Connecticut

John Ashton, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ actor from Connecticut, has died

Published

1 year ago

September 30, 2024

Press Room

John Ashton, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ actor from Connecticut, has died

John Ashton, an actor known for his role as John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” film series, has died at 76.

Ashton, who was born in Massachusetts and raised in Connecticut, died on Sept. 26, according to an obituary provided to USA Today by his representative.

According to his obituary, Ashton “passed away peacefully” in Colorado. A cause of death was not provided.

Ashton starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, which released its first two installments in 1984 and 1987. He reprised his role for a third film that premiered earlier this year.

Here’s what to know.

John Ashton, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ actor, dies at 76

John Ashton, a film and television actor with New England roots, died last week at the age of 76.

“John was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him,” an obituary provided to USA Today said.

Ashton was known for his role as John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” film franchise, most recently starring in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” earlier this year.

He appeared as Det. Sgt. Taggart in the franchise’s first two films, which were released in 1984 and 1987, respectively. In the latest installment that was released this year, Taggart was promoted to police chief.

The films star Ashton alongside Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold.

“Going back to this one was like a family reunion — we just fell right back into it,” Ashton said about the latest movie in an interview with Nerds of Color earlier this year.

Actor John Ashton’s roots in Massachusetts and Connecticut

Before he played a cop in California, John Ashton was a local in New England.

He was born on February 22, 1948, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and raised in Enfield, Connecticut. He graduated from Enfield High School before studying theatre arts at the University of Southern California.

In a 2020 interview with MovieJunk, Ashton said he grew up in a “pretty rough town” and got into acting because he was a delinquent in high school.

“My mother was going to send me to military school to straighten me out and stuff and the director of my high school theater group stopped me in the hall and asked me if I wanted to be in this play and I said, ‘Yeah, sure’,” Ashton said.

Ashton began his acting career with small film roles in the 1970s before appearing in the “Beverly Hills Cop” films in the 1980s and again in 2024.

He was also known for roles in the films “Some Kind of Wonderful” and “Midnight Run.” Additionally, he had recurring television roles on “Dallas” and “Hardball.”

Source link

Click to comment

Connecticut

Connecticut doctor warns about ‘super flu’ as holiday gatherings approach

Published

11 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Connecticut doctor warns about ‘super flu’ as holiday gatherings approach

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Doctors are voicing concerns on the rising number of flu cases, including a new strain some are referring to as the “super flu,” as many are gathering indoors with loved ones for the holiday season.

With Christmas just a week away, Dr. Ulysses Wu, the chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said there are growing concerns over the new H3N2 flu strain.

“We had a very late flu season this year, but we’re making up for it like gang busters,” Dr. Wu said. “What’s happening with this one is, this has changed a bit, making it a little bit more infectious. It invades our immune system a little bit more, and that’s why we’re seeing a rise in cases.”

The most notable jump in the U.S. has been happening in New York City, with 14,000 cases reported in the first week of December. That is a 460% jump from the same time last year, according to the state flu tracker.

Dr. Wu warned that, because of its location, Connecticut is at risk to see a jump in flu cases.

“Remember, we’re sandwiched between New York and Boston, and we do have our share of travelers and commuters as well,” Dr. Wu said. “Our rates have certainly increased and that’s to be expected.”

Dr. Wu recommended that it is best to listen to medical professionals when it comes to the flu vaccine and the new H3N2 strain.

“So people are saying, ‘Oh well it’s changed, the vaccine isn’t going to work.’ It is still going to work,” Dr. Wu explained. “The whole point is to modulate the course of the disease so it’s not as severe.

Dr. Wu said that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are also up among children and older adults in Connecticut. When it comes to holiday celebrations, Dr. Wu recommends using common sense — wash your hands, stay home if you are sick and get vaccinated if you haven’t been already.

Source link

Connecticut

Lamont Seeks $168M From Emergency Reserve To Offset Federal Cuts To Health, Housing And Food Aid

Published

23 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Lamont Seeks 8M From Emergency Reserve To Offset Federal Cuts To Health, Housing And Food Aid

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont has submitted a plan to Connecticut legislative leaders to withdraw nearly $168 million from a newly created Emergency State Response Reserve to offset recent federal funding delays and reductions affecting health and human services programs.

The proposal, totaling $167.9 million, marks the first time Lamont has sought to access the reserve, which was established in November under Special Act 25-1. The fund contains $500 million in state surplus dollars and was created in anticipation of potential federal funding reductions.

According to the administration, the proposed expenditures would help reduce health insurance costs for more than 150,000 residents, provide food assistance to more than 35,000 people and help keep approximately 3,500 individuals housed.

The plan includes funding to bolster food banks and pantries affected by changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, replace expiring enhanced health insurance subsidies linked to the Affordable Care Act, and provide interim support for homelessness prevention programs facing federal grant delays. It also would cover lost federal reimbursements for services provided by Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and expand capacity at the state’s 2-1-1 information and referral system.

“We should be supporting programs that increase access to food, healthcare, and homelessness prevention and response,” Lamont said in a statement. “Here in Connecticut we will stand behind them and do what we can to ensure that this most basic assistance remains available.”

Office of Policy and Management Interim Secretary Joshua Wojcik said the funding would help close gaps created by federal actions while supporting vulnerable residents.

“This is a responsible use of taxpayer resources to support our most vulnerable residents,” Wojcik said, adding that the administration continues to assess additional needs.

Under the proposal, $24.6 million would go to community food banks and pantries through June 2027, while $64.1 million would replace expiring enhanced premium tax credits for residents enrolled in Covered Connecticut. Another $50.8 million would address the loss of enhanced federal health insurance subsidies for certain income groups.

Additional allocations include $6.9 million for expiring homelessness grants and supportive housing vouchers, $10.4 million to replace lost federal funding for Planned Parenthood services and Title X programs, $4.7 million to expand 2-1-1 call center capacity and community outreach, and $1.5 million for administrative costs at the Department of Social Services.

As required by law, bipartisan legislative leaders have 24 hours after receiving the plan to review it and, if they choose, disapprove the proposed expenditures before funds are transferred.

If approved, $332 million would remain in the Emergency State Response Reserve. The governor is authorized to make withdrawals from the fund through Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the next regular legislative session.

Source link