WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Twenty-five years later, September 11th still lives in American history—and in our hearts.
On that morning, the PATH 745 train car pulled into the World Trade Center just before the attacks happened. As commuters got out, operators moved the train to the lowest level.

Buried beneath the rubble for months, it now has a new home: Connecticut’s Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven. We spoke with Wayne Sandford, general manager of The Shore Line Trolley Museum, who also was the East Haven fire chief during 9/11, with direct ties to the PATH 745 car.

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Where were you when the world stopped turning on September 11th, 2001? Anyone who was old enough on that day remembers it like it was yesterday. But many of us eventually moved on with our lives without 9/11 staying top of mind. Airline workers are not some of those people. We spoke with retired commercial airline pilot, Paul Zielinski, about what changed for the airline industry after 9/11.

Image Credit: Reuters 

Twenty-five years ago, Americans began an ordinary day on September 11, 2001, until the terrorist attacks happened. That morning, the news cycle was put to the test: what is true and what is false; how do you vet the developing news; how do you effectively get that information out to the public? We spoke to Ben Bogardus, Chair of the Department of Journalism at Quinnipiac University about news gathering and delivering then and now.

Image Credit: Reuters

We spoke with Ken Feinberg, one of the nation’s foremost experts on compensation and conflict resolution. Following the attacks of September 11th, Ken Feinberg was appointed Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund -- tasked with the extraordinary responsibility of determining how to compensate families who had suffered unimaginable loss. He chronicled that experience in his book, What Is Life Worth? 

Image Credit: Reuters

2026 marks 25 years since the September 11th, 2001 terror attacks. To commemorate this tragedy, Chris Williams talks with Joe McHugh, FDNY Battalion Chief (Ret.), who served with Ladder 25 on that day and responded to the World Trade Center. Joe shares his recollections of that tragic day 25 years ago

Image courtesy of Joe McHugh

Following the latest ALICE Report, we spoke with Renee Dobos of Connecticut Housing Partners. What can we do to create affordable housing? Who in our state needs this type of housing? We reintroduced the work of the 35-year-old non-profit, CHP, and why they are part of the solution to our housing crisis.

To learn more about CHP: https://cthousingpartners.org/
To buy tickets to the CHP Sept. 29th event: https://e.givesmart.com/events/NJe/

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

The ALICE Report reflects the number of individuals and families that are struggling to make ends meet since the cost of living has outpaced their income. Today, the United Way of Connecticut will host a formal launch event at the State Capitol for the latest ALICE report. We got a sneak peek of the data from Daniel Fitzmaurice, Director of Advocacy for United Way of Connecticut.

To access the ALICE report and more information: https://unitedwayinc.org/our-work/wages/alice/

Drivers could soon be guaranteed access to AM radio in new vehicles. The House is set to vote on the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would require automakers to keep free, over-the-air AM radio in new cars. Supporters say AM remains critical for emergency alerts and local news, especially during severe weather and disasters. We spoke with Senator Richard Blumenthal about the legislation, its purpose and predictions if it will pass this year.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

GLP-1 drugs are changing the way employers approach health coverage—but rising costs are forcing some to rethink those benefits. More companies are tightening eligibility or dropping coverage for weight-loss medications, as demand continues to grow. Is a big problem with GLP-1 coverage the fact that on the surface, many believe it’s just a drug to get skinny? We asked Dr. Fred Browne of Griffin Health for more.

Image Credit: Griffin Health System

As a society, we focus a lot on sports teams. What sport will my kid play? Sometimes, we focus on the arts – will my kid play an instrument or act in a play? But what about academic teams…Numerous studies across the country highlight the value of academic teams for a child’s development. Right now, Trumbull is selling fig trees to raise funds for the ACE Foundation, a group that supports academic teams in the Trumbull School System. Ken and Linda Halaby join us now to explain more.

To buy your fig tree, email: kenhalabysr@gmail.com

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month — a time to shine a light on the children and families facing cancer. Each year, thousands of children are diagnosed across the country. Here at home, we have some amazing non-profits focused on raising awareness, supporting families, and funding research to improve treatments and give young patients a better chance at beating cancer. Capalbo Strong is one of those movements – created in honor of Charlie Capalbo. His father, Anthony Capalbo, joined us in studio to talk more about the non-profit and an upcoming 24K fundraiser.

To register for the 24K in Fair...

While we are no longer facing a national blood crisis, the blood supply remains extremely vulnerable — especially as we approach new seasonal challenges, such as end-of-summer travel and back-to-school activities which can disrupt a donor’s availability to give. Richard Branigan, CEO of the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region joined us back on the show for more.

To download the Red Cross Emergency app: redcross.org/apps

The state is fighting the release of a DCF report into how the agency handled the alleged Waterbury captivity case. The man at the center of the case, known as “S,” says he was held captive by his stepmother for more than two decades. His attorneys say the report could help prove the state failed to protect him. However, the state argues the records should remain confidential. We talked to State Senator Jason Perillo, the ranking senator for the Committee on Children and has been critical of DCF, the agency, not the workers, especially in cases like this one in Wate...

One week ago, Point Stratford Renewal hosted its second townwide community meeting regarding the former army engine plant in Stratford. Point Stratford Renewal is the development team leading the redevelopment effort for the massive waterfront property. We spoke with Peter Cabrera, a principal and Executive Vice President of Point Stratford Renewal.

For more information: www.pointstratford.com

Investigators have recovered the flight recorders from the Amazon cargo plane that crashed at Miami International Airport. Five people were killed and five others seriously injured when the Boeing 767 overshot the runway Sunday, hitting two vehicles on the ground. The NTSB says it’s still too early to determine what caused the crash. To get perspective on this case, we spoke with retired commercial airline pilot, Paul Zielinski.

There is more debate surrounding speed cameras. Does speeding actually lead to collisions? Do speed cameras solve the problems over other solutions like speed humps? We heard your questions and did a deeper dive into this heated discussion happening throughout Connecticut. 

Today is 9-8-8 day and our United Way wants to raise awareness about the life saving hotline. Today, officials want to focus on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline as a major resource available to help youth (and their parents) when they are experiencing a mental health crisis, with a special focus on student athletes. We spoke with Lisa Tepper Bates, President and CEO, United Way of Connecticut.

For more information: https://www.preventsuicidect.org/get-help/ct-988/

Connecticut’s largest business organization released its annual legislative scorecard, tracking lawmakers’ votes on key bills from this year’s session. CBIA says the measures focused on affordability, healthcare, energy, workforce development and transportation. Lawmakers with records of 85 percent or higher were recognized as “affordability champions.” But were they really? To break down the latest report, we spoke with Chris Davis, vice president of public policy at CBIA.

To read how your lawmakers voted and the impact on state affordability:
2026 State Senate Voting Records » CBIA
2026 State House Voting Records » CBIA

A 71-year-old Florida woman has died after police say she opened fire inside the Port Orange Police Department. Police say she ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon before officers opened fire. We wanted to get perspective on cases like this: if someone walks into the territory of a cop, what’s happening and how do officers respond? We spoke with our law enforcement expert, retired police chief Gary MacNamara.

Image Credit: Nicole Perelli

The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Clancy is accused of killing her three young children in 2023. Her defense argued she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and was not criminally responsible. Prosecutors say the killings were planned. The case could now be retried. To get legal perspective on what happens next, we spoke with Attorney Bill Bloss. *Bloss has no ties to the Clancey case*

Image Credit: Reuters

Norwalk Public Schools is getting a 23-thousand-dollar grant to help put artificial intelligence policies into practice. The funding will support teacher training, parent education and efforts to protect student data privacy. Norwalk is one of just ten school systems nationwide selected for the program, which also addresses AI literacy and academic integrity. We spoke with Ralph Valenzisi, the Assistant Superintendent of Digital Learning and Innovation for Norwalk Public Schools, about AI emergence for the district. 

Wilton is considering hiring an outside firm to help oversee major town and school construction projects. Officials say the town faces roughly 130-million dollars in building needs, and an owner’s agent could help manage projects and maximize state reimbursements. We learned more from First Selectman of Wilton, Toni Boucher.

Dr. Joanne Passalaqua from Hartford Healthcare spoke with Jon about the reality of Measles in CT, after the State see's it's third diagnosis this year.

We continued our back to school series focusing on other emergencies and unexpected events that could happen during the school day. We talked about swatting incidents, medical emergencies, evacuations and reunification so families feel more "in the know" while their kids are at school.

We met the 2027 Barnum Festival Ringmaster: Nick D'Addario. Find out about the Easton Selectman and local business leader's deep connections to the festival and P.T. Barnum. 

To keep tabs on the Barnum Festival: https://www.barnumfestival.org/

Image Credit: Elaine K. Ficarra

Florida’s privately run Brightline railroad was supposed to prove passenger rail could turn a profit. Instead, in 2025, it carried less than half its projected ridership and lost $127 million — plus another $114 million in interest. Now, with billions in debt and possible bankruptcy ahead, Connecticut’s rail advocates are asking: is privatization really the answer? That’s what Jim Cameron discussed in his latest article of Talking Transportation in CT Mirror.

To read his article: https://ctmirror.org/2026/08/30/floridas-failing-for-profit-railroad/

Swatting incidents are becoming more common during the school year. We spoke with Special Agent In-Charge, PJ O’Brien, and Public Affairs Specialist, Christine Jeltema, both from the FBI New Haven office, about the source of swatting calls and how to best combat them.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. The state is reaffirming its commitment to combating the overdose crisis and bringing attention to addiction, recovery, and overdose prevention resources. We spoke with Luiza Barnat and Christopher McClure from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to talk more about overdose statistics in the state and resources to better support addicts.

For more information:
https://ctaddictionservices.com/
https://liveloud.org/

Connecticut is getting ten million dollars in federal funding to help young students improve their reading. The money will expand small-group instruction, train teachers, and provide new literacy materials and assessments. The program will focus on students in kindergarten through third grade, with a pilot launching in select schools. We spoke with Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, about improving reading rates in our state.

Ryan Piper with an 18.49lb bluefish is the unofficial winner of The Surfside Hotel Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth. He weighed in at Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle in Northport, NY. 

Lanternflies have been a scourge of CT and much of the Northeast for the past few years, and experts advise you to kill them on sight! One man, Steve Dailey from Woodbridge, has created a website with his son that helps you track your kills and even compete against other users! Link below if you want to play!

https://lanternflygame.com/

Immigration attorney Dana Bucin returns to speak about the work she is doing with some of the people who were detained by ICE this week in Danbury.

A federal judge is weighing whether Yale New Haven Hospital’s cognitive testing policy for doctors over 70 violates age and disability discrimination laws. The EEOC argues there’s no evidence the testing improves patient safety. Yale says the test helps identify potential cognitive decline and protect patients. No ruling was issued Thursday. Attorney Gary Phelan is here with Hurwitz Sagarin & Slossberg in Milford and is also a law professor at Quinnipiac University.

Meta has agreed to pay up to 18 billion dollars to settle a landmark case over teen social media addiction. The deal with 48 states, including Connecticut, includes new protections for kids on Instagram and Facebook, including two-hour daily limits, stronger age checks and overnight restrictions. We spoke with John Powers, assistant professor and director of the graduate digital content create and strategy program at Quinnipiac University, following the news.

Was social distancing necessary? Are the masks even effective? Did we take the right actions with lockdowns during the pandemic or were we too delayed in responding appropriately? We continued the conversation dissecting the concerns drawn from Anthony Fauci's journal and getting medical facts now from our infectious disease expert, Dr. Fred Browne. 

Image Credit: Griffin Health

It is National Water Quality Month, and we got to speak with Emily Bulmer, Environmental Analyst at Save the Sound about the significance of this and learn more about bacteria monitoring programs in the Sound.

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

The mayor of Milford is proposing a pause in the city’s speed and red-light cameras and limiting the use of Flock cameras. We asked Milford Police Chief Keith Mello his thoughts on the cameras and how it impacts local law enforcement.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

What kinds of conversations or questions should parents have with their kids' schools before junior starts class? We started our back to school series with the prep for the new school year. 

The legendary Dolly Parton has passed away at 80 years old. Besides being arguably one of the greatest country singers of all time, she also did a lot to give back to her community and the US. One thing in particular was closing the gap for literacy rates in America. She created Imagination Library aimed at giving children five and under free books. Stratford is one of only a handful of municipalities involved in the program. We spoke with Janet Lengel who brought the program to Stratford in 2019. 

Two Bridgeport Democrats accused of absentee ballot fraud rejected plea deals and are heading for trial. City Councilman Alfredo Castillo and former Democratic Party vice chair Wanda Geter-Pataky face dozens of charges tied to the city’s 2019 and 2023 mayoral primaries. Both could face years in prison if convicted. We got reaction from John Gomes who ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Joe Ganim in 2023 and released the video of alleged absentee ballot stuffing.