The Wheelhouse

Connecticut Public
Connecticut Public
  • 4.4 (47)
  • News
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 3d ago

    Where does climate progress stand amid federal rollbacks?

    Last week, climate leaders from around the world gathered in New York for Climate Week – the biggest annual conference of its kind. We’ll hear what was discussed, where we’re making progress on clean energy, and what’s getting in the way. The political landscape is shifting, with the Trump administration rolling back federal climate policies even as some climate indicators offer reasons for cautious optimism. We also take stock of Connecticut’s high electric bills and ask: is relief anywhere in sight? Guests: Jake Bittle, writer at Grist Daniel Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, Yale School of the Environment and Yale Law School John Moritz, covers energy and the environment for CT Mirror Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Where does climate progress stand amid federal rollbacks?

  2. Sep 23

    Politicians and civilians alike are down on AI data centers. But they’re going up anyway.

    Before you toss the latest campaign mailer into the recycling bin, take a look. You might notice a new buzzy campaign issue splashed across the ad: AI Data Centers. According to NPR’s analysis of political advertising data, mentions of AI data centers in campaign materials are increasing – up from just a handful in January to 164 in August. The research shows a bipartisan effort to warn the public about the construction of AI data centers throughout the U.S. Today on The Wheelhouse, we explore AI data centers and their impact on the environment and the 2026 midterm elections. Guests: Julia Tilton, energy and climate reporter, The Daily Yonder Grant Blankenship, multimedia editor and reporter, Georgia Public Broadcasting Kenneth Gillingham, professor of environmental and energy economics, Yale School of the Environment Tony Adili, zoning enforcement officer, town of Morris, Connecticut Are you thinking about 2026 midterm elections? Help shape our election coverage by filling out this survey. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Politicians and civilians alike are down on AI data centers. But they’re going up anyway.

  3. Sep 16

    Concerns over election integrity loom over November midterms

    Two-thirds of Americans surveyed are worried about the integrity of U.S. elections. That’s according to a Gallup Poll released in July. A total of 67% of the respondents are concerned that political leaders will attempt to pressure election officials to change outcomes in the upcoming midterm elections. That's a significant percentage of people. President Donald Trump had ordered the U.S. Postal Service to screen ballots to ensure they comply with a new set of conditions that would have made it harder to vote by mail. The U.S. Supreme Court responded, rejecting the administration’s attempt to restrict mail ballots. With the Supreme Court weighing in, is there still fear of federal influence on the 2026 midterms? And what’s behind the anxiety around election security right now? Today on The Wheelhouse, what's being done to preserve the integrity of our elections? Guests: Eric McDaniel, congressional reporter, NPR’s Washington Desk Dion Nissenbaum, senior national reporter, Votebeat Stephanie Thomas, Connecticut Secretary of the State Are you thinking about 2026 midterm elections? Help shape our election coverage by filling out this survey. The Wheelhouse is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Concerns over election integrity loom over November midterms

  4. Sep 9

    Assessing the field of candidates in Connecticut ahead of the November midterms

    John Larson, a 14-term Democratic congressman, was unable to stave off a primary challenge from former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin. Larson wasn’t the only incumbent who lost on a primary night this year. As Republicans in Connecticut make their case against local incumbents, they campaign in a blue state, outnumbered by Democrats. Today on The Wheelhouse, we continue our midterm election coverage by dissecting local primary results. Plus, amid a spate of immigration arrests in Danbury by federal law enforcement, how is Mayor Roberto Alves working to keep migrant families in his city safe? Guests: Roberto Alves, mayor, city of Danbury Themis Klarides, former Republican state representative, Derby Christopher Keating, reporter, Hartford Courant Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Assessing the field of candidates in Connecticut ahead of the November midterms

  5. Sep 2

    What the primaries tell us about November midterms

    The 2026 midterm elections are still weeks away, but voters are already sending signals about what November could look like. Across the country, primary races are testing the strength of party establishments, the appeal of moderate candidates and the enthusiasm of Democratic and Republican voters. This hour, we explore what’s happening in states from Maine to Michigan, and what those contests reveal about the broader political landscape. Plus, what both parties need to do between now and November to turn primary results into general election wins. Guests: Liz Goodwin, national political reporter for The Washington Post Alec Hernández, politics reporter, POLITICO Andy Sullivan, deputy editor for politics, Reuters  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    What the primaries tell us about November midterms

  6. Aug 26

    America 250: Who gets to tell the story?

    America is celebrating 250 years, but what does it mean to tell the whole story of the country? This hour, we explore who gets to shape American history and what happens when stories that have been overlooked finally come into focus. We learn about Black Americans who have too often been left out of the history books. And we look at how museums, historic sites and educators are navigating the question of whose version of America gets remembered. Guests: John Mills, Founder & President of the Alex Breanne Corporation Bilal Sekou, Hillyer College associate professor of political science, University of Hartford Alan Spears, senior director of cultural resources in the government affairs department, National Parks Conservation Association Erika Slocumb, Director of interpretation and visitor’s experience, Stowe Center for Literary Activism Are you thinking about 2026 midterm elections? Help shape our election coverage by filling out this survey. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    America 250: Who gets to tell the story?

  7. Aug 20

    To understand why we feel political ‘outrage,’ one author says: Look to our earliest ancestors

    The August primaries in Connecticut are over and now it’s time to look ahead to the fall midterm campaign season. It’s that time of the election cycle when politicians quickly get over the arguments they had with their primary opponents and fellow party members – and pivot to the November general election as they compete against their political adversaries on the other end of the ideological spectrum. With all this fussing over our future – and with a lot of division in our national politics – we’re revisiting a conversation with an author who uses anthropology to understand why we engage with politics the way we do. It turns out that we’re not actually mean. We’re just feeling vulnerable. Today on The Wheelhouse, social psychologist and author Kurt Gray discusses his book “Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground.” Guest: Kurt Gray, author, 'Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground.' Are you thinking about 2026 midterm elections? Help shape our election coverage by filling out this survey. The Wheelhouse is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.   Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Aug 12

    The Trump administration has changed federal student loan policy. Here’s what you should know

    The U.S. Department of Education has updated its federal student loan guidance as changes involving college debt policy from the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act took effect July 1. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said that American taxpayers should no longer pay for other people’s student loans. But the changes, according to NPR, will limit the amount of programs available to borrowers. And they’ll cap loans for grad students. Today on The Wheelhouse, what borrowers should know ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year. Guests: Ayelet Sheffey, senior education reporter, Business Insider  Betsy Mayotte, president and founder, The Institute of Student Loan Advisors Michelle Jarvis-Lettman, student loan ombudsperson, State of Connecticut  Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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About

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.

Information

  • Channel
    Connecticut Public
  • Creator
    Connecticut Public Radio
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    542
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Connecticut Public Radio
  • Show Website
    The Wheelhouse

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