Frankie Graziano
Host / Producer, The WheelhouseAs the host of The Wheelhouse on Connecticut Public, Frankie focuses on how local and national politics impact the people of Connecticut.
For more than 100 episodes, Graziano’s brought the politics to the people, tackling issues like the attempted erasure of transgender identity and attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The hallmark of The Wheelhouse’s run during Graziano’s tenure as host was election coverage in 2024. The team, which includes producer Chloe Wynne and deputy director of storytelling at Connecticut Public Robyn Doyon-Aitken, responded to breaking developments out of Washington D.C., launched an open-ended survey to reach its audience, held forums to introduce candidates to the people, and broadcast live on Election Night and The Morning After.
CT Public’s newest iteration of The Wheelhouse debuted on March 22, 2023, marking the latest evolution in Graziano’s career in broadcast journalism.
It began in production when Connecticut Public hired Graziano to launch its new sports network in 2011. He produced over 1,000 hours of content for CPTV Sports until 2016, when he moved from public television to public radio. After crafting a public radio sports beat, he worked with leadership in 2017 to develop breaking news coverage at Connecticut Public. Graziano followed police reform efforts, chased politicians around, and broke national news.
Graziano’s entrée into political coverage was cemented in 2022 after hosting a series of debate recaps on television and several roundtables on local government.
His entire career–and his entire life– have unfolded in Connecticut. Graziano lives with his wife Colleen, a nurse practitioner, in Glastonbury. They’ve got two kids—Charlie and Annie.
Graziano, a UConn grad, is originally from Torrington. He’s a first-generation Italian-American—his parents Rosie and Franco were born in Italia.
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Connecticut calls itself the “Constitution State,” but why? We trace the nickname back to the 1600s and explore the historical claim that Connecticut wrote the first constitution in U.S. history. -
Free speech is in focus at this year’s Wheelhouse Live event amid significant shifts in the world of broadcast media. If free press is the cornerstone of American Democracy, what do the Trump administration’s attacks on late night TV hosts – and Congress’ claw back of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – tell us about the future of American politics and pop culture? -
Free speech is in focus at this year’s Wheelhouse Live event amid significant shifts in the world of broadcast media. If free press is the cornerstone of American Democracy, what do the Trump administration’s attacks on late night TV hosts – and Congress’ claw back of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – tell us about the future of American politics and pop culture?
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Clips of so-called “trad wives” – women romanticizing 1950s homemaking – are racking up millions of views online. What does this nostalgic movement reveal about our current politics and culture wars? -
Stressful conversations about politics can creep into holiday celebrations. But there are ways to stay engaged with family members who have different views from our own. Professor Irshad Manji shares her "Five Skills of Moral Courage." -
State lawmakers faced a lot of pressure to respond to federal cuts and a housing mandate from the governor during Connecticut’s recent two-day special session. How did they respond? -
We’ll talk with a Connecticut community organizer and a political science professor about what it takes to get involved in grassroots activism at a time when many Americans are worried about the future of democracy. -
The latest on municipal election results, including the race for an open mayoral seat in New Britain. And, amid federal rollbacks to food assistance and looming health care price hikes, we’ll ask what’s on the minds of Connecticut lawmakers in advance of a possible special session. -
Political violence is a small fraction of violent crime in the U.S. But a new survey shows more Americans think it may be necessary to get the country back on track. -
New data from UConn shows Black Connecticut residents face police use of force at disproportionate rates.
