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Connecticut Farmers Gain Access to $52.9 Million Federal Disaster Relief Fund for Weather Losses

Connecticut Farmers Gain Access to $52.9 Million Federal Disaster Relief Fund for Weather Losses

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt, and members of the state's Congressional delegation have announced the opening of the application period for disaster relief funding for Connecticut farmers. A total of $52.9 million has been allocated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to cover losses incurred by severe and unseasonable weather events in 2023 and 2024. These weather events included late frosts, freezes, historic flooding, hail storms, and drought, which caused significant crop losses, infrastructure damage, equipment losses, and increased production costs for farms across the state. The application portal for the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant Program is now open, with the first round of applications closing on October 7, 2026. Payments are expected to begin in mid-October following review and approval.

Connecticut Farmers Eligible for $52.9 Million in Federal Disaster Relief Funding

Connecticut Farmers Eligible for $52.9 Million in Federal Disaster Relief Funding

Connecticut farmers can now apply for $52.9 million in federal disaster relief funding to cover losses incurred from severe weather events in 2023 and 2024. Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt, and the state’s Congressional delegation announced the opening of the application period for the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant Program. The funds, awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), aim to assist farmers who experienced significant impacts from abnormal weather extremes, including late frosts, historic flooding, hail storms, drought, and excessive moisture. Over 200 Connecticut farms reported estimated losses exceeding $72 million during this period. The application period for the first round is open until October 7, 2026, with payments expected to begin in mid-October. Eligible farmers must have earned at least $1,000 in farm income and documented a minimum of $500 in losses from these weather events. Payments can cover up to 95% of eligible losses,...

Senators Blumenthal and Governor Lamont Accuse Trump Administration of Politically Motivated Grant Blockage

Senators Blumenthal and Governor Lamont Accuse Trump Administration of Politically Motivated Grant Blockage

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut have publicly accused the Trump administration of illegally withholding federal clean energy grants for political reasons. They claim that 284 terminated grants, totaling $7.6 billion, were blocked because the recipients were in states that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and are represented by Democratic senators. Lawyers for the administration have conceded in court stipulations that the inclusion of grants in the termination notice was based solely on the political identity of the recipient's state. Despite U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ruling the terminations illegal in two separate cases, the administration has reportedly not released the funds, including $53 million owed to Connecticut recipients like the University of Connecticut and RTX.

United Steelworkers Members Lobby Congress for Workers' Rights and Economic Priorities

United Steelworkers Members Lobby Congress for Workers' Rights and Economic Priorities

Nearly 700 members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union from across the United States recently converged on Capitol Hill for their annual Rapid Response lobby day. The Steelworkers engaged with elected representatives to advocate for the union's key priorities, which include boosting funding for Social Security, prioritizing workplace safety, and facilitating easier access to earned benefits for military veterans. This lobbying effort followed a morning rally on the Capitol lawn and a two-day conference in Washington, D.C., where members received training and information to effectively communicate the union's core values to lawmakers. The event highlighted the USW's long-standing grassroots Rapid Response program, which has been instrumental in achieving victories for workers over three decades. Speakers at the rally included several members of Congress, such as Reps. Nikki Budzinski, Greg Casar, Joe Courtney, Chris Deluzio, and Morgan McGarvey, who expressed solidarity with the union's agenda.

Wicked weather images as wild storm ravages Northeast

Wicked weather images as wild storm ravages Northeast

A nor'easter did all sorts of flooding and damage to states in the Northeast, causing loss of power and flooding.

City of Stamford Issues RFP for Stamford High School Auditorium Renovation

City of Stamford Issues RFP for Stamford High School Auditorium Renovation

The City of Stamford, Connecticut, has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Architectural and Engineering Services. This RFP, identified as 2027.0111, seeks qualified firms to undertake the renovation of the Stamford High School Auditorium Theatre and its associated rigging systems. The primary objective of this project is to enhance both the functional capabilities and the aesthetic appeal of the auditorium. Interested vendors are encouraged to contact Kristopher Bottoni at kbottoni@stamfordct.gov or by phone at 203-977-4108 for further details and information regarding the proposal submission process. The deadline for submitting proposals for this significant renovation project is set for October 22, 2026. This initiative reflects the city's commitment to maintaining and upgrading its public facilities to better serve the community.

Nor'easter brings flooding, power outages across US Northeast, over 400 flights canceled

Nor'easter brings flooding, power outages across US Northeast, over 400 flights canceled

By Scott DiSavino and Lewis Krauskopf NEW YORK, Sept 26 (Reuters) - A strong nor'easter hitting the US East Coast from Washington, D.C. to Maine this weekend forced airlines to cancel over 400 flights and knocked out power to more than 100,000 homes and businesses at one point on Saturday.

Waterbury Police Investigate Death of Mother After Unaccompanied Child Found

Waterbury Police Investigate Death of Mother After Unaccompanied Child Found

Waterbury, Connecticut police are investigating the death of a 34-year-old mother after an unaccompanied 3-year-old girl was found wandering alone in a neighborhood. Police received reports around 11 a.m. about the child. Upon locating the girl, officers determined she showed no signs of abuse or neglect. Authorities then worked to find the child's mother. She was discovered unresponsive in her Waterbury home. Emergency crews pronounced her deceased at the scene, noting she had shown signs of being deceased for a period of time. The woman's identity has not been publicly released. The investigation into her death is ongoing, and as of now, there are no obvious signs of foul play. The police are asking anyone with information to contact the WPD Detective Bureau or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line.

Viral cookie chain leaves key market, closes all stores

Viral cookie chain leaves key market, closes all stores

The stores have been marked as permanently closed and scrubbed from the chain's website.

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Warns of Scam Emails Impersonating Officials

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Warns of Scam Emails Impersonating Officials

The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has issued a warning regarding fraudulent emails that are impersonating DAS officials and procurement employees. These scam messages are designed to deceive recipients, sometimes using the names of real employees and referencing legitimate state contracts. In some instances, emails impersonate Commissioner Michelle Gilman, requesting school districts to review a 'DAS business proposal.' The DAS clarifies that these messages are scams and provides specific indicators of fraudulent activity. For example, one reported scam email originated from an '@das-ct.us' address, which is not an official state email domain; official state emails end in 'ct.gov.' The DAS explicitly states that it will never demand payment to maintain a vendor's contract status nor send 'business proposals' to school districts for review.

Federal Judge Revives $7 Billion Solar for All Program, Ruling Trump EPA Cancellation Unlawful

Federal Judge Revives $7 Billion Solar for All Program, Ruling Trump EPA Cancellation Unlawful

U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy has reinstated the $7 billion Solar for All program, declaring the Trump administration's termination of the grants unlawful. The program, established under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act as part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, aimed to expand solar energy access for over 900,000 low-income households. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had awarded the full $7 billion to 60 recipients, including states, municipalities, Tribal governments, and nonprofits, before a September 2024 deadline. However, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the program's termination in August 2025, following President Trump's signing of a tax and spending law that repealed the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund provision. The administration argued this repeal stripped the EPA of its authority to continue the program. Judge McElroy found that Congress's 2025 law only rescinded unobligated funds, while the $7 billion for Solar for All had already been committed to grant recipients. She...

Nor’easter Intensifies as East Coast Faces Flooding Threat

Nor’easter Intensifies as East Coast Faces Flooding Threat

A strengthening nor’easter is moving up the East Coast, bringing heavy rain, powerful winds and coastal flooding from North Carolina to New England. The worst impacts are expected Friday night through Sunday, especially across eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Wind gusts could reach 50–65 mph, rainfall may exceed 5 inches and coastal flooding could worsen during high tides. Major travel disruptions, power outages, beach erosion and dangerous surf are also possible across the region.