WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Monday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli featured a chat with Milford native Dan Rusanowsky - radio voice of the NHL's San Jose Sharks - who talked about being named the 2023 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner from the Hockey Hall of Fame (0:00). www.CTNewsJunkie.com columnist Terry Cowgill joined us for his weekly update (13:12), while meteorologist Paul Piorek stopped by to chat about his return to WICC (23:26). Paul Pacelli also had some thoughts about how state lawmakers are forced to make billion-dollar decisions on a compressed timetable (30:04).

Image Courtest of Dan Rusanowsky

1. We are down to the last couple of days for the legislative session and the budget STILL hasn't been voted on. We learned from Senator Tony Hwang that the 800+ pages of the proposed budget dropped Monday morning at 3am and is expected to be voted on by the afternoon! We get the details live. ((00:00))

2. Crime on the Mind: What does NOT NORMAL look like and when should you report something to police? ((15:01))

3. Does birth order play a role in the way you are as a spouse? Marriage coach, Bob Donovan, shares his findings on this and the point off addressing it in your relationship. ((25:51))

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A very busy Friday edition of "Connecticut Today" started with host Paul Pacelli wondering if state lawmakers need to have more time to do their jobs (0:43). Journal Inquirer of Manchester columnist Chris Powell stopped by for his monthly check-in (13:39). Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA) President Chris Herb updated us on a last-minute push for a climate law change in Hartford (22:40). We welcomed Craig Nelson, author of, "V is for Victory: Franklin Roosevelt’s American Revolution and the Triumph of World War II" (32:05). Finally, former Bridgeport Democratic State Rep. Chris Caruso gave us his weekly update (44:42).

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Melissa's mom was inspired by her daughter's upcoming wedding menu that includes Cornish hens! Here's her take on the classic recipe.

We are seeing a huge uptick in street takeovers across Connecticut. What are they and why are they so dangerous? We spoke with former Fairfield police chief, Gary MacNamara about the issue at hand. ((00:00))

Our nation is identifying more and more children struggling with mental health. A Milford daycare center is making behavioral, social and mental health a priority for their students. Bill Okwuosa, executive director of Good Child Development Center, shared the model of teaching and introduced a new campus in Orange. ((15:57))

SCAM ALERT: The BBB shared a Wilton woman's airfare scam that cost her thousands of dollars! Kristen Johnson told us what happened and how we can learn from this. ((32:37))

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Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli featured news of the state's minimum wage increasing again (0:22). Connecticut Commuter Rail Council Chairman Jim Gildea chatted about possible Metro-North service cutbacks (14:25).

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After winning a state high school hockey championship this year, a Fairfield Prep turned his attention to helping a fellow team. James Murphy organized a three-on-three charity tournament at Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport, with all proceeds benefiting the Southern Connecticut Storm Special Hockey team.

We spoke with James and his coach about the tournament and why it's a priority of the school to have student athletes help out the community. 

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A dangerous fungal infection is spreading at an alarming rate across the United States, including New York and New Jersey. The CDC says Candida auris is a form of yeast that is typically not harmful to healthy people but can be a deadly threat to those who are immunocompromised. It easily spreads and can infect wounds, ears, and the bloodstream. We spoke with Dr. Browne about this and how you can protect yourself. 

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According to national data, more than 40 million US adults have dyslexia, with only 2 million of them receiving a diagnosis. When you learn your child is dyslexic, it can feel so overwhelming to determine what happens next. Weston mother, Jennifer Bernheim, created Right to Read Advocacy, to support families touched by dyslexia. ((00:00))

Tick 101: we spoke with our Lyme expert, Jessica Snajder of Partner in Lyme about signs of infection, tick protection, tick testing and tick checks. ((15:27))

Housing Bill 6781, "An Act Addressing Housing Affordability for Residents in the State" is being taken up before the legislative session ends next week. CT169Strong shared their concerns on the hodgepodge of bills being rolled into one and what all Connecticut residents need to know. ((31:42))

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We spoke with Jimmy McGrath's father, Kevin, about the foundation created out of tragedy. Jimmy was killed in 2022 after trying to break up a fight at a house party. The Fairfield Prep student and athlete was beloved by so many and helped so many peers before he died. His family created the non-profit to support young people with mental health needs and young athletes. We also learned about the foundation's upcoming golf tournament and how you can support them.