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.
Latest episodes
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49 min
Perspective from CT Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms
There are nearly 500,000 registered Republicans in Connecticut. That figure is less than the number of registered Democrats – and unaffiliated voters – in the state. Republicans ar…
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45 min
The 2026 CT gubernatorial election: Meet the candidates
Connecticut voters will choose between incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) in less than a month. On the next Wheelhouse, we sit down one-on-one wi…
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49 min
Affordability and the midterms: what’s remarkable about the cost of living this election cycle?
Polling of likely voters in midterm elections indicates people aren’t happy with the way the current administration is managing the U.S. economy. About 60% of respondents in a rece…
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49 min
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 makin…
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49 min
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 NP…
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49 min
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 concer…
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49 min
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 pr…
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49 min
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 stren…
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49 min
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 stori…
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49 min
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…
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49 min
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…
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49 min
Democratic Primary 2026: Meet the candidates for CT’s 1st Congressional District
John Larson hasn’t faced a stiff challenge from a member of his own party since he was first elected to represent Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District in 1998. Larson touts his…
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49 min
Unaccompanied and unprotected? CT attorneys critical of resettlement process for young migrants
Children as young as 5 are being resettled in Connecticut after being picked up by federal law enforcement at the U.S. border. Attorneys for these unaccompanied children say they’r…
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49 min
How much ‘Obamacare’ remains in Trump’s America?
Health insurance through the Affordable Care Act still exists nearly two years after candidate Donald Trump said he had “concepts of a plan” to replace it. But even though many Ame…
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49 min
AI is already being used in schools. Now, CT lawmakers hope to regulate it.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly making its way into Connecticut’s classrooms. Connecticut lawmakers recently passed Senate Bill 5, a sweeping new law that includes investments i…
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49 min
What belongs in America's time capsule?
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, many of the ideas at the heart of the nation's founding — from freedom and representation to checks and balances — remain subjects of fier…
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49 min
In Tony Award-winning 'Suffs,' fight for the 19th Amendment sings
“Suffs” is a Tony-award winning Broadway play celebrating the American women who fought for voting rights. This hour, we learn about the fight for the 19th amendment.Support the sh…
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51 min
How Bad Bunny became the global voice of the Puerto Rican resistance
From Hurricane Maria through this year’s Super Bowl, Bad Bunny, the “King of Latin Trap” continues to weave politics into his lyrics.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omn…
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41 min
Making the candidate: How politicians can stand out in 2026
What makes a politician click with voters? Is it the message? The smile? The slogan? Or that one campaign ad everyone can't stop talking about? Today on The Wheelhouse, we go behin…
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49 min
Policy and politics are hitting CT families with rising summer costs
Can I afford that big summer vacation? It’s a question many people ask this time of year. And the answer may hinge on greater economic forces at play. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Stat…