The Providence Eye recently hired its first full-time staff journalist. City News Reporter, Eric Halvarson, officially joined the publication’s staff on February 9.
Halvarson has been a regular contributor since August of 2025, when he joined the Eye’s inaugural cohort of News Fellows. His articles have covered subjects ranging from ProvPort’s master planning process, to the impact of RIPTA service cuts, to anti-ICE protests, to proposed rent-control legislation, to the Brown University shooting, and more.
Debbie Schimberg, founder and publisher of the Eye, said, “We are so excited to hire our first full-time reporter who will allow us to expand our coverage of important issues.” Hiring Halvarson allows the Eye to be more thorough in reporting stories, and more responsive to tips from the community that otherwise may have gone un-reported, she said.
She added, “We’ve been privileged to work with over a hundred different volunteer contributors who have diligently brought stories to life with their own experiences. And, we’ll continue to do that, reaching into all the nooks and crannies of our city.”
Fraser Lang, president of the Eye’s board of directors, called Halvarson’s hiring an “important milestone” for the publication, and said Halvarson’s work will contribute greatly to the Eye’s mission of informing and empowering city residents.
Halvarson grew up in Cranston, and has lived in Providence since 2022. He graduated magna cum laude from Appalachian State University in 2018. He previously worked as a Digital Fellow and social media contractor for the nonprofit news outlet Democracy Now! in New York City.
He called being hired by the Eye a thrill and an honor. “The site is proof that those of us living in Providence are hungry for a local news source that looks and sounds like our vibrant city, where we can tell our own stories free from corporate capture,” he said.
Describing the Eye’s growing team – Managing Editor Dana Schneider, the Eye’s first employee, was hired in 2025; Nancy Wood was hired as a part-time Director of Development and Partnerships in early 2026 – Halvarson added, “With a growing staff dedicated to hyper-local journalism, we’re building an outlet where everyone in Providence will see themselves and be empowered to shape their city.”
The Providence Eye was launched in 2023 as a nonprofit, volunteer-driven, online news outlet. In 2024, it was among 200 local news organizations that received funding from Press Forward to “close persistent coverage gaps in their communities.”
Although it now boasts three full-time staff members (including publisher Debbie Schimberg) and a part-time development director, the Eye remains a volunteer-driven organization. If you would like to get involved — as a supporter, board member, writer, or opinion contributor — go to pvdeye.org or email [email protected].
Eric Halvarson can be reached directly at [email protected].
Philip Eil is a Board Member for The Providence Eye and the volunteer editor of its Readers’ Voices Section. Outside of The Eye, he is a freelance journalist and author. Learn more about his work here.
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