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Connecticut Sun try to rebound from first loss as they face Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

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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.

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“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.

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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

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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



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Connecticut

A Character-Rich Family Home in Connecticut That Bridges Past and Present

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A Character-Rich Family Home in Connecticut That Bridges Past and Present


When a house has been loved for generations, its walls tend to hold stories. In the case of one family residence in Darien, Connecticut, that sentiment was taken quite literally. On the casement between the living room and kitchen are ticks that denote decades of growth, a quiet record of childhoods unfolding in real time. Several of those measurements belong to the home’s newest steward—the original owners’ daughter—who was ready to put her own mark on the property.

Eager to see what she could make of the 1930s structure, she and her husband tapped British-born designer Becca Casey of Connecticut-based Becca Interiors to breathe new life—and old soul—into the interior. For Casey, being entrusted with that kind of emotional patina was a privilege she didn’t take lightly. “The greatest challenge was ensuring that the new extension had synergy with the original house while bringing together the couple’s different tastes and honoring the home’s history,” Casey says of the 2,400-square-foot space.

There was a strong desire to preserve the home’s character and the memories it holds.

That delicate balance shows up everywhere, from tailored silhouettes and clean lines for him to pattern and color for her. Nowhere is that nuance more evident than in the property’s oldest room, a long, beam-lined living space that once sat largely unused. Casey swathed it in an atmospheric mural, transforming it into a multi-zone haven centered on the fireplace, with moments of repose throughout where the family can gather to play a game or enjoy a book.

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Around the home, Casey’s eye for nuance is unmistakable. She wields color, pattern, and shape with equal aplomb, expertly marrying form with function in a way that’s both timeless and fresh. A hidden television disappears behind drapery-lined cabinetry, the inner skeleton of an armchair is displayed like a work of art, a vintage dining table reveals a plaque from the husband’s hometown (a serendipitous discovery that made the piece instantly meaningful). In the end, reviving the dwelling wasn’t about reinvention for Casey—it was about the possibility that a new chapter can bring. The result is a space that, according to Casey, feels “quietly refined and effortlessly lived-in”—an elegant meeting point between memory and modern family life.

FAST FACTS:

Designer: Becca Casey, Becca Interiors

Location: Darien, Connecticut

The Space: A 1930s colonial with six bedrooms, across 2,400 square feet.


LIVING ROOM

Bare windows and a transportive wallpaper nod to the pastoral landscape.

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Kate S Jordan

Chandelier: Lostine. Rug: Stanton. Wallpaper: House of Hackney. Coffee table: Jefferson West. Rug: Stanton Carpet.

The living room is the oldest space in the house, so Casey wanted to honor its bones while streamlining the layout for modern functionality. Custom Dmitriy & Co. sofas—linen on the top, patterned French mattress tufting at the base—typify the union between “his” and “her” tastes.

Cozy sitting area with an armchair and footrest next to a window.
Kate S Jordan

Sconce: Woven Shop. Lamp: Visual Comfort & Co. Chair: custom.

Dining area with a round table and wooden chairs.
Kate S Jordan

Table: custom, Becca Interiors. Chairs: Pottery Barn.

A traditional English roll armchair was tucked into a corner at the request of the husband, whose wish list included a spot to read. Aiming for a “layered floor plan,” with distinct areas for the family’s many needs, Casey added a game table as a visual anchor with a direct sight line to the main entryway of the home.

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DEN

An original stone fireplace anchors the family-ready space.

den
Kate S Jordan

Pendant: Woka. Coffee table: LF Collection. Sconce: Hector Finch.

Cozy living room featuring a stone fireplace and vintage decor.
Kate S Jordan

Coffee table: LF Collection. Rug: Woodard Weave. Chik blinds: Joss Graham.

Drenched in French Gray paint by Farrow & Ball and grounded by the original stone fireplace, the den is carefully choreographed to support togetherness, with a custom sectional and hidden TV.


DINING ROOM

The sun-drenched space looks out to the backyard pond.

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dining room
Kate S Jordan

Paint: School House White, Farrow & Ball. Chairs: Maison Louis Drucker. Table: antique. Tablecloths: Zara Home, Cabana Home. Pedants: Lightology.

Part of the new addition, the serene dining room is flooded with light, thanks to expansive floor to (almost) ceiling windows. Layered textiles keep the antique table—a happy find, originally made in the husband’s hometown—geared toward casual meals.


PRIMARY BEDROOM

Salvaged beams mimic the look of the originals in the living room.

bedroom
Kate S Jordan

Paint: Shaded White, Farrow & Ball. Rug: Lulu and Georgia. Bedding: The Company Store. Dresser: English Farmhouse Furniture.

Inspired by Belgian interiors, the elevated placement of the fireplace isn’t just a design flex—it’s an experiential choice that puts the flames right at eye level when lounging in bed. Beside it, two vintage English armchairs stun with their exposed interior, a Becca Interiors signature touch.

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PRIMARY BATH

Natural materials were chosen for their ability to patina over time.

bathroom
Kate S Jordan

Mirror: Rejuvenation. Floor tile: Arto. Wall paint: Slipper Statin, Farrow & Ball. Sconces: O’lampia.

In the primary bathroom, wellness comes through atmosphere rather than gadgets. A Drummonds soaking tub is positioned for prime pond views, with a gray-green base (Drop Cloth, Farrow & Ball) that reinforces the room’s soothing palette.


WORKSTATION

Smart features make family management a cinch.

desk
Kate S Jordan

Roman shade: Hunter Douglas. Desk paint: Studio Green, Farrow & Ball. Chair: Soho Home. Rug: Merribrook Collection. Flushmount: RW Guild.

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To make the most of a hall nook, Casey crafted a compact desk where the wife, a teacher, can grade papers. Labeled drawers store art supplies, while a floor-to-ceiling cabinet (at side) acts as a hub for deliveries.


About the Designer

Becca Casey is the Principal Director and founder of Becca Interiors. Raised in the countryside of Southwest England, her earliest influences were rooted in history, nature, and the quiet beauty of rural life. These foundations continue to shape her design philosophy today, one that blends heritage with modern sensibility while honoring craftsmanship and the beauty of daily life at home.



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Hartford community grieves men killed in police shootings

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Hartford community grieves men killed in police shootings


The Hartford community is grappling with two police shootings that happened within eight days of each other. Both started off as mental health calls about someone in distress.

People came together to remember one of the men killed at a vigil on Wednesday evening.

With hands joined, a prayer for peace and comfort was spoken for the family of Everard Walker. He was having a mental health crisis when a family member called 211 on Feb.19.

Two mental health professionals from the state-operated Capitol Regional Mental Health Center requested Hartford police come with them to Walker’s apartment on Capitol Avenue.

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A scuffle ensued, and police said it looked like Walker was going to stab an officer. The brief fight ended with an officer shooting and killing Walker.

The family is planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.

“All I will have now is a tombstone and the voicemails he left on my phone that I listen over and over again at night just so I can fall asleep,” Menan Walker, one of Walker’s daughters, said.

City councilman Josh Michtom (WF) is asking whether police could have acted differently.

“To me, the really concerning thing is why the police were there at all, why they went into that apartment in the way that they did, in the numbers that they did,” he said.

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The president of Hartford’s police union, James Rutkauski, asked the community to hold their judgment and wait for a full investigation by the Inspector General’s office to be completed.

A different tone was taken in a statement released about another police shooting on Blue Hills Avenue on Feb. 27.

Rutkauski said the union fully supports the officer who fired at 55-year-old Steven Jones, who was holding a knife during a mental health crisis.

In part, the union’s statement says that Jones “deliberately advanced on the officer in a manner that created an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury. This was a 100% justified use of deadly force.”

The Inspector General’s office will determine if the officer was justified following an investigation.

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The officer who shot Jones was the fourth to arrive on the scene. Three others tried to get him to drop the knife, even using a taser, before the shooting.

“It just feels like beyond the conduct of any one officer, we have this problem, which is that we send cops for every problem,” Michtom said. “I don’t know how you can de-escalate at the point of a gun.”

Jones died from his injuries on Tuesday.  

The union’s statement went on to say that officers should not be society’s default for mental health professionals. The statement said in part, “We ask for renewed commitment from our legislators to remove police from being the vanguard of what should be a mental health professional response.”

The officers involved in both shootings are on administrative leave.

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Connecticut Launches New Era for Community Hospital Care – UConn Today

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Connecticut Launches New Era for Community Hospital Care – UConn Today


Marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting and attended by Governor Ned Lamont, state legislators, Waterbury officials, and community leaders, UConn Health celebrated the acquisition of Waterbury Hospital which as of today is now the UConn Health Waterbury Hospital.

“This is a defining moment for healthcare in Connecticut,” said Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health Community Network.  “We now have the opportunity to take the award -winning academic quality and service of UConn Health and share it with the wonderful employees, doctors and community of Waterbury.”

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in the future of healthcare access across Connecticut.

“Connecticut is leading with innovation,” said Connecticut Governor Lamont. “The UConn Health Community Network reflects a proactive approach to strengthening community-based care by connecting it directly to the capabilities of our state’s public academic medical center. What begins in Waterbury today, represents a new model designed to expand opportunity, access, and excellence for communities statewide.”

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In addition to UConn Health Waterbury Hospital, the Network includes UConn Health Community Network Medical Group and UConn Health Waterbury Health at Home. The model preserves each member’s local identity and will grow thoughtfully over time to improve quality, expand access, and reduce the total cost of care. 

“This reflects a bold step forward in how we think about healthcare in Connecticut,” said John Driscoll, Chair of the UConn Health Board of Directors. “Today we celebrate the beginning of a new approach to community-based care. We move forward with clarity of purpose and shared commitment to serve our communities better together.”

 Comptroller Sean Scanlon highlighted the significance of the model for the long-term evolution of healthcare delivery in Connecticut. 

“This partnership represents thoughtful leadership at a pivotal time for healthcare,” said Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “By aligning community hospitals with academic medicine, Connecticut is building a modern framework that positions our healthcare system to meet the needs of patients today and into the future.”

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“Hosting this celebration on our campus is deeply meaningful for our staff, physicians and the families we serve,” said Deborah Weymouth, President of UConn Health Waterbury Hospital. “Waterbury’s legacy of care continues, and we are tremendously proud to have a strong partner who is deeply committed to our community and help lead this next chapter for healthcare.”

Welcome UConn Health Waterbury Hospital!



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