WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Only a few weeks into the new school year and health experts are sounding the alarm about sleep deprivation for students. According to the CDC, more than 57% of middle school students, 72% of high school students and 75% of college students are not getting enough sleep nationwide. Wellness coach, Amy Llinas, gave us advice on how to help our kids catch more z’s and the impact of naps during the day.

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President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven counties from the historic August 18th flooding. The approval of the disaster request makes relief funding available to affected individuals to cover temporary housing and home repairs and provide homeowners low interest loans to cover uninsured property losses. We spoke with Oxford First Selectman George Temple about the turnaround help since the deadly flood rocked his town.

To support Oxford flood victims: https://www.oxford-ct.gov/home/bulletins/oxford-flood-victims-fund

Image Credit: Terry Rooney

Have you seen more spotted lantern flies in Connecticut lately? Scientists say, you’re not crazy. Experts at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station have been getting an influx of public sightings of the insects, especially in Milford. Connecticut’s State Entimologist, Victoria Smith, explained why the invasive bug is popping up more than ever.

For more information: https://portal.ct.gov/caes/caps/caps/spotted-lanternfly---slf

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Attorney Barry Knott has been appointed to be the financial receiver for Success Village. A Superior Court judge has granted Knott full and total control of the 924-unit complex housing more than two-thousand people between Bridgeport and Stratford. We got reaction from Bridgeport Chief Administrative Officer, Tom Guadett, who previously said a receivership was the only path forward to help residents out!

IMAGE CREDIT: Eric Urbanowicz

Starting October first, the days of winning goldfish as a carnival prize will be illegal in Connecticut. We spoke with CT Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner, Bryan Cafferelli, about the law and we asked him about the launch of a new DCP newsletter.

To sign up for the monthly DCP Newsletter: https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/newsletters?language=en_US

IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff

Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli started with news that New Britain's popular Republican mayor will not run for another term and perhaps seek the governor's office in 2026 (00:35). CBS News military analyst and retired U.S. Army Colonel Jeff McCausland analyzed the state of the Middle East involving Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah (07:08). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio talked about the possible reintroduction of a proposed ban on gasoline powered vehicles in Connecticut (16:36)

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Comptroller Sean Scanlon shared the findings and recommendations of the audit surrounding of the Social Equity Council.

 For more information: https://osc.ct.gov/articles/comptroller-sean-scanlon-announces-findings-and-recommendations-from-social-equity-council-audit/

IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff

It’s no secret that Connecticut is seeing an alarming rate of fake school threats, most of them posted at the hands of young students. Do they understand the weight of their actions and should parents be held more accountable when these incidents happen? We asked UNH Criminal Justice Professor, Bill Carbone. 

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Host Paul Pacelli jump-started a new week on "Connecticut Today" by pointing out the hypocrisy from some of our elected leaders when it comes to urban gun violence (00:56). University of New Haven criminal justice lecturer and former Supervisory Secret Service Agent Bobby McDonald commented on a new report regarding errors made by the agency connected to the first assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump in July (05:30). CBS News reporter Brad Gibson joined us to explain a new study regarding instances of CTE in football players (14:15). Connecticut State Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto offered his thoughts on the GOP's electoral chances in November (18:03), while Substack.com blogger and CTNewsJunkie columnist Terry Cowgill stopped by for his weekly update (28:49)

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You can now renew your passport online and avoid going in person to do it. To explain the new process as well give general information on it, Melissa welcomed Beth Gussler, the Connecticut Passport Agency’s Adjudication Manager, to the show.

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