As the state braces for the snowfall from the incoming nor’easter, many school districts have already used up all their scheduled snow days — and it’s not even winter yet. State officials hope districts won’t be forced to cut into their spring or other scheduled breaks, but they say it’s too early to determine if […]
As nor’easter rolls in, many schools have already used up their snow days
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Himes wins 3rd term in Fairfield County
Bridgeport — Democratic Congressman Jim Himes easily won his third term in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, perhaps solidifying a shift in attitudes and party affiliation in a region that was considered safe for Republicans not too long ago. While the final numbers were still trickling in Tuesday night, it is likely that Himes won by a […]
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Victories in Connecticut reduce GOP influence in New England
On election night, Connecticut voters helped Democrats make the GOP an endangered species in New England. To try to rebuild the GOP in the Northeast, the national Republican Party put its hopes on Linda McMahon, Republican candidate for a Connecticut U.S. Senate seat, and Andrew Roraback, another Republican who ran for the 5th District congressional. […]
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Many of Sandy’s flood victims lack insurance coverage
South Norwalk — After the initial anguish subsides over the destruction wrought by Hurricane Sandy, many storm victims will face another shock: Their homeowner’s policies may not cover the damage to their homes. Mortgage lenders require homeowners on the coast and on floodplains near other bodies of water to buy flood insurance. Because private insurers […]
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Another storm! Oh, and the election!
Yes, Mother Nature is extending her wrath upon us again. The Metropolitan Transit Authority tells us to expect more delays on public transit as we get hit by wind, snow, sleet, rain, and maybe also cats and dogs. In other news, the election happened yesterday. I don’t write a lot about air travel, but this […]
Posted inEducation
State desegregation efforts move forward
The State Board of Education Wednesday gave the nod to a plan aimed at desegregating Hartford largely black and Hispanic schools. It’s also an effort for the state to comply with a Supreme Court order to end the inequalities caused by this racial isolation. The Mirror provided a detailed explanation of the proposal last week, […]
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
Would Mr. Esty head (back) to Washington?
With Elizabeth Esty now headed to Washington as the state’s newest member of Congress, it’s somewhat logical to wonder whether her husband Dan — the commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection — might also head there where here served for a number of years in the Environmental Protection Agency. Apparently this occurred […]
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Money, Politics
Election adds to shake-up on Energy and Technology Committee
The touch of shake-up the election gave to the General Assembly is likely to have an outsized effect on the Energy and Technology Committee. But it’s not clear yet — and likely won’t be until next year — just what that effect will be. Energy co-chairwoman Rep. Vickie Nardello, D-Prospect, was a surprise loser in her […]
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Teacher union names new leader
Melodie Peters, a longtime state senator from the southeastern part of the state, has been named the president of The American Federation of Teachers’ Connecticut Chapter, the state’s second-largest teachers’ union She is a former nurse, and has no background in teaching. AFT-Connecticut also represents health care workers, higher education faculty and municipal employees. AFT […]
Posted inHealth, Politics
Obamacare supporters declare victory too
The federal health reform law known as Obamacare cleared its second major obstacle with President Obama’s re-election Tuesday, and the law’s boosters were quick to declare victory.
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Composed, even in defeat, McMahon bows out
Stamford — Her three-year, nearly $100 million odyssey was at a disappointing end, but Linda McMahon was in no hurry to leave. Ever on script, McMahon did what was expected of a losing candidate, placing a phone call to the winner of Connecticut’s most expensive Senate race, U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy. Unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon […]
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Democrats retain advantages in state House and Senate
Democrats played defense on Election Day, retaining their advantages in both chambers of the General Assembly and narrowly escaping one scenario in which they would have lost significant control over the next state budget. According to unofficial results, Democrats won 22 of 36 seats in the Senate, the same margin they held over Republicans for […]
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Esty beats Roraback, keeping congressional delegation for Dems
Waterbury — Elizabeth Esty won the race for Connecticut’s only open House seat, keeping in Democratic hands a district the GOP had hoped to recapture. Esty, a former Cheshire councilwoman and one-term state legislator once considered a longshot to even win the primary, defeated state Sen. Andrew Roraback, a Goshen Republican who campaigned as an […]
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Murphy victorious over McMahon in contentious U.S. Senate race
Buoyed by a retooled campaign, presidential coattails and lots of outside cash, Democrat Chris Murphy decisively won Connecticut’s open U.S. Senate seat Tuesday, overcoming an unprecedented $97 million in spending by Republican Linda McMahon during two seamless, back-to-back campaigns. Chris Murphy, the apparent victor in the race for Connecticut’s U.S. Senate seat. (Photo by Uma […]
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As Connecticut’s results start to come in……
Polls in Connecticut, on this most unusual Election Day, have closed. Here’s a quick view of what’s been happening in the state, at election parties, at polling places and at candidate headquarters: In Bridgeport While turnout numbers weren’t available from Bridgeport’s Registrar of Voters, polling places across the city showed that voters made a […]