WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Senator Jeff Gordon introduced a bill now signed into law that will mean a suspended license for repeat offenders passing school buses illegally. We spoke with Sen. Gordon about the legislation.

Documents indicate former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart used taxpayer money to fund her master's degree.  An independent investigation launched by current Mayor Bobby Sanchez shows a 2021 memorandum of agreement was signed that allowed Stewart to be reimbursed 32-thousand dollars for graduate school tuition. Attorney Bill Bloss is our legal expert on the show, we asked him about the latest in the ongoing spending scandal for Stewart and what it implies for her.

There’s a new law in Connecticut to better protect youth from online dangers and create more regulations for artificial intelligence. The legislation includes the requirement for social media companies to take several actions protecting anyone under 18 from social media addiction and other harms. We spoke with Milford Senator James Maroney, who led the effort to pass legislation regarding online protections.

According to a new survey conducted by the American Red Cross, 8 out of 10 people believe it’s very important to know CPR and how to use an AED, yet only a quarter of Americans feel confident performing CPR or using an AED. We spoke to Richard Branigan, CEO of the American Red Cross Connecticut & Rhode Island Region, about the importance of CPR and AED Awareness Week. We also talked about prepping for hurricane season.

To get CPR & AED Training: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class

We connected again with Stamford local, Mike Squires. You know him as "The Macy's Guy" for his work cleaning the outside of the store last year. Now, he has a new partnership opportunity to help people needing clean laundry!

Host Paul Pacelli used Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" to look at an upcoming Democratic gubernatorial primary later on this year and whether or not we could see a major upset (00:32). Former GOP state legislator Joe Markley also offered his thoughts on that race (15:03), and we wrapped up the show with Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio's report on Connecticut's teachers' unions (25:35)

Governor Ned Lamont has announced an additional $320 million investment in Connecticut’s Early Childhood Education Endowment! Jon covered the press conference yesterday, and you can find out more about how to qualify at http://www.ctoec.org/early-childhood-education-endowment

We checked in with receiver, Attorney Barry Knott, about the latest financial news surrounding Success Village in Bridgeport and Stratford. 

Tomorrow starts the annual Torch Run. Hundreds of law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes will carry the Flame of Hope across the state to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics programs. We spoke with Mike Mason, President and CEO of Special Olympics Connecticut for more details.
For Torch Run details: https://www.soct.org/event-calendar/law-enforcement-torch-run

In May 2026, Save the Sound released its latest Long Island Sound Beach Report, which grades beaches based on water quality data. We spoke with Bill Lucey, the Long Island Soundkeeper for Save the Sound.

For more information: https://www.savethesound.org/
For the full beach report: https://www.savethesound.org/beach-report

A new Wall Street Journal article highlights more and more dads swapping out work hours to be with their kids and do housework. We spoke with career strategist, Julie Bauke, about the trends and got advice for dads wanting more at home time than office hours.

Host Paul Pacelli kicked off a new week and month on "Connecticut Today" commenting on a Hearst Connecticut Media report that about 40-percent of all state House and state Senate races are likely to be uncontested in November. Is that bad for local democracy or just the "will of the people?" (00:40). We welcomed CT NewsJunkie columnist and Substack.com blogger Terry Cowgill to chat about multiple state and national topics (06:57), while we also replayed segments of CT U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy's appearance Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" (15:42)

It’s no secret; people in Fairfield are livid over the speed cameras. Tickets are now in effect after the cameras rolled out last month. Residents feel like the change came out of nowhere and that the speed limits are a bit dated. We spoke with Josh Morgan from the Department of Transportation about what parts of the speed camera enforcement fall under DOT and what falls under the municipality.

There is a CEA Job Fair this weekend that will tackle Connecticut’s ongoing teacher shortage. We spoke with CEA President, Kate Dias, about the event and how to attract people to the challenging job of teaching in Connecticut.

To register for the event: cea.org/event/jobfair/

After nine years as commissioner of the state Department of Developmental Services, Jordan Scheff is resigning this month for a new job. It’s a tale as old as time it seems in Connecticut and puts Governor Lamont in the hot seat about leadership in major state departments. We spoke with Senator Jason Perillo about the news; he is the Ranking Member on the Human Services and Children’s Committees.

Image Credit: Dee Ortiz

Last month, PURA tentatively settled a lawsuit by the state’s electric utilities. The suit acknowledges that former chair Marissa Gillett reportedly ignored the law by freezing fellow commissioners out of the regulatory process while in office and concealing her role as sole decision maker in hundreds of decisions. We spoke to Bryson Hull about this news; he is the Deputy Northeast Director for the Consumer Energy Alliance.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

Probation...therapy...restraining orders...the sex offender list. 
These are just some of the examples of what we call "weightless consequences" for convicted criminals in horrible cases. We spoke about the importance of understanding plea deals and sentences and whether justice is really served. 

We looked at some national stories where youth crime cases landed mom and dad in the hot seat as well. We had the uncomfortable conversation about a lack of parenting impacting youth crime today. 

Host Paul Pacelli wrapped up another busy week on "Connecticut Today" wondering what Connecticut will look like in the coming years after a likely shift in both major political parties (00:29). Southington GOP State Sen. Rob Sampson joined us to chat about being "honored" as the most vocal member of his chamber during the past legislative session (14:04)

Andrew Rice, candidate for CT's third Congressional district, returns after a hearing last night regarding his complaint against Democratic State Central

There’s a push to pause the speed camera program in Fairfield after police reported mire than 100,000 warnings have already been sent to drivers in the first couple of weeks that the cameras have been live. We asked Senator Tony Hwang why he is calling for a pause, especially since he is a huge supporter of Vision Zero and the use of speed cameras in town.

Ansonia’s Board of Aldermen wants to at the possibility of misuse of public funds. The board voted Wednesday night to hire an outside law firm to investigate the allegations against former city officials. We spoke with Ansonia Mayor Frank Tyszka for the latest.

Earlier this week, there was an FBI raid at Success Village. Two units at the 900+ unit complex between Bridgeport and Stratford was raided and we were told the units are tied to the ex-president of the co-op board handling finances for the complex. We spoke with Attorney Darnell Crosland who represents Ty Bird, the man in question following the FBI activity this week.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

According to the Milford United Way, 3 out of 10 households in the city are struggling to make ends meet. The Milford United Way provides resources and financial support to families in need. We spoke to Kathy Bonetti, Director of Milford United Way to learn more and highlight their biggest fundraiser of the year: the duck race.

INFO: Milford United Way office at (203) 874-6791
Duck Race INFO: United Way Of Milford Inc

The New York Times recently reported on research that shows the rate of suicide among young people across the United States dropped significantly since the rollout of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in 2022. States with the highest uptake of 988 service – including Connecticut – experienced an 18.2 percent reduction in observed versus expected suicides in this population. We spoke about these findings with Tanya Barrett, Senior Vice President of 211 Health and Human Services.

For more information: ctunitedway.org

Host Paul Pacelli opened Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with word that state officials have announced five construction zones will see work zone speed enforcement in the coming days (00:27). Landmark Legal Foundation V.P. and Legal Analyst Mike O'Neill joined us to break down today's big news from the U.S. Supreme Court (14:53)

Mike Squires is a music producer in Stamford, however one fateful day, he became a local hero when he started cleaning the front of the Macy's Building in Stamford. On the anniversary of this act, he joined Melissa at the Elm Street Diner as part of the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

Founded in 1993, the 100 Black Men Of Stamford joined Melissa on the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour, to talk about how they're nurturing young people is the best way to ensure the success of our collective future.

What's in the works for Stamford? Matt Quinones, the Director of Operations for Stamford joined Melissa to talk about some of the things currently in the works for Stamford during the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour.

Dr. Richard Morel from Stamford Health took part in the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour stop at the Elm Street Diner to talk to Melissa about internal medicine.

With summer just on the horizon, Michael Moore, the President of Stamford Downtown joined Melissa on the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour to talk about the what to expect this summer in Downtown Stamford.

Alice Knapp, the CEO of the Ferguson Library joined Melissa at the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour stop in Stamford to talk about all the happenings at the library.

Melissa welcomed friend of the program, PJ from Hey Stamford! to the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour to talk about what's going on in Stamford and some of the fun things surrounding the city!

Bill Brucker, the Executive Director of the Stamford Museum and Nature Center joined Melissa in the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

Following Police Chief Michael Paris's post regarding numerous complaints about Fairfield's recently installed speed cameras, Senator Hwang spoke with Jon about the true depth of the problem. 

He's officially the Republican Candidate for the Gubernatorial Election later this year, but today, State Senator Ryan Fazio joined Melissa at the Elm Street Diner to talk about how we got here, all part of the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!

Soundwaters is working towards helping the preserve Long Island Sound! To talk about their work, Bob Mazzone joined Melissa to talk about it as part of the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour.

For almost 40 years, Pacific House has been responding to the needs of men and young adults who struggle with homelessness in Fairfield County. CEO and President of the organization, Carmen Colon, sat down at the Elm Street Diner with Melissa as part of the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour.

Kids Helping Kids is a Stamford, CT-based non-profit that empowers youth to turn passion into action by designing and implementing service projects that benefit other children in the community. To talk about this, Melissa welcomed Edith Targonski to the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour!