The Wheelhouse

Recent redactions to the Epstein files have raised renewed questions about what the government does – and does not – strike from highly sensitive documents. The black pen has been used on classified materials for decades. But amid renewed calls for disclosure, more Americans are raising questions about the politics behind what stays in and what gets taken out. Today on the Wheelhouse, we’re talking about government redactions and the power of the pen. Guests: Sam Lebovic:Barbara McQuade:Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump says the U.S. conflict with Iran is “nearing completion.” He’s addressed the American people after gas prices soared and markets panicked. It’s a story America knows all too well, with a reliance on fossil fuels causing many crises including in 1973, 1979, 1999, and 2022. Today on the Wheelhouse, we’re looking at oil and how it shapes U.S. foreign policy. Guests: Tik RootJeff D. ColganÁine PennelloSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What you see on the internet could influence how you see one side of a political debate. Whether it was the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal law enforcement, – or what NPR is calling “America’s first AI-fueled war” in Iran, images generated online may distort what’s actually happening. Today on The Wheelhouse, as trust in news reaches new lows, how is artificial intelligence fueling larger media skepticism? Guests: Alyssa AppelmanRenee Hobbs,Lisa Hagen,Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut has sued the federal government to keep colleges and universities from releasing race-based admissions data to the White House. Ahead of “Ivy Day,” when students will learn if they’ve gotten into some of the country’s most prestigious schools, we’re re-visiting a 2023 Supreme Court decision that effectively banned affirmative action in collegiate enrollment. We’ll hear from the president of Wesleyan University about the challenges facing higher education and ask if people of color are getting a fair shake in the college admissions process. Guests: Michael RothBilal Sekou Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White House and the U.S. Department of Defense are incorporating “maximum lethality” into their rhetoric about the war in Iran. It’s hyper-masculine language, tied to a misogynistic and fringe internet culture known to target women. At a time when administration officials are selling Iran airstrikes with montages of popular moments in American culture, the line between triumph and tragedy is blurring. Today on The Wheelhouse, the real life consequences of online hyper-masculinity on women around the globe. Guests: Adam AleksicJiyoun SukSaed HillSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Election results from 2024 have necessitated deep dives into the manosphere.These podcasts often don’t focus on political horse races – and many of the people on them say they’re not political. But, according to one data firm, 54% of votes from men aged 18 to 29 were cast for Donald Trump. And his campaign did a lot of outreach to appear on the podcasts, courting an audience demographic that once went the other way. Today on The Wheelhouse, with the midterms coming up in November we ask: Can MAGA still count on the manosphere? Guests: Elena MooreCharlie SabgirTheodore R. JohnsonSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Connecticut, some students are joining a national movement to protest federal immigration crackdowns. Students from Classical Magnet School in Hartford poured out of the classroom and onto the streets in February, holding up signs like “ICE OUT” to passing cars. The demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement are happening in places like Hartford, Tampa and Northern Virginia in the weeks since federal agents killed two Americans in Minneapolis. This hour, we’re discussing student protests and other ways young people are engaging in civics. We'll also get the latest on the developing conflict in Iran and the Middle East. Guests: U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.)Annmarie TimminsChris Doyle Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A plan sponsored by President Donald Trump to overhaul national voting laws ahead of the 2026 midterms is back in Congress. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) called the SAVE America Act and its recent passage in the U.S. House a “critical step toward restoring election integrity.” But detractors, like U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), said the plan would make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. Today on The Wheelhouse, the impact on voters, if the SAVE America Act passes. Also on the show, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) responds to Trump’s State of the Union address and gives the latest on the ongoing debate about government funding and immigration reform. GUESTS: U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)Bilal Sekou Archon FungSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A panel of civic-minded individuals answer questions at the University of Connecticut’s Hartford campus about engagement and the connective tissue of politics. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut lawmakers want to reduce kids’ screentime in 2026, arguing that it protects children. Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed banning cell phones from “bell to bell” in Connecticut classrooms. But not all lawmakers are onboard with the idea, including a Republican lawmaker who’s accusing members of her legislative chamber of trying to “co-parent” Connecticut’s children. Today on The Wheelhouse, we explore “Phone Free CT” and what it means for children. GUESTS: Rep. Jennifer Leeper Rep. Gale MastrofrancescoGail Jordan,John MurphyLisa HagenSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State lawmakers return to Hartford Wednesday for the opening of the 2026 legislative session. They meet as federal lawmakers argue over expiring health care subsidies and immigration enforcement operations across the country. In Connecticut, how will these federal cuts and controversies impact the work lawmakers do this session? And with soaring energy costs continuing to hammer Connecticut customers, might there be room for bipartisan compromise? Guests: Rep. Vincent Candelora,Rep. Matt RitterSusan RaffEbong UdomaSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Suffs,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about history-making women, is coming to Hartford. From Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, the people behind “Suffs” say they’ll highlight themes of the past that are still relevant today including grassroots activism, race, gender and class dynamics. Producers of "Suffs" say it isn’t some “dry history lesson,” but a high-energy, rousing experience saluting the powerful American women who fought for the right to vote. Today on The Wheelhouse, meet Danyel Fulton, the actor that plays journalist Ida B. Wells. And we'll explore the suffragist movement in Connecticut. GUESTS: Danyel FultonRachel SussmanNatalie BelangerSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Civilians and federal ICE agents are clashing from Hartford to Minneapolis. Federal officials are amping up enforcement efforts – and rhetoric – in the wake of several shootings in Minnesota at the hands of federal ICE agents. How are protesters and journalists responding? Today on The Wheelhouse, government accountability and transparency in 2026. GUESTS: Elana BildnerGloria J. Browne-MarshallElisa Lees MuñozMiles Pinsof-BerlowitzThomas LyonsJanhavi MundeSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Visitors to U.S. national parks get in free on certain holidays. But two days honoring Black history, Martin Luther King’s birthday – and Juneteenth – are no longer free. As America marks 40 years of observing MLK Day, today on the Wheelhouse we’ll look at how the current Republican administration in Washington is marking King’s birthday and what that means for Black history. GUESTS: Bilal Sekou Alan SpearsCharlie SykesSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2026 grads seeking professional degrees face capped loans thanks to funding cuts in the federal Republican tax and spending plan Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did Connecticut earn the moniker “Constitution State”? Hint – it’s not the Constitution you learned about in history class! We’ll travel back to the 1600s to explore how history, conflict and big aspirations helped shape the state’s identity. GUESTS: Thomas BalcerskiKathy Craughwell-VardaAndrea Rapacz This episode originally aired on Aug. 20, 2025. 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.

Free speech is in focus at this year’s Wheelhouse LIVE event amid significant shifts in the world of broadcast media. If free press is the cornerstone of American Democracy, what do the Trump administration’s attacks on late night TV hosts – and Congress’ claw back of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – tell us about the future of American politics and pop culture? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trad wives, short for “traditional wives,” are taking social media by storm. Clips of women, dressing up in 1950s-style dresses, homesteading and making food from scratch, are receiving a lot of likes and lots of criticism on the web. This hour, we peek behind the apron and ask: What does social media's trad wife phenomenon tell us about politics today? Guests: Jessica GroseCarrie BakerMicah EnglishSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From toys to turkeys, holiday purchases and their price tags are being shaped by politics. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and years of persistent inflation are leaving many Americans with sticker shock. Higher prices are hitting not just for big importers, but also at your favorite local shops and restaurants. Many Americans tell Consumer Reports that they’re “very or extremely” concerned about price increases – with three-quarters of respondents pointing to tariffs as a big reason why. This hour, we’re exploring the impact of the economy on holiday shopping here in Connecticut. GUESTS: Daniel DesrochersChris RaymondDaniela DoncelSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut lawmakers had a lot to do during the latest special session. On top of unfinished housing business, lawmakers had only two days to authorize a $500 million dollar relief package to address federal cuts. They also voted on the purchase of a major hospital and worked to curb increased federal law enforcement efforts in Connecticut. And what about the spectre of rising health insurance premiums in just a few weeks? Today on The Wheelhouse, the skinny on what state lawmakers were able to accomplish in a special session. We’ll also ask what’s next following the longest federal shutdown in US history. GUESTS: Michayla SavittLisa HagenAbby BroneGinny Monk,Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.