The Mike Cerulli Show - February 22, 2025
This week, Mike is joined by News 8’s Jeff Derderian, State Senator James Maroney, State Representative Tom O’dea, and News 8’s George Grotheer.
2hr 4m Feb 22, 2025
2hr 4m
Wake Up With Bill Finch - February 24, 2025
Connecticut State Senator Ceci Maher joins Bill this week and discusses her efforts to protect libraries.
38m Feb 23, 2025
38m
Melissa in the Morning: Bee Populations Dying
More and more bee populations are depleting at an alarming rate, and we want to know why. The scary thing is…it’s sort of a mystery. We got perspective on what we’ve seen here in Connecticut with bee numbers from Paula Wolf, State Apiary Inspector at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. For more information: https://www.projectapism.org/ Image Credit: Getty Images
10m Feb 24, 2025
10m
Melissa in the Morning: Inspector General’s Office
The Connecticut Office of the Inspector General released a report determining detention staff were not at fault for the in-custody death of a Hartford woman last year. That news broke earlier this month and a lot of times, when you hear inspector general, many wonder how exactly does the job work? For example, how does the office determine an officer-involved shooting is deemed justified or not...
13m Feb 24, 2025
13m
Melissa in the Morning: Israel Hamas Response
Congressman Jim Himes was just in Israel this month and over the weekend he discussed on Fox News the next stage in the Israel Hamas ceasefire. We did a deeper dive conversation with Rep. Himes about the latest with the Israel-Hamas war. Image Courtesy of Congressman Jim Himes
11m Feb 24, 2025
11m
Free Diapers! Sort of...
Diapers can be a big expense for families with young children, but a new bill has been proposed that may make things a little easier! Jon Kamal spoke with the Diaper Bank of CT and got the details!
2m Feb 24, 2025
2m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Why Is A Killer Cannibal Being Released?
Host Paul Pacelli spoke with GOP State Rep. Devin Carney on Monday's "Connecticut Today" regarding the pending conditional release of a cannibal killer that's outraged many state residents (00:36). Paul also opened the show wondering why we can't get a straight answer from Connecticut leaders on the overall statewide cost of un-documented migrants (06:35). CBS News Foreign Correspondent Chris L...
27m Feb 24, 2025
27m
Melissa in the Morning: Red Light Cameras
News outlets reported this week that Beacon Falls is the second town to have approved red light camera plans. But that’s not entirely true. We spoke with DOT’s Josh Morgan about the process to get red light or speed enforcement cameras in your town and city and why it can be a lengthy process to get done. Image Credit: Getty Images
11m Feb 25, 2025
11m
Melissa in the Morning: Risk of Losing Doctors
120 doctors in Connecticut at risk of losing their jobs! That’s a headline from the Hartford Courant and we wanted to find out what’s happening. We spoke with Sen. Jeff Gordon, a member of the Public Health Committee and a practicing doctor, to learn more and find out what legislators are trying to pass to fix this problem. Image Credit: Getty Images
10m Feb 25, 2025
10m
Melissa in the Morning: Morales Jury Selection
Jury selection is expected to begin today for the murder trial of Jose Morales, the man accused of killing an Ansonia mother five years ago. Christine Holloway was found dead in her home in December 2019. The couple’s daughter, then 1-year-old Vanessa Morales, remains missing to this day. With such a public case very well known in Connecticut, how do you pick unbiased jury members? We asked our...
10m Feb 25, 2025
10m
Melissa in the Morning: IVF Coverage
One of the executive orders President Trump signed recently looks at expanding access to in vitro fertilization, also known as IVF. What will this mean for families across the US wanting to have children but struggling to do so, physically and financially? According to a 2024 survey, 1 in 10 women of reproductive age say they received fertility assistance, including IVF, but insurance coverage ...
10m Feb 25, 2025
10m
Melissa in the Morning: Seal Pups
A six-week old seal pup that was discovered in New Haven earlier this month, now has a name: Chappy! We wanted to learn more about how Chappy even wandered into the big city and away from the sea. We got perspective from the Maritime Aquarium and spoke with Dylan Salamone, the senior mammals trainer. IMAGE CREDIT: Maritime Aquarium
11m Feb 25, 2025
11m
Election Day!
It's Election Day in District 21 and Jon Kamal did a deep dive on both candidates, Councilman Tony Afriyie and Representative Jason Perillo!
3m Feb 25, 2025
3m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Please Stop With The "Emergency" Nonsense
Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli featured Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio on a set of "emergency bills" being proposed at the State Capitol and another proposal forcing cities and towns to set up police and fire department pension plans (00:24). Paul also had a follow-up to the controversy surrounding the impending release of cannibal killer (09:31) Image Credit: ...
25m Feb 25, 2025
25m
Melissa in the Morning: Latest Election Fraud Cases
Five people in Bridgeport are now facing election fraud charges that date back to the 2023 mayoral election. One of those people, Bridgeport’s Democratic vice chair Wanda Geter-Pataky, the woman caught on camera allegedly stuffing ballot boxes during the primary election in 2023. Andrew Brown, investigative reporter for CT Mirror, broke the news and shared more details. For Andrew’s article: h...
14m Feb 26, 2025
14m
Melissa in the Morning: Plea Deal Controversy
A man who struck and killed a Connecticut state trooper was offered a plea deal. He took it and now he is set to serve an 18-year prison sentence. Does that sound fair or really feel like justice has been served? Many are saying ‘no!’ including Senate Minority Leader Steve Harding.  We spoke with him about the broken criminal justice system in this case and another case involving the release of...
15m Feb 26, 2025
15m
Melissa in the Morning: Healthy Fast Food
A New York Post article highlighted the impact fast food has on Americans. But are there healthier options if you are going to buy fast food? We asked our wellness coach, Amy Llinas. To connect with Amy: https://amyllinas.com/ Image Credit: Getty Images
11m Feb 26, 2025
11m
Melissa in the Morning: Follow the Money
Do you worry about the quality of healthcare in Connecticut? What about the amount of money you pay to go to the hospital, is it really worth it, and where does all that money go? A recent study followed the money and highlighted the concerns around the 'privatization' of the healthcare system and involvement of for-profit companies. We spoke with Yale Dr. Cary Gross and study author, Victor Ro...
14m Feb 26, 2025
14m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Does Lowering The DUI Blood Alcohol Level To .05 Really Make Sense?
"Connecticut Today" host Paul Pacelli weighed in on Wednesday on a continued push to lower the state's blood alcohol DUI standard from .08 to .05 as a way to determine impairment (00:47). Hearst Connecticut Media senior editor and columnist Dan Haar joined us with his weekly wrap-up, including his thoughts on the continued controversy over the release of a confessed cannibal killer (16:53). We ...
37m Feb 26, 2025
37m
Melissa In The Morning: Retail Crime
There are efforts for a bigger crackdown on retail crime here and across the country. Attorney General William Tong is co-leading a 38-state and territory bipartisan coalition urging Congress to take action against the increase of these crimes. Attorney General William Tong gave us the details of this action and an idea of how big the problem is. Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz
8m Feb 27, 2025
8m
Melissa in the Morning: Measles Death, Listeria Outbreak
For the first time in a decade, the US has a measles death. A child in West Texas died from the contagious disease and officials confirmed the child was not vaccinated. We talked about measles outbreaks with Dr. Fred Browne. We also discussed a recent article on a listeria outbreak in 21 states, including Connecticut. Image Credit: Dr. Fred Browne
8m Feb 27, 2025
8m
Melissa in the Morning: High-Profile Deaths
A Telemundo reporter was found dead in his hotel room just days before he was set to cover the Super Bowl. Turns out, 27-year-old Adan Manzano, had Xanax in his system at the time of his death and surveillance footage from the hotel shows he was lured into a room by an under the radar, but well-known criminal called the “Bourbon Street Hustler.” It made me wonder why we hear about these crimina...
11m Feb 27, 2025
11m
Melissa in the Morning: Inappropriate Spending
A UConn professor allegedly spent tens of thousands of university funding to cover 19 trips in a two-year span. From trips to Disneyworld to Ireland, this professor reportedly disguised the trips as research-based trips, and no one caught it until now. It reminds me of the findings of a CSCU investigation on inappropriate spending conducted by Comptroller Sean Scanlon. We spoke with him about w...
11m Feb 27, 2025
11m
Melissa in the Morning: ‘Quickdrops’ for the Sound
It’s being called a game-changer for tracking water quality and better decision-making to protect Long Island Sound. Save the Sound unveiled a new tool called quickdrops. Peter Linderoth, director of healthy waters and lands at Save the Sound explained what quickdrops are and why they could be so effective for the Sound. For more information on QuickDrops: PRESS RELEASE: Save the Sound Unveils...
11m Feb 27, 2025
11m
The Economic Blackout
Tomorrow, people from all over the country will be taking part in an economic blackout, and abstaining from buying anything from a nation corporation. Jon Kamal spoke to residents all over CT to find out why!
3m Feb 27, 2025
3m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Why Do We Still Allow Open Alcohol Containers In Vehicles?
Host Paul Pacelli opened Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with an update on some motor vehicle safety issues being re-visited by the Connecticut General Assembly, including the fact that Connecticut is one of only a handful of states that still allow open containers of alcohol in motor vehicles (00:43). New Canaan/Darien/Stamford GOP State Rep. Tom O'Dea talked about a few of those motor vehicle ...
44m Feb 27, 2025
44m
Melissa in the Morning: Debunked Toxin Report
The Girl Scouts are fighting back after a report of toxins in their famous cookies put them in the hot seat nationwide. Is there any truth to the study exposed by Moms Across America?  We spoke to Kari Kaplan, COO of the Girl Scouts of Connecticut. For more on the initial study: https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/02/12/girl-scout-cookies-toxic/ Image Credit: Getty Images
11m Feb 28, 2025
11m
Melissa in the Morning: School Lockdowns
How do you feel about school lockdowns in our public schools? A bipartisan working group approved a list of 17 recommendations on school crisis response drills this week. We got more details on those recommendations from State Representative Jennifer Leeper, who helped start this working group. Image Credit: Getty Images
18m Feb 28, 2025
18m
Melissa in the Morning: Senator-Elect Jason Perillo
There’s a swearing-in ceremony today for Senator-elect Jason Perillo. Rep. Perillo won a special election Tuesday and will now represent the 21st District in the Senate – which covers Shelton, Monroe, Stratford and Seymour. IMAGE CREDIT: Eric Urbanowicz
6m Feb 28, 2025
6m
Melissa in the Morning: Speeding on Rural Roads
Starting this weekend, you may see more police cruisers popping up in rural towns. That’s because a new DOT rural roads safety campaign is rolling out, aimed at cracking down on speeding and reducing crashes on rural roads across the state. Connecticut State Police Trooper Remonda Zhuta explained the need for this initiative which will run from March 1-May30, 2025. Image Credit: Getty Images
7m Feb 28, 2025
7m
Melissa in the Morning: Kidney Cancer Vaccine
Kidney cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and a therapeutic vaccine shows promising results, offering new hope for those suffering with the disease. Dr. David Braun, a medical oncologist and researcher at Yale Cancer Center is here – he was the principal investigator on the kidney cancer vaccine study that published in the medical journal, Nature. Image Credit: Getty Images
9m Feb 28, 2025
9m
Melissa in the Morning: Airline Insight
February was a rough month for the airline industry, filled with high-profile crashes and other incidents involving aircraft. We had a deadly mid-air collision in DC, a deadly medical jet crash in Philadelphia, a plane that flipped and crashed in Toronto, and just this week, a near miss in Chicago between a plane and private jet. While many are uneasy to board their next flight, we got some per...
16m Feb 28, 2025
16m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Crossing A Line At The White House?
Host Paul Pacelli heard from a lot of callers on Friday's "Connecticut Today" regarding an all-out argument that broke out earlier in the day at the White House involving President Trump, Vice-President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (00:53). Former Derby Fire Chief Chuck Stankye dropped by again to talk about this weekend's observation of 50 years since a massive explo...
38m Feb 28, 2025
38m
Wake Up With Bill Finch - March 2, 2025
Bill takes a look at the week that was with Connecticut State Senator Julie Kushner.
40m Mar 02, 2025
40m
Melissa in the Morning: End Homelessness in CT
According to state statistics from 2024, 3,410 people were experiencing homelessness in Connecticut. That’s up 13% from numbers recorded in January 2023. What are we doing to address homelessness in our state? In studio, we meet State Representative Kadeem Roberts from Norwalk, who serves as the co-chair of the End Homelessness Caucus, to find out what lawmakers are doing to combat homelessness...
17m Mar 03, 2025
17m
Melissa in the Morning: ‘City-Killer’ Asteroid
Mainstream media jumped on a NASA report pretty quickly, creating havoc for Americans regarding the ‘city-killer’ asteroid. How likely is it that this massive space rock will hit Earth by the year 2032? We asked our science guru, David Mestre. Image Credit: Getty Images
14m Mar 03, 2025
14m
Melissa in the Morning: Loophole in Sick Time Law?
The expanded sick time law in Connecticut could be having a severe impact on employees for public school districts. The legislation in effect this year requires Connecticut companies with at least 25 employees to give staff up to 40 hours of paid sick time. But how is this impacting school districts? We asked Bethel Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Christine Carver, shared what’s happening in...
6m Mar 03, 2025
6m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Did Sen. Chris Murphy Go Too Far?
Host Paul Pacelli opened Monday's "Connecticut Today" wondering if Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy went too far in calling the Trump White House an "arm of the Kremlin" (00:45). Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto talked about Sen. Chris Murphy's opposition to the Trump White House foreign policy (14:23). GOP State Senate leader Steve Harding talked about a request for the ...
37m Mar 03, 2025
37m
Melissa in the Morning: Road Safety Bills
Making our roads safer and combatting bad driver behavior in the state are big priorities for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. We spoke with DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto about the multiple bills this session addressing driver etiquette, construction zone safety and DUI cases. IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff
17m Mar 04, 2025
17m
Melissa in the Morning: Mayor Harry Rilling
A bombshell announcement in Norwalk: Mayor Harry Rilling is NOT seeking reelection! We spoke with the mayor about his emotional decision and the legacy he leaves behind after more than five decades as a public servant in the city. IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff
9m Mar 04, 2025
9m
High School Finance
Ever wished you had learned more about money management as a high schooler? It's happening right here in Fairfield County and Jon Kamal has the full story!
3m Mar 04, 2025
3m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Another "Green Monster" In Hartford
Host Paul Pacelli welcomed Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio on Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" to chat about a big environmental bill being considered at the State Capitol (00:30). Blogger and columnist Chris Powell weighed in on the big stories in Connecticut, including the recent supervised release of a convicted cannibal killer (11:50). CBS News correspondent Olivia Rinaldi previewed ...
24m Mar 04, 2025
24m
Melissa in the Morning: Farms Program on the Chopping Block
A state grant program bringing locally grown food to schools across Connecticut could be eliminated. That’s based on Governor Lamont’s $55 billion-dollar, two-year budget proposal. It would reportedly cut $1 million a year from the CT Grown for CT Kids program. We asked a local farmer, Kaitlyn Kimball of Sunset Farms, about the impact of this and why the money needs to be saved. For more on th...
8m Mar 05, 2025
8m
Melissa in the Morning: Free A1C Tests
March is Red Cross Month, and the American Red Cross is helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in March. Richard Branigan, CEO of the Red Cross Connecticut, gave us the details about what the Red Cross is doing to help residents. Image Cr...
7m Mar 05, 2025
7m
Melissa in the Morning: Bridgeport Schools Master Plan
The future of Bridgeport Public School buildings is being worked out as we speak. We got an update of the district’s master plan from Jorge Garcia, Director of Facilities for Bridgeport Public Schools. He broke down some of the key findings from the study conducted for this plan, specifically addressing the potential to close down schools. For the full master plan: https://resources.finalsite....
6m Mar 05, 2025
6m
Melissa in the Morning: Math Equity
Literacy takes over a lot of the headlines. However, while just as essential as reading, math is often overlooked in education when talking about equal access to opportunities. Our Department of Education is sounding the alarm on this. Irene Parisi, Chief Academic Officer and Jenn Michalek, Academic Consultant with the Department shared what students are facing across the state. For More Infor...
9m Mar 05, 2025
9m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - So, What Did You Think?
Host Paul Pacelli opened Wednesday's edition of "Connecticut Today" looking for reaction from the previous night's address by President Trump and wondering what's next for Democrats (00:53). Sacred Heart University Political Science Professor and Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Gary Rose talked about last night's address by President Trump and the opposition from Democrats (15:43). Hearst Connecticut ...
42m Mar 05, 2025
42m
Melissa in the Morning: Tariff Impact on CT
President Trump is touting his plan for tariffs on many countries, including Canada and Mexico. Some of those tariffs have already been put into place while others will be rolled out soon. But what do these tariffs really mean for Connecticut residents? Mohammad Elahee, professor of Internal Business at Quinnipiac University, breaks down what tariffs will mean for residents from gas prices, to ...
8m Mar 06, 2025
8m
Melissa in the Morning: Bad Deal?
Eversource Energy announced in January that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Aquarion Water Company. PURA will ultimately make the decision to approve it or not. But before any official decision, it is important people understand what this sale would mean for water customers across the state, and specifically in Fairfield County. We spoke with Monroe First Selectman Terry Roon...
14m Mar 06, 2025
14m
Melissa in the Morning: Address Aftermath
Following the President’s address to Congress, we spoke with Senator Richard Blumenthal specifically about potential social security fraud and DOGE cuts. Image Credit: Reuters
17m Mar 06, 2025
17m