 elections; then, Steph Machado and Eli Sherman discuss the controversies in the North Kingstown School Department and at Providence City Hall.

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO Neil Steinberg discusses his organization's newly released recommendations for spending the state's $1.1 billion American Rescue Plan Act allocation. Then on the second half, two local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs leaders -- Larry Connell, director of the VA Providence Healthcare System, and E.J. McQuade, executive director of the Veterans Benefits Administration's Providence office -- explain how their agencies seek to help veterans.

This week on Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates for Fall River mayor, incumbent Paul Coogan and challenger Cliff Ponte. The pair spar over city finances, marijuana regulations, campaign controversies and much more. The city election is Nov. 2.

This week on Newsmakers: a debate between the two candidates for mayor of Attleboro. Incumbent Paul Heroux, who is seeking a third term as mayor, faces challenger Todd McGhee. The candidates sparred over rodent infestations, federal pandemic relief funds, pension debt, politics, the Attleboro High School mascot and more.

With Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza term-limited, several candidates have thrown their hat into the ring, including Ward 3 City Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune. She discusses city violence, the unfunded pension liability and more. Then the executive director of the Latino Policy Institute, Marcela Bentancur, talks about her organization's 15th anniversary and the increase in the Hispanic population in Rhode Island.

Providence City Council President John Igliozzi on the increase in shootings and homicides in the city, a controversial police hire, what the city plans to do with an influx in federal COVID relief funds and more. Then, Eli Sherman joins Tim White and Steph Machado to break down a series of State House hearings focused on a controversial taxpayer-funded contract awarded to a new firm with political connections.

In the coming weeks, Rhode Island lawmakers will be considering how more than $1 billion in federal coronavirus aid money should be spent. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ryan Pearson, D-Cumberland, discusses the process moving forward, and questions he wants answered surrounding a controversial multimillion-dollar state contract that is being paid for with those funds. Then Tim White and Ted Nesi break down the latest in the 2022 governor's race.

This week on Newsmakers: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. A Democrat first elected in 2011, Mitchell talks about the struggle to increase vaccination rates in his city, the challenging facing the fishing industry, offshore wind, his own political future and more.