Voice of CT

Melissa in the Morning: Surge in Overdose Deaths in CT

A new report revealed Connecticut is experiencing a surge in fatal and non-fatal overdoses across the state. Between May 16 and June 6, 2025, there have been 61 suspected fatal overdoses statewide, with noticeable clustering along the I-91 and I-95 corridors. We wanted to speak with Kids in Crisis.

Connecticut Kids In Crisis provides emergency shelter, crisis counseling, and community education programs for children of all ages and families facing crisis. We spoke with Corina Restepo, assistant director for outreach and prevention services at Kids in Crisis.

For the detailed report: https://www.ctclearinghouse.org/Customer-Content/www/files/PDFs/CT-ORS-Spike-Alert-May-June_2025-Situational-Awareness-Bulletin-06-06-2025__FINAL.pdf

Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Women and Excessive Drinking

A new Yale study suggests drinking harms women’s brains faster than men’s. Dr. Yasmin Zakiniaeiz, one of the study authors and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, shared key takeaways from the study.

For the full study: https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/alcohol-use-disorder-harms-the-brains-immune-system-earlier-in-women/

Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Summer Scams

We had our monthly check-in with Dept. of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli. We talked about new protections laws that passed during the legislative session as well as summer scams to look out for.

Image Credit: Getty Images

CT Today With Paul Pacelli – A Promised Veto Coming From Gov. Lamont?

Host Paul Pacelli opened Tuesday’s “Connecticut Today” chatting about a union protest aimed at Gov. Ned Lamont’s threatened veto of a bill making striking workers eligible for unemployment compensation after two weeks on picket lines (00:43). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio also commented on that same bill and union reaction to a roving billboard supporting that veto (14:55). CT State House GOP leader Vin Candelora detailed the continuing efforts at the Capitol behind a controversial housing bill (22:51)

Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

The Lisa Wexler Show – Humans Still Outthink AI, With Reason

Professor Melanie Mitchell joins Lisa Wexler to talk about what AI systems are trained on, what AI agents do for humans, energy costs for AI, the understanding we use AI systems in all parts of life now, and what jobs will still be relevant in the near future?

Image Credit: WANAN YOSSINGKUM / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Melissa in the Morning: Latest Dulos Case Update

Kent Mawhinney pleaded guilty to interfering with police in the case surrounding the disappearance and presumed death of Jennifer Farber Dulos. Mawhinney is the former lawyer and friend of Jennifer’s late, estranged husband, Fotis Dulos. We spoke with legal expert, Attorney Bill Bloss, about the lesser charge and what happens now with the case?

Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Alex Jones Back in the News

A new report claims conspiracy theorist, Alex Jones, was hiding money to avoid paying the families of Sandy Hook School victims. Attorney Chris Mattei who represents the families gave us the latest on this.

Image Credit: Reuters

Melissa in the Morning: No Contract Extension

Stamford’s Superintendent of Schools has announced she will not extend her contract when it’s up next June. Dr. Tamu Lucero has reportedly accepted an offer to serve as the director of a private school in Africa serving students from pre-K to 12th grade. What does this mean for the district, including plans to start block scheduling set to roll out in the fall? We spoke with John Corcoran, president of the Stamford Education Association.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Agent Orange

Senator Richard Blumenthal is calling for more research into genetic issues in veterans caused by exposure to toxins while they were serving in the military. In particular, Vietnam War veterans and their children, say exposure to Agent Orange caused lasting genetic damage they are still dealing with five decades later. We spoke with Senator Blumenthal about this.

Image Credit: Reuters

CT Today With Paul Pacelli – What Comes After The “No Kings” Protests?

Host Paul Pacelli kicked off a new week on “Connecticut Today” wondering if the thousands of anti-Trump “No Kings” protesters in Connecticut and the millions nationwide have a cogent plan when it comes to policy and messaging (00:37). We chatted with CBS News Correspondent Robert Berger live from in Jerusalem on the Iran-Israel hostilities (14:57). We also spent a few minutes with Adam Kissel, author of, “Slacking: A Guide to Ivy League Miseducation” (19:22)

Image Credit: REUTERS