Where We Live

CT Public’s debate series continues in the lead up to Election Day November 8. This hour on Where We Live, a Hearst politics reporter breaks down the issues at stake from a debate between Democratic incumbent John Larson and Dr. Larry Lazor, Republican, both candidates in the first congressional district. They debated each other at Manchester Community College, Tuesday, moderated by CT Public’s Ra...

"Maintaining and bolstering trust in science has never been more critical," writes Connecticut College chemistry professor Marc Zimmer. His latest book, Science and the Skeptic: Discerning Fact from Fiction, explores the impact and "origins of fake science." Written to help young readers "distinguish between science and fake science," Zimmer offers tips and tricks to help "detect science misrepres...

The National Marine Fisheries Service says seaweed farming is the fastest-growing aquaculture in the U.S. Suzie Flores and her husband Jay Douglass launched Stonington Kelp Co. in 2017, and now run the largest commercial kelp farm in Connecticut. Stonington Kelp Co. is also a "regenerative ocean farm. "Kelp helps to absorb carbon and nitrogen from the water as it grows, "resulting in a nutrient-de...

Beauty standards change with each generation, but today’s standards of beauty seem to be more unachievable than ever. Today, we talk about how the beauty industry and its influencers are causing a rise in cosmetic surgeries. Beauty reporter Jessica DeFino joins us. She writes the “ Unpublishable ," a beauty critical newsletter. Think about the type of beauty products you consume. What influences y...

The road for Rob Hotaling to secure the Independent Party nomination for governor received some scrutiny leading to an  unsuccessful court challenge  by Republican candidate, Bob Stefanowki to keep Hotaling off the ballot. Today, Hotaling joins us to explain why he’s running. We hear where he stands on the issues and key differences between him and the 2 other major party candidates. Historically,...

Incumbent Congressman  Joe Courtney (Democrat) , and State Rep.  Mike France (Republican) , candidates in the second congressional district, faced each other in a debate hosted by Connecticut Public, and moderated by Connecticut Public’s education reporter Catherine Shen, at Eastern Connecticut State University, Tuesday. This hour on Where We Live, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror’s Lisa Hagen, fe...

Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission launched a  task force to target digital discrimination and "digital redlining." This hour, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel joins us to discuss this effort. "Your zip code should not determine access to broadband," the Chairwoman has said. She tells us, "The pandemic made this issue crystal clear for everyone." The Chairwoman explains how...

106,000 Americans are waiting for an organ transplant, yet federal officials have raised serious questions about the national transplant system, known UNOS, the United Network for Organ Sharing. This hour, we learn about a confidential government report and Senate investigation , both finding serious weaknesses in the transplant system. Washington Post health and medicine reporter Lenny Bernstein,...

Agricultural fairs or "country fairs" originated in New England,  according to the International Association of Fairs & Expositions . The idea was "initiated" by Elkanah Watson in 1811. IAFE explains that Watson, a "New England patriot and farmer," organized the Berkshire Agricultural Society and hosted a fair in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. "It was not a market, and was more than just an exhibi...

There’s been heavy emphasis put on computer programming education in recent years. Tech moguls like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have all predicted that "learning to code" will be as ubiquitous as learning algebra. What opportunities are there to learn to code in Connecticut? This hour, we hear from the owner of three  Coder Schools  in our state, Vaishali Shah.  Hartford Business Jo...

President Biden  declared  that the COVID-19 “pandemic is over.” But public health officials say not so fast – reminding Americans that on average, 353 people are dying daily from COVID-19 in the United States,  according  to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus continues to mutate, and vulnerable populations still exist despite the COVID vaccine and boosters. This hour on Whe...

The 5th District is considered Connecticut’s most competitive Congressional seat, and this year’s race is already  a "heated" one , taking on issues like inflation, education, abortion and race. This hour ,  we sit down with incumbent Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, who’s running for reelection against Republican George Logan. She touches on these topics, and takes your questions. George Logan is set...

What are some issues with homestay services like Airbnb ? And what’s being done to address them? This hour, we hear from travelers about their experiences with short-term rentals. We'll hear from an attorney representing clients with complaints about Airbnb. And later, we learn how these short-term rentals impact the housing and rental markets in our state. What questions do you have about the saf...

Connecticut resources are being rallied in response to Hurricane Fiona. This hour, we hear about the relief effort being overseen by Stamford-based non-profit Americares, mobilizing a team on the ground in San Juan. Plus, Sammy Vega with the Coalition of Connecticut Puerto Rican Parades & Festivals Relief Committee discusses the fundraising effort they're overseeing. You can support these reli...

As non-profit, tax-exempt institutions, colleges and universities are often seen as a source of public good. For example, a  recent New York Times Magazine article  celebrated a bustling New Haven arts scene that has arisen "both because of and despite its association with Yale." Author and historian Davarian L. Baldwin describes a "public good paradox," calling for a "broad examination of higher...

Why do some people live longer than others, and what’s different in the  Blue Zones ? How can we slow down aging? This hour, we look at genetic research to extend our lifespan. We also hear about ways to delay diseases and live our best life. And, a geriatric physician tells us why Medicare must redesign its annual wellness visit. Also, a  SuperAgers study  is now enrolling people 95 years and old...

This hour, we preview some of the must-see TV shows and must-read books ahead this autumn. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans joins us, plus we hear from Roxanne Coady, owner of R.J. Booksellers in Madison and Middletown. Deggans recently wrote about  "why Black characters in 'Rings of Power' and 'Little Mermaid' make fantasy better." Addressing racist criticisms of the new Amazon Prime Video series "Lord...

The business of cannabis is growing. Retail establishments are expected to open by the end of this year in Connecticut and there are efforts to mobilize cannabis workers into unions. Today, we explore how the cannabis industry continues to evolve. Inspiring cannabis entrepreneurs can take classes and learn about the industry from “seed to sale.” We hear from Skyler Frazer, from the Hartford Busine...

Absentee ballot eligibility was  expanded again  in Connecticut in time for the the November election, but the changes are temporary. This hour, we discuss what voters need to know with News 12 reporter John Craven, and check in on the Secretary of the State race. Voters can request an application for an absentee ballot from their town clerk or download an application  here  to return to their tow...

In his new book,  The Storm is Here: An American Crucible ,  longtime war correspondent Luke Mogelson explores the rise of right wing extremism in the U.S. Today, Mogelson joins us to talk about the events leading up to the Jan 6 insurrection and what he saw firsthand at the U.S Capitol that day. The Oath Keepers have been accused of having a large role in the Capitol riots, and are one of the far...

Where We Live  is available as a podcast on  Apple Podcasts,   Spotify ,  Google Podcasts ,  Stitcher , or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Who supports the mental health of teachers and paraeducators? A  Gallup poll  in June found that four in 10 K-12 workers in the U.S. (44%) said they "always" or "very often" feel burned out at work, outpacing all other indus...

Tenant unions are on the rise in our state. Camila Vallejo and Ginny Monk, housing reporters for Connecticut Public and the Connecticut Mirror, found that  at least five tenant unions had formed  with help from the Connecticut Tenants Union (CTTU). This hour, we hear from Vallejo and Monk, plus organizers with CTTU. As Vallejo and Monk reported, "Tenants unions form as collective bargaining organi...

In 2018, New London was designated a "site of memory" on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization's slave route project , an effort launched in 1994 to "break the silence" around the history of slavery. New London Landmarks held a ceremony in July to recognize the designation, installing a plaque at Amistad Pier. The site is considered the sixteenth stop on the New Londo...

When we hear about the climate crisis, it can often be framed as a future or somehow distant dilemma. But environmental justice advocates point to the many ways present-day discriminatory practices and policies have resulted in stark instances of environmental racism here in the U.S. One acclaimed Connecticut author is using his latest work of science fiction to reframe the climate crisis as inher...

The gubernatorial race in Connecticut is heating up. Today, Governor Ned Lamont joins us to discuss his reelection campaign and what he wants to accomplish if elected to a second term. Lamont has led the state through 2.5 years of a pandemic; what are his plans to help residents in the current economy, bogged down by inflation and in a state where employers are still struggling to hire workers? We...