Two national reports highlight how poorly Connecticut ranks when it comes to veterans’ care. We spoke with Vince Santilli of Homes for the Brave about the findings and what lawmakers could do to improve our state’s investment in veterans.
IMAGE CREDIT: Eric Urbanowicz
Thursday’s “Connecticut Today” with host Paul Pacelli featured a visit from Sacred Heart University Associate Professor of Catholic Studies Dr. Dan Rober on the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first-ever American pontiff (00:39), while Paul also had his own thoughts on the new Pope (12:08). GOP State Rep. Greg Howard – a working law enforcement officer – returned to update us on a pending bill that would allow the possible destruction of ATVs, mini-bikes, and dirt bikes seized in street takeovers (25:19)
Image Credit: REUTERS
The WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour made its way down to Andros Diner in Fairfield this week!
Many fan favorites including retired police chief Gary Macnamara, Crime On The Mind’s Jim Perez, and That Garden Guy’s Lee Ganim stopped by for conversation. Also, State Senator Tony Hwang, Alexis Harrison from the Fairfield planning and zoning committee and Superintendent Michael Testani made the trip down!
Thank you to Brown Roofing as well as Maritime Chevrolet, The Connecticut Education Association, and AARP Connecticut!
After great launch in Stamford last week, the WICC Brown Roofing Melissa In The Morning Diner Tour made its way down to Andros Diner in Fairfield this week! Many fan favorites including retired police chief Gary Macnamara, Crime On The Mind’s Jim Perez, and That Garden Guy’s Lee Ganim stopped by for conversation. Also Fairfield mainstays on the station including State Senator Tony Hwang, Alexis Harrison from the Fairfield planning and zoning committee and Superintendent Michael Testani made the trip down! Thank you to our partners at Maritime Chevrolet, The Connecticut Education Association (who also joined us today!) and AARP Connecticut!
Image Credit: Logo by Meghan Boyd, Edit by Eric Urbanowicz
Wednesday’s mid-week edition of “Connecticut Today” featured our regular update with Hearst Connecticut Media senior columnist and editor Dan Haar, with fresh information on a possible capital gains tax surcharge for some upper income state residents (00:52). Sacred Heart University Center for Catholic Studies Director Dr. Michelle Loris discussed the start of the Conclave to elect the next Pope of the Catholic Church (09:40). Host Paul Pacelli opened the show wondering if state and national Democrats intend on keeping their heads in the sand regarding President Trump’s appeal (18:38). Finally, we welcomed Paul Rice, author of, “Every Purchase Matters: How Fair Trade Farmers, Companies, and Consumers Are Changing the World” (32:39)
Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus
Have you ever heard of silent divorce? It was highlighted recently in a CNN Health article. Who is at risk of being in a silent divorce? What are signs of someone entering a silent divorce and is there the possibility of returning to a healthy union? We asked counselor, Julius Dudics.
Image Credit: Getty Images
A new report from the state identifies key challenges in Connecticut’s victim response in human trafficking cases. The Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Task Force, which was formed in 2021, released the first of its kind report, using data from 49 case studies. We broke down the data with Jamie Manirakiza, Executive Director of Partnership to End Human Trafficking (PEHT)
The full report: https://portal.ct.gov/dcj/-/media/dcj-beta/2025rhtrt-report-digital.pdf?rev=dcbcf0aaef884e6b9e463a9e76e31608&hash=0C00DC185AECC41D8A2995787E1A94E6
For more information on PEHT: https://peht.org/
Connecticut is no stranger to hurricane activity and this week is Hurricane Preparedness Week. Ahead of hurricane season which is June first, we spoke with Jon Basso of the American Red Cross Connecticut chapter about being prepared for hurricane season. We also talked about being ready for brushfire/wildfire season.
For more information: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2025/get-ready-for-2025-wildfire–hurricane-seasons.html?srsltid=AfmBOooNnu2s59-WMJ7KBDpERtfC3Cf2jj1-9-JC5Qzzl2isV3gi8Cvb
Image Credit: Getty Images
Is innovation just for tech companies with big budgets and buzzwords? Not in Connecticut. In this episode of MADE Conversations, we’re breaking down the myths of innovation and exploring how every organization—no matter the size or sector—can create opportunity through bold ideas, smart partnerships, and intentional culture.
Join hosts Melissa Sheketoff and Mike Cerulli as they chat with:
1️⃣ Anthony Anthony, Chief Marketing Officer, State of Connecticut
2️⃣ Jenna Grasso, Policy Analyst at CBIA
3️⃣ Jessica Dodge, Managing Director at the CT Office of Innovation
From workforce to AI to public-private collaboration, they talk about what it really means to innovate in Connecticut NOW.
