Melissa in the Morning: Light at the End of the Tunnel

Melissa in the Morning: Light at the End of the Tunnel

After seven years of effort to create a new veterans and first responders center in Trumbull, the final amount of money came in this month to put shovels in the ground. Find out about a recent federal grant supporting the center and what this property will do for thousands in our listening area. Ray Baldwin Jr. who has been leading this effort gives us the details and a tentative timeline of what comes next. And for more information, check out https://www.trumbullvfrc.org/

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Melissa in the Morning: No Votes

Melissa in the Morning: No Votes

It’s no secret; health insurance coverage is so unaffordable, many Connecticut families take the risk not investing in coverage. Once again, comprehensive bills were proposed during the legislative session. We learned the Insurance and Real Estate Committee ran out of time to take up any of the measures and not one piece of legislation was voted on. We did a deeper dive into this with State Senator Kevin Kelly.

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Melissa in the Morning: Declassify TikTok Info?

Melissa in the Morning: Declassify TikTok Info?

While a strong bi-partisan vote passed a bill through the House demanding the sale of TikTok with a threat to ban the platform in the US otherwise. Congressman Jim Himes voted against it. What’s interesting, is the supporters of this bill are most concerned with TikTok hurting our national security. Congressman Himes is the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee and has a vested interest in national security. So, why would he vote against this? And after a briefing with US Intelligence apparently proved that TikTok is dangerous remaining in the hands of the Chinese, should that information be declassified and shared with the American people? We got all those answers from Congressman Himes.

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Melissa in the Morning: RISE at UB

Melissa in the Morning: RISE at UB

An annual event highlights Research, Innovation, Scholarship, and Entrepreneurship opportunities at the University of Bridgeport. It started back in 2011 and has grown so much since then. We got the scoop on this upcoming event, how it ties into National Public Health Week and who will benefit from attending (including high school students!)

And for more information on the April 5th RISE event: https://www.bridgeport.edu/rise/

CT Today With Paul Pacelli – A Spotlight On Tipping At Connecticut Restaurants

CT Today With Paul Pacelli – A Spotlight On Tipping At Connecticut Restaurants

Thursday’s “Connecticut Today” with host Paul Pacelli welcomed Connecticut Restaurant Association head Scott Dolch to talk about a proposed move to eliminate the “tipped wage” provision for state restaurant workers (00:26). “Only In Bridgeport” blogger Lennie Grimaldi also stopped by with more details about a reported warning issued to some Bridgeport municipal employees (12:30)

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Melissa in the Morning: Kids in Crisis

Melissa in the Morning: Kids in Crisis

Kids in Crisis has been helping tens of thousands of children in Fairfield County since it was founded in 1978. TeenTalk is a program that Kids in Crisis provides to more than a dozen middle and high schools in Fairfield County right now. A recent TeenTalk report outlines some stark realities including the huge uptick in counseling requests and WHO makes the majority of counseling requests. Shari Shapiro is the executive director of Kids in Crisis. She gave us the background on Kids in Crisis, the TeenTalk program and a deep dive into this recent TeenTalk report.

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Melissa in the Morning: More Equitable Healthcare

Melissa in the Morning: More Equitable Healthcare

Currently, 1 billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes only making it harder to afford and access good health care options. March marks Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and leading disability advocates are coming together to call for a more inclusive healthcare system.  Patrick Cokley, Senior Program Officer, Equity and Social Justice Partnerships at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shared the national call to action and how the pandemic only made a bad situation, worse.

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Melissa in the Morning: His Next Political Venture

Melissa in the Morning: His Next Political Venture

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti announced he is throwing his hat in the race for a state representative seat. Find out why the six-term mayor wants to make the trips to Hartford for the 104th House District and his issues wit the current incumbent. He also shares whether he will remain mayor if he gets elected in November. Catch up here!

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