Where We Live

Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan nearly two years ago, roughly 80,000 refugees have resettled in the country. According to the Connecticut Department of Social Services, "over 1,300 parolees, refugees, and Special Immigrant Visa Holders from Afghanistan have resettled in Connecticut since 2021." The New Haven-based non-profit, Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, or IRIS, recentl...

For some, gardening can act as a love letter to our family history. The act of cultivating the same plants and herbs that your grandmother, or great grandmother might have grown, can keep us connected to our roots. It can also serve as a reminder of what people needed to do in order to survive - through history and the present. The act of gardening goes beyond working with the soil in our own back...

Wine country is often associated with California valleys, like Napa or Sonoma. There’s also a lesser-known wine country in Connecticut, made up of some 45 licensed farm wineries. This hour, we explore the flavors of New England with food journalist Leeanne Griffin, and wine expert and writer Anne Feiring. Plus, we hear from local vineyards, and discuss the role of "agritourism" in Connecticut. We...

Jellyfish or simply “jellies”  have been around for more than 500 million years.  That means, jellies were here before dinosaurs! This resilient species has a simple, but astounding makeup. Jellies don’t have a brain or a heart. They have a single cavity for eating and expelling waste. This hour, we learn about the jellies off Long Island Sound and how climate change affects their population.  Hav...

Sturgeon have existed for millions of years. These prehistoric fish, often described as "hardy" and "charismatic," are largely endangered. Atlantic sturgeon were thought to have disappeared from the Connecticut River. In 2014, local researchers with the state discovered a hatchling Atlantic sturgeon up-river, marking the first time they'd seen this species alongside its river-faring cousin, short-...

Diamondback terrapins, a species of small turtle along the coastline and marsh of  Long Island Sound were once near extinction, but they’ve made a great comeback in our state. This special species was  once hunted to make turtle soup,  to the point that there were no terrapins left in Sound. Now that hunting the terrapins has become illegal, they have started to return. This tenacious little guy i...

Just off the coast, in Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay, northern star coral flourishes. Scientists where we live hope this could be good news for its tropical relatives,  increasingly threatened  by warming waters. Clusters of this native coral, also known as Astrangia poculata, are being studied for their ability to survive winter through dormancy and thrive through what might be considere...

In 1999 the Columbine shooting shook the country and made everyone aware of the threat of gun violence in schools. As a result, schools made the effort to implement  lockdown procedures as a way to keep students and staff safe. But with the rates of shootings only continuing to rise, these threats of mass shootings are feeling too real and  the lockdowns that were meant to keep students safe, are...

Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases affecting those with uteruses. Despite its prevalence, proper diagnosis can take up to ten years, leaving many suffering without support or treatment. State Representative Jillian Gilchrest recently launched a  legislative working group  to advocate for better research and education policies across Connecticut. Arleigh Cole is a local public educato...

Author and teacher Chasten Buttigieg joins us to discuss his book. He is the husband of 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg in 2018. His book,   I Have to Tell You Something ,  was originally published in 2020 and has since been rewritten and republished as  I Have to Tell You Something - For Young Adults.   He joins us for a conversation over Zoom to talk about his book and his message to...

Connecticut author and lawyer Anne Howard is known for her work writing true crime, but her recent book is a departure from her prior work. Today, we talk about her new book that she worked to translate, entitled Escape from Mariupol: A Survivor's True Story. Anne first met Adoriana Marik through mutual friends. They exchanged letters, and Adoriana sent her hand-drawn cards and other artwork over...

Aisha Harris, co-host for NPR’s Pop Culture Hour , is out with a new book titled Wannabe: Reckonings With The Pop Culture That Shapes Me. Harris explores how early influences and cultural tropes shape her role today as critic, including her upbringing in Connecticut. Today, she joins us for the hour. Plus, we learn ways to slow down the fast fashion cycle. Lucianne Tonti, a fashion consultant and...

R.F. Kuang's works of historical fantasy, including The Poppy War series, have been racking up awards since she began publishing in 2018. Her novel Babel recently won the prestigious Nebula Award for science fiction and fantasy writers. The same day, her latest book Yellowface debuted. It is Kuang's fifth novel, and a shift from fantasy to literary fiction. The satirical thriller takes on the comm...

After collecting oral histories from generations of women in her family in "My Little Red Book," Rachel Kauder Nalebuff created Our Red Book , an extended project reflecting the experience of people of all races, ages and genders around the world. But there’s so much stigma and misinformation around periods. This hour, three Connecticut-based contributors featured in her book join us, breaking dow...

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have estimated that  more than half  of wheelchairs break down in a typical six-month period. Many Connecticut residents say those repairs can take months. This hour, we hear from local advocates about a recently-formed legislative task force, and their goals for next session. In particular, they hope to study and set limits on repair turnaround times. U...

Are you finally reading that bestseller that’s been collecting dust on your nightstand? Are you revisiting a dog-eared old favorite? If you're reading poolside, beachside or from your favorite park bench, we want to hear from you because today is Where We Live's Summer Reading Show! If you don't know what to read this summer, we've got you covered. Whether you’re looking for a new fiction to thril...

Across Connecticut's thousands of farms, spanning nearly 400,000 acres, the average age of farmers just under the national average at 58. Over 90% of senior Connecticut farmers don’t have a younger person tapped to take the reins, according to  an American Farmland Trust study. This hour, we dig into local and federal efforts to support new and young farmers with New Connecticut Farmers Alliance P...

Extreme heat can leave us feeling exhausted after doing the most basic activities of daily living like getting groceries or commuting to work. Low air quality can leave many with sore throats and runny eyes. And researchers say the  health side effects can be much more dire, worsening respiratory and cardiac health.  Today, we explore the real health impacts of climate change and  how you should p...

Virtually all Connecticut residents engage in the arts, culture and humanities, either formally or informally, a recent survey found . But attendance rates at many cultural organizations haven't quite returned to pre-pandemic levels. This hour, we get the latest from Connecticut Humanities executive director Jason Mancini, and hear about a recent push for a "roadmap" that would better fund and lin...

For some, gardening can act as a love letter to our family history. The act of cultivating the same plants and herbs that your grandmother, or great grandmother might have grown, can keep us connected to our roots. It can also serve as a reminder of what people needed to do in order to survive - through history and the present. The act of gardening goes beyond working with the soil in our own back...

It has been one week since the Supreme Court  struck down affirmative action and “race-conscious” college admissions programs . The decision has roiled Connecticut colleges and universities. Hearst Connecticut reported  that every school that replied to their request for comment “expressed frustration with the decisions.” This hour, we hear from current and prospective students where we live, as w...

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently lifted the COVID-19 "emergency," but the pandemic isn't over. The Connecticut Department of Public Health issued guidance in light of the end of the federal Public Health Emergency on May 11, clarifying that "Ending the COVID-19 emergency declarations does not mean the virus has been eradicated." This...

Connecticut is one of only a few states that has a  State Troubadour - an ambassador of music and song.  And the state troubadour is also tasked with promoting cultural literacy, creative arts and wellness in the community. Today, we talk to  Kala Farnham, Connecticut’s Troubadour  and hear about her creative process and the power of healing through music. Later, we touch base with theaters around...

Earlier this month, the Human Rights Campaign declared a  national state of emergency  for LGBTQ people, following "the worst year on record" for the number of anti-LGBTQ legislative proposals and wins. The ACLU mapped and tracked  491 bills  this session, including two in Connecticut. Many of those proposals are aimed at gender-affirming health care. There are several protections for trans and no...

R.F. Kuang's works of historical fantasy, including The Poppy War series, have been racking up awards since she began publishing in 2018. Her novel Babel won the prestigious Nebula Award for science fiction and fantasy writers this week. The same day, her latest book Yellowface debuted. It is Kuang's fifth novel, and a shift from fantasy to literary fiction. The satirical thriller takes on the com...