State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT REMINDS FAMILIES THAT NO-COST MEALS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL CHILDREN WHILE SCHOOL IS OUT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker today are reminding Connecticut families that during the summer months, nutritious meals are available at no cost to all children in the state, helping to ensure that students continue to have access to healthy meals while school is out. Any child age 18 and younger may receive meals at participating locations. No application, proof of income, or identification is required. To locate participating meal sites, use the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Meals Site Finder at www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder or call 2-1-1. Because locations and operating hours may change throughout the summer, families are encouraged to confirm location and meal service times before visiting. “Access to nutritious meals is essential…

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Attorneys General Urge FCC to Strengthen Fight Against Illegal Robocalls

HARTFORD, CT – Attorney General William Tong and 48 other attorneys general are calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen rules aimed at preventing scammers from obtaining legitimate telephone numbers used to carry out illegal robocalls and text message scams. The bipartisan coalition is urging the FCC to adopt stronger safeguards that would make it more difficult for scammers to purchase and misuse legitimate phone numbers. According to the attorneys general, limiting access to these numbers would significantly reduce scammers' ability to impersonate businesses and government agencies and deceive consumers. Attorney General Tong said that while spam filters block billions of robocalls each year, billions more still reach consumers, resulting in nearly $2 billion in fraud losses nationwide…

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BLUMENTHAL, LUJÁN, & WYDEN DEMAND FTC ACTION ON HIDDEN DELIVERY FEES THAT DRIVE UP PRICES FOR CONSUMERS

“At a time when the cost of living is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, these delivery app fees are nothing more than a greedy assault on consumers’ pocketbooks.” [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) this week called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take swift action to stop food and grocery delivery apps from using deceptive fees, surveillance pricing, and anti-consumer marketing tactics. The FTC is currently considering a rule to address these deceptive fees. In a letter sent to FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, Blumenthal, Luján, and Wyden called on the Commission to proceed with the rulemaking and pursue enforcement to protect consumers from these predatory practices. “For…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG ANNOUNCES $45 MILLION MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH BLOCK INC. OVER DECEPTIVE PRACTICES ON CASH APP

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today announced a $45 million multistate settlement with Block, Inc., the company behind the popular peer-to-peer payments app Cash App. The settlement resolves findings that Block misled consumers about the safety of Cash App, failed to protect users from fraud on the platform, and didn't provide the fraud protection and resolution services that it promised and that are required by law – to help people when things went wrong. Connecticut will receive $1.5 million through today’s settlement. “Cash App was riddled with fraud, and the company did next to nothing to protect its customers from the devastating financial consequences. Today’s settlement forces major reforms on the platform, including real customer support, transparent and…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES HUD TO BLOCK NEW CHANGES TO HOMELESSNESS FUNDS

Sponsored Segment: Thanks to Re-Elect Paul Ganim - Judge of Probate 2026 for helping keep independent and local news going and helping keep it FREE to the public! This share was paid for and approved by Ganim 2026, Rosanne Gallant, Treasurer. (Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong and a coalition of 21 attorneys general and two governors today sued the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a second time to block unlawful caps on funding for permanent housing projects that would result in tens of thousands of people losing their homes. Just last month, Attorney General Tong and the coalition states won a separate case against HUD in federal court in Rhode Island regarding the agency’s decision last…

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Attorney General Tong: New Connecticut Online Privacy Protections for Children Now in Effect

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced that expanded protections under the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA) took effect July 1, adding new safeguards aimed at protecting children online while strengthening privacy rights for all Connecticut residents. Under the updated law, companies are now prohibited from selling or using minors' personal data for targeted advertising. Businesses are also barred from using addictive design features intended to keep children on their platforms longer, collecting a minor's precise location unless it is necessary to provide the service, or profiling minors without consent. Direct messaging platforms must also include default settings that prevent adults from sending unsolicited messages to minors. "For too long, Big Tech has treated our children like social media cash cows,"…

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Lamont Proposes Free College Class for Every Connecticut High School Senior

Governor Ned Lamont has announced a proposal that would guarantee every Connecticut high school senior access to at least one free college class before graduation, regardless of where they live, what school they attend, or their family's financial situation. The initiative builds on the state's growing dual credit programs by ensuring every senior can earn college credits through one of two pathways. Most students would take either a concurrent enrollment course taught at their high school by a credentialed instructor or a dual enrollment course on a college campus. Students whose schools do not offer either option would be able to take a free online course through Charter Oak State College. "Every Connecticut high school student deserves a running start…

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Extreme Heat Alert Issued Across Connecticut Through the Holiday Weekend

Connecticut is bracing for a prolonged stretch of dangerous heat and humidity through at least Sunday, with temperatures expected to reach the mid to upper 90s and heat index values climbing as high as 110 degrees on Thursday and Friday. Governor Ned Lamont has activated the state's Extreme Hot Weather Protocol, and municipalities across the state have opened cooling centers to protect residents, particularly older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions, outdoor workers, and anyone without access to air conditioning. Officials are urging everyone to stay hydrated by drinking water frequently, even before feeling thirsty, spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned buildings, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, wear lightweight, light-colored…

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MURPHY INTRODUCES LANDMARK BILL TO RAISE MINIMUM WAGE TO 25 DOLLARS NATIONWIDE

Watch the Bill Announcement Here: https://youtu.be/W8AW65c81gY?si=pP3R8m2oCxmQK5Nf WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday announced he will introduce the Living Wage For All Act, bicameral legislation to increase the federal minimum wage to 25 dollars an hour. Under a two-track phase-in, large corporate employers would be required to implement a $25 wage floor by 2032, while other businesses would have until 2039 to do so. The bill would also guarantee a living wage for workers by mandating automatic, continued increases of the federal minimum wage to two-thirds of the national median wage. The Living Wage For All Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). U.S. Representatives Delia Ramirez (D-Ill-03), Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.-11). Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04), and Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12) introduced companion legislation…

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CTDOT Urges Drivers to Stay Alert During Busy Summer Travel Season

As Summer Travel Increases, So Do Safety Risks on Connecticut Roads CTDOT reminds drivers to stay alert as travel, construction, and outdoor activity increase. As Connecticut enters the busy summer season, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is urging motorists to stay alert and be prepared for increased activity on the roads. Summer brings more vehicles to Connecticut’s roads as residents and visitors travel to destinations across the state. At the same time, construction crews are advancing critical infrastructure projects in active highway work zones, and more pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are out enjoying the warmer weather. Together, these conditions create a roadway environment that requires every driver’s full attention. Historically, the summer months mark the deadliest period on Connecticut's roadways.…

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