Melissa in the Morning: Lowering BAC Levels

Melissa in the Morning: Lowering BAC Levels

There’s a renewed push in Hartford to lower Connecticut’s legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in this year’s legislative session. The bigger push for it comes following an increase in highway fatalities, including wrong way crashes done at the hands of impaired drivers. But does lowering the BAC do more harm than good for our…

Melissa in the Morning: Intervening Bridgeport Schools

Melissa in the Morning: Intervening Bridgeport Schools

Last month, we saw the measures being taken to clean up the issues facing the Bridgeport school district. Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker of the CT Dept. of Education shared more detail about the actions taking place, including a technical assistance team and training for the local school board. Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Tuberculosis in America

Melissa in the Morning: Tuberculosis in America

Cases of Tuberculosis seem to be on the rise in parts of the US, including North Carolina and Kansas. What’s happening with these outbreaks and how is Connecticut protecting residents from the infectious disease? We spoke in depth with Dr. Fred Browne of Griffin Health. Image Courtesy of Dr. Fred Browne 

Melissa in the Morning: Opening Pandora’s Box?

Melissa in the Morning: Opening Pandora’s Box?

Following the governor’s budget address, his call to loosen the fiscal guardrails slightly for childcare was a big sticking point for lawmakers. We spoke about it with Comptroller Sean Scanlon, our state fiscal watchdog and someone who has pushed to never touch the guardrails. IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff

Melissa in the Morning: State Involvement

Melissa in the Morning: State Involvement

It’s not a state takeover but it is possibly the first time the state board of education has needed to get involved helping out the Bridgeport school district. We spoke with interim superintendent of schools, Dr. Royce Avery, about the measures being taken right now. Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Special Education Funding

Melissa in the Morning: Special Education Funding

The governor has said he plans to prioritize special education funding during his budget address today. Ahead of that speech, we spoke with Kate Dias, President of the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) about the need for funding sooner rather than later. Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Red Cross in CA

Melissa in the Morning: Red Cross in CA

The two massive fires that destroyed more than 16,000 structures in California are almost out, but for those impacted, recovery is just beginning. The American Red Cross Connecticut chapter sent seven volunteers to California to respond, including Kierstin Seiser. We spoke with Kierstin about her experience. Image Credit: Reuters

Melissa in the Morning: Pig Butchering Scams

Melissa in the Morning: Pig Butchering Scams

Have you ever heard of ‘pig butchering’ scams? It’s a type of investment fraud that’s apparently impacting our senior population. Crime Prevention Expert, Jim Perez, shared ways to spot this scam and how to avoid becoming victim to it. Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: Human Trafficking in CT

Melissa in the Morning: Human Trafficking in CT

The average Connecticut resident doesn’t expect human or sex trafficking to be a problem in our state. But it is! We got concrete data highlighting the problem from Jamie Manirakiza from PEHT and Stamford Lt. Jerry Junes. Image Credit: Getty Images

Melissa in the Morning: ICE Raids in Schools

Melissa in the Morning: ICE Raids in Schools

Are you worried about ICE raids in your kids’ school district? Many school districts have released statements reassuring parents that they will protect kids who could be targeted. We got some perspective on this thanks to officials in Bridgeport. We spoke with Carli Rocha-Reaes with the district, Susan Schnitzer with CIRI and immigration attorney Alicia…