The 2024 U.S. Presidential Debate between vice president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump highlighted how immigration is being sensationalized to score votes.

Trump says that “dangerous” migrants are contributing to an overall spike in crime in the United States. But, the FBI reports that violent crime has decreased. He also says that 21 million people have recently entered the country illegally, despite federal law enforcement reporting a smaller number.

Today on the Wheelhouse, the use of immigration misinformation on the campaign trail.

Also, an increase in public benefits charges has many Connecticut residents complaining about their electric bills. We’ll discuss what state politicians are saying about the rate increases.

GUESTS:

• Charles Venator-Santiago, Associate professor of political science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut
• Maria Sacchetti, reporter covering immigrant communities, The Washington Post
• Dan Haar, Senior editor and columnist, Hearst Connecticut Media Group

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In advance of the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, there were negotiations over live microphones and arguments over who could attend. There was even a debate over what network it should be put on.

Historically, debates offer an opportunity for political candidates to provide substantive details about their platforms. But in 2024, more attention is paid to spectacle.

Now that the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is over, is it time to focus on the importance of debates and the substance intended to be offered to the American people?

Today on The Wheelhouse, the evolution of public political discourse.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Bilal Sekou, Associate professor of politics and government, University of Hartford
• Jonathan Wharton, Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
• Julian E. Zelizer, Professor of history and public affairs, Princeton University
• Kathryn Cramer Brownell, Associate professor of history, Purdue University

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Public safety and the sanctity of the ballot are top of mind for election officials during the lead up to November.

This hour, we take a look at how some officials are preparing during an especially fraught election year.

GUESTS:

• Rachael Cobb, Associate Professor of Political Science & Legal Studies, Suffolk University 
• Tina Barton, Senior Elections Expert, The Elections Group

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During a recent speech given by former President Donald Trump, he promised that, if elected, he would cut federal funding for any schools with a vaccine or mask mandate.

His promises highlight the continued politicization of CDC-recommended public health best-practices.

This hour, we look at anti-vaccine rhetoric and how it impacts communities in Connecticut and beyond.

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After a whirlwind few weeks, Democrats are gathering in Chicago to formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential candidate.

This week on The Wheelhouse, Colin McEnroe guest-hosts a special check-in on how the Democratic National Convention is going.

GUESTS:

• Dan Haar, columnist and senior editor, Hearst Connecticut Media Group
• Leah Wright Rigueur, Associate Professor of History, John Hopkins University
• Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief and co-founder of CT Mirror

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We asked our listeners what issues are on their minds, and they answered the call! The week on The Wheelhouse, what exactly is Project 2025? And why is Donald Trump distancing himself from it?

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Today on The Wheelhouse, we’re exploring politics and generational theory. That’s the belief that every generation has a unique set of shared beliefs.

As voters across all age groups get ready to head to the polls in November, what politicians and historical events have shaped the way they will cast their votes?

Pictured above are (L-R, top row) Cedar Greve, Randy Weis, Antic Cone, Preston Siroka, and Lisa Sorge. (L-R, bottom row) Shaniya Cone, Samuel Zwick-Lavinsky, Liliana Restrepo, Luanne Sforza, and Valerie Fallon.

GUESTS:

• Sally Friedman, Associate professor of political science, University at Albany
• Jean Twenge, Professor of psychology, San Diego State University
• Elena Moore, Reporter, Washington desk, NPR

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Federal COVID relief dollars have boosted education in recent years. But now, money allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act is going away. What will state governments do now for students and teachers? 

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This weekend, Joe Biden announced he’s dropping out of the presidential race. We’ll talk about what this means for November on a special edition of The Wheelhouse.

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As the country witnesses yet another act of political violence, its citizens wonder about the impact words and weapons have on our lives. On the next Wheelhouse, we try to make sense of an assassination attempt in 2024.

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