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Middletown Manufacturer Acquires Previously Leased Property for $3.5 Million to Ensure Cost Stability

Middletown Manufacturer Acquires Previously Leased Property for $3.5 Million to Ensure Cost Stability

Middletown Manufacturer Acquires Previously Leased Property for $3.5 Million to Ensure Cost Stability

Connecticut Warns Water Utilities of Cyberattack Risks Following Incidents in Other States

Connecticut Warns Water Utilities of Cyberattack Risks Following Incidents in Other States

Connecticut state officials have issued warnings to water utilities across the state regarding potential cyberattacks, following recent incidents that disrupted water systems in at least seven other U.S. states. The Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC) quickly disseminated information about affected equipment and suspicious internet addresses, along with recommended protections, after federal authorities identified the latest threat. While no Connecticut water system has reported attempted or successful attacks, the state does not maintain a centralized inventory of equipment used by its 2,387 public water systems, making it difficult to ascertain how many use the specific equipment targeted in the recent attacks. The attacks primarily involved remotely accessing internet-facing Rockwell Automation and Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1100 and 1400 programmable logic controllers (PLCs), changing their internet addresses and passwords, and causing operators to lose monitoring or control capabilities. These incide...

Four States Offer Enhanced Medigap Protections Beyond Federal Standards

Four States Offer Enhanced Medigap Protections Beyond Federal Standards

Federal law provides a six-month protected enrollment period for Medigap policies when individuals turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage or charge more due to health conditions. However, outside this window, most states allow insurers to medically underwrite policies, potentially denying coverage or increasing costs for individuals with pre-existing conditions like diabetes. Only four states—Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Maine—offer significant Medigap protections that extend beyond this federal window. Connecticut and New York provide continuous guaranteed access to Medigap. Massachusetts offers broad protections throughout the year, while Maine mandates insurers to offer at least Plan A during an annual guaranteed-issue period. Other states may offer narrower opportunities, such as 'birthday windows' for existing Medigap policyholders, but these generally do not provide unrestricted access for all Medicare Advantage members seeking to switch to a su...

Glastonbury Schools Transition from Tablets to Chromebooks for Students

Glastonbury Schools Transition from Tablets to Chromebooks for Students

Glastonbury Public Schools in Connecticut are implementing a significant technological shift by replacing tablets with Chromebooks for students. This summer, approximately 1,300 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are receiving Chromebooks, marking the initial phase of a three-year transition plan. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Kate Lund stated that the decision was influenced by research suggesting potential addictive qualities of touchscreens for children. The district aims to provide students with the necessary tools for teaching and learning, while also addressing concerns about excessive technology use. Going forward, most younger children in Glastonbury classrooms will not use devices, and students from third grade through high school will eventually be equipped with Chromebooks as the program expands.

Governor Lamont Intervenes in Federal Review of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy Merger Over Electricity Cost Concerns

Governor Lamont Intervenes in Federal Review of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy Merger Over Electricity Cost Concerns

Governor Lamont Intervenes in Federal Review of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy Merger Over Electricity Cost Concerns

East Windsor Police Release New Details in Death of 1-Year-Old Left in Car, Father Charged

East Windsor Police Release New Details in Death of 1-Year-Old Left in Car, Father Charged

The East Windsor Police Department has released additional details regarding the death of a 1-year-old boy who was found unresponsive after being left alone in a car. The child's father, Kevin Pell, 47, appeared in Hartford Superior Court after being charged with risk of injury to a child. The incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon at a strawberry farm on Rockville Road, owned by Pell Strawberries Holdings. Police received a call at approximately 2:24 p.m. for an unresponsive child. Pell informed authorities that he had left his son in the vehicle while he was working, and upon his return, the child was blue and not breathing. The child was transported to Connecticut Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Pell stated he left the car's air conditioning on, as the child had fallen asleep. However, police determined that the climate inside the vehicle was not habitable for the child due to the car's location and outside temperatures, suggesting the child suffered from heat-related medical issue...

Connecticut Implements Penalties for Hospitals Exceeding Healthcare Cost Growth Benchmarks

Connecticut Implements Penalties for Hospitals Exceeding Healthcare Cost Growth Benchmarks

Connecticut lawmakers have approved new measures to penalize hospitals whose annual healthcare spending growth exceeds state-established benchmarks. This initiative aims to curtail rapidly rising healthcare costs, a long-standing concern for state officials. Starting in 2029, hospitals that fail to keep cost growth at or below 3.9% may be required to submit a corrective plan. If these plans are not met, hospitals could face a community health investment penalty of up to $400,000, with the amount varying based on the hospital's size. This policy builds on previous efforts to measure healthcare spending growth, which lacked enforcement mechanisms. Comptroller Sean Scanlon, a key negotiator for the state, emphasized that the goal is to save millions of dollars for residents by keeping healthcare cost growth under 4% annually. The state has also committed over $1.6 billion in additional funding to hospitals over the next five years to help offset potential losses from federal program changes.

Death of Paul Kueker at Madison Square Garden Ruled Accidental by Medical Examiner

Death of Paul Kueker at Madison Square Garden Ruled Accidental by Medical Examiner

The death of Paul Kueker, a 51-year-old married father of two from Connecticut, who plunged from a 150-foot-high balcony at Madison Square Garden (MSG) during a Goose the Band concert, has officially been ruled an accident by the city medical examiner’s office. The incident occurred nearly two months prior, on June 20, while Kueker was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife. Officials stated that Kueker succumbed to 'multiple blunt impact injuries.' Law-enforcement sources, citing witnesses, reported that Kueker 'appeared intoxicated' and 'under the influence' before he fell over a 4-foot-high glass barrier shortly before 10 p.m. during the concert's intermission. A witness described the horrific scene, stating they saw Kueker’s head 'like a foot to the left of my shoes' and was 'standing in blood' within seconds. Several other individuals sustained minor injuries from the fall.

Senator Blumenthal Proposes Bill to Limit FERC Approval of Power Company Infrastructure Spending

Senator Blumenthal Proposes Bill to Limit FERC Approval of Power Company Infrastructure Spending

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is introducing federal legislation aimed at increasing scrutiny of power companies' infrastructure spending. The proposed bill would prohibit the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from approving any projects that would lead to an increase in electricity prices exceeding 5%. This initiative comes as Eversource, a major utility, is undertaking extensive projects to replace wires and poles across New England. Senator Blumenthal and Connecticut's state Consumer Counsel, Claire Coleman, argue that current transmission construction projects are often excessive and primarily serve to boost utility profits, rather than genuinely benefiting consumers. They highlight concerns that the costs of these projects are disproportionately passed on to customers, leading to higher electricity bills. The legislation seeks to ensure that regulators more closely examine the public benefit of such projects in relation to their cost to consumers, particularly for those spanning multiple...

New 96-Unit Luxury Apartment Building Opens in New Haven with Extensive Amenities

New 96-Unit Luxury Apartment Building Opens in New Haven with Extensive Amenities

New 96-Unit Luxury Apartment Building Opens in New Haven with Extensive Amenities

New Hampshire Crowned Most Naturally Beautiful U.S. State in New Ranking

New Hampshire Crowned Most Naturally Beautiful U.S. State in New Ranking

New Hampshire has been recognized as the most naturally beautiful state in the U.S., according to a new ranking compiled by Holafly. The study evaluated all 50 states based on six criteria: highest mountain elevation, total river miles, forest cover, number of national parks, active and dormant volcanoes, and waterfalls. Despite its relatively small size, New Hampshire achieved an overall score of 90.83 out of 100, attributed to its 83 percent forest cover, 353 waterfalls, two national parks, and Mount Washington, the Northeast's highest peak at 6,288 feet. West Virginia followed in second place with a score of 78.23, noted for its extensive forests, over 6,600 miles of rivers, six national parks, and nearly 200 waterfalls. Virginia, Connecticut, and Hawaii rounded out the top five, with New England states showing a strong presence in the top 10.

US kindergarten vaccine coverage continues downward trend, falling 0.1%

US kindergarten vaccine coverage continues downward trend, falling 0.1%

By Michael Erman and Julie Steenhuysen Aug 17 (Reuters) - U.S. kindergarten vaccination coverage fell 0.1% during the 2025-2026 school year, continuing a downward trend that has seen declines every year except one since the onset of COVID-19, according to data from the U.S.