Connecticut News & Current Events

Black and Hispanic residents of Connecticut are less likely to both have insurance and a regular health-care provider compared with white residents. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Advocates call proposed CT insurance rate increases too high

Connecticut insurance companies are requesting rate increases. Companies want a more than 8% increase for individuals and an almost 12% increase for …

Connecticut is the top state in the U.S. searching for Ozempic online, according to data from Google Trends. (Adobe Stock)

CT, US see rise in counterfeit medicine sales

Counterfeit medicine sales are on the rise, in Connecticut and nationwide. The state faced trouble with growing sales of counterfeit Xanax pills …

A new report from the University of Connecticut School of Public Policy found Hispanic men face the lowest pay equity of all new and long-term hires in Connecticut's government workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT government pay equity, representation needs work

A new report finds Connecticut's state government can improve pay equity and representation. The University of Connecticut School of Public Policy …

Since 2018, AARP Connecticut's Livable Communities grant program has funded 38 projects across the state. (Adobe Stock)

AARP seeks ideas to make CT communities more 'livable'

AARP Connecticut is accepting applications for grants for community improvement projects across the state. The "Livable Communities" program awards …

Between 2018 and 2021, more than 1 million kids visited hospital emergency departments due to mental health challenges. (Adobe Stock)

CT '988' hotline services rank high in national report

A new report showed Connecticut's 988 crisis lifeline services rank highly. The report is from Inseparable, a national mental health advocacy group…

Although citywide bans on camping and other laws disadvantaging homeless people grew widely from 2006 to 2019, homeless encampments grew by 1,300% in all 50 states. (Adobe Stock)

CT advocates dismayed by SCOTUS homelessness decision

Connecticut advocates are distressed about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson. The ruling said public camping bans …

A Better Business Bureau report found home improvement and online purchase scams are two of the top five scams people fell victim to in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

CT residents should watch out for summertime scams

Amid the fun in the sun, Connecticut residents should be wary of summertime scams. Utility company impostor scams are prominent this time of year…

Connecticut has seen an economywide 14% decline in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. Although emissions hit an all-time low in 2020, the data show the dip did not last. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Climate change must be addressed at CT special session

Connecticut environmental advocates want the General Assembly to address climate action in this week's special session, since lawmakers failed to act …

More than 520,000 bump stocks were circulating when an ATF ban took effect in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

CT bump-stock ban remains after SCOTUS ruling

Connecticut is one state not affected by a recent Supreme Court ruling. In Garland v. Cargill, the Court overturned a federal bump-stock ban the …

Connecticut's Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Care estimated the state loses around $1.5 billion yearly due to a lack of infant and toddler care. (Adobe Stock)

CT legislation helps reduce child care provider shortage

Legislation in Connecticut could help reduce the ongoing child care workforce shortage Reports show some 40,000 child care positions unfilled…

A new report shows Connecticut has reduced the number of children in poverty and the number of children whose parents lack secure employment, and has fewer kids living in households with a high cost burden. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT child education suffers in pandemic aftermath

A new report finds the well-being of Connecticut's kids is wavering in the pandemic's aftermath. The state ranks 8th in the Annie E. Casey Kids Count …

A Pew Research report finds the number of Hispanic workers in STEM fields has grown only 1% between 2016 and 2021, aligning with their overall growth in the workforce. (Adobe Stock)

CT church hosts STEM advocacy talks for Hispanic students

A Connecticut church is hosting a discussion this weekend to encourage Hispanic students to work in STEM fields. The talk is part of Hispanic Access …

An AARP survey found only 9% of adults age 50 and older would not consider a telehealth visit over an in-person one under any circumstance. (Adobe Stock)

CT telehealth law made permanent, helps senior health access

Newly signed Connecticut laws can improve access and the quality of health care for seniors. One significant change is extending a pandemic-era …

More people are being taken by romance scams, which often take a large toll on victims mentally. The loss increased from $1,411 in 2022 to $3,600 in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

New resource guide helps CT residents recover from scams

A new online guide helps people in Connecticut and nationwide recover from scams. The Better Business Bureau's Scam Survival Kit connects people …

Insufficient sleep is up 21% for Connecticut seniors aged 64, at 30.5%, slightly higher than the national average. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT seniors gain access to care but health outcomes worsen

Connecticut ranks high for helping seniors access care in a new report. The America's Health Ranking Senior report found Connecticut lost ground in …

More than 80,000 people in Connecticut have Alzheimer's disease and research shows the number will grow 14% by 2025. (Adobe Stock)

Summer safety tips for CT people with dementia, Alzheimer’s

This Memorial Day, Connecticut health experts are guiding caregivers on how to keep people with Alzheimer's safe. People with the various forms of …

The latest Living Planet Index report finds freshwater migratory fish saw an average 81% collapse in monitored population sizes between 1970 and 2020. This includes massive declines in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. (Adobe Stock)

CT groups prepare for World Fish Migration Day

Groups in Connecticut are preparing to celebrate World Fish Migration Day on Friday. The biennial event celebrates migratory fish species and their …

Connecticut's teacher certification process has not been changed in 26 years. (Adobe Stock)

CT bill updates teacher certification process, could reduce shortage

A newly passed Connecticut bill will modernize the teacher certification process. House Bill 5436 is expected to make it easier for educators to …

The Nurse Licensure Compact now includes 41 states and territories. Legislation to join is pending in seven other states and the District of Columbia. (Adobe Stock)

CT to join national nurses' compact; other workforce solutions sought

Connecticut is slated to join a national nursing compact. House Bill 5058 got the General Assembly's approval and awaits Gov. Ned Lamont's signature…

House Bill 5004 would have updated Connecticut's 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act, establishing the state's climate goals. It also would have aligned gas-system planning with greenhouse gas emission reduction mandates. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Failure of CT climate change legislation stagnates state progress

Bills addressing climate change are some of the biggest casualties of Connecticut's legislative session. One in particular is House Bill 5004…

United Way of Connecticut's latest ALICE report found 39% of residents live below the ALICE income threshold necessary to live and work in the state. (Adobe Stock)

CT group helps residents with pandemic’s lingering impacts

Connecticut groups are still addressing the pandemic's aftermath. Along with connecting residents to vital services, United Way of Connecticut is …

Despite many Connecticut counties ranking poorly for air quality, Hartford was the only city to improve enough to move off the list of the worst 25 cities. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT counties rank poorly for air quality

Several Connecticut counties rank poorly in the latest State of the Air report by the American Lung Association. Four counties measured for ozone …

Connecticut's 2011 paid sick leave law was the first in the nation to require private-sector employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave. (Adobe Stock)

CT paid sick days bill passes House, heads to Senate

A Connecticut bill would expand the state's paid sick leave law. The initial 2011 law requires 40 hours of paid sick leave for workers at employers …

Some places with camping bans preventing people from sleeping in public areas include Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, and the cities of San Diego, Calif., and Portland, Oregon. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS homelessness case can have ripple effects in CT

The Supreme Court case Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson could upend homeless populations in Connecticut and nationwide. The case centers around whether …

Though Connecticut's benefits cliff persists, there are other programs helping people maintain benefits of some kind when their income pushes them over the limit. (Adobe Stock)

CT Day of Action raises awareness on 'benefits cliff'

Today, groups working with lower-income families in Connecticut are raising awareness about the state's "benefits cliff" with a day of action…

People should consider finding someone to be their spokesperson in health-care decision planning. This would help someone ensure their care wishes are carried out if or when they cannot speak for themselves. (Adobe Stock)

Health care decision planning important for CT residents

With Alzheimer's cases on the rise in Connecticut, experts say people should consider early health care planning. A new report shows around 77,000 …

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

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)

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 …

A new report from Connecticut Voices for Children found Connecticut's film industry tax credit mostly benefits the state's high-income and wealthy households and households outside of Connecticut. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT should consider eliminating costly film tax credit

A new report found Connecticut might be better off without its film industry tax credit. The Connecticut Voices for Children report showed the film …

Research shows inpatient emergency services drop by 70% after a stay in a peer-run respite center. (Adobe Stock)

CT bill creates mental health peer-run respite centers

A Connecticut bill under consideration in the Legislature would establish peer-run respite centers to help people with mental illness. Senate Bill 37…

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 …

Should Connecticut's Child Tax Credit be enacted, 550,000 children, or 74% of children would be eligible. (Adobe Stock)

New maps show CT child tax credit’s statewide impacts

New data show the impacts of Connecticut's proposed child tax credit. Broken down by town, and state House and Senate districts, 268,000 eligible …

In Connecticut, Alzheimer's caregivers provide 201 million hours of unpaid care, which is valued at $4.2 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates for Alzheimer's patients seek more help from CT lawmakers

People who support those with Alzheimer's disease are in Hartford today, asking Connecticut lawmakers to do more for families facing the brain …

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 …

A new report from Connecticut Voices for Children suggested one of the best ways to improve Connecticut's tax system would be by providing increased tax transparency for residents. (Adobe Stock)

Report: State tax system leaves CT residents struggling

A new report brands Connecticut's tax system as "regressive" for low- to middle-income residents and uses a report from the state to make its point…

Religion is an important part of Black LGBTQ+ youth's lives, with 77% being raised with religious values. But the report notes most respondents said their religion was

Report finds Black LGBTQ+ youth hardships easing a bit

A new report said Black LGBTQ+ youth are seeing more equality, in Connecticut and the U.S. but it does not always mean greater opportunity. The …

The Environmental Protection Agency finds neonicotinoids could jeopardize more than 200 plants and animals protected by the Endangered Species Act. (Adobe Stock)

CT lawmakers water down bill addressing toxic pesticides

A Connecticut bill would have restricted toxic pesticides called neonicotinoids - or so it seemed. The bill's newest iteration, some experts feel…

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 Annie E. Casey Foundation finds Connecticut's 13% child poverty rate in 2021 was 4% lower than the national average. (Adobe Stock)

CT lawmakers considering state child tax credit bill

Child tax credit legislation is being considered in Connecticut. The state is one of several without such a credit, though a child tax rebate was …

The State of Reentry report finds 93% of people with sentences ending in six months had a substance use problem and 81% had a moderate to serious substance use problem. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT formerly incarcerated people face reentry challenges

A new report finds Connecticut's recently released prison population is facing reentry challenges. The State of Reentry report found resources and …

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 …

The CDC reported kids ages 5-19 from low-income families are twice as likely to have cavities as kids living in higher-income households. (Adobe Stock)

CT dentists share new trends in kids' oral health

During Children's Dental Health Month, Connecticut pediatric dentists are advising the best habits for their young patients. The Centers for Disease …

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 …

Research shows older veteran populations make up the bulk of suicide deaths, although experts say it is due to the size of this group. (Adobe Stock)

CT mental-health pros seek ways to reduce veteran suicides

Connecticut and U.S. mental health professionals are working to address suicide among military veterans. Research shows a 95% increase in veteran …

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 …

More than 700,000 people in Connecticut receive Social Security benefits. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers rally for Social Security, federal budget

Lawmakers and union leaders are calling on Congress for fiscal changes during the year. Along with conversations about the budget and fair pay…

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