WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli discussed news of two debates tentatively scheduled between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump (00:20). Hearst Connecticut Media editor and columnist Dan Haar dropped by for his regular update on the biggest stories around Connecticut (13:29)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

We had our monthly check-in with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli gave us some legislative updates impacting businesses and consumers in the state following the 2024 legislative session. He spoke about THC-infused beverages, House Bill 5236 concerning professional licensing, and improvements on the “pharmacy experience.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Kaitlyn Krasselt / CT Department of Consumer Protection

Earlier this month, a super rare geomagnetic storm happened making the Aurora visible even here in Connecticut! David Mestre of Science You May Not Know talked about the May 10th Northern Lights event seen across the northeast. We also compared it to the "Carrington Event" of September 1 to 2, 1859 when the Aurora was so intense that it could be seen as far South as Havana, Cuba.

PHOTO CREDIT: David Mestre

For about a week now, Melissa has been inundated with calls from WICC listeners who live in Success Village. This is a 900+ unit apartment complex with aging boilers impacting heat and hot water. Residents have reported having no hot water for 10 days despite news outlets reporting the problem would be resolved earlier this week. We talked about the problem with Mayor Joe Ganim at length and got an update on the temporary fix and long-term plans to address this.

Photo credit: Mayor’s Office, City of Bridgeport 

Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli talked about a growing debate over the reasons for Caitlin Clark's anticipated influence in the WNBA (00:29). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio stopped by with further commentary on a controversial bill passed as the General Assembly wrapped up this year's session (11:58). We also checked in with State Senate GOP leader Steve Harding of Brookfield regrading a new report on healthcare costs in Connecticut (23:38)

Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect / Kevin Jairaj

Wrong-way crashes, click it or ticket and more motorcycles on our roadways. We talked with Connecticut State Police in studio about driver behavior and statistics for our highway incidents. Sgt. Christine Jeltema and Sgt. Luke Davis stopped in studio to share what they are seeing in recent years and what drivers need to know once they get behind the wheel.

IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we wanted to focus specifically on our kids and grandchildren. What can parents and grandparents do to ensure that our kids and grandkids develop healthy mental health. What are the signs and symptoms that indicate our children are at risk? Counselor, Julius Dudics, weighs in on the conversation and reiterates the importance of “starting with the truth” even with kids.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Wrong-way crashes are becoming more and more of a normality on our state highways. While the Department of Transportation continues to address the problem with updated detection systems on highway exit ramps, is there more we could do right now? We got perspective from Gary MacNamara, who talked about signage along the highway, not just on and off ramps. MacNamara is the Chief/Executive Director of Public Safety & Government Affairs at Sacred Heart University and the former Chief of Police in Fairfield.

IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff

So, you passed the interview, landed the job and are an official member of the team at work. That doesn’t mean your attitude and reputation around the office means nothing. Career strategist, Julie Bauke, shares the fifth and final mistake the average worker makes and helps us become more socially aware at work.

Image Credit: Getty Images

We introduced a new veterinarian to our morning show audience: Dr. Barbara Mangold of Mt. Pleasant Hospital for Animals in Newtown. As we get into the warmer months and summer season, vets get busier with pet inquiries. We talked about noise/fireworks, ticks and fleas, overheating dangers, toxicity outdoors and keeping dogs hydrated.

IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff