Where We Live

This week, Governor Dannel Malloy was announced as the winner of the 2016 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for his response to the Syrian refugee crisis. It adds to Malloy's national popularity, despite the political struggles in Hartford. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few weeks ago we held a conversation about the n-word -- how the word is used by black and white Americans; how it's been used by newspapers over time; and how one professor would like to see it stop being used altogether.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rep. Joe Courtney joins us to talk about what he's working on in Washington, D.C. for his constituents in eastern Connecticut. One national issue hitting his district particularly hard is the heroin epidemic. What is the federal government's role in combating this problem?  Also, the U.S. Navy announced this week that Electric Boat would be the main contractor for a new submarine program...

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader spent the better part of two decades dreaming up a museum with a highly specific, slightly bizarre theme: tort law. In late 2015, that dream became a reality with the opening of the American Museum of Tort Law in downtown Winsted, Connecticut.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his February budget address, Gov. Dannel Malloy outlined the challenges facing the state government. "Connecticut state government must reset our expectations of what we can afford, how we provide services, and how we save for our priorities," said Malloy. "It won't be easy, and it often won't be politically popular." That last part is becoming increasingly evident. Support the show: http://wnp...

For the United States, the 20th century marked a period of vast and unparalleled prosperity thanks -- in large part -- to an economic model known as the “mixed economy.” Under that model, the nation's government and markets operated in tandem, creating a robust coalition from which health, wealth, and well-being not only grew, but flourished.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See...

They say it's important to eat breakfast every day. But what if you eat two breakfasts? According to a new study , students who eat two breakfasts -- one at home and one at school -- are less likely to experience unhealthy weight gain than students who skip the meal altogether .  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Universities didn’t always have power-house fundraising foundations supporting them - they came into popularity in the Reagan-era economy when government drastically cut higher education funding, so more and more schools had to turn to private donors. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During his speech in Cuba, President Barack Obama described  just how different this year's presidential race is from those in previous generations. "You had two Cuban Americans in the Republican Party, running against the legacy of a black man who is President, while arguing that they’re the best person to beat the Democratic nominee who will either be a woman or a Democratic Socialist," sai...

Time in the legislative session is starting to run down and the list of things to do remains long. This week on our weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse, we’re joined by Capitol reporters to catch us up on what is (and isn’t) getting done. Governor Dannel Malloy is going up against labor unions and asking for concessions to help with the budget but the rank and file union members haven't authoriz...

An effort is underway to bring high-speed internet to residents across Connecticut and create competition for the existing cable and broadband companies. The CT Gig Project  includes public officials who say it is needed for economic development, competition, and innovation. Opponents don't think the government should get involved in the internet business.  Support the show: http://wnpr....

What if commuting between Connecticut and Long Island meant hopping into a car and driving through a tunnel deep below Long Island Sound? Sounds far-fetched, right? Well, if you're New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, you might not think so . And if you're Amtrak, you might think it shouldn't be cars driving under the Sound, but trains connecting the Northeast Corridor .  Support the show: http://...

Barbara Bradley Hagerty is an award-winning journalist and former NPR correspondent. She's also the author of Life Reimagined ​ , a new book aimed at helping readers navigate the trials and opportunities of midlife. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's that time of the political season when just about every Tuesday seems like a "Super Tuesday." More voters head to the polls, and on our weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse, we discuss the results, and take a look at what's ahead for both major political parties. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York's Indian Point nuclear facility has faced a number of recent incidents including fires, blown transformers, and most recently detection of radioactive water near the facility. This hour, an update on the situation there and in Florida where the Turkey Point nuclear facility is under scrutiny. We also hear from WNPR’s David DesRoches, who has been following the story of PCBs in Connec...

Iason Athanasiadis is a writer, photojournalist, and documentary filmmaker who has spent years covering the Middle East and Mediterranean Europe. He was in Hartford recently to speak to the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, and stopped by our studios to talk about journalism in conflict regions and the Syrian migrant crisis. This hour, we listen back to that conversation. Support the...

This hour, we feature stories and sounds from the West African country of Nigeria.  First, WSHU reporter Ebong Udoma checks in from Abuja, Nigeria, where he's helped launch a brand new multimedia project called  Gotel Africa . When completed, Gotel Africa will become the continent's first-ever pan-African news service. We learn more about it.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/...

In his new documentary , Connecticut journalism professor and newspaper columnist Frank Harris III spotlights what is unarguably one of the most controversial words in America: the n-word. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, our news roundtable The Wheelhouse tackles some of the biggest political stories of the week. We discuss everything from state budget cuts , to automatic voter registration , to a " legislative mystery " that's got everyone scratching their heads. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour -- from Maine to New Hampshire; Vermont to Massachusetts -- we learn how some of our New England neighbors are working to stem opioid addiction and overdose.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring is just around the corner, and with that comes gardening season! Are you thinking about how to get your garden ready?  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like most of the media landscape, public television is changing. The massive hit Downton Abbey wraps up this weekend, and Sesame Street is now premiering new episodes on HBO! But behind the scenes, broadcasters are taking part in an auction to sell of parts of their over-the-air signal. Most of the population has cable so they won’t be affected, but nearly 15 percent of people watch TV with an ant...

Few of us remember Hurricane Ike as vividly as we remember Katrina and Sandy. But for people down in Houston, Texas, the 2008 storm was a major wake-up call.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of some presidential campaigns may be decided on Super Tuesday, further slimming the field of candidates by the time Connecticut votes next month. If you can't wait to vote, maybe you can pass the time by playing an electoral board game created by a Connecticut resident. Our weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse discusses the results from the Democratic and Republican parties and previe...

When a woman addicted to opioids gives birth, she usually leaves her baby behind to be cared for by nurses. However, one Connecticut hospital is rethinking that approach. This hour, we find out why with WNPR reporter Jeff Cohen.  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.