CT COVID-19 Update: 4 p.m., Thursday, March 18

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and members of his administration are scheduled to provide a briefing today at 4 p.m.

More about Public Health

Senate Backs Ban On Synthetic THC Products

The Senate Monday moved to tighten Connecticut’s regulated cannabis marketplace, banning the sale of synthetic THC and high-potency products that are currently sold by unlicensed…

by Mike Savino June 6, 2023, 12:00 pmJune 7, 2023, 10:23 pm

Agriculture

Connecticut Cafeteria Workers Serve Up a Plea for Universal Free School Lunch Funding Amid Budget Negotiations

School cafeteria workers made a push for universal free lunches Wednesday, urging lawmakers to include the funding in the two-year budget.

by Mike Savino May 31, 2023, 3:14 pmMay 31, 2023, 5:39 pm

Public Health

Senate Masking Requirements Return Amid New COVID Cases

Senate leaders have reinstituted masking and COVID testing requirements this week in response to a number of cases among members of the chamber in the…

by Hugh McQuaid May 30, 2023, 11:46 amMay 30, 2023, 12:08 pm

Opinion

OP-ED | State Legislature Needs to Approve Critical Legislation Protecting Access to Discount Drugs

Guest opinion writer Melissa Meyers says drug manufacturers are restricting shipments of discounted, life-saving drugs to neighborhood (or “contract”) pharmacies, and in most cases, have…

by Melissa Meyers for the Community Health Center Association May 30, 2023, 4:50 amMay 30, 2023, 3:03 am

Editorial Cartoons

Weapons of War

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 232 mass shootings so far in 2023. Editorial cartoon by John Darkow.

by John Darkow, Editorial Cartoonist May 22, 2023, 4:30 amMay 22, 2023, 12:34 am

Opinion

OP-ED | Curing Our Loneliness Epidemic

Opinion writer Tom Purcell highlights the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” in the United States, which was identified by the Surgeon General a few weeks…

by Tom Purcell May 17, 2023, 4:45 amMay 17, 2023, 12:44 am

Public Health

It’s Official: COVID-19 Emergency Ends

Gov. Ned Lamont joined hospital officials in New Haven to declare an official end to the COVID-19 public health emergency — and reflect on lessons for the…

by Thomas Breen May 11, 2023, 12:00 pmMay 11, 2023, 11:43 am

Editorial Cartoons

Loneliness Epidemic

Editorial cartoon by Rick McKee. The New Haven Independent reported on Sen. Chris Murphy’s effort to fight loneliness in America this week.

by Rick McKee, Editorial Cartoonist May 5, 2023, 4:30 amMay 4, 2023, 11:29 pm

State Budget

Connecticut Completes Hero Pay Program for Essential Workers

State Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced that the Premium Pay program, also known as Hero Pay, has concluded after providing one-time payments of up to $1,000…

by Staff Report April 26, 2023, 12:09 pmApril 26, 2023, 4:36 pm

Public Health

Aid-In-Dying Bill Proposal Stalls in Committee

A legislative panel on Wednesday tabled a proposal to allow terminally ill adults in Connecticut to end their own lives with medication, effectively ending the…

by Hugh McQuaid April 19, 2023, 3:34 pmApril 19, 2023, 11:48 pm

More COVID-19 Coverage

Bonding and Debt

Money For Public School HVAC Improvements Tops Bond Commission’s Agenda Thursday

With public school districts across Connecticut realizing they need to upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems following the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ned…

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by Kevin Flood April 5, 2023, 3:34 pmApril 5, 2023, 4:14 pm

Transportation

Community Leaders Worry Reinstatement Of Bus Fares Will Be A Hardship For Many

Advocates say the impending return of fares for all buses and ADA para-transit on April 1 will mean people will have a difficult time getting… Keep reading

by Julie Martin Banks March 21, 2023, 5:00 amMarch 20, 2023, 10:45 pm

Education

Chronic Absenteeism Improved With Home Visits

A Connecticut Education Department report released in December 2020 showed a sharp rise in absenteeism among students at the start of the pandemic so it… Keep reading

by Christine Stuart January 20, 2023, 12:00 pmMarch 24, 2023, 4:39 pm

Housing

Attorneys Report Successful First Year for ‘Right to Counsel’ Program

The state’s Right To Counsel program was not only successful in helping many tenants with avoiding eviction in 2022, but it also saved nearly $6…

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by Julie Martin Banks January 6, 2023, 10:00 amJanuary 9, 2023, 10:56 am

State Capitol

Capitol Reopens Completely, Masks Optional

While Wednesday’s opening day of the legislative session and inaugural events will be mask optional, Gov. Ned Lamont is asking people who are not feeling… Keep reading

by Christine Stuart January 3, 2023, 7:00 pmJanuary 4, 2023, 2:46 am

Public Health

Lamont Continues Public Health Emergency For Federal Funds

Connecticut will remain in a COVID-based public health emergency in order to continue receiving federal funds to offset the costs of supplemental food benefits and… Keep reading

by Hugh McQuaid December 20, 2022, 2:08 pmDecember 20, 2022, 2:08 pm

Health Care

Public Health Officials Concerned About COVID, Respiratory Illness During Holiday Season

The number of patients hospitalized in Connecticut with COVID-19 climbed this week to 515, its highest census since early February, prompting doctors and public health…

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by Hugh McQuaid December 16, 2022, 1:03 pmDecember 16, 2022, 1:03 pm

Education

See How Many School Counselors Are In Connecticut

School counselors are no exception to the nationwide shortage of school staff. It is not uncommon for students to attend a school with police on… Keep reading

by Stacker December 15, 2022, 8:00 amMarch 24, 2023, 4:39 pm

Health Care

Union Calls On Lamont To Make Good On Its Contract

Thousands of home care workers who risked their lives during the pandemic are pleading with Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration to make good on its promise… Keep reading

by Christine Stuart December 1, 2022, 11:00 amDecember 1, 2022, 6:53 pm

Special Session

Here’s The Skinny On Monday’s Special Session

The Connecticut General Assembly will convene today for a special session for a limited list of action items: extending the tax break on gasoline, boosting… Keep reading

by Hugh McQuaid November 23, 2022, 4:41 pmDecember 7, 2022, 3:34 pm

Public Health

Stefanowski and Fired Public Health Chief Accuse Lamont of Mismanagement

HARTFORD, CT — In a closing shot at Gov. Ned Lamont’s handling of COVID-19, Republican Bob Stefanowski stood Thursday with fired Public Health Commissioner Renee… Keep reading

by Hugh McQuaid November 3, 2022, 2:51 pmNovember 3, 2022, 3:03 pm

Criminal Justice

Former Democratic Lawmaker Pleads Guilty To Stealing COVID Funds

Former state Rep. Michael DiMassa pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing more than $1.2 million in COVID relief and other funds from the city of West… Keep reading

by Hugh McQuaid November 1, 2022, 2:48 pmNovember 2, 2022, 12:16 am

Public Health

Public Health Commissioner Encourages Vaccinations as Winter Approaches

Connecticut’s public health commissioner warned Friday of the onset of the respiratory viral season but said two of those ailments — influenza and COVID-19 –… Keep reading

by Hugh McQuaid October 28, 2022, 2:50 pmOctober 28, 2022, 2:51 pm

Election 2022

Candidates Clarify Their Position on Vaccines, Abortion & Crime

Gov. Ned Lamont and his Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski didn’t share a stage in a WFSB/ CT Insider taped, televised forum Thursday, but the candidates… Keep reading

by Christine Stuart October 27, 2022, 10:29 pmOctober 27, 2022, 10:29 pm

Election 2022

Gubernatorial Candidates Agree Not To Mandate COVID Vaccine For Kids

Neither Bob Stefanowski nor Gov. Ned Lamont seemed inclined to add the COVID-19 vaccine to Connecticut’s schedule of required childhood immunizations on Thursday as a… Keep reading

by Hugh McQuaid October 20, 2022, 3:17 pmOctober 21, 2022, 8:38 am