The Wheelhouse
If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week. You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.
Episodes
Joe Biden’s final day in office is January 20.
In the weeks since Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election to Donald Trump, President Biden has focused on criminal justice, foreign policy, and clean energy.
This hour, we look at what’s left for Biden to tackle on his way out of the White House, and what legacy he leaves behind.
GUESTS:
- Brakkton Booker: National political correspondent, Politico
- Lisa Hagen: Fe...
Connecticut’s 2025 legislative session is underway.
Over the next six months, lawmakers will convene to address some of the state’s most pressing issues. This hour, we’ll explore the top priorities for this session, including affordable housing, funding for public education and more.
We’ll walk through the bills you should be following and how they may impact you and your pocketbook.
GUESTS:
- Susan Raff,...
When stressful conversations about politics are “on the table” this holiday season, how can we stay engaged with family members who have totally different views from our own? This week on The Wheelhouse, Professor Irshad Manji talks with us about how people can apply her "Five Skills of Moral Courage" to build trust and respect with people we want to have positive relationships with, regardless...
Health insurance is expensive. The average American spent $13,493 per person in 2022, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And according to national health policy researcher KFF, most insured Americans have experienced a problem using their insurance.
That may explain the complete lack of empathy some people showed online in reaction to the targeted killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of America’s l...
In the past few years, lawmakers in Connecticut have gotten closer to meaningful legislation that would lower a vehicle’s carbon footprint. They’ve also introduced a pilot program targeting food scraps in an effort to reduce waste.
Their job may get harder.
President-elect Donald Trump's record on climate change is already forcing state lawmakers to re-think local policy changes. A week after the election, Gov. Ned Lamo...
Prior to Election Day, advocates were worried about a national abortion ban and further local restrictions on reproductive care. And then, Donald Trump was elected president, with Republicans alongside him taking over the U.S. Congress.
Reporters covering reproductive rights are analyzing what comes next under Trump, someone who’s taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Today on the Wheelhouse, what happens when the federa...
When stressful conversations about politics are “on the table” this holiday season, how can we stay engaged with family members who have totally different views from our own? This week on The Wheelhouse, Professor Irshad Manji talks with us about how people can apply her "Five Skills of Moral Courage" to build trust and respect with people we want to have positive relationships with, regardless of politics...
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election marked a better showing for the former president than the last time he ran back in 2020.
So far in Connecticut–even though he didn’t capture the state’s seven electoral votes–Trump has collected 21,253 more votes than he did four years ago. That’s according to the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office.
Today on the Wheelhouse, a panel of experts analyze Trump’s gains in...
Last year, 46,728 people were killed in firearm deaths. For parents and families grieving children lost to the Sandy Hook School shooting, there’s no escaping the trauma associated with that loss, and the rhetoric surrounding gun violence.
Today on the Wheelhouse, how the national gun policy discourse affects survivors of gun violence.
It’s a timely conversation, given the recent election of Donald Trump as president. Recently on T...
The polls have closed and votes are still being counted.
As the 2024 elections come and go, a powerhouse panel of experts will be there for Connecticut residents to take stock in what’s left to determine our political future.
Today on the Wheelhouse, analysis of what we know so far. Plus, hear from some winners in races that were already decided.
GUESTS:
- Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief and a co-founder, CT Mirror
- Susan Ra...
You voted — and now it’s time to find out.
Throughout 2024, the Wheelhouse team has asked Connecticut residents about the issues, interviewed candidates for Congress, unpacked the assassination attempts on Donald Trump, and watched as Democrats coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris.
Now, it’s time to clock in on election night…and find out where state residents really stand.
Tonight, The Wheelhouse will dive into what we kn...
In one week, voters across America will go to the polls.
But before they do, voters in Connecticut’s 2nd congressional district will get to hear from two candidates running for a congressional seat.
This hour, we talk with Congressman Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and challenger Mike France, a Republican. And after that, our panel of guests share their insights on what the candidates had to say.
GUESTS:
- Rep. Joe Courtney , (D-Conn.)
- ...
The race for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district is underway. This hour, we ask candidates Jim Himes (D-Conn.)–and two challengers, Republican Michael Goldstein and Independent Benjamin Wesley–where they stand on the issues.
For the next few weeks, The Wheelhouse will feature a series of candidate interviews. We’ll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional districts. ...
This hour, we talk with the candidates for Connecticut’s fifth congressional district: Congresswoman Jahana Hayes and challenger George Logan. And later, our panel of guests share their insights on what the candidates had to say.
GUESTS:
- Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, (D-Conn.)
- George Logan, Republican candidate for Connecticut’s 5th congressional district
- Livi Stanford, Reporter for Republican-American
- ...
Every four years, we’re reminded of the power of the Electoral College. But according to a recent poll by Pew Research Center, more than 6 out of 10 Americans would prefer to see the winner of the presidential election be the person who wins the most votes nationally.
This hour, we take a granular look at the Electoral College. We’ll ask questions like why do we have it? And why is it so difficult to get rid of?
Plus, in Connecticu...
The race for Connecticut’s third congressional district is underway. This hour, we ask candidates Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and challenger, Michael Massey, a Republican, where they stand on the issues.
For the next few weeks, The Wheelhouse will feature a series of candidate interviews. We’ll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional districts. Each candidate will have an equ...
We’re kicking off a series of candidate interviews today on The Wheelhouse.
For the next few weeks, we'll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional districts. Each candidate will have an equal amount of time to talk one-on-one with host Frankie Graziano, followed by some analysis from our guest panelists.
This hour, we ask candidates for Connecticut’s 1st congressional di...
The 2024 U.S. Presidential Debate between vice president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump highlighted how immigration is being sensationalized to score votes.
Trump says that “dangerous” migrants are contributing to an overall spike in crime in the United States. But, the FBI reports that violent crime has decreased. He also says that 21 million people have recently entered the country illegally, despite federal law ...
In advance of the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, there were negotiations over live microphones and arguments over who could attend. There was even a debate over what network it should be put on.
Historically, debates offer an opportunity for political candidates to provide substantive details about their platforms. But in 2024, more attention is paid to spectacle.
Now that the presidential debate betwee...
Public safety and the sanctity of the ballot are top of mind for election officials during the lead up to November.
This hour, we take a look at how some officials are preparing during an especially fraught election year.
GUESTS:
- Rachael Cobb, Associate Professor of Political Science & Legal Studies, Suffolk University
- Tina Barton, Senior Elections Expert, The Elections Group
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'Monster: BTK', the newest installment in the 'Monster' franchise, reveals the true story of the Wichita, Kansas serial killer who murdered at least 10 people between 1974 and 1991. Known by the moniker, BTK – Bind Torture Kill, his notoriety was bolstered by the taunting letters he sent to police, and the chilling phone calls he made to media outlets. BTK's identity was finally revealed in 2005 to the shock of his family, his community, and the world. He was the serial killer next door. From Tenderfoot TV & iHeartPodcasts, this is 'Monster: BTK'.
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