Where We Live

Restaurants are among the small businesses that are struggling. And even though the state hasn’t shut down many sectors this COVID wave, some small businesses are considering whether to close for good. This hour, we talk with David Lehman, the Commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). How does the state make decisions around its phased reopening rules...

10% of Americans are living with diabetes. Are you one of them? Managing a chronic illness can already be difficult, but managing it during a pandemic can be nearly impossible. This hour, we talk about the stigma and challenges that come with a diabetes diagnosis. We talk to Connecticut Public health care reporter Nicole Leonard, and physicians across our state to discuss this illness and what can...

Asma Rahimyar was the first person in her family to be born in the U.S. after her parents left Afghanistan fleeing conflict. This hour, the 20 year old Connecticut resident joins us to talk about another first.  She’s Southern Connecticut State University’s first-ever Rhodes Scholar . Later: President Trump still has nearly two months in the White House. We talk with a ProPublica...

Dogs are man’s best friend, but what’s really going on inside of their heads? This hour, we talk with canine cognition researcher Brian Hare. Hare runs Duke University’s Canine Cognition Center, and is the co-author of the new book:  Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity . Hare’s research says what makes our furry...

Thanksgiving is this Thursday. What is your Thanksgiving going to look like?  This hour, we focus on gratitude. Despite this chaotic, hard year, we want to know what you’re thankful for this year. Coming up, we talk about how we can all practice being a little bit more grateful, even during a pandemic. Where We Live - today, we really want to hear from you! Tell us what you are grateful...

COVID-19 cases continue to grow in Connecticut. And although the governor’s office has rolled the state’s reopening back not all municipal leaders think it’s enough. This hour, we talk with New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, who’s called for a further rollback that would halt indoor dining.  What impact would this have on Elm City businesses? And we find out how students...

The last fluent speaker of the Mohegan language, "Flying Bird" Fidelia Fielding, preserved her linguistic heritage in her extensive writings. But Flying Bird’s writings have been separated from the tribe for years, in the possession of outside scholars, and even at one point nearly all lost in a fire. Now, Flying Bird’s diaries and papers have finally come home. This hour, we talk with...

Leggings, slippers, t-shirts - it’s our at home office dress code! What are you wearing these days? This hour, we examine how fashion and style has evolved in the time of the pandemic. Sustainability is a must, and we’ve transitioned to chic office wear to cozy pandemic casual! Coming up, when we can go back to work and or formal parties like weddings, how are we going to dress? Have y...

Rebecca F. Kuang started writing her first novel,  The Poppy War , when she was just 19 years old. Now, the final installment in the author’s dark military fantasy series,  The Burning God , comes out today. This hour we talk with Kuang, who will also be starting a PhD program at Yale University in East Asian Languages and Literature. She has pursued an extensive academic care...

The holiday season is coming up, but Coronavirus cases are on the rise. This hour, we check in with Governor Ned Lamont. Many of us want to see our families, but is that the best thing to do for our state and our health? Many of Connecticut's surrounding states have been placed on Connecticut’s travel advisory list. And Connecticut's own positivity rate is rising. What questions do you have...

Connecticut lost four young people to suicide last month, leading Connecticut’s Child Advocate to  issue a public health alert . There’s no doubt that the pandemic has taken a huge toll on everyone. This hour, we focus on the unique mental health challenges teens face during this pandemic. We talk with advocates and survivors about the risk factors for young people who may be in c...

In a world where falsehoods sometimes come directly from our elected officials, how do we spot “disinformation" when we see it?  This hour, what’s the science behind uncovering “fake news?” Coming up, we hear how a new Harvard University  digital research platform  is working to track and study disinformation campaigns. These types of campaigns are more sophi...

COVID cases in Connecticut continue to rise, and the majority of residents now live  in what the state defines as “red zones” . Governor Lamont has ordered a voluntary curfew and the state has required restaurants to begin shutting down starting at 9:30 p.m., with doors closed by 10 p.m. But what will this mean for an industry already on a knife’s edge financially? We hear f...

The academic year is well on it’s way. How are students and teachers in Connecticut adapting to their second semester of online learning?  This hour, Connecticut Department of Education Commissioner Miguel A. Cardona joins us to answer our questions and yours on the state of Connecticut’s schools.  According to a report released by the Department of Education last week, stude...

Election Day is over. So what happens next? This hour, how did this year's polls match the actual election results? The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments next week regarding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. A correspondent with Kaiser Health News joins us to discuss what’s at stake for those that depend on it’s coverage. Coronavirus cases are going up in the...

As votes are still being counted in critical swing states, Americans are holding their breath waiting to see who will be elected President. There’s no doubt the 2020 election is determining the political future of this country. But it’s also a major test of our democracy. This hour, we talk with New York Times columnist Amanda Taub and political scientist Dr. Bilal Sekou. We talk about...

Election Day is finally here. Connecticut Public Radio will bring you election coverage all day, and all night as Americans wait for results. Coming up, Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill joins us to answer our questions and yours about voting at the polls today, including where to submit your absentee ballot. We want to hear from you. Are you going to the polls today? Is this your...

Connecticut is a safe blue state in national elections, yet in 2016, a significant number of residents supported Donald Trump.  And some of them plan to vote for him again. This hour we hear from Connecticut Public Radio reporter Ali Oshinskie, who’s been talking to Trump voters in the Naugatuck Valley. We also check in on Massachusetts where voters will have the chance to decide whethe...

When you think about a dinosaur what springs to mind? Probably something with giant teeth...but is it grey and scaly like a lizard? What about the sound it makes? Does it have a roar like a supersized lion? Earlier this month Where We Live producer Carmen Baskauf moderated a virtual event with paleontologist Julia Clarke, a lecture presented by the Yale Peabody Museum. Clarke studies the evolution...

Maria Hinojosa has been a groundbreaking journalist reporting on politics, immigration, and more for years. From being the first Latina in NPR’s newsroom to starting her own media company, Hinojosa has pushed the mainstream to acknowledge the importance of Latinx representation. This hour we talk with Hinojosa about her new book  Once I Was You, A Memoir of Love and Hate In A Torn Ameri...

Dogs are man’s best friend, but what’s really going on inside of their heads? This hour, we talk with canine cognition researcher Brian Hare. Hare runs Duke University’s Canine Cognition Center, and is the co-author of the new book:  Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity . Hare’s research says what makes our furry...

How is the Department of Correction preparing for the next wave of the coronavirus? How are prisons working to contain the spread of the virus amongst Connecticut's prison population?  This hour, newly appointed DOC Commissioner designate Angel Quiros joins us to answer our questions and yours.  Coming up, we talk about the commissioner’s plans to reduce Connecticut’s prison...

This year often feels like a Shakespearean drama! This hour, theaters around the state join us to talk about the future of the performing arts. What does a Zoom performance look like? Can it really replicate an in person performance? Do you miss going to some of our state’s amazing performing arts centers? We want to hear from you. GUESTS: Melia Bensussen  - Artistic Director at Hartfor...

Connecticut’s capital city is experiencing another public health crisis amidst the pandemic -- an epidemic of gun violence. There have been more than 50 shootings in Hartford since September. This hour, we talk about what’s behind this disturbing rise in violence, and how to address it. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin joins us and we hear from anti-violence advocates. How should we make sen...

In 2016, polls in key states underestimated the chances of a Donald Trump victory. This hour, how have pollsters changed the way they measure public opinion? Can we still rely on election polling?  Coming up, we hear from a pollster and survey researcher and talk about how to understand polling in the days leading up to Election Day.  Many pollsters are reporting a double digit Biden lea...