Free speech is in focus at this year’s Wheelhouse LIVE event amid significant shifts in the world of broadcast media. If free press is the cornerstone of American Democracy, what do the Trump administration’s attacks on late night TV hosts – and Congress’ claw back of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – tell us about the future of American politics and pop culture?

Free speech is in focus at this year&rsquo;s Wheelhouse LIVE event amid significant shifts in the world of broadcast media. If free press is the cornerstone of American Democracy, what do the Trump administration&rsquo;s <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115256938634035559">attacks</a> on late night TV hosts &ndash; and Congress&rsquo; claw back of funding for the <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/npr-public-editor/2025/09/04/g-s1-86954/how-does-the-end-of-the-cpb-change-npr">Corporation for Public Broadcasting</a> &ndash; tell us about the future of American politics and pop culture?

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

The Wheelhouse LIVE: The Year Political Satire Became Too Hot for TV

State lawmakers return to Hartford Wednesday for the opening of the 2026 legislative session.

They meet as federal lawmakers argue over expiring health care subsidies and immigration enforcement operations across the country.

In Connecticut, how will these federal cuts and controversies impact the work lawmakers do this session? And with soaring energy costs continuing to hammer Connecticut customers, might there be room for bipartisan compromise?

Guests:
Rep. Vincent Candelora, House Republican Leader, R-North Branford
Rep. Matt Ritter, Speaker of House, D-Hartford
Susan Raff, chief political reporter, WFSB News Channel 3
Ebong Udoma, senior reporter, WSHU

State lawmakers return to Hartford Wednesday for the opening of the 2026 legislative session.
They meet as federal lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/30/government-shutdown-senate-vote-dhs.html">argue over</a> expiring health care subsidies and immigration enforcement operations across the country.
In Connecticut, how will these federal cuts and controversies impact the work lawmakers do this session? And with soaring energy costs continuing to hammer Connecticut customers, might there be room for bipartisan compromise?
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.cthousegop.com/candelora">Rep. Vincent Candelora,</a>&nbsp;House Republican Leader, R-North Branford</li>
<li><a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Ritter">Rep. Matt Ritter</a>, Speaker of House, D-Hartford</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">Susan Raff</a>, chief political reporter, WFSB News Channel 3</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wshu.org/people/ebong-udoma">Ebong Udoma</a>, senior reporter, WSHU</li>
</ul>

Is compromise possible? CT lawmakers hopeful as 2026 session begins

“Suffs,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about history-making women, is coming to Hartford.

From Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, the people behind “Suffs” say they’ll highlight themes of the past that are still relevant today including grassroots activism, race, gender and class dynamics.

Producers of "Suffs" say it isn’t some “dry history lesson,” but a high-energy, rousing experience saluting the powerful American women who fought for the right to vote.

Today on The Wheelhouse, meet Danyel Fulton, the actor that plays journalist Ida B. Wells. And we'll explore the suffragist movement in Connecticut.

GUESTS:
Danyel Fulton, actor/singer, “Suffs” 
Rachel Sussman, creative producer, “Suffs” 
Natalie Belanger, public programs manager, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History 

&ldquo;Suffs,&rdquo; the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about history-making women, is coming to Hartford.
From Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, the people behind &ldquo;Suffs&rdquo; say they&rsquo;ll highlight themes of the past that are still relevant today including grassroots activism, race, gender and class dynamics.
Producers of "Suffs" say it isn&rsquo;t some &ldquo;dry history lesson,&rdquo; but a high-energy, rousing experience saluting the powerful American women who fought for the right to vote.
Today on The Wheelhouse, meet Danyel Fulton, the actor that plays journalist Ida B. Wells. And we'll explore the suffragist movement in Connecticut.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.danyelfulton.com/">Danyel Fulton</a>, actor/singer, &ldquo;Suffs&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.rachel-sussman.com/">Rachel Sussman</a>, creative producer, &ldquo;Suffs&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/about/staff/">Natalie Belanger</a>, public programs manager, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

In Tony Award-winning 'Suffs,' fight for the 19th Amendment sings

Civilians and federal ICE agents are clashing from Hartford to Minneapolis.

Federal officials are amping up enforcement efforts – and rhetoric – in the wake of several shootings in Minnesota at the hands of federal ICE agents.

How are protesters and journalists responding?

Today on The Wheelhouse, government accountability and transparency in 2026.

GUESTS:
Elana Bildner, staff attorney, ACLU-CT
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, author and professor of constitutional law, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Elisa Lees Muñoz, executive director, International Women’s Media Foundation
Miles Pinsof-Berlowitz, co editor-in-chief, The Wesleyan Argus
Thomas Lyons, co editor-in-chief, The Wesleyan Argus
Janhavi Munde, managing editor, The Wesleyan Argus

Civilians and federal ICE agents are clashing from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-01-09/ct-public-reporter-describes-chaotic-scene-at-ice-killing-protest-in-hartford">Hartford</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/10/nx-s1-5673229/ice-protests-minneapolis-portland-renee-good">Minneapolis</a>.
Federal officials are amping up enforcement efforts &ndash; and rhetoric &ndash; in the wake of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/us/minneapolis-federal-agent-shooting-immigration.html">several</a>&nbsp;shootings in Minnesota at the hands of federal ICE agents.
How are protesters and journalists responding?
Today on The Wheelhouse, government accountability and transparency in 2026.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.acluct.org/news/meet-elana-bildner-aclu-connecticuts-new-staff-attorney/">Elana Bildner</a>, staff attorney, ACLU-CT</li>
<li><a href="https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/faculty/gloria-j-browne-marshall">Gloria J. Browne-Marshall</a>, author and professor of constitutional law, John Jay College of Criminal Justice</li>
<li><a href="https://www.iwmf.org/people/elisa-lees-munoz/">Elisa Lees Mu&ntilde;oz</a>, executive director, International Women&rsquo;s Media Foundation</li>
<li><a href="https://wesleyanargus.com/author/mpinsofberlo/">Miles Pinsof-Berlowitz</a>, co editor-in-chief, The Wesleyan Argus</li>
<li><a href="https://wesleyanargus.com/author/tlyons/">Thomas Lyons</a>, co editor-in-chief, The Wesleyan Argus</li>
<li><a href="https://wesleyanargus.com/author/jmunde/">Janhavi Munde</a>, managing editor, The Wesleyan Argus</li>
</ul>

The Wheelhouse LIVE: The Year Political Satire Became Too Hot for TV

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