Public News Service

Shore Line East train service in December 2023 was 50.5% of what it was in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, April 18, 2024

CT lawmakers consider bills to boost public transit

Two pieces of legislation in Connecticut could bolster public transportation if they make it through the General Assembly. Senate Bill 277 would …

Nearly 60% of Connecticut's almost 113,000 undocumented immigrants do not have access to any form of health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Day of action focuses on CT undocumented residents' health care needs

Today, Connecticut health care advocates are holding a student day of action. They will speak to state lawmakers about raising the age limit for …

Governor Ned Lamont's budget proposal advocates using $5.75 million in ARPA funds to support statewide resiliency and climate preparedness. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: CT General Assembly must act on climate bills

Connecticut's General Assembly is weighing several climate change bills. It comes after what advocates describe as detrimental inaction on the …

Older Americans are more able to save than younger ones. Surveys show people younger than 35 have an average of $5,400 saved. Meanwhile, adults 65 to 74 have an average of $13,400 saved up. (Adobe Stock)

America Saves Week: CT groups teach money saving techniques

Today is the beginning of America Saves Week, and Connecticut groups are hosting events all week. Each day is correlated to a different aspect of …

Insurance rates on plans offered in the Connecticut Affordable Care Act Exchange rose on average around 9.4%, reduced from the requested 12.4%. Small-group plan rates increased on average 7.4%, reduced from a requested increase of 14.8%. (Adobe Stock)

CT insurance committee fails to advance legislation

Connecticut's Insurance and Real Estate Committee failed to advance any bills by its legislative deadline. Almost 40 bills were brought before the …

Some states are taking action to end legacy admissions. In 2021, Colorado banned legacy admissions at its public universities, and a similar bill was passed earlier this month in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

CT legacy admissions bill to be voted on by state Senate

Connecticut's State Senate will take up a bill that would address legacy admissions at its public and private colleges and universities. Senate Bill …

Online shopping scams might have been the most common scam reported in Connecticut, but the average loss of $341 was far less than investment and employment scams. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Cryptocurrency and investment scams rising in CT, US

A new report finds scams in Connecticut and nationwide are rising. The Better Business Bureau's 2023 Risk Report noted 762 scams were reported in …

The United Way's 2024 Child Care Snapshot shows Marlborough has the most child-care spots available in Connecticut with more than 44%. (Adobe Stock)

New tool examines CT child care access, plans of action

A new tool is examining child care availability in Connecticut. United Way of Connecticut's tool shows the actual number of offered child care …

A University of Michigan poll finds only 43% of older adults think they are

CT senior advocates host series about scam prevention

Today is the first day of AARP Connecticut's new series addressing scams and fraud. As scams become more complex, it can be harder to notice the …

The U.S. Energy Information Administration finds Connecticut natural gas prices have risen steadily since the late 2000s, peaking in August 2022 at $31.68 per thousand cubic feet. (Adobe Stock)

Public hearing for CT gas companies' proposed rate hikes

Today is the final public hearing for Connecticut ratepayers to comment on two proposed rate increases for gas utilities. Connecticut Natural Gas …

La Administraci�n de Informaci�n Energ�tica de EE. UU. encuentra que los precios del gas natural de Connecticut han aumentado constantemente desde finales de la d�cada de 2000, alcanzando un m�ximo en agosto de 2022 de 31,68 d�lares por cada mil pies c�bicos. (Adobe Stock)

Audiencia pública escucha sobre aumentos de tarifas por compañías de gas

Hoy [viernes] es la audiencia pública final para que los contribuyentes de Connecticut comenten sobre dos aumentos de tarifas propuestos para los…

A report from The 74 Million showed Bedford Middle School in the Westport School District has the largest enrollment decline in Connecticut, at 40%. (Adobe Stock)

K-12 enrollment declining in Connecticut schools

School enrollment has declined statewide in Connecticut. State education data shows between 2018 and 2023, statewide enrollment was down more than 17…

In the last three months of 2022, healthcare providers wrote more than 9 million prescriptions for Ozempic and other similar weight loss drugs, according to a Trillian Health analysis. (Adobe Stock)

Ozempic scams increase with weight loss drug’s popularity

High-demand products are usually big targets for scammers, and weight-loss drug Ozempic is no exception. Scams across the U.S. are being reported …

Energy data company EnergySage finds Connecticut residents spend around $288 per month on electricity. That's around $3,456 per year, 61% higher than the national average. (Adobe Stock)

CT electric companies' rates increase in 2024

Beginning in 2024, Connecticut ratepayers can expect an increase in their electricity bills. New electricity supply rates will go into effect …

La empresa de datos energ�ticos EnergySage encuentra que los residentes de Connecticut gastan alrededor de $288 por mes en electricidad. Eso es alrededor de $3,456 por a�o, un 61% m�s que el promedio nacional. (Adobe Stock)

Tarifas de las compañías eléctricas de CT aumentan en 2024

A partir de 2024, los contribuyentes de Connecticut pueden esperar un aumento en sus facturas de electricidad. El lunes entrarán en vigor nuevas …

About 60% of adults with medical debt said they have cut back on necessities such as food or clothing, while more than half of adults from households with incomes below $40,000 reported they have used up their savings to pay for their medical debt. (Adobe Stock)

CT residents struggle with medical debt despite available financial aid

Health care advocates said too often medical patients in Connecticut who are eligible for financial aid to help cover the cost of their care are not i…

Around 74% of adults age 55 and older are susceptible to scams, losing an average of $350 per scam in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

CT man accused of WI ‘grandparents scam’

A Connecticut man has been indicted by a Wisconsin grand jury for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Matthew-Ramos Soto, 26, of Hartford allegedly …

At least six states and dozens of local jurisdictions have introduced legislation to ban the use of ballot tabulators, relying instead on hand counts to determine election results despite tabulators having a higher accuracy rate. (Adobe Stock)

Pressure mounts on CT governor to upgrade election infrastructure

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly spelled the name 'Erlinghauser' as two words instead of one. (11:24 a.m. MDT, Sept. 20…

According to a new report, pay differences based on workers' gender, race and ethnicity all contribute to persistent wage inequality in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT Economic, Job Growth Lags Behind U.S.

A new report found Connecticut's economic growth is lagging, post-pandemic. The data showed, using the pandemic-induced recession as a baseline…

Since continuous Medicaid renewals were terminated, more than 1.6 million people have been disenrolled from Medicaid so far, according to data from 28 states and the District of Columbia. (Adobe Stock)

CT Works on Post-Pandemic Medicaid Redeterminations

Like other states, Connecticut is in the middle of a yearlong process of re-determining people's eligibility for Medicaid. When the Covid-19 public …

As part of a new bill up for consideration by the Connecticut General Assembly, landlords would have to provide tenants with 90 days' notice before implementing a rent increase. (Adobe Stock)

CT General Assembly Considers Legislation to Aid Renters

Connecticut's General Assembly is considering legislation to establish fair and equitable housing opportunities. Senate Bill 4 aims to establish a …

According to a report from the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut, a total of 53 reports of employment scams from companies claiming to have headquarters in Connecticut came through on the BBB Scam Tracker. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT Consumers Lost $234K to Scams in 2022

A new report finds Connecticut consumers lost over 230-thousand dollars to scams in 2022. According to the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut…

According to data from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, ridership on CT transit took a sharp dive at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and remained low for some time, but as of summer 2022, ridership levels are returning to pre-pandemic levels. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Calling for CT Transit to Remain Fare Free

Transit advocates are calling on Connecticut's General Assembly to keep the state's public transit system free. In April 2022, Gov. Ned Lamont …

According to a report from the Rand Corporation, almost 60% of Connecticut's 113,000 undocumented immigrants lack access to health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Seek Expansion of CT Public Health for Immigrants

Connecticut lawmakers are being asked to expand HUSKY - the state's Medicaid program - to include immigrants, regardless of their status. Two years …

According to financial website Bankrate, Connecticut is one of the <a href=

worst states in which to retire, with the biggest reason being its lack of affordability. (Adobe Stock)">

AARP Connecticut Outlines 2023 Legislative Goals

As the Connecticut General Assembly's 2023 legislative session begins, AARP Connecticut is eager to dive into key issues for seniors and consumers…

Seg�n el sitio web financiero Bankrate, Connecticut es uno de los <a href=

peores estados< /a> en el que jubilarse, siendo la principal raz�n su falta de asequibilidad. (Adobe Stock)">

AARP Connecticut esboza objetivos legislativos para 2023

A medida que comienza la sesión legislativa de 2023 de la Asamblea General de Connecticut, AARP Connecticut está impaciente por sumergirse …

Experts say the best way to prevent losing money in an online shopping scam is by using a credit card instead of a peer-to-peer app, and using reliable trusted sellers this holiday season. (Adobe Stock)

BBB of Connecticut Warns of Holiday Shopping Scams

As holiday shopping begins, there are concerns about consumers running into online shopping scams. According to a 2021 report from the FBI's …

It's been nine years since Aquarion last brought a rate increase case forward. The company says it is needed

CT Residents Against Proposed Water Rate Hikes

Some Connecticut residents may be looking at higher water utility prices over the next three years. The state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority …

Han pasado nueve a�os desde que Aquarion present� por �ltima vez un caso de aumento de tarifas. La compa��a dice que es necesario

Residentes se oponen a aumentos de tarifas de agua en CT

Es posible que algunos residentes de Connecticut experimentarán precios más altos en los servicios públicos de agua durante los pró…

According to a data collected by Give.org, only 24 percent of donors feel disaster relief appeals are understandable. (Adobe Stock)

Better Business Bureau Warns of Charity Scams

Whether it's Hurricane Ian, Fiona or other weather disasters, people are being warned about donating to fraudulent charities. Scams have become …

According to a 2022 report from Vanguard, older Americans are saving the most for their retirement. (Adobe Stock)

New Bill Aids People Planning for Retirement

A new piece of legislation in Congress will help people across the U.S. prepare for retirement with greater ease. The EARN Act - short for …

Seg�n un informe de 2022 de Vanguard, los estadounidenses de m�s edad son los que m�s ahorran para su jubilaci�n. (Adobe Stock)

Un nuevo proyecto de ley ayuda a las personas a planificar su jubilación

Una nueva ley en el Congreso ayudará a las personas de todo Estados Unidos a prepararse para la jubilación con mayor facilidad. La Ley …

The Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program brought in $10 billion in capital to Connecticut during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

CT Small Businesses Survived Pandemic, Face New Challenges

Although many small businesses in Connecticut have weathered the pandemic, it has not been the easiest of circumstances. And how are they doing now? …

According to a 2020 Gallup poll, there's only been a five percent increase in the number of people who have a living will from 2005 to 2020. Most of those people are 65 and older. (Adobe Stock)

Procrastinators' Alert: Time to Start End-of-Life Planning

August is National Make-a-Will Month, one of many opportunities for Connecticut residents to begin end-of-life planning. Only around 46% of …

Victims of certain scams are urged to contact law enforcement to try to get their money back, which can make this impossible. (Adobe Stock)

CT Companies Used in National Car-Wrap Scam

Impostors have been using ads and images of legitimate companies headquartered in Connecticut as part of a scam to solicit money from people…

A survey done by Consumers for Quality Care finds 71% of Americans are unsure about their healthcare expenses because of the volatility of out-of-pocket costs. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs Too High

Backers of a bill now in the U.S. Senate contended it will address rising health care costs and could provide Americans with some relief. Part of …

According to the CDC, each year one in six Americans is sickened by any one of 31 pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses. (Adobe Stock)

CT Rep Seeks to Create New Regulatory Agency for Food Safety

A Connecticut congresswoman is among those asking the government to overhaul the way it handles food-safety issues. Fifteen federal agencies deal …

While new voting laws give Connecticut residents a buffet of options to cast their ballots, a proposed amendment to the state constitution could allow for early voting. (Adobe Stock)

New CT Primary Rules Expected to Make Voting Easier for Many

As Connecticut's primary election nears, voters will have to navigate new absentee-voting laws, which could benefit seniors. People ages 45 to 64 …

Some older adults in Connecticut may be eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which can help decrease energy-related costs and fuel usage at home through retrofits and other improvements. (Adobe Stock)

As Utility Bills Rise, Resources in CT Can Help Older Adults

Starting Friday, Connecticut residents may start to see a sharp increase in energy costs just as summer gets into gear and inflation hits people hard…

Algunos adultos mayores en Connecticut pueden ser elegibles para el Programa de Asistencia de Climatizaci�n, que puede ayudar a reducir los costos relacionados con la energ�a y el uso de combustible en el hogar mediante modificaciones y otras mejoras. (Adobe Stock)

Recursos ayudan a ancianos en CT, al aumentar costos de servicios básicos

A partir del viernes, los residentes de Connecticut pueden comenzar a ver un fuerte aumento en los costos de energía justo cuando el verano se …

The highway use tax helps finance the state's transportation infrastructure program and operate the departments of Motor Vehicles and Transportation. It's estimated it could generate $45 million in revenue in 2023 alone. (Adobe Stock)

CT Diesel Price Hike Coming in July

Connecticut residents can expect to see a sharp increase in diesel fuel prices starting July 1, and trucking companies say it will be passed on to …

The Gallup-Lumina report also found the financial cost of college is an important reason some students don't continue their education. The average student debt for Connecticut residents is $35,000. (Adobe Stock)

College Students Who "Stopped Out" Want to Return, But Face Challenges

In the wake of disruptions and losses due to COVID-19, research shows the majority of college students in Connecticut and beyond who left school over …

Nearly 6% of Connecticut residents don't have health insurance, according to a report from Access Health CT. (Adobe Stock)

CT's Insurance Broker Academy Aims to Reduce Health Disparities

Connecticut's health-insurance exchange, known as Access Health CT, has launched a first-of-its-kind program for reducing health disparities and the …

Aproximadamente 600,000 empleados en Connecticut actualmente no tienen forma de ahorrar para la jubilaci�n. (Adobe Stock)

Nuevo programa hace que ahorrar para jubilación sea más accesible en CT

La mitad de todos los hogares en Connecticut corren el riesgo de no poder pagar los gastos diarios durante la jubilación. Un nuevo programa de …

An estimated 600,000 employees in Connecticut currently have no way to save for retirement. (Adobe Stock)

New CT Program Makes Saving for Retirement More Accessible

Half of all households in Connecticut are at risk of not being able to pay for everyday expenses in retirement. A new state-run savings program will …

From left, Andrea Comer, committee chairwoman, Connecticut Social Equity Council, and Carlton Highsmith, Joseph Carbone and Fred McKinney announce the Alliance for Cannabis Equity on Tuesday in Hamden, Conn. (The Narrative Project)

Alliance: Prioritize Racial Justice in CT Marijuana Industry

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Connecticut is among several states working on what its new recreational marijuana industry will look like, and a new coalition …

AARP's Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator is a one-stop resource that veterans and their caregivers can use to better understand their health-care options. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Creates New Tool to Make Accessing Health Benefits Easier for Vets

HARTFORD, Conn. -- There are more than 200,000 military veterans in Connecticut, and a new tool aims to make it easier for them to access health care …

An Emergency Broadband Benefit Program could help families who qualify for certain federal assistance programs get access to high-speed internet, and afford a laptop, desktop computer or tablet through participating service providers. (Adobe Stock)

CT Residents Without Internet Could Gain Access Through FCC Program

HARTFORD, Conn. - Even as economic recovery from the pandemic continues, more than 116 million U.S. residents had difficulty paying household bills …

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