Melissa in the Morning: Fiscal Reports
We see these financial reports or hear about surplus announcements but to get a better understanding of what they mean and how much money we’re talking about, we spoke to Comptroller Sean Scanlon. He gave us his projections of substantial state budget surpluses for the General and Special Transportation funds. IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff
12m Dec 04, 2024
12m
Melissa in the Morning: Holiday Decorating Safety
Tis the season to deck the halls, but before you plug in too much, we have safety tips from the American Red Cross. Jocelyn Hillard with the Connecticut chapter shared more information and gave us an update on our national blood supply shortage. Image Credit: Getty Images
8m Dec 04, 2024
8m
Melissa in the Morning: Uptick in Lice Cases
Head lice are proving to be a real challenge for Connecticut families this year. Health experts have reported a real uptick in cases and not just in schools but spreading among families. Liz Solovay is the founder of the Lice Treatment Center. She shed light on why we are seeing more cases, why lice seem stronger than before, how to detect head lice and how to treat the issue effectively. For ...
17m Dec 04, 2024
17m
Melissa in the Morning: Killer DDT
There’s a new DDT pesticide that’s gained popularity in Connecticut. But according to the Connecticut Audubon Society, it’s devastating birds, bees and butterflies in our state. Tom Anderson with the Audubon explained neonicitinoids and its alarming impact on some of our native species. For the full report: https://www.ctaudubon.org/ Image Credit: Getty Images
7m Dec 04, 2024
7m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Are They Lying, Or Just Incompetent?
Host Paul Pacelli was back in the saddle for Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" wondering about just how honest state officials are being surrounding the growing cost of a medical program that serves undocumented migrant children (00:28). We also welcomed back Hearst Connecticut Media columnist and senior editor Dan Haar for his weekly observations, including a brewing battle between Governor Ned ...
23m Dec 04, 2024
23m
Melissa in the Morning: Tis the Season to Get Sick
From E. Coli to respiratory viruses to food poisoning and even head lice; ‘tis the season to get sick! We spoke with Dr. Browne of Griffin Hospital about how to keep your immune system up during the colder months of the year and stay out of the hospital. IMAGE CREDIT: Dr. Fred Browne / Griffin Health
11m Dec 05, 2024
11m
Melissa in the Morning: Affordable Housing
Connecticut continues to struggle creating affordable workforce housing. That’s why we check in every month with Connecticut Housing Partners. The non-profit has been creating affordable workforce housing in our state for the last 30 years and this week, there’s a huge update on a critical affordable housing project in Bridgeport. Renee Dobos, CEO of CT Housing Partners, shared the news about a...
11m Dec 05, 2024
11m
Melissa in the Morning: Older Driver Safety Week
This week is National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week and AAA Northeast is highlighting the rising number of fatal traffic crashes involving older drivers across the United States. Lauren Fabrizi with AAA did a breakdown of the federal data and how it applies to Connecticut drivers. Image Credit: Getty Images
8m Dec 05, 2024
8m
Melissa in the Morning: Airline Executives Grilled
Airline executives were grilled on capitol hill yesterday and Senator Richard Blumenthal was right at the center of the investigation. He is the chair of the US Senate Subcommittee on Investigations and shared key takeaways from the hearing. Image Credit: Getty Images
12m Dec 05, 2024
12m
Melissa in the Morning: Veterans Cemetery Running Out of Space
The State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown is apparently running out of space in the coming years. What can be done to make room or create a new cemetery dedicated to our fallen military members? Senator Jeff Gordon is on the legislature’s Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and shared possible long-term solutions. Image Credit: Getty Images
9m Dec 05, 2024
9m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Stop The Alarmist Messaging
"Connecticut Today" host Paul Pacelli opened Thursday's show with comments about unionized professors and their reactions to a new report examining the finances of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system (00:50). CBS News correspondent Jake Rosen joined us from West Palm Beach, Florida, with the latest on the Trump White House transition (17:02). Landmark Legal Foundation Attorne...
43m Dec 05, 2024
43m
Melissa in the Morning: Deck the Halls of the White House
It’s a real effort to deck the halls at the White House and we learned out of 300 volunteers, one Connecticut woman was chosen to help decorate this year! We spoke with Glastonbury resident, Kerin Smollen, who applied and was chosen to help decorate the White House this year. Here is her story. IMAGE CREDIT: Kerin Smollen / Instagram: @flower_and_twine
8m Dec 06, 2024
8m
Melissa in the Morning: Super Speeders
Speeding continues to be a huge problem on Connecticut highways and lawmakers are trying to figure out how to combat the issue effectively. Investigative reporter, Jeff Derderian learned about one proposal bringing tougher penalties to offenders, including jail time. For the full story: https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/connecticut-state-police-dot-cracking-down-on-super-speeders/ Image C...
12m Dec 06, 2024
12m
Melissa in the Morning: Santacon Back Again
Santacon events are common throughout the nation, including in Fairfield in recent years. And while Fairfield University students look forward to the beach event, neighbors aren’t the biggest fans. We spoke with First Selectman Bill Gerber about the problems that stem from this. Image Credit: Dee Ortiz
16m Dec 06, 2024
16m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Is It Finally Time For Ranked-Choice Voting?
Host Paul Pacelli wrapped up the week on "Connecticut Today" by looking at a recent study committee vote that could bring Connecticut one step closer to using ranked-choice voting - on a limited basis (00:40). Quinnipiac University Assistant Professor of Law Wayne Unger dropped by to analyze a federal court ruling that could put the social media app TikTok out of business in the U.S. (14:02), w...
30m Dec 06, 2024
30m
The Mike Cerulli Show - December 7, 2024
On this week’s show, Mike chats about the week that was with State Rep David Rutigliano, State Senator Stephen Harding, State Comptroller Sean Scanlon, State Senator James Maroney.
2hr Dec 07, 2024
2hr
Wake Up With Bill Finch - December 8, 2024
Conversation with Author Diane Parrish about her first book "Something Better" and about the banning of books in the US with her and Victoria Woodard.
40m Dec 08, 2024
40m
Melissa in the Morning: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Jim Perez shared some concrete examples of police departments answering the call effectively and others falling short to help their communities. IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff
15m Dec 09, 2024
15m
Melissa in the Morning: Historic Medical Partnership
In a groundbreaking development to better delivery of cancer care in Connecticut, the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at St. Vincent’s Medical Center has been designated as the first Care Partner of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the United States. So, what does this mean for cancer patients in Connecticut? We spoke with Bill Jennings, Hartford HealthCare Fairfield Region Presid...
7m Dec 09, 2024
7m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - They Still Don't Get It!
Host Paul Pacelli opened Monday's "Connecticut Today" wondering how Democrats still don't understand why Donald Trump was elected again last month (00:34). Blogger Chris Powell joined us to talk about the continuing problems of violence and poverty in the state's cities and the legacy of the late Governor M. Jodi Rell (09:39). University of New Haven Professor of National Security Dr. Howard St...
29m Dec 09, 2024
29m
Melissa in the Morning: Justified Bill?
We got a check on the latest with Success Village with hot water and heat for residents from receiver, Attorney Barry Knott. We also asked him about his bill request for the first two months of work. Is the whopping $125,000 amount justified? Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz
14m Dec 10, 2024
14m
Melissa in the Morning: Bridgeport Board of Ed Meeting
There’s a new chair for Bridgeport’s Board of Education. It’s being called a monumental change for the board. What else is happening amidst a budget cut and the uncertain future of the current superintendent? We asked board member, Rob Traber. To watch last night’s meeting: https://www.bridgeportedu.net/ Image Credit: Getty Images
15m Dec 10, 2024
15m
Melissa in the Morning: Anemia in Young Women
A new CDC report sounds the alarm about young girls being at a higher risk for anemia. Why is that and can you reverse the medical iron deficiency issue? We asked Dr. Ross Giacomini with Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in Westport. Image Credit: Getty Images
7m Dec 10, 2024
7m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Avoiding The Real Issue?
Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" started with host Paul Pacelli talking about the continued reaction to the murder of United HealthCare's CEO and the real question that needs to be asked about health insurance costs (00:37). CBS News reporter Shawna Mizelle checked in from West Palm Beach, FL, with the latest on the Trump White House (14:30). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio also dropped ...
26m Dec 10, 2024
26m
Melissa in the Morning: Family Bridge
The governor was just at Bridgeport Hospital this week with an update on a state pilot program called Family Bridge. The program aims to ease the transition from hospital to home for the families and if needed, identify any parental issues or health concerns and provide any needed support. We spoke with Lauren Junge-Maughan, the director of the program. Image Credit: Getty Images
8m Dec 11, 2024
8m
Melissa in the Morning: Meet the Acting Superintendent
Dr. Royce Avery was hired as the Deputy Superintendent of schools in Bridgeport as part of Dr. Carmela Levy-David’s executive cabinet. But last month, Dr. Avery is the acting superintendent of schools in Bridgeport and is now facing many challenges including budget cuts. We got to know Dr. Avery and addressed the uphill battle he faces while holding this position. Image Credit: Getty Images
17m Dec 11, 2024
17m
Melissa in the Morning: Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County
Having access to the arts is essential especially for school-aged children. But more and more districts struggle to provide programs that involve music and art curriculum to students. One non-profit has been bringing those opportunities to Connecticut’s most vulnerable kids. We spoke with Frank Derico, the executive director of Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County. For more information: ht...
8m Dec 11, 2024
8m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Can We Please Get Real About Marijuana And DUI's?
"Connecticut Today" host Paul Pacelli started Wednesday's show looking at a Waterbury Republican-American story on what's now being referred to as "polysubstance abuse" involving alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs (00:43). CBS News legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum talked about the legal proceedings surrounding the accused killer of United HealthCare's CEO (15:55). Yankee Institute Director of Ext...
39m Dec 11, 2024
39m
Melissa in the Morning: The Jamie Foxx Story
It’s the medical story America is focused on: Jamie Foxx and his mysterious brain bleed. We spoke to our peace of mind in the medical field, Dr. Fred Browne of Griffin Hospital to better understand what could have happened. Image Credit: Reuters
12m Dec 12, 2024
12m
Melissa in the Morning: Mysterious Drones
Mysterious drones have been spotted in the skies above New Jersey, and no one really knows where they came from and what they’re for. It has prompted alarm in Connecticut residents and now state senators are sounding the alarm about public safety protocols if these drones end up flying in our skies. Senator Paul Cicarella, ranking senator on the Public Safety Committee, weighs in on the convers...
16m Dec 12, 2024
16m
Melissa in the Morning: Support for a Murderer?!
From T-shirts and hoodies to coffee mugs and shot glasses, merchandise referring to the suspected gunman in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Manhattan sidewalk is popping up on the internet. Why are people glorifying CEO shooting suspect? We got perspective from High Performance Brain Specialist, Leigh Richardson. Image Credit: Reuters
12m Dec 12, 2024
12m
Melissa in the Morning: Santacon Saga
Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber is asking residents to share feedback and footage following the recent Santacon event on the beach run by Fairfield U students. We got a follow up with Gerber after the wild beach party earlier this month and who he says is to blame. Image Credit: Getty Images
14m Dec 12, 2024
14m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Time For Another Bridgeport School Boss?
Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli took a look at a reported separation agreement involving the Bridgeport Board of Education and school Superintendent Dr. Carmela Levy-David (00:30). "Only In Bridgeport" blogger Lennie Grimaldi elaborated further on big changes coming in the Bridgeport school system (14:02). GOP State House leader Vin Candelora talked about this week's credi...
30m Dec 12, 2024
30m
Melissa in the Morning: Mysterious Drones
Dozens of witnesses started reporting that they spotted drones in New Jersey in November. Yesterday, our partners at CBS confirmed sightings of these drones in New York City. And last night, a woman at the Fairfield train station took to X, posting videos of five drones hovering in the sky. We spoke with CBS Correspondent Tom Hanson about the mysterious drones ((00:00)) and one of our law enfor...
19m Dec 13, 2024
19m
Melissa in the Morning: Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation
This weekend marks the 12-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. We spoke with Jenny Hubbard of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation about the work this non-profit has done and accomplished in the last decade. For more information: https://www.cvhfoundation.org/ Image Credit: Melissa Sheketoff
8m Dec 13, 2024
8m
Melissa in the Morning: Sandy Hook Promise
This weekend marks the 12-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. We spoke with Nicole Hockley of Sandy Hook Promise about the work this non-profit has done and accomplished in the last decade. For more information: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/ Image Credit: Reuters
9m Dec 13, 2024
9m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Who's Controlling Those ... Drones?
Host Paul Pacelli talked to several listeners on Friday's "Connecticut Today" regarding reported drone sightings across the Northeast, including in New Jersey and - possibly - in Connecticut (00:28). GOP State Sen. Dr. Jeff Gordon dropped by to talk about a new survey concerning Connecticut electric bills (14:34) Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus
21m Dec 13, 2024
21m
The Mike Cerulli Show - December 14, 2024
On today’s show, Mike is joined by State Senator Ryan Fazio, Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives Matt Ritter, State Representative Vincent Candelora, Chairman of the New Haven County Young Republicans Patrick Burland, and State Representative-elect Joe Canino.
1hr 41m Dec 14, 2024
1hr 41m
Wake Up With Bill Finch - December 15, 2024
This week, Bill and Mark Dancy from Waster Zero talk waste management concerns affecting Connecticut.
36m Dec 15, 2024
36m
Melissa in the Morning: Swatting Calls
A report of a threat targeting Greens Farms Elementary School in Westport has been deemed a hoax and was a swatting attempt. Police say Westport is one of several schools in Connecticut that were victims of swatting incidents on Friday. The next day, Bridgeport police cleared a hoax bomb threat at St. Margaret’s Shrine and called that a swatting incident as well. We did a deep dive into swattin...
9m Dec 16, 2024
9m
Melissa in the Morning: Broken School District
There have been a lot of shakeups for the Bridgeport school district. In the last month, major budget cuts were announced, a new board chair was voted in and the superintendent resigned. So, what does this all mean for the 19,000 district students? We got perspective from Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. Image Credit: Getty Im...
14m Dec 16, 2024
14m
Melissa in the Morning: ‘Poking Holes in Theories’
Mysterious drones continue to take center stage in the news since sightings have been reported in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. We spoke with Congressman Jim Himes, who serves Connecticut’s 4th District and is also the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He shared his perspective on the theories being thrown out there about the drones and the lack of ...
16m Dec 16, 2024
16m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Another School Shooting Tragedy
Monday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli welcomed University of New Haven criminal justice lecturer and former Supervisory Secret Service Agent Bobby McDonald to talk about Monday's school shooting in Madison, WI (00:32). CTNewsJunkie columnist and Substack.com blogger Terry Cowgill dropped by to chat about more parental control over social media use by kids (06:52) Image Credit: iS...
15m Dec 16, 2024
15m
Melissa in the Morning: $5 Million Missing?!?
In the latest chapter of the Success Village receivership story, we learned that more than $5 million dollars is missing in finances. Attorney Barry Knott gave us the update on what that means for residents and the liens on the property. Image Credit: Getty Images
9m Dec 17, 2024
9m
Melissa in the Morning: The Company Party
If your company is having a holiday party, don’t believe it’s a pass to be inappropriate or make bad decisions. We spoke with career strategist, Julie Bauke, about this. Image Credit: Getty Images
10m Dec 17, 2024
10m
Melissa in the Morning: Fairfield U Responds
The Santacon party hosted by Fairfield University students earlier this month is still angering many in town. Residents and the first selectman are calling on the university to take a bigger role in handling the event moving forward. Jennifer Anderson of Fairfield University shared their perspective on the issue. Image Credit: Getty images
15m Dec 17, 2024
15m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Stoking Unnecessary Fears?
Host Paul Pacelli opened Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with comments from Connecticut Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Murphy on MSNBC on what he still sees as a continued threat from President-elect Donald Trump. Did Senator Murphy go too far? (00:39). We spoke to CBS News political reporter Libby Cathey from West Palm Beach, FL, on the Trump transition (12:16). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Po...
25m Dec 17, 2024
25m
Melissa in the Morning: HUGE Mistake
During a recent press conference following the deadly school shooting in Wisconsin, Madison’s Police Chief corrected a piece of information: who made the initial 9-1-1 call. That shouldn’t matter, but the initial report started a national frenzy. We spoke with Gary MacNamara about the behind-the-scenes workings for police departments in these investigations and their communication game plans wi...
16m Dec 18, 2024
16m
Melissa in the Morning: Weight Loss and Your Relationship
Losing weight tends to be a top resolution for Americans in the new year. And if it’s a priority for you, don’t ruin your relationship while losing weight. A 2014 study at North Carolina State University found that many relationships suffered when one partner lost at least 30 pounds. The data showed couples began fighting over food, nagging about exercise, and feeling annoyed about the time spe...
9m Dec 18, 2024
9m
Melissa in the Morning: New Years Resolution Scam Alert
Two of the most popular news year’s resolutions include weight loss and more travel. Unfortunately, there is usually an uptick in scams for gym memberships, weight loss products and vacation packages. We spoke with Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli from the CT Department of Consumer Protection. He shared advice to avoid being scammed in 2025. Image Credit: Getty Images
17m Dec 18, 2024
17m