WICC The Voice of Connecticut

With the news of a new strain of Covid-19 starting to become more prevelent, Dr. Browne joined Melissa to talk about what to know and how to prepare for it.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Wednesday's midweek edition of "Connecticut Today" with host 

Paul Pacelli opened with Paul's thoughts on a move to keep former President Donald Trump off of Colorado's 2024 GOP primary ballot (00:25) Landmark Legal Foundation attorney and analyst Mike O'Neill also shared his thoughts on the Colorado situation (14:18). We also got our weekly update from Hearst Connecticut Media columnist and editor Dan Haar (24:24)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

Cannabis retailer, Budr, is looking to open a new location at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport. Good idea or bad for surrounding businesses? We got perspective from Bridgeport Regional Business Council President, Dan Onofrio. (0:00)

Officials say a new COVID-19 variant is on the rise this holiday season. The CDC says cases of the new variant, been dubbed JN.1, now account for one in five new infections. We heard from Dr. Hussain about hospitalizations in Connecticut and what doctors are seeing. (13:44)

It’s the darkest time of the year, but it doesn’t have to be so depressing! Tom Andersen with Connecticut Audubon Society shares how birds and nature can turn your frown upside down this winter. (23:23)

It’s one of the most common, unenjoyable parts of pregnancy: morning sickness! Researchers have discovered what’s to blame for it. OB/GYN Dr. Daniel Gottschall explains the GDF15 hormone and why it’s creating such havoc in women at the start of pregnancy. (34:14)

Image Credit: Getty Images

Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli started with news about a major abortion rights blitz planned by the White House (00:31). National Catholic Reporter columnist and Sacred Heart University fellow Michael Sean Winters talked about new guidance from the Vatican and Pope Francis regarding same-sex couples (13:09). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio talked about a push by organized labor to get rid of the "sub-minimum wage" for tipped workers in Connecticut (24:27)

Image Credit: iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus

As we round out 2023, what does Connecticut consider to be some big wins? Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz shared her perspective and influential bills taking effect in 2024. (0:00)

How do we find peace in a stressful season of the year? Counselor Julius Dudics shares tips to overcome holiday stress and enjoy the time of year a little bit more. (14:47)

A college football player is suing his school for alleged disability discrimination. Will more of these cases pop up for college sports? We ask attorney Gary Phelan. (33:39)

Ansonia scored big with state grants for fixer-upper projects in the city. We got the details from Mayor David Cassetti.(46:37)

Image Credit:USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Monday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli welcomed Italian American One Voice Coalition President Andre DiMino to talk about the media's portrayal of New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (00:29). CT NewsJunkie and Substack.com blogger Terry Cowgill checked in with his weekly thoughts (11:33) and Paul talked about some questionable rhetoric from former President Donald Trump (26:00)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

More and more places of worship are at risk of attacks. Connecticut has released five million dollars to help facilities heighten security measures. Sen. Tony Hwang, Ranking Senator on the Bonding Subcommittee of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, explained how the money can help and who can benefit from it. Here’s a link to the application information (0:00): https://portal.ct.gov/DEMHS/Grants/Nonprofit-Security-Grant-Program-Overview/Connecticut-Nonprofit-Security-Grant-Program

Elon Musk reinstated Alex Jones on X, formerly known as Twitter, after close to two-million users voted in favor of the decision. What does this mean for spreading fake news and deciphering what’s real online? We spoke with Professor Bill Yousman, who teaches media and communications at Sacred Heart University, to get perspective on the change and its impact. (14:17)

Implicit bias is within all of us because of all the information we take since the moment we are born. It doesn’t mean we can’t retrain the brain to think about people or roles in a different way. Jody Walker Smith with The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shared how to combat implicit bias. (30:02)

SCAM ALERT: Gift cards! Crime prevention expert, Jim Perez, explained this repeat scam and how fraudsters have gotten even trickier! (42:48)

Image Credit: Reuters

Host Paul Pacelli wrapped up another busy week on "Connecticut Today" with a few thoughts on the successful use of license plate readers around the state to help police solve cases (00:26). We welcomed Steve Babson, author of, "Forgotten Populists: When Farmers Turned Left to Save Democracy" (14:19) and former Bridgeport Democratic State Rep. Chris Caruso (27:40)

Image Credit: iStock

In a world so divided and it feels like hate is spread much more than love, one non-profit is being recognized for promoting non-violent, racial and social justice. Find out about the Chick Rosnick Boxing Club and why the state is recognizing it in January. (0:00)

How do you create positive screen time for your kids? We spoke with child psychiatrist, Dr. Jodi Gold, about parents letting go of fears and embracing screen time with your children. How do we do it though? Find out here! (11:58)

Connecticut is projected to have another healthy rainy-day fund for 2024. But if that’s the case, why not ease some of the burdens Connecticut residents are feeling…like warming their homes this winter? We dive into this with Comptroller Sean Scanlon. (31:36)

Image Credit: Getty Images

Host Paul Pacelli opened Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with comments about a strange political controversy in Boston (00:29). Sacred Heart University Political Science Scholar in Residence Dr. Gary Rose chatted with us about the national political scene (13:01), while University of New Haven National Security Professor Dr. Howard Stoffer commented on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war (24:09)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus