WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Monday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli looked at a new survey surrounding the use of gender-specific pronouns in everyday life (0:27). SAG-AFTRA member and former Connecticut radio personality Jaki Lauper joined us from Los Angeles to talk about the ongoing Hollywood strike (11:46). Connecticut News Junkie columnist Terry Cowgill stopped by for his weekly segment (23:46).

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There's a lot of talk around the new state law changing the requirement age month for kids to enter kindergarten in Connecticut. Starting in 2024, kids have to be five years old by September first. That's a big shift from the former law of a January first age cut off. Education leader, Fran Rabinowitz, shared the concerns of childcare options and cost. She also spoke to the need to change the law and help kids from playing catch up later in life. ((00:00))

There is a national movement that's been around for over a decade to try and bring compromise back to politics. We learned all about the No Labels movement and a Common Sense policy being announced this week for people to learn more. ((14:31))

The FDA recently gave the Alzheimer’s disease drug Leqembi full approval. Study findings suggest that the treatment slowed cognitive decline for people in the early stage of Alzheimer’s. We spoke about it in depth with Dr. Paul Wright of Nuvance Health. ((29:14))

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Are politicians really trying to push their agendas using the military as a bargaining chip? It seems that way! Overnight, the House voted 221 to 213 to overturn a Pentagon policy guaranteeing abortion access to service members regardless of where they are stationed. It comes just days after the Marine Corps General stepped down leaving the military branch without a confirmed leader for the first time in more than 150 years. Congressman Jim Himes shared his thoughts on the situation. ((00:00))

This week, the LPGA is hosting a women's championship golf tournament in Milford. Hartford Healthcare orthopedic surgeon, Dr. John Irving, talked about a common golf issue: needing hip surgery. What does that procedure require, are there ways to prevent needing the surgery and can you ever return to the course after a hip replacement? Find out here! ((11:31))

It's the weekend!! We found out from the Office of Tourism that the biggest jazz fest in New England is happening in Hartford, the first ever Pizza and Brewfest is coming to Connecticut and one of the oldest craft expos in the country is back in Guilford! Get the details from Anthony Anthony. ((24:13))

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There have been 13 outbreaks of norovirus on cruises this year according to the CDC. According to reports, that's the highest number of norovirus outbreaks on cruises recorded since 2012. And it's only July! We asked Dr. Browne about this common stomach bug, how to treat it and prevention. 

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Earlier this week, PGA Tour officials were grilled for a three-hour hearing in Washington DC. The committee overseeing the hearing wants to better understand the recent announcement of a PGA and LIV merger. The subcommittee chairperson is Senator Richard Blumenthal. He spoke to us about the hearing. ((00:00))

A new initiative has been launched by the Milford Food Bank to help homebound individuals in need of assistance. The Milford Food Bank now has a mobile food van delivering to seniors in need. We heard about the problem at hand and how people can help. ((14:23))

Native plants can help birds better deal with change. Tom Anderson from CT Audubon Society shared why planting trees in your yard can be life changing. ((26:00))

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The FDA is granting full approval to a potential breakthrough Alzheimer's drug. Leqembi is the first drug proven to slow the memory-loss disease. Other approved drugs only target its symptoms. We spoke with one of the investigators behind the hefty clinical trial around this drug, Dr. Sharon Cohen, as well as one of her patients who has been trialing the drug. ((00:00))

Several Connecticut volunteers with the American Red Cross are heading to Vermont to help following the catastrophic flooding. We got the details on the upcoming deployment and also spoke about water safety this summer, with John Godin. ((06:40))

Pizza and Brewfest is coming to the Hartford Healthcare Ampitheater. It's the first of its kind festival in Connecticut. We spoke with BRBC President Dan Onofrio about the Amp and how it's become a model of maximizing space for an outdoor venue. We also touched on the kickoff of an annual farmers market and a big change for Bridgeport Islanders' hockey coach. ((19:00))

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We had the honor of an exclusive interview with legendary artist and performer, Donny Osmond. He spoke with us one week ahead of his national tour, kicking off in Waterbury, Connecticut. We spoke with him about the show, what audiences can expect and more about his six decades of work. ((00:00))

According to national statistics, 72% of caregivers are providing help to a parent or grandparent. That relationship shift from child to caregiver can strain family relationships. Counselor, Julius Dudics, provided help to cultivate healthy relationships and adjust to new roles. ((07:48))

Now that the US Supreme Court has struck down the Biden Administration’s plan to cancel or reduce student loans, what’s in store for borrowers, saddled with high student loans? We learn about a way to steer through student lending and loan repayment plans thanks to AAA. Don Kerr explains. ((19:14))

According to The Wall Street Journal, young workers are talking about sex more often at work. Have the rules on what's appropriate to discuss with coworkers changed? And how should you respond if a coworker starts talking about their sexual activities? Julie Bauke of Julie on the Job addressed these questions. ((27:22))

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SCAM ALERT! This week, the two-day annual Christmas in July sale is back for Amazon Prime members. Ahead of the online sales, Kristen Johnson with the BBB shared red flags to look out for to better protect yourselves from scammers. ((00:00))

We recently experienced some severe heat in Connecticut. It's important to understand heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as the signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention tactics for both. Dr. Andrew Wong of Hartford Healthcare spoke about all of this. ((13:59))

There's a new state police law surrounding traffic stops. What's in the law? Is it necessary? And what does this mean in regards to false reports? We spoke with law enforcement expert, Gary MacNamara, about it all. ((27:44))

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Host Paul Pacelli wrapped up a very busy week on "Connecticut Today" with news of two more U.S. Supreme Court rulings (0:32) that we also got additional analysis on from Supreme Court pundit Mike O'Neill (12:09). We welcomed Leon Wagener, author of, "The Hunter Elite: Inside America's Secret Force Against Terror" (21:25), as well as former Bridgeport State Rep. Chris Caruso with his weekly update (33:38).

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Captain James Morgia of Stratford, a 100-year-old WWII veteran and Silver and Bronze star winner, will ride in the Barnum Festival Great Street Parade, July 2nd as the Honorary Grand Marshal. We found out how Captain Jim earned his military honors and even heard his beautiful singing voice on air. ((00:00))

The death of a prominent local woman has Fairfield residents calling for safety improvements on Redding Road. Meghan Raveis died last week after being struck while walking on Redding Road June 23rd, and she's not the only person to die on the road. A woman from Pennsylvania was hit and killed by a car while walking her dog on Redding Road in July of 2020. We asked First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick about town safety improvements. ((17:08))

For summer safety week, we did a deep dive into boating and swimming safety. Bridgeport's Emergency Management director, Scott Appleby, shared why rivers, lakes and Long Island Sound bring just as much risk to people as the ocean. ((29:57))

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