AGP Executive Report

Heating Costs: Gov. Ned Lamont plans to add $12.7 million in state aid to Connecticut’s energy assistance program as fuel prices climb ahead of winter. The funding supplements federal help for eligible households. Transportation: Windsor Locks’ new train station opens Oct. 18, bringing Hartford Line and Amtrak service downtown and adding weekend bus connections to Bradley International Airport. Offshore Wind: The Trump administration is asking a federal court to let it reconsider—and potentially rescind—approval for Revolution Wind, now nearing completion. Poverty: A CT Voices for Children report says the state’s poverty rate rose to 10.6% in 2025, above its pre-pandemic level; the group warns federal benefit cuts could push it higher. Utility Oversight: Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman are asking regulators to review how Connecticut utilities use AI and what safeguards protect customer data and critical infrastructure. UConn: The women’s basketball team opened preseason with an 88-60 win over Syracuse, with four Huskies scoring at least 10 points.

UConn Budget: The university is presenting its proposed BLUE budget model at town halls today and inviting students and faculty to submit feedback. Campus Safety: A 74-year-old Southern Connecticut State University professor was critically injured in a hit-and-run on an e-bike in a New Haven crosswalk; police are reviewing video to identify the rider. Teen Mental Health: UConn researchers found about one in six U.S. teens report moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, with severe cases often linked to depression and suicidal thoughts. UConn Basketball: The Huskies opened preseason with an 88-60 exhibition win over Syracuse, led by Sarah Strong’s 15 points. Senate: Connecticut’s Richard Blumenthal joined five senators from both parties urging President Trump to reverse course on Russian diesel imports, saying the move violates federal law. Beardsley Zoo: Bridgeport’s first red panda cub, Pabu, is nearing his public debut after being born in June.

Community Milestone: New Britain’s CCARC is launching a year-long celebration of its 75th anniversary, recognizing volunteers and partners who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Connecticut Politics: Sen. Chris Murphy says he’ll spend most of the midterm campaign in Connecticut while also stumping for Democrats in several battleground states. Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined a bipartisan group urging President Trump to reverse course on Russian diesel imports, which they say violate federal law. Health Care: Shay Taylor-Allen went from cleaning rooms at Yale New Haven Hospital to becoming a doctor, inspired by her mother’s struggle to be heard in the health system. Bridgeport Programs: Bridgeport Prospers is recruiting its next CARE Health Leaders cohort after this year’s participants launched community health projects. State Finances: Connecticut ranked first nationally for the share of tax returns reporting at least $1 million in income—about one in 111, according to a new analysis.

Primary Care: Connecticut’s shortage of primary-care clinicians can leave patients unable to refill prescriptions or get timely appointments, turning manageable conditions into preventable emergencies, a new commentary warns. UConn Campus Safety: UConn is removing many blue-light emergency phones, citing low use and steep upkeep: just two of 166 activations in five years were not tests or pranks, while upgrades could cost $6 million. Some students and families say the posts still provide reassurance. Russia Diesel Deal: Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined bipartisan lawmakers urging President Trump to abandon a Russian diesel deal, arguing it could violate sanctions and send money to Moscow while Russia continues its war on Ukraine. New London Landmark: The five-story National Coast Guard Museum on the Thames waterfront will offer about 40,000 square feet of exhibits and free admission, highlighting the service’s history and work.

Public Safety: An elderly woman was fatally shot inside an East Hartford home Saturday; police detained a male resident as investigators worked the scene. In West Haven, firefighters rescued an unconscious elderly woman from a house fire. She and an elderly man were hospitalized with serious to critical injuries. Washington: Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined a bipartisan group urging President Trump to drop a plan to buy Russian diesel, arguing it could violate sanctions and help fund Russia’s war in Ukraine. Hartford Marathon: Conor Lundy won the marathon in his debut, while Rachel Schilkowsky claimed her second straight women’s title. Connecticut runners Mark Hegarty and Chris Lepore placed among the men’s top five. Immigration: A Connecticut mother deported to Mexico says she remains closely involved in her children’s lives from abroad and is suing over her detention. Local Development: Beacon Falls residents are raising concerns about a proposed data center, citing potential effects on the Naugatuck River and the town’s small-town character.

Hartford Marathon: Conor Lundy won Saturday’s race in his marathon debut, while Rachel Schilkowsky claimed her second straight women’s title. West Hartford’s Chris Lepore and Niantic’s Samuel Whittaker also placed among the top finishers. College Football: Central Connecticut State rolled past AIC 51-14, led by Davon Smith Jr.’s career-high 220 rushing yards and two touchdowns. State Accountability: Former Connecticut school-construction chief Konstantinos Diamantis, convicted of extortion and bribery, is seeking a presidential pardon from Greece after skipping his sentencing. Hartford Schools: A state forensic audit found no misuse of funds in the school district’s 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. Innovation: A state-supported quantum computing hub has opened in New Haven.

College Sports: CCSU rolled past AIC 51-14 for its second straight win, powered by Davon Smith Jr.’s 220 rushing yards and five total touchdowns from quarterback Brett Griffis. At UConn, assistant coach Nykesha Sales is helping star Sarah Strong grow into a more vocal leader. Local Business: Rocky Hill’s Viral Vortex toy shop has turned TikTok collectibles and squishy toys into a walk-in store. State Politics: Former Connecticut school-construction chief Konstantinos Diamantis, convicted on 21 counts including extortion and bribery, is seeking a presidential pardon after fleeing to Greece before sentencing. Community: Thousands ran Saturday’s Hartford Marathon; Doogie Sandtiger returned after losing 144 pounds and said last year’s race inspired his health turnaround. Food Safety: Clams harvested from a rain-closed Rhode Island shellfish area were shipped to Connecticut; no illnesses have been reported. Weather: Isaias’ remnants are forecast to bring rain and gusty winds to Connecticut on Sunday.

Election Readiness: Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas is launching a $1 million, English- and Spanish-language campaign to explain Connecticut’s voting options ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The ads feature local election officials. State Finances: Treasurer Russell announced Connecticut sold $1.44 billion in general-obligation bonds. Consumer Protection: Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with a wholesaler accused of distributing illegal, high-potency cannabis products. Education: UConn’s annual student leadership conference filled its 165 spots with students building networking skills and connections. College Football: Yale hosts Dartmouth in New Haven at noon Saturday; UConn visits Temple later in the day.

State Finances: Connecticut Treasurer Erick Russell announced a $1.44 billion bond sale for capital projects and grants; refinancing will save $19.8 million, and S&P raised the state’s outlook to positive. New Haven Schools: The Board of Alders urged school leaders to address repairs, pests and indoor air concerns within 30 to 60 days, and called for a public dashboard tracking maintenance complaints. Drug Pricing: Attorney General William Tong joined a 45-state coalition seeking court approval of settlements with three generic drug makers over alleged price-fixing; a separate Takeda settlement over alleged kickbacks will bring $213,674 to Connecticut’s Medicaid program. Surveillance Debate: South Windsor voted to end its Flock license-plate camera program, making it at least the sixth Connecticut community to suspend or drop the technology this year.

Utility Politics: Gov. Ned Lamont is facing criticism over texts in which Eversource CEO Joe Nolan urged him to intervene in a dispute over $1 billion in storm costs. Nolan also described his relationship with New England governors as friendly, fueling opponent Ryan Fazio’s “cozy” accusation. Immigration: Connecticut groups are responding to reported ICE arrests at courthouses, including in New Britain, where witnesses described multiple unmarked vehicles and agents pursuing someone leaving court. Youth Mental Health: A Connecticut foster teen spent three days in an emergency room psychiatric unit despite being cleared to leave, highlighting the toll of prolonged waits for care. Drug Price Settlements: A federal court in Connecticut preliminarily approved a plan to distribute settlement funds to consumers who bought certain generic drugs allegedly subject to price-fixing; Attorney General William Tong is seeking court approval of related settlements. Farm-to-School: Connecticut awarded $100,000 in microgrants for 21 projects as CT Grown for CT Kids Week marked its 20th anniversary.

Energy Costs: Connecticut’s PURA approved a revised framework for how utilities buy standard-service electricity, a change that could affect power procurement for customers. Health Coverage: A federal rule effective Oct. 1 may end HUSKY Health eligibility for some refugees, asylees, trafficking survivors and humanitarian parolees; eligibility depends on each person’s status and circumstances. Drug Prices: Attorney General William Tong is seeking court approval of settlements with three generic drugmakers over alleged price fixing. The companies agreed to pay $1.05 million combined and adopt compliance reforms; a related first trial is scheduled in Hartford for February 2027. Rail Planning: Amtrak says community input will shape its New Haven-to-Providence corridor study. The agency has not ruled out new tracks through Old Lyme, where residents previously opposed a proposed bypass. Hartford Schools: A state forensic audit of the district’s 2024 and 2025 finances found no misuse of funds. War Oversight: U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, accused the Pentagon of hiding the costs of the Iran war after viewing damage at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh.

School Attendance: Windham Public Schools received $175,000 to expand its LEAP outreach program, which works with students and families to address barriers to attendance. The district says chronic absenteeism fell by 8 percentage points last school year. Clean Transportation: Connecticut Green Bank plans to raise up to $2 million toward Branford’s electric school bus conversion, part of a $22 million project that will put 46 buses and charging infrastructure in service. Branford is on track to become the state’s first district to meet its 2040 zero-emission bus target. Hartford Schools Audit: A state-commissioned review found no misuse of funds, but auditors said gaps in records and staff turnover prevented them from fully reconstructing some spending and budget decisions. Electricity Costs: PURA approved changes to how Eversource and United Illuminating procure default electricity for residential and small-business customers, adding flexibility intended to reduce costs while retaining customer safeguards.

Hartford Schools: Connecticut released a forensic audit of Hartford Public Schools’ 2024 and 2025 finances, but the review could not fully reconstruct transactions because of staff turnover and gaps in records. Innovation: A state-supported quantum computing hub has opened in New Haven, adding to the region’s technology and research activity. Health and Jobs: Becton Dickinson says a $34 million investment at its Canaan plant expanded syringe capacity by more than 50%; the facility employs about 560 people. A new $33 million Waterbury rehabilitation hospital is also exploring a partnership with UConn Health. State Government: The Connecticut Supreme Court will review the state’s vexatious-requester law, while a separate antitrust case over rent-pricing software can proceed after a court ruling for Attorney General William Tong. Household Costs: Connecticut families are bracing for winter as heating-oil prices climb, and the state is moving to protect 108,000 Medicaid enrollees ahead of new federal rules.

WNBA Free Agency Watch: Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, delayed by ankle surgery, is set for a major 2027 free-agency decision after the Lynx were swept by the New York Liberty in the first round. State Politics: Connecticut Democrats are laying out how they’d use potential committee power to push oversight of the Trump administration if they win control nationally. Labor & Work Culture: A new push argues the 30-hour workweek could better support families and health, pointing to how modern work can be more flexible without sacrificing productivity. Connecticut Public Safety: CTDOT will run a Shore Line East rail safety drill Oct. 10 in East Lyme, testing emergency response with no passenger service impact. Local Business: Norwalk handed out $75,000 in innovation grants, including a grand prize for East Coast Kombucha. Health Care: Northwell launched an Institute for Healthy Aging to coordinate prevention and support across its 28-hospital system.

Connecticut Culinary Tourism: Gov. Ned Lamont helped launch the new CT TV-to-Table Trail, a chef-and-restaurant route modeled after the state’s pizza trail, featuring Connecticut eateries that have appeared on national food TV. Connecticut Politics/Defense: Sen. Chris Murphy says the Pentagon blocked his visit to Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, calling it an effort to hide the war’s costs and effects from Congress. Connecticut Courts/Health: The Justice Department filed 40 denaturalization cases seeking to strip citizenship from naturalized Americans accused of hiding serious crimes or other disqualifying facts. Connecticut Business/Real Estate: Construction has started on The Ibex at Ridge Hill in Yonkers, a $140 million, 282-unit rental project with 28 affordable units, with first homes expected in late 2028. National/Media: Paramount’s Skydance merger with Warner Bros. Discovery officially closed, forming Skydance Corp. National/Legal: McDonald’s faces a nationwide antitrust class-action accusing it of using AI pricing tools to coordinate menu prices.

Food Safety Recall: A multistate frozen-berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination has been expanded again, now including additional Great Value berry blends and blueberries sold at Walmart, plus a Trader Joe’s frozen mixed berry blend lot. Check UPCs, “best if used by” dates, and lot codes; affected items should be discarded or returned for a full refund. Health Care Funding: Community Mental Health Affiliates in New Britain won $6.625 million in federal grants to expand behavioral health services, including a new Greater Waterbury CARE Center for children and youth and expanded opioid-use-disorder services. Local Tech & Privacy: Bristol is moving to divest from FLOCK ALPR cameras and shift police technology to Axon, citing new Oct. 1 data-sharing and privacy rules; the city says it’s auditing ALPR data for compliance. Education Leadership: Bridgeport’s Board of Education is asking residents to weigh in via a confidential online survey as it searches for its first permanent superintendent in nearly two years. EV Charging Equity: UConn researchers say EV charging access—not just range—could widen or narrow inequality, urging planning that accounts for income, pollution, and transportation burdens.