WICC The Voice of Connecticut

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and statistics show hundreds of millions of people have had alcohol in their lifetime, starting at age 12! Julius Dudics talks about societal norms with alcohol consumption and how to identify if you have a problem. ((00:00))

LIGHTS OUT! A Ridgefield company is challenging other businesses to turn the lights off ahead of Earth Day this weekend. We learned why Boehringer Ingelheim came up with the idea and if it is environmentally effective. ((13:41))

Julie on the Job: Calling all 65+ workers! According to The Wall Street Journal, employers are increasingly hiring seniors, who they perceive as having a stronger work ethic. Julie Bauke shares how seniors can take advantage of this demand. ((23:41))

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Monday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli started with a discussion about the latest U.S. military intelligence breach by a young Massachusetts Air National Guardsman (0:25). Attorney and author Thomas Weaver joined us to chat about his new book, "The Electoral College: A Biography of America’s Peculiar Creation Through the Eyes of the People Who Shaped It" (9:28).

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A Connecticut-based non-profit is 70 this year! We learned all about Ability Beyond and how it has supported thousands of Connecticut residents dealing with a disability access services and resources. ((00:00))

For more on Ability Beyond's upcoming gala: https://e.givesmart.com/events/uWU/

April is Financial Literacy Month. Inflation, interest rates, savings and budgeting are everyday topics for adults. But most kids and teens have no idea what any of that means until they're older and busting their budgets landing in debt. Gregg Murset, a certified financial planner, created "BusyKid." The app starts teaching financial skills to kids as young as five using technology. ((14:16))

The co-chairs of the Bipartisan Women's Caucus of the CT General Assembly unveiled the group's legislative priorities. We spoke with State Representatives Dorinda Borer and Nicole Klarides-Ditria. ((33:41))

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Stew and Kim Leonard of Stew Leonard's gave us all the details behind the new Stewie the Duck Swim School. It's opening this June (0:00)!

Lithium-ion batteries continue to be a concern with technology fires. But one Connecticut company has the solution to the problem. Rodger Mort of PACT invented Thermo Shield. What is it and why is this a game changer(17:07)?

Governor Lamont stopped by to answer questions about hero pay, air filtration grants and vehicle part thefts (28:04). 

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Cindy Iodice is the founder of the Flagman Safety campaign promoting safety on our highways. She is presenting a pilot presentation to all Fairfield public schools about being active passengers in the car (0:00).

Senator Blumenthal gave us a health update following his fall and surgery on his femur. We also spoke about a drug warning from the Biden Administration and an update on the leaked Ukraine war documents (13:59).

Cybersecurity expert, Dr. Vahid Behzadan, is back to talk about artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT (26:31).

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Author and constitutional expert, Joe Patrina, wrote a book highlighting the brokenness of property taxation in America. Find out how his book 'Hoodwinked' addresses the problem and why he needs the book to land in the hands of the Supreme Court (0:00).

This week is Black Maternal Health Week. We spoke about the high risk Black mothers face in America before, during and after childbirth (14:56). 

Workout Wednesday: we discuss the controversy around red dye #3. It can be found in several food and drink items, including candies, cakes and even medication. What you need to know (22:02)!

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim recently released the city's budget proposal. He did a breakdown of it and what it means for residents (31:18).

It's not a handout, it's something you actually paid for years ago. We spoke with Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. about benefits most seniors don't know about but should get in on! ((00:00))

Julie on the Job: Recruiters will not land you the job...but we do learn three ways to most likely land that dream job. ((08:02))

There are a lot of opinions on electric vehicles. We spoke with AAA Northest EV expert, Alec Slapky, asking all of our questions about pricing, charging stations, environmental impacts and more. ((24:30))

We are learning to be bear aware, not bear scared. We spoke with writer, Lisa Bernard, about tips to protect yourself from black bear populations in Connecticut. ((38:11))

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Quinnipiac University Men's Hockey team won the national championship this past weekend. It's the team's first title, and the first NCAA title for the college. Our marketing and promotions director, Drew, was at the game in Tampa. He shared his experience from the stands (0:00).

And we continued with QU Hockey coverage checking in with local sports announcer, Rob Adams, about what this win means for QU's program and the NHL looking at Connecticut for more prospects (6:52). 

Senator James Maroney authored a bill looking to create two state government jobs focused on artificial intelligence. We learn about the legislation, who supports it and what agencies are not on board (15:23). 

It happens to the best of us: becoming disconnected in your relationship. Marriage coach, Bob Donovan, shares why marriages become disconnected and how to mend the issue at hand for couples (24:14). 

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National statistics show 46% of girls in the US 'often' or 'always' worry about their body image; for boys, it's 25%. So, how can parents created a safer, more loving environment to secure our kids and help them overcome these vulnerabilities? Child development expert, Dr. Erica Bocknek, gave us advice on this and how adults can tackle their insecurities too. ((00:00))

A group of Connecticut middle schoolers are using their love of baking to benefit the community. We learned about Food for Friends and the four members making a difference: Ryan Murray, Zoni Hammesfahr, Marlo Gabriel and Jillian O'Connor. ((17:17))

State Senator Kevin Kelly shared the issue with affordable healthcare costs in Connecticut and how to improve it for residents. ((32:26))

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Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli welcomed "Only in Bridgeport" blogger Lennie Grimaldi to chat about the city's upcoming mayoral contest (0:31). Quinnipiac University Associate Journalism Prof. Molly Yanity talked about the just-completed NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and the implications for the WNBA (11:25). Paul also had some thoughts on Governor Ned Lamont's comments regarding the City of Houston after the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

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