While on routine patrol, a Fairfield police officer observed a gray Nissan traveling on Kings Highway East without a front license plate. A check of the rear plate showed the car’s registration was suspended. When speaking with the driver, the officer determined that his license was also suspended and that he had an active warrant for Failure to Appear in the 2nd Degree stemming from a prior Fairfield case involving a suspended registration.
The driver, Matthew Palmer of Bridgeport, was issued a misdemeanor summons for operating with a suspended registration, driving with a suspended license, and failing to display a front marker plate. He was taken into custody on the active warrant and later released after posting a $10,000 bond. Palmer is scheduled to appear in court on September 22, 2025.
At a press conference today, State Senator Tony Hwang (R–Fairfield) urged the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) to reconsider and dismiss its recent straw-vote approval under Docket 516R. He called on United Illuminating (UI) to submit a new application that fully complies with the transparency and due-process standards of Public Act 24-144.
“This isn’t anti-infrastructure—it’s pro-process, pro-community, and pro-solution,” Hwang said. “The Council’s abrupt reversal—without any new public testimony, fact-finding, or record development—undermines confidence in a body that must be above reproach. We need a lawful reset that restores public trust.”
Speakers criticized the project’s impact on municipal, church, and library properties, calling it an “unprecedented taking” of more than 19 acres of land. They also warned of irreversible damage to Southport’s historic district, where 140-foot towers and clear-cutting would alter the viewsheds of three National Historic Landmarks.
Hwang also pushed back against characterizations of the opposition as a “NIMBY” movement. NIMBY—short for Not In My Back Yard—is often used to dismiss community objections to development. “This is not about NIMBY,” Hwang stressed. “This is about protecting communities from an unjust process. Instead of partnering with the communities it serves, UI is fighting against them.”
Democrats and Republicans in Fairfield and Bridgeport stood together at the event, pledging to fight the project in defense of residents, businesses, and historic neighborhoods.
First responders were called to another crash on I-95 near Exit 30, northbound. The two-vehicle accident left one car on fire. At this time, injuries remain unknown.
Another driver thought they could make it through the water by the railroad overpass in Bridgeport on Bishop Avenue. Sadly, this happens often enough that I’ve got a stock photo ready.
Organizations are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to make more informed, data-driven decisions. According to recent Gallup data, “in the past two years, the percentage of U.S. employees who say they have used AI in their role a few times a year or more has nearly doubled, from 21% to 40%.” In response to this growing need in the workplace for individuals to both understand and apply AI, Fairfield Dolan has launched an AI concentration in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program (MBA AI).
“An MBA in AI bridges the gap between technical AI knowledge and business acumen. It helps data analytics to support strategic decision-making,” said Mousumi Bose-Godbole, PhD, associate professor of marketing and director of the MBA. The AI concentration will allow students to learn the fundamentals of AI and prepare for management positions overseeing AI projects. According to Dr. Godbole, this concentration will prepare students for both ethical and societal leadership roles in the evolving landscape.
MBA candidate Evan Mansfield will be the first graduate of the MBA-AI specific degree. Mansfield shared that he chose the MBA in AI because it offered the optimal balance between understanding how AI models function from a programming perspective and gaining a strong foundation in applying AI to solve real-world business problems. “I believe an understanding of AI is crucial for students entering the workplace over the next couple of years,” Mansfield said. Upon graduating he plans to leverage what he learned in the program to create impact in his early professional career in an AI-centric way.
Fairfield Dolan’s customizable MBA allows students to tailor their coursework to align with their individual career goals. The MBA AI concentration offers students a distinctive opportunity to be at the forefront of cutting-edge AI technology—an area increasingly leveraged across virtually every industry.
BRIDGEPORT FILM FEST CELEBRATES 5 YEARS WITH GLOBAL CINEMA, LOCAL STORIES, AND FAMILY FRIENDLY VENDOR VILLAGE FAMILY-FRIENDLY VENDOR VILLAGE, WORKSHOPS, PANELS, AND A STAR-STUDDED CT PREMIERE HIGHLIGHT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL AT THE KLEIN MEMORIAL IN SEPTEMBER BRIDGEPORT, CONN. than ever! Now in its 5th anniversary year, this three-day celebration of cinema will transform the city into a hub of storytelling, culture, and connection. With the support of City Lights / Bridgeport Art Trail as fiduciary sponsor, the fest continues its mission of lifting up diverse voices while putting Bridgeport on the global film map. This year’s lineup features over 95 short and feature films from 12 countries, spanning genres, cultures, and generations. Audiences can expect to discover fresh perspectives from local Connecticut filmmakers, alongside powerful shorts from New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and Philadelphia, as well as thought-provoking stories from across the globe including Australia, the UK, Spain, Iran, Palestine, Italy and France, among others. Spotlight Feature Film: Queens of the Dead Saturday evening at 6:00 PM, the festival proudly presents the Connecticut premiere of the indie queer horror-comedy Queens of the Dead, directed by Tina Romero, daughter of horror icon Georger Romero, and starring Jaquel Spivey, Katy O’Brian, Margaret Cho, Jack Haven, and Cheyenne Jackson. The film made its world debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025, and now makes its highly anticipated Connecticut premiere in Bridgeport. Outrageous, heartfelt, and genre-bending, Queens of the Dead is poised to be one of the festival’s most talked-about screenings! Beyond the Screen ● Panels & Conversations: Creative Hustle: Making Moves, Making Connections, hosted in collaboration with the Connecticut Film and TV Alliance, explores how filmmakers and creatives can build genuine networks and claim their seat at the table. With strategies, inspiration, and insider advice, this panel offers tools to strengthen your creative journey. ● Directing Actors Workshop: Led by Victor Verhaeghe (Boardwalk Empire, Bridge of Spies, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), this interactive session gives emerging filmmakers hands-on tools for collaborating with actors and bringing scenes to life. ● Vendor Village: A family-friendly festival favorite, the Vendor Village offers local vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and more—all completely free and open to the public. This community hub creates space for families and film lovers to gather, shop, and celebrate creativity together.
● Venues: The festival’s home base is the historic Klein Memorial Auditorium, with additional screenings and events at CT State Community College at Housatonic and BPT Creates, deepening community ties across the city. Jurors Who Know Storytelling A prestigious jury will select this year’s winners, including: ● Eugen Bräunig, producer ( Netflix’s Harry and Meghan, Welcome to Chechnya) ● Nicholas Bruckman, director (Minted, Netflix’s The Price of Milk) ● Laurence Caso, Emmy Award-winning producer and Executive Director of The Klein ● Nettie Marquez, award-winning filmmaker and founder of Ofelia Media Productions, LLC ● Elisha Miranda-Ramirez, writer, director, producer, and professor at San Jose University ● Lorna James-Rodriguez, producer with the 48 Hour Film Project New Haven Celebrate in Style The weekend wraps up with a lively closing party at Berlinetta Brewing in downtown Bridgeport, sponsored by Colorful Bridgeport/DSSD—a chance for filmmakers, film lovers, and community members to toast five years of storytelling and connection. A Word from Jason A. Coombs, the Co-Founder / Executive Director “We are overjoyed to celebrate five years of cinematic storytelling that continues to unify our community and reshape the narrative of Bridgeport,” says Jason A. Coombs, Co-Founder & Executive Director. “What started as a local dream has become a cultural force, bringing filmmakers from across the globe while making sure our local voices shine just as brightly. This milestone isn’t just about looking back—it’s about launching forward into the next chapter of creativity, collaboration, and impact.” Tickets & Info The 5th Annual Bridgeport Film Fest runs September 12–14, 2025. Tickets are available now at Klein.org or directly at the Klein Memorial Auditorium box office. More information, including the full schedule, can be found at BridgeportFilmFest.org.
