The Wheelhouse

There are nearly 500,000 registered Republicans in Connecticut. That figure is less than the number of registered Democrats – and unaffiliated voters – in the state. Republicans are at a disadvantage in both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly. And in the final Quinnipiac University poll released ahead of the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election, the CT GOP-endorsed candidate is trai...

Connecticut voters will choose between incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) in less than a month. On the next Wheelhouse, we sit down one-on-one with both candidates to hear where they stand on immigration enforcement, taxes and spending, electric rates, and more. Then, Mark Pazniokas from CT Mirror helps us unpack the candidates’ messaging. It’s essent...

Polling of likely voters in midterm elections indicates people aren’t happy with the way the current administration is managing the U.S. economy. About 60% of respondents in a recent  New York Times/Siena University poll  say they disapprove of how Donald Trump is handling the U.S. economy. Which party is better able to tackle a national affordability crisis? That’s a decidin...

Last week, climate leaders from around the world gathered in New York for Climate Week – the biggest annual conference of its kind. We’ll hear what was discussed, where we’re making progress on clean energy, and what’s getting in the way. The political landscape is shifting, with the Trump administration  rolling back federal climate policies  even as some climate...

Before you toss the latest campaign mailer into the recycling bin, take a look. You might notice a new buzzy campaign issue splashed across the ad: AI Data Centers. According to  NPR’s analysis  of political advertising data, mentions of AI data centers in campaign materials are increasing – up from just a handful in January to 164 in August. The research shows a bipartisan e...

Two-thirds of Americans surveyed are worried about the integrity of U.S. elections. That’s according to a  Gallup Poll released in July. A total of 67% of the respondents are concerned that political leaders will attempt to pressure election officials to change outcomes in the upcoming midterm elections. That's a significant percentage of people. President Donald Trump had ordered the U...

John Larson, a 14-term Democratic congressman, was  unable to stave off a primary challenge  from former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin. Larson wasn’t the only  incumbent who lost  on a primary night this year. As Republicans in Connecticut make their case against local incumbents, they campaign in a blue state, outnumbered by Democrats. Today on The Wheelhouse, we continue o...

The 2026 midterm elections are still weeks away, but voters are already sending signals about what November could look like. Across the country, primary races are testing the strength of party establishments, the appeal of moderate candidates and the enthusiasm of Democratic and Republican voters. This hour, we explore what’s happening in states from Maine to Michigan, and what those contest...

America is celebrating 250 years, but what does it mean to tell the whole story of the country? This hour , we explore who gets to shape American history and what happens when stories that have been overlooked finally come into focus. We learn about Black Americans who have too often been left out of the history books. And we look at how museums, historic sites and educators are navigating the que...

The August primaries in Connecticut are over and now it’s time to look ahead to the fall midterm campaign season. It’s that time of the election cycle when politicians quickly get over the arguments they had with their primary opponents and fellow party members – and pivot to the November general election as they compete against their political adversaries on the other end of the...

The U.S. Department of Education has updated its federal student loan guidance as changes involving college debt policy from the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act took effect July 1. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said that  American taxpayers  should no longer pay for other people’s student loans. But the changes, according to  NPR , will limit the amount of programs av...

John Larson hasn’t faced a stiff challenge from a member of his own party since he was first elected to represent Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District in 1998. Larson touts his experience as a 14-term representative, saying his seniority in Congress helps Connecticut. But his challengers say that Larson has been in Washington too long and that it’s time for a fresh perspectiv...

Children as young as 5  are being resettled in Connecticut after being picked up by federal law enforcement at the U.S. border. Attorneys for these unaccompanied children say they’re being held for too long and in some cases, aren’t released to sponsors at all until legal action is taken. This hour, we examine the U.S. government’s obligation to unaccompanied children. And l...

Health insurance through the Affordable Care Act still exists nearly two years after candidate Donald Trump said he had “concepts of a plan” to replace it. But even though many Americans still have access, it doesn’t mean coverage is affordable. New data out of Access Health CT reveals at least 22,000 Connecticut residents lost  coverage  after failing to make premium p...

Artificial intelligence is rapidly making its way into Connecticut’s classrooms. Connecticut lawmakers recently passed  Senate Bill 5 , a sweeping new law that includes investments in computer science education and the creation of a statewide  AI Academy . Supporters say it prepares students for the future, while educators are also grappling with questions about ethics, academic in...

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, many of the ideas at the heart of the nation's founding — from freedom and representation to checks and balances — remain subjects of fierce public debate. This hour, we explore America's official time capsule and the artifacts Connecticut is sending into the future. What story are we telling about who we are in 2026? And what does that story r...

“Suffs” is a Tony-award winning Broadway play celebrating the American women who fought for voting rights. This hour, we learn about the fight for the 19th amendment. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Hurricane Maria through this year’s Super Bowl, Bad Bunny, the “King of Latin Trap” continues to weave politics into his lyrics. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What makes a politician click with voters? Is it the message? The smile? The slogan? Or that one campaign ad everyone can't stop talking about? Today on The Wheelhouse, we go behind the scenes with political strategists to explore the making of a politician. We'll break down the speeches, slogans, handshakes, photo ops, and yes – even the cringeworthy campaign ads. Guests: Jill Barkley Roy ,...

Can I afford that big summer vacation? It’s a question many people ask this time of year. And the answer may hinge on greater economic forces at play. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  reported in May  that costs were up 3.8%. Moody’s – a financial services company –  tells CNBC  that the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and ene...

Connecticut lawmakers have expanded protections for undocumented migrants. They passed a law  earlier this year  that could keep the migrants from being picked up by federal law enforcement in a way state lawmakers say is unlawful. The state law comes while the federal judicial system  is flooded with new cases  as U.S. Immigration and Enforcement officers detain thousands of p...

Journey inside the mind of a lawmaker on the next Wheelhouse as we tap into the experience of a panel of politicians with more than 80 years of combined experience serving the people of Connecticut. We’ll ask about bipartisanship and the challenges or reaching across the aisle in 2026. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A  bill  to more closely regulate homeschooling passed the state legislature as the 2026 session came to a close this month. The proposal faced  significant pushback  from Republicans and parents who homeschool their children. Opponents of the new rules say they are  inconsistent with the state’s civil-liberties tradition . But child advocates and lawmakers supportin...

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Louisiana’s congressional map could have major consequences for voters across the country.  Critics say the decision weakens the Voting Rights Act and could make it harder for minority communities to elect candidates of their choice.  On the next Wheelhouse, who wins and who loses when lawmakers redraw political maps? How might the Su...

Connecticut lawmakers in 2026 have worked on a  new budget deal , debated  homeschool  regulation and tossed around the political football that is  skyrocketing energy costs . There’s still more business to do with one more day of lawmaking at the state Capitol, followed by more business up ahead on the campaign trail. Today on The Wheelhouse, local politics and the end o...