Podcast
The Wheelhouse
Hosted by Connecticut Public Radio · EN
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.
12episodes
Episodes
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What belongs in America's time capsule?
Yesterday00:49:00Tap to summarizeAs America celebrates its 250th birthday, many of the ideas at the heart of the nation's founding — from freedom and representation to checks and balances — remain subjects of fierce public debate. This hour, we explore America's official time capsule and the artifacts Connecticut is sending into the future. What story are we telling about who we are in 2026? And what does that story reveal about who we hope to become? GUESTS: Tom Medema, special advisor to America 250 and project manager for America’s Time Capsule Cyndi Tolosa, Director of Advancement, CT Humanities, project manager for America 250 Connecticut Commission Sarah Atwell, Durham’s America 250 Committee leader Jason Hayes, First Selectman of East Granby Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In Tony Award-winning 'Suffs,' fight for the 19th Amendment sings
2w ago00:49:00Tap to summarize“Suffs” is a Tony-award winning Broadway play celebrating the American women who fought for voting rights. This hour, we learn about the fight for the 19th amendment.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How Bad Bunny became the global voice of the Puerto Rican resistance
2w ago00:50:36Tap to summarizeFrom Hurricane Maria through this year’s Super Bowl, Bad Bunny, the “King of Latin Trap” continues to weave politics into his lyrics.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Making the candidate: How politicians can stand out in 2026
3w ago00:41:00Tap to summarizeWhat makes a politician click with voters? Is it the message? The smile? The slogan? Or that one campaign ad everyone can't stop talking about? Today on The Wheelhouse, we go behind the scenes with political strategists to explore the making of a politician. We'll break down the speeches, slogans, handshakes, photo ops, and yes – even the cringeworthy campaign ads. Guests: Jill Barkley Roy, director, Emerge Action Fund Liz Kurantowicz, Republican analyst and owner, The Drury Group Mercy Quaye, founder and CEO, The Narrative Project Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Policy and politics are hitting CT families with rising summer costs
4w ago00:48:59Tap to summarizeCan I afford that big summer vacation? It’s a question many people ask this time of year. And the answer may hinge on greater economic forces at play. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May that costs were up 3.8%. Moody’s – a financial services company – tells CNBC that the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and energy since U.S. airstrikes began in Iran earlier this year. We'll explore how public policy and politics are impacting consumer spending this summer. Guests: Mark Blyth, professor of international and public affairs, Brown University Rachel Lenda, director of tourism, Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development David Standridge, chef, The Shipwright's Daughter restaurant Paul Brault, owner, Lobster Tales food truck Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How federal judges and CT lawmakers are pushing back against Trump's immigration agenda
Jun 300:49:00Tap to summarizeConnecticut lawmakers have expanded protections for undocumented migrants. They passed a law earlier this year that could keep the migrants from being picked up by federal law enforcement in a way state lawmakers say is unlawful. The state law comes while the federal judicial system is flooded with new cases as U.S. Immigration and Enforcement officers detain thousands of people. Hear from Politico reporter Kyle Cheney on how federal judges are pushing back against the detentions and from Connecticut Public reporter Daniela Doncel on the state’s efforts to turn back enforcement efforts. Guests: Kyle Cheney, senior legal affairs reporter, Politico Daniela Doncel, Latino communities reporter, Connecticut Public Mike Lawlor, the associate dean of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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3 CT lawmakers on how to reach a bipartisan compromise in 2026
May 2700:48:58Tap to summarizeJourney inside the mind of a lawmaker on the next Wheelhouse as we tap into the experience of a panel of politicians with more than 80 years of combined experience serving the people of Connecticut. We’ll ask about bipartisanship and the challenges or reaching across the aisle in 2026.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Homeschooling rules come to CT. But not everyone is happy
May 2000:49:00Tap to summarizeA bill to more closely regulate homeschooling passed the state legislature as the 2026 session came to a close this month. The proposal faced significant pushback from Republicans and parents who homeschool their children. Opponents of the new rules say they are inconsistent with the state’s civil-liberties tradition. But child advocates and lawmakers supporting the rules say they will help track and better protect kids. Today on The Wheelhouse, an interview with the newly-confirmed state child advocate on what she hopes is one piece Connecticut can improve to protect its children. Guests: Christina Ghio, child advocate, State of Connecticut Theo Peck-Suzuki, education reporter, CT Mirror Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What the SCOTUS Voting Rights Act ruling means for CT
May 1300:48:59Tap to summarizeThe U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Louisiana’s congressional map could have major consequences for voters across the country. Critics say the decision weakens the Voting Rights Act and could make it harder for minority communities to elect candidates of their choice. On the next Wheelhouse, who wins and who loses when lawmakers redraw political maps? How might the Supreme Court decision impact how Connecticut voting districts are drawn up? And how might the 2026 midterm elections be influenced? A Segment: Alec Hernández, a politics reporter at Politico B Segment: Kyle Evans, the assistant professor of mathematics at Assumption University, and Bilal Sekou, the associate professor of politics and government at the University of HartfordC Segment: Kyle Evans, the assistant professor of mathematics at Assumption University, and Bilal Sekou, the associate professor of politics and government at the University of Hartford 👀Find more episodes of The Wheelhouse at: ctpublic.org/wheelhouse 📌 Connecticut Public is the state’s public media source for in-depth local news, original storytelling and ideas that educate and inspire our communities. 👉 Subscribe to Connecticut Public’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ConnecticutPublic Subscribe to our Connecticut Public newsletters: https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters Follow Connecticut Public on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctpublic Like Connecticut Public on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ctpublic Follow Connecticut Public on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ctpublic 📍Visit our website: ctpublic.org Support public media and fund the future of free information by donating to Connecticut Public today: ctpublic.org/donate #TheWheelhouseCT #SCOTUS #VotingRightsAct #civilrights #gerrymanderingSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What’s left on the final day of the CT lawmaking session?
May 600:49:00Tap to summarizeConnecticut lawmakers in 2026 have worked on a new budget deal, debated homeschool regulation and tossed around the political football that is skyrocketing energy costs. There’s still more business to do with one more day of lawmaking at the state Capitol, followed by more business up ahead on the campaign trail. Today on The Wheelhouse, local politics and the end of the 2026 legislative session. Guests: Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB News Ch. 3 Ebong Udoma, Senior reporter, WSHU Harriet Jones, director, Connecticut Student Journalism Collaborative Bruce Putterman, publisher and CEO, CT Mirror Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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