WCNY PBS

Balancing Act with John Katko

In a media landscape polarized by extreme viewpoints, John Katko brings balance to discussions on divisive political issues.

Author

WCNY PBS

Category

Government

Latest episode

Jul 11, 2026

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Episodes

Sanctuary Cities: Haven or Hindrance? 11.07.2026

John Katko discusses whether sanctuary cities are a haven or a hindrance.

NATO 13.06.2026

John Katko discusses NATO

Cuba: How Far Should the U.S. Go? 16.05.2026

John Katko is joined by Cuba Scholar Michael J. Bustamante from the University of Miami, to examine the history of Cuba. In the Trapeze, representatives Jim McGovern and Carlos Gimenez debate Cuba and how the U.S. should get involved.

Sports Betting 28.02.2026

John Katko finds the balance in conversations on sports betting.

Housing Crisis 21.02.2026

John Katko investigates the housing crisis.

Cybersecurity 14.02.2026

John Katko evaluates the threat of cyberattacks.

New Food Pyramid 07.02.2026

John Katko finds the balance in conversations about the new food pyramid.

War Powers Resolution 31.01.2026

John Katko finds the balance in conversations about the War Powers Resolution

Voter ID Laws 24.01.2026

John Katko finds the balance in conversations about voter I.D. laws.

Monroe Doctrine 17.01.2026

John Katko discusses the application and evolution of the Monroe Doctrine.

Bipartisanship 10.01.2026

John Katko discusses bipartisanship and why it's a difficult balance to achieve.

Red Flag Laws 03.01.2026

John Katko is joined by Joshua Horwitz from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions to discuss the intent behind red flag laws. In the Trapeze, we'll hear from Dr. John Tures, Professor of Political Science at LaGrange College, and Clark Neily, Senior Vice President for Legal Studies at the Cato Institute, as they debate whether red flag laws are effective or if they infringe on the Se...

Energy Crossroad 27.12.2025

John Katko is joined by David Turk, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy to discuss the energy needs of the U.S. In the Trapeze, we'll hear from Joseph Majkut, Director of Energy Security and Climate Change Program at CSIS, and Kenny Stein, Vice President of Policy at IER, to debate how to build a sustainable energy grid.

Mental Health 20.12.2025

How do we handle the mental health crisis in the US? In the Center Ring, Dr. Jessica Schleider from Northwestern University evaluates the severity of mental health issues among Americans. Then, Congressmen Don Beyer (D-VA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX), co-chairs of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, discuss causes and solutions.

The Price of Higher Education 13.12.2025

John Katko is joined by Mark Kantrowitz, college financial aid expert, to discuss the price of higher education. In the Trapeze, we'll hear from Professor of Education from UT Knoxville, Robert Kelchen, and Professor of Economics at Colgate University, Chad Sparber to debate how we keep college education affordable.

SNAP 06.12.2025

John Katko is joined by Craig Gunderson from the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty to discuss the history of the SNAP program. In the Trapeze, we'll hear from SNAP Director at the Food Research and Action Center, Gina Plata-Nino, and Kilts Family Chair In Fiscal Studies at the CATO Institute, Chris Edwards, to debate if SNAP is in need of reform.

Supreme Court Term Limits 29.11.2025

John Katko is joined by Executive Director of SCOTUSblog.com, Zachary Shemtob to discuss the history of the Supreme Court. In the Trapeze, we'll hear from retired professor of constitutional law, Suzanna Sherry, and Editor and Chief of Cato Supreme Court review, Thomas Berry, to debate if the Supreme Court ought to have term limits.

Prescription Medications 22.11.2025

John Katko is joined by RAND Senior Health Economist Andrew Mulcahy to learn about how prescription drugs are priced. In the Trapeze, we hear from Vermont Senator Peter Welch and Executive Vice President of Policy and Research at PhRMA Elizabeth Carpenter on if prescription drugs are fairly priced in the United States.

Presidential Pardons 15.11.2025

John Katko is joined by former United States Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer and Congressman Steve Cohen to learn about presidential pardons. In the Trapeze, we hear from professors of law Bernadette Meyler and Mark Osler on how presidential pardons should be used.

The Department of Justice 08.11.2025

John Katko is joined by former Deputy Attorney General George Terwilliger to learn about the Department of Justice. In the Trapeze, we'll hear from Professor of political science Dr. Carson Holloway and former federal prosecutor and former White House counsel Ty Cobb on how the president should use the DOJ.

Artificial Intelligence 01.11.2025

Artificial Intelligence by WCNY PBS

Government Shutdowns 23.10.2025

John Katko learns the history behind lawmakers using government shutdowns as a political negotiating tool with University of Michigan Professor Donald Moynihan. In the Trapeze, we hear from Mike Christine from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and New York Representative Mike Lawler about the costs of a government shutdown to the American people, and if it's worth paying.

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