More than 5,000 people have died with coronavirus in Connecticut since the start of the pandemic. Deaths have been accelerating and the number of patients hospitalized with the illness is growing. But vaccines are on the horizon.
This week we look at Connecticut officials’ latest moves to counter the spread of COVID-19, and how virus response leads to disagreements in state governments around the country.
Guests:
Daniela Altimari -- state government and politics reporter at the Hartford Courant (@capitolwatch)
Robert Cotto, Jr. -- Trinity College Educational Studies lecturer (@RobertCottoJr)
Colin McEnroe -- Host of The Colin McEnroe show and a columnist at Hearst Connecticut. (@ColinMcEnroe) Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wheelhouse: COVID Second Wave Builds In Connecticut

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.

News

Government

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.

Connecticut's turn: Early, in-person voting debuts in 2024 presidential preference primary

Early polls suggest that voters want more options than just Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election. This hour, we look beyond the two-party system and ask what a non-Democrat or Republican candidate could mean for the race to the White House.   Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond the binary of American politics and the two-horse presidential race

Threats against women and threats against democracy are inextricably linked, according to experts who study and track gendered political violence.
While threats to American democracy have manifested in events like the January 6 Capitol Riot, threats against women in politics have come in the form of harmful rhetoric and even targeted attacks.
This hour, we explore how women are faring in American politics.

Kellie Carter Jackson: Chair of the Africana Studies department, Wellesley College
Sarah Sobieraj: Professor and Chair of Sociology, Tufts University
Shefali Luthra: Health Reporter, The 19th

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.

The Wheelhouse: COVID Second Wave Builds In Connecticut

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