Where We Live

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...

Violinist and singer Kishi Bashi is Japanese American. His most recent musical project, Omoiyari , takes a look at the history of Japanese internment, when 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated, fueled by xenophobia during World War II . This hour, we sit down with Kishi Bashi to talk about why he’s turning to history to better understand our present, and we ask him about his uni...

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act introduced a new initiative, the  Opportunity Zones Program , to spur investment in the nation’s most distressed communities. The state of Connecticut is home to 72 Opportunity Zones. What efforts are being made to attract investors to these regions? This hour, we find out and we also hear from you. Do you live in or near an Opportunity Zone?  Support...

High-profile cases of sexual harassment in the workplace have made headlines in recent years, from Hollywood to Capitol Hill. A new series from Hearst Connecticut Media finds workplace sexual harassment and abuse is pervasive across Connecticut. This hour, we talk with one of the reporters behind the series. We also hear about the state’s Time’s Up Act , a new law against workplace dis...

Massachusetts has long been a focal point in the history of early New England witch trials. But 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, Connecticut Public Radio&r...

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...

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...

In April, 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz was driving in Wethersfield, Connecticut, on the way to dinner with his girlfriend. But he was stopped by police. He fled. The pursuit ended when an officer fatally shot Vega Cruz, known as "Chulo" to family and friends.  This hour, we sit down with reporter, Vanessa de la Torre. She is the supervising producer of Collision Course , a new Connectic...