WICC The Voice of Connecticut

With the announced departure of the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Islanders, host Paul Pacelli discussed what re-purposing could be in the future for the Total Mortgage Arena (00:46). Former Bridgeport Islanders play-by-play announcer Phil Giubileo talked about the team's announced move to Ontario, Canada (15:55). Former Bridgeport Democratic State Rep. Chris Caruso joined us for his weekly update (26:58), while we wrapped up the show talking to Cindy Cohn, author of, "Privacy's Defender: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance" (36:17)

Senate Bill 452 proposes to ban helium sales for balloon inflation. Lawmakers are targeting balloon releases because they are a known source of litter and environmental damage, especially to birds and marine life. However, business owners who rely on helium for their sales say this legislation can run them out of business.

For more information on SB 452: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB452

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

The American Heart Association’s updated guidance calls for people as young as 30 (and particularly men) who are at risk for heart disease to take steps to lower their cholesterol. We learned more about this from Dr. Erica Spatz, Associate Professor of Cardiology and Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Yale School of Medicine.

The Bridgeport Police Department provided an update Wednesday to the nearly 25-year-old cold case regarding the disappearance of 10-year-old Bianca Lebron. We spoke with Detective Jeffrey Holtz for the latest on this case.

For more information: https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2026/released-today-new-age-progression-of-bianca-lebron

Many Milford residents wanted to hear from Mayor Rich Smith about revaluations and property taxes. He came in studio to address his plan to phase in revaluations for residents, use a spending freeze for city departments and handle the uptick in labor contracts.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

Host Paul Pacelli opened Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with news of a committee vote in Hartford that might pave the way for higher-potency marijuana products to be sold in the state (00:33).  Bethany / Waterbury / Cheshire / Prospect GOP State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus talked about this week's committee vote on a controversial homeschooling bill (14:49). Former State Senate GOP leader John McKinney also offered his thoughts on that bill, as well as other news out of Hartford (23:44)

Two bills regarding online privacy and safety passed out of General Law Committee and move on to the full legislature for approval. We learned about Senate Bills 4 and 5 from Senator James Maroney, Chair of the General Law and Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate.

For more on Senate Bill 4: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=sb4

For more on Senate Bill 5: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB5

There’s a bill to potentially help parents have a better understanding of what goes on in their kids’ classrooms. But what would it mean for educators now needing to constantly post curriculum and does it really actually address the issue some parents have with their schools? We asked Kate Dias of the Connecticut Education Association.

For more on Senate Bill 308: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2026&bill_num=sb+308

Milford Public Schools announced which two elementary schools may eventually close. It’s part of the district's long-range facilities plan which includes consolidating eight elementary schools to six. We talked more about this with superintendent, Dr. Anna Cutaia.

For more information: https://www.milforded.org/page/long-range-facilities-plan
UPCOMING MEETINGS / PUBLIC HEARINGS:

A new study says the heart benefits from GLP-1 drugs begin to fade soon after patients stop taking the medication. Dr. Browne explained why those findings are NOT that shocking. Plus, New research shows belly fat may be a stronger indicator of heart failure than body mass index. Dr. Browne talked about the failures of BMI and how to test belly fat internally.

Image Courtesy of Griffin Health and Dr. Fred Browne

Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" featured host Paul Pacelli's thoughts on the possible use of remote speed cameras on some stretches of state highways (00:48). Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Council Executive Director Chris Healy joined us to voice his organization's fears concerning a controversial homeschooling bill at the State Capitol (15:40), a bill that Hearst Connecticut Media Senior Columnist and Editor Dan Haar also reported on (26:42). CBS News reporter Linda Kenyon joined us from the White House with the latest on the Iran war (36:35)

We checked in with Josh Morgan from the Department of Transportation about some of the biggest pieces of legislation being discussed during this session. From a commuter tax break to highway cameras, we tackled a few of the biggest talkers related to road and rail safety.

The legislature's little-known bipartisan Regulation Review Committee has authority to review and reject policies installed by state agencies. Apparently, a bill considered to be ‘under the radar’ is being discussed in front of the Government Administration and Elections Committee. It would potentially change the bipartisan/balanced Regs Review Committee’s dynamic that has been in place for more than 50 years. We learned more from Senator Ryan Fazio.

For more information:  https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2026&bill_num=HB05554

Last month, Kratom and several other substances were designated as Schedule 1 Controlled Substances. What should consumers know about this change? We asked Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli of the CT Department of Consumer Protection about this. We also discussed bracket-type gambling ahead of March Madness and the significance of Weights and Measures Week.

A Bridgeport firefighter can now say he’s one of the strongest firefighters in the world!
Lt. Carlos Reyes Jr. finished third in his weight class and 10th strongest in the world at the 2026 World Strongest Firefighter earlier this month. He joined us in studio for more.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

Senate Bill 3 aims to create a healthcare trust fund to mitigate the effects of federal cuts to health care premium subsidies and create a Connecticut Option health insurance program. This bill had a public hearing this week in front of The Human Services Committee. We got a better understanding of what it means for more affordable healthcare options for residents from Senator Jason Perillo, ranking member of the committee.

The American Heart Association updated its guidance on heart health and is now calling for people as young as 30, and particularly men, who are at risk for heart disease to take steps to lower cholesterol. We got advice from wellness coach, Amy Llinas, about this.

Host Paul Pacelli featured a discussion on Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" centered around a proposed bill promoting "transparency" in hiring and salary offers for certain Connecticut businesses (00:40). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio also offered her take on the same bill (09:17). Connecticut Food Association head Wayne Pesce joined the show to talk about a pending bill in Hartford that would place state-level regulations on the use of self-checkout stations in supermarkets (18:05)

A new article highlights how many people in America are not only jumping ship from their companies but are changing their careers entirely. What does it mean to change your career and how can people effectively do that if it’s right for them? We asked our career strategist, Julie Bauke.

There is a bill being discussed in Hartford that can bring major financial relief to the hundreds of residents at Success Village. It’s a 900+ unit complex between Bridgeport and Stratford that has been dealing with financial issues, mismanagement and a lack of basic needs like hot water and heat. That is, until the complex got a receiver in 2024, Attorney Barry Knott. Attorney Knott joined us to explain the financial burden now facing residents and how legislation can help ease the pain.

We checked in with Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky about the latest updates with Great Island.

To learn more about the project: The Great Island Vision Plan

We spoke with Vince Santilli, executive director at Homes for the Brave, about All Star Comedy Night to raise funds for the organization. 

For more information and to get tickets: https://homesforthebrave.networkforgood.com/events/96316-10th-annual-for-veterans-by-veterans-comedy-night

IMAGE CREDIT: Eric Urbanowicz

There is a lot of talk about House Bill 5001: AN ACT CONCERNING ABSENTEE VOTING FOR ALL AND VARIOUS OTHER REFORMS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS.

The bill would remove most restrictions on who can vote absentee and make several technical and procedural changes to how elections are run in the state. But some worry we will just see more election fraud issues like what we’ve seen in Bridgeport. We understood the bill more and talked about it with Rep. Matt Blumenthal, House Chair for the Government Administration & Elections Committee.

For the full bill: https://ww...

The legislature will hold a public hearing today on a bill that would put a 2¢ per ounce tax on sugary drinks. House Bill 5537: AN ACT IMPOSING A TAX ON CERTAIN SWEETENED BEVERAGES, SYRUPS AND POWDERS AND DEDICATING THE REVENUE GENERATED TO A UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM. We talked to Senate Minority Leader Steve Harding about this proposal and potential gaps in the bill.

For the full bill: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/TOB/H/PDF/2026HB-05537-R00-HB.PDF

A nursing home in Windsor Locks is shutting down soon after the death of a 93-year-old resident. The state has now ordered the closure of Bickford Health Care Center in Windsor Locks and requiring patients to be transferred to other facilities by April 10. We talked to Senator Jeff Gordon, an acting member of the Public Health Committee, about the questions surrounding this facility, the workers and the general concerns surrounding our aging population in Connecticut.

The digital world and our real world are more connected than we may think. Recently, a 15-year-old boy in New York who went missing nearly two months ago was found dead. He left his home in January claiming he was meeting up with someone he met on Roblox. We talked about this with one of our law enforcement experts, Gary MacNamara.

One of the largest public hearing turnouts happened this week for House Bill 5468: An Act Concerning the Provision of Equivalent Instruction. We did a deeper dive into it with State Representative Jen Leeper, Chair of the Education Committee.

For the full bill: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/TOB/H/PDF/2026HB-05468-R00-HB.PDF

The clock is ticking! PURA is set to make a final decision on Eversource’s proposed sale of Aquarion Water Company by March 25th. Recently, PURA tentatively approved it, mostly because it was out of their jurisdiction to reject it. That’s based on a sneaky state law that passed in 2024. Now, Senator Ryan Fazio is putting forward a proposal as a last-ditch effort to block this deal. We learned more about the potential expansion of House Bill 5249.

Image Credit: Dee Ortiz

Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli wondered what the next few years could bring for the embattled Trumbull Mall, whose owner recently failed to keep up with payments on a $152-million loan used to purchase the mall in 2022 (00:59). Connecticut Citizen's Defense League President Holly Sullivan explained the latest gun bill being debated in Hartford (12:21). Former Bridgeport Democratic State Rep. Chris Caruso (21:10) and former GOP State Senate Leader John McKinney (27:41) analyzed this week's emotional public hearings at the Capitol. University of New Haven Criminal Justice Lecturer and retired FBI agent Ken Gray analyzed breaking news concerning a synagogue attack in...

Ever wished it was easier to get around without a car? City planner and author Jeff Speck has some ideas on how to make Bridgeport easier more walkable!

We did a deeper dive into House Bill 5044: “Establishing Connecticut Vaccine Standards.” Does it actually enact mandated vaccines like covid or flu? And does it give too much power to Connecticut to make major vaccine decisions for kids and adults? We spoke with Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health.

We’re seeing the gas prices go up and the governor is now entertaining the idea of a gas tax holiday for a month. It was a good time to check in with Chris Herb, head of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, to talk about this proposal and what we can expect with gas prices in Connecticut.

The US Department of Justice announced this week that they’d reached a settlement in their antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, in a case that alleged an illegal monopoly over live events in America. But Attorney General William Tong says the state is not giving up the case. We spoke more about it with him.

Wednesday's mid-week "Connecticut Today" welcomed Hearst Connecticut Media's Dan Haar to recap a busy, high-pressure day with plenty of public testimony at the State Capitol on some controversial bills (00:37). Columnist and blogger Chris Powell dropped by to discuss Connecticut education and school funding (09:37). Paul offered a few thoughts on a push to further regulate homeschooling in Connecticut (19:37). CBS News Military Analyst Retired Col. Jeff McCausland explained - in detail - the current battle in the Middle East (34:00)

Milford Public Schools made a huge announcement regarding its long-range facilities plan. The district hired a consultant to look at the condition of the 14 district schools and available property to potentially build. After the recommendations, the Board of Education voted to keep both high schools and update them. However, it also voted to consolidate to two middle schools and eventually eliminate Harborside Middle School. We got more details from superintendent of Milford schools, Dr. Anna Cutaia.

For more information: Long Range Facilities Plan | Milford Public Schools

There are a few bills being discussed in front of the Judiciary Committee today including House Bill 5043, proposed by Governor Lamont. It’s addressing lego-sized glock switches that can turn a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic firearm. We got more details from State Representative Steve Stafstrom, who also serves as House Chair of the Judiciary Committee.

To read the full bill: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/TOB/H/PDF/2026HB-05043-R00-HB.PDF

There are several public hearings in Hartford on very controversial pieces of legislation. We did a deeper dive into House Bill 5468 to understand people’s concerns around equivalent instruction. We spoke with House Ranking Member of the Education Committee, Representative Lezlye Zupkus, about the bill and the cut off for public comment.

To read the full bill: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/TOB/H/PDF/2026HB-05468-R00-HB.PDF

The Fairfield Board of Selectpersons just approved the proposed $403 million dollar budget which came with a $1.5 million dollar cut to education funding. We talked about the 2026-27 school budget with superintendent Michael Testani.

Host Paul Pacelli spent some time on Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" talking about a controversial bill at the Capitol that would impose new state-level rules on the use of supermarket self-checkout stations (00:40). CT State Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto dropped by to talk about a controversial State Democratic Party social media post criticizing a top GOP gubernatorial candidate (15:15). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio talked about the hours of public testimony she's watching during the current session of the General Assembly (22:05)