Voice of CT

Innovation isn’t just for tech bros (But they welcome in CT, too) – MADE Conversations, Ep. 2

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.

CT Today With Paul Pacelli – More Regulation For Connecticut Homeschooling?

Host Paul Pacelli kicked off Tuesday’s “Connecticut Today” looking at the previous day’s demonstration at the State Capitol regarding possible changes to homeschooling policies (00:48). Waterbury GOP State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus also weighed in on that demonstration (16:40). Columnist Chris Powell offered his thoughts on the homeschooling controversy, as well as a recent ICE arrest in Middletown (23:12). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio dropped by to chat about the new “Blue Collar Caucus” (34:22), and we welcomed CBS News correspondent Linda Kenyon on a meeting at the White House between President Trump and new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (43:49)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

The Lisa Wexler Show – Connecticut Appreciates Teachers!

Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association, joins Lisa Wexler to talk about the NEA’s most pressing matters on Teacher Appreciation Day, Week and in supporting our educators every day.

Image Credit: Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Melissa in the Morning: Mainstream Media Targets

The latest mainstream media outlets that have been targeted by the Trump Administration include PBS and NPR. Earlier this year, we saw the Associated Press was temporarily blocked from White House press conferences. But it’s not just during this administration we see mainstream media targeted. In 2023, Fox News had to settle a defamation lawsuit during the Biden Administration. We spoke with Susan Campbell, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, about the challenges of teaching the next generation of journalists but also what we are seeing with standards and punishment for mainstream media. and whether any of these actions are justified.

Image Credit: Reuters

Melissa in the Morning: Target on Homeschooling

More than 2,000 demonstrators flooded the halls of the Legislative Office Building at the Connecticut State Capitol for an informational hearing to dissuade lawmakers from changing the state’s homeschooling regulations. Changes to homeschooling regulations comes following the captivity story out of Waterbury where a man was allegedly held against his will for more than 20 years. The governor and state democrats are now trying to find ways to avoid repeating history and having kids fall through the cracks. But state Republicans say they are targeting the wrong group of people. We spoke about this with Senator Jason Perillo, Ranking Senator on the Committee on Children.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Diddy Jury Selection

The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs has started with jury selection taking three days to complete. What can we expect in this high-profile case and how challenging is it to pick fair, unbiased jurors? We asked our legal expert on the show, Attorney Bill Bloss.

Image Credit: Reuters

Melissa in the Morning: Into the Unknown of Hiring

Most employers aren’t laying off workers, but many will pause hiring while the trade war plays out. This was highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article and it was looking at the major US employers and their plan of attack for the workforce, including hiring less or not at all. Career strategist Julie Bauke shared what to make of this.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Rich Smith

We met Rich Smith, the Democratic candidate running for Mayor in Milford. Smith served seven months as mayor for the city, completing former Mayor Ben Blake’s term in 2023. Find out why Smith now wants to run for office and his concerns with the current administration.

IMAGE CREDIT: Eric Urbanowicz

CT Today With Paul Pacelli – Criticizing A New Police Tool?

Host Paul Pacelli kicked off Monday’s “Connecticut Today” talking about a new tool that’s being used by local police to avoid high-speed chases, but is still being criticized by civil liberties groups. Is that criticism unfounded (00:46)? GOP State Sen. Rob Sampson talked about a hearing earlier in the day regarding homeschooling regulations in Connecticut (14:58). CTNewsJunkie columnist and Substack.com blogger Terry Cowgill on media personalities venturing into politics (24:26), while CBS News Washington correspondent Nikole Killian had the latest on the fate of the 2017 Trump tax cuts with the present Congress (36:24)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

Melissa in the Morning: “The Last Senior Standing”

Is it just a glorified water gun game for high school seniors? A PSA post from Trumbull Police about the High School Senior Assassin Game is getting a lot of reaction. We spoke with Lt. Brian Falkenstein and Officer Scott Duva about the trending game nationwide happening in some Connecticut districts too.

Image Courtesy of the Trumbull Police Department