August 5th is National Oyster Day. It also lands in the midst of National Farmers Market Week. Connecticut has a thriving farming industry and we wanted to acknowledge them today. Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt with the Department of Agriculture highlighted our 5,000+ farms employing 22,000 people and contribute $4 billion dollars to the state’s economy.

For more information on CT Farms: https://ctgrown.org/

For more information on the CT Oyster Trail: https://ctvisit.com/articles/connecticut-oyster-trail?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8MG1BhCoARIsAHxSiQlTS3lI76YMn1N9lI0AeRBPwUEmCdK_A4DMKnukIKopCHFNeA7wnscaAi-GEALw_wcB

IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff

This week, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy introduced a bipartisan bill that seeks to limit how much time children spend on their smartphones in school. The Smart Kids, Not Smartphones Act would create a competitive, non-monetary program recognizing schools that enforce bans on smartphone use during instruction time. Social media consultant, Krista Carnes, weighs in on the debate around handing over phones during the school day and the impact of cell phones on children’s development. 
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Last November, it was announced that Connecticut saw a dramatic population increase between 2021 and 2022. However, U.S. Census numbers reflect that it is more likely there was a net loss of 13,000 people to other states. Senator Eric Berthel, Ranking Senator on the Appropriations Committee, discussed how this inaccuracy could have occurred and the expensive bills sent out by Eversource. 
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We tackled invasive species during our Zoo Minute discussing mitten crabs and spotted lantern flies. How did they get here? Why are they such a problem? If we see them, how can we help mitigate the problem? Gregg Dancho addressed all of those questions. 
IMAGE CREDIT: iStock / Getty Images Plus