We spoke with Attorney Ed Miller, representing a Fairfield County woman facing charges for protesting on a Connecticut overpass. We dive into the controversy surrounding these cases.
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Melissa in the Morning: FDA Announcement
The FDA is moving to streamline the approval process for generic biologic drugs. What kinds of drugs are we talking about and how much of a price reduction could we see from this major change? We asked Dr. Fred Browne of Griffin Health.
For the full FDA press release: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-moves-accelerate-biosimilar-development-and-lower-drug-costs
Image Courtesy of Griffin Health
Melissa in the Morning: Check-In with DSS
If the government shutdown continues into November, there will not be enough funds to pay November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits. We checked in with the Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves for more.
For contact information and more resources:
https://portal.ct.gov/dss/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program—snap?language=en_US
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Melissa in the Morning: Consulting Firm
The state is hiring an outside consulting firm to help the Bridgeport school system. Pennsylvania based Public Works LLC will be working with the district through June of next year. We got an update from interim superintendent of schools, Dr. Royce Avery.
Guests are kindly asked to RSVP by Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at noon using the link here: https://bit.ly/48Le7mY
The event will also be streamed via www.bridgeportedu.net and Bridgeport Public Schools – YouTube
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CT Today With Paul Pacelli – Initial Documentation In Mimi Garcia’s Death
Host Paul Pacelli opened Wednesday’s “Connecticut Today” wondering – in light of new evidence – if state agencies hold any culpability in the death of 11-year-old Mimi Garcia due to alleged neglect (00:53). CBS News Legal Analyst Thane Rosenbaum talked about the legal implications surrounding a call for President Trump to release federal SNAP benefits by using the “Administrative Procedures Act” (15:51). Yankee Institute for Public Policy Fellow Frank Ricci joined us on the current state employee contract negotiations (23:05). Hearst Connecticut Media Senior Editor and Columnist Dan Haar stopped by to chat about the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, as well as the state and national politics surrounding SNAP benefits (29:55)
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The Lisa Wexler Show – Northeast Fire-Rescue Elevates Volunteer 9-1-1 Services
Thomas Varanelli, Owner/CEO of Northeast Fire-Rescue, joins Lisa Wexler to talk about why he created Northeast Fire-Rescue to fill the increasing needs of Connecticut’s 9-1-1 resources
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Melissa in the Morning: DSS Understaffing
A new report highlighted the sever understaffing situation at the Department of Social Services and the impact on wait times at its call center. We spoke with Sheldon Toubman, a litigation attorney with Disability Rights Connecticut, about the problem with attracting and retaining staff at DSS and the call to action for lawmakers.
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Melissa in the Morning: New DCF Discoveries
More information and body camera footage has been shared with the media following the gruesome discovery of 11-year-old Jacklyn Torres-Garcia’s body earlier this month in New Britain. Jacklyn’s mom, aunt and mother’s boyfriend are all face charges connected to her murder which police shared happened over a year ago. The latest information in the case screams more system failures for DCF. We spoke more about this with Senator Jason Perillo, ranking member for the Committe on Children in Connecticut.
Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz
Melissa in the Morning: Rolling “Heat Out’s”
Success Village is a 900+ unit complex between Bridgeport and Stratford that’s been dealing with heat and hot water issues for a long time. Finally in 2024, a successor was put into place to get more consistent heat and hot water and work out the financial trouble for the complex. Attorney Barry Knott, the successor, gave us a progress report on the property and an update about rolling “heat out’s” ahead of the winter season.
Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz
Melissa in the Morning: Electricity Rates & More PURA Fallout
Senate Minority Leader, Steve Harding, talked about the continued fallout for PURA and the latest blow to electric ratepayers using United Illuminating.
Image Courtesy of Senator Steve Harding