WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Host Paul Pacelli continued WICC's coverage of a morning raid by the FBI at the Success Village housing complex with an in-depth report from WICC's Melissa Sheketoff and Chris Williams (00:36). Hearst Connecticut Media's Dan Haar dropped by with his update on the Eversource rate request, a state look into Roblox, and that contentious First District race for Congress (12:35)

May is recognized as Water Safety Month and with many of us wanting to cool off this summer, we wanted to talk about the importance of swimmer safety, especially in unfamiliar places. We spoke with Jen Wirt, Founder & CEO of Coral Care.

A new state audit revealed that Central Connecticut State University failed to properly provide deposit receipts for more than $70,000 in funds. This is CCSU not CSCU – just to be clear – and the audit looks at the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. We spoke with state auditors, John Geragosian and Craig Minor, to understand the severity of the audit results.

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system has a new interim chancellor and interim Board of Regents chair. CBIA, the state’s largest employer organization,
 is feeling confident about both appointments and are calling it a restoration of trust in CSCU leadership. We spoke with CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.

Tuesday's edition of "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli hit the hot-button issue of municipal speed cameras in both Milford and Fairfield, with a lot of folks criticizing their setup and implementation (00:31). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio dropped by to chat about a recent move by the Connecticut Department of Labor, ensuring compliance with a state law (08:09)

A Bethany man pleaded guilty to sexually abusing girls in the town-run after school program and summer camp where he worked. His plea deal means him serving four years in prison, a lifetime restraining order for the victims in this case and registering as a sex offender. It may sound bad but is it really? We asked law enforcement expert, Gary MacNamara, who also happens to be a Bethany resident tracking this case from the beginning.

Bridgeport City Council member Alfredo Castillo and former Democratic Town Committee Chair Wanda Geter-Pataky are scheduled to appear in court May 28th. Both have been arrested multiple times in connection with the 2019 and 2023 mayoral primaries and absentee ballot scandal. We asked Attorney Bill Bloss about the latest on these cases and if Bridgeport will ever get away from the bad reputation of failing to run clean elections.

A Wall Street Journal article highlights a change of times with getting a Master’s Degree then landing a dream job. We asked career strategist, Julie Bauke, about understanding the value of education even before going to graduate school.

For more information: My Next Move

Host Paul Pacelli opened Friday's "Connecticut Today" talking about Governor Ned Lamont's reaction to an Eversource rate increase request, highlighting the pay structure for the company's CEO (00:42). We were also joined by conservative pundit Red Jahncke from "The Red Line" blog (13:28), Mike Mastroni, founder of the Connecticut Fallen Heroes Foundation (22:39), and Quinnipiac University Criminal Justice Teaching Instructor Diane Langlan-Wortz regarding recently-enacted state laws concerning the rights of crime victims (29:30)

Master planning for the revitalization of the 77-acre former Army Engine Plant property in Stratford has begun. We spoke with Peter Cabrera, a principal and Executive Vice President of Point Stratford Renewal. We learned more about the property and how you can be part of the future vision for it.

For the survey and more information: www.pointstratford.com

The Lamont Administration released a message to Connecticut families regarding electric rates. To say it didn’t sound like it came from the governor is an understatement, and the point of the release seemed purely political. We did a deep dive into it and the crux of the issue which is how high our electric bills are. We spoke with Bryson Hull, Deputy Northeast Director for Consumer Energy Alliance.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

There are growing concerns around infectious diseases, most recently about Ebola. We spoke with Dr. Fred Browne of Griffin Health about the hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship and the latest fears around Ebola.

Image Courtesy of Griffin Health and Dr. Fred Browne

"Connecticut Today" host Paul Pacelli welcomed GOP State Sen. Heather Somers to Thursday's show to talk about a White House tax credit initiative that could help some Connecticut students, if Gov. Lamont chooses to participate. What's he waiting for? (00:34). Former state Senate GOP Leader John McKinney wrapped up last weekend's nominating conventions and looked ahead to state primaries and Election Day in November (09:47). Also, Paul had some thoughts on the latest rate increase request from Eversource (19:31)

A challenger has emerged for Rosa DeLauro's seat in CT's 3rd District! Andrew Rice spoke with Jon about his grassroots campaign.

Randy Ritter is one of the people working on digitizing historical newspapers in Derby! As such, Melissa welcomed him to the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa in the Morning Diner Tour!

Jack Walsh joined Melissa to talk about the Derby Hall of Fame and historical plaques in Derby during the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

The Derby Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Matthew Conway, joined the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour to talk about the school year winding down and what's going on in schools!

Melissa welcomed the Vice President of the Valley Arts Council, Steve DiRienzo, to the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour to talk about the Council.

Team Inc is a fan favorite of the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa in the Morning Diner Tour because of all the work they do around Derby and they spent some time with us this morning to talk about it!

State Representative Kara Rochelle made her way to the Valley Diner to talk some legislation on the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

Sometimes we just need to break something, but we don't want to pay to replace it...Bill Richmond, the owner of Explicitly Broken Rage Room in Derby has you covered! He stopped by The Valley Diner to talk to Melissa about the Rage Room on the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

Meet Linda Fusco, the Chief of Staff for Joe DiMartino, the Mayor of Derby! She spoke with Melissa about Derby as a whole and what to expect on this WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

Every year the Valley grows bigger and better, and part of that is thanks in part to Bill Purcell, the President and CEO Of Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, who spoke about whats in the works on the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

Derby is celebrating 350 years! So it's only natural that Kellie Santiago from the Derby Historical Society takes part in the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour to talk about some of the history of Derby!

Marc Garofalo, the City Clerk, is the man who keeps Derby running, so of course we had to include him in our schedule for the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

The heart of WICC, it's programs and the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour are our listeners, that's why when get a chance to talk to listeners like Crystal who was at the Valley Diner with her husband, we always love to hear from them!

We're proud to partner with the Connecticut Educators Association during the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour, and as such, Melissa welcomed Candy Label, a 2nd grade teacher at Irving Elementary School!

Melissa kicked off this week's WICC Brown Roofing Melissa in the Morning Diner Tour stop with the owner of The Valley Diner (our stop), Themi!

On Wednesday's "Connecticut Today," host Paul Pacelli welcomed Fairfield GOP State Sen. Tony Hwang to chat about a recent op-ed he wrote regarding Connecticut's adult-use marijuana policies and the chance of higher-potency pot being introduced for the local market, despite some warnings from experts (00:40). Hearst Connecticut Media Senior Columnist and Editor Dan Haar dropped by after covering President Trump's commencement address at the Coast Goard Academy earlier in the day (08:15). Finally, Paul opened the show with remarks about a raise for Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim (17:42)

The Long Island Rail Road strike is over after MTA reached a tentative agreement with the labor unions. Why does this matter to Connecticut residents and Metro North riders? Jim Cameron who writes Talking Transportation in CTMirror explains.

To read Jim’s article: https://ctmirror.org/2026/05/17/could-metro-north-face-a-strike/

Image Credit: Reuters

The Stamford Board of Education approved the budget without making any changes. The $360-million-dollar budget includes a reduction of just under 60 full-time equivalent teaching positions and 12 paraeducators. It sounds drastic, but is it really? We asked John Corcoran, president of the Stamford Education Association.

The legislation session ended with some major protections and changes to handle scams and data privacy concerns in our state. We spoke with Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli and Deputy Commissioner Jeff Marvin from the CT Department of Consumer Protection for all the details.

For more information: https://portal.ct.gov/dcp
To contact the Complaint Center: (860) 713-6300

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

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.