Connecticut

CT could bond $390 million for UConn Health, Waterbury Hospital

Published

3 months ago

October 14, 2025

CT could bond 0 million for UConn Health, Waterbury Hospital

Connecticut plans to borrow $390 million to expand the footprint of its own struggling flagship medical institution, the University of Connecticut Health Center, while simultaneously ridding the state of hospitals under private equity ownership.

According to communications obtained this week by The Connecticut Mirror, the debt would be added to the “UConn 2000” bonding package, the state’s financing program for capital projects at its flagship university.

The $390 million in borrowed funds would cover the $13 million acquisition of Waterbury Hospital from Prospect Medical Holdings, a now-bankrupt hospital operator that was formerly backed by private equity investment. The funding would also pay for “other future clinical partnerships,” according to the communication.

Last month, CT Mirror confirmed that UConn Health is also in talks to purchase Bristol Hospital and Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. It is not clear from the communications whether any of the additional funding would be used to pay for the acquisition of those two hospitals.

A significant portion of the funding would go toward investments in “IT, equipment, deferred maintenance and working capital,” the communication said. Waterbury Hospital, in particular, would need a major influx of capital funding to upgrade its systems, which are still recovering from a crippling cyberattack in 2023.

Gov. Ned Lamont’s office did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Prospect Medical Holdings.

UConn Health spokesperson Jennifer Walker deferred comment to the governor’s office.

The nearly $400 million proposal does not address the hospital provider taxes Prospect owes the state, or its unpaid municipal taxes in Manchester and Waterbury.

As of last month, the Lamont administration was considering forgiving Prospect’s tax liabilities to the state as part of the deal for UConn Health to acquire Waterbury Hospital, according to several legislators who were briefed on the potential deal.

Prospect and its subsidiaries owe the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services as much as $100 million in “taxes or penalties,” according to court filings. However, state officials declined multiple requests to confirm Prospect’s total tax liability to the state.

The legislature would have to approve both the bonding and the tax forgiveness, House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, confirmed. Ritter said the legislature would likely approve waiving Prospect’s tax bill.

“If we want to support UConn Health’s taking over the hospital then we will have to if it’s part of the deal,” Ritter said. “Otherwise you have to consider the alternatives — that the hospital could potentially close or some other private equity firm could come in and buy it.”

State Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, a physician at one of Prospect’s Connecticut hospitals and a fervent critic of private equity in health care, said he agreed it would be the right move for the state, even though he doesn’t want to see Prospect “make money off the taxpayers.”

“I do think providing high-quality care to the people of Waterbury and beyond is absolutely essential,” said Anwar, who serves as co-chair of the legislature’s Public Health Committee.

During a meeting in September, members of Gov. Lamont’s administration and leadership from the University of Connecticut presented a plan to legislators regarding UConn Health’s acquisition of Waterbury, Day Kimball and Bristol hospitals. Part of that plan included forgiving Prospect’s outstanding taxes to the state. However, several legislators in attendance said they have not heard an update regarding tax forgiveness since then.

The UConn expansion is part of a broader strategy to make the institution more competitive with other academic medical centers in the market. State officials also hope it will improve the financial stability of the institution, which has generated cash flow losses averaging $140 million per year between 2020 and 2023, according to a report released last year.

Prospect isn’t the only health system with unpaid taxes. Day Kimball owes the state roughly $41 million, according to a Sept. 4 DRS report, which means the state may have to grapple with that debt as well. Bristol Health owes less than $14,000 in taxes, according to the same report.

In reference to the outstanding taxes, Day Kimball CEO Kyle Kramer said the hospital is “working together” with state officials toward “a long-term solution” and has been making payments.

Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy protection in January, and the sale of its hospitals around the country is being overseen by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Northern Texas.

In September, Hartford HealthCare bid $86.1 million to purchase the other two Prospect-owned hospitals in Connecticut — Manchester Memorial and Rockville General. Additional bidders may submit offers through Oct. 16. A sale hearing, where the bankruptcy court judge will approve the preferred offer, is scheduled for Oct. 24.

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Connecticut

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

Published

2 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

15 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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