Shows
Long Story ShortCT home care advocates fear cuts could be comingWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Katy Golvala to discuss her article written with Laura Tillman, “‘Unbelievably cruel’: Advocates decry threat to home care program,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-03-1609 minLong Story ShortShould CT ban cellphones in school?WSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Theo Peck-Suzuki to discuss his article, “Most agree CT schools should restrict cellphones. But how — and how much?” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-03-0910 minLong Story ShortShould CT allow towns to ban nips?WSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Sasha Allen to discuss her article, “More nips are being bought in CT — some advocates are worried,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-03-0211 minLong Story ShortIs geothermal the future of electricity in CT?WSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Jan Ellen Spiegel to discuss her article, “Can geothermal technology solve the CT electricity problem?” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-02-2312 minLong Story ShortIn CT, curling is more than an Olympic sportWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Dave Altimari to discuss his article, “In Northwestern Connecticut, curling isn’t just for the Olympics,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-02-1611 minLong Story ShortHow a proposed natural gas pipeline in CT cuts across typical partisan politicsWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s John Moritz to discuss his article, “In Brookfield, opposition to natural gas project crosses party lines,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-02-0912 min
The WheelhouseIs compromise possible? CT lawmakers hopeful as 2026 session beginsState lawmakers return to Hartford Wednesday for the opening of the 2026 legislative session. They meet as federal lawmakers argue over expiring health care subsidies and immigration enforcement operations across the country. In Connecticut, how will these federal cuts and controversies impact the work lawmakers do this session? And with soaring energy costs continuing to hammer Connecticut customers, might there be room for bipartisan compromise? Guests: Rep. Vincent Candelora, House Republican Leader, R-North Branford Rep. Matt Ritter, Speaker of House, D-Hartford Susan Raff, chief political reporter, WFSB News Channel 3 Ebong Udoma, senior reporter, WS...
2026-02-0449 minLong Story ShortMarty Looney prepares for a record 11th year as top CT Senate leaderWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Mark Pazniokas to discuss his article, “How Marty Looney shapes CT politics: Patience and persistence,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-02-0212 minLong Story ShortCT’s veteran budget administrator retiresWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Keith Phaneuf to discuss his article, “Susan Keane, champion of open budgeting in CT, calls it a career,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-01-2614 minLong Story ShortCT towns weigh speed camera benefits with privacy concernsWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Emilia Otte to discuss her article, “As CT speed cameras bring in millions and more towns sign up, concerns linger,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-01-1908 minLong Story ShortHow CT’s Himes is using his limited power in Trump’s AmericaWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Lisa Hagen to discuss her article, “How Jim Himes navigates Congress in ‘unprecedented’ Trump era,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-01-1209 minLong Story ShortSmall businesses in Hartford impacted by FBI probe into state lawmakerWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Andrew Brown to discuss his article written with Dave Altimari, “How McCrory probe derailed a program to help Hartford businesses,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2026-01-0611 minLong Story ShortHow CT tries to keep foster children with their family membersWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Laura Tillman to discuss her article, “Inside CT’s push to increase ‘kinship care’ placements for children,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-12-2211 minLong Story ShortHomeschooling was a hot topic in CT this year. Will new laws come in 2026?WSHU’s Molly Ingram spoke with CT Mirror’s Emilia Otte to discuss her article, “CT doesn’t regulate homeschooling. Many parents want to keep it that way,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-12-1510 minLong Story ShortHow Erin Stewart fits into CT’s Republican PartyWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Mark Pazniokas to discuss his article, “Erin Stewart is testing CT GOP’s appetite for ‘something different’,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-12-0817 minLong Story ShortHow CT became home to nationally renowned soy sauceWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Laura Tillman to discuss her article, “A chemist, a chef and an author craft soy sauce on the CT coast,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-12-0109 minLong Story ShortIs nuclear energy the future in CT?WSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Jan Ellen Spiegel to discuss her article, “Could CT have a nuclear energy future? Not if you’re in a rush,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-11-2412 minLong Story ShortCT towing companies often list cars cheap to sell them fastWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Ginny Monk to discuss her article written with Dave Altimari and Sophie Chou, “CT towing companies frequently value cars low, allowing them to sell vehicles quickly,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-11-1709 minLong Story ShortHow UConn researchers are looking into the history of a CT institution for the disabledWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Emilia Otte to discuss her article, “UConn grapples with the legacy of a CT institution for the disabled,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-11-1009 minLong Story ShortHow CT candidates are approaching the 2025 electionsWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Mark Pazniokas to discuss his article, “CT Democrats targeting open Republican municipal seats,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-11-0310 minLong Story ShortClouds form over CT’s clean energy plansWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Jan Ellen Spiegel to discuss her article, “CT needs to plan for its energy future, but the view is cloudy,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-10-2715 minLong Story ShortCT lobstermen reflect on the industry’s glory daysWSHU’s Ebong Udoma spoke with CT Mirror’s Dana Edwards to discuss his article, “26 years after lobster die-off, CT lobstermen reflect on a net loss,” as part of the collaborative podcast Long Story Short.
2025-10-2012 min
WPKN Special Broadcasts50 YEARS of LOU POMALES & LA ESQUINA LATINA TRIBUTEMany thanks to those who paid reverence to the Puerto Rican, Afro-Cuban, and Latin grooves of Lou Pomales' La Esquina Latina this past Sunday. 50+ years of a WPKN broadcasting powerhouse, uniting many in Sunday afternoon song. Dig the picture of WPKN revolutionaries above including (left to right) Kevin Gallagher (Digging in the Dirt, GaiaGram), Bob Johnson (Second Saturday Magazine), Lou Pomales, Ebong Udoma, and Public Affairs Director, Richard Hill (Organic Farm Stand, Mic Check, Monthly Labor Report et al !). It was a joyous celebratory vibe with Herman Olivera (ReHumanize Yourself Radio) taking the DJ reins from 12-2PM, and...
2025-09-114h 59
The WheelhouseThe 2025 CT legislative session wraps today. Will the guardrails hold?The 2025 legislative session in Connecticut started with lawmakers facing an uncertain future clouded by potential federal funding cuts. The end of the session is nigh in Connecticut. Amid these murky days, we know that local lawmakers have taken drastic measures to shore up state Medicaid funding. But how far are they willing to go to secure a new two-year budget deal? Today on the Wheelhouse, a preview of the last day of regular lawmaking in Connecticut. GUESTS: Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief, CT Mirror Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB News Ch...
2025-06-0449 min
The WheelhouseWill Trump’s 2017 tax plan be extended? A look at how the administration might pay for tax cuts in 2025.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 del...
2025-04-0248 min
The WheelhouseHow are lawmakers responding to the governor's call for creativity on CT energy consumption?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 anal...
2025-02-1249 min
WPKN Music, Arts, and Culture PodcastMystic Bowie interviewed by WPKN's Amy Wachtel (Night Nurse) and Ebong UdomaMystic Bowie sits down with Amy Wachtel (Night Nurse) and Ebong Udoma ahead of his 2/1 WPKN Black History Month Concert and Bob Marley Birthday Bash at FTC on Saturday 2/1.
2025-01-2853 min
The WheelhouseWhat will Connecticut’s lawmakers prioritize during the 2025 legislative session?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 Support the show...
2025-01-0849 min
The WheelhouseTrump gained ground across the U.S., including in blue ConnecticutDonald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election marked a better showing for the former president than the last time he ran back in 2020. So far in Connecticut–even though he didn’t capture the state’s seven electoral votes–Trump has collected 21,253 more votes than he did four years ago. That’s according to the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office. Today on the Wheelhouse, a panel of experts analyze Trump’s gains in Connecticut. GUESTS: Jim Haddadin: Investigative editor, Connecticut Public’s The Accountability Project Maysoon Khan: Investigative reporter, Connecticut Public...
2024-11-2049 min
The WheelhouseElection 2024: Connecticut's 4th Congressional DistrictThe race for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district is underway. This hour, we ask candidates Jim Himes (D-Conn.)–and two challengers, Republican Michael Goldstein and Independent Benjamin Wesley–where they stand on the issues. For the next few weeks, The Wheelhouse will feature a series of candidate interviews. We’ll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional districts. Each candidate will have an equal amount of time to talk one-on-one with host Frankie Graziano, followed by some analysis from our guest panelists. GUESTS: Rep. Jim Himes , (D-Conn.) Michael Goldstein, Candidat...
2024-10-2350 min
Where We LiveReflecting on Joe Lieberman's career, impact and legacyLongtime U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman has died at 82. His family said he died due to complications from a fall. His wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him when he passed. Lieberman represented Connecticut in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades. In 2000, he made history as the first Jewish American on a major party’s presidential ballot when he became Al Gore’s running mate. This hour, be talking about his legacy, and we want to hear from you. Our newsroom has been compiling tributes from elected officials across Connec...
2024-03-2848 min
WPKN Community RadioBrandon "Taz" Niederauer Speaks with WPKN's Ebong UdomaBrandon "Taz" Niederauer is a prodigious guitarist. He was an original cast member of the Broadway musical "School of Rock" and has played on stage with everyone from Buddy Guy to Gregg Allman to Tedeschi Trucks. Taz is bringing his talents to Bridgeport on Saturday, February 24, 2024, as part of WPKN's celebration of Black History Month.
He is performing at the Bijou Theatre, and tickets are available here through Eventbrite.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wpkn-celebrates-black-history-month-w-brandon-taz-niederauer-friends-tickets-809332183347
2024-02-2120 minThe WheelhouseElection Edition 2023: Danbury mayoral raceFor the next few weeks, The Wheelhouse is hitting the campaign trail! The show will feature interviews with candidates for mayor across the state. First up, Danbury. Danbury was historically known for its hats and hat makers. But now you might think of the city for its diversity. According to the US Census, 30 percent of the 87,000 people that live in Danbury were born outside the country. This hour, hear from both candidates in Danbury's mayoral race: Democrat Roberto Alves and Republican Mayor Dean Esposito. Plus, hear from reporters and bloggers covering this race.
2023-10-1149 min
WPKN Community RadioWPKN Trump Indictment Special 08-05-23This special WPKN public affairs program discusses former President Donald Trump’s most recent indictment on federal charges related to his attempt to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election and subvert the will of the nation’s voters.
This panel discussion includes: WPKN’s public affairs director Richard Hill, longtime WPKN producers Ebong Udoma, Denise Manzari and John Lugo, Michael Zweig, professor of economics emeritus at Stony Brook University in New York, and host Scott Harris.
As most of our listeners are aware, disgraced former President Trump was indicted by Special Counsel Jack Smith on new criminal charges on Aug. 1...
2023-08-0653 min
WPKN Community RadioA conversation with Highlife musician Okwy OsadebeNigerian Highlife musician Okwy Osadebe is interviewed by Ebong Udoma.
2023-04-1757 minWhere We LiveWhat do the national debt ceiling and a state budget surplus mean for youA U.S. debt default could be detrimental to federal employees, those in the military, and beneficiaries of Social Security and other government programs. Connecticut currently has the largest budget surplus in the state’s history. How the surplus might be utilized is still unknown. Today on Where We Live, we talk about what we might see prioritized in this year’s state budget, and how Congress could respond to the debt ceiling. We’ll also discuss what hitting the debt ceiling could mean for Connecticut residents. GUESTS: Dan Haar: Associate...
2023-02-0140 minWhere We LiveRemembering State Representative Quentin “Q” WilliamsState Representative Quentin “Q” Williams died last week after a collision with a wrong-way driver. Today, we remember his legacy, his time in office and how he served his constituents. State Representatives Bobby Gibson and Christopher Rosario join us to share their experience working with the late politician. Later, we talk about what can be done to prevent wrong-way driving and how we might see his legacy memorialized at the Capitol. We want to hear your memories of Q Williams. How did he make an impact on your life? GUESTS: Stat...
2023-01-1150 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastHospital housekeepers say they're the essential workers who've been forgottenThere are 95,000 housekeepers working in hospitals across the country -- greater than the number of doctors. Housekeepers are among the health care workers who spend the most time with patients and their families, often talking to and forming relationships with people as they clean. Despite the crucial role they played, housekeepers reported feeling unseen and undervalued throughout the pandemic. Investigative reporter Katy Golvala tells host Ebong Udoma housekeepers feel they're being left out of essential worker benefits. You can read her story here. Katy's story is also the first in a new initiative by the CT...
2022-09-0707 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastFatal blazes highlight problems with fire inspection in Connecticut citiesConnecticut is home to tens of thousands of three-unit dwellings, many of which are three-story homes in cities. The state mandates they be inspected for fire safety each year, but chronic understaffing at fire marshals' offices means some of the oldest and potentially most dangerous houses are not getting timely inspections. Two fatal blazes in Waterbury this year highlighted the problem. CT Mirror's investigative reporter Dave Altimari joined host Ebong Udoma to explain what he found when he examined inspection records. You can read his story, written with Andrew Brown and Katy Golvala, here.See...
2022-08-3007 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastAffordable housing misses out on stimulus spending in ConnecticutDespite rising rents, skyrocketing home prices and pleas from the Biden administration, Connecticut towns have budgeted just $15 million in federal ARPA funds for housing-related projects. That represents only around 1% of the $1.5 billion in federal stimulus funding they've received over the past year to help people recover from the pandemic and to allow local leaders to make transformational investments in their communities. Investigative reporter Andrew Brown joins host Ebong Udoma to explain why housing is so low on the spending list. You can read his story, co-reported with Ginny Monk, here.See omnystudio.com...
2022-08-2307 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastWhat does Leora Levy's primary victory mean for the Connecticut GOP?Connecticut's Republican primary voters heeded former President Donald Trump’s call to nominate Leora Levy to run for U.S. Senate, and rejected their party’s convention-endorsed candidate, former house minority leader Themis Klarides. In the aftermath of that vote, CT GOP Chairman Ben Proto’s response to questions about Trump’s influence on the GOP’s identity was to ignore them, repeatedly. Proto declined to acknowledge even the slightest complication of a win that puts Levy on the same ticket with a gubernatorial nominee, Bob Stefanowski, who has labored to avoid any discussion of the former president...
2022-08-1507 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastCash Bail in Connecticut Part 2: What can we learn from New Jersey?One of the states that has scrapped cash bail is New Jersey. The legislature, with the backing of then-Republican Gov. Chris Christie, passed a bill in 2014 that largely eliminated the state’s money bail system. The result: thousands fewer people are held in jail who otherwise might not have been able to purchase their freedom. Connecticut has been touted as a leader in criminal justice reform, but unlike in New Jersey and several other states, Connecticut has not eliminated its cash bail system — and key members of the criminal justice community are not in favor of uprooting it.
2022-08-0807 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastCash Bail in Connecticut Part 1: A Growing ProblemAccording to a CT Mirror analysis, people who are accused but not yet convicted made up about a quarter of those behind bars in June 2013. In January 2022, they made up 42% of those locked up. Many are only awaiting trial in prison because they couldn't afford bail. Research suggests being jailed pretrial makes people more likely to be convicted and receive harsher sentences than those who remain free until their case is resolved in court. Reporter Kelan Lyons joins host Ebong Udoma to describe the case of one man left in prison for two months awaiting...
2022-08-0107 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastGOP Senate primary heats up in ConnecticutA televised debate Tuesday night will provide the first and only opportunity for a broad audience to see Themis Klarides, the CT GOP’s socially moderate convention choice, engage two Trump loyalists, Leora Levy and Peter Lumaj. But Republicans say they see little evidence their voters are closely following the mid-summer fight for a spot on the November ballot opposing Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat seeking a third term. The primary is Aug. 9. Capitol Bureau Chief and CT Mirror co-founder Mark Pazniokas gave host Ebong Udoma the run down on the race so far. You can...
2022-07-2507 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastBus ridership is coming back in ConnecticutIn April, when Connecticut's free fare program began, bus ridership was back to 70-75% of pre-COVID levels in Hartford, New Haven and Stamford. By the end of May, weekday ridership in the three cities reached nearly 90% of pre-COVID levels, with weekend numbers even higher, in part due to additional weekend service. CT Transit officials hope that means more people are now leaving their cars at home, as reporter Tom Condon tells host Ebong Udoma. You can read Tom's story here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
2022-07-2007 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastWhat happens to health care prices when doctors' practices are bought upAs of January, hospitals owned 26% of physician practices nationwide, up from 14% a decade ago. An additional 27% of practices were owned by a corporation, such as a health insurer or a private equity firm, leaving fewer than half of physician practices under independent ownership. As the health care industry becomes more and more concentrated, some small private practices find it difficult to compete with big health care systems. So, instead, they’re joining them. And research shows, that leads to rising healthcare prices. CT Mirror's Katy Golvala tells host Ebong Udoma why consolidation is concerning for pa...
2022-07-1207 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastCannabis and social equity: What can Massachusetts teach us?In the fledgling cannabis industry, large companies have quickly risen to dominate the market in states where pot is now legal. But as regulators begin awarding licenses to select adult-use operators and businesses scramble to build out capacity, cannabis entrepreneurs, customers and communities are increasingly concerned about equity — whether there really is room for everyone. Massachusetts is ahead of Connecticut -- retail sales began in 2018. CT Mirror's economic development reporter Erica Phillips tells host Ebong Udoma what we can learn from the Bay State's experience. You can read her story here.See omnystudio.com...
2022-07-0507 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastWhere the fall of Roe v. Wade leaves safe harbor states like ConnecticutConnecticut lawmakers have agreed to provide a legal “safe harbor” to women from states with restrictive abortion laws who get abortions in Connecticut, as well as the clinicians who provide them. The law was passed earlier this year, before the Supreme Court voted to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. CT Mirror's Mark Pazniokas spoke with host Ebong Udoma about the reaction to the Roe decision in a strongly pro-choice state like Connecticut. You can read his stories here and here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com...
2022-06-2907 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastCT gubernatorial candidates spar over tax relief numbersIf state officials order tax cuts, campaign on them, then repeal them after Election Day but before taxpayers ever benefit, is that a tax hike? Is it merely annoying but not harmful? That's the debate underway in this year’s state elections. CT Mirror budget guru Keith Phaneuf joins host Ebong Udoma to explain what's at stake in the Connecticut governor's race. You can read his story here,See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022-06-2707 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastPolice use pandemic relief funds to install new surveillance equipmentPublic records show that at least five municipalities in Connecticut have allocated millions of dollars provided through the American Rescue Plan Act to equip local police departments with a variety of surveillance technology, which has raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties in the past. Investigative reporter Dave Altimari tells host Ebong Udoma what supporters and detractors are saying about the tactic. You can read his story, co-reported with Andrew Brown, here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022-06-2007 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastConnecticut's acute nursing shortage won't end anytime soonDuring the pandemic, mid-career and older nurses have experienced burnout, left emergency departments and intensive care units for less stressful positions or retired early. Many younger nurses opted for lucrative traveling assignments. Nurses periodically fell ill with COVID and had to stay home, placing further stress on health care facilities. The approximately 2,000 nurses graduating from Connecticut institutions this year can't fill those gaps in the workforce. CT MIrror's economic development reporter Erica Phillips talks to host Ebong Udoma about what's being done to plan for the future. You can read her story here....
2022-06-1407 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastBoy Scouts' property sale highlights loss of open space in ConnecticutIn Killingworth, environmentalists and public officials are trying to stop the Boy Scouts of America from selling its wooded 252-acre Deer Lake Scout Reservation to a developer. The situation, including a lawsuit, is another example of the whack-a-mole approach conservationists are often forced to take to save some of the state’s dwindling supply of open land. CT Mirror's Tom Condon explains the issues to host Ebong Udoma. You can read his story here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022-06-0704 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastBaby formula shortage may hit communities of color harder in ConnecticutIn Connecticut, 88% of white parents start off breastfeeding their newborns, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For Black parents, that number is 84%, and for Hispanic parents, it’s 85%. That means those communities face a disparate impact from the recent baby formula shortage. Low-income families have also been harder hit. Parents who rely on the federal Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition assistance program face limits on brands and types of formula and the retailers where they can purchase those products. CT Mirror's health reporter Jenna Carlesso explains what we know abo...
2022-05-3104 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastCan Connecticut solve its food waste problem?Getting food waste — more euphemistically, organics — out of the waste stream won’t solve the state’s waste disposal problems, but it’s widely recognized those problems won’t be solved without doing that. In reality, many communities and waste operations have been at this for years — some for decades. But they have faced an absence of state policy and little-to-no coordination. CT Mirror's energy and environment reporter Jan Ellen Spiegel talks to host Ebong Udoma about the logistics of food waste. You can read her story here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...
2022-05-2309 min
DisruptedThe CT legislative session ends this week. What progress did lawmakers make?This week marks the end of the state legislative session in Connecticut. After 10 weeks of debate, lawmakers have made progress on everything from climate change to solitary confinement. This hour, we bring back an esteemed panel of state house experts to help us digest what happened this session and what to expect in the November midterms. GUESTS: Christine Stuart: Editor/Owner of CT News Junkie, and the Editorial Director of American Business Media Ebong Udoma: Senior Reporter covering state politics for WSHU Jonathan Wharton: Associate professor of political science and urban affairs at Southern Connecticut...
2022-05-0448 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastErica Phillips on the high cost of healthcare for small businesses and nonprofitsMany small businesses and nonprofits in Connecticut must weigh the solvency of their business against how generous they’d like to be with employee health benefits. Health insurance premiums are going up largely because health care costs are rising. Over the past two decades, the cost of hospital and medical care has risen faster than inflation. Academic researchers have also attributed much of the steep rise in hospital costs in recent years to poorly functioning markets; the consolidation of hospital systems through mergers and acquisitions is reducing competition. CT MIrror's Economic Development reporter Er...
2022-05-0206 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastAndrew Brown on the profit a group home operator may make on state-funded propertiesFor nearly four decades, Malcolm and Margaret Winkley have run a pair of nonprofits in Connecticut that serve individuals with developmental disabilities. And over the course of those 40 years, the husband and wife used their authority over the two organizations — and the taxpayer money they received — to amass millions of dollars’ worth of real estate. Now, as Margaret Winkley prepares for retirement, she is looking to cash in on those taxpayer-funded investments by selling off the homes and other related properties. Reporter Andrew Brown outlines his investigation of the Winkley's finances to host Ebong...
2022-04-2508 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastDave Altimari on a release of state emails in the Kosta Diamantis caseKonstantinos Diamantis, the former state official under federal investigation, showed a special interest in his daughter’s quest for state employment on a number of occasions in early 2020, according to documents released Friday. The documents, obtained by The Connecticut Mirror through a Freedom of Information Act request, were compiled in response to a federal subpoena issued in October. Investigative reporter Dave Altimari tells host Ebong Udoma what the emails reveal. You can read the story here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...
2022-04-1809 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastKeith Phaneuf on the fight for equitable access to Connecticut's beachesActivists trying to open Connecticut’s municipal beaches to non-residents have been caught for years in a game of rock-paper-scissors. Every time they employ a new strategy, the opposition counters. And while the latest effort — tied to a study of parking rates and local beach budgets — appears to have bogged down, reformers are adjusting again, preparing to make fair beach access a statewide campaign issue this summer. Reporter Keith Phaneuf joins host Ebong Udoma to explain the ins and outs of a decades-long fight. You can read Keith's story here.See...
2022-04-1107 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastErica Phillips on the plight of Connecticut's child care industryConnecticut’s labor force — the portion of the adult population employed or looking for work — contracted sharply at the beginning of the pandemic and has failed to recover to its pre-COVID scale. Economists have attributed much of the persistent workforce deficit to a child care shortage. The need for investment has only grown more acute over the last two years. About one in four working households in Connecticut have children under the age of 6, and the state was already short 50,000 infant and toddler care slots before the pandemic. That deficiency has since gotten worse. CT Mi...
2022-04-0407 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastTom Condon on the resettlement of Afghan refugees in CTIn September, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the White House would ask Connecticut to accept “as many as 310 Afghan refugees for resettlement in Connecticut.” The effort has gone better than expected. As of March 18, more than 700 Afghans had come to live in the state, more than double the original target, thanks to a well-coordinated public-private partnership created by Lamont and strong public support. Tom talks to Ebong Udoma about meeting some of the refugees who now call CT home. Read Tom's story hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/liste...
2022-03-2807 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastBudget guru Keith Phaneuf breaks down Connecticut's cash problemSimply put, is state government too flush with cash? And after two years of a coronavirus pandemic that battered educational and health care systems, businesses and households, should the state be spending more to help? CT Mirror's fiscal expert Keith Phaneuf joins host Ebong Udoma to find out where the extra money may go this election year. Read Keith's story hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022-03-2208 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastTom Condon on Fredric March and the Ku Klux KlanLast fall Margaret Miner was skimming a New York Times article about how the University of Wisconsin had changed the names of two university theaters, in Madison and Oshkosh, because they had been named for an alumnus associated with the Ku Klux Klan. The name that had been removed from the theaters brought her up short: the renowned actor Fredric March. Reporter Tom Condon tells WSHU's Ebong Udoma what happened next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022-03-1407 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastDave Altimari on a CT Mirror investigation and the cancelation of state hazmat contractsTwo companies named in a federal grand jury subpoena investigating former state official Konstantinos Diamantis were the primary beneficiaries of millions of dollars’ worth of hazardous waste abatement work on state buildings since 2017, records show. An analysis by the CT Mirror shows that the two, AAIS and Bestech, got all but 15 of the 284 purchase orders issued by the state for hazardous waste disposal and demolition from fiscal year 2017 through 2022 — contracts that are paid for by the state and not tied to school construction jobs. After receiving questions about the arrangement from the Connecticut Mirror, the state...
2022-03-0907 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastJan Ellen Spiegel on changes that could be coming to state solar programsFor as long as Connecticut's subsidized solar programs have been in place, caps on the number of applicants have frustrated not only businesses and towns that want solar power, but also the state’s solar industry, environmental advocates and many lawmakers. As this legislative session gets underway, a serious effort to raise or even eliminate the caps is emerging. But there is already disagreement over which program caps to alter, how they should be altered, and what, if any, other rules should be overhauled. Reporter Jan Ellen Spiegel talks to host Ebong Udoma to explain what might be on the...
2022-03-0907 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastKaty Golvala on a rise in traffic fatalities during the pandemicAs state after state issued lockdown orders, roads across the country emptied. Major highways were eerily deserted, and traffic fell to new lows. But something else started to happen, too. Even though there were fewer cars on the road, more people were dying in car crashes. In 2020, 301 people died in car crashes in Connecticut, according to data tracked by the DOT, a 21% increase over the previous year. Reporter Katy Golvala talks to host Ebong Udoma about why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022-03-0907 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastTom Condon on racial disparities in police traffic stopsNew research over the last few years has helped reduce racial disparities in traffic stops in several communities in Connecticut -- while also improving police effectiveness. That has been accomplished by encouraging police to focus almost entirely on roadway safety and not use traffic stops as a pretext to address other issues. In addition to reducing racial disparities, the system now could lead legislators to consider a significantly different approach to traffic stops. Reporter Tom Condon outlines the proposed changes to host Ebong Udoma. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.co...
2022-03-0907 min
Steady Habits: A CT Mirror PodcastMark Pazniokas explains a key memo in the Kosta Diamantis caseEnlisting the help of contractors and his former boss at the state Department of Administrative Services, Konstantinos Diamantis mounted a fast and furious defense in the summer of 2020 against an accusatory memo produced by the building trade unions ahead of a meeting with Gov. Ned Lamont. The unsigned memo accused Diamantis of using “fear mongering and threats” to engineer an emergency declaration that fast-tracked the replacement of a structurally unsound school in Tolland without competitive bidding — then provided the town with bid specs, a contract and a suggested construction manager. Reporter Mark Pazniokas talks to host E...
2022-03-0906 minDisruptedPreviewing the Connecticut legislative session and the 2022 midterms2022 is a big year for politics across the United States. And this week marks the start of a new legislative session for Connecticut’s General Assembly. Today, we preview the upcoming session with a roundtable of experts. Plus a look at the upcoming midterm elections. GUESTS: Christine Stuart - Editor-Owner of CT News Junkie, and reporter for NBC Connecticut Ebong Udoma - Senior Reporter covering state politics for WSHU Jonathan Wharton - Associate professor of political science and urban affairs at Southern Connecticut State University This week's episode was produced by James Szkobel-Wolff, Zshekinah Collier, an...
2022-02-0949 min
Capitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: A Different Kind Of Election FraudThree Bridgeport elected officials have been indicted on election fraud this year. Their alleged manipulation of absentee ballots stokes the attention of a new coalition that is trying to change what they call corruption endemic to Connecticut's largest city. And MAGA fans, this does not validate Trump-era misinformation about absentee ballot abuse.
2021-08-1309 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: A Win Is A WinLast year, he struggled to get his priorities addressed. This year, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is able to take a victory lap for recreational marijuana and a highway use tax for truckers. His legislative record is "decidedly mixed."
2021-07-0909 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: A Lesson In CivicsSometimes it seems like a special degree is needed to really understand what's included in state budget negotiations. Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro wants residents to better informed about how government with civics education.
2021-03-1807 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: A Shot In The ArmConnecticut Governor Ned Lamont wants to get as many shots in the arms of residents as quickly as possible. He said the state's crucial vaccine rollout is the only way to ensure the vaccination that's needed to fully reopen.
2021-03-1216 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: Holding The LineConnecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s budget plan skips increasing taxes in favor of new revenue, dipping into savings and a federal bailout. Economists and lawmakers question whether it would be enough when the state is being confronted with big spending needs and a budget shortfall.
2021-02-1909 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: Friends In High PlacesConnecticut could dodge raising taxes and keep a surplus in its next two-year budget while dealing with a pandemic. Governor Ned Lamont says that's far more likely now that Joe Biden is president.
2021-01-2806 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: King NedGovernor Ned Lamont has pretty much run Connecticut without state lawmakers since March to handle the pandemic. Those emergency powers expire in February. What to make of Lamont’s rule by executive order as lawmakers return to Hartford for a new legislative session next month.
2020-12-3009 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: Is 2021 The Year For Pot?Advocates — both encouraged by federal movement to decriminalize marijuana and states opting into the regulated market — say the possibility of Connecticut legalizing recreational marijuana in 2021 could be the economic driver the state has been looking for.
2020-12-1613 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaN.Y., Conn.’s Electoral College Meets In-Person To Elect Biden, HarrisThe Electoral College meets in all 50 states on Monday. In New York and Connecticut, officials have decided, reluctantly, to hold the event in person, despite the rising rate of the coronavirus.
2020-12-1401 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: The GOP In The WingsConnecticut’s Democratic governor will need support from Republican lawmakers to keep a Democratic supermajority in check.
2020-12-0309 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaConnecticut Democrats Sweep Congressional SeatsDemocratic U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes of Connecticut has defended her seat against Republican challenger David Sullivan in the state’s 5th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press. The AP also declared Democratic Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro the victor over Republican challenger Margaret Streicker in CT-3.
2020-11-0400 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: Down BallotThe Connecticut GOP are holding out hope to flip the state red this election.
2020-10-2216 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: City FlippersConnecticut tries to attract new business to its former manufacturing towns.
2020-10-0814 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: Ballots Counted HereConnecticut's local governments try to build confidence in the electoral process ahead of a hot presidential election amid of a pandemic.
2020-09-2316 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCapitol Avenue: What To Do With Connecticut's Flailing Utility CompaniesConnecticut re-evaluates its relationship with power companies following another "once in a century" storm. Also, a closer look into a local utility that held up as a model as a win-win for ratepayers and the bottom-line.
2020-09-0813 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaPolice AccountabilityTwo lawmakers played a role in passing Connecticut's sweeping new police accountability law that would allow civil lawsuits against police officers accused of crimes while on duty. Senator Gary Winfield, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee is Black. Senate President Martin Looney is White. Both talk about how experiences as teenagers shaped their views on race.
2020-07-3109 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaInterview: Professor Gary Rose On The Presidential Election That Went ‘Haywire’Sacred Heart University Political Science Professor Gary Rose has just published a book on the 2016 presidential contest. It’s called Haywire. It chronicles what Rose calls “the most unconventional and outlandish presidential contest in the history of American politics.”
2017-09-0507 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaDeep Blue Connecticut Faces Fiscal Woes. So Does Deep Red Oklahoma.Connecticut is a blue state that has fiscal problems. Oklahoma is a red state that has fiscal problems. Conservatives blame Connecticut’s problems on liberal tax-and-spend policies. And liberals blame Oklahoma’s problems on conservative economic policies.
2017-08-3103 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaHow States That Have Decriminalized Marijuana Are Managing Its Recreational UseIn Connecticut, lawmakers ended their regular legislative session on Wednesday without reaching an agreement on the state’s next two-year budget. They are hoping to do that in special session before the end of the month.
2017-06-1206 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaOrganizing After The Women’s March: Local Lessons From The Tea PartySince Donald Trump was inaugurated almost three weeks ago, there has hardly been a day without a protest. The demonstrations have been passionate and persistent, but it’s unclear where they’ll go from here.
2017-02-0803 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaCrumbling Foundations In Eastern Connecticut: Who's Going To Pay For It?Thousands of homeowners in northeastern Connecticut are facing a big problem. The foundations of their homes might be crumbling.
2017-02-0604 minCapitol Avenue with Ebong UdomaDespite Boycott From Some Democrats, Mayor Ganim To Attend Trump InaugurationMayor Joe Ganim of Bridgeport, Connecticut, will be one of thousands of elected officials from across the country in Washington D.C. Friday to witness the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States.
2017-01-1904 min
New England Public Radio PodcastWSHU's Ebong Udoma Talks Connecticut Budget With NEPR's Henry EppWSHU's Ebong Udoma Talks Connecticut Budget With NEPR's Henry Epp by NEPR
2016-05-0504 min