Why does political dysfunction happen? What are the systems that enable it? A new four-part podcast from Connecticut Public looks for answers in Bridgeport, where corruption charges, allegations of absentee ballot misconduct, and machine politics have left some residents wondering if their vote even matters.

Today on The Wheelhouse, catch the first episode of In Absentia. The podcast offers listeners a deep dive into the history of political dysfunction in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Plus, we’ll hear from Connecticut Public’s Lisa Hagen about Connecticut's federal delegation ahead of general elections in November.

Why does political dysfunction happen? What are the systems that enable it? A new four-part podcast from Connecticut Public looks for answers in Bridgeport, where corruption charges, allegations of absentee ballot misconduct, and machine politics have left some residents wondering if their vote even matters.
Today on The Wheelhouse, catch the first episode of <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/podcast/in-absentia" data-cms-ai="0">In Absentia</a>. The podcast offers listeners a deep dive into the history of political dysfunction in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Plus, we’ll hear from Connecticut Public’s Lisa Hagen about Connecticut's federal delegation ahead of general elections in November.

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.

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.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

The Wheelhouse

In Absentia looks at the history of political dysfunction in Bridgeport

Student-led protests of the Israel-Hamas War are growing as the fighting continues. Students camp out and call on their educational institutions to divest from companies they say support the killing of civilians – while the world reacts.

This hour, we look at how the protests in support of civilians in Gaza – and the war in general – are being talked about and how that rhetoric affects the safety of Palestinian and Jewish people.

GUESTS:
Sharon Otterman: Reporter covering education, health, other issues in New York City, New York Times
Eddy Martinez: Breaking News Reporter, CT Public
Jason Stanley: Professor of Philosophy, Yale University
Gregg Gonsalves: Associate Professor at Yale School of Public Health and Associate Professor at Yale Law School

Student-led protests of the Israel-Hamas War are growing as the fighting continues. Students camp out and call on their educational institutions to divest from companies they say support the killing of civilians – while the world reacts.
This hour, we look at how the protests in support of civilians in Gaza – and the war in general – are being talked about and how that rhetoric affects the safety of Palestinian and Jewish people.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/sharon-otterman" data-cms-ai="0">Sharon Otterman</a>: Reporter covering education, health, other issues in New York City, New York Times</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/eddy-martinez" data-cms-ai="0">Eddy Martinez</a>: Breaking News Reporter, CT Public</li>
<li><a href="https://philosophy.yale.edu/people/jason-stanley" data-cms-ai="0">Jason Stanley</a>: Professor of Philosophy, Yale University</li>
<li><a href="https://ysph.yale.edu/profile/gregg-gonsalves/" data-cms-ai="0">Gregg Gonsalves</a>: Associate Professor at Yale School of Public Health and Associate Professor at Yale Law School</li>
</ul>

The role of student activism amid a polarizing war

Connecticut’s affordable housing crisis has taken center stage during the state’s 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions.

This hour, are meaningful reforms on the horizon for state residents? And how have zoning ordinances, a lack of transit-oriented development, and “opt-in” programs contributed to the crisis at hand?
Jacqueline Rabe Thomas: Investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media Group
Anika Singh Lemar: Clinical Professor of Law, Yale Law School
Ginny Monk: Children’s issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror
Abigail Brone: Housing reporter, Connecticut Public

Connecticut’s affordable housing crisis has taken center stage during the state’s 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions.
This hour, are meaningful reforms on the horizon for state residents? And how have zoning ordinances, a lack of transit-oriented development, and “opt-in” programs contributed to the crisis at hand?
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/jacqueline-rabe-thomas/" data-cms-ai="0">Jacqueline Rabe Thomas:</a> Investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media Group</li>
<li><a href="https://law.yale.edu/anika-singh-lemar" data-cms-ai="0">Anika Singh Lemar</a>: Clinical Professor of Law, Yale Law School</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/gmonk/" data-cms-ai="0">Ginny Monk</a>: Children’s issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/abby-brone" data-cms-ai="0">Abigail Brone</a>: Housing reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
</ul>

Will Connecticut pass meaningful housing reform in 2024?

Presidential election years are an emotional rollercoaster. And if you’ve been feeling anxious about the state of the country, there’s a good chance the children in your life have picked up on that. This hour, how should we talk to kids about the election?

Presidential election years are an emotional rollercoaster. And if you’ve been feeling anxious about the state of the country, there’s a good chance the children in your life have picked up on that. This hour, how should we talk to kids about the election?

In Absentia looks at the history of political dysfunction in Bridgeport

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