Connecticut State News

First Case of COVID-19 Reported at Quinnipiac University

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:42:09 +0000

Quinnipiac University is reporting its first case of COVID-19.

The school notified students, faculty and staff that a commuter student who lives at home with family tested positive and the student is now isolating at home.

While many colleges and universities have had multiple cases, Quinnipiac had not had any until now.

The school instituted the “Bobcat Bubble” to help mitigate the spread of the virus, conducted testing before school started, making changes to campus and restricting visitors.

The school also urged parents to help by giving up students’ weekend trips home to prevent them from picking up the virus elsewhere and bringing it back to campus.

The student who tested positive is asymptomatic, according to the school. The notice sent to families says contact tracers are identifying locations and people who might have been exposed through by being within six feet of the infected student for more than 15 minutes. Anyone who might have been exposed will receive a call from the contact tracing team.

Since Aug. 5, Quinnipiac has performed 9,968 on-campus tests, and this was the first positive case.

“The university has been prepared for this eventuality, relying on the latest science and health guidelines to establish comprehensive health and safety protocols for testing, identifying and caring for students who test positive for COVID-19. This level of detailed planning, expertise and preparation gives us confidence in containing the spread of the virus and maintaining the health of the university community,” Dr. David R. Hill, senior medical adviser for the COVID-19 Task Force and Quinnipiac University professor of Medical Sciences said in a statement.

“We appreciate everyone’s continued vigilance with wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, and keeping our gatherings small and responsible. Everyone should be checking their symptoms daily using our mobile symptom checking app, and please remember to remain home or in your residence hall, suite or apartment if you’re not feeling well,” Hill added. “These simple steps will help us continue to protect the ‘Bobcat Bubble’ and maintain a healthy and safe QU community.”

Quinnipiac students are scheduled to continue in-person learning until Thanksgiving, when they go home and learning will be virtual.

Get the latest news on COVID-19 delivered to you. Click here to sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.

Two Hartford schools, a daycare on lockdown due to police investigation

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:37:00 +0000

Hartford police are on the scene of a shooting on Friday afternoon.

Fair for All: Finding fair food around the state

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:30:00 +0000

(WFSB) – The coronavirus pandemic has canceled a lot of things, including fairs this fall.

Hamden man accused of beating his girlfriend

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:13:00 +0000

HAMDEN, CT (WFSB) - A man is accused of beating his girlfriend in Hamden.

Shooting prompts lockdowns at two schools, day care in Hartford, police say

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:03:32 +0000

Two schools and a day-care center are on lockdown after a shooting in Hartford, police say.

The Big E goes virtual this year

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:03:00 +0000

The annual Big E festival may have been cancelled this year, but would-be fair-goers can still enjoy the annual event, virtually.

Technical Discussion: An autumn chill is on the way for the last weekend of summer!

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Unseasonably cool air could bring an early frost to parts of the state this weekend!

Student at Noah Webster School in Hartford tests positive for COVID-19

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:57:00 +0000

Hartford Public Schools has announced that another student has tested positive for COVID-19.

Suspect in Naugatuck officer-involved shooting turns himself in to police

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:44:00 +0000

A manhunt is over for a suspect involved in an officer involved shooting in Naugatuck.

Two Hartford schools, a daycare on lockdown due to police investigation

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:37:00 +0000

Hartford police are on the scene of a shooting on Friday afternoon.

Daycare, Schools Locked Down as Police Investigate Shooting in Hartford

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:35:42 +0000

Police are investigating a shooting in the 200 block of Fairfield Avenue.

Police Tweeted that Highland Daycare, Dwight Bellizzi Dual Language Academy and the E.B Kennelly School are on lockdown until further notice.

No additional information was immediately available.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Five recovered stolen cars and a gun all came from suburbs, Hartford police say; four arrested

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:30:48 +0000

Hartford police say they made four arrests and seized five stolen cars during an operation to put the brakes on auto theft.

Officials to Hold News Conference on Secure Elections in CT

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:11:24 +0000

Officials will be at the State Capitol at noon Friday to discuss the state’s efforts for election day.

Deputy Secretary of the State Scott Bates, the Connecticut National Guard and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal Blumenthal will take part in a news conference to discuss efforts to ensure safe and secure elections this November, including the capabilities of the National Guard’s Joint Cyber Response Team, which recently helped the City of Hartford after a ransomware attack on the school system.

A news release from Blumenthal’s office said that ahead of the elections in November, the unit is assisting local election officials in protecting their election equipment against cyberattacks.

The news conference will be at noon.

Suspect in Naugatuck officer-involved shooting turns himself in to police

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:44:00 +0000

A manhunt is over for a suspect involved in an officer involved shooting in Naugatuck.

Senator Murphy Heads to West Haven for Discussion on COVID-19 Vaccine

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:31:30 +0000

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy will be in West Haven Friday for a discussion on the town’s plans for disseminating a COVID-19 vaccine in the future.

Several candidates for a COVID-19 vaccine are in the final stage of testing in the U.S., NBC News reports.

Just when a safe vaccine will be available has been at the center of the presidential election.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump openly contradicted the government’s top health experts and predicted that a safe and effective vaccine against the coronavirus could be ready as early as next month and in mass distribution soon after, undermining the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and calling him “confused” in projecting a longer time frame.

Trump also disagreed with CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield about the effectiveness of protective masks — which the president recommends but almost never wears — and said he’d telephoned Redfield to tell him so.

Earlier in the day, the CDC sent all 50 states a “playbook” for distribution of a vaccine to all Americans free of cost when one is proven safe and effective — which is not yet the case.

Redfield said during a congressional hearing that health care workers, first responders and others at high risk would get the vaccine first, perhaps in January or even late this year, but it was unlikely to be available more broadly, again assuming approval, before late spring or summer.

He floated the possibility that a vaccine might be 70% effective in inducing immunity, and said, “I might even go so far as to say that this face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against COVID than when I take a COVID vaccine.”

Trump responded, “Vaccine is much more effective than the mask.”

As for vaccinating Americans, Trump said Wednesday, “We think we can start sometime in October.” One of his recently added advisers, Dr. Scott Atlas, said as many as 700 million doses could be available by the end of March.

Former CDC director, Dr. Tom Frieden, said he was concerned about political pressure on the science of the coronavirus pandemic.

Frieden told “CBS This Morning” that FDA and the CDC have been “unduly influenced by politics, when it comes to the emergency approvals, when it comes to recommendations.”

He said it was “very problematic, because we want to have a safe, effective, acceptable and trusted vaccine.”

On Wednesday night, after Trump’s comments, CDC officials initially sent an email claiming Redfield thought he was answering a question about when vaccination of all Americans would be completed. But then they called back that statement, and did not immediately provide additional comment.

The entire vaccine enterprise faces continued public skepticism. Only about half of Americans said they’d get vaccinated in an Associated Press-NORC poll taken in May. Since then, questions have only mounted about whether the government is trying to rush treatments and vaccines to help Trump’s reelection chances.

Get the latest news on COVID-19 delivered to you. Click here to sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.

Amid closures, industry downturn, Bristol DoubleTree owner breaks ground on new hotel, events center

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:16:06 +0000

Despite the severe nationwide downturn in the hotel and events industries, the owner of the DoubleTree in Bristol is building. He's adding a Home2Suite extended-stay hotel next to it along with a 50,000-square-foot convention and event center.

COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise in Connecticut Residents Under 40

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:08:22 +0000

Cases of COVID-19 infections continue to rise among Connecticut residents under the age of 40, according to the latest data released by the state Department of Public Health. Nearly 64% of new coronavirus infections during the week of September 6 were among people ages 39 and younger.

The state reported 1,027 new infections during the week of September 6-12. Of those infections, 655 were ages zero to 39, according to DPH. The largest impacted age group was people 20-29, which had 257 infections. Forty-two percent of infections came from people in their 20s and 30s.

The growing rate of infections among Connecticut’s younger residents has been on the rise since mid-July. During that time period, the state announced a surge in cases in the 20 to 29 age group and the 30-39 age group.

Get the latest news on COVID-19 delivered to you. Click here to sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.

Many schools and districts across the state have been impacted over the last couple of weeks by COVID-19 as students return to school. Colleges and universities across the state have also seen infections as students returned to campus. At UConn, residents of an off-campus apartment complex had to quarantine over coronavirus concerns.

Over the last week, Connecticut has seen it’s COVID-19 test positivity rate increase to over 1%, a milestone it stayed below for much of the summer. Hospitalizations have also reached their highest level since July 10.

Shelton police chief recommends firing of 3rd officer for staging photo of female officer changing in parking lot

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:39:00 +0000

Shelton's police chief recommended the firing another officer for taking a photo of an undressed coworker.

Hamden Police Arrest Suspect in Crash That Killed Bicyclist

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:24:47 +0000

Hamden police have arrested a man who is accused of driving under the influence and hitting a bicyclist who died at the scene.

Police said they responded to Dixwell Avenue and Collins Street at 1:15 a.m. Thursday.

They investigated and said 21-year-old Ryan Bivens, of Hamden, was driving south on Dixwell Avenue, crossed the double-yellow lines, both northbound lanes, entered the shoulder, along the east curb of Dixwell Avenue and hit the back of a bicycle, traveling south in the shoulder of the road.

Bivens then hit and snapped two utility poles and his vehicle eventually landed on its roof, according to police.

Police identified the bicyclist as 54-year-old David Toles, of New Haven, and said he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bivens was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, driving under the influence and failure to drive in a proper lane.

He was held on a $50,000 bond.

Hartford police find stolen cars, gun, and make four arrests

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:10:37 +0000

Hartford police say they made four arrests and seized five stolen cars during an operation to put the brakes on auto theft.

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's Flirty ‘Fast Times' Table Read Had Fans Swooning

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:05:48 +0000

All right Aniston!

Jennifer Aniston’s flirty scene with ex-husband Brad Pitt was a highlight of a star-studded virtual table read of the classic 1982 teen movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” on Thursday, exciting fans who can’t get enough of seeing them together again in any capacity.

Aniston, 51, played Linda Barrett, who was immortalized by Phoebe Cates in the original film, while Pitt, 56, played Brad Hamilton, who was portrayed by Judge Reinhold in the movie.

Aniston and Pitt re-created the famous dream sequence scene where Brad imagines a bikini-clad Linda seducing him as she climbs out of the swimming pool at his house.

“Hi, Brad,” Aniston as Linda said to Pitt. “You know how cute I always thought you were. I think you’re so sexy. Will you come to me?”

Just like in the movie, it ends awkwardly when Linda barges into the bathroom to interrupt Brad’s dream and catch him in a compromising position.

“Doesn’t anybody f– knock any more?!” Pitt as Brad says.

Pitt and Aniston were joined in the reading by John Legend, Matthew McConaughey, Ray Liotta, Jimmy Kimmel, Julia Roberts, Dane Cook, Henry Golding, Shia LaBeouf, and the original Jeff Spicoli himself, Sean Penn, who played the pizza guy who delivers a pie to Spicoli during Mr. Hand’s class in the table read.

LaBeouf handled the honor of playing Spicoli and went full method, going shirtless and smoking throughout the event.

The event was created to raise money for the emergency relief nonprofit CORE, which Penn founded.

The whole table read was narrated by Morgan Freeman, who had the blush-worthy duty of introducing the famous scene re-created by Aniston and Pitt.

The brief moment between the former couple had fans loving every second.

“This will definitely stop everyone obsessing over Brad and Jen reunions. #FastTimesLive” one fan jokingly tweeted.

“Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston are singlehandedly saving 2020 for me #FastTimesLive,” another wrote.

They weren’t the only ones eating up the moment, as Roberts flashed her famous smile as she soaked it in.

The couple, who were married from 2000-2005, also greeted each other earlier in the table read.

“Hi Aniston,” Pitt said.

“Hi Pitt,” she replied.

“How you doing?” he said.

“Good honey, how are you?” she said.

“I’m alright,” he answered.

It was the latest fun moment between the two, who ruled the internet for a night in January when they were photographed together at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Earlier in January, Aniston smirked at Pitt’s speech at the Golden Globe Awards, and Pitt was asked by “Entertainment Tonight” ahead of the ceremony if he would welcome bumping into Aniston during the show.

“I’ll run into Jen,” he said. “She’s a good friend.”

When they steered out of the friend zone for a minute while playing Linda and Brad on Thursday, it let fans dreaming of a reunion enjoy their flirty moment.

In the words of Jeff Spicoli, “Awesome! Totally awesome!”

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

These CT Schools Are Impacted By COVID-19 Cases

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 12:30:24 +0000

Some Connecticut school districts have sent students back home soon after school resumed in-person after be alerted of cases of COVID-19.

This comes as the coronavirus positive test rate increased to 1.6 percent and hospitalizations reached a high that Connecticut hasn’t seen since July 10.

Gov. Ned Lamont said this uptick is a trend and it is “something we are watching carefully.”

As cases pop up among students and school staff members, some schools are closing and switching to remote learning while others are staying open and sending small groups home to quarantine.

Bristol

In-person classes at Bristol Eastern High School were canceled and the school transitioned to remote learning Thursday and Friday after a member of the school community “was presumed to be positive with COVID-19,” according to a statement from the superintendent.

The person was last in Bristol Eastern High School on Tuesday and anyone who is considered a “close contact” has been contacted by the school or local health officials and provided with instructions on the appropriate steps to take, according to the superintendent.

After consulting with the Bristol Burlington Health District, BPS canceled in-person classes at Bristol Eastern High School and transitioned to remote learning for Sept. 17 and 18.

Bridgeport

Jettie S. Tisdale School in Bridgeport was closed Monday after the superintendent said a staff member tested positive for coronavirus. Officials said the school would remain closed for the rest of the week.

Colchester

A member of the Colchester Elementary School community tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating, according to the school district. They notified the Chatham Health District and reached out to people who were in contact with the individual who tested positive.

The school district remains open and students will continue to be taught in cohorts, according to the school district.

Ellington

Two students at Ellington High School who are from the same family tested positive for COVID-19. The school will remain open, and anyone who might have had close contact with either student will be notified, officials said.

Farmington

A person at Farmington High School tested positive for COVID-19, according to the superintendent. The district notified families on Tuesday.

The person will remain home and all students and staff who had close contact with that individual will also quarantine at home for 14 days. Those students and staff will continue distance learning while at home.

Greenwich

A Greenwich High School teacher tested positive for COVID-19 and school officials said the teacher is self-quarantining and contact tracing is underway. A student is also in quarantine after a family member tested positive for the virus.

School officials said a student went home on Tuesday after finding out that a family member was positive for COVID-19. The family member had been in quarantine since last week and the student had no contact since that point.

The student, who did not have symptoms, will quarantine at home for 14 days and will be tested.

The teacher who is positive self-quarantined as of last Friday evening and has not been in the building this week, school officials said.

After learning of the positive test, local health officials started conducting contact tracing Wednesday for any students who might need to be quarantined.

The school started optional COVID-19 testing for staff last week, tested around 50 GHS staff members last Friday and all results were negative, school officials said.

Hamden

Helen Street School in Hamden has had a case of COVID-19.

Supt. Jody Goeler notified families that a staff member at Helen Street School has tested positive for coronavirus. Anyone who was in “close contact” is being contacted and given instructions on steps to take. Goeler said students and staff members who have not been in close contact are able to remain in school.

Hartford

Hartford Public Schools announced two cases of COVID-19 in the community on Monday morning.

A student at Weaver High School tested positive for COVID-19 and through contract tracing, four students were determined to have come in close contact, the district said. The four students in close contact will have to self-quarantine at home for 14 days. In-person classes are continuing at the school.

On Sept. 11, Bellizzi Middle School’s principal announced a community partner who was in the building tested positive. The person was asymptomatic before testing positive and was advised to quarantine at home. Through contract tracing, the district notified two staff members and a student of close contact and asked them to self-quarantine at home for 14 days.

Hartford police seize stolen cars, gun, and make four arrests

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 12:20:39 +0000

Hartford police say they made four arrests and seized five stolen cars during an operation to put the brakes on auto theft.

US plans to restrict access to TikTok and WeChat on Sunday

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 12:11:00 +0000

The Commerce Department plans to restrict access to TikTok and WeChat on Sunday as the Trump administration's executive orders against the two apps are set to take effect.

An Alaska dentist who extracted a patient's tooth on a hoverboard sentenced to 12 years in jail

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:57:00 +0000

A former dentist who was filmed extracting a patient's tooth while standing on a hoverboard has been sentenced to 12 years in jail, according to a statement from the Alaska Department of Law.

Trump Administration to Block New Downloads of TikTok Starting Sunday

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:54:13 +0000

The Commerce Department announced Friday morning that it would ban U.S. business transactions with Chinese-owned social apps WeChat and TikTok on Sunday.

The announcement comes as President Donald Trump is expected to announce Friday whether or not the government will approve a deal for Oracle to take a minority stake in TikTok and become a “trusted technology partner” for the company in the U.S.

It’s unclear if the Commerce Department’s announcement means there’s no possibility of a deal going through before the Sunday deadline, and it could be an aggressive move from the Trump Administration to push for its original intention for TikTok to be fully owned by a U.S. company.

“At the President’s direction, we have taken significant action to combat China’s malicious collection of American citizens’ personal data, while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations.” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement Friday.

Friday’s announcement from the Commerce Department appears to be enforcing Trump’s original executive order from August 6 that gave TikTok 45 days to sell its U.S. business to a U.S. company or face a ban in the U.S. WeChat, which is one of the most popular social messaging apps in the world, is owned by the Chinese company Tencent. TikTok’s parent company is the Chinese company ByteDance.

The Commerce Department’s statement on Friday said that starting Sept. 20, U.S. companies would be banned from distributing WeChat and TikTok, meaning the two major mobile app stores run by Apple and Google would have to remove the apps from their libraries. The statement also blocks U.S. companies from providing services through WeChat “for the purpose of transferring funds or processing payments within the U.S.”

WeChat is a popular marketing and sales tool for U.S. companies primarily in China, but around the world as well. With U.S. social apps like Facebook and Instagram banned in China, WeChat is the primary app people use for social network and e-commerce. It’s also a popular app used by people in the U.S. to communicate with people in China, since U.S. apps are banned in China.

Representatives for Tencent, TikTok, WeChat, Apple and Google were not immediately available to comment.

This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.

This story first appeared on CNBC.com. More from CNBC:

Wanted: People who want to get paid to taste cheeseburgers

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:52:00 +0000

For burger lovers out there, a dream job has opened up: getting paid to eat cheeseburgers.

A carjacker held a couple hostage for hours in Tennessee before killing the husband, investigators say

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:50:00 +0000

Aileen and Jordan Stevens were driving to church on Sunday when a car rear-ended their Ford Mustang on Interstate 24 in Tennessee. It was about 9:30 a.m. -- Aileen Stevens was teaching Sunday School that morning at their church in…

Man sergeant shot at under arrest, Naugatuck police say; body camera footage reveals moment cop opened fire at charging car

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:24:14 +0000

Newly released body camera footage shows the moment a police sergeant was knocked to the ground and opened fire on a man fleeing a traffic stop Monday night on an on-ramp to Route 8 in Naugatuck.

Suspect in Naugatuck officer-involved shooting turns himself in to police

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 10:57:00 +0000

A manhunt is over for a suspect involved in an officer involved shooting in Naugatuck.

Autumn chill this weekend could cost restaurants millions in outdoor dining

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 10:56:00 +0000

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - This weekend’s mild forecast could cost restaurants around the state millions of dollars.

Man sergeant shot at under arrest, Naugatuck police say; body camera footage reveals moment cop opened fire at charging car

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 10:32:53 +0000

Newly released body camera footage shows the moment a police sergeant was knocked to the ground and opened fire on a man fleeing a traffic stop Monday night on an on-ramp to Route 8 in Naugatuck.

Suspect in Naugatuck officer-involved shooting turns himself in to police

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 10:03:00 +0000

A manhunt is over for a suspect involved in an officer involved shooting in Naugatuck.

The Last Weekend of Summer Will Feel Like Fall!

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 08:57:57 +0000

A cold front that moved through overnight ushered in much cooler air! High temperatures will stay in the mid to low 60s this afternoon and with breezy wind coming in from north between 10-20 mph it will feel quite brisk.

While this weekend is the last official weekend of summer, with fall beginning on Tuesday with the Autumnal Equinox, it won’t feel like it! High temperatures Saturday and Sunday stay in the low 60s with overnight low temperatures in the 30s and 40s! A few hill towns may wake up to some patchy frost Sunday and Monday.

Ironically after fall begins Tuesday, we see temperatures warm back up!

Suspect in Naugatuck officer involved shooting turns himself in to police

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 08:55:00 +0000

The manhunt is over for the suspect involved in an officer involved shooting in Naugatuck.

Technical Discussion: An autumn chill is on the way for the last weekend of summer!

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 08:45:00 +0000

Unseasonably cool air could bring an early frost to parts of the state this weekend!

Trump and Biden Hit Unlikely Battleground State of Minnesota

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 06:45:54 +0000

Minnesota has backed Democratic presidential candidates for nearly half a century and rarely receives much attention during the final stages of the race, when campaigns typically focus their resources on more traditional swing states like Florida or Pennsylvania.

But Minnesota will feel like a genuine battleground on Friday when President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, campaign here to mark the beginning of early voting.

They’re expected to avoid the urban core of Minneapolis to focus on rural and working class voters, some of whom shifted to Republicans for the first time in 2016. Trump will be in Bemidiji, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of Minneapolis, while Biden will swing through Duluth, on the banks of Lake Superior and close to the Wisconsin border.

Since narrowly losing Minnesota in 2016, Trump has focused relentlessly on the state in hopes that a victory this year could offset losses in other states. He has visited regularly and kept a close eye on issues of particular importance to rural corners of the state, reversing an Obama administration policy prohibiting the development of copper-nickel mining and bailing out soybean, corn and other farmers who have been hurt by trade clashes with China.

More recently, he’s embraced a “law and order” message aimed at white suburban and rural voters who may be concerned by protests that have sometimes become violent. That’s especially true in Minnesota, where the May killing of George Floyd by a police officer sparked a national reckoning on systemic racism.

But for all the work Trump has put into the state, it may elude him again in November.

A series of polls over the past week show Biden has built a consistent lead over Trump. And in the 2018 midterms, Democratic turnout surged in suburbs, small cities and even on the Iron Range, across the blue-collar mining towns that were once labor strongholds but had been trending Republican.

David McIntosh, president of the conservative Club for Growth, which has produced anti-Biden ads, said Minnesota may help the Trump campaign build momentum.

“They’re looking beyond the poll numbers and seeing the potential there,” said McIntosh, a former congressman from Indiana. “It’s always smart strategy to go on offense somewhere.”

In 2018, Democrats flipped two suburban congressional districts, took back control of the state House by winning suburban Trump-voting areas and came within one seat of winning control of the state Senate. Democrats won every statewide race that year, even as they lost a rural congressional district.

Trump’s path to Minnesota success likely depends on finding more votes in rural, conservative areas –- running up the score beyond his 2016 tally. It’s a strategy he’s trying to pull off elsewhere and depends on a robust field operation with the money and time to track down infrequent or first-time voters. That could be a tall order since Minnesota already sports one of the nation’s highest voter turnout rates.

“I don’t think they’re there,” said Joe Radinovich, a Democrat who lost a bid for a northern Minnesota congressional district in 2018. Radinovich noted the major organizational challenge and expense in tracking new voters, making sure they’re registered and getting them to vote – especially during a pandemic. “We have relatively high turnout already. Most people vote. I just don’t think it’s there. I think those people showed up in 2016,” he said.

Decision 2020 Coverage

Joe Biden 6 hours ago

At Town Hall, Biden Blasts Trump's ‘Criminal' Coronavirus Response

Masks 11 hours ago

Gulf Between White House's Words, Trump's Actions on Masks

In 2016, Trump won that district that includes the Democratic city of Duluth by 15 percentage points. But in the midterms two years later, Radinovich lost by just under 6 percentage points.

Still, Trump has spent more than a year building a sizable Minnesota ground game. Republicans are out knocking on doors and interacting personally with voters in ways that Democrats mostly have not, preferring online operations amid the coronavirus.

The president’s reelection campaign announced this week a $10 million ad buy in a series of states, including Minnesota. It has spent nearly $17 million on advertising in the state since last October, compared to almost $6.3 million for Biden over the same period, according to a review of Kantar/CMAG data by The Associated Press.

Democrats warn that Biden still may have his work cut out for him. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said the Trump campaign has far outpaced Biden in local yard signs — which indicates enthusiasm but may not ultimately affect the outcome.

“One of the things the Trump campaign has been very good about is visibility in Duluth, but also in areas around Duluth,” Larson said.

Ken Martin, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, said that while Biden isn’t likely to carry the congressional district that includes Duluth, he might be able to pick up enough support there to deny Trump the votes he needs to win statewide.

“If your opponent is on the ropes or on the ground, you don’t get up,” Martin said.

Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski contributed to this report from Minneapolis.

US judge blocks Postal Service changes that slowed mail

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 05:07:05 +0000

SEATTLE (AP) — A U.S. judge on Thursday blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide, calling them “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election.

Eversource Asking Lawmakers For $700 Million in Borrowing Following Tropical Storm Isaias

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:36:50 +0000

Eversource is asking Connecticut lawmakers for $700 million in borrowing following Tropical Storm Isaias, COVID-19, and the rollback of a recent rate increase.

“We are committed to working with legislators and regulators to develop creative solutions to reduce rate impacts on our customers. One possible solution is to take the costs associated with recent, and future, rate increases and spread them over 20 years. This approach would provide immediate rate relief to customers during this unprecedented time of COVID-19,” Mitch Gross, of Eversource, said in a statement.

“Any such proposals would ultimately need to be filed with PURA for public review and approval,” Gross continued.

About 600,000 Eversource customers were left without power following Tropical Storm Isaias in Connecticut.

Governor Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency for Connecticut that helped with storm recovery.

A class-action lawsuit seeking $1.5 billion was filed against Eversource in response to the company’s response to Tropical Storm Isaias.

Many Eversource customers saw rate increases in July. As a result, Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority instructed Eversource to suspend price increases and restore prior rates.

Nine-Year-Old Features Local Eateries On YouTube to Help Businesses Amid COVID-19

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 02:44:47 +0000

A nine-year-old boy from Bethel has the scoop on all the best eateries in town.

Once Nicholas Zaccagno realized how the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting local businesses, he started a YouTube page, called “Nicky Will Eat It,” featuring restaurants in town and giving his own reviews by making mini commercials.

“When this coronavirus happened… we saw all the businesses were getting hurt so we decided to do this thing called Bethel Boost,” Nicky said. “So we go to each business and we order my favorite item from each place and we tell the people about it.”

Bethel Boost is Nicky’s way of giving that extra boost to local businesses during a time of such uncertainty.

Nicky started filming for Nicky Will Eat It six months ago as a “bizarre foods” critic.

“When I was young, I just loved bizarre foods, so it all came to be when I loved bizarre foods so my YouTube channel was me trying bizarre foods,” Nicky said.

Since then, he’s transitioned to getting more customers to head to local businesses. He has already made over 30 videos.

“Everyone seemed to love, we give so many people business that J. Lawrence actually gave us free wings for a year,” Nicky said.

Nicky reviews his favorite food items and tells his viewers how the food tastes. And his dad Dino shoots the videos for him.

He is somewhat of a celebrity in town.

“He’s turned into a little celebrity in Bethel. I mean you go walking down the streets or if we go places, they hover to him,” Dino said.

“He goes to sleep and just wakes up thinking about new places because he just wants to help them out so much,” Dino continued.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. Nicky has big plans for the future of Nicky Will Eat It.

“After we’re done boosting Bethel, I have a huge announcement, we’re going to be boosting Connecticut,” Nicky said.

Teenager brings awareness, diversity to Windsor Locks community discussion

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 02:33:00 +0000

WINDSOR LOCKS (WFSB) - A Windsor locks eighth grader is leading an important discussion about racism in the community tonight.

To Play Or Not To Play: Interpreting DPH's Sports Guidelines

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 02:30:00 +0000

High school football won’t take the field this fall, but that doesn’t mean other youth sports won’t. The argument to play or not to play for any high risk sport seems to have a grey area.

Rich Photos had to pull the plug on Southern Connecticut Pop Warner Football in August.

“I tried to keep it going, I really did,” said Photos, who serves as the program’s president.

At the same time, the West Hartford Youth Hockey was easing back onto the ice with plenty of modifications: dressing at home, no locker rooms, mandatory masks off the ice, cohorts on the ice.

“You know, putting on your gear at home has been a little weird,” said Graham Wiggenhauser, an eighth-grader in the program.

Two high risk sports, two different outcomes and both are using guidelines from the department of health to make their decision.

“I have four kids in this program, there was no chance I was going to put them out there unless I thought it was safe,” said Jon Bankoff, West Hartford Youth Hockey president.

“They’re going to shut down high school football, but it’s OK for a 13- or 14-year-old youth kid to do it,” said Photos.

That’s where there’s confusion: Under Phase 2 of Connecticut’s reopen plan, high risk sports have been allowed to hold practices and play games since July 6, but the state recommends high risk high school sports, like football postpone to the spring.

“Almost weekly we’re meeting and talking particularly with an eye towards what Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference has been meeting and talking about,” said Bankoff.

Competing recommendations that have people like Photos making an unpopular choice

“I’ve gotten word that kids are crying and parents are upset. I’m upset too,” said Photos. “This is not something that I wanted to do.”

While leagues debate, to play or not to play, and even as some independent football leagues take shape to supplement the high school game, health experts encourage everyone to be patient.

“Maybe there’s emerging data from Texas and Utah and places that are playing sports, maybe we can find information before we do something radical like starting independent sports teams or banning things,” said Dr. Sten Vermund, epidemiologist, pediatrician and dean at Yale School of Public Health.

Those who are playing, like Bankoff’s youth hockey league, said the key is just continuing to listen and ask questions.

“This is youth sports and it’s important and we love being out there and coaching and being with our kids but the priorities need to be balanced,” said Bankoff.

The recommendation on high school football was a specific request from the CIAC to the state Department of Public Health outside of its Phase 2 guidelines, but DPH said the decision to play for both high school sports and private youth sports is ultimately up to leagues and individuals on a local level.

“Eventually, they’re making us, whether it be the bad guy or the good guy or the good guy could become the bad guy because if they get an outbreak,” said Bankoff. “It shouldn’t be this difficult.”

Judge Blocks Mail Changes As Election Day Approaches

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 02:18:23 +0000

There are concerns about the United States Postal Service as many people are expected to vote absentee for the upcoming election.

Now a federal judge is taking action amid worries mail service has slowed down.

“This is an important victory,” said William Tong, D, Connecticut’s attorney general.

On Thursday, Tong announcing a federal judge blocked the Post Office from making changes to mail service with the election not far off.

“He found that the postmaster general and the president were intentionally using the Postal Service for partisan political purposes,” said Tong.

Connecticut and 13 other states have accused the president and postmaster general of undermining mail service, including by removing machines like one in Hartford.

In response, the USPS Election Mail Committee Chair wrote:

“Any suggestion that there is a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service is completely and utterly without merit.”

The Postal Service argues its number one priority is to deliver election mail on-time.

But others aren’t so sure.

“The Postal Service is a little uncertain these days,” said Denise Merrill, D – secretary of the state.

Merrill says people planning to vote absentee should take their ballot to the special dropbox in their community.

Amid the pandemic and expanded absentee availability, people choosing absentee has jumped from 5% to 68%.

“I want people to have confidence that their vote actually got counted fairly and accurately,” said Merrill.

The Postal Service says it’s reviewing its legal options.

And Connecticut’s Attorney General promises the fight is not over.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

At Town Hall, Biden Blasts Trump's ‘Criminal' Coronavirus Response

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 02:14:21 +0000

Joe Biden on Thursday went after President Donald Trump again and again over his handling of COVID-19, calling Trump’s downplaying of the pandemic “criminal” and his administration “totally irresponsible.”

“You’ve got to level with the American people — shoot from the shoulder. There’s not been a time they’ve not been able to step up. The president should step down,” the Democratic presidential nominee said to applause from a CNN drive-in town hall crowd in Moosic, outside his hometown of Scranton.

Speaking about Trump’s admission that he publicly played down the impact of the virus while aware of its severity, Biden declared: “He knew it and did nothing. It’s close to criminal.”

Later, Biden decried Americans’ loss of basic “freedoms” as the U.S. has struggled to contain the pandemic, like the ability to go to a ballgame or walk around their neighborhoods. “I never, ever thought I would see just such a thoroughly, totally irresponsible administration,” he said.

Biden faced a half-dozen questions about the coronavirus and a potential vaccine in the town hall from moderator Anderson Cooper and audience members. The pandemic was not just the main topic of the night — it was the cause of the unusual format of the event: a drive-in with 35 cars outside PNC Field.

The cars were parked around the stage, each with small groups of people standing outside them or leaning or sitting on the hoods to watch Cooper and Biden onstage. The network erected blue and red spotlights over the dirt and gravel parking lot to make it easier to see, and each parking space was marked off with white chalk in large rectangles to ensure that each group stayed more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart.

The town hall marked the first time that Biden had faced live, unscripted questions from voters since winning the nomination. Trump participated in a town hall Tuesday in an auditorium in Philadelphia.

The appearances have been seen as tuneups before the three presidential debates, the first set for Sept. 29. Biden’s uneven debate performances during the Democratic primary contributed to his initial struggles in polls and the early primary vote, and Trump has pushed unfounded conspiracy theories about Biden taking performance-enhancing drugs and has raised questions about Biden’s mental acuity.

Biden, meanwhile, has promised to be a “fact-checker on the stage” with Trump but has said he doesn’t want to get drawn into a “brawl” with the Republican.

On Thursday, Biden said he was beginning to prepare for the upcoming debate by reviewing Trump’s remarks and preparing his own.

Biden was also pressed on his stance on the Green New Deal, the sweeping proposal from progressives in Congress that calls for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the economy by 2030. Biden’s proposal doesn’t go as far, but it does aim to reduce emissions to zero by 2050 and has a goal of achieving an entirely carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.

Biden interrupted a questioner who suggested his climate plan embraces the Green New Deal to insist, “No, it doesn’t,” but when asked by the moderator if he supports the proposal, he said, “I don’t think it’s too much.”

Still, Biden added, “I have my own deal,” which he noted the Democratic Party has incorporated as part of its platform.

Biden also weighed in on foreign policy issues, promising to reduce America’s military footprint abroad and saying that any attempt to interfere with the election by a foreign power is a “violation of our sovereignty.” He promised that if he’s elected and it becomes clear post-election that Russia interfered in the election, “they’ll pay a price for it, and it’ll be an economic price.”

Biden described Russia as an “opponent,” but declined to use the same word when asked about China. He instead called the nation a “competitor” and pledging to improve trade policy with China.

Trump signaled he’d been watching the town hall before he took the stage for a rally in Misonee, Wisconsin, on Thursday night.

“I just see he’s up there tonight getting softball questions from Anderson Cooper. They don’t ask me questions like that,” Trump told the crowd gathered at the airport. “They’ve got cars … it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Trump’s ABC town hall was held inside a half-empty auditorium, with attendees socially distanced and wearing masks.

The format of Biden’s event was a stark reminder of the issue that’s been a central focus of Biden’s campaign — that the pandemic rages on, affecting Americans’ lives in ways large and small, and that stronger leadership in White House could have eased the crisis. More than 195,000 Americans have died of the coronavirus — by far the highest death toll in the world.

Earlier in the day, Biden joined Senate Democrats for a conference call lunch and told allies that he is taking nothing for granted in the race for the White Houseand the down-ballot effort to wrest the Senate’s majority control from Republicans. He fielded questions, particularly from senators facing reelection, about his strategy win back the chamber and defeat Trump.

“He just said, ‘You know what we’re up against. You know why this is so important,’” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said he encouraged Biden to remind workers how much he has been on their side during his many years in government.

“I’ve said, ‘Joe, people need to know that you recognize the dignity of the work, the people have built this country,’” Manchin told reporters. “They need to know that you fought for their pensions, you fought for their health care … and you’re not gonna leave them behind.”

Biden’s campaign team has come under scrutiny in recent days over its outreach efforts, particularly for what some see as short shrift with Latino voters. At the same time, Democrats have mixed views over the party’s get-out-the-vote effort that largely bypasses traditional door-knocking to avoid health risks during the pandemic, instead relying on virtual outreach.

Jaffe reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Darlene Superville in Misonee, Wis., contributed to this report.

Report, Body Cam Footage Detail Moments Before Naugatuck Police Officer Fired Weapon

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 02:01:35 +0000

The Fairfield State’s Attorney’s office has released its preliminary report into an investigation into a traffic stop that led to a Naugatuck police officer firing his weapon on Monday.

The two Naugatuck police officers involved in the incident were both wearing body cameras. The state’s attorney released that footage to accompany the preliminary report Thursday.

According to the report, police said the incident started as a traffic stop at 8 p.m. on Monday on the Route 8 northbound on-ramp at Maple Street. Police said an officer at the scene, Officer Kevin Zainc, observed what he called a hand-to-hand drug transaction while on-duty, which prompted him to pull the car over, according to the state’s attorney.

Police identified the driver as Roznovsky Machado, 24, of Waterbury. He was driving an orange 2019 Dodge Charger with Ohio registration HQJ2680 during the traffic stop, according to police.

The report said Zainc parked his car behind Machado’s car and he was unable to present a valid driver’s license when asked. The body camera footage shows the interaction between Zainc and Machado.

Then, a second officer, Sgt. Nicholas Kehoss, arrived at the scene to assist in the traffic stop. He parked in front of Machado’s car so that it was blocked in, the state’s attorney said.

Machado then put his car in reverse and tried to flee the scene, according to the report. An officer can be heard on the bodycam footage saying “Don’t do it, don’t do it,” as Machado drives off.

According to the report, Machado hit Kehoss’s car and drove directly toward the officer, who was outside his car at the time.

State police said Kehoss fired at the vehicle when Machado drove toward him. Zainc did not fire his weapon, according to state police.

Kehoss was hit and sustained minor injuries for which he was treated and released from the hospital, according to state police.

The state’s attorney said Machado was driving a rental car which was later found in Waterbury.

Kehoss has been with the Naugatuck Police Department for 10 years and Zainc has been with the police department for 15 years.

Police said Machado has not been located and it is unknown if he was injured from the gunfire. He faces charges including attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and assault on an officer.

Connecticut State Police and the Fairfield State’s Attorney are investigating the use of force.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to call Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crimes Squad at 860-626-7900.

Naugatuck police are asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of Machado to contact NPD at 203-729-5221 or the NPD Confidential Tip Line at 203-720-1010.

Suspect In Custody Following Traffic Stop Leading to Officer Firing Weapon in Naugatuck

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 02:01:35 +0000

Naugatuck Police say the suspect, in a traffic stop that led to a Naugatuck police officer firing his weapon on Monday, is in custody.

“Roznovsky Machado , 24, has turned himself in,” said Naugatuck officials.

This comes after the Fairfield State’s Attorney’s office released its preliminary report into an investigation into a traffic stop where an officer fired his weapon on Monday.

The two Naugatuck police officers involved in the incident were both wearing body cameras. The state’s attorney released that footage to accompany the preliminary report Thursday.

Police identified the driver as Machado, of Waterbury. He was driving an orange 2019 Dodge Charger with Ohio registration HQJ2680 during the traffic stop, according to police.

Then, a second officer, Sgt. Nicholas Kehoss, arrived at the scene to assist in the traffic stop. He parked in front of Machado’s car so that it was blocked in, the state’s attorney said.

According to the report, Machado hit Kehoss’s car and drove directly toward the officer, who was outside his car at the time.

State police said Kehoss fired at the vehicle when Machado drove toward him. Zainc did not fire his weapon, according to state police.

Kehoss was hit and sustained minor injuries for which he was treated and released from the hospital, according to state police.

The state’s attorney said Machado was driving a rental car which was later found in Waterbury.

Kehoss has been with the Naugatuck Police Department for 10 years and Zainc has been with the police department for 15 years.

It is still unknown if Machado sustained any injuries from the gunfire.

He faces charges including attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and assault on an officer.

Connecticut State Police and the Fairfield State’s Attorney are investigating the use of force.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to call Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crimes Squad at 860-626-7900.

Suspect In Custody After Driving Car Towards Naugatuck Officer During Traffic Stop