Bill Rappleye and Sara Wye to be Inducted into Rhode Island Radio & Television Hall of Fame

Bill Rappleye and Sara Wye, both prominent figures in Rhode Island broadcasting, will be inducted into the Rhode Island Radio & Television Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2026. The announcement was made on Friday, March 6, 2026, by NBC 10 News.

Bill Rappleye: A Legacy in Political Reporting

Bill Rappleye, a longtime political reporter, will be honored posthumously. He was known for his respected reporting and personable demeanor. Rappleye concluded his tenure with NBC 10 News in 2020 to pursue long-form reporting for “Rhode Island PBS Weekly” on Rhode Island PBS, now known as Ocean State Media. His career spanned approximately 40 years, including positions in Boston and New York. He passed away in 2021.

Colleagues Mario Hilario and Alison Bologna shared memories of Rappleye on the NBC 10 Sunrise program following the announcement.

Sara Wye: Breaking Barriers for Women in News

Sara Wye is recognized as a pioneer for women in the news department, breaking through gender barriers at NBC 10. She challenged expectations by seeking assignments traditionally given to male reporters.

“They wanted me to do what were then sort of traditional women’s stories, and I wasn’t interested in that. I wanted to prove myself by doing the same stories that the guys were doing,” Wye recalled later in her career. She excelled in live election coverage, special broadcasts, and as an anchor.

2026 Hall of Fame Class

Rappleye and Wye are joined in the 2026 class by Les Breault, Heather Gersten Perry, Will Gilbert, Jim Hummel, and Art Spencer. A ceremonial dinner honoring the inductees will be held in September at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick.