Mic Check

On the July 20, 2025 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sits down with José Sandoval aka Abu-Reza, Bridgeport resident and member of the Bridgeport Islamic Community Center (BICC) community.

The program features Mike and José discussing the life of Percy Berry, as well as reflections from James Shaham, Hamza Seyal, Fernando Gonzalez, Zain Seyal, and Bisher Hiba, who all knew Percy and are heard here honoring and celebrating his life.

Percy was a beloved member of Bridgeport's Muslim community, as well as a Justice Adviser for the Connecticut Justice Alliance, which works to keep children and youth out of the legal system by disrupting and dismantling the pathways that funnel children and youth into courts and prisons.

Through that work, Percy spoke at the Connecticut state legislature, testified in hearings, and worked to help others in numerous ways. He played an important role behind the scenes that helped lead to SB 1542 being passed and signed into law. SB 1542 called for restricting the use of handcuffs and restraints on Connecticut kids age 14 and under.

More information on the Connecticut Justice Alliance can be found at:
https://ctja.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CTJusticeAlliance/
https://www.instagram.com/ctjusticealliance/

More information on the Bridgeport Islamic Community Center can be found at:
https://www.mybicc.org/
https://www.facebook.com/mybicc/

Laura Modlin interviews Annie Hornish, Connecticut state director and lobbyist for Humane World for Animals, on 2025 Connecticut bill outcomes in Hartford, how to keep your pets safe in summer heat & tips on living with bears.

Photo by Laura Modlin.

Laura Modlin interviews Susan Masino, a neuroscientist and professor of Applied Science at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, on how being in nature impacts brain health.

Photo by Laura Modlin.

Isabelle Barbour spoke to people around the country about the first hundred days of the Trump administration. This story focuses on the experiences of mothers, grandmothers, activists, and protesters. The piece features the voices of Omkari Williams (https://www.omkariwilliams.com), AC Shilton (https://acshilton.com), Grandma’s for Love co-founder, Shirley Hershey Showalter https://grandmasforlove.com/ and more! You can learn more about Isabelle by visiting isabellebarbour.com

Laura Modlin interviews Annie Hornish for an update on environmental-themed bills in Hartford, Connecticut this legislative session. Including the bear bills!

Annie is Connecticut State Director and lobbyist for Humane World for Animals (formerly The Humane Society of the United States) and a former Connecticut state representative for the 62nd district.

Photo courtesy of ctbears.org.

It’s that time of year. Wildlife babies are coming into the world. Sometimes in our own backyard. Learn how to tell the difference between those who are orphaned and ones who are in no danger and what to do to help them all. 

Laura Modlin interviews Laura Simon, wildlife ecologist and president of the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.

Photo courtesy of Laura Simon.

Laura Modlin interviews Annie Hornish, the Connecticut State Director and lobbyist for Humane World for Animals (formerly The Humane Society of the United States) about CT DEEP's efforts in Hartford to enact bear hunting in Connecticut.

Photo courtesy of ctbears.org

Laura Modlin interviews Olivia DiPalermo from Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition on the negative impacts of excessive road salt and what you can do about it.

Aired January 5, 2025.

Laura Modlin interviews Andrew Kupinse about preserving zoning in Easton, CT to protect the water supply in the town’s four reservoirs. They serve 100s of thousands of customers in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Four commentaries on the post-election landscape:
   -Michael Zweig, economist and labor historian, talks about the role Labor should play in an anti-fascist front.
   -Mel Goodman, former CIA analyst, discusses the ramifications of a second Trump regime on US foreign policy.
    -Kica Matos, director of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), warns about the coming attacks on immigrants.
   -Chris Viles, professor of English at UCONN-Storrs, discusses the phenomenon of fascism and its implications for our nation.
Hosted by Richard Hill, Scott Harris and Prue Cullen