The Wheelhouse

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 corres...

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 p...

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,...

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 Bri...

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 wee...

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 Whee...

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...

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election marked a better showing for the former president than the last time he ran back in 2020. So far in Connecticut–even though he didn’t capture the state’s seven electoral votes–Trump has collected 21,253 more votes than he did four years ago. That’s according to the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office . Today on the Wheelhouse, a panel...

Last year, 46,728 people were killed in firearm deaths . For parents and families grieving children lost to the Sandy Hook School shooting, there’s no escaping the trauma associated with that loss, and the rhetoric surrounding gun violence. Today on the Wheelhouse, how the national gun policy discourse affects survivors of gun violence. It’s a timely conversation, given the recent election of Dona...

The polls have closed and votes are still being counted. As the 2024 elections come and go, a powerhouse panel of experts will be there for Connecticut residents to take stock in what’s left to determine our political future. Today on the Wheelhouse, analysis of what we know so far. Plus, hear from some winners in races that were already decided. GUESTS : Mark Pazniokas , Capitol bureau chief and...

You voted — and now it’s time to find out. Throughout 2024, the Wheelhouse team has asked Connecticut residents about the issues , interviewed candidates for Congress , unpacked the assassination attempts on Donald Trump , and watched as Democrats coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris. Now, it’s time to clock in on election night…and find out where state residents really stand. Tonight, Th...

In one week, voters across America will go to the polls. But before they do, voters in Connecticut’s 2nd congressional district will get to hear from two candidates running for a congressional seat. This hour, we talk with Congressman Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and challenger Mike France, a Republican. And after that, our panel of guests share their insights on what the candidates had to say. GUESTS :...

The race for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district is underway. This hour, we ask candidates Jim Himes (D-Conn.)–and two challengers, Republican Michael Goldstein and Independent Benjamin Wesley–where they stand on the issues. For the next few weeks, The Wheelhouse will feature a series of candidate interviews. We’ll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Conn...

This hour, we talk with the candidates for Connecticut’s fifth congressional district: Congresswoman Jahana Hayes and challenger George Logan. And later, our panel of guests share their insights on what the candidates had to say. GUESTS : Congresswoman Jahana Hayes , (D-Conn.) George Logan , Republican candidate for Connecticut’s 5th congressional district Livi Stanford , Reporter for Republican-A...

Every four years, we’re reminded of the power of the Electoral College. But according to a recent poll by Pew Research Center , more than 6 out of 10 Americans would prefer to see the winner of the presidential election be the person who wins the most votes nationally. This hour, we take a granular look at the Electoral College. We’ll ask questions like why do we have it? And why is it so difficul...

The race for Connecticut’s third congressional district is underway. This hour, we ask candidates Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and challenger, Michael Massey, a Republican, where they stand on the issues. For the next few weeks, The Wheelhouse will feature a series of candidate interviews. We’ll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional distric...

We’re kicking off a series of candidate interviews today on The Wheelhouse.  For the next few weeks, we'll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional districts. Each candidate will have an equal amount of time to talk one-on-one with host Frankie Graziano, followed by some analysis from our guest panelists. This hour, we ask candidates for...

The 2024 U.S. Presidential Debate between vice president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump highlighted how immigration is being sensationalized to score votes. Trump says that “dangerous” migrants are contributing to an overall spike in crime in the United States. But, the FBI reports that violent crime has decreased . He also says that 21 million people have recently entered the cou...

In advance of the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, there were negotiations over live microphones and arguments over who could attend . There was even a debate over what network it should be put on . Historically, debates offer an opportunity for political candidates to provide substantive details about their platforms. But in 2024, more attention is paid to spectacle. No...

Public safety and the sanctity of the ballot are top of mind for election officials during the lead up to November. This hour, we take a look at how some officials are preparing during an especially fraught election year. GUESTS : Rachael Cobb , Associate Professor of Political Science & Legal Studies, Suffolk University  Tina Barton , Senior Elections Expert, The Elections Group Support the s...

During a  recent speech  given by former President Donald Trump, he promised that, if elected, he would cut federal funding for any schools with a vaccine or mask mandate. His promises highlight the continued politicization of CDC-recommended public health best-practices. This hour, we look at anti-vaccine rhetoric and how it impacts communities in Connecticut and beyond. Support the show: http://...

After a whirlwind few weeks, Democrats are gathering in Chicago to formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential candidate. This week on  The Wheelhouse , Colin McEnroe guest-hosts a special check-in on how the Democratic National Convention is going. GUESTS : Dan Haar , columnist and senior editor,  Hearst Connecticut Media Group Leah Wright Rigueur , Associate Professor of...

We asked our listeners what issues are on their minds, and they answered the call! The week on The Wheelhouse, what exactly is Project 2025? And why is Donald Trump distancing himself from it? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Wheelhouse, we’re exploring politics and generational theory. That’s the belief that every generation has a unique set of shared beliefs. As voters across all age groups get ready to head to the polls in November, what politicians and historical events have shaped the way they will cast their votes? Pictured above are (L-R, top row) Cedar Greve, Randy Weis, Antic Cone, Preston Siroka,...

Federal COVID relief dollars have boosted education in recent years. But now, money allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act is going away. What will state governments do now for students and teachers?  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.