The Wheelhouse

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.

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In the upcoming presidential election, democracy hangs in the balance. So, newsrooms across the country should hold up a mirror and ask: is our reporting shaping the race to the White House?

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We’ve heard buzz about the Oscars for months – the drama, the snubs, the countless interviews. Pretty soon we’ll finally get to watch it all unfold.

But before we do, join us this hour as we explore how today’s most popular TV shows and movies reflect our political landscape.

We’ll dive into how the horror genre has drawn inspiration from the world around us and how comedians are wrestling with ways to bring levity to real-life horrors.

• Jeffrey Dudas: Professor of Political Science, University of Connecticut
• Eric Deggans: TV critic, NPR

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

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political tension is growing in America and beyond. And with the 2024 United States presidential election on the horizon, there’s concern that increased political tension will lead to violence.

A recent national survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) reported that nearly a quarter of Americans support political violence – 23%. That’s an increase from 15% in 2021.

This hour, we look at how the threat of violence impacts domestic and foreign politics.

• Katie Reisner: Senior Counsel for States United Democracy Center
• Archon Fung: Director of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School
• Kevin Boyle: William Smith Mason Professor of American History, Northwestern University
• Chris Doyle: American History teacher at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut and Ph.D. in History
• Bria Lloyd: Investigative Reporter, Connecticut Public

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.

A recent poll suggests that fewer Black Americans will vote for President Joe Biden this time around. On the next Wheelhouse, we dig deeper than the numbers – and look at why issues like global conflicts are upending the way we think about how people vote.

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2024 is shaping up to be an unprecedented year. From record levels of disinformation to a presidential candidate spending more time in court than on the campaign trail, democracy hangs in the balance.

This hour, we’re holding up a mirror and asking: how should the press cover the upcoming presidential election.

• Jaden Edison: Justice Reporter, The Connecticut Mirror
• David Folkenflik: Media Correspondent, NPR News
• Errin Haines: Editor-at-large, 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.

Connecticut’s 2024 legislative session begins Wednesday.

For the next three months, lawmakers will work to address some of the state’s most pressing issues. This hour, we’ll explore those issues, which include zero-emission vehicles, a lack of affordable housing, and traffic stop reform.

And did you know that you have a stake in the outcome of the Super Bowl this year? Should the betting favorite win, sports betting operators in Connecticut would have to pay out a lot of bets. On this week’s episode, we’ll try and identify this year’s Super Bowl betting favorite.

• Susan Raff: Chief Political Reporter, WFSB
• Mark Pazniokas: Capitol bureau chief, CT Mirror
• Jaden Edison: Justice Reporter, The Connecticut Mirror
• Jacqueline Rabe Thomas: Investigative Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media Group

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.

A federal court has revived a lawsuit over a Connecticut policy that allows transgender girls to compete on girls’ sports teams. Meanwhile, the town of Enfield, Connecticut passed a new policy banning the Pride flag from being flown on town property.

This week on The Wheelhouse, we explore how recent policy changes in Connecticut mirror those in the rest of the nation, and how towns are responding to a growing number of restrictions.

GUESTS:

• Orion Rummler: LGBTQ+ Reporter, The 19th
• Katie Barnes: Writer/Reporter, ESPN.com

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.

Governor Ned Lamont says child care is a top priority for Connecticut’s 2024 legislative session. He tasked a panel of experts with proposing a plan to overhaul what many consider to be a broken system. In a few weeks, Lamont will present his proposal for the Blue Ribbon Panel’s first year of a five year plan to the Connecticut General Assembly.

Families and child care providers are hoping to see major changes, like higher wages for child care providers and an increase in parent subsidies. But some wonder if the proposed plan will go far enough.

This hour, we’ll explore the reforms needed to fix an industry in crisis and what the future holds if changes aren’t made.

Plus, Bridgeport’s Democratic primary election results were overturned last Fall due to allegations of fraud. After yesterday’s court-ordered re-vote, do we finally have a winner?

GUESTS:

• Bria Lloyd: Investigative Reporter, Connecticut Public
• Erica Phillips: Economic Development Reporter, Connecticut Mirror 
• Melissa Boteach: Vice President for Income Security and Child Care/Early Learning, National Women’s Law Center
• Karen List: developer and Project Director of the Neag PK3 Leadership Program, UConn

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 2024 presidential election is in full swing. Iowa held its Republican Caucus this week, and next week, New Hampshire will hold Republican and Democratic primaries.

These states traditionally go first, but because at least 90 percent of the people living in Iowa and New Hampshire are white, that may change. The Democratic National Committee has proposed a reordering of the calendar, tapping South Carolina to send their voters to the polls first.

This hour, we’ll unpack how meaningful a first-in-the-nation primary truly is.

Plus, Trump’s ability to stay on the ballot in Colorado and Maine hangs in the balance. Will the Supreme Court rule in Trump’s favor? And what would that mean for democracy?

GUESTS:

• Maya King: Politics Reporter, New York Times
• Dan Barrick: News Director, New Hampshire Public Radio
• Bruce Ackerman: Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale Law School and Yale University and the author of the book Revolutionary Constitutions

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.