An executive order signed by President Trump in January could threaten the nation’s historic, cultural, and tribal sites. The order allows federal and state agencies to bypass Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and use emergency powers to proceed with energy projects at these sites under what is being termed a "manufactured national energy emergency."
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
Created by the Lamont administration in Connecticut last year, the Prescription Drug Task Force met in December for the first in a series of workshops to brainstorm ways to mitigate the rising cost of pharmaceuticals, while also trying to regulate the newest player in the sector – Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).
The task force met and produced a set of recommendations that were packaged into House Bill 7192, which is up for a public hearing today (March 11, 2025).
Brian Scott-Smith caught up with state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, to talk more about the task force's work and HB 7192 ahead of its public hearing. Lesser was one of four chairs of the task force...
Sen. Mae Flexer and Rep. Matt Blumenthal have reintroduced legislation this year to ban the use of non-disclosure agreements in Connecticut workplaces.
If the two Democrats are successful in shepherding Senate Bill 1035 through the process, Connecticut will have protections similar to those already on the books in California, New Jersey, and the state of Washington. However, some business associations are against the idea, saying a ban will leave businesses vulnerable.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
CCM launches 'Do the Math' campaign to demand sufficient state aid.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
Michael O’Connor, who is better known for leading the Millstone Nuclear Power Station for many years, is the new executive director at the Connecticut Port Authority.
The authority is a quasi-public agency that was set up in 2014 with a mission to market and coordinate the development of the state’s ports and maritime industry. Along the way, the authority has struggled through some high-profile issues with its finances, and now is fighting to get its State Pier Project completed in New London at a sum that is more than three times its originally estimated cost.
In that time the agency has had several different people take on the role of executive director, but now it is O'Connor's turn.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
After the resignation of former Executive Director Ginne-Rae Clay in 2024, the Connecticut Social Equity Council hit the reset button with the appointment of former state representative Brandon McGee as the agency's new leader.
McGee started by creating the council's first strategic plan for how it would move forward and better serve its communities.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
Connecticut has 169 towns and 138 of them have populations under 30,000. To make sure their voices are heard at the state Capitol, the Connecticut Council of Small Towns, or COST, was created 50 years ago to be that voice.
This year COST celebrated its Golden Anniversary at its annual Town Meeting.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
As adult-use recreational cannabis celebrates its second anniversary of legalization in Connecticut, advocates for medical marijuana patients say they’re being left behind. Brian Scott-Smith spoke with Lou Rinaldi, a medical marijuana patient and advocate for other people like him to find out more.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
The new year started off averaging nearly one traffic fatality a day for almost two weeks – slightly behind the pace during the same period in 2024, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, but still concerning for traffic safety advocates.
This week (Jan. 20-27) is also National Passenger Safety Week, a campaign urging passengers to speak up against unsafe driving practices and to help prevent crashes and save lives.
As such, we spoke with Eric Jackson, Ph.D., executive director of the Connecticut Transportation Institute, to find out more about what’s happening on the state’s roads and how it’s impacting not just drivers and passengers but pedestrians as well.
Brian Scott-Smith reporting
READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE
Brian Scott-Smith spoke with Lisa Yue, founder and board president of the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation, about her 13-year battle to get legislation passed to help properly diagnose and treat children with cardiomyopathy.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
Brian Scott-Smith caught up with Lauri Volkert, who was appointed State Fire Marshal in November, to talk about the job and the busy wildfire season Connecticut had in the fall after a summer of record heat.
Brian Scott-Smith reporting
Rino Ferrarese, President of Affinity Grow in Portland, Connecticut, talks about the cannabis industry and Connecticut's first two years allowing the sale of recreational marijuana.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
Chris DiPentima, President and CEO of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, says job growth has been stagnant over the last five months, mirroring an annual pattern dating back through 2022.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
Attorney General William Tong, who will serve as the president-elect of the National Association of Attorneys General in 2025 before becoming president of the organization in 2026, took a few minutes to answer our questions Wednesday.
Brian Scott-Smith reporting
Paul Larson is the President of the Connecticut Farm Bureau, one of the biggest member organizations in the state that helps advocate for the farming industry that employs around 31,000 people in the state's 5,000 farms and helps contribute $4 billion to the state's economy.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
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Kathy Holt is currently serving as the acting Healthcare Advocate, having been nominated for the post by Gov. Ned Lamont in September. With the General Assembly's approval, she'll officially take on the role. Regardless, as the acting head of the OHA, Holt is on a mission to educate Connecticut consumers about her office's services and resources and to help constituents with various healthcare matters.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
A new advertising campaign and documentary is being launched during the Veterans Day weekend in Connecticut to promote the state’s Veteran Farmers.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz visited the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center to help celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
Eastern Connecticut State University held its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Monday. Local leaders, students, and faculty attended the event which was held on campus at the student center. Ron Welch, the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and an Eastern alum, was this year’s keynote speaker.
–Brian Scott-Smith
Heather Somers, the state Senator for Connecticut’s 18th District, won convincingly in the general election, beating her opponent, Democrat Andrew Parrella, 28,275 to 20,713 votes according to the latest unofficial election results from the Secretary of the State’s website.
–Brian Scott-Smith reporting
