Connecticut News & Current Events

The recently passed CHIPS and Science Act is expected to provide major investments for infrastructure to build the semiconductors necessary for electric vehicles. (Adobe Stock)

CT Begins Transition to Electric Vehicles

The United States is seeing a national push from the federal government and car companies to pivot toward electric vehicles, and Connecticut is …

According to a data collected by Give.org, only 24 percent of donors feel disaster relief appeals are understandable. (Adobe Stock)

Better Business Bureau Warns of Charity Scams

Whether it's Hurricane Ian, Fiona or other weather disasters, people are being warned about donating to fraudulent charities. Scams have become …

Despite 681 attempts to ban or restrict library resources so far this year, 71% of voters across the political spectrum oppose book bans, according to a survey by the American Library Association. (Adobe Stock)

CT Libraries Observe Banned Books Week

As "Banned Books Week" comes to a close, Connecticut libraries have been celebrating with great fervor - despite numerous book bans and challenges…

Child poverty ebbed and flowed after hitting 17% in 2009. Since 2017, it has been on the decline, falling to 5.2% in 2021, the lowest rate in history. (Adobe Stock)

CT Child Poverty Unchanged, Census Report Says

Connecticut's child poverty statistics have remained the same throughout 2021, according to the latest Census Bureau report. Nationally, child …

According to a 2022 report from Vanguard, older Americans are saving the most for their retirement. (Adobe Stock)

New Bill Aids People Planning for Retirement

A new piece of legislation in Congress will help people across the U.S. prepare for retirement with greater ease. The EARN Act - short for …

According to data from Connecticut's Public Health Department, one in nine adults in the state reported having poor mental health for 14 days or more in a month. Meanwhile, one in six adults in the state has been diagnosed with depression. (Adobe Stock)

CT Aims to Keep People Safe During Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which spotlights the issues in Connecticut and across the U.S. Although suicide rates in …

The Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program brought in $10 billion in capital to Connecticut during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

CT Small Businesses Survived Pandemic, Face New Challenges

Although many small businesses in Connecticut have weathered the pandemic, it has not been the easiest of circumstances. And how are they doing now? …

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than half of the contiguous United States is experiencing moderate to extreme drought. (Adobe Stock)

CT Farmers Work through Severe Drought Conditions

Since early May, much of Connecticut has been in a severe drought, leaving the state's 5,500 farms scrambling to adapt. Much of the Northeast is …

According to a 2020 Gallup poll, nearly three-quarters of Americans are in favor of medical aid in dying. Most of those polled were under 55 years of age. (Adobe Stock)

CT Woman Challenges VT's Medical Aid-in-Dying Law

A nonprofit group is suing the state of Vermont on behalf of a terminally ill Connecticut woman. At issue is Vermont's medical aid-in-dying law…

According to a 2020 Gallup poll, there's only been a five percent increase in the number of people who have a living will from 2005 to 2020. Most of those people are 65 and older. (Adobe Stock)

Procrastinators' Alert: Time to Start End-of-Life Planning

August is National Make-a-Will Month, one of many opportunities for Connecticut residents to begin end-of-life planning. Only around 46% of …

Victims of certain scams are urged to contact law enforcement to try to get their money back, which can make this impossible. (Adobe Stock)

CT Companies Used in National Car-Wrap Scam

Impostors have been using ads and images of legitimate companies headquartered in Connecticut as part of a scam to solicit money from people…

According to a report from the American Federation of Teachers, a flurry of high college costs, low salaries and high interest rates has led to new teachers facing an average of $58,500 in student loan debt. (Adobe Stock)

CT Educators Stretched Thin in Teacher Shortage

A new report confirms Connecticut isn't the only state where school districts are scrambling to cover a shortage of teachers and other school professi…

Part of the Inflation Reduction Act's $369 billion climate-change investment creates the Methane Emissions Reduction Program, which aims to reduce leaks from producing and distributing natural gas. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act is Law: What Next for Climate?

Although President Joe Biden has signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, he's getting pressure to declare a climate emergency to provide further …

An annual report shows Connecticut ranks highly compared to other states for children's health and education, but finds a lack of investment by the state has slowed this growth and even led to some decline. (Adobe Stock)

Investment Needed for CT Children to Thrive, Report Says

More investment is needed across Connecticut to support the economic well-being and education of children, according to a new annual report. The …

A survey done by Consumers for Quality Care finds 71% of Americans are unsure about their healthcare expenses because of the volatility of out-of-pocket costs. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs Too High

Backers of a bill now in the U.S. Senate contended it will address rising health care costs and could provide Americans with some relief. Part of …

According to the CDC, each year one in six Americans is sickened by any one of 31 pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses. (Adobe Stock)

CT Rep Seeks to Create New Regulatory Agency for Food Safety

A Connecticut congresswoman is among those asking the government to overhaul the way it handles food-safety issues. Fifteen federal agencies deal …

April to October 2020 saw a 31% increase in emergency department visits for mental health concerns in pre-teens and teens, ages 12 through 17. (Adobe Stock)

More Can Be Done to Boost Youth Mental Health in CT, U.S.

Connecticut ranks among the top 10 states in offering access to mental health services for its youth population, according to the latest report from …

While new voting laws give Connecticut residents a buffet of options to cast their ballots, a proposed amendment to the state constitution could allow for early voting. (Adobe Stock)

New CT Primary Rules Expected to Make Voting Easier for Many

As Connecticut's primary election nears, voters will have to navigate new absentee-voting laws, which could benefit seniors. People ages 45 to 64 …

If passed by Congress, military survivors of sexual trauma could receive peer-support services at their local Veterans Affairs office. There are more than a dozen offices throughout Connecticut. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Bill Offers Peer Support to Military Sexual-Assault Survivors

Bipartisan federal legislation introduced this week would provide more personalized mental health services to survivors of military sexual assault and…

Some older adults in Connecticut may be eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which can help decrease energy-related costs and fuel usage at home through retrofits and other improvements. (Adobe Stock)

As Utility Bills Rise, Resources in CT Can Help Older Adults

Starting Friday, Connecticut residents may start to see a sharp increase in energy costs just as summer gets into gear and inflation hits people hard…

Doulas are trained to provide physical, emotional and informational support to pregnant people during labor, birth and postpartum. (Adobe Stock)

Doula Certification Could Help Address Health Disparities in CT, Advocates Say

Connecticut is moving forward with efforts to create a certification program to help make doula care more accessible in the state. Doulas support …

Among many other calls to action, the Connecticut Justice Alliance is asking the state to invest in a more equitable education system, as

CT Campaign Addresses Root Causes of Youth 'Criminalization'

Reducing the number of young people involved in the criminal justice system means working on the root causes which can lead them there. A youth …

The highway use tax helps finance the state's transportation infrastructure program and operate the departments of Motor Vehicles and Transportation. It's estimated it could generate $45 million in revenue in 2023 alone. (Adobe Stock)

CT Diesel Price Hike Coming in July

Connecticut residents can expect to see a sharp increase in diesel fuel prices starting July 1, and trucking companies say it will be passed on to …

The White House estimates 390,000 families in Connecticut claimed a child- and dependent-care tax credit on their 2021 returns. (Adobe Stock)

CT Child Tax-Rebate Application Open Through July 31

Connecticut parents can apply for the state Child Tax Rebate through July 31. Anti-poverty advocates say the money will serve as additional relief …

In the wake of the December 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, federal lawmakers failed to gain enough votes to pass legislation that would have expanded background checks and banned assault weapons and high-capacity gun magazines. (Adobe Stock)

CT Lawmakers Press Gun-Safety Needs after Uvalde Shooting

Connecticut members of Congress and gun-violence prevention advocates held a Tuesday news conference, calling for legislative action one week after a …

Volunteer Charlotte Meucci and consultant David Juros unbox fruits and vegetables at the hospital's Food Resource Center. (Courtesy of Hartford Healthcare)

'Food As Medicine' Facility Opens for Patients in Hartford

One of Connecticut's largest health systems launched a new resource in Hartford this month, aimed at helping patients access healthy and nutritious …

Connecticut's National Estuarine Research Reserve is expected to provide economic benefits as well. Long Island Sound is responsible for about $9.4 billion annually in economic impact in the region, according to a study. (Adobe Stock)

CT to Commemorate Securing First National Estuarine Research Reserve

Connecticut is celebrating its first estuary reserve, which will help identify environmental threats to waterways and natural resources. …

In 2020, Connecticut had 219 firearm deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Hartford Launches Hospital-Based Gun-Violence Intervention Program

With firearm deaths in Connecticut and across the country on the rise, a new initiative in Hartford aims to interrupt gun violence through a …

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 26 states are certain or likely to ban abortion if the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case Roe v. Wade is overturned. (Adobe Stock)

CT Gov Signs Law Protecting Medical Providers, Patients Seeking Abortion Care

Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut lawmakers held a ceremonial bill signing Tuesday for a new law protecting doctors who provide and patients who seek …

Recent data show the number of young people in Connecticut admitted to juvenile-detention centers dropped 87% between 2005 and 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Youth-Justice Advocates Concerned as Crime Bill Heads to Gov's Desk

A youth crime bill passed by the Connecticut General Assembly has been sent to Gov. Ned Lamont's desk, even as some youth-justice advocates view the …

A 2020 survey found 81% of older Connecticut residents say if they ever need long-term care, they'd prefer to receive that care at home. (Adobe Stock)

New State Budget Helps CT's Older Residents Age at Home

The Connecticut General Assembly has passed a $24 billion state budget this week, which now awaits Gov. Ned Lamont's signature. It includes multiple …

Reproductive Freedom Defense Act Heads to CT Governor's Desk

Connecticut lawmakers, state officials and pro-choice advocates gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday, one day after a leaked draft opinion …

The Gallup-Lumina report also found the financial cost of college is an important reason some students don't continue their education. The average student debt for Connecticut residents is $35,000. (Adobe Stock)

College Students Who "Stopped Out" Want to Return, But Face Challenges

In the wake of disruptions and losses due to COVID-19, research shows the majority of college students in Connecticut and beyond who left school over …

According to research from the Center for American Progress, 44% of Connecticut residents live in a

Children's Trust Fund Proposal an Investment in CT Families

A proposal in Connecticut would create a Children's Trust Fund, to support a state Child Tax Credit and early child care initiatives. Advocates said …

If passed, Connecticut would join Oregon as the only other state to have legislation on the books that bars employers from making so-called

CT Bill Would Protect Workers in 'Captive Audience' Meetings

A bill making its way through the Connecticut General Assembly would protect workers from attending employer-led meetings about politics, religion or …

To kick off this week of action, the Husky 4 Immigrants coalition held a rally in front of the State Capitol in Hartford. (Husky 4 Immigrants)

CT Week of Action Calls for Health Coverage for Undocumented Residents

Connecticut advocates are hosting a week of action, asking Gov. Ned Lamont and legislators to expand HUSKY Health, the state's Medicaid program…

Reforms that advocates say helped lower youth incarceration rates include the state raising the minimum age for which adolescents could be charged with most crimes as an adult to 18 in 2012. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Number of Youth Incarcerated in US Much Higher Than Documented

Young people in the U.S. were incarcerated in juvenile facilities 240,000 times in 2019, according to a new report, and current methods significantly …

The Connecticut Health Foundation report suggests local public health departments can play a bigger role in addressing disparities. In a 2021 survey, 86% of respondents said they had a great or fair amount of trust in local health officials and health-care workers. (Adobe Stock)

CT Report: After 2 Years of COVID, Lessons Learned on Racial-Health Equity

March marks two years since COVID-19 first devastated the lives of people across the country. A new report aims to look at lessons learned in …

Since the law took effect in 1997, Connecticut has gone from charging people $31,755 a year for<br />their incarceration to $90,885, a roughly 280% increase. (Adobe Stock)

ACLU Class-Action Suit Challenges CT Prison Debt Law

The ACLU of Connecticut has sued the governor's and attorney general's offices, saying the state's prison debt law violates the excessive-fines …

According to the League of Women Voters, the redrawing of state legislative district lines has a ripple effect on the number and locations of polling places in Connecticut. (Adobe Stock)

Next Step in CT Redistricting Process: Voting Districts

With the once-a-decade redistricting process finalized in Connecticut, good-government groups say it is time to keep an eye on the next stage…

Connecticut advocates say HB 5310 complements President Joe Biden's nursing-home reforms announced in last week's State of the Union address, which include increased funding to support health and safety inspections of facilities. (Adobe Stock)

CT Bill Requires Nursing-Home Transparency in Medicaid Spending

Legislation in Connecticut's Joint Committee on Aging would require nursing homes to spend at least 90% of Medicaid funding they receive on direct pat…

CT Advocates: Addressing Social Challenges That Lead to Youth Crime is Key

Connecticut Senate Republicans have released a draft bill aiming to provide more work opportunities while also addressing a rise in crime among young …

Connecticut's Senate Bill 88 would allow patients diagnosed with a terminal illness and less than six months to live the option of medical aid in dying. They would first need to be diagnosed by two different doctors who could speak to their mental capacity to make the decision. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Voters Favor Candidates Who Support Medical Aid in Dying

As Connecticut considers legalizing medical aid in dying for people with terminal illnesses, a new poll reveals voters are more likely to back …

An estimated 470,000 households in Connecticut pay at least 30% of their income toward housing, according to Growing Together Connecticut. (Adobe Stock)

'Growing Together CT' Aims at State's Affordable Housing Crisis

A new alliance has formed to address Connecticut's affordable housing crisis, with a focus on its urban centers. "Growing Together Connecticut" is …

The legislation would allow terminally ill, mentally capable adults in Connecticut who have six months to live, as diagnosed by two separate physicians, the chance to administer lethal medication. (Adobe Stock)

Aid In Dying Advocates in CT Hope for Another Push This Legislative Session

As the legislative session in Hartford kicks off this month, advocates are hopeful that the General Assembly will pass a medical aid-in-dying bill …

With the expiration of the federal Child Tax Credit, the Recovery For All Coalition is calling for a state-level child tax credit of $600 per child for families earning less than $210,000 a year. (Adobe Stock)

CT Coalition Calls for Public Investments Ahead of Legislative Session

A coalition of Connecticut's labor and community organizations has sent a letter to Gov. Ned Lamont and lawmakers outlining public investments they …

A spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services says COVID outbreaks among staffers and patients have led to temporary halts to addiction-treatment admissions during the pandemic. (Google Maps)

Union: CT Must Address Staffing at Addiction Treatment Centers

A Connecticut health-care workers' union is raising concerns over what it calls a "staffing crisis" in addiction services that led the state to close …

Nearly 6% of Connecticut residents don't have health insurance, according to a report from Access Health CT. (Adobe Stock)

CT's Insurance Broker Academy Aims to Reduce Health Disparities

Connecticut's health-insurance exchange, known as Access Health CT, has launched a first-of-its-kind program for reducing health disparities and the …

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