The Wheelhouse

Colleges and universities across the country are facing serious headwinds.

In 2022, college enrollment was 14.8% below peak enrollment in 2010. That’s according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Is a post-pandemic rebound even possible?

Factors like declining enrollment, shifting perceptions of value, and rising financial strain have college and universities in Connecticut and beyond ringing the alarm bell.

This hour, we look at how the future of higher education will impact the state’s economy, workforce, and the country’s ability to compete on a global level.

GUESTS:

• Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3
• Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
• Brian Rosenberg, Visiting Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education, author of Whatever It Is, I’m Against It
• Jon Marcus, Senior higher education reporter for The Hechinger Report and co-host of the podcast, “College Uncovered” 

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According to Pew Research Center, our “trust in government” has eroded over the last sixty years.

While there have been “modest” gains in support, factors like age, race, employment status, educational experience, and more impact how we view our federal institutions.

Today on the Wheelhouse, we journey through age groups, consider experiences, and offer a bit of a U.S. history lesson to shed some light on how Americans have formed their views about the government from the late 1950s to the present.

Plus, how can Gen Alpha engage with politics? How can adults help with kids’ civic development?

GUESTS:

• Mercy Quaye, Founder and President at The Narrative Project; Columnist for CT Mirror and Editor of CT Mirror's Community Editorial Board
• Jonathan Wharton, Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
• J. Baxter Oliphant, Senior researcher, Pew Research Center
• 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
• Deborah Rivas-Drake, Ph.D., Professor of Education and Professor of Psychology, University of Michigan
• Christia Spears Brown, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Professor of Developmental, Social, and Health Psychology, University of Kentucky
• Rikesha L. Fry Brown, Ph.D., co-founder and Executive Director of the African American Honors Collective and Adjunct Professor, Clark Atlanta University
• Melissa Santos. Ph.D., Division Head, Pediatric Psychology, Connecticut Children’s

This show was edited together to feature thoughts and perspectives from people of various backgrounds. You will hear past interviews, including discussions from the April 10, 2024, “How to Talk to Kids about the 2024 Presidential Election” and the August 7, 2024, “Politics Across the Generations”. 

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Some federal officials don’t want the “X” gender option printed on passports. The “T” – and other letters – were removed from websites with content addressing the LGBTQ+ community.

Since Day 1, the Trump administration has chipped away at the rights of Transgender Americans.

Today on the Wheelhouse, we examine the policies aimed towards erasure.

Plus, gender-affirming care. How anti-trans legislation impacts transgender and cisgender healthcare.

GUESTS:

• Orion Rummler, LGBTQ+ reporter, The 19th
• Evan Urquhart, Journalist and founder of Assigned Media
• Ricardo Martinez, Executive Director, GLAD Law

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Natural gas and nuclear energy may not be the cleanest and greenest methods of power generation.

Yet with energy bills being so high for Connecticut residents and an administration in Washington that’s prioritizing fossil fuel production, state officials may have to punt on their net zero-carbon goals in order to produce more juice.

Today on the Wheelhouse, the pursuit of climate resiliency in a moment when green energy investment isn’t a top priority.

Plus, it’s time to bring the bird feeders and lock up the coconut cupcakes! We’ll have the latest on policy initiatives meant to protect humans in Connecticut from bears.

GUESTS:

• Michayla Savitt, State government reporter, Connecticut Public
• Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
• Charles Venator-Santiago, Associate professor in the departments of political science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut
• John Moritz, Energy and environment reporter, CT Mirror

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Outside the State Capitol, Connecticut residents recently protested against the federal government.“Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Trump and Musk have got to go,” they shouted as they huddled in the rain.

There were 2,085 protests like this in the U.S. in February alone, according to the Guardian.

Today on the Wheelhouse, why Americans are speaking out against the Trump administration – and the potential consequences of resistance.

GUESTS:

• Archon Fung, Professor of citizenship and self-government, Harvard University
• Liz Kurantowicz, Republican analyst and owner, The Drury Group
• Bilal Sekou, Associate professor of political science, University of Hartford

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Public health officials are sounding the alarm.

In Connecticut, they say the Trump administration is cuttinge $150 million in federal grants allocated to the state –for disease surveillance, childhood immunizations, and more.

Those funds were allocated at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But COVID is still with us. And there’s also cases of bird flu, measles, and other infections in the U.S.

This week on the Wheelhouse, what the federal government’s cuts mean for public health here in Connecticut.

GUESTS:

• Michayla Savitt, State government reporter, Connecticut Public
• Sujata Srinivasan, Senior health reporter, Connecticut Public
• Julie Rovner, Chief Washington correspondent, KFF Health News
• Amy Maxmen, National public health correspondent, KFF Health News

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There’s a lot at stake as the clock ticks on Trump’s tax program. The 2017 Trump tax cuts expire at the end of this year.

Top Republicans are pushing to extend the program.

But, experts from the liberal think tank The Center for American Progress, meanwhile, say the tax cuts actually hurt the economy over the long haul. This week on the Wheelhouse, why 2025 is a watershed year for American tax policy.

Also, as tax day approaches, we’ll discuss the state of the IRS and whether workforce cuts there could impact the delivery of your refund check.

GUESTS:

• Nancy Qian, Professor of Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences, Northwestern University
• Dan Haar, Senior editor and columnist, Hearst Connecticut Media
• Ebong Udoma, Senior reporter, WSHU

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The state budget may be headed for a “world of pain.” That’s according to our friends at the Connecticut Mirror.

State lawmakers are tasked with funding their priorities while anticipating cuts coming from the federal government.

Medicaid costs are one line item the state may have to adjust on the fly.

Today on the Wheelhouse, how the state could step in to support vulnerable communities if the federal government pulls their support for Medicaid.

GUESTS:

• Rep. Vincent Candelora, State House Republican leader, North Branford
• Sean Scanlon, Comptroller, State of Connecticut
• Katy Golvala, Health reporter, CT Mirror
• Keith Phaneuf, State budget reporter, CT Mirror 

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There was a 13% increase in Connecticut’s unhoused population from 2023 to 2024. That’s according to an annual report by the state.

Connecticut is seeing decreases in housing availability, the price of rent skyrocketing, and more.

Today on the Wheelhouse, proposals state lawmakers are considering to make more affordable housing a reality in Connecticut.

Plus, Congressman John Larson has gone viral. Larson stops by the Wheelhouse to discuss his impassioned demand for transparency from DOGE leader Elon Musk over the future of Social Security.

GUESTS:

• Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), Connecticut’s first congressional district
• Alex Putterman, Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
• Abby Brone, Housing reporter, Connecticut Public
• Ginny Monk, Children's issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror

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Thousands of U.S. Government employees could be out of a job, according to a “best guess” from a Wells Fargo economist.

This has big-time ramifications for Connecticut…and the roughly 19,000 federal workers living here.

Many recently laid off people are speaking out, including a Marine Corps veteran from Vernon named Gabriel D’Alatri.

This hour, how federal workers who’ve been let go are processing massive job cuts as government agencies are dismantled.

GUESTS:

• Lisa Hagen, Federal policy reporter, CT Mirror and CT Public
• Eddy Martinez, General assignment reporter, Connecticut Public
• Mark Zaretsky, Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
• Jory Heckman, Reporter, Federal News Network

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