WICC The Voice of Connecticut

For the first time, seniors at a local high school came together to try and financially support other classmates who can't afford to go on the end of year senior trip. We hear from Kaden and Nate of Jonathan Law in Milford about the First Annual Car Show and what you can expect from the show March 2, 2024.

The St. Patrick Committee is 60 this year and has helped dozens high school students in the surrounding Bridgeport area over the years. We spoke with committee members, Kevin Coles and Sheryl Shaughnessey, about the group, the scholarships and the upcoming dinner supporting it all. Find out more at https://www.stpscholarship.com/

Host Paul Pacelli started Thursday's edition of "Connecticut Today" with word of more possible restrictions on the state's landlords (00:33) We spoke with Family Institute of Connecticut President Peter Wolfgang about a legislative proposal possibly targeting Connecticut's Catholic hospitals (15:54). Washington Times Online Opinion Editor Cheryl Chumley stopped by to chat about the current immi...

As the journey to name the next mayor of Bridgeport continues, more and more politicians are making their voices heard. We recently learned Governor Ned Lamont, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, and Congressman Jim Himes are all throwing their support behind Mayor Joe Ganim for the upcoming general election redo. But opponent John Gomes also received a big endorsement from Norwalk I...

Science You May Not Know: getting ready for the total eclipse in April. Find out where you can best spot the spectacle in the sky and how University of Bridgeport students have a hand in a huge NASA project during the eclipse. Photo Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

A Fairfield filmmaker fell into film making after the death of his father. While helping his mother grieve the loss, he stumbled upon an unconventional study where scientists spark sensory reconnections for people who have lost loved ones. It’s being called the first publicly funded research of its kind. Stephen Berkley talked about the in-depth research behind this type of “therapy” and the ac...

Elections for the Connecticut State Senate (https://ballotpedia.org/Connecticut_State_Senate) will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is August 13, 2024. The filing deadline is June 11, 2024. Rob Blanchard is running for the first time as a state senator, vying to take incumbent Senator Tony Hwang’s place in the 28th District. We learned about Blanchard’s...

March is Kidney Cancer Awareness month and it’s a type of cancer that people stumble upon. According to national statistics, about 80,000 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year in the US. We wanted to know since it commonly is a fluke diagnosis, what are the risk factors, symptoms, and treatments available? We spoke with Kidney Cancer expert, oncologist and researcher at Yale Cancer ...

In recent years, our winters in Connecticut have been very mild and that means more rodents and pests in our yards. That means a lot of Connecticut residents are having pest control companies out to spray and handle the problem. But many others are hesitant to get treatments because of poisoning fears for their pets and kids. We get the facts from Chris Lariccia of Rescue 1 Pest in Connecticut....

Friday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli wrapped up the Michelle Troconis case and verdicts with University of New Haven Senior Criminal Justice Lecturer Ken Gray (00:34). Former Derby Fire Chief Chuck Stankye joined us to talk about the 49-year mark since the Sponge Rubber Fire in Shelton (11:47). Former Bridgeport Democratic State Rep. Chris Caruso stopped by to wrap-up the Bridgeport m...

According to national data, psychiatric assessments of officers found that 41% were classified as at high risk of a mental health condition with 15% showing signs of PTSD. Law enforcement officials acknowledge a lot of focus on physical strength training with little focus on mental and emotional strength training until it’s too late. Former Fairfield Police Chief, Gary MacNamara, attended a nat...

The new census of agriculture was released this month. The report is conducted every five years and our Department of Agriculture looked at Connecticut’s farming numbers and operational costs. Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt explains why our farm numbers have dropped slightly and why the cost to produce farm fresh products has gone up substantially. Also, find out how you can be a part of the farmi...

The Better Business Bureau just released its 2023 Risk Report showing the top scams in the nation. The top three scams earning the most money from victims include investment, employment and online shopping. Kristen Johnson of the BBB shared why those scams are the most successful and how to protect yourselves from them. She also shared some key findings in the data and how Connecticut compared ...

Host Paul Pacelli kicked-off a new week on "Connecticut Today" wondering if it might be time for President Biden to step aside for a younger 2024 White House candidate (00:36). Quinnipiac University Law School Professor Wayne Unger detailed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding former President Trump's ballot eligibility (14:06). We also aired CT Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy's comments on ...

Nuvance Health and Northwell Health, two nonprofit, mission-driven healthcare organizations, announced a merger serving communities across two states. Northwell and Nuvance Health reported they will combine the strengths of both organizations and advance the level of care for patients in New York and Connecticut. The new regional system will bring greater access to primary, specialty and hospit...

The 2023 Bridgeport mayoral election may finally be over. But the bigger issue of voter fraud still lingers and questions surrounding shady politics are still unanswered. Just how long has election fraud been a problem in the park city and what needs to happen at the state level to create accountability for clean elections? We got perspective from retired state superior court judge, Carmen Lope...

According to The Wall Street Journal (https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/college-degree-jobs-unused-440b2abd#:~:text=Roughly%20half%20of%20college%20graduates,market%20over%20the%20past%20decade.) , 52% of college graduates have jobs that don't require a degree. More and more studies are showing that a college degree is not always a game changer in the career game. So, why is there still the...

Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli featured a chat with Stonington GOP State Rep. Greg Howard - who's also a police officer - on a promised crackdown on reckless drivers by the Connecticut State Police (00:24). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio briefed us again on a big environmental bill being unveiled at the State Capitol (09:56) Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images ...

The Connecticut Department of Transportation, state police and local law enforcement are working together to crack down on excessive speeding on our roadways. But this time, the focus is on rural roads across the state. Right now, through the end of May, a new initiative is detecting speeders and educating them on the dangers of putting the pedal to the metal. We got the scoop from Connecticut ...

March marks the annual Red Cross Month which has been around for more than 80 years. We learned the history of the Red Cross and how much volunteers have done in just the last year for Connecticut. We also got an update on our blood donation crisis in the country. We spoke with Richard Branigan, the new CEO for the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region. Image Credit: Reuters

“Don’t think of it as a mall; think of it as a district within the town of Trumbull.” THIS is the new concept for the future of the Trumbull Mall. Earlier this week, town officials and residents met to hear updated studies on the property and hear suggestions about what can go in that space to attract more people and dollars to the town. Dan Onofrio of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council w...

Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli started with Paul's thoughts on how many progressive media members arrogantly treat the political concerns of those who might disagree with them (00:34). Quinnipiac University Political Science Prof. Scott McLean dropped by to analyze Nikki Haley's exit from the GOP presidential race (13:45). Yankee Institute staffer Andrew Fowler filled us...

As you know, Nikki Haley suspended her Republican presidential primary bid. So, what does that really mean for voters in Connecticut ahead of the election later this year; especially independent and unaffiliated voters? We spoke with Scott McLean, professor of political science at Quinnipiac University. Image Courtesy of Scott McLean

Have you noticed we haven’t heard anything really about electric vehicles during this legislative session so far? We learned Connecticut Democrats recently hit the pause button on an EV mandate. Why the change of heart, what’s happening behind closed doors and are industry leaders a big reason for hitting the brakes? We asked State Senator Kevin Kelly following our many conversations on this to...

Earlier this week, a series of housing bills went before a public hearing during the legislative session. We had our monthly check-in with Renee Dobos, CEO of CT Housing Partners. CHP is a Connecticut non-profit that has been creating workforce housing opportunities for the state over the last 30 years. Are there any hopeful bills being considered this go around? Are there clear solutions to ta...

In the last week, we’ve seen some major health headlines that have caused concern for many. One study looks at a possible link between smoking marijuana and higher risk for heart attacks and stroke. Another study looked at less sleep leading people to a higher chance developing type 2 diabetes. And a final study looked at a potential association between exposure to air pollution and Alzheimer's...

Earlier this month, Milford Officer Owens and his K9 Rip were sent to Trumbull to assist in the search of a suicidal male who fled from a residence. Hear about this incredible story and how important the role of K9 officers are to local police departments. IMAGE CREDIT: Harlows Heroes

Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with Paul Pacelli took a look at a controversial bill in Hartford that could affect how Connecticut police conduct future motor vehicle stops (00:33). Darien/Norwalk GOP State Rep. Tracy Marra talked about a proposal to decriminalize so-called hallucinogenic "magic mushrooms" in the state (12:41). "Only In Bridgeport" blogger Lennie Grimaldi filled us in on anothe...

Fairfield’s Anthony and Jennifer Capalbo lost their son, Charlie Capalbo (https://www.capalbostrong.org/charlie-s-page) , to cancer in 2022. He fought a five-year battle with lymphoma and leukemia, and his parents are now on a life-long mission to raise funds for pediatric leukemia research. This weekend, The Bridgeport Islanders are not only hitting the ice for a game but they are also support...

One of the goals for Connecticut’s Department of Agriculture is to attract more residents the farming industry. In particular, officials are hoping to bring a younger demographic to the industry. Today, we met a couple, Kaitlyn Kimball and Lawrence Passeck, founders and operators of Sunset Farm in Naugatuck. Find out what attracted them to farming and some of the challenges they face, especiall...

March is colon cancer awareness month and right now, colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. And what’s even more concerning is that younger and younger patients are being diagnosed in recent years. According to The American Cancer Society in 2023, approximately 153,020 individuals will be diagnosed with CRC and 52,550 will die from the disease, includ...

We wrapped up a very busy week on "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli talking about two members of the state's Congressional delegation voting in favor of a new immigration law bill (00:48). Former Time Magazine reporter Alain Sanders (13:52) and State Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto (23:36) both discussed President Biden's State of the Union address. Former Bridgeport State Rep. Chr...

Earlier this month, Dartmouth College’s Men’s Basketball team voted overwhelmingly to unionize. So, what does this mean for other powerhouse sports colleges like UConn and Quinnipiac here in Connecticut? We spoke with employment attorney and Quinnipiac law professor, Gary Phelan, about whether college athletes should be seen as employees and what factors play a role in teams voting to unionize....

For the last several years, national studies have continuously reported public rudeness is on the rise in America. The statistics are based on the average person. For those who have a disability, the issue is even worse. We spoke with Kim from The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities about the do’s and don’t’s of interacting with people in public who have a disability. Image Credit: Ge...

We are gaining more light during the day and more people are out. While that sounds great overall, there’s a huge problem plaguing homeowners: becoming a victim of property crime. We spoke with crime prevention expert, Jim Perez, about simple changes to consider for your home and behavior to fly under the radar and avoid attracting criminals to your property. Image Credit: Getty Images

Fairfield University’s Center for Social Impact, Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP), and PT Partners have received a 3-year, $1 million grant from the Tow Foundation for a research project on gun violence prevention. Although the number of gun homicides in Bridgeport are significantly lower today than they were in the 1980’s and 90’s, rates have plateaued, indicative of the...

Monday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli looked at a continued controversy over the use of license plate readers by many municipal police departments and whether or not fears from some civil libertarians are genuine or overblown (00:37). Connecticut Inside Investigator reporter Marc Fitch stopped by to talk about his feature story on Connecticut's so-called "Green Bank," aimed at cle...

Since the clocks moved forward for Daylight Saving Time, the risk for drowsy driving crashes jumped up. AAA research has found that crashes tend to increase in the days following the springtime change as drivers get behind the wheel while sleep-deprived and with their circadian rhythms out of whack. We spoke to Alec Slatky with AAA about the new findings, what it means for tired drivers and tip...

From car detailing to garage door repair, homeowners can find supposed contractors offering up many services in their community Facebook groups on a regular basis. But, are these posts legit? In many cases, they aren’t. In fact, fraudsters have become so good at hijacking neighborhood Facebook groups, that moderators are having a hard time keeping up. Kristen Johnson with Better Business Bureau...

The 2023 Bridgeport mayoral election is over, but the fight for voter confidence across the state is continuing. We learned John Gomes and a group of others have been crafting legislation to present during this session to address election fraud. Find out what the group is calling for and the plan to make absentee reform a priority before the session ends in May.

On average, trauma impacts everyone. Whether you are a military veteran with PTSD, someone who dealt with a tough upbringing or experienced a life-altering event in your life, there are so many reasons people carry and bury trauma. But not addressing trauma can have long term consequences for you. We addressed healing trauma during brain injury awareness month this month, with counselor Julius ...

Host Paul Pacelli kicked-off Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" wondering where all the promised election law upgrades are - in the wake of the Bridgeport mess - as we hit the midpoint of the current legislative session (00:32). State House GOP leader Vin Candelora talked about a proposed "road map" to an electric vehicle mandate in Connecticut (12:54), while Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfoli...

March is National Nutrition Month and a lot of us don’t realize how important it is to prioritize our nutritional habits. Just check out the CDC website when it comes to poor nutrition statistics. According to reports, in the United States, 20% of young people aged 2 to 19 years and 42% of adults struggle with obesity and nearly $173-billion dollars is spent each year on health care specificall...

There have been a lot of concerns surrounding an electric vehicle mandate in Connecticut. And while lawmakers have hit the pause button for now, the idea is hardly off the table. Despite many reasons for delaying the roll-out of EV’s and elimination of gas-powered vehicle sales, we haven’t really talked about the negative impact of a mandate on farmers. Senator Jeff Gordon joined the show to hi...

This week is Patient Safety Awareness Week and we wanted to tackle the importance of patient safety at hospitals in Connecticut. How do we know a facility prioritizes patient safety and how do we recognize good patient care, especially if you’ve never had a procedure done before? In a 2023 report from The Leapfrog Group, a handful of Connecticut hospitals scored an A in patient safety. Stamford...

The storyline continues to show that Democrats want an electric vehicle mandate; Republicans do not. But are Connecticut lawmakers really that black and white over the issue? And are lawmakers looking at the whole picture, especially recent reports on the concerns coming from auto industry experts and EV owners? We had a deeper conversation about this with Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz ahead of ...

Women are slowly making their way back to the working world after the pandemic kept so many at home with their kids. But just landing the job isn’t always enough to successfully transition to the workforce. We did a deep dive into a local non-profit supporting women with clothing. Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County Program Director, Michelle Artis, talked about the organization, what they l...

Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli looked at an update from the State Capitol on the possible use of video technology to increase school bus safety in cities and towns (00:44). Quinnipiac University Cybersecurity Program Director Dr. Fred Scholl talked about the possibility of the TikTok app being banned in the U.S. and its alleged security risks (12:41). Hearst Connecticut ...

A piece of legislation is being debated in Hartford to increase penalties for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses in our state. It also looks at municipalities getting the ability to handle the issue locally with programs like BusPatrol America. The national company installs cameras on a fleet of buses in a district to track and ticket drivers breaking the law. Earlier this year, a ...

Connecticut is one step closer to better protecting residents from some of the dangers posed by artificial intelligence. This week, a bill tackling AI transparency got unanimous approval and now heads to the Senate floor. But what are the chances we see a law pass by the end of the session and what does it really mean for Connecticut residents? We spoke with the creator of the bill, Senator Jam...