Kosta Diamantis was convicted by a federal jury on all 21 corruption charges he faced, including extortion and bribery. The charges were related to the role Diamantis held running the state school construction grant office as Connecticut’s former deputy budget director. We spoke with political reporter, Mike Cerulli, about the case and what it means for others like it impacting public trust.
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The state announced more than $5-million-dollars in state funding to support 41 grants across 30 municipalities. Some of the entities are in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford and Milford and the money will help expand high-quality, after-school programs that provide academic supports and enrichment opportunities beyond the school day. For more on this, we spoke with John Frassinelli, Department of Education Division Director for school health, nutrition and family services.
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In an update this month, Connecticut’s Department of Education shared a major sign of progress for Bridgeport. Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker says there has been a huge reduction in teacher vacancies in just a year’s time. Bridgeport Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Royce Avery shared his reaction to the data.
To read the commissioner’s full report: https://portal.ct.gov/sde/press-room/press-releases/2025/csde-shares-update-on-state-led-actions-in-bridgeport-public-schools
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State Republican lawmakers are proposing that the property tax credit be increased substantially. The plan would also increase the income limits for taxpayers to receive full credit, making 800 thousand more residents eligible. For more on this proposal, we spoke to House Minority Leader, Representative Vin Candelora.
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Connecticut teens and their high schools can win up to $26,000 in prizes by entering a submission into Connecticut’s 17th annual Teen Safe Driving Video Contest, hosted by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and Travelers. We spoke with DMV Commissioner, Tony Guerrera, about the contest and its effectiveness.
To learn more and enter the contest: https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/resources/video-contest?language=en_US
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation is marking the launch of the state’s first bus shelter installations under the new Bus Stop Enhancement Program. We got the details on this program from Josh Morgan at the DOT.
For more information: https://portal.ct.gov/dot/programs/bsep?language=en_US
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True North Hotel Group, in partnership with RCI Group, will break ground on a new Residence Inn by Marriott at Steelpointe Harbor. The 6-story hotel will feature 142 rooms with views of Steelpointe Marina, direct access to I-95, MetroNorth and Amtrak and pickle-ball courts. We spoke with Bobby Christoph, President of RCI Group.
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Host Paul Pacelli wondered on Tuesday’s “Connecticut Today” whether the starvation death of an 11-year-old girl – thought to have been homeschooled – should result in tighter homeschooling controls and protections (00:39). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio joined us with her thoughts on the possibility of increased state oversight over homeschooling (14:50). Columnist and blogger Chris Powell dropped by on the latest big stories, including his thoughts on the “No Kings” rallies (25:01)
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Lisa Wexler answers questions about how long to keep estate records after the estate is closed by the probate court? What are you buying when you buy a burial plot? What is the window to object to the final accounting of an estate? How to exclude an individual from a will?
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Host Paul Pacelli kicked off a new week on “Connecticut Today” talking about a controversy surrounding a photo of East Hartford Democratic state Sen. Saud Anwar at a “No Kings” rally the previous weekend (00:44). Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto (06:26) and GOP State Sen. Dr. Jeff Gordon (14:23) also addressed the situation with Sen. Anwar. Paul also wondered what’s next for the “No Kings” crowd (23:38). CBS News Congressional correspondent Nikole Killion joined us from Capitol Hill with the latest developments regarding the ongoing government shutdown (36:55)
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