WICC The Voice of Connecticut

On this week’s show, Mike Cerulli chats about early voting with Connecticut State Rep Matt Blumenthal (0:00), and is joined by News 8’s Eva Zymaris, (41:46), and State Rep Chris Rosario (1:23:14).

Friday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli spotlighted one Connecticut city's decision mandating that cell phones be stored in pouches during K-through-thru-8 school hours (00:40). CBS News correspondent Taurean Small discussed his coverage GOP Vice-Presidential candidate J.D. Vance on the campaign trail (06:40). We welcomed Kirk Carapezza, co-host of the "College Uncovered" podcast, to chat about what's really going on at U.S. college campuses (10:49). Finally, "Only In Bridgeport" blogger Lennie Grimaldi stopped by for his weekly check-in (23:52)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

To wrap up a Friday installment of "Newsline," Brigitte first welcomed to the program Dr. Hilary Blumberg, a Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, to talk about the Walk at Sherwood tomorrow to promote suicide and mental health awareness (00:00). Jack Rowles, performer, producer, and director of "The Capitol Fools," dropped by to talk about their upcoming political satire and comedy performance tomorrow at UConn's Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts (16:01). Finally, theater and movie reviewer Ed Katz dropped in to offer thoughts and analysis on a new SNL movie, a new Netflix series, a recent opera performance, and the classic "Rocky Horror Picture Show" (25:30)

Representative Jason Perillo represents the 113th Assembly District which covers Shelton. Perillo is up for reelection in November. We asked him about the work he has done since first elected to office in 2007 and his latest work for the state, including restoring voter confidence in local elections.

Image Credit: Getty Images 

A landmark national clinical trial is underway in Bridgeport for patients with high resting heart rate. St. Vincent’s Medical Center is the first institution in New England to do this procedure. We spoke with Dr. Joseph Tiano, a member of the team performing the procedure, about the heart health breakthrough and who would qualify to participate in the clinical trial.

Image Credit: Getty Images

It’s the first time Connecticut is offering early voting for a general election. Monday, October 21st marks the start of early voting. We got all the details about what to expect from Secretary of the State, Stephanie Thomas. A list of each town’s designated early voting polling location can be found online at myvote.ct.gov.

Picture Courtesy of Stephanie Thomas

It’s being called ‘an island for all.’ What will Manresa Island in Norwalk become now that major investments are going into restoration and transformation of the 125-acre property? We spoke with Jessica Vonashek, the Executive Director of the Manresa Island Corporation.

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

IMAGE CREDIT: Eve Jalinoos / Manresa Island Corporation

Host Paul Pacelli opened Thursday's "Connecticut Today" wondering if Connecticut should follow Massachusetts' lead in a controversial anti-poverty program (00:32). East Lyme GOP State Rep. Holly Cheeseman discussed her opposition to loosening Connecticut's current retail marijuana advertising laws (07:42). University of New Haven Practitioner in Residence in Public Administration and Political Science Dr. Patricia Crouse offered her thoughts on the current White House race and polling data (15:19)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

It was a feel-good Thursday show on Newsline, as Brigitte first spoke to Bruce Cameron, author “My Three Dogs,” a book telling the story of three dogs separated from their human after an accident and their determination to find their way back home (00:00). Also joining Brigitte was author and Westport native Tim Manners to discuss Waite “Schoolboy” Hoyt, the subject of his new book “Schoolboy: The Untold Journey of a Yankees Hero” (15:30), especially with the Yankees in the post-season and potentially heading to the World Series!

Over the Columbus Day weekend, we saw a record number of road fatalities and unfortunately, a handful of incidents involved impaired drivers. We spoke with Josh Morgan from the Department of Transportation about the increase in impaired driver habits and how the state is tackling the problem.

Image Credit: Getty Images