Where We Live

This hour: following reports of abuse by staff at Connecticut’s maximum-security psychiatric unit -- news of an order separating Whiting Forensic from Connecticut Valley Hospital.  Coming up, we discuss the significance of the split -- including what it means for the safety and oversight of patients. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are many questions a young woman will face as she matures. Among them: What is her timeline for building a family? And how many kids does she expect to have? But not all women want to become mothers.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For someone with food allergies, a taste of peanut butter or a bite of shellfish could be life-threatening. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been declared a national public health emergency. In the United States, the annual number of deaths from opioid overdose has surpassed the number of deaths during the height of the AIDS epidemic in the ‘90s. But opioid users aren’t the only victims of this crisis.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour: the origin of the Connecticut Valley Railroad . Author and historian Max R. Miller takes “along the valley line” -- sharing stories from the railroad’s past. But first: on the heels of last month’s devastating Amtrak derailment in Washington state -- a look at what lies ahead for the nation’s aging transportation infrastructure .  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnyst...

Syria is in its sixth year of civil war, and hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been killed in the conflict. This hour, we talk about the medical crisis in Syria. Doctors are among those who’ve been targeted by the Syrian government. Many have left the country. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across New England, freezing temps and blizzard conditions marked an unforgiving start to 2018. This hour, we consider the factors underlying this extreme winter weather -- including the role of global climate change.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They may not look like R2D2 or BB8, but in 2018, robots are an important part of our world. This hour we talk about ​automation—new advances in “smart” technology during a period of time that’s been dubbed the “Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour: the National Football League . Just hearing those words once beckoned vivid mental images -- scenes of athletes entertaining millions with their heroic throws and jaw-clenching tackles. In recent years, however, the NFL's image has darkened -- clouded by concerns surrounding athlete behavior and a brain disease known as CTE.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio....

Make room, troops. Recently, the Boy Scouts of America unveiled a major decision -- starting this year, the organization will begin admitting girls . Yes, that’s right. Girls. While the news has been met with applause by some, others have expressed more critical views -- including the Girl Scouts. This hour, we find out why.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listene...

For nearly four and a half decades, Sonia Manzano was Maria -- a recurring female lead on the PBS television series " Sesame Street ." Last year, Manzano retired from the show and published a memoir. It’s called Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx . Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long Island Sound has a new guardian of sorts. Earlier this year, biologist Bill Lucey was named soundkeeper of the Northeast estuary . This hour, the Connecticut native stops by our studios. We learn more about his role and talk about efforts to improve life in and around the Sound. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour: the myths and realities of end-of-life treatment in the U.S. Coming up, we learn about a recent  Kaiser Health News investigation and explore the history of hospice in Connecticut. Do you know someone who has received or is currently undergoing hospice care? How has that experience affected you, your friends, your family?  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudi...

It's an important monthly cycle for half the world's population, yet even in 2017 many people aren’t comfortable talking about it. This hour, why is menstruation so taboo, even though it’s a basic part of human biology? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the holiday season -- the perfect time to kick back and get lost in a new podcast... or two... or three... or four. But how do you decide what to listen to? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know 75 percent of animals in the ocean glow? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we hear the words “autism diagnosis” it’s common to imagine a young child or adolescent. But what about those who receive their diagnoses at a later stage of life -- in the midst of successful careers or long, happy marriages? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent weeks, one industry after another in the U.S. has begun to confront sexual harassment and assault. But the military has known for years that it has a problem—by the U.S. Department of Defense’s own estimate, nearly 15,000 service members were sexually assaulted in 2016. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes we’ve gotten a few inches of snow already, but winter officially starts next week. For animals, preparing for the season means undertaking major lifestyle changes in order to survive. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten months after the tragic death of Hartford teenager Matthew Tirado -- a look at what’s being done to safeguard the lives of children with disabilities. Coming up, we hear about a recent Office of the Child Advocate investigation into the case of 17-year-old Tirado. The report recommends improvements that apply to school districts statewide.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omn...

The Board of Regents will vote on a proposal that would dramatically restructure Connecticut’s community colleges later this week. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sixteen years after the U.S. entered into war with Afghanistan -- a look at one woman's efforts to inform and inspire young Afghan girls. This hour, Shabana Basij-Rasikh talks about her upbringing under the Taliban in Kabul and about her experience co-founding SOLA -- the School of Leadership, Afghanistan .  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

This hour: the National Football League . Just hearing those words once beckoned vivid mental images -- scenes of athletes entertaining millions with their heroic throws and jaw-clenching tackles. In recent years, however, the NFL's image has darkened -- clouded by concerns surrounding athlete behavior and a brain disease known as CTE.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio....

It started as a hashtag and has grown into a cultural moment. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For someone with food allergies, a taste of peanut butter or a bite of shellfish could be life-threatening. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.