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Connecticut cannabis equity council director steps down amid inquiry

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Connecticut cannabis equity council director steps down amid inquiry


The council is undergoing a review after officials received complaints about a lack of transparency.

The executive director of Connecticut’s Social Equity Council resigned Tuesday as the cannabis regulatory agency undergoes a state-ordered audit.

Ginne-Ray Clay submitted her resignation via email, citing “unsubstantiated allegations” that have questioned her integrity, according to The Connecticut Mirror.

Gov. Ned Lamont previously requested an audit of the council’s management and spending, after questions were raised about a lack of transparency around the strategy for disbursing social equity funds in the state. The review, which is being conducted by the comptroller’s office, is ongoing.

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“It’s a sad day for me. I think she was a victim of a personal vendetta and personal infighting,” said Mike Jefferson, an ally of Clay on the council.

The Social Equity Council manages aspects of Connecticut’s cannabis industry, including the distribution of community reinvestment grants funded by license fees. Last year, the council authorized $5.2 million in initial grants to nonprofits in designated areas, the Mirror reported.

Council chair Andréa Comer told the outlet, “There have been many conversations among the council members about challenges within the SEC and the way in which we need to course-correct.”

She said there was “nothing personal.”

The Mirror previously reported on a complaint alleging Clay had suggested a license applicant donate to her church, which Clay denied.

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Clay’s resignation came hours before a scheduled finance committee meeting of the council. The audit’s timeline and potential changes to council operations have not been announced.



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Are high gas prices fueling rise in Connecticut deadly motorcycle crashes?

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Are high gas prices fueling rise in Connecticut deadly motorcycle crashes?




Are high gas prices fueling rise in Connecticut deadly motorcycle crashes? – NBC Connecticut



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A look at Kathie Lee Gifford’s $100 million Connecticut home

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A look at Kathie Lee Gifford’s 0 million Connecticut home


Luxury Homes

Kathie Lee Gifford and her late husband, football legend Frank Gifford, purchased the house in 1994.

Kathie Lee Gifford’s house at 108 Cedar Cliff in Riverside, Conn., is listed for $100,000,000. Modern Media

Former “Today” show host Kathie Lee Gifford is selling her sprawling 13,163-square-foot Connecticut home. The asking price? $100,000,000.

Dubbed “Cedar Cliff,” the Greenwich estate at 108 Cedar Cliff in the Riverside section of town, was once owned by railroad tycoon Henry F. Shoemaker. Kathie Lee Gifford and her late husband, football legend Frank Gifford, purchased the house in 1994 for $7.8 million . The 13,163-square-foot, 29-room estate has eight bedrooms and 14 bathrooms (nine full, five half).

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The rear of the house at 108 Cedar Cliff in the Riverside section of Greenwich. – Modern Media
The pool overlooks Greenwich Cove. – Modern Media

“They added a substantial addition to the house to make it work for their lifestyle,” listing agent Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty said. That addition is the east wing of the house, constructed in the early 2000s, which includes a private theater and wine cellar.

The eight bedrooms are similarly sized and have views of Greenwich Cove. The primary bedroom and two guest bedrooms have a balcony as well. The estate has a greenhouse, a screened porch, a sun room, a tennis court, and a billiards room currently containing Frank Gifford memorabilia. There are 10 fireplaces throughout the house.

The tennis court. – Modern Media
The billiards room currently contains Frank Gifford memorabilia. – Daniel Milstein
The screened-in porch. – Daniel Milstein

Within the 2.91-acre gated peninsula is a spa, pool, and pool house.

McElwreath said “empty nester” Gifford is selling the property because “her children are grown and are married with their own children. Kathie Lee spends most of her time in Tennessee and is no longer using the house full-time.”

The house has a recently installed Ludowici terra cotta roof, sun decks that have been rebuilt, and there is access to a full-property generator as well as a private beach.

The spa pool. – Modern Media

McElwreath said there are additional aspects that make this property worth the monstrous price tag.

“The setting is extraordinary. Elevated high above the water with over 1,250 feet of frontage, the property offers the rare combination of commanding panoramic views and direct waterfront access via a private pier and deep water dock,” she said.

McElwreath said the kind of buyer looking at this property is attracted to Greenwich for its high quality of life and proximity to Midtown Manhattan.

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The primary bedroom at Kathie Lee Gifford’s Connecticut house. – Daniel Milstein
A guest balcony. – Modern Media

”High net-worth buyers do not compromise. They seek exceptional properties in prime locations. Cedar Cliff is a one-of-a-kind opportunity and will attract buyers looking for privacy and resort-like amenities,” McElwreath said.

The task of selling the estate was entrusted to McElwreath by Gifford after McElwreath represented the seller of Copper Beech Farm in Greenwich, which sold for just under $139,000,000 in 2023.

The property has a private dock. – Modern Media

“[Copper Beach] is still the highest sale ever in Greenwich and the state of Connecticut. I plan to use the full resources of Sotheby’s International Realty to find the buyer for Cedar Cliff,” McElwreath said. “I also represented the seller of 100 Field Point Circle, the second highest sale in Greenwich at $50 million. My proven track record, combined with the marketing expertise of Sotheby’s, will prove to be a winning combination.”






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Hailey Van Lith waived by Connecticut Sun after just nine games, marking second cut in under a month

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Hailey Van Lith waived by Connecticut Sun after just nine games, marking second cut in under a month


Hailey Van Lith’s rocky WNBA start took another unexpected turn Thursday.

The Connecticut Sun waived Van Lith after just nine games with the team, including three starts.

CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 25: Hailey Van Lith #2 of the Chicago Sky high five during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on August 25, 2025 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images))

TCU’s Hailey Van Lith poses before the WNBA basketball draft in New York on April 14, 2025. (Pamela Smith/AP)

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Van Lith was once one of college basketball’s brightest stars at Louisville, but her path has become increasingly turbulent in recent years. After a disappointing stint at LSU stalled her momentum, Van Lith revived her draft stock with a standout final season at TCU.

CHICAGO SKY WAIVE HAILEY VAN LITH ONE YEAR AFTER SELECTING HER WITH THE 11TH OVERALL PICK

The former NIL standout was selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She struggled to establish herself as a rookie, averaging 3.5 points and 1.6 assists in 12.4 minutes per game across 29 appearances before Chicago waived her on May 4.

Hailey Van Lith’s brief stint with the Connecticut Sun ended Thursday after the franchise waived the former first-round pick. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images) ((Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images))

Hailey van Lith drives past opponents during the women’s 3×3 basketball bronze medal game between the United States and Canada at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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TCU’s Hailey Van Lith jogs onto the court during introductions before the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament game against Louisville in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 23, 2025. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)

Van Lith also helped Team USA win a bronze medal in 3×3 basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Connecticut quickly gave Van Lith a second chance, but the reunion lasted just over two weeks.

“The Connecticut Sun has activated Leïla Lacan,” the team announced on X. “In a corresponding move, Hailey Van Lith has been waived.”

EX-WNBA STAR CRITICAL OF SKY ROOKIE HAILEY VAN LITH, BELIEVES POPULARITY PLAYED ROLE IN DRAFT SELECTION

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The move comes as Lacan — the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft — returns after averaging 10.4 points and 3.7 assists with Connecticut last season.

Van Lith appeared in Wednesday’s 71-61 loss to Portland, finishing with seven points, no assists and two turnovers in 13 minutes.

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Van Lith averaged 8.1 points and 2.2 assists in nine appearances with Connecticut before Thursday’s move, marking her second waiver in less than a month.

The Connecticut Sun waived Hailey Van Lith on Thursday, ending the former college star’s nine-game stint with the franchise. ((Photo by Mollie Handkins/NBAE via Getty Images))

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Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela 





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