Connecticut and Bridgeport Activate Severe Cold Weather Protocols as Arctic Air Moves In

Governor Ned Lamont has activated Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol in response to a blast of arctic air expected to impact the state, bringing dangerously low temperatures and wind chills that could be life-threatening. The statewide protocol goes into effect Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. and will remain active until noon on Friday, January 16, 2026. Forecasts call for overnight low temperatures in the low to mid-teens, with wind chills ranging from 0°F to 10°F and gusty northwest winds.

The purpose of the protocol is to protect vulnerable populations from prolonged exposure to extreme cold. While active, state agencies and municipalities coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s shelter network to ensure anyone in need can access shelter, warming centers, and transportation if necessary. Anyone seeking shelter or a warming center is urged to visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1, where operators can provide up-to-date availability and assist with transportation.

During the activation, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security uses its WebEOC communications network to monitor shelter capacity statewide. This allows 2-1-1 to act as a central clearinghouse for shelter placement. Local officials can also use WebEOC to notify the state and 2-1-1 when temporary shelters or warming centers are opened. Additionally, the Connecticut Department of Social Services, Department of Housing, and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services are coordinating with 2-1-1, the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, and community providers to arrange transportation for individuals seeking shelter.

“As another blast of cold air moves into the state Thursday night, we’re activating this protocol to ensure that shelters and warming centers are available for anyone who needs it,” Governor Lamont said.

At the municipal level, Mayor Joe Ganim and the City of Bridgeport have also activated a Cold Weather Protocol, beginning Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., and remaining in effect until noon on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Officials warn that wind chill values in Bridgeport are expected to be near zero, with slippery road conditions possible during morning commutes.

City officials urge residents to take precautions during the cold snap, including checking heating devices, avoiding the use of stoves or ovens for home heating due to fire and carbon monoxide risks, following manufacturer instructions for generators and never using them indoors, bringing pets inside, watching for ice on pipes and walkways, bundling up when outdoors, and checking on elderly neighbors and family members.

To protect the homeless population, Bridgeport’s Operation Care initiative is active. Residents who encounter individuals in need of shelter are encouraged to call 2-1-1. The city’s Homeless Outreach Team is actively connecting people to shelters including Prospect House, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, and Alpha Community Services. Anyone seeking assistance may also go directly to 650 Park Avenue for support.

Bridgeport Warming Centers and Shelter Locations

Senior Centers (Weekdays Only, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.):

  • Black Rock Senior Center – 2676 Fairfield Avenue
  • East Side Senior Center – 268 Putnam Street
  • Eisenhower Senior Center – 307 Golden Hill Street

GBT Station:

  • 710 Water Street – Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Bridgeport Public Library Branches:

  • Main Branch – 925 Broad Street
    • Mon & Tues: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • Wed: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    • Thurs: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    • Fri & Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • Sunday: Closed
  • Black Rock Branch – 2705 Fairfield Avenue
    • Mon & Wed: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • Tues: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    • Thurs: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    • Fri & Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • Sunday: Closed
  • Newfield Branch – 755 Central Avenue
    • Mon & Tues: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • Wed & Thurs: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    • Fri & Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • Sunday: Closed
  • Beardsley Branch – 2536 East Main Street
    • Mon: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • Tues: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    • Wed & Thurs: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    • Fri & Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • Sunday: Closed
  • North Branch – Closed until January 16 for renovations
  • East Side Branch – Temporarily closed for renovations

Overnight Shelter / Case Worker Support:

  • South End Community Center – 650 Park Avenue
    • Open 24/7
    • Limited overnight capacity

Residents experiencing power outages are advised to contact United Illuminating’s 24-hour emergency hotline at 800-722-5584.

For emergency management updates and preparedness resources, residents can visit ct.gov/ctprepares and are encouraged to follow the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest local updates.

Hit-and-Run on South Avenue Leaves One Pedestrian Dead, Another Seriously Injured

On January 09, 2026, at approximately 0105 hours, Patrol Officers responded to the 1400 block of South Avenue, on report of two pedestrians having been struck by a motor vehicle.

Upon arrival, Patrol Officers rendered first aid to the two pedestrians until the Fire Department and EMS arrived on-scene.

The striking motor vehicle had fled the scene.

The subsequent investigation led Patrol Officers to 95 Parrott Avenue, Bridgeport, Ct., where they located a black Chevy truck with heavy front-end damage.

Kevin O’neill (07-11-1969) identified himself to Patrol Officers as the owner of the black Chevy truck and the operator at the time of the MVA on South Avenue.

Kevin O’neill was transported to the Stratford Police Department and charged with Evading Responsibility-Serious Physical Injury and Operation of an Unregistered Motor Vehicle.

He was issued a January 23, 2026, court date and released after posting a $1,000.00 bond.

The black Chevy truck was towed to the Stratford Police Department for further investigative analysis.

The two pedestrians were transported to local hospitals and listed in serious condition.

On January 10, 2026, one of the pedestrians, James Keno Davis (12-27-1990), succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. His current address was listed as Brooklyn, NY.

The other pedestrian remains in serious condition at a local hospital.

This investigation remains active and is being conducted by Officer Josh Long. Anyone with information regarding this incident may contact Officer Long at (203) 385-4145 or jlong@townofstratford.com.

Firefighters Called to Barnum School

There was an initial call of a potential fire at Barnum School, 495 Waterview Ave in Bridgeport. Firefighters arrived on scene, and found no sign of smoke or fire.

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Business Structure Fire

Milford firefighters are battling a fire at 230 Woodmont Road, which is home to a number of businesses. The fire was mainly in the attic area.

2026-01-13@9:44pm– #Milford CT #ctfire

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Fairfield University Art Museum Exhibition For Which It Stands… to Commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the U.S., Opening Jan. 23

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Jan. 13, 2026) — The Fairfield University Art Museum is pleased to announce a major loan exhibition planned for spring 2026, as part of a series of cultural and artistic events at Fairfield University commemorating the 250th anniversary—semiquincentennial—of the United States.

For Which It Stands… will run from January 23 through July 25, 2026, and will feature more than 70 works by diverse artists across art movements from the early 20th century to the present day, focusing on depictions of the American flag. The exhibition will include works ranging from Childe Hassam’s Italian Day, May 1918—lent by Art Bridges—to a new textile sculpture by Maria de Los Angeles, commissioned for the exhibition. Works by artists including Jasper Johns, Faith Ringgold, Robert Rauschenberg, Shepard Fairey, and Julie Mehretu will challenge viewers to consider who the American flag truly represents and whether justice is available to all. Additional pieces by renowned artists like Emma Amos, Eric Fischl, Glenn Ligon, and many others will further enrich the exhibition.

Included works are being lent by private collectors, artists, galleries, and institutions such as the Forge Art Project, Columbia University Avery Library, Delaware Museum of Art, The Mattatuck Museum of Art, Bridgeport Public Library, Gordon Parks Foundation, Orlando Museum of Art, Westport Public Art Collections, Yale University Art Gallery, the State of Connecticut’s CT Artists Collection, and the Fairfield University Art Museum’s own collection.

“This exhibition is an opportunity for all of us to examine the narratives that have shaped our country, particularly those that have been overlooked or challenged,” said Carey Mack Weber, executive director of the Fairfield University Art Museum and exhibition curator. “Through these artworks, we invite visitors to engage deeply with the pressing issues of justice, representation, and unity—issues that are as relevant today as they were when our nation was founded.”

This exhibition is made possible by generous support from Connecticut Humanities, Art Bridges, Horizon Kinetics, Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Inc., and Aquarion Water. It aligns with the guiding themes from the state’s CT 250 initiative, especially those of “telling inclusive stories,” and “for the common good.” As the CT 250 guidelines state:

“For much of our history, the United States has excluded people—women, free and enslaved African Americans, Indigenous people, immigrants, people with disabilities, the poor, and many others—from full participation and representation in the nation’s political, economic, and cultural life. This commemoration is an opportunity to continue the nation’s reckoning with the past, both its glory and its missteps and flaws. By telling previously untold stories, we will enable everyone to find a place in our nation’s narrative.”

For Which It Stands… looks at our nation’s history from 1918 to today through the lens of artists from diverse backgrounds and strives to tell as complete a history as possible.

WSHU and the Westport Journal are media sponsors of the exhibition.

A robust selection of programming has been developed to complement this exhibition, including gallery talks with contemporary artists whose work is in the show, lectures on topics ranging from artist Florine Stettheimer’s passion for Americana to a deep dive into the photograph The Soiling of Old Glory, and family-friendly events centered around flag-making and other topics. All programs are free and open to the public. Learn more at fairfield.edu/museum/for-which-it-stands/.

Opening Night Lecture: For Which It Stands…

Thursday, January 22, 5:30 p.m.
Aaron Weinstein, PhD, Assistant Professor, Politics, Fairfield University, and Exhibition Faculty Liaison
Quick Center for the Arts, Kelley Theatre, and via livestream

Dr. Weinstein’s talk explores the complex role of the U.S. flag in America’s “civil religion,” examining how its meaning shifts based on context, political use, and personal interpretation.

Opening Reception: For Which It Stands…

Thursday, January 22, 6:30 p.m.
Bellarmine Hall, the Great Hall and the Bellarmine Hall Galleries
(The Walsh Gallery will also be open for exhibition viewing)

Short Film Screening: Reclaim the Flag (2025)

Monday, January 26, 7:30 p.m.

The screening will be followed by a discussion chaired by Sean Edgecomb (professor of Visual & Performing Arts) with filmmaker Alexis Bittar, Luchina Fisher (VAP Film, Visual & Performing Arts), and Shane Vogel (Yale University, professor of English and Black Studies, chair of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies).

Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Kelley Theatre
Co-sponsored with the Quick Center and the Arts Institute

Art in Focus:

Childe Hassam, Italian Day, May 1918, 1918, oil on canvas
Thursday, February 12, 12 noon and 1 p.m.
Bellarmine Hall Galleries and via livestream

Lecture: The Soiling of Old Glory: The Story of a Photograph That Shocked America

Thursday, March 19, 5:30 p.m.
Louis P. Masur, PhD, Rutgers University, Distinguished Professor of American Studies and History
Dolan School of Business Event Hall and via livestream

Historian Louis Masur examines Stanley Forman’s iconic 1976 photograph The Soiling of Old Glory (a print of which will be on view in the exhibition), which provides a compelling window into racial tensions in 1970s America.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SECURES PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION TO BLOCK LATEST TRUMP ATTEMPT TO STOP REVOLUTION WIND

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today announced that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has granted a preliminary injunction to block the Trump Administration’s latest effort to suspend work on the Revolution Wind offshore wind project. Work on the nearly-complete project may now resume.

“A federal judge has once again blocked Trump’s efforts to tank Revolution Wind, finding yet again that his actions are likely arbitrary and capricious and that our challenge is likely to succeed. This project is on the finish line to begin delivering clean, affordable energy to Connecticut families. With yet another clear defeat, it is my hope that Donald Trump will drop his lawless and erratic attacks for good. We’re prepared to keep fighting—and winning– for as long as it takes to protect Connecticut ratepayers, workers and our environment,” said Attorney General Tong.

The Trump Administration first issued a stop work order on August 22. Connecticut and Rhode Island sued. Developer Ørsted sued separately. The federal district court in the Ørsted challenge issued an injunction, allowing work on Revolution Wind to proceed. Then, on December 22, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management once again suspended work on the Revolution Wind offshore wind project for at least 90 days, citing undisclosed national security concerns. Ørsted sought a preliminary injunction to block this latest stop work order. Connecticut and Rhode Island filed their own request, outlining the immediate harm facing their states and residents.

Located fifteen nautical miles off the coast of Rhode Island, Revolution Wind is a wind energy facility expected to deliver enough electricity to the New England grid to power 350,000 homes, or 2.5 percent of the region’s electricity supply. The project had been on track to begin delivering power to the New England grid this month, supplying much needed power during the challenging winter heating season.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection had estimated that a 90-day delay in the construction and operation of Revolution Wind would cost ratepayers in Connecticut and the broader New England region approximately $350,000 per day, for a total of $31 million in higher electricity costs.

Revolution Wind is projected to save Connecticut and Rhode Island ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars over 20 years. The Revolution Wind project supports over 2,500 jobs nationwide in the construction, operations, shipbuilding and manufacturing sectors, including over 1,000 union construction jobs. The project has been vetted and approved through every layer of the federal and state regulatory process and is supported by binding contracts and legal mandates.

Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Cheney, Special Assistant Attorney General Jessica Gibree, Deputy Associate Attorney General Matthew Levine, Chief of the Environment Section, Deputy Solicitor General Evan O’Roark and Solicitor General Michael Skold are assisting the Attorney General in this matter.

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