Shawna the Mom on TikTok, motherhood and the appeal of authenticity

Shawna Lander is the actress behind “Shawna the Mom,” a series of one-woman skits on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. She's amassed millions of followers online, through clips are that are fictional, but touch on real world themes of motherhood and the ups-and-downs of family life. "I was really hu…

How are social media algorithms impacting CT teens in 2026?

Seven-in-ten high school teachers say that cell phone distraction in school is a major problem, and one third of teens say that they use at least one social media site “almost constantly,” according to the Pew Research Center. But how are teens actually consuming social media? And what kind of cit…

CT diaspora responds to crisis in Lebanon

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have displaced 800,000 people, and killed nearly 700 people. Connecticut is home to nearly 10,000 Lebanese Americans. Today we hear from members of the state's Lebanese diaspora. We’ll also hear from one global humanitarian aid organization working on the ground in L…

Taíno culture and heritage celebrated across CT

A new exhibit at Yale’s natural history museum is highlighting a culture with deep ties to many in the state. It’s called “¡Taíno Vive!” or “Taíno lives,” and it’s all about the native people of the Caribbean. Today we celebrate the history and contributions of Taínos. It’s a culture with roots i…

Preserving stories and languages one oral history at a time

How will you preserve your family history? Maybe through journaling or family movies? What about grabbing an audio recorder? Today, we’ll hear all about oral history projects in Connecticut that are recording stories for posterity. Later on, we’ll also hear how the Yiddish language and its dialect…

CT farms are bringing some unique crops to the table

Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner. But it’s been a rough winter for those growing crops and raising livestock. Today, we hear how this winter season has impacted Connecticut agriculture and farms. More Connecticut farmers are working to bring new products to market and maybe ins…

CT native Tory Henwood Hoen explores caregiving in new book 'Before I Forget'

Before I Forget, a novel by Tory Henwood Hoen. At some point in life, there is a good chance that you might become a caretaker. “Before I Forget” is the story of life, love, memory loss and all the ups and downs of caregiving. It was inspired by author Tory Henwood Hoen’s own experience with care…

As CT reacts to unfolding situation in Iran, what's the importance of community in times of crisis?

In an age of increased isolation and loneliness, what does it mean to be a good neighbor, and build community? Today, we hear from groups across Connecticut working to organize, support their neighborhoods and inspire change. We’ll also get local reactions to the unfolding situation in Iran and t…

Amid enrollment declines, an update on CT public school education

Connecticut is facing a historic decline in public school enrollment, with enrollment dropping below half a million for the first time in two decades. This effect is especially pronounced in Hartford, which saw a 5% decline in student enrollment amid a $45 million dollar school deficit. Now, city …

Amid DHS funding cuts, is meaningful immigration reform possible?

Speaking at the State of the Union, President Donald Trump demanded a full restoration of funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has carried out raids in major cities across the nation resulting in mass arrests, violence and the deaths of two …