Connecticut news

• Patriots’ Gronkowski on IR after season-ending back surgery 

  03-12-2016 23:56
  
  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been placed on injured reserve after having season-ending back surgery. Gronkowski, who has missed playing time earlier in the season with a hamstring injury and bruised lung, left last week’s game against the New York Jets in the first half with what was described as a herniated disk in his back. He had surgery Friday. The 2015 All Pro played in eight games, catching 25 passes for 540 yards and […]
  
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• Trump supporter Sarah Palin calls Carrier deal ‘crony capitalism’

  03-12-2016 23:40
  
  WASHINGTON — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin — an early supporter of Donald Trump who is under consideration to serve in his Cabinet — is criticizing the use of subsidies to keep an Indiana-based air conditioning company from sending jobs to Mexico, a move the President-elect has spotlighted as one of his first victories since being elected. “When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, ill
  
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• Firefighters battle 10-alarm fire in Cambridge Mass.

  03-12-2016 22:47
  
  CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A 10-alarm fire in a residential section of Cambridge caused one building to collapse and damaged several others Saturday afternoon. Dozens of people were evacuated, but only two people suffered minor injuries according to WCVB. The fire started around 3 p.m. The fire took place near Berkshire  Street and York Place. One building collapsed and several were severely damaged. The fire also burned several cars in the densely packed neighborhood. Check back for further
  
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• Cybersecurity experts to Trump: U.S. should train 100,000 hackers

  03-12-2016 22:23
  
  NEW YORK — The incoming Trump administration is being advised to train 100,000 hackers. The new president should also make an effort to develop international norms for hacking, essentially drawing red lines to avoid cyber warfare or even armed conflict. President Obama’s special Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity released its long-awaited report Friday night. In it, the panel outlines a challenging to-do list that makes clear cybersecurity is a top national priority. Comp
  
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• Shoplifting Suspect Found More Than 2 Hours After Running from Police

  03-12-2016 21:48
  
  A 33-year-old New Britain man suspected in a shoplifting at Best Buy on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington on Nov. 29 was located hours later after running into wooded area, according to police.Photo Credit: Newington Police
  
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• Navy christens submarine Colorado at Connecticut shipyard

  03-12-2016 21:32
  
  GROTON — The Navy has christened its newest attack submarine, a $2.7 billion vessel named for the state of Colorado. The 377-foot-long Colorado is the 15th in the Virginia class of attack submarines, which are equipped to carry out warfare against submarines and surface ships as well as conducting surveillance and delivering Special Operations troops. The submarines are built in a partnership between Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia at a cost of $2.7 billion apiece.
  
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• Baby Dies In Bridgeport; No Foul Play Suspected

  03-12-2016 20:43
  
  BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (CBS Connecticut) – An autopsy has been ordered on the body of a one-year-old boy who was pronounced dead on arrival to St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport early Saturday.
  A city spokesman says there appears to be no foul play; sudden infant death syndrome is suspected.
  The boy was taken from an address on Birmingham Street in the city to the hospital around 1 a.m., where he was pronounced dead.
  
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• Holiday Gifts Available At Connecticut DEEP Store

  03-12-2016 19:55
  
  HARTFORD, Conn. (CBS Connecticut and AP) – Books, state park passes and fishing licenses are some of the possible holiday gifts shoppers will be able to buy online from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
  The agency says orders placed at DEEP’s store by Dec. 18 should arrive in time for Christmas.
  Among the environmental gifts available at http://www.ct.gov/deep/store is a fishing guide to Connecticut lakes and ponds, a guide and history of Connecticut&
  
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• Connecticut Receives Nearly $11.7 Million For Preschool Slots

  03-12-2016 18:57
  
  HARTFORD, Conn. (CBS Connecticut and AP) – Connecticut is receiving nearly $11.7 million in federal funds to expand high-quality preschool.
  Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says the money will allow the state to continue providing preschool education to 439 children while improving the quality of preschool for another 291. That’s a total of 730 four-year-olds who live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
  The affected children live in 13 high-need communities, includi
  
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• Is it possible for Trump to send American citizens to Guantanamo Bay?

  03-12-2016 18:20
  
  WASHINGTON  — If President-elect Donald Trump decides to make good on his campaign pledge to “load up” the prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with new domestic terror suspects caught in the US — including American citizens — legal experts say he is asking for an unprecedented constitutional showdown. Voters first received a peek at Trump’s stance on Guantanamo Bay back in 2015 when talking points on various policy questions were leaked ahead of a Republ
  
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• Is it possible for Trump send American citizens to Guantanamo Bay?

  03-12-2016 18:20
  
  WASHINGTON  — If President-elect Donald Trump decides to make good on his campaign pledge to “load up” the prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with new domestic terror suspects caught in the US — including American citizens — legal experts say he is asking for an unprecedented constitutional showdown. Voters first received a peek at Trump’s stance on Guantanamo Bay back in 2015 when talking points on various policy questions were leaked ahead of a Republ
  
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• Locals Give Generously at Toy Drive in East Haddam

  03-12-2016 18:08
  
  East Haddam’s police cruiser looked more like Santa’s sleigh Saturday. Teddy bears, dolls, footballs, and tractors, filled the patrol SUV to the brim within an hour.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Walmart agrees to $7.5 million settlement in discrimination suit

  03-12-2016 18:00
  
  NEW YORK — Walmart has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a suit that alleged the chain discriminated against gay employees. The class-action suit, which was announced Friday, claimed that Walmart denied spousal health insurance benefits to same-sex employees between 2011 and 2013. Jacqueline Cote filed the complaint in July 2015 on behalf of other Walmart employees whose same-sex spouses were also denied health insurance. It was not immediately known how many current and former Walmart
  
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• Navy To Christen Submarine Colorado At EB

  03-12-2016 17:48
  
  GROTON, Conn. (CBS Connecticut and AP) – The Navy is preparing to christen its newest attack submarine in a Connecticut shipyard ceremony.
  The submarine becomes the USS Colorado once it is commissioned Saturday at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton.
  Sponsored by Annie Mabus, the daughter of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, the vessel is the 15th in the Virginia class of submarines. The 377-foot-long sub is equipped to carry out warfare against submarines and surface ships as well as conduct sur
  
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• Navy Christens Submarine Colorado At EB

  03-12-2016 17:48
  
  GROTON, Conn. (CBS Connecticut and AP) – The Navy has christened its newest attack submarine, a $2.7 billion vessel named for the state of Colorado.
  The 377-foot-long Colorado is the 15th in the Virginia class of attack submarines, which are equipped to carry out warfare against submarines and surface ships as well as conducting surveillance and delivering Special Operations troops.
  The submarines are built in a partnership between Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia at
  
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• Sandy Hook Promise Releases PSA

  03-12-2016 16:53
  
  NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) – A group formed by families who lost children in the Sandy Hook school shooting has started a new public service campaign designed to teach people to recognize the warning signs of someone who may be contemplating gun violence.
  The Know the Signs campaign from Sandy Hook Promise includes the launch on Friday of a new 2 1/2-minute video public service announcement designed to show how easy it is to overlook at-risk behavior.
  The group’s founders include Nicole Hoc
  
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• Oakland warehouse fire kills at least 9 people, at least 25 still missing.

  03-12-2016 16:53
  
  OAKLAND, Calif.  — A fire broke out Friday night during a party at a two-story warehouse and artists’ studio in Oakland, killing at least nine people and leaving about two dozen missing, the California city’s fire chief said. Initial reports indicate dozens of people — perhaps up to 100 — were in the building when the fire started, Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said. Most of the dead were on the second floor, where people would have had difficulty [&he
  
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• Oakland warehouse fire kills at least 9 people

  03-12-2016 16:53
  
  OAKLAND, Calif.  — San Francisco Bay Area authorities say a fire has broken out at an Oakland warehouse where people were having a party Friday night. At least nine people in the building were killed according to CNN affiliate KRON-TV, citing a fire chief. Oakland police Officer G. Plasencia says the fire department responded about 11:30 p.m. Friday and that firefighters were still on the scene early Saturday morning. Oakland firefighters tweeted video of the fire erupting through the
  
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• Crash Knocks Out Power in East Haddam

  03-12-2016 16:52
  
  Emergency crews responded to Beebe Road in East Haddam this morning after a man flipped his car over after being distracted by local wildlife.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Former US ambassador: Trump ‘winging it’ with Taiwan call

  03-12-2016 16:30
  
  WASHINGTON  — Continuing with the theme that paced his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump was anything but a traditional politician on Friday, holding a phone call with the President of Taiwan. With a Twitter post Friday evening, the business mogul declared the call was of a congratulatory nature and came directly from President Tsai Ing-wen. Trump’s transition team backed up the President-elect’s tweet, adding that “during the discussion, they noted the close ec
  
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• Car, Bibles Stolen From WWII Vet in Windsor

  03-12-2016 16:29
  
  A WWII veteran and widower is asking for the thief who stole his car and Bible to bring them back.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Search Continues for Hit-and-Run Driver in Enfield

  03-12-2016 16:17
  
  Enfield police continue to search for the driver who hit and killed a skateboarder early Friday morning.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Car, Bible Stolen From WWII Vet in Windsor

  03-12-2016 14:50
  
  A WWII veteran and widower is asking for the thief who stole his car and Bible to bring them back.Photo Credit: Getty Images
  
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• Colder, with less wind expected for Sunday

  03-12-2016 12:31
  
  This weekend, our weather will be quiet with dry conditions and cooling temperatures.  The wind will diminish overnight that will allow temperatures to plunge in the 20s.   There will be more sunshine and a lighter wind on Sunday, however, high temperatures will be on the chilly side, averaging in the upper 30s to low 40s. There is a chance for flurries early Monday associated with weakening low pressure system as it runs up against a big ridge of high pressure […]
  
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• Blustery cool today; colder, less wind Sunday

  03-12-2016 12:31
  
  This weekend, our weather will be quiet with dry conditions and cooling temperatures.  Another trough has ushered in a reinforcing shot of cool air with some clouds and a gusty wind today.  The wind will diminish overnight that will allow temperatures to plunge in the 20s.   There will be more sunshine and a lighter wind on Sunday, however, high temperatures will be on the chilly side, averaging in the upper 30s to low 40s. There is a chance for […]
  
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• Stan Simpson: More financial woes for Connecticut

  03-12-2016 12:03
  
  HARTFORD — The state financial picture remains very bleak. After closing billions in budget deficits in recent years with more taxes and job cuts, the state is projecting another billion dollar deficit in 2017. That’s on top of a projected $77 million shortfall this year. Hartford Courant Capital Bureau Chief Chris Keating joins us to discuss the very latest.
  
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• Stan Simpson: Workforce development strategies for Connecticut

  03-12-2016 12:02
  
  HARTFORD — CBIA executive Andrea Comer speaks out about a workforce development forum Dec. 6 that will outline strategies to attract and retain talent in Connecticut. The vent is called “Work it, CT” and it’s sponsored by CBIA, the leading business advocate in the state. The goal is promote strategies to attract and retain talent in Connecticut. You can learn more here.
  
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• Stan Simpson: Urban League of Greater Hartford’s 2016 State of Black Hartford book

  03-12-2016 12:01
  
  HARTFORD — The Urban League of Greater Hartford has published an updated version of “State of Black Hartford.” The inaugural book was published in 1994. The 2016 edition also deals with a number of issues relevant to the capital city’s African American community. The League’s President & CEO Adrienne Cochrane joins us to talk about it.
  
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• Stam Simpson: Urban League of Greater Hartford’s 2016 State of Black Hartford book

  03-12-2016 12:01
  
  HARTFORD — The Urban League of Greater Hartford has published an updated version of “State of Black Hartford.” The inaugural book was published in 1994. The 2016 edition also deals with a number of issues relevant to the capital city’s African American community. The League’s President & CEO Adrienne Cochrane joins us to talk about it.
  
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• Winterfest Celebration events taking place in Hartford

  03-12-2016 11:21
  
  HARTFORD — The Winterfest Celebration will take place Saturday, December 3rd, with many events for families of all ages and sizes. As always, there’s free skating at Bushnell Park from 11 a.m. -8 p.m.. The Ugly Sweater Run will take place at 11 a.m., along with pictures with Santa Claus from 12 p.m. – 3p.m.. There are also some events starting around 4:30 p.m including Mayor Bronin and Santa Claus wecoming everyone to Winterfest! Below is a list of events taking […]
  
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• Quinnipiac beats RPI 4-1

  03-12-2016 05:10
  
  The #5 Quinnipiac Bobcats ice team back in action Friday night as they looked to bounce back from a loss in their last outing. They hosed the Engineers from RPI. Bobcats got on the board in the first period when Landon Smith sent a perfect pass to Tanner Macmaster who scored on the back hand shot. The score would stay 1-0 until RPI tied the game in the third period, but that’s when QU would take over. The Bobcats would score […]
  
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• Rockville brings Santa’s House back to town as new tradition starts

  03-12-2016 05:03
  
  ROCKVILLE–A holiday tradition that lay dormant for 40 years was resurrected last year, and now the tradition continues. Last year, volunteers in the Rockville section of Vernon spent their time and money to bring back “Santa’s House is Coming to Town” to Central Park in Rockville, and it’s standing again! It was launched on Friday as part of the town’s Winterfest festivities, but Santa’s House will be open on Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1
  
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• ‘Heroes Tree’ in Old Saybrook adorned with gold, silver, blue stars to honor those who serve

  03-12-2016 04:53
  
  OLD SAYBROOK–The holidays is a time for gathering, a time for family, and a time to remember what is good in our lives. Now, a tree is dedicated to honoring those who protect our country. The eighth-annual “Heroes Tree” was lit in Old Saybrook on Friday. It’s a tribute to military service members, and instead of traditional ornaments the tree is decorated with gold stars for the fallen, silver stars fro the injured and blue stars for every Connecticut resident who [&
  
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• New London Touts Port Railway As Way to Build Economy

  03-12-2016 04:23
  
  Ports and railways. Those are the two key projects the City of New London wants to invest in to make the area competitive for trade and commerce.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Military mom pulls off touching surprise for son after year overseas

  03-12-2016 04:19
  
  STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — A mother who has been in the Middle East for nearly a year on military duty pulled off a surprise that had her son literally jumping out of his chair earlier this week. Petty Officer Julie Workman, who has been deployed in Bahrain since January, planned the surprise for her son at the SouthPark Mall Tuesday. In a video posted on the mall’s Facebook page, her son is seen sitting on Santa’s lap for a photo. Workman walks up from […]
  
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• Parrot joins man in mugshot, but no charges filed against the bird

  03-12-2016 04:14
  
  WASHINGTON COUNTY, Oregon — An Oregon man appeared with his companion parrot in a mugshot after bringing it to court on Monday thanks to the compassion of one court security deputy. Washington County court clerks said Craig Buckner was at the courthouse on Monday for violating a release order. Buckner thought he would get a “turn yourself in” sentence for a later date, so he decided to bring along his companion parrot. When Buckner went into court, he told the parrot
  
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• Man Who Threatened Suicide And Police Officers Surrenders

  03-12-2016 04:10
  
  (VERNON,Conn./CBS Connecticut)  –  Vernon  Police  were  called to 200 Union Street in the Rockville section of town  shortly after 5 o’clock Friday  afternoon on the report of a male resident  armed with a handgun and threatening suicide.Family members were able to escape.When officers arrived  the man came out of  the house holding a revolver and acted in a threatening manner toward officers.
  The man was contained and a portion of R
  
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• Police Respond to Reports of Armed Man in Vernon Home

  03-12-2016 04:08
  
  A portion of Route 83 was shut down in Vernon Friday night after police responded to a 911 call reporting an armed man at home on Union Street.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
  
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• Milford-based bullying prevention program teaches kids to ‘Look for the Good’

  03-12-2016 04:08
  
  Bullying is a huge problem in the United States, but it doesn’t seem to be going away despite all the anti-bullying campaigns out there. That’s where Anne Kubitsky and the organization she started, “Look for the Good Project,” come in. Instead of giving the message of fighting bullying, this organization focuses more on the positive. “It’s a gratitude campaign, and it’s a bullying prevention program. So instead of fighting against bullying, we’re a
  
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• Stepping Up Minority Teacher Recruitment in Connecticut

  03-12-2016 03:46
  
  Principals, Human Resources directors and superintendents from the state’s major urban school districts gathered for two days in New Haven to meet with representatives from historically black colleges and...Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Professor killed at USC, student arrested

  03-12-2016 03:38
  
  LOS ANGELES – A 25-year-old University of Southern California professor was killed on campus Friday evening after being stabbed, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Officers received a call of a stabbing with a deadly weapon around 4:34 p.m. in the 3600 block of McClintock Avenue, according to KTLA. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Later, the Los Angeles Police Department said a suspect had been arrested in his death. Neither victim nor suspe
  
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• Ex-scout leader gets 5-7 years in prison for molesting kids; faces similar charges in Conn.

  03-12-2016 03:20
  
  WORCESTER, Mass. — A former Connecticut Boy Scout troop leader has been sentenced to five to seven years in prison after admitting under a plea deal to sexually assaulting three boys during scouting trips to Massachusetts in the 1990s. The Telegram & Gazette reports  53-year-old David Kress, of Thompson, Connecticut, pleaded guilty Thursday in Worcester, Massachusetts to seven counts of statutory child rape. Kress must register as a sex offender and receive sex offender counseling
  
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• New Haven 3rd-graders ‘Spread the Love’ to kids at Smilow Cancer Hospital

  03-12-2016 03:12
  
  NEW HAVEN–Sometimes, the best medicine for kids is, well, kids. Third-graders from the King-Robinson Inter-District Magnet School in New Haven “Spread the Love” on Friday at Yale-New Haven Hospital’s Smilow Cancer Hospital. This year, the students have been learning about the needs and issues that their community is facing, and about organizations designed to address those needs. After the unit, students picked an organization to support for Southern Connecticut State Uni
  
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• Cooler weekend, but dry with some sunshine

  03-12-2016 02:21
  
  This weekend our weather will be quiet with dry conditions and cooling temperatures.  Another trough will usher a reinforcing shot of cool air with clouds and a gusty wind on Saturday, more sunshine and lighter wind on Sunday.  Saturday temperatures will top out in the 40s, cooling in the upper 30s to low 40s on Sunday. There is a chance for flurries early Monday associated with weakening low pressure system as it runs up against a big ridge of high pressure that […]
  
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• LEGO KidsFest clicks with young and old in Hartford

  03-12-2016 01:58
  
  HARTFORD — The build is on in downtown Hartford — After 7 years of shows, the LEGO KidsFest is back for its final run, and that means thousands of people are heading to the Connecticut Convention Center to play with millions of colorful bricks and blocks. On hand at the Convention Center is 60-year old Dan Steininger, a Lego Master Builder who serves as both educator and ambassador at the popular expos. “I get paid to play,” said Steininger, who […]
  
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• Mall of America hosts first black Santa

  03-12-2016 01:29
  
  BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — For the first time ever, the Mall of America is hosting a black Santa for the holiday season. Santa’s real name is Larry Jefferson, and he hails from Texas. (Don’t let your kids read this.) “It’s no big deal, I’m still Santa, I just happen to be a Santa of Color,” Jefferson told CNN affiliate WCCO. Jefferson will spend four days taking pictures with families and listening to Christmas wishes, by appointment only. “We are lookin
  
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• Sandy Hook Families, CT Politicians Push for Mental Health Reforms

  03-12-2016 01:25
  
  Congress could pass the first major healthcare reform since the Affordable Care Act next week.Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
  
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• Man accused of fatally shooting ex-NFL player Joe McKnight released without charges

  03-12-2016 01:10
  
  NEW ORLEANS — The man who who police say shot and killed former NFL player Joe McKnight was released without charges overnight. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 54-year-old Ronald Gasser was questioned and released “sometime overnight” after officials believed they had no reason to hold him any longer. The JPSO believes Gasser “definitely” shot the ex-NFL running back — police say Gasser remained at the scene and “identified him
  
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• State Police warning drivers to be safe when pulled over on shoulders

  03-12-2016 00:47
  
  HARTFORD — After a tragic 24 hours Connecticut State Police are reminding drivers to be safe if they find themselves on the shoulders of highways, or any roads. “The shoulders are for emergency or a disabled vehicle only,” said Trooper Dimitrios Karadimos. “Stay in the car. Put your seat belt on, if you have a cell phone call for help, either 911 or AAA if it’s a simple fix and you’re in a safe spot. If you don’t have a […]
  
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• Wilton cop, witness speak about fiery crash

  03-12-2016 00:25
  
  WILTON — The night before Thanksgiving, 26-year-old Hunter Stanfield, of Wilton, certainly had plenty to be thankful for. “I looked out my window, walked to the front door and then saw the thing burst into flames,” said Arlene Rosenthal, who called 911 when Stanfield’s 2001 Range Rover rammed into some trees on her property. The accident happened just after 8:30 p.m., on November 23. Sgt. Gregg Phillipson was working DUI detail nearby when the call came in. “Of
  
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