HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement regarding the vote by the Criminal Justice Commission selecting Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. to serve as Connecticut’s next chief state’s attorney:
“I commend the members of the Criminal Justice Commission for making this selection process open and involving the public throughout each step. Ever since Chief State’s Attorney Kevin Kane announced his impending retirement last summer, the commission invited the public to participate in ways they have never been involved before, including through public hearings and the ability to provide written comments to its members. The chief state’s attorney has a significant impact on our justice system, which is why the commission’s decision to involve the public should be applauded. I congratulate Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. on his appointment and I look forward to working with him on efforts that bring about our unified goals of increasing the safety of every community in our state.”
2020-02-05@1:12pm–Wilton CT– Police are looking for a white Audi with Maryland plates driven by a white male with gray hair and scruffy looking accord to the radio “be on the lookout”. He allegedly attempted to lure a 3-year-old into his car.
WASHINGTON, DC] – Today on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) announced his decision to vote to convict President Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress during tomorrow’s Senate vote.
Blumenthal began his remarks by recalling specific moments from the impeachment inquiry, including testimony before the House Intelligence Committee by career public servants Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, Fiona Hill, and Ambassador William Taylor. Blumenthal also recalled, “the audible gasp, some laughs, and raised eyebrows when Professor Alan Dershowitz made the incredible, shocking argument that a president who believes that his own reelection serves the public interest can do anything he wants and his actions are not impeachable. The implications of that argument for the future of our democracy are simply indescribable.”
Blumenthal outlined the legal case against President Trump, focusing specifically on the act of bribery the president committed in corruptly abusing his power to solicit a personal, political favor in exchange for an official act:
“I’ve been a trial lawyer. I’ve spent most of my career in and out of the courtroom, so I can argue the legalities, but I’m not here to rehash the legal arguments because culpability here seems pretty clear to me. The president solicited a bribe when he sought a personal benefit, an investigation of his political opponent, a smear of his rival in exchange for an official act, in fact two official acts: the release of military funding for an ally and a White House meeting in return for that personal benefit. Those actions are a violation of Section 201, 18 United States Code today. They were a violation of criminal law at the time of the Framers. And that’s why they put it in the Constitution, bribery and treason specifically mentioned.”Continue reading Blumenthal outlines his decision to vote to convict President Trump on both Articles of Impeachment: Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress
Bonnie Burr currently serves as Assistant Director and Department Head with the Cooperative Extension System at the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, where she has worked since 2009. In this position, she provides leadership assistance to 105 faculty and staff managing a wide variety of outreach and educational programs involving public engagement in local, state, regional, national, and international programs. She also currently serves as State Chair of the State Committee United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency for Connecticut.
Previously, she served as state director of the USDA Farm Service Agency for Connecticut and Rhode Island, and was the director of government relations for the Connecticut Farm Bureau.
She earned her BS in animal science and agriculture from the University of Connecticut and MS in public nonprofit administration from Western Connecticut State University.
Burr serves on a number of community and civic organizations, including in positions with the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm, the steering committee of the Working Lands Alliance – American Farmland Trust, the New England Holstein Dairy Cattle Association, and as Connecticut Trustee for the Eastern States Exposition.
Karen DuBois-Walton
Karen DuBois-Walton currently serves as the Executive Director of the Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of the City of New Haven, President of The Glendower Group, LLC (the development affiliate of ECC/HANH) and President of 360 Management Group, Co. (the property management affiliate of ECC/HANH) responsible for administrative, programmatic and policy direction of the public housing, housing choice voucher program, low income housing tax credit program, finance and planning and development activities. Prior to assuming this role, Dr. DuBois-Walton served as the Chief Operating Officer for HANH, and also served as Chief of Staff and Chief Administrative Officer in the office of former mayor of New Haven, John DeStefano, Jr.
A trained clinical psychologist, prior to assuming positions with the Housing Authority and the City of New Haven, she served in positions with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Yale University Child Study Center.
DuBois-Walton earned her BA from Yale University and MA and Ph.D. from Boston University. She serves on numerous Boards and Commissions and is an active member of the New Haven community where she resides with her husband and two sons.
In 2014 she was named one of The Network Journal’s “25 Most Influential Black Women in Business.” In 2011 and 2013, she was named one of the “100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut” by the Connecticut State Conference of the NAACP. In 2015, she was awarded the Greater New Haven NAACP’s Community Service Award.
Martha Paluch Prou
Martha Paluch Prou currently serves as the director of administration and compliance with Phoenix Manufacturing, Inc., a women-owned, privately held precision machined aerospace components manufacturer located in Enfield. In this role, Prou manages the company’s AS9100 and NADCAP certified quality system, as well as its data management systems and export compliance program.
Previously, she served as membership and database manager for the Association Management Group in McLean, Virginia and an assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services for the United States Department of Commerce.
Prou earned her BA in international studies from the Johns Hopkins University.
Awilda Reasco
Awilda Reasco currently serves as the Director of Pre-Collegiate and Access Services at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), where she leads a program that provides opportunities for high school seniors who have the potential and desire to attend the university but do not meet the university’s regular admissions standards. The program provides these students with academic support and preparation, including courses in personal and professional growth. Reasco has served in several positions with this office since 1987.
Reasco earned her BA in psychology from CCSU and MA in social work from the University of Connecticut. She is involved with several community groups including the Connecticut Association of Education Opportunity Programs in Connecticut, the Latin-American and Caribbean Center at CCSU, and was a former commissioner for the Connecticut Puerto Rican and Latino Affairs Commission.
She has been honored by the YWCA with the Women Leadership Award, the CCSU chapter of the NAACP with the Dedication Award, and was Advisor of the Year for CCSU’s Latin American Student Organization.
#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont announced that test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirm that a second Connecticut patient that has been under investigation for coronavirus has tested negative. This patient was a high school student from China participating in a conference at Yale University in New Haven.
Earlier this week, a Wesleyan student in Middlesex County who was the first patient in the state under investigation for possible exposure also tested negative for the virus. Both patients have tested positive for Influenza Type A. So far, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Connecticut and no other patients in the state remain under investigation at this time.
As the World Health Organization yesterday declared coronavirus to be a global health threat, Governor Lamont has directed state public health officials to continue to closely monitoring the outbreak.
“We want to make sure we are providing all of the most recent information to Connecticut residents so they are aware of ongoing developments as this global health concern continues,” Governor Lamont said. “We ask that people not panic, but take possible symptoms seriously. The CDC is advising that many of the symptoms reflect those that we usually see when someone has the flu. If you experience any of these symptoms, please get treated sooner rather than later.”
“This is good news for Connecticut that the second patient has tested negative,” Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Renée Coleman Mitchell said. “We continue to be vigilant and coordinate a proactive response with local health and medical providers across the state. We are also in the height of flu season and we recommend residents take extra person precautions to avoid spreading the flu.”
In response to rising global concern, Governor Lamont and DPH have coordinated the following unified response:
· Governor Lamont participated in a call with all governors across the country to coordinate a national response with the White House.
· Earlier this week DPH convened a conference call with all Connecticut local health directors to provide guidance and coordinate a response.
· DPH also convened a conference call with all hospitals in Connecticut to provide critical updates and ongoing guidance.
Connecticut is also at the height of respiratory virus season. Influenza activity in Connecticut is widespread. A total of 1,036 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported in the state since the beginning of the 2019-20 season. A total of 23 influenza-associated deaths have been reported in Connecticut since the beginning of the 2019-20 season.
The CDC believes that symptoms of coronavirus may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. No vaccine or specific treatment for the infection is available, however care is supportive. When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, like how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of SARS and MERS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.
Symptoms of the coronavirus may include:
· Runny nose
· Headache
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Fever
· A general feeling of being unwell
Everyday preventative actions can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses, including:
· Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Stay home when sick to avoid exposure to others.
· Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to these areas should call ahead to their healthcare provider before presenting for treatment.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Wednesday called on the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to investigate reports that a high-level Saudi official hacked Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos’s phone in an effort to influence—if not silence—the Post’s reporting on Saudi Arabia and the death of Jamal Khashoggi. In the letter, Murphy called specifically for an investigation into this case and any other U.S. citizens who may have been hacked as part of this campaign to intimidate opponents of the Kingdom, and requested a briefing for Congress on the status of any current investigation and all preliminary and final conclusions.
Murphy wrote: “The operation against Mr. Bezos raises serious concern that other American citizens may have been deliberately targeted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Cyber crimes committed by officials of the Saudi government could have serious ramifications on the U.S-Saudi relationship.”
“This new allegation indicates that Khashoggi’s murder may be a part of a broader campaign to intimidate and silence opponents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is critical that the Congress and the American people understand the extent of this campaign and any ongoing vulnerabilities to U.S. national security,” Murphy continued.
Since 2015, Murphy has been a critic of U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. He has repeatedly expressed concern that U.S. participation in Saudi Arabia’s military actions against Houthi rebels in Yemen threatens our own national security interests. Following the murder of Khashoggi, Murphy reiterated his call for the suspension of military support for the Saudi-led campaign in a Washington Post op-ed. Last year, Murphy introduced a bipartisan resolution with U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) pursuant to the War Powers Act to end unauthorized U.S. military involvement. The resolution passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate earlier this year before being vetoed by President Trump. This was the first time since the War Powers Act became law in 1973 that both houses of Congressed passed a War Powers Act resolution.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Monday made the following statement regarding the recent escalation of violence in Yemen:
“The recent escalation of violence in Yemen is deeply troubling, especially the Houthi missile attacks on mosques and civilian areas. All sides must de-escalate immediately, adhere to the cross-border truce, and work through the political process to bring us closer to ending this brutal war and humanitarian crisis,” said Murphy. “This is a critical moment when Yemen could lose the window of opportunity for negotiations and return to fighting. That would be a loss for both sides, as well as for the United States and broader regional security.”
Murphy continued: “For months, I have been begging the State Department to get more directly involved in political negotiations in Yemen. They have regrettably and largely stayed on the sidelines. Now is the moment for the highest levels of the Trump administration to engage directly.”
In November, Murphy called the Riyadh Agreement a positive step to avert fracturing in Yemen.
This press release was made possible by:
I received this email but didn’t immediately post because not many in our viewership have Comcast. But at 11:30pm I got a phone call. Why call so late and scare viewers thinking something happened to a loved one? Way to go State of CT!
We have received reports from COMCAST (Voice Over IP) phone customers may be having difficulties dialing 9-1-1 emergency number across the state.
If you have an emergency please try 911 first. If you experience difficulties placing a 9-1-1 emergency call and have a 9-1-1 emergency,
you can use a mobile device or please contact your local police or fire department by dialing their local number.
You can also use TEXT-TO-911 from your mobile device.
Hartford, CT – Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 13 states in filing an amicus brief supporting the State of Rhode Island in its lawsuit State of Rhode Island v. Shell Oil Products Co., LLC, et al., whichseeks to hold oil and petroleum companies accountable for their actions contributing to climate change and the resulting harms, including from sea-level rise, changes to the hydrologic cycle, and increased air and ocean temperatures.
“Big Oil ignored science and peddled the use of fossil fuels, dangerously accelerating climate change. Connecticut stands with Rhode Island in its fight to protect future generations, and holding these corporations accountable for their role in our climate crisis,” said Attorney General Tong.
In its suit, Rhode Island alleges that the major fossil fuel producing companies knowingly contribute to climate change and failed to warn regulators and the public about the harms of fossil fuel use. Instead, these companies promoted pseudo-scientific theories and questioned legitimate climate science in order to confuse the public about their products and maintain their profits. The complaint argues that Big Oil should be liable for infrastructure-related damages resulting from their actions.
The case is currently pending in the First Circuit after the oil companies appealed a district court decision that the lawsuit belongs in the state court. In the brief, the coalition asserts that the district court decision should be affirmed. The coalition argues that:
States play an important role in addressing climate change and protecting human welfare, including providing a forum to decide cases related to climate change;
The Clean Air Act recognizes states’ roles in reducing air pollution and does not indicate that the federal courts should have exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving climate change; and
The defendants’ appeal to transfer the plaintiffs’ claims to federal court, knowing that similar claims have been displaced by Congress, could unjustly deny plaintiffs a remedy for harm.
Joining California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey in filing the brief are the Attorneys General of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
HARTFORD, CT– U.S. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) are working to help food banks collect and distribute more food to needy families with the introduction of the bipartisan Food Donation Improvement Act of 2019.
New and innovative food assistance models repurpose items from donating entities and sell prepared dishes like microwavable dinners for a nominal cost. But federal law does not currently extend liability protections to food donors when food is either given directly to a person in need or when a recipient pays a deeply reduced cost.
“Too many manufacturers, retailers, restaurants and other potential food donors across the country regularly decide against donating food to those in need out of fear of liability,” said Blumenthal. “As a result, millions of tons of food go to waste while Americans who are food insecure continue to go hungry. The Food Donation Improvement Act closes this gap by clarifying liability protections, while enabling more timely and efficient food donations.”
“Donating food to the less fortunate should be as easy as possible,” said Toomey. “But liability concerns limit the number of people who can be served by food banks. This new legislation will help get more food to those who need it most by extending liability protections for direct donations and reduced-price food.”
Specifically, the Food Donation Improvement Act would:
Extend liability protections to food-donating entities (grocers, caterers, schools, etc.) and food banks for food sold at a reduced price
Extend liability protections to qualified donors who give food directly to needy individuals and families without going through a non-profit intermediary
Require USDA to issue regulations clarifying the quality and labeling standards donated food must meet
