The U.S. Department of Education has updated its federal student loan guidance as changes involving college debt policy from the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act took effect July 1.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said that American taxpayers should no longer pay for other people’s student loans.

But the changes, according to NPR, will limit the amount of programs available to borrowers. And they’ll cap loans for grad students.

Today on The Wheelhouse, what borrowers should know ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Guests:

• Ayelet Sheffey, senior education reporter, Business Insider
• Betsy Mayotte, president and founder, The Institute of Student Loan Advisors
• Michelle Jarvis-Lettman, student loan ombudsperson, State of Connecticut

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John Larson hasn’t faced a stiff challenge from a member of his own party since he was first elected to represent Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District in 1998.

Larson touts his experience as a 14-term representative, saying his seniority in Congress helps Connecticut. But his challengers say that Larson has been in Washington too long and that it’s time for a fresh perspective.

Today on The Wheelhouse, we’ll talk to Larson about his re-election effort. And we’ll meet his challengers, including former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin, who is the endorsed candidate in this race, Connecticut State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), and Hartford attorney Ruth Fortune.

Guests:

• U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-CT)
• Luke Bronin, candidate, Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District
• Ruth Fortune, candidate, Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District
• Jillian Gilchrest, candidate, Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District

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Children as young as 5 are being resettled in Connecticut after being picked up by federal law enforcement at the U.S. border.

Attorneys for these unaccompanied children say they’re being held for too long and in some cases, aren’t released to sponsors at all until legal action is taken.

This hour, we examine the U.S. government’s obligation to unaccompanied children.

And later in the show, we’ll discuss the Aug. 11 primary elections in Connecticut and a new federal law that could help Connecticut officials in their fight against their affordable housing crisis.

Guests:

• Tess Reagan, managing attorney, Kids In Need of Defense
• Sabrina Tavi, senior attorney and director, Center for Children’s Advocacy
• Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media Group’s CT Insider
• Lisa Hagen, federal policy reporter, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror
• Mark Pazniokas, capitol bureau chief and a co-founder, CT Mirror

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Health insurance through the Affordable Care Act still exists nearly two years after candidate Donald Trump said he had “concepts of a plan” to replace it.

But even though many Americans still have access, it doesn’t mean coverage is affordable. New data out of Access Health CT reveals at least 22,000 Connecticut residents lost coverage after failing to make premium payments.

Today on the Wheelhouse, what’s left of the ACA and how is President Trump’s White House approaching health care policy?

Guests:

• Julie Appleby, senior correspondent, KFF Health News
• Katy Golvala, health reporter, CT Mirror
• Kathleen Unger Holt, Healthcare Advocate, state of Connecticut

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Artificial intelligence is rapidly making its way into Connecticut’s classrooms.

Connecticut lawmakers recently passed Senate Bill 5, a sweeping new law that includes investments in computer science education and the creation of a statewide AI Academy.

Supporters say it prepares students for the future, while educators are also grappling with questions about ethics, academic integrity, and AI literacy.

This hour, we learn what Connecticut's new approach to AI could mean for the next generation of learners.

GUESTS:

• Sen. James Maroney, Democrat representing Milford, Orange, West Haven, and Woodbridge
• Irene Parisi, chief academic officer, Connecticut State Department of Education
• David Bergman, associate dean for faculty and research, University of Connecticut School of Business
• Adam Nemeroff, assistant provost for innovations in learning, teaching and technology, Quinnipiac University

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As America celebrates its 250th birthday, many of the ideas at the heart of the nation's founding — from freedom and representation to checks and balances — remain subjects of fierce public debate.

This hour, we explore America's official time capsule and the artifacts Connecticut is sending into the future.

What story are we telling about who we are in 2026? And what does that story reveal about who we hope to become?

GUESTS:

• Tom Medema, special advisor to America 250 and project manager for America’s Time Capsule
• Cyndi Tolosa, Director of Advancement, CT Humanities, project manager for America 250 Connecticut Commission
• Sarah Atwell, Durham’s America 250 Committee leader
• Jason Hayes, First Selectman of East Granby

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“Suffs” is a Tony-award winning Broadway play celebrating the American women who fought for voting rights. This hour, we learn about the fight for the 19th amendment.

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From Hurricane Maria through this year’s Super Bowl, Bad Bunny, the “King of Latin Trap” continues to weave politics into his lyrics.

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