WICC The Voice of Connecticut

According to estimates from Feeding America, more than 490,000 Connecticut residents struggle with hunger; more than 131,000 children are food insecure. Coming to the Greater Danbury Area in the fall: Food Farmacy. Learn about this new center and what it means for those facing hunger in our state. ((00:00))

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we are tackling a common issue every week with counselor, Julius Dudics. Today, we talked about depression. ((08:46))

A new recommendation suggests dropping the age for breast cancer screenings to begin at age 40. Why the significant change in less than a decade? We spoke with oncologist, Dr. Valerie Brutus, about breast cancer cases on the rise and why screenings need to happen sooner. ((18:19))

Julie on the Job: with so many layoffs happening, career strategist, Julie Bauke, talked about what to do and not do if it happens to you. ((25:45))

IMAGE CREDIT: 

iStock / Getty Images Plus

Host Paul Pacelli kicked off a new week on "Connecticut Today" with news of a possible move to get rid of the state's motor vehicle property tax (0:35). Sacred Heart University political science professor Dr. Gary Rose checked in with his monthly update (10:28). We had remarks from CT Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy - on NBC's "Meet the Press" - regarding the current immigration situation at the Southern Border (23:19). Finally, CTNewsJunkie.com columnist Terry Cowgill talked about his recent encounter with a bear inside his home (32:05).

Image Credit: Getty Images

It has bi-partisan support but may be stalled again. We tackled the presumption bill which is meant to better protect firefighters when they are diagnosed with cancer. Connecticut is just one of two states without a presumptive law in place. We heard from local firefighters why this needs to pass now. ((00:00))

What are invisible disabilities and how do we handle people diagnosed with them? The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shared how people with autism, diabetes and other invisible disabilities need to be accommodated at work, in schools and with housing options. ((17:19))

National data shows an average marriage lasts between 7 and 8 years. Marriage coach, Bob Donovan, shared six tips to help stay married longer but also enjoy your union along the way! ((25:48))

IMAGE CREDIT: 

iStock / Getty Images Plus

Friday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli broke down a growing controversy regarding state funding for the anticipated start of early voting in 2024 (0:36). Bridgeport Democratic State Rep. Steve Stafstrom joined us for a legislative update (13:35). Taylor Kiland, co-author of, "Unwavering: The Wives Who Fought to Ensure No Man Is Left Behind," stopped by to talk about a little-known aspect of the Vietnam era (25:53). Former Bridgeport Democratic State Rep. Chris Caruso wrapped up the show with his weekly update (37:29).

Image Credit: Getty Images

INGREDIENTS:

-- 1/4 lb of butter (room temperature)

-- 1 1/2 cups of sugar

-- 2 cups of flour

-- 1 teaspoon of baking soda

-- 2 teaspoons of baking powder

-- 2 eggs (beaten)

-- 8 tablespoons of sour cream

-- 2 teaspoons of vanilla

-- 2-4 over ripe bananas 

-- walnuts (optional)

IMAGE CREDIT: 

iStock / Getty Images Plus

Bear encounters continue to be a problem in Connecticut. Senator Steve Harding is a ranking senator on the Environmental Committee. He shared the current legislation being debated in Hartford and says he's confident it will pass with bi-partisan support, that is IF it gets out of committee. ((00:00))

It takes a village to raise a child and one group in Ridgefield is hoping to help. It's called Parent Circle, a free group-therapy opportunity for residents to come together and support each other while raising their kids. We spoke with the group leader, Doug Barile, about the program. ((14:21))

Connecticut was recently ranked number 7 for best mental health care in the country. We spoke with Dr. Andre Newfield about the findings and what it means during May's Mental Health Awareness Month. ((28:17))

A former E! News correspondent spoke out about her recent battle with pancreatic cancer. We spoke with Dr. Charles Cha about the serious illness and whether you can easily detect it ahead of time. ((35:43))

IMAGE CREDIT: 

iStock / Getty Images Plus

We start the week looking at the teacher workforce here in Connecticut. Fran Rabinowitz, the executive director of the CT Association of Public School Superintendents, gave us a report card on teacher recruitment and retainment in the state. Plus, she gave us a picture of a teacher's job in today's world impacting people staying in the education industry. ((00:00))

In Trumbull's school district, tutors will help students dealing with health circumstances keeping them out of the classroom. Kim Zentz, one of the Homebound Tuturoing educators, shared the importance of the program and how it works. ((16:30))

University of Bridgeport students are about to get a new opportunity for the first time. We spoke with assistant professor, Jason Sagaci, of Goodwin University about welding and fabrication coming to the Park City as early as the fall. ((24:57))

Meet the 2023 Connecticut Teacher of the Year: Carolyn Kielma! ((38:49))

We're calling this the "Ghost of Christmas Past" experiment. Melissa reconnected with her former teachers dating back to elementary school. Did they remember having her in class and if so, was it for all the wrong reasons? Find out! ((47:35))

IMAGE CREDIT: 

iStock / Getty Images Plus

Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli talked about the state moving closer to "no-excuse" absentee ballots (0:17). We also chatted with www.OnlyInBridgeport.com blogger Lennie Grimaldi (12:33).

Image Credit: Getty Images

Senator Richard Blumenthal has presented two bipartisan bills in an effort to eliminate puppy mills in the US. The problem? It's not enough of a priority for lawmakers or even the everyday person. We hear the point of these bills and why the average American has no idea the scope of the problem. ((00:00))

Norwalk Hospital is one of the only sites in Connecticut offering tattoo-less radiation therapy for breast cancer. Find out from Dr. Philip Gilbo how patients do not need a permanent reminder of their breast cancer treatments with this new technology. ((11:06))

May is Women's Health Care Month and Stroke Awareness Month. Dr. Paul Wright with Nuvance Health shared why women are at a higher risk than men for stroke and why it's IMPERATIVE for you to call for an ambulance for someone experiencing a stroke. ((18:54))

As the number of electronic devices continues to escalate to serve our modern society, so too does the threat of lethal lithium-ion battery fires which power them up.  Rodger Mort, the inventor of Thermo Shield, shares how his product, the world’s first fire and gas-suppressant, paper-based packaging wrap, works. ((28:14))

IMAGE CREDIT: 

iStock / Getty Images Plus

Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli welcomed back nationally known immigration attorney Renata Castro to talk about the end of Title 42 at the U.S. Southern Border and the overall state of American immigration law (0:26). Hearst Connecticut Media columnist and Senior Editor Dan Haar (12:45).

Image Credit: Reuters