Ted Nesi
@tednesi.bsky.social
NEE-see. Politics editor + investigative reporter at WPRI 12 (CBS) in RI/MA. Contributor on RI PBS Weekly. Adjunct at Wheaton. #GirlDad and lucky husband.
BREAKING: For the second time in about a year, a police misconduct board has ruled that Sgt. Joseph Hanley can get his job with the Providence police back. I'll have more details on the decision on @wpri12.bsky.social starting at 4 and here, online👇 www.wpri.com/target-12/le...
LEOBOR panel rules Sgt. Hanley can return to Providence police
In April 2020, Sgt. Joseph Hanley was captured on camera beating a handcuffed suspect.
wpri.com
NEW: Gov. McKee paid nearly $700 for LA Clippers tickets provided by a Spanish marketing company — four months after the game and a week after I first asked about it. But he's also released texts he says show he'd been trying to pay sooner. w/ @timwhiteri.bsky.social www.wpri.com/target-12/ri...
RI governor releases receipts, texts tied to LA Clippers game
New records and texts detail why Gov. Dan McKee paid for Clippers tickets after Target 12 started asking questions.
wpri.com
NEW: In a 4-1 vote, the R.I. Ethics Commission authorized its chief prosecutor to appeal a recent ruling that said former House Speaker Joe Shekarchi would not violate the state’s Code of Ethics by applying for a position on the R.I. Supreme Court. www.wpri.com/news/ethics-...
Ethics Commission set to appeal Shekarchi ruling to RI Supreme Court
An ethics complaint against Rep. Joe Shekarchi was filed the same day he stepped down as speaker and applied for the vacancy in May.
wpri.com
NEW: Gloves off in today's WPRO debate for governor, with McKee and Foulkes on the attack for much of the hour - here's a recap of some key moments www.wpri.com/news/electio...
McKee, Foulkes stay on the attack in fiery radio debate
The two Democrats sparred on topics ranging from the Washington Bridge and Medicaid to their own records.
wpri.com
"Paxson succeeded Ruth Simmons in 2012, becoming the 19th person to serve as president of Brown since its founding in 1764. She is currently the longest-tenured president in the Ivy League."
Ted Nesi@tednesi.bsky.social · 2d agoBREAKING: Brown President Christina Paxson just announced she will step down at the end of the upcoming school year Her decision to leave a year early will now trigger a transition in one of RI's most high-profile leadership positions www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
BREAKING: Brown President Christina Paxson just announced she will step down at the end of the upcoming school year Her decision to leave a year early will now trigger a transition in one of RI's most high-profile leadership positions www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
Brown U. President Christina Paxson will step down in 2027
Her 15-year tenure was marked by a construction and research boom but also a traumatic shooting on campus.
wpri.com
Great stuff from Ted as always every Saturday. Interesting sports note from Ted regarding Kwahi Leonard. For more on the story, click on the link below.
Ted Nesi@tednesi.bsky.social · 4d agoMy Saturday column 👇 www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
Want to parse the LG candidates? Check out @wpri12.bsky.social’s excellent debate www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
Nesi’s Notes: Aug. 1
Your weekend briefing on local politics and more.
wpri.com
"the Ocean State ranks 10th-highest nationally for the percentage of residents enrolled in Medicaid, and state spending is expected to outpace the growth of state revenue by an almost three-to-one ratio over the next few years" www.oceanstatemedia.org/politics/202...
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for July 31, 2026
Which way will Gov. McKee go on the Supreme Court?
oceanstatemedia.org
JUST IN: Gov McKee's campaign raised about $250,000 during Q2, less than ⅓ the over $900,000 that the Foulkes campaign reported Growing financial gap in the race evidenced on TV - Foulkes is outspending McKee 6-to-1 on the airwaves this week alone www.wpri.com/news/electio...
McKee lags Foulkes in latest fundraising quarter
The governor’s campaign insisted he can harness grassroots support to overcome his challenger’s significant cash advantage.
wpri.com
TARGET 12: A 10-month investigation done in collaboration with @pablotorrefindsout.bsky.social and @truth.bsky.social has revealed NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard is one of the long-hidden investors in Rhode Island FC. Full investigation w/ @timwhiteri.bsky.social 👇 www.wpri.com/target-12/nb...
NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard’s secret stake in Rhode Island soccer project revealed
The two-time NBA champion’s involvement was revealed after a 10-month investigation by Target 12, “Pablo Torre Finds Out” and Hunterbrook.
wpri.com
A Barrington man injured by police following a protest nearly six years ago reached a $300,000 settlement with the city of Providence this month. More: www.wpri.com/target-12/pr... I'll have the full story coming up at 6 on @wpri12.bsky.social
TARGET 12: Four JNC members who provided key votes Tuesday to advance Shekarchi's judgeship bid have given him $30,000+ in campaign donations One of the four says he saw no reason to disclose or recuse John Marion and Steve Frias among those crying foul www.wpri.com/target-12/sh...
Shekarchi got over $30,000 from commission members who voted for his judge candidacy
The head of a good-government group said failing to disclose the donations “reflects a profound lack of judgement” by the four JNC members.
wpri.com
NEW: One of RI's most prominent companies has been sold Taco Group, the Cranston-based HVAC firm owned by well-known businessman John Hazen White Jr., announced a $1.4 billion deal today to be acquired by Pentair of London/Minnesota www.wpri.com/business-new...
John Hazen White Jr.’s Taco sold to London firm in $1.4 billion deal
One of Rhode Island’s most prominent companies is pledging to keep a strong presence in Cranston under foreign ownership.
wpri.com
NEW: McKee set to get more labor support this week Mike Sabitoni's Building & Construction Trades Council - made up of 16 private-sector unions - has begun publicizing a rally in support of the gov's reelection campaign Thursday night at IBEW Local 99 www.wpri.com/news/electio...
Building trades unions poised to endorse McKee at rally Thursday
Individual labor organizations are making their choices after the Rhode Island AFL-CIO declined to choose between McKee and Helena Foulkes.
wpri.com
Good history point by @iandonnis.bsky.social "Buy yourself a beer if you predicted back in 2014 that the two candidates in the GOP primary for governor – Ken Block and Allan Fung – would run as independents (Block for governor, and Fung for state rep) 12 years later"
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for July 24, 2026
Can downtown PVD overcome the pandemic’s hangover?
oceanstatemedia.org
NEW: Seth backs Seth Rep. Magaziner today endorsed Rep. Moulton - who was the first House member to back Magaziner in 2022 - in his US Senate primary challenge against Ed Markey www.wpri.com/news/electio...
Magaziner backs Moulton in primary challenge against Sen. Markey
Moulton was the first member of the House to endorse Magaziner in his successful 2022 bid to succeed Jim Langevin.
wpri.com
NEW: Former RI Speaker Joe Shekarchi and the Ethics Commission squared off in court over whether state laws bar him from seeking RI Supreme Court seat. Judge to issue decision before RI nominating panel interviews applicants on 7/28. w/ @alexandraleslie.bsky.social www.wpri.com/target-12/ju...
Judge to rule on whether Joe Shekarchi can seek RI Supreme Court seat
Superior Court judge plans quick ruling as ethics dispute threatens timeline for judicial interviews.
wpri.com
@wpri12.bsky.social ’s debates are a highlight of the election season. Props to @timwhiteri.bsky.social @alexandraleslie.bsky.social & @tednesi.bsky.social for sparking a good discussion with Mayor Smiley & DavidMorales www.wpri.com/news/local-n...
Nesi’s Notes: July 18
Your weekend briefing on local politics and more.
wpri.com
Who needs Claude when you have Steve Frias? He nailed down the last time the AFL-CIO declined to endorse an incumbent Dem governor: John Notte Jr. in 1962 (apparently over, among other issues, night horse racing!) www.oceanstatemedia.org/politics/tgi...
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for July 17, 2026
Gov. McKee faces an increasingly steep slope
oceanstatemedia.org
TARGET 12: Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins will return an antique car he was accused of stealing under a settlement that resolves part of a yearslong dispute with businessman Davide Broccoli www.wpri.com/target-12/ma...
Mayor Ken Hopkins to return antique sports car he was accused of stealing
Taxpayer-funded legal battles tied to the dispute remain active despite the agreement.
wpri.com
NEW: Should Providence elect a socialist, or a pragmatist? Those were the ideologies at issue in today's @wpri12.bsky.social Providence mayoral debate, which airs tonight www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/17/m...
Socialism or pragmatism? Providence mayoral candidates present different visions in TV debate - The Boston Globe
Mayor Brett Smiley is seeking a second term leading Rhode Island’s largest city, but faces a spirited primary challenge from the left in former state Representative David Morales
bostonglobe.com
PROVIDENCE: Incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley and Rep. David Morales face off in the first @wpri12.bsky.social debate ahead of the Sep. 9 Democratic Primary. Watch: Fox Providence on Fri. 6:30 p.m./Sun. 10 a.m. or free 12+ TV app. Plus, watch/read the 3 key moments here: www.wpri.com/news/electio...
NEW: While focus is on the campaign, the wheels of government grind on at the State House The 5-member panel that will identify RI's first-ever inspector general has set its first meeting for Tuesday, with a 90-day clock ticking to send Gov their picks www.wpri.com/news/politic...
New panel searching for RI’s first inspector general set to hold first meeting
Three of the state’s general officers will review candidates for the new watchdog position and forward names to the governor.
wpri.com
NEW: The legal fight over the Washington Bridge closure has entered a new phase centered on digital evidence, with contractors accusing the state of withholding critical communications among key public officials, including Gov. Dan McKee www.wpri.com/target-12/wa...
Washington Bridge defendant accuses RI of withholding McKee records
Defendants say years of emails and text messages are missing from the state’s production.
wpri.com
BREAKING: *No* endorsement for governor by AFL-CIO - another significant blow to McKee campaign. No consensus on McKee vs Foulkes, says prez Pat Crowley www.wpri.com/news/electio...
AFL-CIO won’t endorse for governor, dealing fresh blow to McKee
McKee has cultivated close ties to organized labor as governor and is banking on union support to win the Sept. 9 primary.
wpri.com
NOW: Mayor Brett Smiley is calling the Providence City Council’s delay of passing an ordinance that would establish an emergency rent fund “a baseless political ploy.” Councilman Sanchez says he has concerns about tenant protections. www.wpri.com/news/local-n... @wpri12.bsky.social
JUST IN: An Air Quality Alert is in effect for our entire area due to fine particles from wildfire smoke through Thursday morning. https://www.wpri.com/weather/summer-weather/rip-current-risk-poor-air-quality-as-people-look-to-beat-the-heat/
