In April, a group of owners of National Hockey League teams approved the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Utah. The move was a disappointment for Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. Lamont had pitched the idea of the Coyotes coming to Hartford to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman earlier this year. Today on The Wheelhouse, what would it take for Hartford to get the NHL – and the Whalers – back? And later, May marks 25 years since a partnership between Connecticut and the NFL’s Patriots fell apart. We’ll revisit the May 1, 1999 dissolution of the Connecticut NFL project. GUESTS: Colin McEnroe, host of Connecticut Public’s The Colin McEnroe Show Andrew Zimbalist, professor of Economics, Smith College Dan Haar, columnist and senior editor, Hearst Connecticut Media Group Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Student-led protests of the Israel-Hamas War are growing as the fighting continues. Students camp out and call on their educational institutions to divest from companies they say support the killing of civilians – while the world reacts. This hour, we look at how the protests in support of civilians in Gaza – and the war in general – are being talked about and how that rhetoric affects the safety of Palestinian and Jewish people. GUESTS: Sharon Otterman: Reporter covering education, health, other issues in New York City, New York Times Eddy Martinez: Breaking News Reporter, CT Public Jason Stanley: Professor of Philosophy, Yale University Gregg Gonsalves: Associate Professor at Yale School of Public Health and Associate Professor at Yale Law School Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does political dysfunction happen? What are the systems that enable it? A new four-part podcast from Connecticut Public looks for answers in Bridgeport, where corruption charges, allegations of absentee ballot misconduct, and machine politics have left some residents wondering if their vote even matters. Today on The Wheelhouse, catch the first episode of In Absentia. The podcast offers listeners a deep dive into the history of political dysfunction in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Plus, we’ll hear from Connecticut Public’s Lisa Hagen about Connecticut's federal delegation ahead of general elections in November.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut’s affordable housing crisis has taken center stage during the state’s 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions. This hour, are meaningful reforms on the horizon for state residents? And how have zoning ordinances, a lack of transit-oriented development, and “opt-in” programs contributed to the crisis at hand? Jacqueline Rabe Thomas: Investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media Group Anika Singh Lemar: Clinical Professor of Law, Yale Law School Ginny Monk: Children’s issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror Abigail Brone: Housing reporter, Connecticut Public Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Presidential election years are an emotional rollercoaster. And if you’ve been feeling anxious about the state of the country, there’s a good chance the children in your life have picked up on that. This hour, how should we talk to kids about the election?Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut’s 2024 presidential preference primary represented several things for state residents. It was a shot at relevancy, a chance to demonstrate against Democrats, and an inaugural crack at early in-person voting. This hour, we explore how Tuesday’s presidential nominating contest in the Nutmeg State shook out. Stephanie Thomas: Secretary of the State of Connecticut Susan Raff: Chief political reporter, WFSB News Ch. 3 Mark Pazniokas: Capitol bureau chief, CT Mirror Dr. Bilal Sekou: Hillyer College associate professor of politics and government, University of Hartford 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early polls suggest that voters want more options than just Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election. This hour, we look beyond the two-party system and ask what a non-Democrat or Republican candidate could mean for the race to the White House. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Threats against women and threats against democracy are inextricably linked, according to experts who study and track gendered political violence. While threats to American democracy have manifested in events like the January 6 Capitol Riot, threats against women in politics have come in the form of harmful rhetoric and even targeted attacks. This hour, we explore how women are faring in American politics. Kellie Carter Jackson: Chair of the Africana Studies department, Wellesley College Sarah Sobieraj: Professor and Chair of Sociology, Tufts University Shefali Luthra: Health Reporter, The 19th 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the upcoming presidential election, democracy hangs in the balance. So, newsrooms across the country should hold up a mirror and ask: is our reporting shaping the race to the White House?Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve heard buzz about the Oscars for months – the drama, the snubs, the countless interviews. Pretty soon we’ll finally get to watch it all unfold. But before we do, join us this hour as we explore how today’s most popular TV shows and movies reflect our political landscape. We’ll dive into how the horror genre has drawn inspiration from the world around us and how comedians are wrestling with ways to bring levity to real-life horrors. Jeffrey Dudas: Professor of Political Science, University of Connecticut Eric Deggans: TV critic, NPR 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 episodeSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political tension is growing in America and beyond. And with the 2024 United States presidential election on the horizon, there’s concern that increased political tension will lead to violence. A recent national survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) reported that nearly a quarter of Americans support political violence – 23%. That’s an increase from 15% in 2021. This hour, we look at how the threat of violence impacts domestic and foreign politics. Katie Reisner: Senior Counsel for States United Democracy Center Archon Fung: Director of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School Kevin Boyle: William Smith Mason Professor of American History, Northwestern University Chris Doyle: American History teacher at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut and Ph.D. in History Bria Lloyd: Investigative Reporter, Connecticut Public 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent poll suggests that fewer Black Americans will vote for President Joe Biden this time around. On the next Wheelhouse, we dig deeper than the numbers – and look at why issues like global conflicts are upending the way we think about how people vote.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.