You don't have to live and breathe politics to know about the NRA or Planned Parenthood. These organizations influence our democracy in big and small ways, and they’re pretty public about it.
But what about those organizations that operate more in the shadows? Sometimes these organizations have just as much influence as the household names.
So why don’t we know about them, and what do they mean for our democracy? This hour, we investigate some of these shadowy organizations. Plus, we’ll zoom in on an organization targeting both LGBTQ+ and abortion rights in the U.S. today.
GUESTS:

Anne Nelson: Author of Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right
R.G. Cravens: Senior research analyst with the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project

The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast 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.

How shadowy organizations creeped into American politics

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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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
Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Will Connecticut pass meaningful housing reform in 2024?

Presidential election years are an emotional rollercoaster. And if you’ve been feeling anxious about the state of the country, there’s a good chance the children in your life have picked up on that. This hour, how should we talk to kids about the election? Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to talk to kids about the 2024 presidential election

Connecticut’s 2024 presidential preference primary represented several things for state residents.
It was a shot at relevancy, a chance to demonstrate against Democrats, and an inaugural crack at early in-person voting.
This hour, we explore how Tuesday’s presidential nominating contest in the Nutmeg State shook out.

Stephanie Thomas: Secretary of the State of Connecticut
Susan Raff: Chief political reporter, WFSB News Ch. 3
Mark Pazniokas: Capitol bureau chief, CT Mirror
Dr. Bilal Sekou: Hillyer College associate professor of politics and government, University of Hartford

The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast 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.

How shadowy organizations creeped into American politics

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