Over the past decade, Connecticut has been able to cut its prison population in nearly half. But advocates say there’s a lot more that can be done to improve the criminal justice system.
This legislative session, there have been a number of proposals aimed at doing just that — involving everything from deceptive police tactics to voting while incarcerated. This hour, we look at the state of criminal justice reform in Connecticut.
Plus, we get the latest on some upcoming mayoral elections across the state.
GUESTS:

 Jaden Edison: Justice Reporter, The Connecticut Mirror
Mercy Quaye: Founder, The Narrative Project; Editor, CT Mirror's Community Editorial Board
James Forman, Jr.: Professor, Yale Law School; Faculty Director, Yale Law and Racial Justice Center
Jonathan Wharton: Associate Professor of Political Science and Urban Affairs at Southern Connecticut State University
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How just is Connecticut's criminal justice system?

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.

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The Connecticut General Assembly has adjourned for the year.
In an election year – and an era of fiscal discipline – there was only so much that was going to be done during a short legislative session to address climate change, funding shortfalls in education and shortages in affordable housing and child care. Today on The Wheelhouse, a look back at Connecticut’s 2024 legislative session and a look ahead at how state lawmakers will handle unfinished business.
GUESTS:

Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief and co-founder, CT Mirror
Susan Raff, Chief capitol reporter, WFSB News Ch. 3
Michayla Savitt, State government reporter, Connecticut Public
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Closing the book on the short 2024 legislative session in Connecticut

In April, a group of owners of National Hockey League teams approved the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Utah.
The move was a disappointment for Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. Lamont had pitched the idea of the Coyotes coming to Hartford to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman earlier this year.
Today on The Wheelhouse, what would it take for Hartford to get the NHL – and the Whalers – back?
And later, May marks 25 years since a partnership between Connecticut and the NFL’s Patriots fell apart. We’ll revisit the May 1, 1999 dissolution of the Connecticut NFL project.
GUESTS:

Colin McEnroe, host of Connecticut Public’s The Colin McEnroe Show
Andrew Zimbalist, professor of Economics, Smith College
Dan Haar, columnist and senior editor, Hearst Connecticut Media Group
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The Arizona Coyotes are just the latest ‘one that got away’ from Hartford

Student-led protests of the Israel-Hamas War are growing as the fighting continues. Students camp out and call on their educational institutions to divest from companies they say support the killing of civilians – while the world reacts.
This hour, we look at how the protests in support of civilians in Gaza – and the war in general – are being talked about and how that rhetoric affects the safety of Palestinian and Jewish people.
GUESTS:

Sharon Otterman: Reporter covering education, health, other issues in New York City, New York Times
Eddy Martinez: Breaking News Reporter, CT Public
Jason Stanley: Professor of Philosophy, Yale University
Gregg Gonsalves: Associate Professor at Yale School of Public Health and Associate Professor at Yale Law School
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The role of student activism amid a polarizing war

Why does political dysfunction happen? What are the systems that enable it? A new four-part podcast from Connecticut Public looks for answers in Bridgeport, where corruption charges, allegations of absentee ballot misconduct, and machine politics have left some residents wondering if their vote even matters.
Today on The Wheelhouse, catch the first episode of In Absentia. The podcast offers listeners a deep dive into the history of political dysfunction in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Plus, we’ll hear from Connecticut Public’s Lisa Hagen about Connecticut's federal delegation ahead of general elections in November. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Absentia looks at the history of political dysfunction in Bridgeport

Connecticut’s affordable housing crisis has taken center stage during the state’s 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions.
This hour, are meaningful reforms on the horizon for state residents? And how have zoning ordinances, a lack of transit-oriented development, and “opt-in” programs contributed to the crisis at hand?

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas: Investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media Group
Anika Singh Lemar: Clinical Professor of Law, Yale Law School
Ginny Monk: Children’s issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror
Abigail Brone: Housing reporter, Connecticut Public
Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How just is Connecticut's criminal justice system?

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