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The uncertain future of Rhode Island media

The endless, anguished debate over how to deliver local news in the Age of the Internet has not reached anything like a satisfying conclusion.
Breaking news or broken news?
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | April 02, 2011

Making waves

Rhode Island’s upstart National Public Radio affiliate, WRNI, aims to be nothing less than a major media player here. And in the space of just a couple of years, the station has taken some impressive first steps.
Can WRNI supplant the ProJo as the state’s news king?
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | June 11, 2010

Photos: Providence Best Music Poll Awards at Lupo's

Bands perform and get their BMP awards from the Phoenix at Lupo's.
Providence BMP Awards Concert at Lupo's | June 9, 2010
By RICHARD MCCAFFREY | June 11, 2010

Political pig pile

For some time now, we at Casa Diablo have been aware of what is either a heinous conspiracy involving the timing of local news revelations or just another unfair law of nature.
Kennedy sets off a free-for-all; bad news for Loughlin and Dennigan
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | February 19, 2010

Gubernatorial agonistes

On Tuesday, WRNI political reporter and former Phoenix news editor and master of the Casa Diablo elbow bend, Ian Donnis, broke the news that veteran political communications specialist, Bill Fischer, head ramrod at True North Communications, had sign
Caprio makes a big move. Plus, reasons to block the LNG terminal
By PHILLIPE & JORGE | August 07, 2009

Rhody's local food movement finds its groove

Five years ago, when Farm Fresh Rhode Island (FFRI) launched its mission of promoting Ocean State-produced food, co-founder Noah Fulmer discovered a curious disconnection in the local food chain.
Relishing the fresh flavor of homegrown goods
By IAN DONNIS | February 18, 2009

Ticket to ride

In April 1999, two weeks after I started on the job at the Providence Phoenix , the FBI raided City Hall, formally unveiling the federal investigation that would land Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr., Rhode Island's rascal king, behind bars.
Reflections on 10 years at the Phoenix
By IAN DONNIS | February 11, 2009

A great little performer

If this doesn't convince you that no one with lotsa bucks plays by the rules, and that insider trading is rife on Wall Street, along with obscene bonuses collected by what are essentially crooks, with no morals, at most big lending institutions, how wou
Obama administration stubs its toe with the tax-challenged
By PHILLIPPE AND JORGE | February 04, 2009

The upside of hope in Rhode Island

Everywhere one turns these days, there's seemingly more bad news about Rhode Island: the unemployment rate, one of the highest in the nation, tops 10 percent — and the state's running out of unemployment assistance.
Nine individuals who are bullish and optimistic amid the state's current tough times
By IAN DONNIS | January 28, 2009

Obama delivers manna for the masses - and small gatherings

Although the inauguration day spread at the Scituate home of longtime liberal political activist Kate Coyne-McCoy on Tuesday included an array of frittatas, grilled sausages, roast potatoes, and Champagne, the main sustenance for a like-minded group of
Talking Politics
By IAN DONNIS | January 21, 2009

Carcieri pushes for Medicaid waiver

With the impact disputed, Carcieri pushes for his Medicaid waiver.
Talking Politics
By IAN DONNIS | January 15, 2009

With the impact disputed, Carcieri pushes for his Medicaid waiver

There's a certain audacity to Governor Carcieri's drive to put a global Medicaid waiver in place in Rhode Island.
Talking Politics
By IAN DONNIS | January 14, 2009

One of a kind

Phillipe + Jorge took time to attend the funeral of Claiborne Pell, in deference to all that he did for both Rhode Island and civility everywhere he went.
Rest in peace, Claiborne Pell, former senator and all-around class act
By PHILLIPE + JORGE | January 07, 2009

The year the crap hit the fan

For a good metaphor of the year experienced by Rhode Island in 2008, consider the economic-development summit called by Governor Carcieri in November.
RI political mediocrity couldn't compare with the excesses of the fiscal meltdown
By IAN DONNIS | December 23, 2008

Winter market in Pawtucket proves a smash hit

More than 1000 people turned out last Saturday to sample the offerings of local food producers during the latest debut of Farm Fresh Rhode Island's winter market.
Farm Fresh In RI
By IAN DONNIS | December 10, 2008

’Tis the season to buy local

Frog and Toad, an idiosyncratic gift store on Providence’s East Side, is your quintessential mom and pop shop.
Tips for keeping your holiday gift-giving bucks in the ocean state
By IAN DONNIS | December 10, 2008

Former editorial writer says his last column got spiked

An unidentified editorial writer was among those laid off when the Providence Journal eliminated 30 news jobs in October.
As The ProJo Turns
By IAN DONNIS | December 03, 2008

Downsizing the Mob

The arrest of 17 people last week as part of "Operation Mobbed Up" — as well as the subsequent discovery in East Providence of human remains thought to be those of Joseph "Joe Onions" Scanlon — put front and center the bygone days of the Rhode Island Mo
State Police superintendent Brendan Doherty discusses the fade of OC in RI
By IAN DONNIS | November 26, 2008

Buy Nothing Day: A good cause for tough times

During the 11 previous years in which Buy Nothing Day has been staged in Rhode Island, there have been economic downturns and times when the national economy was humming.
Consumerism
By IAN DONNIS | November 25, 2008

Heslin's rise: A change of the guard, but to what effect?

Thomas E. Heslin, the Providence Journal's new executive editor — like his storied predecessor — bridges two distinctly different journalistic eras.
As The ProJo Turns
By IAN DONNIS | November 19, 2008

Down and out at Thanksgiving

In a time of widespread layoffs, decimated retirement accounts, and uncertainty about the fallout of the ongoing fiscal crisis, downsized requests for help are a sign of the times.
Social needs are rising across Rhode Island, and things will get worse before they get better
By IAN DONNIS | November 19, 2008

As RI struggles, entrepreneur sees promise

The revelation that Rhode Island faces a $300 million-plus deficit for the current year is just the latest bit of dire economic news about the state.
Techwatch
By IAN DONNIS | November 12, 2008

Mod on the move

The Brown University class being taught this semester by Lincoln Chafee, the Republican US senator-turned-independent supporter of Barack Obama, has an up-to-the-moment title: “Whither America.”
Obama supporter Lincoln Chafee talks about the post-election landscape
By IAN DONNIS | November 05, 2008

At the Biltmore, exultation and ecstasy over Obama’s win

Shortly before 9:30 pm on Tuesday, a huge roar went up among the Democratic crowd packing the 17th floor ballroom at the Providence Biltmore.
Talking politics
By IAN DONNIS | November 05, 2008

Luke’s Record Exchange will spring back to life

When Luke T. Renchan announced in March that his landmark record shop, Luke’s Record Exchange in Pawtucket, was closing after 29 years in business, it was a sad and not very unsurprising story.
Retail Rebound
By IAN DONNIS | October 29, 2008

RI ’08: Prelude to 2010

During a national election season in which “change” remains the dominant motif, Rhode Island politics is locked in a holding pattern marked by a Democratic stranglehold on state and federal offices.
In a national year of change, stasis is likely to prevail at the General Assembly
By IAN DONNIS | October 29, 2008

Letters

Harvey Silverglate’s " The Gray Lady in Shadow " (January 6) was excellent and raised extraordinary concerns.
GUNNING FOR THE TIMES
By | October 27, 2008

Picaresque journey: 30 years in Rhode Island

Hard though it might be to believe, some things in Rhode Island actually do change.
What we mostly want is a low-number license plate
By IAN DONNIS | October 23, 2008

Bioneers to push quest for green jobs

Taking up a new way of doing things isn’t easy in the best of times, so it’s no surprise that the ongoing fiscal crisis complicates efforts to promote the so-called green economy.
Environment
By IAN DONNIS | October 22, 2008

‘Jock-ular’ election coverage

Yes, today the Providence Phoenix is celebrating its 30th anniversary, including the 10-year run of the NewPaper, and P+J are so proud to have been here the whole time.
How Mike Ditka almost became the Republican heir-apparent
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | October 22, 2008

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