The Wheelhouse

Connecticut Public's weekly politics show is returning with new host, Frankie Graziano. If politics are in your Wheelhouse, or you wish you could keep up, we got you. We'll drop a new episode every Wednesday with perspectives on local and national issues. 

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Today Joe Biden became the forty-sixth president of the United States.  Will America heed President  Biden’s calls to end an 'uncivil war' in political debate that spilled over into violence at the capitol two weeks ago?

A vice presidential swearing-in also makes history. 

Now that Donald Trump has left Washington and been kicked off Twitter, what has changed and what remains the same?  

And how will Connecticut’s political parties be impacted by the change at the White House?

Guests:

• Robert A. Sanders -- Chair of the National Security Department of the Henry C. Lee College at the University of New Haven
• Bilal Sekou -- Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Hartford (@BilalSekou)
• Daniela Altimari -- Hartford Courant Politics Reporter (@capitolwatch)

This show aired live at 8 pm on inauguration day.

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Starting January 13, Connecticut Public Radio's weekly Wednesday politics show becomes part of Where We Live. It will have a revamped format that includes interviews with news makers and analysis from some of the same top notch reporters and political observers who contributed to The Wheelhouse.  

To continue hearing our weekly politics program, go to the Where We Live web page, search your podcast app for Where We Live and subscribe, or download the Connecticut Public app!

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Two US Senate contests in Georgia will decide who controls the chamber.  Democrats are optimistic after a night of vote counting. How big of an impact will the outcome have on the direction of the country? 

Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress are divided about whether to accept the electoral college vote today, or whether to continue President Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the outcome of the presidential election.  Will there be long-term ramifications for democracy?  The Trump administration and its supporters have failed to deliver evidence to support their claims of widespread voter fraud. 

Here in Connecticut, the General Assembly session begins today.  But because of COVID-19, it will be anything but a normal opening day.

Guests:

Susan Bigelow -- Columnist for C-T News Junkie (@WhatEverSusan)

Mark Pazniokas -- Capitol Bureau Chief for the Connecticut Mirror (@CTMirrorPaz)

Colin McEnroe -- Host of The Colin McEnroe show, and a columnist at Hearst Connecticut. (@ColinMcEnroe)

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The Wheelhouse looks back at what was... Quite a year.

Also a glance at the president's pardons and a very early look at some possible candidates for governor.

Guests:

Kevin Rennie -- Hartford Courant Columnist and former state lawmaker (@DailyRuctions)

Bilal Sekou -- Associate Professor of Politics and Government at the University of Hartford (@bilalsekou)

Colin McEnroe -- Host of The Colin McEnroe show, and a columnist at Hearst Connecticut. (@ColinMcEnroe)

Join us on Twitter @wnprwheelhouse.

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Connecticut’s education commissioner is heading to Washington.  What sort of approach to schooling during the pandemic will Miguel Cardona bring to President-elect Joe Biden’s new administration?  He’s not the only person with ties to the state heading to the capitol.  Officials from Connecticut could have influence over environmental policy. 

Back in the state, would you pay a little more for gasoline, if it resulted in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions? 

And is it better for elected officials in Connecticut to get COVID-19 vaccinations now to instill confidence in the shots, or to wait until after all the doctors and nurses are vaccinated? 

Guests:

Russell Blair -- Content Editor at the Hartford Courant (@RussellBlairCT)

Charles Venator-Santiago -- Associate professor of political science at the University of Connecticut

Colin McEnroe -- Host of The Colin McEnroe show, and a columnist at Hearst Connecticut. (@ColinMcEnroe)

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Connecticut’s first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine has arrived.  What does this moment represent in the battle against the virus?  Electoral college votes have been cast in the state, and around the country, again confirming Joe Biden’s presidential win.  Will Republican voters believe that Biden was victorious?

Guests:

Dr. Jonathan Wharton -- Associate Professor of Political Science and Urban Affairs at  Southern Connecticut State University and Interim Associate Graduate School Dean (@PreppyProf)

Christine Stuart -- Owner and editor in chief of Connecticut News Junkie and a reporter for NBC Connecticut. (@ctnewsjunkie)

Colin McEnroe -- Host of The Colin McEnroe show, and a columnist at Hearst Connecticut. (@ColinMcEnroe)

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Connecticut could face a crossroads in its battle with COVID-19. 

On one hand, healthcare workers are expected to get vaccinated over the next month-and-a-half.  But shots for elderly people and patients with underlying medical problems will not begin until January, and people who are not in a high-risk or critical group are expected to have to wait until June. 

In the meantime, can Connecticut prevent the virus from spiraling out of control over the holidays?

Guests:

Emily Brindley -- Hartford Courant Reporter (@em_brindley)

Dan Haar -- Columnist and associate editor at Hearst Connecticut (@DanHaarColumns)

Colin McEnroe -- Host of The Colin McEnroe show, and a columnist at Hearst Connecticut. (@ColinMcEnroe)

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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)

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Top members of the Lamont administration go into quarantine as they also deal with a resurgence of COVID-19 in Connecticut.  How much trouble are we facing in the state, and in the nation?  And could an app on your phone help protect the people around you?

Guests:

Bill Curry -- Political analyst, former Democratic nominee for governor, and advisor in the Clinton White House (@billcurryct)

Harriet Jones -- Connecticut Public Radio Managing Editor (@WNPRHarriet)

Colin McEnroe -- Host of The Colin McEnroe show, and a columnist at Hearst Connecticut. (@ColinMcEnroe)

Join us on Twitter @wnprwheelhouse.

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