CT Examiner Weekly on WPKN-FM (April 16, 2026)

High-Speed Rail Redux, School Violence and Trump's Visit to New London

CT Examiner Editor-in-Chief Gregory Stroud and Brian Scott-Smith host a roundtable with reporters Luke Feeney and Ally LeMaster, Eric Obernauer and Arts Editor Robin Breeding.Here are the week's stories: 1. President Donald Trump was the keynote speaker at the Coast Guard Academy’s commencement in New London recently, delivering a nearly hourlong speech in the blistering midday heat. It was the presidents first time visiting the state in his second term, coming right after his justice department launched two separate legal efforts against the state. I’m reporter. 2. From hallway fights to other forms of school violence, many teachers say student misbehavior and disruption is out of control. We’ll discuss why many teachers say lack of discipline is making it harder than ever for them to maintain order and do what they were trained to do: teach. 3. Amtrak is finally beginning a two-year study with huge implications for Connecticut and Rhode Island. The rail service wants to determine the best place to locate a high-speed rail line connecting New Haven and Providence. But who really wants it? Several communities don't.

Bylines New Voices: "Solutions Journalism"

An interview with students Avery Martin (Southern), Valentina Toro (Southern) and Bridget Bronsdon (UConn) about "solutions journalism." Bylines New Voices is hosted by Brian Scott-Smith with student journalists from college and university programs across Connecticut.

Bylines New Voices: Julia Gillego on Students and "The Age of AI"

An interview with Julia Gillego, a UConn journalism student about her audio report called "The Age of AI," covering AI and students.Bylines New Voices is hosted by Brian Scott-Smith with student journalists from college and university programs across Connecticut. Powered by ⁠⁠CT Examiner⁠⁠ [https://ctexaminer.com] in collaboration with ⁠⁠CT Community News⁠⁠ [https://ctcommunitynews.org/].

A Lobster Controversy, Primarying John Larson, and New Legislation for Connecticut's Cannabis Market

CT Examiner Editor-in-Chief Gregory Stroud and Brian Scott-Smith host a roundtable with reporters Ally LeMaster, Luke Feeney and Nick Sambides, and Arts Editor Robin Breeding. Here are the stories: 1. In a short legislative session before an election, lawmakers are trying to push bills through at a rapid pace. But local lobstermen say a provision tucked into a wide-ranging labor bill could kill their industry, which has suffered for decades. 2. A bill that could have widespread impacts on Connecticut’s cannabis market passed the state House and Senate during the last week of the legislative session with a few changes voted on by state lawmakers. But what are those changes? And what is the future of the bill? 3. Connecticut Congressman John Larson has been something of an institution, having served the first district for 28 years. Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin is a comparative newcomer. So how did Bronin wrestle the nomination away from Larson?

CT Examiner Weekly on WPKN-FM (May 7, 2026)

Co-hosts Brian Scott-Smith and CT Examiner Editor Gregory Stroud are joined by reporters Ally LeMaster, Nick Sambides and Eric Obernauer for a roundup of news across Connecticut and Arts Editor Robin Breeding with a weekly calendar [https://ctexaminer.com/events/] of events.Here are the stories: 1. With Connecticut lawmakers wrapping up a short session on May 6th, a lot of bills -- including one on homelessness -- will likely have to wait until next year before getting a vote. But two bills -- one on vaccinations and one on homeschooling -- will make the cut. 2. A hot housing market has added hundreds of thousands of dollars to the average homeowner's net worth, but with retail and office values lagging, that leaves many residents on the hook for a much bigger share of local taxes. 3. Not so long ago, schools were encouraging students to bring their smartphones into the classroom — but not anymore. With dozens of states enacting “bell-to-bell” bans, lawmakers have been debating whether it's time for Connecticut to do the same. I'm Eric Obernauer with that story.