
The Wheelhouse
Wednesdays at 9:00 AM & 8:00 PM, available as a podcast
Local and national politics, but with the noise turned down and the perspective turned up. The Wheelhouse works to make Connecticut politics more understandable…and more accessible.
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Connecticut residents pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country. The governor of Connecticut wants local lawmakers to do something about it. He’s said “cosmetic changes”, like shifting payments from energy customers to taxpayers, won’t solve the problem of using more electricity than the state can muster. Today on the Wheelhouse, we’ll check in with reporters on what lawmakers are doing this year to make energy consumers whole. Plus, how are local lawmakers preparing for a future that may come with less federal dollars to support local education? We’ll analyze another funding priority of Gov. Ned Lamont in this year’s legislative session: finding more dollars in support of students with disabilities. GUESTS: John Moritz, Energy and environment reporter, CT Mirror Ebong Udoma, Senior political reporter, WSHU Erik Katovich, Assistant Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics, University of Connecticut Jessika Harkay, Education reporter, CT Mirror Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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ICE agents are popping up in local communities like East Hartford and Willimantic as the Trump administration calls on federal law enforcement to amp up arrests and detentions. New federal Department of Homeland Security Secretary says Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump are “making our streets safe.” At the same time, Trump ordered the release of people convicted of seditious conspiracy following their participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol breach. This week on the Wheelhouse, we analyze criminal justice policy in the early days of the new Trump administration and how the people of Connecticut will be impacted by these executive actions. GUESTS: Andrew Brown: Investigative Reporter from CT Mirror Bilal Sekou: Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford Beatriz Aldana Marquez: Assistant Professor of Sociology and Core Faculty Member of the El Instituto Charles Venator-Santiago: Associate professor in the departments of political science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This hour, we examine the intersection of big tech and politics. AI is growing rapidly and lawmakers in Connecticut and beyond are attempting to regulate the harmful impacts of artificial intelligence without stymieing innovation. Meanwhile, billionaire CEOs were front and center at the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Tesla Motors CEO and X executive chairman, Elon Musk, even has a role in President Trump’s administration. Will this relationship impact the government’s ability to keep big tech’s power in check? GUESTS: Sigal Samuel: Senior reporter and host of the Future Perfect podcast, Vox Meredith Broussard: Data journalist and associate professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York University Kathryn Hulick: Science journalist, Science News Explores Brian Zahn: Reporter, New Haven Register Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Earlier in January, prior to the inauguration of President Donald Trump, listeners were invited to a taping of The Wheelhouse in Hartford. A shortened version of the event aired on Connecticut Public Radio on January 22. This bonus from the live event features two surprise guests. You'll hear conversations with 2025's Connecticut Teacher of the Year, Julia Miller, and personal injury attorney Brooke Goff, whom you might recognize from her many billboards on Interstate 84Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Donald Trump is going back to the White House at the same time Connecticut lawmakers return to work at the State Capitol. Following a tense election cycle, what’s in store for America – and Connecticut – in 2025?Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Joe Biden’s final day in office is January 20. In the weeks since Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election to Donald Trump, President Biden has focused on criminal justice, foreign policy, and clean energy. This hour, we look at what’s left for Biden to tackle on his way out of the White House, and what legacy he leaves behind. GUESTS: Brakkton Booker: National political correspondent, Politico Lisa Hagen: Federal policy reporter, CT Mirror and CT Public Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Connecticut’s 2025 legislative session is underway. Over the next six months, lawmakers will convene to address some of the state’s most pressing issues. This hour, we’ll explore the top priorities for this session, including affordable housing, funding for public education and more. We’ll walk through the bills you should be following and how they may impact you and your pocketbook. GUESTS: Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3 Bilal Sekou, Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford Ebong Udoma, Senior Reporter, WSHU Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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When stressful conversations about politics are “on the table” this holiday season, how can we stay engaged with family members who have totally different views from our own? This week on The Wheelhouse, Professor Irshad Manji talks with us about how people can apply her "Five Skills of Moral Courage" to build trust and respect with people we want to have positive relationships with, regardless of politics. Irshad Manji is the founder of Moral Courage College and author of three books: Allah, Liberty and Love and The Trouble with Islam Today, and her latest book is Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times. This episode originally aired on November 27, 2024. GUEST: Irshad Manji: Professor and founder of Moral Courage College and author of Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times. 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.
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Health insurance is expensive. The average American spent $13,493 per person in 2022, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And according to national health policy researcher KFF, most insured Americans have experienced a problem using their insurance. That may explain the complete lack of empathy some people showed online in reaction to the targeted killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of America’s largest private health insurer, UnitedHealthcare. Lawmakers sprouted into action when Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield considered capping their coverage of anesthesia services for patients during surgeries. Today on a special Wheelhouse, we’re examining the intersection of politics and the healthcare insurance industry. Plus, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is in-studio to address the insurance issue, as well as concerns related to reproductive rights and the funding of public education in advance of January’s convening of the 2025 legislative session in Connecticut. GUESTS: Ned Lamont: Governor, State of Connecticut Alex Putterman: Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media Katy Golvala: Health reporter, CT Mirror Lisa Hagen: Federal policy reporter, CT Public and CT Mirror Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In the past few years, lawmakers in Connecticut have gotten closer to meaningful legislation that would lower a vehicle’s carbon footprint. They’ve also introduced a pilot program targeting food scraps in an effort to reduce waste. Their job may get harder. President-elect Donald Trump's record on climate change is already forcing state lawmakers to re-think local policy changes. A week after the election, Gov. Ned Lamont said he’s no longer pursuing a mandate that would’ve phased out sales of new gas-powered vehicles in the state by 2035. Today on the Wheelhouse, how initiatives seeking to curb climate change will be impacted by the 2024 election. GUESTS: Michayla Savitt: State government reporter, Connecticut Public Shannon Osaka: Climate zeitgeist reporter, The Washington Post Miriam Wasser: Senior climate and environment reporter, WBUR Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Prior to Election Day, advocates were worried about a national abortion ban and further local restrictions on reproductive care. And then, Donald Trump was elected president, with Republicans alongside him taking over the U.S. Congress. Reporters covering reproductive rights are analyzing what comes next under Trump, someone who’s taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Today on the Wheelhouse, what happens when the federal government begins to prioritize certain state laws over a patient’s right to receive medical care? We’ll also examine local efforts to combat potential restrictions on reproductive care, including the launching of a 24/7 service called the Connecticut Abortion Legal Hotline. GUESTS: William Tong (D): Attorney General, State of Connecticut Shefali Luthra: Reproductive health reporter, The 19th Rachel Rebouché: Professor of Law, Temple University Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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When stressful conversations about politics are “on the table” this holiday season, how can we stay engaged with family members who have totally different views from our own? This week on The Wheelhouse, Professor Irshad Manji talks with us about how people can apply her "Five Skills of Moral Courage" to build trust and respect with people we want to have positive relationships with, regardless of politics. Irshad Manji is the founder of Moral Courage College and author of three books: Allah, Liberty and Love and The Trouble with Islam Today, and her latest book is Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times. GUEST: Irshad Manji: Professor and founder of Moral Courage College and author of Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times. This episode was produced by Frankie Graziano, Chloe Wynne and Robyn Doyon-AitkenThe 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.