Connecticut
Connecticut Sun try to rebound from first loss as they face Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
The Connecticut Sun were living on a razor-thin margin during their 9-0 start to the season with five wins by single digits, and a close game eventually fell the other way in an 82-75 loss to the New York Liberty on Saturday.
The Sun’s problems against New York were largely the same ones they have faced in every other game: A sluggish start especially on the defensive end, poor 3-point shooting, and a third quarter lead that turned into a fourth-quarter deficit. Connecticut has managed to dig itself out of first-quarter holes and hold off late comebacks time and time again during its undefeated streak, but the Liberty exposed how unsustainable that scenario can be against the most talented teams in the league.
“We’ve been talking the same stuff about our starts and it bites you in the butt a lot, but certainly against a good team who can make you pay,” Sun coach Stephanie White said. “They just took advantage of every miscue that we had … and you just don’t have the opportunity against great teams to have those lulls on either side of the floor, those breakdowns.”
The Liberty were missing starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot, out for personal reasons, but the change to forward Kayla Thornton in the lineup presented a difficult look for the Sun. Star shooter Sabrina Ionescu was shifted into a matchup offensively with Connecticut’s Tyasha Harris at point guard rather than against the Sun’s go-to perimeter defender DiJonai Carrington. Despite going 0-for-8 from the field through the second and third quarter, Ionescu hit every look she got when her hand was hot and went a perfect 8-for-8 combined in the first and fourth quarters.
“This is a different New York lineup without Sloot on the floor. They’re bigger,” White said. “They did some things on the offensive end using their size with some of our smaller guards. They did some different things on the defensive end that … probably forced us to go a little bit deeper into our reads than we’ve had to do … so that’s just a natural progression. We haven’t had to do that in a live-game situation, so now we can go to film and watch it.”
The biggest long-term question for the Sun is size, especially after the team waived forward Queen Egbo this week to sign point guard Veronica Burton. Center Brionna Jones, who is supposed to be under a minutes restriction, saw the floor for a season-high 35 minutes against the Liberty to give Connecticut a chance to contend defensively with the 7-foot wingspans of Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart. Olivia Nelson-Ododa has come a long way as a role player for the Sun, but the third-year center isn’t in a place to contribute significant minutes yet against two former league MVPs, and Astou Ndour-Fall didn’t even see the floor against New York.
“We didn’t go to our bench as much tonight, but certainly when you look at the lineup New York has on the floor, you want to try and match it, and they didn’t go to their bench a lot either,” White said. “Their length causes us some problems … Where we typically are able to use our physicality to score, when you have teams that have that extra length it makes it a little bit tougher. They can change up how they defend, guarding really two through five they can switch everything … and they slow us down because of that.”
Connecticut Sun’s season-starting win streak comes to an end in 82-75 loss to New York Liberty
The Indiana Fever are an ideal opponent for the Sun to recover from their first loss of 2024, especially with only a single day of turnaround before the matchup at Mohegan Sun Arena on Monday. Connecticut has already seen the Fever twice this season and come out with two victories, first a 92-71 rout at home on May 14 then a closer 88-84 win in Indiana six days later.
Indiana is coming off the high of an 85-83 win over the Washington Mystics on Friday, where No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark had the best game of her young career. She logged 30 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals, also shooting a season-best 8-for-15. But Connecticut has a strong formula for containing the rookie, spearheaded by the relentless effort from Carrington. Clark gave up a combined 15 turnovers across two games against the Sun, and she struggled to find her signature long-range 3-pointers especially in the first meeting.
The Fever are also without Temi Fagbenle due to a foot injury, and she was electric off the bench in the second game against Connecticut with 11 points shooting 5-for-6. Jones was able to play under 25 minutes in both previous matchups with Indiana, and less forward depth for the Fever means the Sun can also turn to their guard-heavy bench rotation earlier and more often.
“This is a veteran group, so they understand the ebbs and flows of this league,” White said. “We have to continue to stack days. If we had a three or four minute lull in this game, it’s got to be two or three minutes in the next game. … We understand that we’re not playing perfect basketball at this point in the season, but we’ve got to minimize when those things happen.
How to watch Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever
Site: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Team records: Sun 9-1; Fever 3-9
Time: 7 p.m., Monday
Last meeting: 88-84, Dallas; Aug. 18, 2023 at Mohegan Sun Arena
TV: NBC Sports Boston (local)
Streaming: WNBA League Pass
Connecticut
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.
There were no reported injuries.
The American Red Cross is working to help those who were displaced.
Connecticut
CT Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 3, 2026
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
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.
Connecticut
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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