Connecticut News & Current Events

According to research from the American Federation of Teachers, there were 55,000 fewer registered nurses employed in the U.S. in 2021 than in 2020. This was the first decrease in five years. (Adobe Stock)

CT Groups, Unions Call for Public-Health Reforms

Health-care professionals and advocates in Connecticut have said it will take sweeping reforms to bolster the state's flailing public health system…

The American Teachers Act of 2022, filed in the U.S. House of Representatives in December, would make $60,000 the minimum salary for public school teachers. But it's sitting in a House committee. (Adobe Stock)

CT Educators Want Prompt Action to End Teacher Shortage

Connecticut, along with most of the United States, faces a teacher shortage. The shortage has caused class sizes to increase and teachers to …

According to the 2022 America's Health Rankings Report, one of the challenges with health equity in Connecticut is the state's high level of income inequality. (Adobe Stock)

Grant Funding Aims to Uncover CT Health Disparities

Several hospital systems and community health centers in Connecticut have been awarded grants to help fight health inequity. The Connecticut Health …

According to a report from the Rand Corporation, almost 60% of Connecticut's 113,000 undocumented immigrants lack access to health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Seek Expansion of CT Public Health for Immigrants

Connecticut lawmakers are being asked to expand HUSKY - the state's Medicaid program - to include immigrants, regardless of their status. Two years …

In his 2023 State of the State Address, Gov. Ned Lamont wants to take Connecticut energy into a more climate-friendly direction. He called for the expansion of the state's wind power, extending nuclear power, and continuing the push to get access to Canadian hydro power. (Adobe Stock)

Critics: CT State of State Address Not Bold Enough

Governor Ned Lamont's State of the State speech addressed numerous issues affecting the state, but some felt it did not go far enough. Lamont spoke …

According to financial website Bankrate, Connecticut is one of the <a href=

worst states in which to retire, with the biggest reason being its lack of affordability. (Adobe Stock)">

AARP Connecticut Outlines 2023 Legislative Goals

As the Connecticut General Assembly's 2023 legislative session begins, AARP Connecticut is eager to dive into key issues for seniors and consumers…

According to the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, evictions reached their <a href=

lowest points during the pandemic because of rent protections. During 2020 and 2021, evictions reached 6,429 and 9,356, respectively. (Adobe Stock)">

CT Facing Rise in Evictions

Connecticut is seeing a record high number of evictions. During 2022, the state recorded more than 21,000 evictions filed, despite a decline from 2017…

Of 53 bay segments monitored, 57% received grades of C, D or F because of high pollution levels, according to the 2022 Save the Sound Report Card. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Provides Grants for Long Island Sound Conservation Efforts

The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding more than $10 million in grant funding to aid conservation efforts in Long Island Sound. The 2022 …

Numerous members of Congress have sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, urging them to add $368 Million to the National Labor Relations Board's funding. (Adobe Stock)

Labor Advocates Want Congress to Approve NLRB Funding Boost

Labor advocates are asking Congress to better fund the National Labor Relations Board in its upcoming budget. The NLRB budget has declined 25% …

According to the Giffords Law Center, guns are the leading cause of death for Americans under age 18. (Adobe Stock)

A Decade after Sandy Hook, Assault-Weapons Ban Demands Continue

On the ten-year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a local organization is still working to see a national assault-weapons …

Connecticut has made progress in getting more climate-friendly policies in the states. One such policy, approved by Gov. Ned Lamont, expands the use of electric vehicles for public and private use. (Adobe Stock)

CT Sierra Club Looks Back on 2022, Ahead to 2023

As the year comes to a close, the Sierra Club of Connecticut is looking back on some of its accomplishments and challenges. The group focuses on …

According to the Connecticut Audubon Society, American oystercatchers are making a strong comeback in the state. In the 2022 breeding season, they produced 61 fledglings, the highest number recorded since 2012. (Adobe Stock)

New CT Audubon Society Report Showcases Conservation

As its 125th anniversary nears, the Connecticut Audubon Society has released a report detailing the effectiveness of conservation efforts in the …

Experts say the best way to prevent losing money in an online shopping scam is by using a credit card instead of a peer-to-peer app, and using reliable trusted sellers this holiday season. (Adobe Stock)

BBB of Connecticut Warns of Holiday Shopping Scams

As holiday shopping begins, there are concerns about consumers running into online shopping scams. According to a 2021 report from the FBI's …

Since February 2020, more than 88,000 child-care jobs have been lost nationally. (Adobe Stock)

CT United Way Working on Family Child-Care Network Hub

United Way of Connecticut is launching a network hub for family child care providers. The new hub, created in partnership with the Connecticut Office …

According to the U.S. Elections Project, about 45 million people voted early in the 2022 Midterm elections. (Adobe Stock)

CT Voters Adopt Early Voting Amendment

A majority of Connecticut voters have elected to allow early voting in the state. Though a similar ballot initiative failed in 2014, this time 60% of …

It's been nine years since Aquarion last brought a rate increase case forward. The company says it is needed

CT Residents Against Proposed Water Rate Hikes

Some Connecticut residents may be looking at higher water utility prices over the next three years. The state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority …

Despite its name, the Day of the Dead or 'Dia De Los Muertos,' is a celebration of life, not death. (Unidad Latina en Accion)

CT Group Hosts Day of the Dead Celebration

Although the official holiday passed earlier this week, a "Day of the Dead" celebration is being held this Saturday in New Haven. The 12th annual …

Earlier this year, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed Senate Bill 4, giving the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection the authority to expand public and private use of electric vehicles. (Adobe Stock)

New Federal Funding Helps CT Get Electric School Buses

Connecticut school districts and bus companies will be receiving more than $8 million in federal funding for electric school buses. The grant is …

According to a National Wildlife Federation report, the Clean Water Act was aimed at cleaning up urban waterways that were disproportionately impacting low-income communities and communities of color. Even after 50 years, these same demographics are overburdened by water pollution. (Adobe Stock)

Clean Water Act Subject of SCOTUS Case

As the Clean Water Act turns 50 this month, parts of it are the subject of a U-S Supreme Court case. Sackett versus E-P-A might let factories…

According to UCLA's 2022 Hollywood Diversity report, white actors made up the majority of film leads, 61.1%, in 2021. In that same year, Black actors were at 15.5% of all leads, Latino actors were 7.1% of leads, and Asian actors were 5.6% of all film leads. Multiracial actors made up 10.3% of leads, meaning they had the most proportional representation in film. (Adobe Stock)

Accent Bias Remains Prevalent in Pop Culture

As television and film have become diverse, there are still some areas people feel are not being addressed. Accent bias is one of them. Saadia Khan…

According to a 2022 report, the pre-tax income for median Black and Latino households in Connecticut is $49,000. Meanwhile, their white counterparts have pre-tax incomes of about $86,000. (Adobe Stock)

Weigh In at Online Forum: Make CT Tax System More Fair

A group that advocates for low- and middle-income families in Connecticut says there must be ways to make the state tax system more fair. A …

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. …

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