Connecticut

Connecticut Declines New Federal Title VI Certification Request

Published

10 months ago

April 16, 2025

Connecticut Declines New Federal Title VI Certification Request

CONNECTICUT — State education officials have reaffirmed the state’s commitment to civil rights protections while declining to sign a newly issued federal Title VI certification form, arguing that the state already complies fully with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and continues to receive federal education funds under existing assurances.

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education dated April 15, Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker wrote that Connecticut “remains committed to safeguarding Connecticut students against the insidious effects of discrimination” and that the state has consistently certified its compliance with Title VI through federally accepted procedures.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights had issued a “Reminder of Legal Obligations” to state education departments on April 3, requesting that states sign and return a new compliance certification form within 10 days. The request also asked for reports on the signature status of local districts and any compliance or enforcement actions under consideration.

Connecticut’s response stated that no additional certification was necessary, as the state has long met federal obligations through required annual assurances and the approved Consolidated State Plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act.

The reminder also raised concerns about the legality of some diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, though it did not define what constitutes a noncompliant practice. In its response, Connecticut challenged the ambiguity of the DEI references and defended the use of such initiatives, noting that “the USDOE itself has long supported these important principles.”

Russell-Tucker emphasized that Connecticut’s 508,000 students are served by programs that align with federal antidiscrimination laws and highlighted initiatives like the Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP) to reduce absenteeism and expand opportunity.

The state joins a growing list of jurisdictions pushing back on recent federal inquiries into civil rights compliance. In March, California’s Department of Education similarly declined to adopt the new certification form, citing legal concerns and long-standing adherence to Title VI requirements. New York and Illinois also expressed hesitation, requesting further clarification on how the new form would be used and enforced.

Connecticut officials said they would continue to support inclusive educational environments and meet federal civil rights standards without adopting new or duplicative reporting frameworks.

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Connecticut

Man shot and killed in New London

Published

11 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WFSB) – A man was shot and killed on Sunday evening in New London, according to police.

The identity of the victim has not been released.

Crews responded to reports of shots fired around 7:19 p.m. on Connecticut Avenue between Prest Street and McDonald Street.

The road remained closed for the investigation.

Officers found the victim with a gunshot wound to his lower extremity. He was brought to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police have also not said if they’ve identified a suspect.

The New London Police Department’s Detective Division has taken over the investigation, which remains active and ongoing. Detectives are processing the scene and conducting interviews.

Police said they are committed to ensuring community safety and will dedicate all necessary resources to the investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the New London Police Department Detective Division at 860-447-1481. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the New London Tips 411 system by texting NLPDTip plus the information to Tip411 (847411).

Police said further information will be released as the investigation progresses.

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Connecticut

NASA astronaut from Connecticut arrives at International Space Station

Published

23 hours ago

February 15, 2026

Press Room

NASA astronaut from Connecticut arrives at International Space Station

An astronaut from Connecticut, a member of the SpaceX Crew-12, arrived Saturday at the International Space Station.

Navy Captain Jack Hathaway, of South Windsor, is part of the four-astronaut crew.

The crew launched in a SpaceX rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida Friday morning at 5:15 a.m.

Hathaway will call the ISS home for the next eight months.

Last month’s medical evacuation was NASA’s first in 65 years of human spaceflight. One of four astronauts launched by SpaceX last summer suffered what officials described as a serious health issue, prompting their hasty return. That left only three crew members to keep the place running — one American and two Russians — prompting NASA to pause spacewalks and trim research.

Along with Hathaway, moving in for eight to nine months are NASA’s Jessica Meir, France’s Sophie Adenot and Russia’s Andrei Fedyaev. Meir, a marine biologist, and Fedyaev, a former military pilot, have lived up there before. During her first station visit in 2019, Meir took part in the first all-female spacewalk.

Adenot, a military helicopter pilot, is only the second French woman to fly in space. Hathaway is a captain in the U.S. Navy.

A couple of hours later, the hatches swung open and the seven space travelers hugged and exchanged exuberant high-fives. “Let’s get rolling,” Meir said.

NASA has refused to divulge the identity of the astronaut who fell ill in orbit on Jan. 7 or explain what happened, citing medical privacy. The ailing astronaut and three others returned to Earth more than a month sooner than planned. They spent their first night back on Earth at the hospital before returning to Houston.

The space agency said it did not alter its preflight medical checks for their replacements.

AP Wire Services contributed to this report.

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