Melissa in the Morning: Yondr Pouches at School
New Britain is the latest school district to try out the yondr pouches for middle school students. The city joins a short list of school districts to trial the pouches, including Stamford. We spoke with Mayor Erin Stewart about the decision to roll out yondr pouches for the two middle schools in New Britain. We also talked about her potential run for governor and new social media series “Erin” ...
18m Jan 07, 2025
18m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Stop Promising Help On Electric Policy
Host Paul Pacelli opened Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" by warning folks not to expect any substantive changes or policy positions from the General Assembly regarding energy and electric rates in Connecticut (00:41). CT Inside Investigator reporter Marc Fitch talked about a controversy surrounding Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Chairwoman Marissa Gillett (14:42). Yankee Institute blogger ...
37m Jan 07, 2025
37m
Melissa in the Morning: Bridgeport School Funding Takeover?
Bridgeport’s acting superintendent of schools and the board of education chair will be in Hartford tomorrow to talk with lawmakers about the nearly $39-million-dollar deficit the district is now facing. Questions about whether the state should take over the finances of the district are now on the table. We asked Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim about this. Image Credit: Getty Images
17m Jan 08, 2025
17m
Melissa in the Morning: Fire Dangers
Fast moving wildfires in California this week have engulfed thousands of acres of land and prompting evacuations for close to 50,000 people. From wildfires to the common house fire, we spoke about fire safety with the American Red Cross Connecticut. Jon Basso, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager, shared his expertise in disaster response. Image Credit: Reuters
9m Jan 08, 2025
9m
Melissa in the Morning: Disturbing Cases
A Sacred Heart University athletics employee faces numerous felony charges for allegedly attempting sexual contact and assault of a 14-year-old girl. The news comes just weeks after a very disturbing case of child sex abuse out of Southbury regarding a 75-year-old man. These two cases in Connecticut beg the question: how common are child sex abuse cases, and are we doing enough to detect danger...
16m Jan 08, 2025
16m
Melissa in the Morning: 2025 Legislative Session Projections
Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, we spoke with political reporter, Mike Cerulli, about the biggest hot button topics over the next few months. Besides a budget, what will lawmakers debate up in Hartford now through June? IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff
12m Jan 08, 2025
12m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Is Connecticut's Congressional Delegation Out Of Touch?
Host Paul Pacelli opened Wednesday's mid-week "Connecticut Today" with news on how the state's U.S. House delegation voted the previous day on a controversial immigration law bill (00:37). Affinity Grow President Rino Ferrarese returned to the show to discuss Connecticut's evolving medical and recreational marijuana markets (16:31). Hearst Connecticut Media columnist and senior editor Dan Haar ...
36m Jan 08, 2025
36m
Melissa in the Morning: AI in Hospitals
A recent article highlighted some solutions for the medical field. It’s common knowledge that hospital systems are facing ongoing staff shortages and there are growing patient demands. Healthcare organizations in Connecticut and across the globe are utilizing artificial intelligence more. We asked Dr. Fred Browne of Griffin Health about this. IMAGE CREDIT: Dr. Fred Browne / Griffin Health
14m Jan 09, 2025
14m
Melissa in the Morning: Key Takeaways from ‘State of the State’
The 2025 Legislative Session is officially underway. It kicked off with a state of the state address by Governor Ned Lamont. We broke down some of the major takeaways from the speech and what issues lie ahead for lawmakers, speaking with Senate Minority Leader, Steve Harding. IMAGE CREDIT: Senator Steven Harding / CT Senate Republicans
17m Jan 09, 2025
17m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Do Words Mean Things?
"Connecticut Today" host Paul Pacelli opened Thursday's show looking at a warning from Connecticut Attorney General William Tong on referring to Bridgeport as a "sanctuary city" (00:36). University of New Haven Senior Lecturer of Fire Science and Emergency Management Robert Healey talked about the devastating California wildfires (15:55). Greenwich GOP State Sen. Ryan Fazio reacted to Gov. Ned ...
49m Jan 09, 2025
49m
Melissa in the Morning: Data Breach at CT Schools
Several Connecticut school districts were impacted by a data breach with the PowerSchool student information system. Milford officials confirmed their school system was impacted by the breach, which apparently took place late last month. We spoke with Superintendent Dr. Anna Cutaia and Director of Business & Instructional Digital Services for Milford Schools, Louis Giancola. Image Credit: Gett...
16m Jan 10, 2025
16m
Melissa in the Morning: Zepbound for Sleep Apnea?
A popular weight loss drug has gotten approval by the Food and Drug Administration to be used for sleep apnea. We spoke with Medical Weight Loss specialist Dr. Joseph St. Pierre with Hartford HealthCare Digestive Health Institute about the Zepbound news. Image Credit: Reuters
11m Jan 10, 2025
11m
Melissa in the Morning: Social Media Mayhem
The clock is ticking on a potential TikTok ban, Mark Zuckerberg is talking about eliminating fact checking for Meta sites and Elon Musk making changes to X over negative posting. A lot of social media mayhem happening and we spoke with Krista Carnes, our social media guru. Could all hell breaking loose lead to a reverse in social media use? Image Credit: Getty Images
19m Jan 10, 2025
19m
Melissa in the Morning: CES 2025
This week was the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. For the top tech items and trending headlines from this week’s convention, we spoke with Tech Contributor, Ian Sherr. Image Credit: Reuters
11m Jan 10, 2025
11m
Melissa in the Morning: UNH Campus Expanding
The University of New Haven just acquired a former railroad salvage property. What will that become and how does that impact current and future Connecticut college students? We spoke with UNH President Jens Frederiksen about the purchase and transformation plans. Image Credit: Getty Images
9m Jan 10, 2025
9m
The Mike Cerulli Show - January 11, 2025
The past week of Connecticut politics - get it all here!
2hr 6m Jan 11, 2025
2hr 6m
Wake Up With Bill Finch - January 12, 2025
The new session is underway in Hartford, and Bill is joined by Matt Ritter, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives for a full breakdown of what to expect.
42m Jan 12, 2025
42m
Melissa in the Morning: 2025 Session Update
This is the first full week of the 2025 legislative session in Connecticut. What can we expect in Hartford and what drama has already begun among lawmakers? Political reporter, Mike Cerulli, gave us the inside scoop. To see a list of proposed bills: https://cga.ct.gov/ IMAGE CREDIT: Eric Urbanowicz
14m Jan 13, 2025
14m
Melissa in the Morning: ‘Smishing’ Scams
People in the northeast, including Connecticut, are getting fake text messages claiming they owe money for tolls via E-ZPass. The fraudulent texts appear to be from MassDOT but the department has confirmed the messages are part of a "smishing" scam using text-based messaging. Crime prevention expert, Jim Perez, explains what a smishing scam is and how to avoid being duped by them. Image Credit...
13m Jan 13, 2025
13m
Melissa in the Morning: Hospital Fiasco
The owner of three Connecticut hospitals has filed for bankruptcy protection. Prospect Medical Holdings owns Waterbury, Rockville General and Manchester Memorial hospitals.  While the hospitals are expected to continue operating during chapter eleven bankruptcy process, Connecticut patients and their families are on edge. Senator Jeff Gordon weighed in on the implications this has for Connectic...
13m Jan 13, 2025
13m
Melissa in the Morning: Necklaces Giving Back
As the deadly wildfires in California rage on, one Connecticut jeweler is doing her part to give back. Stephanie Decker, founder and owner of SV Decker in Milford, shared how her palm tree necklace proceeds are benefiting the LA Fire Department. To buy necklaces: svdecker.com Image Credit: Eric Urbanowicz
7m Jan 13, 2025
7m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - An Utter Waste Of Time In Hartford
Host Paul Pacelli opened Monday's "Connecticut Today" looking at a bill that could see the General Assembly grossly over-step its authority regarding private businesses in the state (00:32). CBS News correspondent Adam Yamaguchi joined us from southern California with an update on the Los Angeles-area wildfires (15:08). Quinnipiac University Professor Emeritus of Journalism Rich Hanley talked a...
34m Jan 13, 2025
34m
Melissa in the Morning: Connecticut Fire Perspective
As California wildfires rage on, there are many similarities between what we see out west and at a much smaller scale, what we saw in October of 2024. A brush fire on Lamentation Mountain drained our firefighter resources to the point that we brough in departments from across the country and even Canada. The weather conditions were a huge reason containment was nearly impossible for weeks, just...
15m Jan 14, 2025
15m
Melissa in the Morning: Seclusion Rooms
Have you ever heard of seclusion rooms? One Connecticut school district wants more funding for them. It’s Enfield Public Schools requesting more money in the next school budget for them but also facing a lot of controversy surrounding the rooms. Some have even called them prisons for kids. We asked Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the CT Association of Public School Superintendents, what ...
15m Jan 14, 2025
15m
Melissa in the Morning: Solutions for Major Deficit?
Bridgeport school officials made a trip up to Hartford to discuss the nearly $39-million-dollar deficit the district is now facing. Acting Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Royce Avery, was there in front of the state board of education to talk about possible solutions. Image Credit: Getty Images
17m Jan 14, 2025
17m
Melissa in the Morning: Proactive about Mental Health
A Sacred Heart University official has found a solution to be more proactive than reactive in attacking mental health needs of college students. James Geisler, wellness director at SHU, shared his idea of a workbook and ways colleges can help more effectively. For Geisler’s workbook: Thrive Year One (https://www.thriveyearone.com/) For Geisler’s article: All college students need lessons in w...
11m Jan 14, 2025
11m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Should Women Serve In Forward Combat Zones?
Host Paul Pacelli opened Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" reacting to a confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and his views on women in combat positions (00:32). CBS News correspondent Scott MacFarlane joined us from Capitol Hill in D.C. on those Trump Cabinet nominee hearings (14:58). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio chatted about the latest General Assembly new...
29m Jan 14, 2025
29m
Melissa in the Morning: Stone Academy Settlement
Nearly two years later, we are finally seeing a preliminary settlement following the abrupt closure of Stone Academy. What does that mean for the hundreds of local nursing students impacted? We asked Attorney General William Tong about that and his pushback on using the term “sanctuary cities” and its impact on the immigrant population in Connecticut. Image Credit: Getty Images
15m Jan 15, 2025
15m
Melissa in the Morning: Avoid Tax Fraud
The January 31st deadline is coming up for employers to get their W-2 forms in. Ahead of the tax season, what steps should employees take to avoid fraud? We asked Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner, Bryan Cafferelii, and also details on an upcoming ‘Home Buying/Selling’ Seminar. To sign up for free home seminar: https://portal.ct.gov/homebuying?language=en_US Image Credit: Getty Im...
15m Jan 15, 2025
15m
Melissa in the Morning: What’s the Deal with Greenland?
President-elect Donald Trump says he wants to make Greenland part of the United States. National security educator, Rob Sanders, shared that this purchase proposal is not the first of its kind by a president and what acquiring the island would mean for America. Image Credit: Getty Images
13m Jan 15, 2025
13m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Unemployment Benefits For Connecticut Strikers?
Host Paul Pacelli opened Wednesday's "Connecticut Today" chatting about two controversial bills at the State Capitol, one of which would pay unemployment benefits to striking workers (00:44). GOP State Sen. Rob Sampson talked about that bill and also discussed a controversy regarding a state agency not cooperating with federal immigration officials (14:11). University of New Haven Senior Crimin...
40m Jan 15, 2025
40m
Melissa in the Morning: AI in the Hospital
Patients young and old can benefit from artificial intelligence being used in our hospitals. We spoke with Dr. Fred Browne from Griffin Health to learn about ‘hospital-at-home’ programs as well as AI-monitors for babies. Image Credit: Getty Images
11m Jan 16, 2025
11m
Melissa in the Morning: DOT Plans for 2025
Speeders and wrong-way driving are among the top problems we see on Connecticut highways. What was accomplished to curb the issue last year and what are goals for 2025? We spoke with Josh Morgan from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. To vote in the Snow Plow Naming Contest: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-nyLEd2juUiwJjH_abtziwwsSPGQLy1EiXUlyKOrSGxUMk01UTZXMjExT...
12m Jan 16, 2025
12m
Melissa in the Morning: Unsportsmanlike Conduct
A Connecticut youth basketball coach allegedly rammed his car into a parent following an argument they had during a game. The way both parties acted prompted a conversation with CIAC Executive Director, Glenn Lungarini. He shared when the shift in behavior started getting so bad and how bad behavior among coaches and parents has led to new rules put in place. Image Credit: Getty Images
10m Jan 16, 2025
10m
Melissa in the Morning: Firefighter Cancer Awareness
January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Is Connecticut doing enough to support our firefighters and address the concerns of cancer-causing chemicals on scene of disasters and even in the clothing firefighters wear? We spoke with Caitlyn Pereira of the Fairfield Firefighters Association IAFF local 1426 and Pete Brown, the President of the state association of firefighters, about laws curr...
14m Jan 16, 2025
14m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Should Connecticut Outlaw Nip Bottles?
Host Paul Pacelli kicked off Thursday's "Connecticut Today" with news that a bill to outlaw the sales of "nip" bottles of alcohol in Connecticut has been introduced in the General Assembly (00:50). State Senate GOP leader Steve Harding explained this week's disclosure of an extra $340 million dollars of revenue in state coffers (14:20). CBS News correspondent Aaron Navarro dropped by with the l...
36m Jan 16, 2025
36m
Melissa in the Morning: Red Dye Banning
The FDA is banning red dye number three in food, drinks and ingested drugs.  Wednesday's move comes more than 30 years after scientists found links between the dye, which is made from petroleum, and cancer in animals. We spoke with Dr. Andrew Wong with Hartford Healthcare about the banning and what products are impacted. IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff
10m Jan 17, 2025
10m
Melissa in the Morning: Congressman Jim Himes
A republican led bill titled Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act reportedly passed in a 274-145 vote yesterday with more than a quarter of Democrats voting in support. That included Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes. We got a better understanding about the difference between this act and the proposed Laken Riley Act. Image Courtesy of Congressman Jim Himes
12m Jan 17, 2025
12m
Melissa in the Morning: Female Cancer Rates
The American Cancer Society released a new report this week showing younger women are nearly twice as likely to have cancer than men. It also showed middle-aged women are at a higher risk for cancer too. Medical oncologist and the director of the early onset cancer program at Yale Cancer Center, Dr. Veda Giri, shared what could be leading to these new trends and what women should be doing to pr...
13m Jan 17, 2025
13m
The Mike Cerulli Show - January 18, 2025
Ahead of Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration this Monday, Mike breaks down Connecticut politics on this week's show.
2hr 4m Jan 18, 2025
2hr 4m
Wake Up With Bill Finch - January 19, 2025
This week, Bill is joined for the hour by Monte Frank, along with Brett Broesder and Astra Finch, to discuss ranked choice voting in Connecticut.
39m Jan 19, 2025
39m
Melissa in the Morning: Bridging the Gap
According to national statistics, 1 in 36 people are diagnosed with autism. Ahead of a traffic stop or interaction with police, one Connecticut family created a non-profit to help make those interactions between people with disabilities and law enforcement better. We spoke with Ashley McClain, director of Linked--Autism Safety Project. For more information: https://linkedasp.com/ IMAGE CREDIT:...
13m Jan 20, 2025
13m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - How Did President Trump Win Again?
"Connecticut Today" host Paul Pacelli kicked off Inauguration Day wondering how President Trump was able to return to the White House after a few tumultuous years (00:30). We also received analysis from Sacred Heart University Political Science Professor and Scholar in Residence Dr. Gary Rose (14:44) and Southern Connecticut State University Political Science and Urban Affairs Professor Dr. Jon...
35m Jan 20, 2025
35m
Melissa in the Morning: Severe Weather Bill
Governor Lamont is set to present his first proposal during the 2025 legislative session. We asked political reported, Mike Cerruli, what could be in the severe weather bill proposal. We also got more insight about the Ratepayers First Act. Image Credit: Getty Images
13m Jan 21, 2025
13m
Melissa in the Morning: Preemptive Pardons
In the final minutes of his presidency, Joe Biden pre-emptively pardoned several family members, Covid response chief Dr. Anthony Fauci and members of the House for the January 6th riot investigation. We spoke with Attorney Bill Bloss, our legal expert, to get a better understanding on how preemptive pardons work. Image Credit: Reuters
13m Jan 21, 2025
13m
Melissa in the Morning: Executive Orders
Right on The White House government website, it’s outlined President Trump’s immediate priorities upon entering office. Some of his key executive orders impacting Connecticut residents include immigration and gender identification on documents. We got a breakdown of these orders from Dr. Patricia Crouse, a practitioner in residence in public administration and political science at University of...
8m Jan 21, 2025
8m
Melissa in the Morning: Budderfly
In August of 2024, Connecticut news outlets were buzzing about Budderfly; a Connecticut company bringing renewable energy to UConn Health’s Farmington campus. Then, the governor name-dropped the Shelton-based company during his 2025 state of the state address. We connected with Budderfly CEO Al Subbloie to understand their business model and how it’s lowering Connecticut’s carbon footprint. Fo...
15m Jan 21, 2025
15m
CT Today With Paul Pacelli - Can We Just Admit It's The Marijuana?
Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" with host Paul Pacelli opened with Paul talking about a proposal to lower the state's blood-alcohol DUI threshold from .08 to .05 percent (00:38). State House Republican Leader Vin Candelora talked about a push to possibly reign in Connecticut's "Trust Act" for illegal aliens (16:01). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio joined us to chat about more early legi...
36m Jan 21, 2025
36m
Melissa in the Morning: Rep. Jason Perillo
The candidates are set for next month's special election in the state Senate's 21st district filling the seat for former Senator Kevin Kelly. Republicans have selected Shelton state Representative Jason Perillo. We spoke with Rep. Perillo ahead of the February 25th special election to learn more about his platform. Image Credit: Getty Images
12m Jan 22, 2025
12m
Melissa in the Morning: Street Takeovers
The Connecticut Public Safety Committee outlined their top priorities at the committee’s first meeting of the year and at the top of the list: street takeovers. We spoke with Senator Paul Cicarella, leading Republican on the legislature’s General Law and Public Safety and Security Committees. Image Credit: Getty Images
14m Jan 22, 2025
14m