What you see on the internet could influence how you see one side of a political debate.

Whether it was the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal law enforcement, – or what NPR is calling “America’s first AI-fueled war” in Iran, images generated online may distort what’s actually happening.

Today on The Wheelhouse, as trust in news reaches new lows, how is artificial intelligence fueling larger media skepticism?

Guests:

• Alyssa Appelman, associate professor in the William White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Kansas University
• Renee Hobbs, professor in the Department of Communication Studies, University of Rhode Island
• Lisa Hagen, federal policy reporter, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror

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Connecticut has sued the federal government to keep colleges and universities from releasing race-based admissions data to the White House.

Ahead of “Ivy Day,” when students will learn if they’ve gotten into some of the country’s most prestigious schools, we’re re-visiting a 2023 Supreme Court decision that effectively banned affirmative action in collegiate enrollment.

We’ll hear from the president of Wesleyan University about the challenges facing higher education and ask if people of color are getting a fair shake in the college admissions process.

Guests:

• Michael Roth, president, Wesleyan University
• Bilal Sekou, Hillyer College associate professor of political science, University of Hartford

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The White House and the U.S. Department of Defense are incorporating “maximum lethality” into their rhetoric about the war in Iran.

It’s hyper-masculine language, tied to a misogynistic and fringe internet culture known to target women.

At a time when administration officials are selling Iran airstrikes with montages of popular moments in American culture, the line between triumph and tragedy is blurring.

Today on The Wheelhouse, the real life consequences of online hyper-masculinity on women around the globe.

Guests:

• Adam Aleksic, linguist, The Etymology Nerd
• Jiyoun Suk, professor in the department of communications, University of Connecticut
• Saed Hill, president-elect, Society for the Psychology of Men and Masculinities, American Psychological Association

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Election results from 2024 have necessitated deep dives into the manosphere.These podcasts often don’t focus on political horse races – and many of the people on them say they’re not political.

But, according to one data firm, 54% of votes from men aged 18 to 29 were cast for Donald Trump. And his campaign did a lot of outreach to appear on the podcasts, courting an audience demographic that once went the other way.

Today on The Wheelhouse, with the midterms coming up in November we ask: Can MAGA still count on the manosphere?

Guests:

• Elena Moore, political reporter, NPR’s Washington Desk
• Charlie Sabgir, director, Young Men Research Project
• Theodore R. Johnson, contributing columnist, The Washington Post

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Across Connecticut, some students are joining a national movement to protest federal immigration crackdowns.

Students from Classical Magnet School in Hartford poured out of the classroom and onto the streets in February, holding up signs like “ICE OUT” to passing cars.

The demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement are happening in places like Hartford, Tampa and Northern Virginia in the weeks since federal agents killed two Americans in Minneapolis.

This hour, we’re discussing student protests and other ways young people are engaging in civics. We'll also get the latest on the developing conflict in Iran and the Middle East.

Guests:

• U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.)
• Gina Chace, assistant principal, CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering
• Annmarie Timmins, senior reporter on youth and education, NHPR
• Chris Doyle, history teacher, Avon Old Farms

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A plan sponsored by President Donald Trump to overhaul national voting laws ahead of the 2026 midterms is back in Congress.

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) called the SAVE America Act and its recent passage in the U.S. House a “critical step toward restoring election integrity.” But detractors, like U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), said the plan would make it harder for millions of Americans to vote.

Today on The Wheelhouse, the impact on voters, if the SAVE America Act passes. Also on the show, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) responds to Trump’s State of the Union address and gives the latest on the ongoing debate about government funding and immigration reform.

GUESTS:

• U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)
• Bilal Sekou, Hillyer College associate professor of political science, University of Hartford
• Archon Fung, Professor of citizenship and self-government, Harvard University

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A panel of civic-minded individuals answer questions at the University of Connecticut’s Hartford campus about engagement and the connective tissue of politics.

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Connecticut lawmakers want to reduce kids’ screentime in 2026, arguing that it protects children.

Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed banning cell phones from “bell to bell” in Connecticut classrooms.

But not all lawmakers are onboard with the idea, including a Republican lawmaker who’s accusing members of her legislative chamber of trying to “co-parent” Connecticut’s children.

Today on The Wheelhouse, we explore “Phone Free CT” and what it means for children.

GUESTS:

• Rep. Jennifer Leeper, CT House of Representatives, D-Fairfield, Southport
• Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, CT House of Representatives, R-Southington, Wolcott
• Gail Jordan, president, Bloomfield Teachers Union
• John Murphy, professor of digital media business strategies, University of Connecticut 
• Lisa Hagen, federal policy reporter, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror 

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State lawmakers return to Hartford Wednesday for the opening of the 2026 legislative session.

They meet as federal lawmakers argue over expiring health care subsidies and immigration enforcement operations across the country.

In Connecticut, how will these federal cuts and controversies impact the work lawmakers do this session? And with soaring energy costs continuing to hammer Connecticut customers, might there be room for bipartisan compromise?

Guests:

• Rep. Vincent Candelora, House Republican Leader, R-North Branford
• Rep. Matt Ritter, Speaker of House, D-Hartford
• Susan Raff, chief political reporter, WFSB News Channel 3
• Ebong Udoma, senior reporter, WSHU

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“Suffs,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about history-making women, is coming to Hartford.

From Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, the people behind “Suffs” say they’ll highlight themes of the past that are still relevant today including grassroots activism, race, gender and class dynamics.

Producers of "Suffs" say it isn’t some “dry history lesson,” but a high-energy, rousing experience saluting the powerful American women who fought for the right to vote.

Today on The Wheelhouse, meet Danyel Fulton, the actor that plays journalist Ida B. Wells. And we'll explore the suffragist movement in Connecticut.

GUESTS:

• Danyel Fulton, actor/singer, “Suffs” 
• Rachel Sussman, creative producer, “Suffs” 
• Natalie Belanger, public programs manager, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History 

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