The Wheelhouse

Even as state officials work to reform criminal justice in Connecticut, complaints roll in regarding the treatment of incarcerated individuals. Also, many people are still awaiting automatic erasure of their criminal convictions. What’s the hold up? Finally, data that could shed light on racial disparities in prosecution rates, isn’t being collected, according to Hearst Connecticut Media.

This hour, what’s Connecticut’s level of commitment to reforming its criminal justice system? What could lawmakers do in 2025 to fix these issues?

Plus, an update on the state’s budget in the midst of this year’s legislative session.

GUESTS:

• Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media 
• Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief, CT Mirror
• Mercy Quaye, Founder and President at The Narrative Project; Columnist for CT Mirror and Editor of CT Mirror's Community Editorial Board
• Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3

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In May 1969, Black Panther Alex Rackley was murdered by fellow revolutionaries in Connecticut.

Rackley’s murder eventually led to what some call “one of the most significant political trials of the century.” In 1970, the New Haven Black Panther trials became the focus of national attention — and what happened then reverberates loudly into the present.

This hour, we’ll unpack everything from how the federal government targeted Black Panther Party leaders to the legacy of the trials in the Elm City.

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President Donald Trump froze all federal grant spending a few weeks back. The freeze has since been rescinded. But it’s still having a real impact, including here in Connecticut.

This hour, we’ll hear how local nonprofits are providing services amid the uncertainty.

And later, Governor Ned Lamont wants to bring free preschool to many families across the state.

But how many children and their families will reap the benefits? Is it truly “universal”?

GUESTS:

• Alex Putterman, Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media 
• David Fahrenthold, Investigative reporter, The New York Times
• Michayla Savitt, State government reporter, Connecticut Public

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Connecticut residents pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country. The governor of Connecticut wants local lawmakers to do something about it.

He’s said “cosmetic changes”, like shifting payments from energy customers to taxpayers, won’t solve the problem of using more electricity than the state can muster.

Today on the Wheelhouse, we’ll check in with reporters on what lawmakers are doing this year to make energy consumers whole.

Plus, how are local lawmakers preparing for a future that may come with less federal dollars to support local education? We’ll analyze another funding priority of Gov. Ned Lamont in this year’s legislative session: finding more dollars in support of students with disabilities.

GUESTS:

• John Moritz, Energy and environment reporter, CT Mirror
• Ebong Udoma, Senior political reporter, WSHU
• Erik Katovich, Assistant Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics, University of Connecticut
• Jessika Harkay, Education reporter, CT Mirror

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ICE agents are popping up in local communities like East Hartford and Willimantic as the Trump administration calls on federal law enforcement to amp up arrests and detentions.

New federal Department of Homeland Security Secretary says Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump are “making our streets safe.”

At the same time, Trump ordered the release of people convicted of seditious conspiracy following their participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol breach.

This week on the Wheelhouse, we analyze criminal justice policy in the early days of the new Trump administration and how the people of Connecticut will be impacted by these executive actions.

GUESTS:

• Andrew Brown: Investigative Reporter from CT Mirror
• Bilal Sekou: Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford
• Beatriz Aldana Marquez: Assistant Professor of Sociology and Core Faculty Member of the El Instituto
• Charles Venator-Santiago: Associate professor in the departments of political science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut

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This hour, we examine the intersection of big tech and politics.

AI is growing rapidly and lawmakers in Connecticut and beyond are attempting to regulate the harmful impacts of artificial intelligence without stymieing innovation.

Meanwhile, billionaire CEOs were front and center at the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Tesla Motors CEO and X executive chairman, Elon Musk, even has a role in President Trump’s administration. Will this relationship impact the government’s ability to keep big tech’s power in check?

GUESTS:

• Sigal Samuel: Senior reporter and host of the Future Perfect podcast, Vox
• Meredith Broussard: Data journalist and associate professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York University
• Kathryn Hulick: Science journalist, Science News Explores
• Brian Zahn: Reporter, New Haven Register 

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Earlier in January, prior to the inauguration of President Donald Trump, listeners were invited to a taping of The Wheelhouse in Hartford. A shortened version of the event aired on Connecticut Public Radio on January 22. This bonus from the live event features two surprise guests. You'll hear conversations with 2025's Connecticut Teacher of the Year, Julia Miller, and personal injury attorney Brooke Goff, whom you might recognize from her many billboards on Interstate 84

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Donald Trump is going back to the White House at the same time Connecticut lawmakers return to work at the State Capitol. Following a tense election cycle, what’s in store for America – and Connecticut – in 2025?

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Joe Biden’s final day in office is January 20.

In the weeks since Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election to Donald Trump, President Biden has focused on criminal justice, foreign policy, and clean energy.

This hour, we look at what’s left for Biden to tackle on his way out of the White House, and what legacy he leaves behind.

GUESTS:

• Brakkton Booker: National political correspondent, Politico
• Lisa Hagen: Federal policy reporter, CT Mirror and CT Public

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Connecticut’s 2025 legislative session is underway.

Over the next six months, lawmakers will convene to address some of the state’s most pressing issues. This hour, we’ll explore the top priorities for this session, including affordable housing, funding for public education and more.

We’ll walk through the bills you should be following and how they may impact you and your pocketbook.

GUESTS:

• Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3
• Bilal Sekou, Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford
• Ebong Udoma, Senior Reporter, WSHU

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.