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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.
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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. G…
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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 …
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Election 2024: Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District
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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 in…
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Election 2024: Connecticut's 4th Congressional District
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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 …
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Election 2024: Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District
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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 dis…
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A look at the controversial Electoral College
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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 …
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Election 2024: Connecticut’s 3rd Congressional District
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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 c…
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Election 2024: Connecticut's 1st Congressional District
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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 …
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How politicians are utilizing anti-immigrant rhetoric on the campaign trail
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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 tha…
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Substance vs. Spectacle: A look at presidential debates
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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 …
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How election officials are preparing for November
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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…
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Anti-vaccine rhetoric has hit the campaign trail
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During a recent speech given by former President Donald Trump, he promised that, if elected, he would cut federal funding for any schools with a vaccine or mask mandate. His promises highlight the continued politicization of CDC-recommended public health best-practices. This hour, we look at anti-vaccine rhetoric and how it impacts communities in C…
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What to know about the Democratic National Convention
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After a whirlwind few weeks, Democrats are gathering in Chicago to formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential candidate. This week on The Wheelhouse, Colin McEnroe guest-hosts a special check-in on how the Democratic National Convention is going. GUESTS: Dan Haar, columnist and senior editor, Hearst Connecticut Media Group…
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Project 2025: Separating fact from fiction
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We asked our listeners what issues are on their minds, and they answered the call! The week on The Wheelhouse, what exactly is Project 2025? And why is Donald Trump distancing himself from it? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Connecticut Public Radio
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Politics across the generations: what mark are people your age leaving on politics?
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Today on The Wheelhouse, we’re exploring politics and generational theory. That’s the belief that every generation has a unique set of shared beliefs. As voters across all age groups get ready to head to the polls in November, what politicians and historical events have shaped the way they will cast their votes? Pictured above are (L-R, top row) Ce…
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The ARPA dollars are spent. What will CT schools do now?
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Federal COVID relief dollars have boosted education in recent years. But now, money allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act is going away. What will state governments do now for students and teachers? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Connecticut Public Radio
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Wheelhouse special edition: Biden drops out
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This weekend, Joe Biden announced he’s dropping out of the presidential race. We’ll talk about what this means for November on a special edition of The Wheelhouse. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Connecticut Public Radio
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Political violence mars an already devolving race for the White House
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As the country witnesses yet another act of political violence, its citizens wonder about the impact words and weapons have on our lives. On the next Wheelhouse, we try to make sense of an assassination attempt in 2024. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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Online safety is a top priority for lawmakers in 2024
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This week on The Wheelhouse, lawmakers are taking “reasonable measures” to protect children online through the “Kids Online Safety Act.” But does this act encroach on free speech? And is a TikTok ban really in our future? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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Focusing on Latino communities–and not on whether they’re for Biden or Trump
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Election coverage in 2024 has portrayed individual members of latino communities as a collective bloc. As coverage of polling sacrifices nuance over numbers, an opportunity is missed to delve into issues that a large percentage of Americans care about. Polls are used in the media, for example, to show that President Joe Biden is behind in his campa…
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Moving in reverse: restrictions on reproductive care mirror bygone era
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Reproductive rights aren’t just at stake in states like Louisiana and Texas. They’re targeted—even in a so-called safe harbor Connecticut–by some lawmakers. Today on The Wheelhouse, what might the landscape surrounding reproductive care look like after November’s elections? And looking back, we’ll examine Connecticut’s complicated history with repr…
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Misinformation about gender-affirming care is in the political playbook for elections in 2024
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More and more states are restricting access to gender-affirming care. It’s an issue that some politicians are centering in their political campaigns. But a 19th News/SurveyMonkey poll from 2023 found that only 17 percent of Americans believe politicians should focus on restrictions to gender-affirming care. So, today on the Wheelhouse, we’ll wade t…
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America’s embracing cannabis. As more states take on cannabis, how is its sale benefiting the public?
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The way we view cannabis has changed, particularly since states began decriminalizing its use and allowing residents to buy it. Most Americans now live in a state where cannabis for recreational use is legal. As jurisdictions embrace the cannabis industry, communities are addressing people disproportionately impacted by the “war on drugs” and crack…
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How will Connecticut care for its aging population?
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Connecticut’s aging population is growing. Lawmakers are looking for solutions as complaints from elder care residents and advocates increase in the state. On the next Wheelhouse, how is the state addressing this problem? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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Closing the book on the short 2024 legislative session in Connecticut
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The Connecticut General Assembly has adjourned for the year. In an election year – and an era of fiscal discipline – there was only so much that was going to be done during a short legislative session to address climate change, funding shortfalls in education and shortages in affordable housing and child care. Today on The Wheelhouse, a look back a…
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