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INSURANCE COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES 37% GROWTH FOR THE CONNECTICUT CAPTIVE PROGRAM IN 2023

Commissioner Andrew Mais of the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) has announced a significant milestone for the state's captive insurance sector in 2023. The sector experienced a remarkable 37% growth, marked by the addition of 10 new captive insurers, indicating a 22% increase, and an impressive 108% surge with 13 new cell risk-bearing entities. This achievement, resulting in a total of 78 net gain of captive entities, marks the fourth consecutive year of sustained net growth since 2020. Connecticut's approvals include the establishment of new insurers and the relocation of existing captive insurers to the state. The state has seen a notable increase in new businesses choosing Connecticut for their captive programs this year. These captive entities predominantly issue policies to…

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Westport News: House Fire

On January 16, 2024, at 1:37 PM, the Westport Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire at 65 Compo Rd South. The incident occurred in the afternoon at approximately 1:30 PM, with first arriving units encountering moderate to heavy fire conditions on the second floor of a residential building comprising two living units. Firefighters deployed two hose lines, conducted victim searches, and successfully evacuated all human occupants. Unfortunately, one family pet was rescued, while another was found deceased in the building. The Westport Fire Marshal's Office initiated an investigation into the fire. Concurrently, the fire department was already responding to the area due to a large fallen tree across the road, causing power and utility lines to collapse and…

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Norwalk News: Robbery Suspect

Norwalk Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance with identifying the picturedindividual. The individual is a suspect in a robbery that occurred on January 15, 2024 in the parkinglot of 5 Haviland Street. The suspect approached the victim armed with a handgun and demanded hehand over his personal items and vehicle. The victim complied and was not injured. The suspect fledthe scene in the victim’s vehicle.Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has any information about this incident is asked to contactDetective Taylor at 203-854-3183, or by email at Ltaylor@norwalkct.gov. Anonymous tips can be leftat any of the following: Norwalk Police Tip Line: 203-854-3111 Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at: www.norwalkpd.comAnonymous text tips can be submitted by…

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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF THE CONNECTICUT INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS

In an announcement made today, Governor Ned Lamont disclosed the creation of the Connecticut Interagency Council on Homelessness, a panel comprising agency heads from his administration. This council will focus on fostering collaboration among various state agencies to enhance the state's efforts in preventing and responding to homelessness. The leadership of the council will include key figures from state agencies responsible for housing and intervention support services, such as the Department of Housing, the Department of Social Services, and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Governor Lamont emphasized the importance of ensuring everyone has access to a safe and warm home, calling for a holistic approach that addresses factors contributing to homelessness. The council has been assigned three…

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BLUMENTHAL DELIVERS OPENING STATEMENT AT HEARING ON AI & JOURNALISM

“Some of the oldest newspapers in the country, like the Hartford Courant, have closed their newsrooms, & it is a national tragedy, a painful and traumatic time, for reporters, editors, and their industry, and a deep danger for our democracy.” [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, delivered opening remarks at a hearing titled “Oversight of A.I.: The Future of Journalism.” “It is, in fact, a perfect storm. The result of increasing costs, declining revenue, and exploding disinformation. And a lot of the cause of this perfect storm is in fact technologies like Artificial Intelligence,” said Blumenthal in his opening remarks at the hearing. “It is…

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Pedestrian Struck Update

On January 09, 2024, at approximately 7:00PM, the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center received a call for a motor vehicle accident involving a male pedestrian. The collision occurred at the intersection of Beechmont Avenue and Springdale Street. The pedestrian was struck by a 2011 gray Nissan Altima 2.5 traveling southbound on Beechmont Avenue. The victim was in the roadway walking southbound on Beechmont Avenue. American Medical Response, the Bridgeport Fire Department and Bridgeport Police all responded to this intersection to investigate the accident and render aid. The victim was transported to Saint Vincent’s Hospital for serious injuries sustained at the scene. The female operator of the striking vehicle remained on scene and cooperated with police. The male passenger was arrested on…

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MURPHY LEADS BIPARTISAN GROUP OF 29 SENATORS IN CALLING OUT AMAZON’S MISTREATMENT OF DELIVERY DRIVERS

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Wednesday led 28 of his Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy requesting information about the company’s Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program and its efforts to avoid legal liability for the persistent mistreatment of DSP drivers. The senators are also seeking information regarding Amazon’s justification for refusing to bargain with union representatives of DSP employees and requiring DPSs to sign non-poaching agreements. “Amazon’s freight truck drivers haul a variety of goods across highways every day, and their branded delivery vehicles are a virtually unavoidable feature in neighborhoods all over the country. Though nearly all Americans are familiar…

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Bridgeport Police Investigate Shooting Incident in Dekalb Avenue Neighborhood

On December 22, 2023, at around 11:00 pm, Bridgeport Police Officers swiftly responded to a report of a shooting in the 100 block of Dekalb Avenue. Upon arrival, the officers located the victim, a 21-year-old Naugatuck man, who had sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound (a graze) to the head. The victim was promptly transported to a nearby hospital by AMR Ambulance for medical treatment. The Detective Bureau assumed control of the investigation, conducting a thorough examination of the scene, collecting evidence, and conducting interviews. It was determined that the victim, seated in a parked car with friends from the Dekalb Avenue neighborhood, was shot. Despite the frightening incident, the victim and his friends managed to seek refuge inside a residence…

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three significant tax relief measures in Connecticut at the beginning of 2024

Governor Ned Lamont has announced the implementation of three significant tax relief measures in Connecticut at the beginning of 2024. These measures, stemming from the fiscal year 2024-2025 state budget, include the largest income tax reduction in state history, an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low-income workers, and an expansion of exemptions on certain pension and annuity earnings to benefit seniors. The total tax reduction is estimated at approximately $460.3 million, reflecting the state's commitment to providing relief to middle-income workers, low-income workers, and seniors. Governor Lamont attributes these tax cuts to the fiscal discipline implemented over the past five years, stabilizing the state's fiscal situation and ending years of deficits. Starting January 1, 2024, Connecticut's…

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Stratford Library Offers Yarn SwapCrafters Invited to Exchange on January 27

The Stratford Library Reference Department and its Knit Wits program present a Yarn Swap on Saturday, January 27 (2024) at 11 am. The program is free and open to the public. One crafter’s unwanted yarn is another’s inspiration. Do you have a yarn stash that is languishing, unused and unappreciated?Crafters are invited to bring their unwanted yarn to the Library’s first-ever Yarn Swap. Participants should package their yarn in clear bags and be ready to negotiate with fellow yarn lovers. Tables will be available to set-up and display yarns and crafters can also bring knitting accessories (books, needles, project bags) which need to be in good and clean condition. Attendees are also encouraged to stay and knit. Light refreshments will…

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