WICC The Voice of Connecticut

Joe Aguiar rolled out the red carpet on Connecticut Today for two of the leaders in Hartford. First, he welcomed Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz to talk about being reelected as Lieutenant Governor of the state as well as what their plans are (0:00). Following her, Speaker of the House, Matt Ritter, called in to add to Bysiewicz's comments (17:26). Image Credit: Getty Images

Lisa Dadio came back on the show. Lisa is a retired police lieutenant and currently the assistant dean for the Center for Advanced Policing at the University of New Haven. Lisa talked about pedestrian vs car fatalities, domestic violence and a new grant to help bolster police departments. ((00:00)) Bridgeport city officials have dropped plans to spend eight-million-dollars in federal COVID fun...

Joe Aguiar kept on trucking while filling in for Paul Pacelli on "Connecticut Today." First, Joe spoke to Keith Phaneuf, the budget reporter for the CT Mirror about the budget in the state of Connecticut, and some of the issues facing the state (0:00). Next, former State Representative of the 28th District, Russell Morin, called in to talk about various issues including Governor Ned Lamont choo...

We had Cindy Iodice in studio this morning. Cindy is the founder of the Flagman Safety campaign. The campaign was created to better protect tow truck drivers, first responders, DOT workers and anyone pulled over on the highway. Cindy lost her brother, Corey, after he was assisting a disabled vehicle in 2020 and he was hit by a drunk driver. Cindy shared what new opportunities are on the horizon...

The U.S. is imposing new restrictions on travelers from China due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. We asked Dr. Browne about the latest on wearing masks on planes and in schools.  IMAGE CREDIT: iStock / Getty Images Plus

As the final days of 2022 wind down, Joe Aguiar ramped it up on "Connecticut Today." He started off with former Green Party candidate for congress, Justin Paglino, to talk about some of the problems he sees with the current healthcare system and what we can do to fix it (0:00). Later on, House Majority leader Jason Rojas joined Joe to talk about issues facing the state, including eviction rates...

We take a look back at some of the biggest news stories and interviews from 2022 featured on Melissa in the Morning.

WICC600 AM and 107.3 FM wrapped up another year of live broadcasts with Joe Aguiar filling in for Paul Pacelli on "Connecticut Today." Joe started off the show, acknowledging the good that former President Donald Trump did while in office, after a heated off-the-air phone call yesterday (0:00). Later on, Joe spoke to Jim Battisti about all sorts of subjects including the media and other issues ...

According to national statistics, 1-in-10 Americans over the age of 12 have Alcohol Use Disorder and over half of Americans increased their alcohol consumption during COVID-19 lockdowns. Counselor, Julius Dudics, told us about the concept 'Dry January' which dates back to the 1940's and how it can help overcome addiction. ((00:00)) National statistics show 90% of workers who have a mentor repo...

Lisa Wexler kicks off the first show of the new year with a visit from Congressman Jim Himes. Image Credit: REUTERS/Erin Scott

On Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli, Paul opened with some comments about a medical emergency seen all over the world on Monday Night Football (0:24). Former Time Magazine D.C. reporter Alain Sanders discussed the contentious vote for the next U.S. House Speaker (9:36). Image Credit: Getty Images

Doctors say Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin may have experienced agitation of the heart during Monday night's game. We spoke with Dr. Jared Selter of Hartford Healthcare about what happened to Hamlin and how CPR was the life saver in this developing story. ((00:00)) January is National Blood Donor Month and we checked in with the American Red Cross Connecticut. Sam Miller spoke with us about...

Lawmakers are expected to return to the State Capitol in Hartford today. Legislative business was canceled last Thursday and Friday because of the death of Middletown state Representative Quentin Williams. We kick off our bi-weekly interviews hearing from senators representing both major political parties in Connecticut. Democratic Senator James Maroney and Republican Senator Tony Hwang reflect...

Monday's "Connecticut Today" featured host Paul Pacelli's thoughts on the start of recreational marijuana sales in the state (0:30). University of New Haven criminal justice lecturer Robert McDonald offered his analysis on the Idaho college murder investigation (6:30). Noted immigration attorney Renata Castro weighed in on the latest immigration law proposals from the Biden White House (16:30)....

New York State is looking to join Connecticut and 11 other states in offering mental health days for K-12 students. But what should mental health days away from school look like? We got insight from professional counselor, Julius Dudics. ((00:00)) New year, new job? We talked about resume building and the need for a LinkedIn profile with career strategist, Julie Bauke. ((14:31)) Crime on the ...

Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli opened with Paul's update on the first day of recreational marijuana sales in the state (0:30). Marijuana Policy Project Senior Legislative Counsel DeVaughn Ward also joined us to chat about the start of marijuana sales (9:56), while Connecticut marijuana retailer Ben Zachs talked about what customers he was seeing on the first day of adult r...

Bridgeport, like other municipalities, is experiencing a shortage of police officers. We spoke with Chief Roderick Porter and Lt. Angelo Collazo about recruitment efforts. ((00:00)) The Connecticut Audubon has a new nature preserve at Stratford Point! We spoke with Patrick Comins about the new acquired land and what it means for bird enthusiasts. ((16:54)) Tennis legend, Martina Navratilova, ...

Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli featured Jordan Davidson from the group "Smart Approaches to Marijuana" talking about Connecticut's recreational marijuana rollout and who stands to benefit the most (0:47). Former Florida GOP Congressman Francis Rooney talked about what's ahead for the new Congress (14:48). State Senate GOP Leader Kevin Kelly joined us to talk about state spend...

Legendary rock guitarist, Jeff Beck, died at 78 from bacterial meningitis, according to medical officials. What is bacterial meningitis? How common is it? Could a meningitis vaccine protect you from this? Dr. Browne gave us some insight into this. IMAGE CREDIT: iStock / Getty Images Plus

Governor Lamont stopped by for the first time since marijuana products sales became legal in Connecticut. We tackled impaired driving concerns, serving underage users and the war on drugs. Plus, he answered other listener questions involving tax cuts, energy costs and combating wrong way drivers. ((00:00)) Holiday scam reports were up big time in 2022. We got an overview from Kristen Johnson o...

Weightloss is usually a resolution for most people at the new year. But we want it to be done in a healthy way. Dr. Joe St. Pierre is a Hartford HealthCare Medical Weight Loss specialist in the Fairfield Region. He spoke about the best way to attack weightloss goals and also touched on childhood obesity. ((00:00)) The Lt. Governor stopped by to talk about marijuana product sales in Connecticut...

Friday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli closed out the week chatting with CT Inside Investigator reporter Tricia Ennis about the state's high electric rates and further possible regulation (0:33). We heard from Prof. Michael Rectenwald, Ph.D., author of, "The Great Reset and the Struggle for Liberty: Unraveling the Global Agenda" (11:22). Paul also had some thoughts on the current docume...

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Connecticut launched legal marijuana-product sales earlier this month and many have concerns over impaired drivers. How high is too high? Is there a limit? How do sobriety tests work for drugged drivers? We asked all your questions to Trooper First Class Pedro Muniz of the CT State Police. ((00:00)) One trial or multiple? We talked about the latest in the illegal dumping case out of Fairfield ...

Monday's "Connecticut Today" featured host Paul Pacelli wondering if an $8 million grant from the state's Citizens Election Program is still enough to run against multi-millionaire candidates (0:29), while State House GOP leader Vin Candelora weighed in on the issue (12:21). Heritage Foundation analyst Zack Smith talked about the discovery of more classified documents at President Biden's Delaw...

Following the legalization of marijuana-product sales, AAA is rolling out a new program aimed at companies. Fran Mayko shared the educational presentations that focuses on the dangers of marijuana and driving. www.AAA.com/CorporateConvos (http://www.aaa.com/CorporateConvos) ((00:00)) Actor, Brendan Fraser, made a speech at the Critics Choice Awards that has gone viral on the internet. We spoke...

Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli featured the first-person accounts of life-saving action taken at a recent college hockey game in Bridgeport (0:33). Journal Inquirer of Manchester columnist Chris Powell weighed in on Connecticut's high electric rates and the start of recreational marijuana sales (13:29). Former Bridgeport mayoral candidate and state legislator Chris Caruso analy...

It's "lights out" for six more Broadway shows including The Music Man. COVID is still undermining ticket sales and it's bringing down the curtain for incredible shows. So, what about our local theaters? We asked Dan Onofrio from the Bridgeport Regional Business Council about that. ((00:00)) It's January and so far so good when it comes to winter storms. But predictions show they are coming. In...

Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli featured an update on whether or not the state should initiate a limited black bear hunt in Litchfield County (0:30). Greenwich GOP State Sen. Ryan Fazio joined us to chat about a Republican package of proposed energy cost relief measures (6:25). CT NewsJunkie Columnist Terry Cowgill offered his thoughts on the first week of recreation marijuana...

Fights breaking out after high school games is becoming too common in Connecticut. Glenn Lungarini of the CIAC stopped by to talk about the problem and weighed in on the debate over neck guards for hockey players. ((00:00)) Bear care in Connecticut has been top of mind for animal advocates recently. A recent viral video shows a bear hibernating under a Connecticut man's pool deck. Did DEEP giv...

Grounding, also called earthing, is a therapeutic technique that involves doing activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect you to the earth. This practice relies on grounding physics to explain how electrical charges from the earth can have positive effects on your body. We asked Dr. Browne about it. IMAGE CREDIT: iStock / Getty Images Plus

Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli featured news of a bill that would allow kids as young as 12-years-old to consent to vaccinations in Connecticut (0:33). We were joined by Dr. Georgette Bennett, co-author of, "Religicide: Confronting the Roots of Anti-Religious Violence" (12:44). Quinnipiac University Associate Professor of Journalism Rich Hanley talked about the announcement th...

It is estimated that there are at least 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, fewer than 3,000 of which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's according to the Humane Society of the United States. One Connecticut woman created an app to connect people to available rescue dogs that have already been vetted. ((00:00)) More and more people want to get CPR certified after t...

Cooking Time: 10 mins, ready in 15 mins. Ingredients: 2 tbsp fig preserves 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar bone-in pork chops 2 tsp canola oil chopped parsley and figs, for garnish (optional) Preheat 400 degrees

Friday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli looked at a proposed bill to lower the physical strength requirements for new female firefighters in the state (0:26). Litchfield County GOP State Rep. Karen Reddington-Hughes chatted with us about the continued push to allow limited bear hunting in Connecticut (13:11). University of New Haven Professor Dr. Howard Stoffer analyzed  the ongoing Russ...

Starting in 2023, Connecticut raised its standards for lead-based paint and lead piping in older homes. State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg was chair of the Public Health Committee when the legislation was approved last year. What does it mean and how should homeowners report potential exposure? ((00:00)) Governor Lamont is set to outline his proposals surrounding gun violence in Connecticut. There ...

Monday's "Connecticut Today" featured a vibrant discussion about whether or not home insurance companies operating in Connecticut can deny or raise rates on liability coverage based on a breed of dog that may reside in a particular home (0:42). Quinnipiac University School of Law Tax Clinic Director Sara Spodick talked about Day One of the "2023 Tax Season" (13:35). Lawyer, author and police ad...

Sleep Foundation recently released a survey finding that melatonin web searches increased by 36% during the winter months. We spoke with Dr. Steven Thau about sleeping patterns and the effects of melatonin on people. ((00:00)) Pepperidge Farm announced its headquarters is leaving Norwalk. The Connecticut staple leaving has rocked our business community and we get insight on why is happened fro...

Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli focused on some proposed new gun laws from Gov. Ned Lamont(0:32), as we welcomed Connecticut Citizens Defense League President Holly Sullivan with her perspective. (11:32). Dr. Deborah Dash Moore, editor-in- chief of the Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, talked about the online repository as we approach this year's observance of Ho...

Stratford Health Department is offering free radon test kits. We find out why now and the impact radon exposure can have on the human body. ((00:00)) After an abrupt and unexpected exit by Bridgeport's former superintendent, we met the woman who stepped up to be the current interim super. Alyshia Perrin stopped by to talk about the teacher shortage, student-teacher ratio, the latest with Bassi...

Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli talked about ongoing concerns regarding security at the Trumbull Mall (0:29). Trumbull GOP State Rep. David Rutigliano explained new Republican concerns about recreational marijuana sales in Connecticut (11:44). Heritage Foundation immigration analyst Mark Morgan joined us to chat about ongoing problems at the U.S. Southern Border (22:34). Imag...

New year, new rules: we dive into the rollout of retail marijuana sales in CT. Joining the show for the first time was Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull. ((00:00)) Actress Tori Spelling shared that her daughter suffered from a hemiplegic migraine. We asked a migraine specialist what this rare condition is and learned about current migraine therapies. ((16:14)) Em...

Thursday's "Connecticut Today" featured news of a proposed bill in Hartford to put new limits on window tinting allowed on Connecticut vehicles (0:36). Wallingford/Middlefield GOP State Rep. Craig Fishbein chatted with us about Gov. Ned Lamont's latest gun safety proposals (12:29). SCSU Associate Professor of Political science and Urban Affairs Dr. Jonathan Wharton talked about his experience h...

At least three presidents. A vice president, a secretary of state, an attorney general. The mishandling of classified documents has taken center stage for the news. We had Congressman Jim Himes weigh in on the issue and also speak on the outrageous lies from Rep. George Santos. ((00:00)) Last week, we shared a phone app with you meant to crack down on using puppy mills to find your next job. H...

Many pieces of legislation went into effect in 2023. So, we spoke with key players behind these laws. Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull -- Marijuana Retail Sales ((00:00)) State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg -- Lead Poisoning Standards ((16:14)) State Rep. Dorinda Borer -- Healthcare Coverage for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Patients. ((28:44)) Comptroller Sean Scanlon -- ...

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Friday's edition of "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli featured transportation and commuter advocate Jim Cameron talking about the state's latest issues on the roads and rails (0:31). We also welcomed Col. Mark C. Vlahos, author of, "Leading the Way to Victory: A History of the 60th Troop Carrier Group 1940-1945 (11:57). Image Credit: Reuters

Fairfield Prep student, Jimmy McGrath, was killed in May of 2022. Following his passing, the outpouring of love from kids and parents inspired Jimmy's parents to create a foundation in his honor. Jimmy's dad, Kevin McGrath, joined us in studio to share the purpose of the foundation. ((00:00)) A Swedish case study looked at the link between sleep deprivation in adolescent years and developing M...

Monday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli looked at the Memphis Police beating of Tyre Nichols, who died three days later (0:31). University of New Haven Criminal Justice Professor Mike Lawlor also weighed in on the Nichols case (12:30). We were joined later by Mark Moyar, author of, "Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968" (24:30). Image Credit: Reuters

About 15%-25% of young children have some kind of communication disorder. Research has also found that approximately 13 percent of two-year-olds are late talkers. A Sacred Heart University professor just received a grant to do research on language and speech delay for toddlers. ((00:00)) There's another scam alert and it pertains to your social security benefits. Kristen Johnson with the BBB s...