WICC The Voice of Connecticut

“Looksmaxxing” is a social media trend focused on improving physical appearance. It can range from simple changes like grooming, exercise and skincare, to more extreme practices. Experts warn that the pressure to look a certain way online can affect self-esteem, especially among young people. As the trend grows, so does the conversation about healthy versus harmful beauty standards. We spoke with Natalie Jennings, assistant director of fitness and wellness at Quinnipiac University about this.

Starting Monday, there will now be armed School Security Officers at all elementary schools in Milford. The district has hired officers for all eight elementary schools, as well as The Academy. With the start-up of the armed School Security Officer program, we anticipate curiosity from students and families across the district. To discuss this further, we have Dr. Ana Cutaia back on the show, superintendent of schools in Milford.

There’s encouraging news for Long Island Sound. A new report from Save the Sound finds water quality is improving, with all three major basin areas earning A grades. In Connecticut, 19 of 28 smaller coastal sites tested received an A or B. But officials say climate change, development and sewage overflows remain challenges. We talked about key takeaways from Peter Linderoth, Director of Healthy Waters and Lands at Save the Sound.

To read the Long Island Sound Report Card: https://www.savethesound.org/about-us/projects/long-island-sound-report-card/

As a nor’easter approaches Connecticut, the Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners to watch out for storm chasers. After the storm, don’t rush into repairs or fall for high-pressure sales. We spoke with Kristen Johnson from the Better Business Bureau serving Connecticut to talk about warning signs and how to properly vet contractors.

Report scams here: bbb.org/scamtracker
Find businesses you can trust: BBB | Better Business Bureau

Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro is stepping down after nearly a decade leading the school. Her resignation comes amid an investigation into allegations that she bullied and intimidated employees. Toro is set to retire from the university October first. The investigation will not continue. But is that OK? Is that really the end of the story? We had that conversation with state Senator Henri Martin, Ranking Senator on the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee.

A new report from Connecticut’s Office of the Child Advocate shows 67 children died in 2025, down from 83 the year before. But officials are raising concerns about youth suicide. Sixty-two percent of children who died by suicide were under 15, compared with 34 percent in the previous four years. The report also highlights unsafe sleep deaths among infants. We spoke more about this with CT Child Advocate, Christina Ghio. 

It’s a pretty simple concept: slow down, move over. Not only is it the law but it’s a relatively easy task for drivers; yet, a lot of people don’t do it. That’s why non-profits like Flagman is making such a difference in the current driving trends and impacting the next generation of drivers. It all started after the passing of Corey Iodice. His sister, Cindy Iodice, created Flagman in his honor and was back in studio with the latest news surrounding the organization.

For more information: https://flagmansafety.com/

In top national health news this week, we see Legionnaires’ cases and measles outbreaks are back. But we also noticed something else that seemed a bit unfamiliar in America: typhus outbreaks. We talked about all three topics with Dr. Fred Browne of Griffin Health.

Image Courtesy: Griffin Health System

I wonder if this was on his bucket list – an exclusive facetime call with convicted fugitive.
Kosta Diamantis spoke to News 8’s Mike Cerulli from Greece after fleeing Connecticut ahead of his federal sentencing. We talked to Mike to hear more about the call.

To see Mike’s story: https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/kosta-diamantis-exclusive-news-8-interview-greece/

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

The comptroller temporarily paused payments, but the reality of former Connecticut official Kosta Diamantis still receiving a state pension is a bit mind blowing. The international fugitive missed his federal sentencing after reportedly leaving the country. Diamantis was convicted last year on corruption charges tied to his state position. The state had moved to stop his pension payments, but Diamantis is now challenging that action in federal court. Why is Diamantis even allowed to get a pension after being convicted of a crime? We spoke about this with state Senator Jeff Gordon.

They care for us when we’re at our most vulnerable—but who’s caring for the caregivers? Nurses and healthcare workers are facing growing stress, exhaustion, and burnout. Long hours and heavy workloads can take a toll on both physical and mental well-being. We spoke with Nickia Jackson. She is a nurse-turned-small business owner focused on caring more for nurses struggling. We learned more about the CT Nurse Wellness Summit.

For more information: https://nickia-jackson.com/ct-wellness-summit

Lindsay Clancy’s defense is asking a Massachusetts judge to dismiss the murder charges against her, arguing a retrial would violate double jeopardy. Clancy’s first trial ended in a mistrial after jurors deadlocked 11-to-one. Her attorneys argue the judge should have questioned the lone holdout before declaring a mistrial. For perspective, we spoke with our legal expert on the show, Attorney Bill Bloss.

Image Credit: Reuters 

Work stress may not always be about having too much work. A new Harvard Business Review analysis of 515 studies found unclear expectations and conflicting demands can be major sources of stress — sometimes more damaging than workload itself. Researchers say employers should identify what's actually causing stress before deciding how to address it. We asked our career strategist, Julie Bauke, about this.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico are suing the Trump administration after their reporters were barred from the White House. The outlets say their credentials were revoked without due process and that the ban violates First Amendment protections. The administration says the outlets can still report on the president but are not entitled to special access. A federal judge is expected to hear the case tomorrow.

These instances lead to a bigger conversation about media access to important stories but also the importance of being credible, having balanced reporting and being a consumer not a conduit of news...

An author described his journey of surviving sexual abuse as a child. Melissa and Gary listened to Stephen Mills speak at a local domestic violence prevention event and took two key lessons away: "blind spots" and "an army of enablers." We did a deeper dive into these two topics and how it can apply to parents today. 

Joan Hogan Gillman joins the show to talk about the League of Women Voters.

Melissa welcomed Sara Connolly,  Ph.D., Associate Dean for Student Success in the Farrington College of Education & Human Development at Sacred Heart University, to talk about why we need great teachers and education leaders. As students head back to school, they discussed the changing role of educators, what makes an effective teacher today and the growing need for strong leadership in schools.

Image Courtesy of Sacred Heart

Connecticut is putting new guardrails around artificial intelligence in state health plans. Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced a policy requiring human oversight in healthcare decisions involving AI, keeping patients and their doctors—not algorithms—at the center of care. The policy applies to Connecticut’s state employee and retiree health plans. We got more details from the comptroller.

One of my sources shared that Anthony Mastrangelo has access to screens in prison. He is the former camp counselor from Bethany convicted for sexually assaulting five children. It got me digging into the truth of this and the emergence of technology for inmates in Connecticut. We spoke with Senator Paul Cicarella, the leading Republican on the legislature’s General Law and Public Safety and Security Committees.

Bridgeport police are facing questions about an out-of-service driving simulator, amid scrutiny over police cruiser crashes. The simulator was designed to help officers improve their emergency driving skills, but the technology now needs an upgrade or replacement. The police chief says officers involved in crashes receive discipline and retraining, while the department has also tightened rules around high-speed pursuits. We spoke about this further with Bridgeport’s Police Chief Roderick Porter.

New privacy protections are coming to Connecticut October first. The Attorney General says new laws will give consumers more control over genetic data, facial recognition and precise location information, while limiting surveillance pricing. The laws also set new rules for AI, including protections for children using chatbots and requirements for employers using AI. We spoke with Senator James Maroney who was a key legislative sponsor of the 2026 AI and privacy legislation.

Connecticut families are getting together to rethink how kids use technology. The Screen Smart Initiative is hosting community events focused on reducing screen time, encouraging device-free schools, and giving children more opportunities for play, connection and independence. We spoke with Representative Jen Leeper, Chair of the Education Committee and Regina von Gootkin of the Smart Screen Initiative.

For more information: Screen Smart Initiative - Screen Smart Initiative

Two men have pleaded guilty in a federal embezzlement conspiracy involving Success Village Apartments in Bridgeport and Stratford. Prosecutors say Charles Pitcher and Carmine Gentile were involved in fraudulent invoices and inflated payments, with more than four hundred thousand dollars allegedly diverted to Pitcher. Both men face restitution and forfeiture, with sentencing pending. We spoke about this more with Richard Matos. He has been a resident of SVA for 41 years and was recently named to serve on the Advisory Committee. The seven-member advisory board has been created to assist the court and the receiver in returning the running of...

September is Suicide Prevention Month—a time to remind people that reaching out, listening, and letting someone know they’re not alone can make a difference. Here in Connecticut, Ellie Haney of Here For You Clothing is using her platform to help spread that message and encourage conversations about mental health, hope, and support. Ellie shared her story and what led to her brand.

For more information: https://hereforyouclothing.com/

West Haven is moving forward with new noise detection devices aimed at loud vehicles along shoreline neighborhoods. The city plans to install four devices on existing cameras, alerting police when vehicles exceed the noise limit. The first violation could bring a 100-dollar fine, with repeat offenses costing more. Officials say the system should be in place within a month. We got more details from West Haven Mayor, Dorinda Borer.

A new survey found Connecticut business leaders are facing rising costs and a shrinking workforce. According to CBIA, 9 out of 10 employers reported increased expenses, while just 27 percent expect the state economy to grow over the next year. Meanwhile, that same CBIA survey found rising costs are putting financial pressure on Connecticut households. Nearly nine in ten residents say their cost of living increased over the past year, while half say they’re worse off financially. To break down the findings, we spoke with CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima, the president of the CBIA Foundation. 

For more inf...

The local news line up today is one for the record books:

Former Connecticut budget official Kosta Diamantis has fled the country just days before he was set to be sentenced on federal corruption charges. Then you’ve got a scathing independent review prompting calls for reform at Connecticut’s public college system. The nearly 80-page report found multiple failures in how CSCU leaders handled sexual harassment allegations involving former interim Chancellor O. John Maduko. We spoke about these serious stories and question of leadership in state department positions with House Minority Leader, Vincent Candelora.

Every year, there’s a big meeting involving superintendents across the state of Connecticut and this week that meeting took place and no surprise, Fran Rabinowitz was a key speaker at the event. What were key takeaways from the meeting and what can we anticipate being a focus for this school year? We asked Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director at the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.

A coalition that includes The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has surpassed a major conservation milestone: recovering more than 4,000 lost and abandoned lobster traps from Long Island Sound. We spoke with Justin Susarchick, senior research scientist at The Maritime Aquarium.

A Connecticut state agency is rebuking utility regulators over thousands of public records documents. The Office of the Consumer Counsel says regulators failed to disclose records that should have been available to the public. The dispute raises new questions about transparency and how the state handles public information. Our energy expert on the show, Bryson Hull, has studied and worked in the energy field for 25 years. Hull is also the Deputy Northeast Director for the Consumer Energy Alliance.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

New artificial intelligence tools could help doctors stop deadly superbugs before antibiotics fail.  According to new University of Houston research announced this week, Texas researchers are using computer models to predict how drug-resistant staph infections like MRSA may change.  Federal health data shows untreatable superbugs sicken over two-point-eight million Americans and kill over 35-thousand people each year. We talked about this in depth with Dr. Fred Browne of Griffin Health.

Image Credit: Griffin Health

The president of Central Connecticut State University is under investigation following a complaint alleging a workplace culture of fear, intimidation and bullying. The complaint, filed by a longtime university employee, details 14 alleged incidents involving President Zulma Toro. This story was brought to light by the WFSB I-Team. Joining us now is Cassidy Williams from that team.  

To read Cassidy’s story: https://www.wfsb.com/2026/09/09/ccsu-president-under-investigation-culture-fear-intimidation-bullying/

Connecticut is cracking down on prediction markets offering sports wagers. The state issued nine cease-and-desist orders and nearly 30 subpoenas as officials investigate alleged illegal gambling. The state says these platforms bypass Connecticut’s regulated sports betting system and may accept wagers from prohibited betters. We talked about this in depth with Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner, Bryan Cafferelli.

Connecticut is getting a new way to explore its spooky side. The state is presenting its latest tourism trail: the Connecticut Haunted History Trail. The statewide trail features more than 130 locations tied to haunted landmarks, paranormal lore, witch trials and centuries of unexplained stories. For all the creepy crawly details, we spoke to Connecticut Tourism Director, Rachel Lenda.

For more information: https://ctvisit.com/

Connecticut’s special education funding crisis could get some relief — without abandoning the state’s efforts to pay down debt. Comptroller Sean Scanlon says changing Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails could free up money for schools, as districts face rising special education costs and limited resources. We spoke with Comptroller Scanlon about this and another story trending regarding verified healthcare payments highlighted in a state audit.

Milford’s Board of Alderman met this week deciding on the latest moves with license plate readers in the city. The board also officially created the Public Safety Technology Review Committee. Joining us to give us more insight following that meeting is Alderman Andy Fowler.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

The Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association officially unveiled its new brand identity. The group now represents lodging properties in addition to restaurants across our state, marking the next chapter for an association that has advocated for Connecticut's hospitality industry since 1961. To talk more about this, we connected with Scott Dolch, president and CEO of The Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association.

To learn more: https://www.hospitalityct.org/
To attend the CRAZIES: https://www.hospitalityct.org/events/crazies-awards

From Sunday’s storm that wreaked havoc on Fairfield County to a deadly collision involving a tow truck driver last week, we checked in with Josh Morgan of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. We also got an update on one of Connecticut’s biggest transportation projects is entering another important phase in Norwalk: the WALK Bridge project.

To submit a form for flood damage: https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/CTDEMHS/request.html
To learn more about project: https://www.walkbridgect.com/

GLP-1 medications have quickly become a major part of the conversation around weight loss and diabetes care — but they’re also creating a major challenge for employers and health insurers. As the cost of these increasingly common medications continues to add up, some companies are scaling back coverage or putting new limits on who qualifies.

That could mean higher out-of-pocket costs or fewer options for some employees — while employers are weighing the potential long-term health benefits against the immediate price tag. We spoke in length about this with Quinnipiac University professor of management and medical sciences, Angela Mattie

A new poll shows Governor Ned Lamont maintaining a clear lead over Republican challenger Ryan Fazio in Connecticut’s governor’s race. The poll from Sacred Heart University, WFSB, and CT Insider shows Lamont with 48 percent support among registered voters, compared with 34 percent for Fazio. But Fazio is gaining ground, narrowing the gap since August. We looked closer at the latest poll with Sacred Heart University political professor, Dr. Gary Rose.

To read the poll: https://www.ctinsider.com/politics/article/ct-governor-race-lamont-fazio-poll-22427596.php