skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in CT Marks Longest Night of Year

play audio
Play

Monday, December 21, 2009   

HARTFORD, Conn. - Today's first day of winter means tonight is the longest night of the year, and for some it is also a night to remember those who have died while homeless in Connecticut. Homeless Persons' Memorial Day events are scheduled in Middletown and Norwich.

Carol Walter, who is executive director of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, says that, especially with the winter storm over the weekend leaving record snows in some areas of the state, it's easy to imagine someone freezing to death. However, she adds, people who experience homelessness also die from illnesses that can usually be managed with regular health care.

"We lose even more people because of the complication of chronic illnesses. About 15 percent in our point-in-time count self-disclosed that they have HIV."

Walter says shelters around the state have been beyond capacity for months because of the bad economy, with cots set up in hallways and people sleeping in chairs.

"So, we're well beyond what an emergency shelter system can handle right now. And I think a lot about those individuals and families, and just how terrifying it must be to not know where you're going to stay."

She says homeless people are also at risk from extreme heat, or acts of violence that can sometimes be categorized as hate crimes.

Vigils and services are held around the country for Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.

The Middletown event is 4 p.m., Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 W. Main St. The Norwich event starts at 4 p.m. as a walk leaving the Homeless Hospitality Center and ending at Brown Park.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …


A 2022 report finds failing to speed up transmission beyond the current pace will increase 2030 U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions by 800 million tons per year. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021