WICC The Voice of Connecticut

The 2024 legislative session may be over, but the aftermath continues this morning. Even though the clock struck 12 and a bill around a slush fund helping striking workers passed, the Governor plans to veto it. We spoke with Senate Minority Leader, Senator Steve Harding, about the major takeaways from this session, including handling absentee ballots, expanding paid sick leave and blocking “The Green Monster.”

IMAGE CREDIT: Adam Liegeot / CT Senate Republicans

The Connecticut legislature has ended its 2024 regular session.  The gavel fell at midnight to end a short session of the legislature where no budget adjustments were passed. There were some small bills that had big impact on Connecticut residents, that got approval that we wanted to highlight. But there were also some big misses, despite bipartisan interest and support on certain proposals. Senator Tony Hwang breaks it down for us. 

IMAGE CREDIT: Adam Liegeot / CT Senate Republicans

Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli featured Governor Ned Lamont's remarks on a controversial bill that would set aside state assistance for striking private sector workers (00:29). We welcomed back Southern Connecticut State University Professor of Biology Dr. Sarah Crawford with the latest news on a possible Bird Flu pandemic (12:39). "Only In Bridgeport" blogger Lennie Grimaldi checked in with his weekly update with all things Bridgeport (21:26)

Image Credit: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

A lot of mothers want to dedicate their time to raising kids. But they also miss their identities in the workforce. FoundHer is a recruiting focuses on connecting today's generation of moms to job opportunities balancing both goals of being with their kids while remaining passionate about a workplace culture. We spoke with the co-founder of FoundHer, Runa Knapp, about their “recruiting with purpose” outlook ahead of Mother’s Day weekend.

Image Credit: Getty Images

It seemed like an easy way to make some extra cash, but a Connecticut woman discovered an ad posted on Instagram to rate clothing from major brands online was not only a waste of time but money. Our latest scam alert from the BBB focuses on this "too good to be true" scam and ways to avoid becoming the next victim of this.

For more information: https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26976-bbb-tip-watch-out-for-side-hustle-scams

IMAGE CREDIT: Kristen Johnson / Better Business Bureau (CT)

We had a couple major health news stories this week all surrounding smells.

New research shows the smell of food cooking is a sign of air pollution.  A new study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration measured what they called "underappreciated sources" of urban air pollution.  Researchers found that cooking accounts for a nearly a quarter of volatile organic compounds in the air. And as it gets warmer outside, health experts want you to ventilate your car to avoid toxic scents. A study out of Duke University and the Green Science Policy Institute found that the air inside some vehicles made since 2015 is polluted with flame retardants, some potentially neurotoxic or carcinogenic. We asked Dr. Fred Browne of Griffin Health about these two studies and what it means for the human body sniffing in these common scents.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Eversource announced a cut of 500-million-dollars in spending in Connecticut over the next five years. The company says it will no longer be investing 100-million-dollars in each of the next five years on infrastructure and other projects in Connecticut.  The cuts will only involve capital projects, not day to day operations. We wanted to get a better understanding about what led to the decision for a major investment shakeup. We spoke with Doug Horton, Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Requirements at Eversource.

Image Credit: Getty Images

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we want to talk about the teacher shortage we are still dealing with in Connecticut. And now with the 2024 legislative session behind us, what’s the latest on recruiting and retaining educators in Connecticut? We did a deep dive with Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. We also got Fran’s take on the state’s decision to drain all $360-million dollars in covid relief funds for education in the next year. What happens after the money runs out?

Image Credit: Getty Images

Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli featured a live update from the Capitol on the final day of the legislative session with Hearst Connecticut Media editor and columnist Dan Haar (00:29). Quinnipiac University Graduate Interactive Media and Communications Program Director Prof. John Powers joined us to talk about TikTok's legal response to a possible ban in the U.S. (08:37)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

Do you remember going to prom? It’s like a right of passage. It’s a milestone moment for highschoolers but a lot of students can’t go because it’s too expensive to buy that special gown or pay for a ticket to attend. That’s why Norwalk Public Schools Family Center is hosting its first “Say Yes to a Prom Dress” event for Norwalk Public Schools’ high school seniors. Students will be able to find a FREE gorgeous gown as well as a FREE ticket to the prom. We spoke with Frances Saez from NPS Family Center and Norwalk Superintendent Dr. Estrella about the importance of this event happening May 9-11.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: Say Yes to a Prom Dress

Who: Norwalk Public Schools Family Center; NPS high school seniors

When: Thursday, May 9 from 3 to 6 p.m.; Friday, May 10 from 3 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: NPS Family Center, 1 Park St. in Norwalk, CT

Image Credit: Getty Images