WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Mixbook, a #1 rated photo book company, polled 3,000 respondents to uncover the most coveted Labor Day celebrations. In the top 100 events listed, Newtown’s Labor Day Parade was one of only two Connecticut mentions. Turns out, Newtown’s Labor Day Parade is the largest parade Labor Day weekend in the state as well as the northeast. We spoke with the President and Vice President of the parade committee, Nick and Melissa Kopcik, as well as First Selectman Jeff Capeci about the history and legacy of this parade and what to expect in the 62nd year this weekend.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Kids are just getting back to the classroom for the 2024-25 year but already we have a new report card! Earlier this week, the CT Department of Education shared a new report showing a second year of improved attendance for districts across the state. We did a deeper dive into the data and the impact of the LEAP program with state officials. John Frassinelli, Division Director of School Health, Child Nutrition and Social Services and Kari Sullivan, Education Consultant on Attendance joined the show.

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The state will be spraying to kill mosquitoes in the Pachaug State Forest to slow the spread of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). It comes after a 41-year-old in New Hampshire died this month after developed Triple E, the first EEE death in the US this year. Dr. Browne with Griffin Hospital gave us more insight about the likelihood of infection in humans here in Connecticut.

IMAGE CREDIT: Dr. Fred Browne / Griffin Health

There’s a new face calling the Beardsley Zoo home. Gregg Dancho broke the news first on WICC about a new baby anteater and why the birth is so crucial for a vulnerable population of anteaters.

IMAGE CREDIT: Ashley Volkens / Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Wednesday's midweek "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli featured Connecticut Inside Investigator reporter Marc Fitch's analysis of a proposal from state lawmakers to classify certain types substance abuse as an occupational disease, for workers compensation benefits and other legal protections (00:32). Hearst Connecticut Media senior editor and columnist Dan Haar talked about the hot topics around the state, including the ongoing controversy about Connecticut's electric rates and unrest in Stamford (11:27)

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A new study finds that as much as two-thirds of infant and toddler food sold in U.S. supermarkets is unhealthy.  The George Institute for Global Health looked at 651 food products sold in ten different grocery chains and found all of them made prohibited claims on the packaging.  Some 70 percent didn't meet nutritional requirements, and more than 40 percent had more sugar than recommended.  Some didn't have enough calories and others had too much sodium. What are the red flags families should know before shopping? We asked Dr. Chelsea Lepus from Yale School of Medicine.

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Two youth football players died this week in the US, including a middle school student. While both cases were not here in Connecticut, local families want to know that we are doing our best to protect kids and follow top notch health protocols for contact sports. We got perspective from Glenn Lungarini, Executive Director of the CIAC (Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.)

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Ahead of the new school year, we got a check-in with Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director of CT Association of Public School Superintendents. We got the latest on teacher shortages, filling paraeducator positions, the transition of the kindergarten age cutoff law and controversy around Chromebooks.

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“One year down, nine to go.”

Dr. Carmela Levy-David is entering her second year as Superintendent of Schools in Bridgeport. We asked about the goals for the upcoming year, including a refresher on plans for school buildings and expanding student program opportunities for sports and the arts.

Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz

UConn has reportedly been in talks for a possible shift from the Big East to the Big 12. What’s the BIG deal with shifting conferences? And how much does Dan Hurley and the basketball program play a role in this decision? We got insight from our local sports expert, Rob Adams.

Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect