The Full Story

The murder rate around the nation spiked in 2020. New FBI data shows there were nearly 5,000 more homicides than the year before. Connecticut and Long Island both saw the number of shootings grow over the last year in our region. This week on The Full Story, we examine the local crime rate. And then, we take a closer look at one neighborhood in Fair Haven, Connecticut, where the residents are interrupting violence by taking to the streets. Join us for a conversation about the rising shooting

Under the new marijuana laws in Connecticut and New York, people with certain cannabis convictions will have their records automatically expunged. And that could dramatically transform their lives. A criminal record can make it hard to get a job, find housing, and even get an education. This week on The Full Story, we’ll take a closer look at the expungement provision in the laws and the impact they will have on communities targeted by the war on drugs.

This week marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our nation. We remember the day by speaking with first responders and reflecting on how historic events echo through time. We begin with first responders, and Connecticut’s dissimilar Emergency Medical Systems. Next, we visit a 9/11 memorial at a Fire Station in Milford. Then we speak with a historian about how time shapes our memories of key historic events. Remembering 9/11, 20 years later.

The month of August is winding down. That means the back-to-school season is revving up. But this is no ordinary school year. The Delta variant of the coronavirus is spreading fast in our region and presenting new challenges and questions. And getting good information is challenging, with so much misinformation circulating everywhere. This week WSHU held a Join The Conversation event to explore what we learned from 2020 and what we need to know now as classes begin. This week on The Full Story,

Connecticut is made up of 169 cities and towns, and each one has a unique form of local government. There are mayors, town managers, and Selectmen, and women. It can all be very confusing. Political science Professor Gary Rose of Sacred Heart University has written a book he hopes will unravel that riddle. This week Professor Rose joins The Full Story to talk about Connecticut’s eclectic mix of local governments, how they evolved and how they work. We also check in with a public health expert on

Last year, arts programs and institutions in our area found creative ways to keep sharing their work during the pandemic shutdown. They held virtual events, staged performances outdoors, and redesigned exhibits to reduce crowd size. And it looks like they’ll need to keep innovating now that the Delta variant is here. The highly contagious strain has lawmakers in Connecticut and New York talking about reinstating COVID-19 restrictions like mask mandates. So how does this fluid health environment

College athletes can be big business for many universities, especially if they’re top performers in their sport. They get the glory, they get the fame but to maintain their amateur status they don’t get the cash. Starting this September, that’s going to change in Connecticut. A new law now allows college athletes to financially benefit from their name and likeness. What does this new law offer? How will it transform athletes, fans, and even collegiate sports? Those are the questions we’ll

Last week we talked about how prepared we are for hurricane season. This week we’re speaking with scientists dedicated to understanding the nature of storms and the role climate change plays in creating extreme weather events. Also, the legislative sessions in Connecticut and New York are over. Or are they? We check in with reporters to find out which bills were approved, rejected and what happens next. A conversation with: Jase Bernhardt , Assistant Professor of Geology, Environment, and

Recreational marijuana is now legal for adults in Connecticut and New York. The new laws also allow for the sale of weed. But don’t expect pot shops to start popping up immediately on a corner near you. Both states are still crafting the framework for a legal marijuana industry. And lawmakers designed the rules to make sure people targeted by the War on Drugs get in on the ground floor. So what will it take to create these shops and who will benefit most?

Changing the zoning rules in Connecticut was a heated issue for lawmakers this year. The proposed bills ignited a fierce debate over the development of more affordable housing in the state. Now the legislative session is over. Some bills didn’t make the cut. Others were approved, but not before heavy amendments. So will these new laws actually create more affordable housing units in the state?

It was more than 10 years in the making. And now its moment has arrived. Pot will be legal in Connecticut. New York passed a similar bill earlier this year. So what does this dramatic change for our region mean? We’ll talk to lawmakers and advocates to find out what living with legal weed looks like.

The 2021 Hurricane season is underway. And federal officials predict this year we’ll see above-normal storm activity along the Atlantic coast. Again! Between now and November, officials estimate there will be 13 to 20 named storms, and half of them will become hurricanes. Officials advise communities living near the coastline to prepare. So are we ready? This week on The Full Story, host Tom Kuser speaks with key people who are already working to keep our region safe from a major weather event.

Remote learning, in-class sessions, student pods, hybrids. Last year students in our region were faced with a spectrum of options to continue their studies during the pandemic. So how did the students, and the educational system for that matter, survive COVID-19? Today on The Full Story, we speak with educators in Connecticut and New York about how schools and students managed the last school year. We’ll also find out if school districts have what they need to help students stay on track to

Ridership on public transportation plunged to new lows during the pandemic. Now that Connecticut and New York are fully re-opening, will people go back to using buses and trains in the same numbers? Some experts say don’t count on it. This week on The Full Story we explore how the pandemic transformed public transportation in our region and what plans are in play to expand and improve the systems we use to get around.

This week on The Full Story, we profile an emerging newsmaker in our region. We begin with the newest member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, Corey Paris. He’s also one of the youngest members and is poised to shape policyng an for education, housing voting. Here's a deep-dive interview with Paris.