In May 1969, Black Panther Alex Rackley was murdered by fellow revolutionaries in Connecticut.

Rackley’s murder eventually led to what some call “one of the most significant political trials of the century.” In 1970, the New Haven Black Panther trials became the focus of national attention — and what happened then reverberates loudly into the present.

This hour, we’ll unpack everything from how the federal government targeted Black Panther Party leaders to the legacy of the trials in the Elm City.

In May 1969, Black Panther Alex Rackley was murdered by fellow revolutionaries in Connecticut.
Rackley&rsquo;s murder eventually led to what some call &ldquo;one of the most significant political trials of the century.&rdquo; In 1970, the New Haven Black Panther trials became the focus of national attention &mdash; and what happened then reverberates loudly into the present.
This hour, we&rsquo;ll unpack everything from how the federal government targeted Black Panther Party leaders to the legacy of the trials in the Elm City.

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

RERUN: The New Haven Black Panther trials still resonate today

There’s a lot at stake as the clock ticks on Trump’s tax program. The 2017 Trump tax cuts expire at the end of this year.

Top Republicans are pushing to extend the program.

But, experts from the liberal think tank The Center for American Progress, meanwhile, say the tax cuts actually hurt the economy over the long haul. This week on the Wheelhouse, why 2025 is a watershed year for American tax policy.

Also, as tax day approaches, we’ll discuss the state of the IRS and whether workforce cuts there could impact the delivery of your refund check.

GUESTS:
Nancy Qian, Professor of Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences, Northwestern University
Dan Haar, Senior editor and columnist, Hearst Connecticut Media
Ebong Udoma, Senior reporter, WSHU

There&rsquo;s a lot at stake as the clock ticks on Trump&rsquo;s tax program. The 2017 Trump tax cuts expire at the end of this year.
Top Republicans are pushing to extend the program.
But, experts from the liberal think tank The Center for American Progress, meanwhile, say the tax cuts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/article/extending-the-trump-tax-cuts-would-harm-the-economy-and-raise-consumer-borrowing-costs-while-pushing-up-debt/">actually hurt the economy over the long haul</a>. This week on the Wheelhouse, why 2025 is a watershed year for American tax policy.
Also, as tax day approaches, we&rsquo;ll discuss the state of the IRS and whether workforce cuts there could impact the delivery of your refund check.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/directory/qian_nancy/">Nancy Qian</a>, Professor of Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences,&nbsp;Northwestern University</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/dan-haar/">Dan Haar</a>, Senior editor and columnist,&nbsp;Hearst Connecticut Media</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wshu.org/people/ebong-udoma">Ebong Udoma</a>, Senior reporter,&nbsp;WSHU</li>
</ul>

Will Trump’s 2017 tax plan be extended? A look at how the administration might pay for tax cuts in 2025.

The state budget may be headed for a “world of pain.” That’s according to our friends at the Connecticut Mirror.

State lawmakers are tasked with funding their priorities while anticipating cuts coming from the federal government.

Medicaid costs are one line item the state may have to adjust on the fly.

Today on the Wheelhouse, how the state could step in to support vulnerable communities if the federal government pulls their support for Medicaid.

GUESTS:
Rep. Vincent Candelora, State House Republican leader, North Branford
Sean Scanlon, Comptroller, State of Connecticut
Katy Golvala, Health reporter, CT Mirror
Keith Phaneuf, State budget reporter, CT Mirror 

The state budget may be headed for a &ldquo;<a href="https://ctmirror.org/2025/03/06/ct-federal-cuts-medicaid/">world of pain</a>.&rdquo; That&rsquo;s according to our friends at the Connecticut Mirror.
State lawmakers are tasked with funding their priorities while anticipating cuts coming from the federal government.
Medicaid costs are one line item the state may have to adjust on the fly.
Today on the Wheelhouse, how the state could step in to support vulnerable communities if the federal government pulls their support for Medicaid.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.cthousegop.com/Candelora/">Rep. Vincent Candelora</a>, State House Republican leader, North Branford</li>
<li><a href="https://osc.ct.gov/about/">Sean Scanlon</a>, Comptroller, State of Connecticut</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/kgolvala/">Katy Golvala</a>, Health reporter, CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/kphaneuf/">Keith Phaneuf</a>, State budget reporter, CT Mirror&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The future of Medicaid: rather than increases, cuts may be coming

There was a 13% increase in Connecticut’s unhoused population from 2023 to 2024. That’s according to an annual report by the state.

Connecticut is seeing decreases in housing availability, the price of rent skyrocketing, and more.

Today on the Wheelhouse, proposals state lawmakers are considering to make more affordable housing a reality in Connecticut.

Plus, Congressman John Larson has gone viral. Larson stops by the Wheelhouse to discuss his impassioned demand for transparency from DOGE leader Elon Musk over the future of Social Security.

GUESTS:
Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), Connecticut’s first congressional district
Alex Putterman, Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
Abby Brone, Housing reporter, Connecticut Public
Ginny Monk, Children's issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror

There was a 13% increase in Connecticut&rsquo;s unhoused population from 2023 to 2024. That&rsquo;s according to <a href="https://www.ctbos.org/wp-content/uploads/PIT-2024-Nutmeg-Final-Report_2024.07.30.pdf">an annual report by the state</a>.
Connecticut is seeing decreases in housing availability, the price of rent skyrocketing, and more.
Today on the Wheelhouse, proposals state lawmakers are considering to make more affordable housing a reality in Connecticut.
Plus, Congressman John Larson has gone <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MJDxvPL-EI">viral</a>. Larson stops by the Wheelhouse to discuss his impassioned demand for transparency from DOGE leader Elon Musk over the future of Social Security.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://larson.house.gov/">Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.)</a>, Connecticut&rsquo;s first congressional district</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/alex-putterman/">Alex Putterman</a>, Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/abby-brone">Abby Brone</a>, Housing reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/gmonk/">Ginny Monk,</a> Children's issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror</li>
</ul>

RERUN: The New Haven Black Panther trials still resonate today

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