The Full Story

Mental health issues, from anxiety to depression, are a problem for many in our region. Today Ron speaks with two experts about mental health and how we can best deal with difficult times in our lives. Today's guests: Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., commissioner, Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Jeffrey Deitz, M.D., psychiatrist, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Frank Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University

Ron sits down with Sandy Hook Promise co-founder Mark Barden and his daughter, Natalie, to talk about their work to protect children from gun violence, their family life and their music.

Lawmakers in Connecticut and New York are debating legalizing recreational marijuana. Supporters believe legal weed is inevitable. But opponents warn that weed isn’t harmless. They say lawmakers need to hear why making it legal would be a bad idea. Ron speaks to advocates for and against making recreational marijuana legal in our region. Today's guests: Paul Kirchberg, executive director, Connecticut NORML Alex Berenson, author of 'Tell Your Children: The Truth about Marijuana, Mental Illness,

Today the nation celebrates the life and work of civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Does Dr. King's legacy to bring human rights to all continue in Connecticut and New York? Ron speaks with several individuals working in the area of civil rights today to find out. Today's guests: Cheryl Sharp, deputy commissioner, Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities Dori Dumas, president, Greater New Haven Branch of the NAACP Matt McDermott, lead organizer, Congregations for

Suspensions in schools are being reevaluated as an appropriate form of punishment. Research suggests that they do more harm than good, and a recent report shows that in New York there is a severe racial element to suspensions. Black and Hispanic children are more likely to be suspended than white children. Ron speaks to one of the authors of that study and those working to change the policy of suspensions in New York and Connecticut. Our guests: Francisco Miguel Araiza, associate director of

The international gang MS-13 has gotten a lot of press recently. They operate in our region, but they’re not the only gang here. Ron speaks with the Suffolk County sheriff and gang experts to find out more about criminal gangs, how they operate and why people join them. Today's guests: Errol D. Toulon Jr., Suffolk County sheriff Sergio Arugeta, founder and director of STRONG Youth Inc. Lisa Taylor Austin, psychologist and gang expert based in Milford, Conn.

One policy idea that’s got young lawmakers in Washington and our region hyped up is the Green New Deal. Supporters say it will help stem the advance of climate change by expanding renewable energy sources and creating new industries that are environmentally friendly. Skeptics are concerned with the cost and say it will be too disruptive. Ron finds out what's in the Green New Deal and how it's playing out in our area. Our guests: John Humphries, executive director and lead organizer, Connecticut

Every town and city in our region has its own unique set of issues. Everyday officials must make important decisions on housing, taxes, education, crime and more. And those decisions affect our lives. Today Ron speaks with civic leaders about the issues facing their communities. Our guests: Toni Harp, New Haven mayor David Martin, Stamford mayor Martin Cantor, director of the Long Island Center for Socioeconomic Policy and a former Suffolk County economic development commissioner

Teens are dealing with a lot of anxiety these days. They’re under pressure to excel in school, get into a good college, navigate social media and cope with very serious issues like mass gun violence. Ron talks with two therapists who specialize in treating teen anxiety. And we’ll also hear from one young woman who has learned how to deal with her worries. Today’s guests: Orla Cashman, Ph.D., Greenwich Psychotherapy & Associates Daniel Villiers, Ph.D., founder and director of admissions and

Why do certain prescriptions cost so much? Are we getting ripped off? What can governments do to prevent price gouging? Today on The Full Story , Ron explores the costs of prescription drugs and what can be done to make them more affordable. Our guests: Steve Knievel, advocate with the Access to Medicines program at Public Citizen Sean Scanlon, Connecticut state representative for the 98th District, Guilford and Branford Kevin Lembo, Connecticut comptroller

What does the economy look like for a millennial? This generation is dealing with a lot of financial challenges that didn’t exist for baby boomers. Ron speaks to Martin Cantor , director of the Long Island Center for socioeconomic policy and former Suffolk County Economic Development commissioner, Cathy Koch from Ernst & Young, and to millennials to find out the fiscal issues that are on their minds, including finding jobs, accessing affordable health insurance and paying off student loans.