For the People

On April 16, UConn Waterbury is inviting you to the 4th Annual WISHfest — a day dedicated to cultivating innovation, inclusion, and a healthier future for the  community. So we'll connect with the UConn Dean coordinating the event, which features keynote talks from neurodiversity champion Temple Grandin and CBS Survivor star Rachel LaMont.

Then we'll unpack the implications from AARP’s latest Vital Voices survey, that show affordability concerns are growing for Connecticut residents age 45 and older. How could a perfect storm of financial pressures result in driving some of our most productive residents and workforce member to move away? Tuned in and find out!

And we'll close with another familiar voice - Eduardo Leandro, Director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony. We'll chat about the next GBS performance which will present classics and never-before-heard music in Horizons Of The Earth at the University of Bridgeport.

This week we'll bring you an advocate, an ombudsman - and in-between - a little fly fishing. We're starting off with the Connecticut Healthcare Advocate, whose team is fighting to get your health insurance to cover what it's promising while educating  consumers about policies and terminology so you can better understand the healthcare plan you're depending on.

Then we'll introduce a Connecticut spokesman for The Mayfly Project. This unique organization is lining up volunteers who are also fly fishing enthusiasts, to bring a summer-long social and recreational fishing experience to foster kids - that also helps them develop better resilience and leadership skills.

And we'll wrap things up bringing back the Connecticut Cannabis Ombudsman. Her office has been busy Serving as a "vigilant guardian" for medical marijuana users, ensuring their needs are prioritized amid the growth of the adult-use market. Our discussion involves supporting legislation aimed at improving policies and practices related to the cannabis industry and all qualifying medical cannabis users.

Don't think our society has a major challenge to face when addressing youth social media addiction? Our first segment this morning may be kind of shocking as we bring in a Southern CT State University professor and expert on youth social media addiction to deliver some well researched scientific facts, discuss some disturbing trends that are only getting worse - along with suggesting some possible solutions.

Then we'll visit a representative from Hall Neighborhood House, serving underprivileged Bridgeport East Side residents for 140 years. Fnd out how this community nonprofit is addressing social, financial, recreational, and health needs across their service area, and how you can help them do even more.

And we'll close with Part 2 of our series celebrating 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Meet Corina Hayes at Yoco Roots - whose roots in agriculture date back several generations. Listen and learn how she's cultivating culturally-relevant herbs and produce while engaging our next generation of young farmers.