In addition to handling all official state records, the Connecticut state comptroller acts as the official state financial watchdog.

From a major audit of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and responding to unpredictable federal funding freezes, this office is having a very busy fiscal year.

Today, Comptroller Scanlon joins us in the studio. We hear about Connecticut’s current fiscal state and this office’s priorities for the coming next fiscal year.

Got a question about state finances or how this office operates? Join the conversation.

GUESTS:
Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon
Keith Phaneuf: Connecticut Mirror state budget reporter

In addition to handling all official state records, <a href="https://osc.ct.gov/about/">the Connecticut state comptroller acts as the official state financial watchdog.</a>
From a major audit of the<a href="https://www.highereddive.com/news/audit-credit-cards-connecticut-state-colleges-universities-terrence-chang/736090/"> Connecticut State Colleges and Universities,</a> and responding to unpredictable federal funding freezes, this office is having a very busy fiscal year.
Today, Comptroller Scanlon joins us in the studio. We hear about Connecticut&rsquo;s current fiscal state and this office&rsquo;s priorities for the coming next fiscal year.
Got a question about state finances or how this office operates? Join the conversation.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon</li>
<li>Keith Phaneuf: Connecticut Mirror state budget reporter</li>
</ul>

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.

Where We Live

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

CT State Comptroller Sean Scanlon talks audits, the state budget, and financial litearcy

Foreign aid accounts for 1% of the U.S. federal budget.

These funds are used to fight famine and disease worldwide. This week, the Senate will debate cutting $7.9 billion earmarked for these efforts.

In July, the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale had federal funds rescinded. They are currently operating by with the help of individual donors.

Today, we get an update on humanitarian crises and international conflicts around the globe. We'll also discuss the future of humanitarian aid in the United States and abroad.

GUESTS:
Lila Hassan: Independent Investigative Journalist
Nathaniel Raymond: Executive Director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health
Provash Budden: Deputy Senior Vice President of Emergency Programs at Americares

Foreign aid accounts for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rescue.org/13-countries-impacted-aid-cuts">1% of the U.S. federal budget.</a>
These funds are used to fight famine and disease worldwide. This week,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/us/politics/senate-rescission-foreign-aid-public-broadcasting.html">the Senate will debate cutting $7.9 billion</a>&nbsp;earmarked for these efforts.
In July, the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale had federal funds rescinded.&nbsp;<a href="https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/khoshnood/news-article/donors-help-humanitarian-research-lab/">They are currently operating by with the help of individual donors.</a>
Today, we get an update on humanitarian crises and international conflicts around the globe. We'll also discuss the future of humanitarian aid in the United States and abroad.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://lila-hassan.com/">Lila Hassan:</a>&nbsp;Independent Investigative Journalist</li>
<li><a href="https://ysph.yale.edu/profile/nathaniel-raymond/">Nathaniel Raymond:</a>&nbsp;Executive Director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/khoshnood/">Humanitarian Research Lab</a>&nbsp;at the Yale School of Public Health</li>
<li><a href="https://www.americares.org/profiles/provash-budden/">Provash Budden:</a>&nbsp;Deputy Senior Vice President of Emergency Programs at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americares.org/">Americares</a></li>
</ul>

As federal cuts to foreign humanitarian aid loom, CT organizations speak out

Farmers in Connecticut and beyond are being impacted by federal funding cuts. In May, the USDA made cuts to programs that help fund farms and food banks.

More recently, the USDA recently cut DEI programming. This included programs on urban forestry, equitable land access and environmental justice. But we could see increased spending for other farm programs in the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

Today, we speak to those working in the agricultural industry around our state. Last week, Governor Ned Lamont signed the CT Farm Bill. We’ll talk about what that means for farmers.

GUESTS:
Bryan Hurlburt: Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner
Bonnie Burr: Department Head and Assistant Director of the Extension at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut
Juan Pablo Yepes Tobón: Windham Community Food Network Coordinator
Freedom Gerardo: Founder/Co-Owner of the Seamarron Farmstead, LLC

Farmers in Connecticut and beyond are being impacted by federal funding cuts. In May,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/05/22/1252898753/1a-05-22-2025">the USDA made cuts to programs that help fund farms and food banks.</a>
More recently, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/06/17/secretary-rollins-takes-bold-action-put-american-farmers-first-cuts-millions-woke-dei-funding">USDA recently cut DEI programming.</a>&nbsp;This included programs on urban forestry, equitable land access and environmental justice.&nbsp;But we could see&nbsp;<a href="https://farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/07/congress-passes-megabill-with-significant-farm-program-funding/">increased spending for other farm programs in the &ldquo;Big Beautiful Bill.&rdquo;</a>
Today, we speak to those working in the agricultural industry around our state. Last week, Governor Ned Lamont signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://ctmirror.org/2025/07/09/farm-bill-ct-agriculture-lamont/">CT Farm Bill.</a>&nbsp;We&rsquo;ll talk about what that means for farmers.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Bryan Hurlburt:&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.ct.gov/doag/commissioner/commissioner/about-the-department">Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cahnr.uconn.edu/person/bonnie-burr/">Bonnie Burr:</a>&nbsp;Department Head and Assistant Director of the Extension at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut</li>
<li>Juan Pablo Yepes Tob&oacute;n:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.windhamfood.org/">Windham Community Food Network Coordinator</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ctnofa.org/speakers/hector-gerardo-2/">Freedom Gerardo:</a>&nbsp;Founder/Co-Owner of the Seamarron Farmstead, LLC</li>
</ul>

A look at the CT Farm Bill, plus local farmers discuss federal funding cuts

Shakespeare’s plays have been performed for over 400 years, but artists are still finding bold new ways to bring them to life.

This hour, we’re joined by creatives behind two inventive productions hitting Connecticut stages this summer: one blends breakdancing with Hamlet, the other infuses A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the vibrant energy of Bollywood.

We explore why these centuries-old stories continue to resonate, and how modern reinterpretations keep them relevant.

GUESTS:
Nina Pinchin: Director of Breakdancing Shakespeare, The Hartford Stage
Brandon Couloute: Choreographer of Breakdancing Shakespeare, The Hartford Stage
Rebecca Goodheart: Producing Artistic Director, Elm Shakespeare Company
Deshik Vansadia: artistic director, The Shakespeare Co. of India

Shakespeare&rsquo;s plays have been performed for over 400 years, but artists are still finding bold new ways to bring them to life.
This hour, we&rsquo;re joined by creatives behind two inventive productions hitting Connecticut stages this summer: one blends breakdancing with&nbsp;Hamlet, the other infuses&nbsp;A Midsummer Night&rsquo;s Dream&nbsp;with the vibrant energy of Bollywood.
We explore why these centuries-old stories continue to resonate, and how modern reinterpretations keep them relevant.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Nina Pinchin: Director of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hartfordstage.org/breakdancing-shakespeare">Breakdancing Shakespeare</a>,&nbsp;The Hartford Stage</li>
<li>Brandon Couloute: Choreographer of Breakdancing Shakespeare,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hartfordstage.org/">The Hartford Stage</a></li>
<li>Rebecca Goodheart: Producing Artistic Director,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elmshakespeare.org/">Elm Shakespeare Company</a></li>
<li>Deshik Vansadia: artistic director,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_shakespeare_company_india/?hl=en">The Shakespeare Co. of India</a></li>
</ul>

CT State Comptroller Sean Scanlon talks audits, the state budget, and financial litearcy

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