WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Actress Christina Applegate says she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Applegate revealed the news on her podcast, more than five years after going public with the diagnosis. She says her debilitating symptoms continue to worsen, and her medical team is now working to find out what’s really causing them. We wanted to understand how this could happen. We spoke with Multiple Sclerosis Specialist, Dr. Mary Bailey, from Hartford HealthCare St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

Image Credit: Reuters

New court documents are shedding more light on the Kimberly Sullivan captivity case in Waterbury. Sullivan is accused of holding her stepson captive for more than 20 years. Now, her defense is seeking access to her daughter’s confidential medical and counseling records, questioning her ability to accurately recall past events. Sullivan has pleaded not guilty. We spoke with our legal expert, Attorney Bill Bloss, who has no connection to the Sullivan, about what this new information could mean for witnesses in the captivity case and more potential charges for Sullivan.

In an update, Trumbull’s Planning and Zoning addressed resident concerns about an AI data center in town. The town has approved a two-year moratorium on new data centers, but it doesn’t cover upgrades to an existing facility planned for AI operations. Residents are demanding stronger protections as town officials weigh the project’s impact. So, what happened at last night’s meeting? We spoke with Richard White, a Trumbull resident and member of the Facebook group, Trumbull AI Data Center Watch, about the concerns surrounding this center.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

Philip Morris International, headquartered in downtown Stamford, employs 500 people and focuses on smoke-free alternatives for adults who smoke. PMI also supports efforts to prevent youth access to tobacco and nicotine. The FDA’s 2025 survey found youth nicotine pouch use remains low, at 1.7 percent. In Connecticut, continued vigilance matters: strict ID checks, responsible retailing, and enforcement are essential to keeping nicotine products out of the hands of anyone under 21. We spoke with Lauren Millar Vlasic, Head of Underage Prevention Engagement & Policy at Philip Morris International U.S.

For more information: https://gppct.org/

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the NFL season after doctors discovered multiple blood clots in his lungs. Hurts is stable and being treated with blood thinners. What can we learn about this diagnosis? How common is this especially for athletes? And are there ways we can lower our risk for pulmonary embolism? We spoke Hartford HealthCare’s Dr. Seth Blattman, Chair of Vascular Surgery at St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

Image Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Connecticut nursing homes are facing increased scrutiny after state officials reported 35 cases of “immediate jeopardy” over the past year. That’s up from 26 the previous year. The findings involve threats to residents’ health and safety, with five of the eight most recent cases involving medication errors. Meanwhile, nursing home occupancy has reached a ten-year high, as the state continues to lose beds and facilities. We talked about the findings with Mag Morelli, President of Leading Age Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Here in Connecticut, we were rocked by the death of Darik Pearson of Darik and the Funbags. He was so young and just died this month after a 6-year battle with prostate cancer. We spoke with Dr. Phil Gilbo of Nuvance Health about why prostate cancer is being detected in more people 45 years old and younger. Meanwhile, another cancer is also impacting more younger men: colon cancer. We spoke with colorectal surgeon, Dr. Marc Casasanta, from Nuvance Health about this too.

From costumes to candy, we want to make sure people have a safe and happy Halloween, especially with it landing on a weekend this year. We got safety tips from Bryan Cafferelli, commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

Before the election, we had one final on-air chat with Senator Ryan Fazio, Republican and Independent candidate for governor in Connecticut. we have reached out to Governor Lamont numerous times ahead of this interview and have not heard back.

Picture Credit: Dee Ortiz

It’s no secret; the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System has been in the spotlight since 2024...and not for good reason. From misspending of the p-card to sexual assault allegations, leadership failures, and quite frankly, ignoring too many red flags, CSCU is constantly being scrutinized with every scandal that pops up. And that’s a shame considering CSCU is Connecticut's largest public higher education system serving over 100,000 students across the state. We had the opportunity to speak with CSCU Interim Chancellor, Natalie Braswell, about the status of CSCU and what’s being done to clean up the mess.

Why is Connecticut so expensive to do business in? A new opinion piece in CT Mirror points to the state’s 169 towns, arguing that fragmented local government and duplicated services drive up costs. The proposal? Share more services, cut waste, and potentially lower property taxes — without eliminating local control. Paul Lavoie wrote that op-ed; he is the University of New Haven’s first vice president of innovation and applied technology – and previously the state of Connecticut’s chief manufacturing officer.

To read Paul’s article: https://ctmirror.org/2026/10/14/the-169-problem-why-connecticut-is-more-expensive-than-it-needs-to-be/

October is SIDS and Safe Sleep Awareness Month. Here in Connecticut, health officials are reminding parents and caregivers that safe sleep practices can help reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. We are chatting with Dr. Kirsten Bechtel, pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Yale.

For more information: https://www.ctoec.org/safe-sleep/ & https://firstcandle.org/

There are new developments in the death of 12-year-old Eve Rogers of Enfield. Connecticut’s medical examiner says the girl died from an overdose involving three drugs, but could not determine whether her death was accidental, intentional, or homicide. Police say the investigation remains ongoing. We are asking our law enforcement expert on the show, Gary MacNamara his take on this latest information and what happens in the investigation now.

Picture Credit: Nicole Perelli

A new AAA survey finds a dangerous gap between what drivers say and what they do when approaching vehicles on the roadside. While more than 90 percent say they slow down or move over, real-world footage shows 36 percent do neither. We spoke with Jillian Young, Director of Public Relations at AAA Northeast.

To read the full AAA survey: https://aaafoundation.org/research/slow-down-move-over-laws-national-survey-of-drivers-knowledge-attitudes-and-behaviors-2025/

Amazon’s plan to deliver packages by drone in Connecticut is facing turbulence. The company’s proposal to launch up to a thousand flights a day from North Haven has sparked concerns over noise, wildlife and safety. Amazon has agreed to pause the plan while officials and residents get a chance to weigh in. The FAA still has to approve the project. But before that happens, Jim Cameron of Talking Transportation had thoughts on this in CT Mirror.

To read Jim’s article: https://ctmirror.org/2026/10/18/the-ups-and-downs-of-amazon-drone-deliveries/

The University of New Haven hockey community is mourning the loss of team captain Ryan O’Shea. The 21-year-old was killed in a wrong-way crash on I-91 in North Haven. We spoke with Trooper Stefanie Gurski with Connecticut State Police about the case and what has generally been done to curb wrong way crashes in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation and local groups like the Easton Democratic Town Committee are reminding residents that political signs are strictly prohibited on state-owned rights-of-way. The reminder comes as pictures of political signs were spotted on an elementary school property in town insulting the Democratic party. The town’s Republican party already condemned it, but does this story lead to a bigger story: have we crossed into a territory where we know no boundaries of political ads inundating our kids? We asked Sacred Heart University political professor, Dr. Gary Rose.

Early voting starts today in Connecticut, giving voters 14 days to cast their ballots ahead of the November 3rd election. But voting rights are also in the spotlight, as the Trump Administration pushes new federal election restrictions. We spoke with State Representative Matt Blumenthal is the House Chair for the Government Administration & Elections Committee.

For more information on CT Elections: https://portal.ct.gov/sots/election-services/voter-information/voter-fact-sheet

Following the most recent deadly school shooting in America, we talked about the response to these types of criminal events. Gary gives perspective on police response to a school after the initial 9-1-1 call. 

A new audit questioned how much Connecticut examines poor driving of state vehicles. We spoke with Len Besthoff, Chief Investigative Reporter at NBC & Telemundo Connecticut, about the findings and what it means for accountability for state workers with taxpayer funded cars.

A new report highlights the ongoing crisis of domestic violence in Connecticut. Nearly one-third of the state’s homicides are tied to domestic violence, while advocates warn funding cuts could threaten critical support services. We connected with Meghan Scanlon, President & CEO of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, about the latest data and how the state is responding to the findings.

For more information: https://www.ctcadv.org/ CTSafeConnect.org; call or text (888) 774-2900

An estimated 3,940 people in Connecticut are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and roughly 420 to 430 lives are lost to the disease annually. What if your mammogram could tell you more about your future breast cancer risk? Everlywell’s Clairity Breast uses FDA-authorized artificial intelligence to analyze your mammogram and estimate your five-year risk. We spoke about this potential breakthrough tool with Dr. Susan Boolbol, System Chief for Breast Surgery and Director of Breast Oncology, Northwell Health Cancer Institute.

Lace up for a cause that honors America’s heroes! The Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk is coming to Bridgeport on Saturday, October 17th. Join the community to remember the sacrifice of 9/11 hero Stephen Siller and support our nation’s fallen and injured first responders, military members, and their families. We spoke with Brian Turco of Port Five to get all the details for the upcoming event. 
For more information: https://www.portfiveusa.com/

Get ready for a night of glitz, glamour, and dancing with a purpose! Join Adam’s House for Dancing with the Stars: First Responder Edition, Friday, October 23rd, at the Fairfield Theatre Company. Watch local heroes take the dance floor to support grieving children and families. Every dollar raised helps keep Adam’s House grief support programs completely free. We spoke with Allison Wysota and Ann O'Leary from Adam's House about the non-profit's work and the upcoming event this month.
For more information: https://adamshousect.org/dancing-with-the-stars/

Stamford-based non-profit, Soundwaters, teaches the science of Long Island Sound to 30,000 students every year through hands-on experiences on the water and on the shoreline. Now, that instruction is expanding beyond the two coastal facilities in Stamford with the R/V Brewer. We spoke with Leigh Shemitz, President of Soundwaters, about the new vessel under construction and set to make its way to more school districts starting in 2027.

For more information: https://soundwaters.org/brewer/

Netflix is cutting roughly one-thousand jobs, about six percent of its global workforce, in its largest round of layoffs since 2022. The cuts will primarily affect product, technology, legal, and human resources teams. The move leads to questions about the broader implications of workforce reductions across the entertainment industry, including similar cuts at Disney and NBCUniversal. We spoke with Julie Buck, assistant professor of film, television and media arts at Quinnipiac University.

A new appointment for an interim position for the city of Bridgeport is raising questions for some council members about hiring procedures. Former City Council President Thomas McCarthy is back as provisional personnel director under Mayor Joe Ganim, a decade after the two clashed over McCarthy’s city employment. After speaking with one of those members, Councilmember Galen Murray, we wanted to hear from the city about this. We spoke with Tom Gaudett, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Bridgeport.

Medicare open enrollment begins today. And later this month, open enrollment begins for Access Health CT. What can we expect from this year’s enrollment period? We spoke with one of our health insurance experts in the state, Alan Sheketoff, of Macman Insurance Associates in Fairfield. Alan is one of the top producers for several insurance carriers; he also specializes in Medicare as well as group markets which include: Medical, Dental, Long and Short Term Disability and Life Insurance.

For more information: https://www.macmaninsurance.com/

Republican Michael Goldstein is making another run for Congress in Connecticut’s 4th District. The Greenwich physician and attorney won the Republican primary and will face Democratic incumbent Jim Himes in November. Goldstein previously challenged Himes in 2024, and now hopes to flip the seat in the November 3rd election.

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

We covered the 21st District Senate seat race; that seat covers Stratford, Seymour, Shelton, and Monroe. We spoke with incumbent Senator Jason Perillo (R) and his challenger, Carolann Reid (D).

For more information on Senator Jason Perillo: https://www.ctsenaterepublicans.com/senators/jason-perillo/
For more information on Carolann Reid: https://www.reidforstatesenate.com/

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

Connecticut’s state college system is promising reforms after an independent report found major failures in handling sexual harassment complaints. In an interview with WFSB, interim Chancellor Natalie Braswell defended the decision to end an investigation into former Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro after her resignation. Investigative reporter with WFSB’s I-Team, Cassidy Williams, conducted that interview and joined us to share more.

To watch Cassidy’s story: https://www.wfsb.com/2026/10/13/i-team-interview-with-cscu-interim-chancellor-natalie-braswell/

For many workers, the ‘Sunday Scaries’ are getting worse. That feeling of anxiety before the workweek begins can make it hard to enjoy the last day of the weekend. Work stress, burnout and the pressure to always be available may be contributing. Experts say setting boundaries and making time to unplug can help ease the dread. We spoke with Psychiatrist Dr. Andre Newfield, with Hartford HealthCare The Shores Mental Health in Westport.

Picture Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

A.A. Milne’s classic stories of Winnie the Pooh officially turns 100 years old today. It was October 14th 1926 that the world learned about a honey-loving bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. Christopher Robin and his stuffed animal pals have resonated with generations, and it continues to be a series that touches the hearts of millions across the globe. We had the opportunity to speak with Gerry Manser, the creator of Pooh Trek Tours in the UK. He takes guests through Ashdown Forest, the place that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood.

For more information: ww...

Quiet quitting is out — and “loud working” is in. As job security concerns grow, more employees are making their accomplishments known to bosses and recruiters, hoping to stand out for promotions or avoid layoffs. The trend also extends to LinkedIn, where workers are building their personal brands to stay visible in an increasingly uncertain job market. We spoke with our career strategist, Julie Bauke, about this. 

Sixty-year-old Elvin Hernandez, a longtime state Department of Transportation employee, was killed September 25th while working along Interstate 95 in Fairfield. And the danger extends beyond DOT crews. Since 2020, seven roadside workers and responders in Connecticut — including two DOT employees, a state trooper, a construction worker and three tow truck operators — have died in roadside crashes, according to the nonprofit Flagman Incorporated. For the latest on road safety efforts, we checked in with Josh Morgan from the DOT. 

For more information on the mobility study meetings: https://portal.ct.gov/dot/ctdot-press-releases/2026/public-invited-to-i-95-fairfield-bridgeport-mobility-study-open-houses?language=en_US

A familiar face is returning to Bridgeport City Hall — and the appointment is raising questions. Former City Council President Thomas McCarthy is back as provisional personnel director under Mayor Joe Ganim, a decade after the two clashed over McCarthy’s city employment. Now, some council members are questioning whether proper hiring procedures were followed. One of those members is Councilmember Galen Murray for the 130th district in Bridgeport.

Have you ever heard of the Cleary Act? It's required for every college and university across the country. Gary breaks down the purpose of the report and how it could be beneficial for families sending their kids off to college. 

Milford police are investigating a disturbing series of attacks targeting people living in a homeless encampment near Lowe’s. We spoke with Milford Mayor Rich Smith about the investigation and his push to bring accountability to the individuals involved in the case.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

Four years ago today, one of the most tragic line of duty deaths happened right here in our state. Two Bristol police officers were shot and killed in an ambush attack after responding to a fake 911 domestic disturbance call. We spoke with former Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould to reflect on the anniversary and discuss officer wellness since the incident happened.

For more information on the ‘Serve well, Be well’ program: https://www.cpcanet.org/

Today is Columbus Day and we wanted to get a check on the latest with the Columbus statue in Bridgeport. Will it be making a public return? We spoke with Chris Caruso, president of the Council of Italian American Societies of Greater Bridgeport.