Where We Live

They are one of our most recognizable national symbols, but have you ever seen a bald eagle in the wild? This hour we head out of the studio and into the field to see these birds of prey in their natural habitat--right here in Connecticut! We take you along with us on a  Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruise  down the Connecticut River to view these majestic birds, who nearly faced extinction in...

The holidays are expected to be a season of joy, but annual traditions can highlight the absence of a loved one. This hour, we talk about grief . We hear from Connecticut residents about how they approach the holidays after losing a family member, and we hear from a grief counselor, too How should you respond to the people around you who are grieving? And later: How do you talk to children ab...

Amazon Prime has more than 100 million members. Are you one of them? Many of us have come to expect two-day or even next-day delivery. But what are the unintended consequences of convenience? This hour:  We hear how Amazon has changed the way we shop and ship forever.  Author Emily Guendelsberger joins the show to share her experience working in an Amazon warehouse.  And we want to...

Amid the constant discussion of Connecticut residents leaving the state, the shoreline may soon be home to five new residents: Beluga whales.  Mystic Aquarium has petitioned the federal government for permission to import five captive belugas to join its wildlife on display. Mystic says the move would help research to aid conservation efforts. But critics say the proposal is not only hazardou...

Literacy. It's something many of us take for granted. The ability to read health forms, headlines, or the latest bestsellers. Yet, across the U.S., there are millions of adults who have difficulty reading. This hour, we find out why. We talk with literacy experts and advocates, and we also hear from you. Later in the hour, we hear about  controversy in Killingly, Connecticut  over a scho...

The bed. It’s a central feature of daily life. We rest on it, recharge in it. But rarely do we reflect on our relationship with it. Until now. This hour, we sit down with Brian Fagan, co-author of the new book What We Did in Bed: A Horizontal History . We talk double beds, pod beds, Murphy beds ... even Mark Twain’s bed. And we also hear from you.  Support the show: http://wnpr.or...

How does it feel to be Santa? This hour, we explore Santa’s many identities. We talk with a longtime Santa about how he learned the tricks of the trade and meet Hartford’s newest Black Santa. But you might want to keep an eye over your shoulder: Krampus, the Grinch, and other nastier Christmas figures might show up, too. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/liste...

Next summer marks 100 years since the ratification of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote in the United States. This hour, we hear about the Connecticut women who fought for suffrage. And--despite the progress seen over the last century, what barriers remain for women’s full participation in the political process today? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystud...

Sometimes new technology, like the iPhone, comes to us in flashy, attention-grabbing presentations. But other times, it creeps up and changes our world... without us noticing! One technology that’s made its way into the headlines is artificial intelligence (AI). For some, those two words might stir up images of  Ultron  or  HAL 9000 . But AI's role goes well beyond movies or b...

Salem, Massachusetts has long been a focal point in the history of early New England witch trials. But Windsor, Connecticut also has a place on this dark historical timeline: as the site of the nation's first witch hanging. This hour, author Beth Caruso joins us to shine light this little-known piece of Connecticut's past, and talk about how it inspired her novel One of Windsor . Later, Connecticu...

For some kids, the playground is a place of fun and friendship. For others, it is a source of anxiety and fear. The fear of being left out. Why do some kids struggle to make friends while others do not? And what can grown ups do to help? We take an in-depth look with Why Will No One Play With Me? author Caroline Maguire. We also talk about the realities of adult friendships with NPR's Julia Furlan...

Middletown today is known for its vibrant main street and the scenic grounds of Wesleyan University. But the city began as a trading port on the Connecticut River, and from its founding, much of the wealth that came into that port was tied to the transatlantic slave trade. This hour, we hear about a new UNESCO memorial that has brought recognition to that city’s role in slavery . We also lea...

As college students wrap up their fall semester, there is an expectation their professors are tenured. But three out of four faculty today aren’t eligible for tenure. And many are adjuncts, part-time faculty without strong benefits or job security. What’s the human cost to this model of education? We find out and we want to hear from you. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See om...

Anyone who’s spent time outdoors in Connecticut has probably come across a dam or two. The state is home to more than 4,000 dams, a dozen of which were spotlighted in a recent national dam safety investigation by The Associated Press . This hour, we take an in-depth look at this investigation. What do its findings tell us about the integrity of the nation’s dam infrastructure? And how...

For nearly six months, pro-democracy protesters have taken to the streets of Hong Kong. Some demonstrations have turned violent, as protesters clash with the police.  This hour, we talk about the roots of this protest movement and learn more about the history of the island’s relationship with mainland China. We also hear from a reporter who sat down with a Hong Kong father and son, two...

Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean is a Quinnipiac University professor and author of  Identity Politics in the United States.  Earlier this month, she sat down with us in front of a live audience to talk about the book, which paints identity politics -- a term often associated with modern-day elections -- in a new, historical light. This hour, we listen back to our conversation, and we also hear f...

Most of us enjoy high-speed internet access. But in some areas in Connecticut, residents still don’t have broadband access. We hear about a recent court ruling that could change this. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nonprofit Judy Dworin Performance Project harnesses the arts to build social awareness, staging performances that draw on issues ranging from incarceration to immigration. And it has been doing this for 30 years. This hour, we sit down with Judy Dworin to reflect on this milestone. We also talk with performers and colleagues, and we hear from you, too. How has the Judy Dworin Performance Proje...

If your smartphone screen cracks, do you get it fixed or trade it in for the latest model? Repairing items can be less wasteful, but there are also growing legal challenges for people whose business is to repair technology from smartphones to tractors. This hour, we talk about the “Right to Repair” movement. It's a debate that pits concerns about users’ ability to modify their ow...

When you head to New York, do you ever take a break from the city and get lost on a trail in Central Park? This hour, we take a look at the life of the man behind that beloved and iconic city park: Connecticut native Frederick Law Olmsted. Although best known for his work designing New York’s Central Park, Olmsted was also a journalist and abolitionist. And he shaped landscapes here in Conne...

On the need for new affordable housing, some Connecticut municipalities say "not in my backyard." But why this NIMBY approach? This hour, we take an in-depth look with the author of a ProPublica-Connecticut Mirror investigation into local housing policies. We also check in with a town in southwest Connecticut, and with the policy director for the nonprofit Partnership for Strong Communities. ...

While the U.S. is withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, states like Connecticut are still committed to reducing their carbon emissions. Offshore wind power is one way. This hour, we take a look at proposals to bring wind energy to Connecticut. How will the Trump administration’s inaction on renewables impact this emerging industry in our region? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate...

Whether through religious groups or school-organized activities, Americans have long sought ways to give back to their communities. But has this spirit of altruism faded in recent years? This hour, we check on the state of volunteering in the U.S. and ask what is being done to motivate more Americans to do good in their spare time. Do you remember the last time you volunteered? We want to hear fro...

At sixteen years of age, Reginald Dwayne Betts went to prison for carjacking. Decades later, Betts is a celebrated poet and graduate of Yale Law School. But, like many ex-offenders, the consequences of those teenage mistakes have followed him for years. This hour, we sit down with Betts to talk about his third collection of poetry, Felon . Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.co...

Tuesday, November 5 is Election Day in Connecticut. This means another opportunity for residents to cast ballots for town and city officials. But who will turn out to the polls? This hour, we check in with reporters and analysts from across the state, and we also hear from you. Will you vote this Election Day? Why or why not? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for...