The Wheelhouse
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’…Social links:
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What community engagement offers CT residents at a time when they’re fed up with their government
A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist University poll indicated Americans’ displeasure with their government. It found 62% of Americans surveyed believed the country is heading in the wrong direction, while 79 % say the country is going too far to restrict free speech. So, what are people doing with their…
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What to know about the 2025 municipal elections in Connecticut
It’s the morning after Election Day 2025 in Connecticut and we’re breaking down the latest results from municipal races across the state. How did an election to name a new mayor in New Britain turn out? What races commanded local attention in your community? And what issues – from education to zon…
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As more Americans embrace political violence, what can be done to avoid it?
More Americans now think violence is necessary to “right” the country than they did 18 months ago. That’s according to polling from NPR, PBS News and Marist University. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has federalized and deployed national guard troops to American cities, sparking a flurry of c…
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Inside the effort to quantify racial profiling in law enforcement
New data confirms what people pushing for criminal justice reform have been saying for years – racial disparities show up during encounters with police. Researchers at the University of Connecticut say Black people face disproportionate rates of police use-of-force in Connecticut. And that a signi…
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The S-word: What does ‘socialism’ mean in modern American politics?
Polls show that more Americans are embracing socialism. At the same time, politicians that call themselves Democratic Socialists are often painted by conservatives as political extremists. What is a Democratic Socialist? And why is President Donald Trump calling a popular one in the race for New …
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'It's not always beautiful,' but CT college students still want civil debate
Recent political violence – and a government shutdown – have turned American politics into a mudslinging free for all. With more attention on owning the other side – and less emphasis on civility, are there still safe spaces for debate?On college campuses a new survey says more students are self-c…
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We got next: CT lawmakers warn WNBA to stay out of Sun negotiations
The Connecticut Sun could be the latest professional franchise to pull out of Connecticut. But a full court press of politicians is working to save the WNBA franchise and keep the team right here in Connecticut. According to CT Insider, lawmakers want to use state pension funds to buy a minority s…
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Investment in child care is the ‘hard part,’ but Beth Bye says CT is about to reap the benefits
Beth Bye, a former state lawmaker and outgoing head of the Office of Early Childhood, is retiring from state service after years of work helping young children. Bye’s retirement comes after the state legislature passed a sweeping bill last session offering free child care to many Connecticut famil…
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Federal tax credits incentivizing green energy are expiring. Here’s what you need to know.
Federal tax credits for electric vehicles will expire at the end of September. Connecticut residents also won’t be able to access other federal incentives for heat pumps, rooftop solar and home energy audits. Today on The Wheelhouse, how local officials can promote energy efficiency amid a federa…
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Local health officials scramble amid a push from RFK Jr. to ‘Make America Healthy Again’
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, is defending his policies on Capitol Hill. He recently spoke to Congress following a brain drain at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC’s director was fired. And several other high-level offici…
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