Connecticut

Connecticut Sun hoping for some

Published

1 year ago

August 20, 2024

BOSTON — History will be made Tuesday night in Boston, when the Connecticut Sun host the Los Angeles Sparks in the first-ever WNBA game at TD Garden. Both teams will take the floor in front of a sellout crowd at the Garden, which will be the biggest home crowd ever for a Connecticut Sun “home” game.

“I’ve been to Celtics games and seen it full. We just haven’t experienced that, so it will be fun and special,” Connecticut guard DiJonai Carrington said after the team’s morning shootaround. “I know it’s going to be rocking here.”

“We’ve been here to watch the Celtics and seen how crazy it gets. But we’ve never been the ones on the court with the fans cheering for us,” said forward DeWanna Bonner. “I can’t wait to experience how loud it’s going to be. We’re not going to be taking it for granted.”

The Sun have felt right at home since arriving in Boston on Monday, and they’ll feel right at home Tuesday night. The 19,156 tickets sold by Connecticut mark the sixth sellout for the team this season. It’s the third highest attendance for a WNBA game this season.

The TD Garden floor hasn’t seen professional basketball since June 17, when the Celtics finished off the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals for the franchise’s 18th championship. But there won’t be much green on the floor on Tuesday, as the parquet now has shades of orange and blue, the colors of the home-team Sun.

The Sun are also hoping that they can bring some of the Celtics’ championship mojo back to Connecticut.

“It’s a huge honor. I’m looking in all the closets in all the rooms to see what I can find here,” Bonner said of playing at the TD Garden. “Hopefully we can get some of that championship energy and the vibes rub off onto us.”

The Sun enter Tuesday night’s matchup at 19-7 on the season, good for the second-best record in the WNBA. They’ll likely hear some “Beat LA” chants as they look to get the best of the 6-21 Spark.

The Sun want to be New England’s team

That the team from Uncasville, Connecticut is drawing a sellout crowd at TD Garden is just another sign that the WNBA’s popularity is through the roof. Sun players even had a tough time walking down the Boston streets, as Bonner was stopped by fans as she tried to buy a morning smoothie.

“It’s insane the different type of atmosphere here in Boston,” she said. “We love our fans in Connecticut, but here we can’t even walk down the street.”

The 36-year-old Bonner remembers a time when WNBA teams were giving tickets away in hopes of drawing a crowd. Now, she can’t even help her family get to games.

“I’m excited about it and want all our young players to take it in, but also understand that this didn’t happen overnight,” she said. “There was a time when we didn’t have anything and would walk into an empty media room.”

Nothing about the TD Garden will be empty Tuesday night. For those who aren’t familiar with the Sun, Carrington says to get ready to see a team that really makes its opponents fight for every point.

“We hang our identity on defense. We’re trying to kind of figure it out all over again with new pieces, figuring out everyone’s roles and how we mesh together. It may not look as polished as expected, but we’re going to peak at he right time in September and October,” she said. “Teams don’t want to play against us because they feel us every possession. As a unit, they’re still going to feel us defensively every possession.”

Boston doesn’t have a WNBA franchise, but Sun head coach Stephanie White hopes that Tuesday night will help solidify the Sun as New England’s team.

“It’s huge. For me, just as a basketball fan in general, to be able to step into the TD Garden. Behind the scenes, in the locker room, stepping onto the same floor as so many great players in the Celtics organization and with them coming off an NBA championship, it’s exciting,” said White.

“It’s a sellout, and we want to expand our footprint in the New England area. We want to be New England’s team,” she added. “There are going to be fans in the building who haven’t seen us yet who will be attending their first WNBA game. It’s an exciting time and continues to show that the needle has moved.”

A happy homecoming for Veronica Burton

Tuesday night will be a little extra special for Sun guard Veronica Burton, who was a star at Newton South before making her mark in the college game at Northwestern. (She is also the daughter of WBZ-TV Sports director, Steve Burton.)

Burton grew up a huge Celtics fan and said that Rajon Rondo was her favorite player. But she’s never had the chance to play on the TD Garden floor until now.

“Growing up and idolizing the players here and being able to see some championships won here, it will be really special to have my family and friends come out to support me,” Burton said Tuesday. “It’s just a surreal moment, knowing that I’m closer to home than ever before. I’ve never played here so I’m going to be soaking it in all in as much as I can.

Burton’s WNBA career started in 2022 when she was drafted seventh overall by the Dallas Wings. She was waived by Dallas in May, which paved the way for Burton to sign with Connecticut.

“It’s a dream come true and I’m grateful to be here,” she said Tuesday.

Matt Geagan

Matthew Geagan is a sports producer for CBS Boston. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years. He moved over to the web in 2012 and has covered all the highs (and a few lows) in Boston sports.

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Connecticut

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

Published

6 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Connecticut leaders react to capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Published

18 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Press Room

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.”

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.

“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.“

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.”

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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