The Wheelhouse

There’s a deadline looming. Congress has to pass a spending package – or at least an emergency one – by the end of the federal fiscal year, which is this Friday. Could a fight among Republicans in the U.S. House cause the government to shut down? How could that trickle down to Connecticut? This hour, we look at a fractured federal government. Plus, we give you the latest on what's going on in Bridgeport. Could another election be in question over absentee ballots? GUESTS: Lisa HagenAndrew Brown:Susan Raff: The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can former president Donald Trump legally become president again? According to experts on both sides of the aisle, the answer isn’t exactly clear-cut. From Colorado to Connecticut, there are efforts right now to bar Trump from the ballot in 2024. The legal argument against his candidacy comes down to one little-known provision in the 14 Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This hour, we'll break down the constitutional case against Trump. Plus, we’ll check in on voting equipment in Connecticut and look at efforts to give incarcerated people the right to vote. GUESTS: Bruce Ackerman: Revolutionary ConstitutionsAriel White: Andrew Brown: The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ITuesday was Primary Day in Connecticut!From Bridgeport to Hartford, some of the state's major cities effectively determined who would be their municipality’s next leader. This hour, we tell you who won, who lost, and why it matters. Plus, a great panel of guests will dig into some hyperlocal races and tell us what they might mean for the state at-large.GUESTS: Thomas Breen: New Haven IndependentKate Seltzer: Eddy Martinez:Kay Perkins: Dan Haar:Susan Raff:Jonathan Wharton: The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eighty-three percent of American voters are either very worried or at least somewhat worried about the functioning of our democracy. So what does this recent Quinnipiac poll tell us? Why are people losing faith in our democracy? This hour, we’re asking some big questions about the future of democracy in the U.S., covering everything from political violence to voter suppression. Plus, we’ll give you a preview of some of the big races to watch on Primary Day next Tuesday. GUESTS: Dr. Bilal SekouArchon FungAnne Meng:Mark PazniokasSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As students head back to school, there is new information about how the federal government will address federal student loan debt. The White House is introducing a plan to reduce student loan payments, less than two months after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down an effort by the Biden administration to wipe out billions of dollars in student loan debt. On a “back to school” edition of The Wheelhouse, we break down the new income-driven repayment plan, and at the local level, there’s a discussion on lawmakers' attempts to support the mental health of kids in public schools. GUESTS: Nicole Narea: Ginny Monk: Katie Barnes: Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From deepfakes to social media chatbots, new technologies are changing our national political landscape. Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, we’ve already seen everything from campaign ads using AI-generated images to the continued spread of misinformation on platforms like Facebook. So, how exactly are emerging technologies like AI changing how we do politics? This hour, we’ll get into the good, the bad, and everything in between. Plus, we’ll look at how Connecticut lawmakers are thinking about artificial intelligence and get an update on local health insurance costs. GUESTS: Sujata SrinivasanJustin Hendrix: Ryan Heath: Micah Musser: Alison Cross: Hartford CourantSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You don't have to live and breathe politics to know about the NRA or Planned Parenthood. These organizations influence our democracy in big and small ways, and they’re pretty public about it. But what about those organizations that operate more in the shadows? Sometimes these organizations have just as much influence as the household names. So why don’t we know about them, and what do they mean for our democracy? This hour, we investigate some of these shadowy organizations. Plus, we’ll zoom in on an organization targeting both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights in the U.S. today. GUESTS: Anne Nelson: Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical RightR.G. Cravens:Southern Poverty Law Center The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elections in 2023 will determine who will lead cities and towns in Connecticut like Hartford, Bridgeport, and Fairfield. Local party committees recently faced a deadline to endorse candidates ahead of the September primaries. On this episode of The Wheelhouse, our panel of political experts and reporters discuss the primaries—from the endorsed candidates to their opponents. Plus, what these municipal races tell us about how Connecticut residents will vote in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. GUESTS: Mark PazniokasChristine StuartJonathan Wharton The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All week long, Connecticut Public’s talk shows are celebrating all things nautical with its first-ever NautiWeek. So, on The Wheelhouse, we’re going big on some sea creatures getting attention at the State Capitol. In recent years, state lawmakers have put in place a number of protections for both horseshoe crabs and shellfish — including a ban on hand-harvesting horseshoe crabs just this past year. This hour, learn all about efforts to preserve both of these creatures in Connecticut. GUESTS: Jo-Marie Kasinak: John Moritz: Tessa Getchis: Special thanks to our colleague Jeni Ahrens for contributing to this episode. Dive into all of the nautical-themed stories airing this week on Connecticut Public's original talk shows by visiting ctpublic.org/nautiweek. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. Coast Guard is coming under fire for its years-long cover-up of sexual assault. Now, federal lawmakers — including members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation — are demanding accountability. This hour, we’ll give you the latest on that. Plus, service on one of the largest commuter railroads in America could shut down in the coming months. What a workers strike might mean for the Metro-North railroad — and your commute. Finally, we break down the debate over Connecticut’s new kindergarten age cutoff. GUESTS: Lisa Hagen:John Moritz: Alex Putterman: Lisa Fiore: The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2021, Connecticut passed a law mandating school districts to have curricula focused on quote "the science of reading." That refers to research-backed approaches to literacy like phonics. Initially, all 200 school districts had until July 1 of this year to implement an approved “science of reading” program. That deadline is now July 1, 2025. But not all school districts are happy about this. So, why is “the science of reading” facing so much pushback? This hour, we’ll break down the past and present of the so-called “reading wars” in Connecticut and beyond. GUESTS: Emily Hanford: Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So WrongLouise Spear-Swerling: Dr. Margie Gillis: The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. The Wheelhouse Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s official — adults in Connecticut can now grow cannabis at home. If you’re 21 or older, you can legally grow up to 12 plants per household, as long as you’re growing them indoors and away from public view. For years, cannabis has been a budding industry in Connecticut and across the U.S. The push to legalize — and expand the cannabis market — has swept the country. About half of all Americans live in a state where it’s legal to possess and purchase cannabis if you’re 21 years old. This hour, we’ll get in the weeds on Connecticut’s cannabis laws — and why there's been so much inaction at the federal level. Plus, a recap of some recent Supreme Court decisions. GUESTS: Jay Wexler:Weed Rules: Blazing the Way to a Just and Joyous Marijuana PolicyJordan Fenster:Tahira Rehmatullah:Waiting to Inhale: Cannabis Legalization and the Fight for Racial JusticeIan MillhiserSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut has hundreds of miles of shoreline, extending from Greenwich in the west to Stonington in the east. But many of these coastal communities have found ways to exclude certain people. In fact, there's a long history of segregation on our shores, dating back decades. This hour, we’ll unpack past and present beach access in Connecticut. Plus, we’ll look at who does — and does not — get access to quality public spaces like parks. GUESTS: Andrew KahrlFree the Beaches: The Story of Ned Coll and the Battle for America’s Most Exclusive ShorelineDr. KangJae Lee: The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In May 1969, Black Panther Alex Rackley was murdered by fellow revolutionaries in Connecticut. Rackley’s murder eventually led to what some call “one of the most significant political trials of the century.” In 1970, the New Haven Black Panther trials became the focus of national attention — and what happened then reverberates loudly into the present. This hour, we’ll unpack everything from how the federal government targeted Black Panther Party leaders to the legacy of the trials in the Elm City. GUESTS: Mercy Quaye: CEO of the Narrative Project and host of the podcast, Revolution on Trial Paul Bass: Founder of the New Haven Independent and co-author of Murder in the Model City: The Black Panthers, Yale, and the Redemption of a Killer Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut will soon see what’s being called the largest reduction in income tax since it was first enacted in 1991. As Connecticut cuts taxes, federal lawmakers are huddling over a reduction totaling north of $200 billion. This hour, we're looking at tax cuts and their impact on the economy. Plus, we'll recap President Joe Biden's recent visit to Connecticut. GUESTS: Susan Haigh: Ken Dixon: Jean Ross: Molly IngramSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Wednesday marked the final day of this year’s legislative session in Connecticut. Since January 4th, lawmakers have debated bills surrounding medical aid-in-dying, zoning reform, Medicaid, gun control, and so much more. This hour, we're gonna break down some of the big bills from the session — and also talk about what lawmakers did not get to this year. Plus, June’s a busy month for the Supreme Court. We’ll break down some of the big decisions expected in the weeks ahead. GUESTS: Christine Stuart: Jaden Edison: Susan Raff: Tobias Barrington Wolff: The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month marks one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Since then, we’ve seen states across the country roll back abortion access. But here in Connecticut, the opposite has been true. From protections for providers to a “safe harbor fund,” lawmakers have proposed different ways to expand abortion access in the state this year. This hour, we’ll get the latest on that and how Connecticut compares to other states. Plus, we get a preview of the final day of this legislative session. GUESTS: Deb Risisky:Christine Stuart:Sarah McCammonJohn Craven:Chris PolanskySupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Connecticut officials finally gave the ‘thumbs up’ to baby bonds, reaching an agreement on how to finance its long-awaited program dedicated to reinvesting money in under-served communities. Officials hope the program will help break cycles of generational poverty. It's on track to begin in July, after being in political limbo for quite some time. This hour, we look at what it will mean for Connecticut residents — and why it took so long to reach an agreement. Plus, Connecticut has ended its COVID emergency. We’ll break down what that means for you. GUESTS: Ginny Monk: Dedrick Asante‑Muhammad​: Ofronama Biu: Sujata Srinivasan: Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year, Connecticut became one of the first states to mandate Asian American and Pacific Islander studies in K-12 public schools. The bill requires AAPI studies to be implemented in the state curriculum by the 2025-26 school year. It also provides about $150,000 in state funding to support these efforts. School districts will incorporate a wide range of topics into their curricula, from AAPI history to AAPI involvement in the arts. So where does the development of this curriculum stand right now? This hour, we check in on that. Plus, we get the latest on legislation inspired by Randy Cox, who was paralyzed at the hands of police. We also look at the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. GUESTS: Jason Oliver ChangEddy Martinez:William BuzbeeSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last election day, residents voted overwhelmingly to bring early voting to Connecticut. But it won’t be implemented in time for next election day, according to the state’s top election official, Stephanie Thomas. This hour, we look at how early voting will work in the state. Plus, we look at efforts from Connecticut’s senators to regulate social media at the federal level, and we break down the professional diversity of the state’s judicial bench. GUESTS: Christine StuartLisa Hagen:Michael MarcianoConnecticut Law TribuneSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.