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Connecticut Master Gardener Program Distributes Seeds for Community Growth and Environmental Stewardship

Connecticut Master Gardener Program Distributes Seeds for Community Growth and Environmental Stewardship

The UConn Extension Master Gardener program, supported by generous donors, is distributing thousands of seed packets across Connecticut to foster community gardens, food security initiatives, youth education, and pollinator habitats. Vicki DeLeo, UConn Extension’s Master Gardener coordinator in Tolland County, oversees the annual seed distribution, connecting donated seeds from organizations like Ocean State Job Lot, Hart Seeds, and North Windham Home Depot with various community groups. These seeds are utilized by senior centers, schools, municipal community garden programs, food production initiatives, UConn 4-H clubs, and environmental projects. The program aims to strengthen communities by providing resources for growing fresh food, creating sustainable landscapes, and educating residents on environmental stewardship. For instance, the Enfield Rotary Garden has donated over 6,000 pounds of produce to a local food pantry this year, and the Northwest Park Organic Demonstration Garden uses seeds to grow f...

NBC and Telemundo Connecticut, Comcast NBCUniversal Award Over $227,000 to Eight Local Nonprofits

NBC and Telemundo Connecticut, Comcast NBCUniversal Award Over $227,000 to Eight Local Nonprofits

NBC and Telemundo Connecticut, in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, have announced the distribution of $227,272.72 in unrestricted funds to eight local nonprofit organizations through the 2026 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants. This initiative marks the ninth year of the competitive grant challenge, which has now provided over $2.1 million to Connecticut nonprofits since its inception in 2018. The grants are designed to support organizations making a significant difference in the community, with applications accepted across three categories: youth education and empowerment, next-generation storytellers, and community engagement. The application window for eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits for the 2026 grants was from March 24 to April 24. Hank Guerrero, President and General Manager of NBC and Telemundo Connecticut, emphasized that the program aims to help these organizations grow their impact and create new opportunities, reflecting a commitment to strengthening Connecticut communities.

Connecticut Enacts New Laws Addressing AI, License Plate Readers, and Immigration Enforcement

Connecticut Enacts New Laws Addressing AI, License Plate Readers, and Immigration Enforcement

Connecticut is set to implement nearly 100 new laws, either fully or partially, starting October 1, 2026. These legislative changes cover a broad spectrum of issues, including artificial intelligence (AI) transparency, restrictions on license plate reader data, and modifications to immigration enforcement. Specifically, the Connecticut Artificial Intelligence Responsibility and Transparency Act (CART) introduces new requirements for companies offering AI chatbots to children, mandating protocols to detect and address self-harm risks. It also requires employers to provide written notice when using AI for employment status decisions. Regarding license plate readers, the new law restricts data retention to 21 days and prohibits its use for immigration enforcement, investigations related to abortions or transgender care, or identifying individuals engaged in First Amendment-protected activities. Data sharing with out-of-state agencies is also limited, with exceptions for New York, Massachusetts, or Rhode Islan...

Connecticut Department of Developmental Services Cited for Non-Compliance in Health and Safety Requirements

Connecticut Department of Developmental Services Cited for Non-Compliance in Health and Safety Requirements

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has identified significant non-compliance issues within the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and its providers regarding federal waiver and state health and safety requirements for individualized home support services. An audit conducted by the OIG revealed that Connecticut failed to properly follow the provider certification process in 32 instances out of 81 reviewed providers. Additionally, individual plans were not reviewed annually in 6 out of 124 cases, and critical incidents were improperly reported and recorded in 70 instances. Site visits further exposed that providers did not complete required criminal background checks (23 instances) and abuse and neglect registry checks (29 instances), nor did they ensure mandatory training was completed within specified timeframes (106 instances). These findings indicate systemic failures in oversight and adherence to established protocols designed to protect Medicaid enrollees with intellectual and de...

Tunxis Trail Races in Burlington, CT, Cancelled for Fall Season

Tunxis Trail Races in Burlington, CT, Cancelled for Fall Season

Tunxis Trail Races in Burlington, CT, Cancelled for Fall Season

Connecticut Residents Face Rising Home Heating Costs, Rep. DeLauro Attributes Increases to President Trump's Iran Policy

Connecticut Residents Face Rising Home Heating Costs, Rep. DeLauro Attributes Increases to President Trump's Iran Policy

Connecticut residents are bracing for a significant increase in home heating costs this winter, with projections indicating a 30% rise for heating oil, a 9% increase for electric heating, and a 6% hike for natural gas. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) has attributed these escalating prices directly to President Trump's policies concerning Iran, specifically citing the impact on oil production in the Strait of Hormuz. According to DeLauro, the Strait, which previously handled 7 to 8 million gallons of oil daily, is now producing only about 2 million gallons, leading to a supply shortage. President Trump, however, has downplayed the higher costs, suggesting they are a necessary price to pay to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The future of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which assists nearly 6 million households nationwide, including over 90,000 in Connecticut, remains uncertain as President Trump has repeatedly proposed its termination.

Sun brace for an 'emotional' farewell as the WNBA franchise plays its final game in Connecticut

Sun brace for an 'emotional' farewell as the WNBA franchise plays its final game in Connecticut

The sun is setting on the Connecticut WNBA franchise as the team will play its final game in the state before it moves to Houston next year

Connecticut Representatives Introduce Bill for Tax Write-Off on Pyrrhotite-Damaged Home Foundations

Connecticut Representatives Introduce Bill for Tax Write-Off on Pyrrhotite-Damaged Home Foundations

Connecticut Representatives John B. Larson and Joe Courtney, both Democrats, have introduced the 'Casualty Loss Dedication Restoration Act.' This measure, which has passed the House as part of a larger tax relief bill for fraud victims, aims to allow homeowners to claim a casualty loss deduction for home foundations damaged by pyrrhotite. Pyrrhotite is a rare mineral, primarily found in the Northeast, that causes concrete to expand and crumble when used as an aggregate and exposed to moisture and oxygen. The bill would permit homeowners to retroactively claim this deduction, similar to those for natural disasters, going back to tax year 2021. This could significantly impact tens of thousands of homes, particularly in New England, that may require costly foundation replacements, with repair costs ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. The Senate must approve the measure for it to become law.

House Passes Bill to Restore Tax Relief for Homeowners with Crumbling Foundations

House Passes Bill to Restore Tax Relief for Homeowners with Crumbling Foundations

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Casualty Loss Dedication Restoration Act, a bill aimed at providing tax relief to homeowners affected by crumbling foundations caused by pyrrhotite. The legislation, part of the larger H.R. 9500, passed with a significant bipartisan vote of 408-17. Spearheaded by Representatives John B. Larson (CT-01) and Joe Courtney (CT-02), the bill allows affected homeowners to claim the casualty loss deduction for repair costs. Furthermore, it enables these homeowners to retroactively claim the deduction for repairs made starting in 2021. This initiative addresses a long-standing issue in regions like Connecticut, where up to 35,000 homes have been impacted by this structural damage, often leaving families with substantial repair expenses. The bill builds on previous efforts by Representatives Larson and Courtney, who secured IRS guidance in 2017 allowing the use of the casualty loss deduction, a provision that was later limited by the 2017 tax law.

Fourth rescued beluga dies after relocation from Canada's Marineland

Fourth rescued beluga dies after relocation from Canada's Marineland

A fourth beluga whale relocated from Canada's Marineland has died, prompting renewed scrutiny of the high-profile rescue effort.

Ørsted Completes Turbine Installation at Revolution Wind Project in U.S.

Ørsted Completes Turbine Installation at Revolution Wind Project in U.S.

Ørsted, in a 50-50 joint venture with Global Infrastructure Partners' Skyborn Renewables, has completed the installation of all 65 turbines at the 704 MW Revolution Wind offshore wind project. This significant milestone brings the project closer to full energization, which is anticipated by the end of 2026. The Revolution Wind farm is located more than 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast and has already begun delivering electricity to the New England grid as of March 14. Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate enough electricity to power over 350,000 homes and businesses, operating under fixed-price, 20-year agreements with utilities in Rhode Island and Connecticut. The completion of turbine installation follows a construction process that included two stop-work orders, as noted by the New England for Offshore Wind advocacy coalition.

Greenwich Breaks Ground on 120-Unit Residential Community, Addressing Housing Needs

Greenwich Breaks Ground on 120-Unit Residential Community, Addressing Housing Needs

Lonicera Partners and Nimbus Properties, alongside Congressman Jim Himes and First Selectman Fred Camillo, celebrated the groundbreaking of Benedict Court, a new 120-unit multifamily residential community in downtown Greenwich, Connecticut. The development, located at 19 Benedict Place, is designed to address a range of housing needs within the community. Forty percent of the units, totaling 48 apartments, will be offered at below-market rates, specifically targeting moderate-income households. This initiative is a collaborative effort with the Town of Greenwich and the Greenwich Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The project is slated for completion in 2028 and will feature a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with amenities such as a fitness center, resident dining room, private library, coworking space, and a shared rooftop terrace. The design by BKSK Architects incorporates traditional New England-inspired elements to complement the local architectural character.