WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Governor Ned Lamont's signature on a bill legalizing "No-Excuse" absentee ballots in all future Connecticut elections was the lead topic for Paul Pacelli on Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" (00:41). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio joined us to chat about the contentious battle for the U.S. House in Connecticut's First Congressional District and how organized labor is reacting (13:32). Author and Substack.com blogger Mark Tapson talked about rising immigration and cultural tensions in Great Britain (22:05)

Trumbull police are sounding the alarm about a fraud scheme that cost a local resident hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to police, the victim said she received a Microsoft Windows pop-up message in March when she contacted the telephone number associated with the message. She connected with somebody who claimed to be a Federal Trade Commission agent. The Trumbull resident ultimately transferred $900,000 in gold coins during two in-person exchanges in public parking lots. We got more details from Lt. Brian Falkenstein.

For Trumbull residents reporting this scam, please use this number: (203) 261-3665

There were two planned teen takeover events for Connecticut this past weekend: one at a mall, another at a movie theater. Both situations never came to fruition, however, the teen takeover trend on TikTok is taking the nation by storm. We spoke with former FBI agent, Ken Gray, about the problem and possible solutions.

More fallout this morning for the Connecticut State College and Universities System. The chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents abruptly resigned yesterday. It comes following a complaint filed against then-interim Chancellor John Maduko, alleging that he had harassed an employee for nearly two years. We spoke with Ranking Member on Higher Education Committee, Rep. Seth Bronko, about the continued CSCU saga.

Following a major investment from the state for Bridgeport schools, we spoke with interim superintendent of schools, Dr. Royce Avery. How is Bridgeport looking heading into the next school year and are we any closer to having a permanent superintendent?

The past weekend's state Democratic and Republican Nominating Conventions dominated Monday's edition of "Connecticut Today" with commentary and analysis from host Paul Pacelli (00:30), Southern Connecticut State University Political Science and Urban Affairs Professor Dr. Jonathan Wharton (14:54), and CTNewsJunkie columnist and Substack.com blogger Terry Cowgill (21:43)

Girl's flag football is apparently one of the up-and-coming sports in Connecticut. We talked about the high school sports trends and more with Glenn Lungarini, Executive Director of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC).

We wrapped up the 2026 legislative session and are heading into one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. It was a good time to talk to Josh Morgan of the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

AAA projects a record-setting 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21st and Monday, May 25th. We spoke with Lauren Fabrizi of AAA about travel trends heading into the unofficial start to summer holiday weekend.

Following convention weekend in Connecticut, we wanted to do a deeper dive into the gubernatorial race. We spoke with Sacred Heart University political professor, Dr. Gary Rose.

Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin made history securing the official endorsement of the Democratic Party in the 1st Congressional District race and defeating incumbent Rep. John Larson at the party convention. We spoke with Bronin about his interest in running and goals if elected in November.

Have you ever noticed we use our imagination for everything wonderful? What would you do if you won the lottery...if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go...what does your dream wedding look like...? But we never use our imagination for crime prevention. We did a deeper dive into why we should exercise the power of imagination to better protect ourselves. 

Host Paul Pacelli welcomed Connecticut Mirror reporter Mark Pazniokas to Friday's edition of "Connecticut Today" to break down the weekend nominating conventions for state Democrats and Republicans (00:39). Paul also had a few of his own thoughts for Connecticut's registered Republican voters (09:25). CBS News Capitol Hill reporter Taurean Small joined us to talk about the ongoing redistricting battles across the U.S. (24:07), while University of New Haven Associate Professor of National Security and Political Science Dr. Matthew Schmidt dropped by to chat about numerous world hotspots (28:40)

Mar Jennings One-Man Show is a riveting journey from hardship to triumph. Jenning’s debut show is happening Friday May 22nd at the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre and proceeds to benefit the Center for Family Justice. We spoke with Mar Jennings ahead of his show. 

For tickets and more information: Tickets | Mar Jennings One-Man Show | Sacred Heart University Community Theatre

Just days after graduating college, we had Norwalk native, Jack Pavia, in studio. Pavia is running for the 142nd district state representative seat, representing Norwalk and New Canaan. We got to know his political background and goals if voted into office.

For more information: https://www.jackforct.com/

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

Fairfield is celebrating an aviation milestone. The town announced that Penfield Reef will be officially designated a Vertical Flight Society Heritage site. It recognizes the location of the world’s first successful helicopter hoist water rescue. We spoke with Angelo Collins, Executive Director of the Vertical Flight Society for more on the historic event dating back to 1945.

For more information: https://vtol.org/

Former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart has suspended her campaign for governor. The Republican frontrunner made the announcement following a report accusing Stewart of misusing a city-issued credit card while in office. We asked our legal expert, Attorney Bill Bloss, what if anything will come out of this criminal investigation.

 *Attorney Bloss has no connection to this case.*

Dr. Joanne Passalacqua join's Jon to speak about the bacteria that could ruin not only your trip to the beach, but also your local raw bar! 

Former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart's decision to suspend her 2026 gubernatorial campaign was the big story on Thursday's edition of "Connecticut Today," with analysis of the situation from host Paul Pacelli (00:27), blogger / columnist Chris Powell (15:13), and WTNH "Capitol Report" panelist Liz Kurantowicz (24:53)

To wrap up the Orem's Diner leg of the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour, Melissa welcomed Jennifer Angerame from Wilton Kneads to the program to talk about their special needs baking program. 

For More Information: https://www.wiltonkneads.org/

Andrea Gartner from the Norwalk River Valley Trial took part in the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner to talk about the trail and their conservation efforts!

Melissa welcomed Heather Borden Herve to Orem's Diner for the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour to talk about the history of Good Morning Wilton and just talk generally about the connection to Wilton.

Caroline Mandler, the Executive Director of the Wilton Library, joined Melissa to talk about all the events coming up at the library on the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour.

Samantha Nestor, the Weston First Selectwoman, took the short drive over to Orem's Diner to take part in the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour.

Melissa welcomed the Director of the Wilton Historical Society, Nick Foster, to the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour. They talked about what's going on with the socitey and some events going on.

We always love to talk to the local police chiefs on the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa in the Morning Diner Tours and Tom Conlan was no different as he sat down with Melissa for a few minutes to talk about life as a chief.

Melissa welcomed Wilton's First Selectwoman Toni Boucher to the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour to talk about everything from her public service to her memoir!

Wilton Fire Chief Jim Blanchfield took sometime to visit Orem's Diner for the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

One of the most requested places to talk to during the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour is right here in Wilton! We welcomed Kevin Meehan from Ambler Farm to come on and talk everything with the farm!

Do you live in Wilton and have a teen that needs something to do after school? The WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour has the perfect place for you! We welcomed Lori Fields and John Priest from the Trackside Teen Center to Orem's Diner to talk about it!

Are you ready to kiss the girl? Melissa welcomed Wilton High School students Hayden and Kathryn to the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour to talk about their upcoming productions of "The Little Mermaid."

You never know who will show up as part of the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour...This morning, it was WICC's own Lisa Wexler!

During the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour, we welcome teachers from the CEA to talk about the school year, that includes Peggy who joined Melissa to talk about the end of year stuff.

To kickoff our debut at the Orem's Diner in Wilton as part of the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour, Melissa spoke to Demetris Papanikolaou, the owner of Orem's!

On Wednesday's "Connecticut Today," host Paul Pacelli welcomed Hearst Connecticut Media Senior Columnist and Editor Dan Haar to chat about all the political twists and turns surrounding the Republican and Democratic nominating conventions (00:35). Paul also had a few thoughts regarding the renewed controversy surrounding flavored vaping products and e-cigarettes in Connecticut (10:29). CBS News White House reporter Linda Kenyon joined us to chat about President Trump's trip to China (25:11)

Infectious disease expert Dr. Joanne Passalaqua joins Jon to talk about what you should and should *not* be worried about 

Erin Stewart is under fire again, this time for spending reports dating back to her time as New Britain’s mayor. It looked at a decade of charges on the city credit card she had access to. It’s clear the Republican Party is trying to navigate this, just days ahead of the Republican State Convention. We spoke with Ben Proto, chair of Connecticut’s Republican Party, about this and the health of the Republican party’s candidates before the general election in November.

The Milford Board of Education has said this was not an easy and lightly made decision, but the master long range facilities plan was approved. The plan does include closing down two elementary schools and a lot of construction work for the remaining schools across the district. We spoke with Sue Glennon, Chair of the Milford Board of Education and superintendent of schools, Dr. Anna Cutaia, for more details.

For more information: https://www.milforded.org/

Stamford’s Board of Education postponed a vote on the 2026-27 school budget. The board will now hold a special meeting on May 19th to discuss and possibly vote on a final budget. A big concern is the number of job cuts in the superintendent's proposed budget: 60 full-time teaching positions and 12 paraeducators. We spoke with John Corcoran, president of the Stamford Education Association about what’s happening.

Host Paul Pacelli welcomed former New York Lieutenant Gov. Betsy McCaughey to Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" to chat about her candidacy for Connecticut Governor and the upcoming GOP convention (00:33). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio dropped by to talk about energy policy (11:00), while Paul offered some of his thoughts on the state's Republican party voters looking ahead to a likely gubernatorial primary (20:38)