Where We Live

If you’ve ever been to a dietician to lose weight, or just to get healthier, you’ve probably heard the same advice and been told to eat the same kind of food. But American dietitians often leave out room to eat diverse cuisines and food groups, largely leaving out a lot ethnic food.  This hour, we learn how some dietitians are trying to change that. Coming up we talk to Jessica Wi...

There’s not a lot that rhymes with pandemic.  This hour, Margaret Gibson, Connecticut’s poet laureate joins us for a conversation on poetry writing during the coronavirus. It’s our Pandemic Book Club - poetry hour!  Coming up, we talk about how she’s responding to the grief this pandemic has created. There are many poems on the natural beauty of the state, but ver...

COVID has changed the way we live, work, even move. This hour, we talk about the future of public transportation in Connecticut, with commuter advocate Jim Cameron. We also hear from the State Department of Transportation (DOT) public transit bureau chief. Ridership has plummeted on rains and buses as many residents continue to work from home. This, even as Connecticut’s often-overlooked bus...

If you own or rent a home that is older than 1978, you have to assume there is some lead in it. Lead is not be used in paint anymore, but the lead that exists in older homes can still be dangerous. This hour, we talk about lead poisoning and the risks it poses to children. Coming up, we hear what homeowners and renters need to know about lead in their homes. GUESTS: Jenifer Frank   - fre...

For years, Connecticut sent large portions of waste to the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) trash-to-energy plant in Hartford. This, in spite of protests by Hartford residents, who say pollution from the plant has caused health problems. Now, the plant will close in 2022. Today, we talk with Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes about...

Have you spotted a coyote in your neighborhood? These carnivores can live just about everywhere, from Canada to Central America, from California to -- just recently -- Long Island. This hour, we talk with two researchers that study coyotes. We learn about how coyotes have expanded their range over the last 200 years to cover much of North America. As other species have struggled to survive amidst...

While still just a law student, Brittany K. Barnett met Sharanda Jones, a single mother, business owner and a woman serving a life sentence without parole for a first time drug offense. This hour, Brittany K. Barnett, author of  A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom  joins us to discuss her fight for Sharanda’s freedom and our country’s continued struggle...

Pfizer may receive emergency approval from the FDA this week, but who’s in line to get the COVID-19 vaccine first? This hour, we talk with members of Connecticut’s Vaccine Advisory Group, including co-chair Dr. Reginald Eadie. He’s one of the leaders who’s planning how COVID-19 vaccines will be stored and distributed in our state in the coming weeks and months. We also talk...

Starting in January a new deduction will come out of your paycheck. The Connecticut Paid Leave program will go into effect in 2022 and can help workers get paid time off for a variety of situations. This hour, Andrea Barton Reeves, the Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority joins us to answer our question and yours. And how has the way we exercise has changed during this p...

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...