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5 Prominent Connecticut Sports Figures Tabbed For Prestigious Gold Key Awards By CSMA

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5 Prominent Connecticut Sports Figures Tabbed For Prestigious Gold Key Awards By CSMA


SOUTHINGTON, CT — Five significant standouts from the Connecticut sporting landscape will be honored this fall with one of the most prestigious awards in state sports, as 2025 recipients of the Gold Key Award from the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance (CSMA).

The honorees are former Masuk High School and Louisiana State University softball pitcher Rachele Fico, former Stratford High School football star and Super Bowl champion Nick Giaquinto, longtime Yale University men’s basketball coach James Jones, World Series champion pitching coach Dave Wallace and NCAA, WNBA and Olympic champion Kara Wolters. They will be feted at the 83rd Gold Key Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 at the Aqua Turf Club in the Plantsville section of Southington.

Tickets for the Gold Key Dinner are $80, and are available by contacting CSMA president Tim Jensen of Patch Media Corp. at 860-394-5091 or tim.jensen@patch.com. Proceeds support the Bo Kolinsky Memorial Sports Media Scholarship, a $3,000 annual award named in memory of the noted high school sports editor of the Hartford Courant and past CSMA president, who passed away in 2003 at age 49.

Here is a brief look at the Class of 2025:

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(LSU Athletics)

RACHELE FICO – A 2009 graduate of Masuk, the Oxford native had a virtually unparalleled career on the diamond, compiling a 105-3 record with a 0.07 earned-run average and 26 perfect games. She led the Panthers to Class LL championships in 2007 and 2008, and was twice voted the Gatorade state player of the year. After earning first-team All-American honors in high school, she continued to excel at LSU, winning 78 games with a .645 winning percentage, posting a 1.75 ERA and averaging better than a strikeout per inning. She was a 2-time first-team All-American for the Tigers, and was the number one overall draft choice of the Akron Racers of National Pro Fastpitch in 2013.

Nick Giaquinto (30) of the Washington Redskins attempts to elude Los Angeles Rams punter John Misko (6) on a runback in the second quarter of a game on Sunday, Jan. 2, 1983 in Washington. Giaquinto’s 48-yard scamper set up a second John Riggins touchdown. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma)

NICK GIAQUINTO – A 1973 graduate of Stratford, where he made the football All-State and National All-American teams, he went on to play football at UConn, establishing a still-existing single-game record of 277 rushing yards against Holy Cross in 1976. Undrafted out of college, he worked his way to the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins in 1980, then was a member of the Super Bowl XVII champion Washington Redskins. In 1983, he was the first “H-back” in NFL history. Following his retirement from football, he embarked on a 29-year career coaching baseball at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, winning 631 games and participating in the 1992 College World Series.

Yale head coach James Jones celebrates while helping to cut down the net after defeating Cornell in an Ivy League tournament championship NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

JAMES JONES – Since being named the 22nd head coach in Yale men’s basketball history in 1999, Jones has guided the Bulldogs to 418 victories and a .567 winning percentage. The team has captured seven Ivy League regular season titles and four conference tournament championships. Yale has earned five NCAA tournament berths during his tenure, pulling off stunning upsets over Baylor in 2016 and Auburn in 2024. He is a 3-time Ivy League Coach of the Year, and was inducted into the New England College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Boston Red Sox starter Curt Schilling, left, throws before game 4 of the ALCS between the New York Yankees and the Sox Boston, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004. Dr. Bill Morgan, center, and pitching coach Dave Wallace look on. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

DAVE WALLACE – A 1965 graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury, where he was a 3-sport athlete, Wallace continued his success at New Haven College (now the University of New Haven). The right-handed pitcher compiled a 24-6 career record with a 2.18 ERA with the Chargers, then signed with the Philadelphia Phillies’ organization in 1969. He pitched professionally for a dozen seasons, making 13 major league appearances with the Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays. After his playing days, he became a pitching coach, reaching the big leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995. In 2004, he was pitching coach of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, and earned a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo as pitching coach for Team USA.

Connecticut center Kara Wolters (52) puts up a shot over Tennessee center Vonda Ward in the third quarter of their NCAA Womens Final Four Championship, Sunday, April 2, 1995, Minneapolis, Minn. Connecticut beat Tennessee 70-64. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

KARA WOLTERS – The Somers resident came to UConn from Holliston, Mass. in 1993, and immediately teamed with Rebecca Lobo and Jamelle Elliott to form a devastating front line that would help put women’s college basketball on the map. As a sophomore, she was an integral part of the Huskies’ undefeated run to their first national championship, pouring in 31 points in the national semifinal game against Stanford. In 1997, she was named National Player of the Year and embarked on a 6-year professional career with the New England Blizzard. She was a member of the 1999 WNBA champion Houston Comets and the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, which won the gold medal in Sydney, Australia. She is one of only 12 women to have earned NCAA, WNBA and Olympic championships, and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.



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Ten people displaced after Bridgeport fire

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Ten people displaced after Bridgeport fire


Ten people are displaced after a fire broke out at the 400 block of Washington Avenue in Bridgeport.

At around 5:30 p.m., the Bridgeport Fire Department responded to a fire alarm.

Upon arrival, firefighters located heavy smoke conditions after the fire was extinguished in one unit by the sprinkler system.

Nine units were affected, displacing ten people.

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There were no reported injuries.

The American Red Cross is working to help those who were displaced.



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CT Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 3, 2026

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CT Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 3, 2026


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The Connecticut Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

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Those who want to play in Connecticut can enter the CT Lotto, Lucky for Life and Cash 5 games as well as play the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. There are also two drawings a day for the Play 3 with Wild Ball and Play 4 with Wild Ball games.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule. Here’s a look at Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

01-02-28-30-43, Lucky Ball: 07

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

12-13-16-20-32

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play3 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Day: 5-3-3, WB: 7

Night: 1-8-1, WB: 9

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Check Play3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play4 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Day: 3-5-9-4, WB: 4

Night: 7-0-2-6, WB: 4

Check Play4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Connecticut Lottery prizes up to $599 can be easily claimed at any authorized CT Lottery Retailer without additional forms or documentation or by mail. For prizes between $600 and $5,000, winners have the option to claim by mail or in person at any CT Lottery High-Tier Claim Center or CT Lottery Headquarters. For prizes between $5,001 and $49,999, winnings must be claimed in person at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters or by mail. All prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at CT Lottery Headquarters. Winners are required to bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security card.

CT Lottery Claims Dept.

15 Sterling Drive

Wallingford, CT 06492

For additional details, including locations of High-Tier Claim Centers, visit the Connecticut Lottery’s claim information page.

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When are the Connecticut Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. daily.
  • Lotto: 10:38 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Cash 5: 10:29 p.m. daily.
  • Play3 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
  • Play3 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
  • Play4 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
  • Play4 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Connecticut editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Connecticut leaders react to capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

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Connecticut leaders react to capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro


CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — The United States military carried out “large scale” strike inside Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, according to President Donald Trump.

Leaders in Connecticut are responding to the military action.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) shared the following statement.

“If we’re starting another endless war, with no clear national security strategy or need, count me out. Maduro is a cruel criminal dictator, but President Trump has never sought approval from Congress for war as the Constitution requires – and our military deserves. We’ve seen several Administrations lead us into conflicts without objectives or timelines and with disastrous consequences. President Trump has also articulated no clear end game to prevent further chaos, violence, and bloodshed in Venezuela. The American people deserve—and Congress should demand—facts and clarity.”

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Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called the strike the start of an “illegal war” between the U.S. and Venezuela.

“President Trump thinks he is above the law. He steals from taxpayers. He thumbs his nose at the law. And now, he is starting an illegal war with Venezuela that Americans didn’t ask for and has nothing to do with our security. How does going to war in South America help regular Americans who are struggling? How does this do anything about drugs entering the U.S. when Venezuela produces no fentanyl? What is the actual security threat to the United States? And what happens next in Venezuela? He cannot answer these questions – and that’s why there was no briefing to Congress to explain this action, and no briefing scheduled. And Maduro’s illegitimate election does not give the president the power to invade without congressional approval, nor does it create a national security justification. That contention is laughable. This is about satisfying Trump’s vanity, making good on the long standing neocon grudge against Maduro, enriching Trump’s oil industry backers, and distracting voters from Epstein and rising costs.”

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said the Trump administration acted without congressional approval.

“Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, but I have seen no evidence that his presidency poses a threat that would justify military action without Congressional authorization, nor have I heard a strategy for the day after and how we will prevent Venezuela from descending into chaos. Secretary Rubio repeatedly denied to Congress that the Administration intended to force regime change in Venezuela. The Administration must immediately brief Congress on its plan to ensure stability in the region and its legal justification for this decision.”

State Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding (R-Conn.) shared that he hopes Maduro is brought to justice, calling him an “integral culprit” in the “narcotic ring” in the United States.

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“President Maduro has been an integral culprit in fostering the narcotic ring in our country which has killed far too many Americans. I hope he is brought to justice and we can continue to address the substance abuse crisis that our state and country continues to face.

The Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party Ben Proto shared the following statement.

President Trump promised to stop the flow of drugs into the US that have been killing millions of Americans. Nicolas Maduro, who declared himself President, while getting about 30% of the vote in the last so called free election in Venezuela, was given multiple warnings to stop the flow of drugs from his country into America, was offered help by the Trump administration in stopping the flow, but he continued to, not only allow the flow of drugs, but condone it and profit from it. Presidents have long used their constitutional authority to intervene in other countries when those countries posed a danger to America and Americans. President Trump did just that. Unfortunately Democrats, particularly Jim Himes, Chris Murphy and Dick Blumenthal are more interested in playing politics than in protecting Americans. Nearly 1,000 Connecticut residents died from drug overdoses in 2024 and we have seen an increase in overdoses in 2025. If only Democrats cared as much about Americans as they do about a drug lord running another country who profits from the death of Americans.

Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) demanded that Congress must be briefed before further action.

As information about U.S military strikes in Venezuela unfold, I have more questions than answers. Nicolas Maduro is a brutal dictator who caused so much harm to his people. However, as Americans we must seriously weigh the consequences of attacking a sovereign nation and committing to “run Venezuela.” Congress must be briefed immediately, before this situation continues to escalate. I will comment further as credible information becomes available to Members of Congress.

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Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) shared the following statement, claiming that there could be “severe repercussions for American interests.”

“President Trump’s unilateral decision to attempt a regime change operation in Venezuela by using military force to capture Nicolas Maduro and declaring, ‘we will run the country’, threatens global order and is a fundamental violation of the Constitution, which gives Congress the responsibility of authorizing major military actions that could have severe repercussions for American interests.

“America’s unprecedented global strength and prosperity was built on this principle of restraining military force through democratic bodies like Congress. President Trump has shredded this principle, and along with it has destroyed American credibility and emboldened our adversaries to act with similar aggression. This new foreign policy that President Trump and his advisors have used to justify this act of war, including invoking the 200-year-old Monroe Doctrine as a justification for America to do whatever it pleases in the Western Hemisphere, is the exact same reasoning that China would use to justify invading Taiwan, and which Russia has used to assault Ukraine.

“President Trump has also now threatened Cuba with similar language, and is preparing a giant corrupt giveaway to oil companies by claiming that the United States will acquire Venezuela’s oil. This is corruption of the highest order. Maduro was an authoritarian who stayed in power despite the will of the people, but that does not justify the United States in starting a war to benefit some of the world’s wealthiest corporations.

“President Trump did all of this without the consent of Congress, and without providing any details or day-after plans. The full consequences of this act of war will not be known for some time, and they may require putting American boots on the ground in Venezuela, as the President has said he was prepared to do. The American people do not want to be dragged into another endless conflict distracting from the rising cost of living and the affordability crisis. Whatever happens next, the responsibility will be squarely with President Trump and his contempt for the Constitution and for Congress.”

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Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) echoed the statements of his fellow Democrats.

“This is yet another authoritarian power grab by Donald Trump. As he indicated in his address, it’s clear it’s about the oil!!! And securing that oil!!! And securing it with the use of our brave men and women in the United States military!!! The Constitution entrusts Congress, not the President, with the power to declare war for a reason. It’s Congress’s responsibility to decide whether the nation goes to war or not! That’s why I’m joining with others in calling on the President to immediately brief Congress—and for Congress to assert its authority under the Constitution and the War Powers Act—to let this President know he does not have the authority to unilaterally commit our country to yet another endless war.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates.



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