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Gov. Lamont said he's focused on affordability with start of legislative session

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Gov. Lamont said he's focused on affordability with start of legislative session


Governor Ned Lamont said his goal of making Connecticut more affordable will require long-term solutions to fix long-standing problems.

Still, he also hopes to find short-term relief for families struggling to make ends meet.

“You want to bring down the price of electricity,” Lamont said during a one-on-one interview with NBC Connecticut. “You need more supply, you want to bring down the price of housing, you need supply.”

Lamont’s State of the State address focused on the price of many essentials, including electricity, housing and prescription drugs.

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He admitted the state can do little to help with groceries, though.

” I don’t want to over promise,” he said. “There’s not much I can do about eggs.”

Lamont did make energy prices a major focus, noting the frustration customers had after surging electricity bills during the summer.

Lamont reiterated Thursday that the state needs to focus on increasing supply – something that could take years.

He defended purchasing more expensive green energy to boost supply in the short-term. Lamont also said he’s trying to get hydropower from Canada.

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“That’s something that worries because I don’t have control over it,” he said. “I’m talking to the energy generators, I’m talking to the Trump administration. I’ll be seeing what we can do to get more energy here.”

He also defended the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and Chairman Marissa Gillette, who has been the target of criticism from energy suppliers and Republicans who feel she’s been too heavy-handed.

“Marissa’s really good,” Lamont said. “She holds Eversource accountable. They don’t like that.”

He also said the state needs to boost its housing supply.

He’s made funding for housing – including grants for construction and help for first-time buyers – a priority, but now, he’s pushing lawmakers to speed up local permitting processes.

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Lamont said that’s not an invitation to mandate zoning reform.

As Lamont crafts his budget proposal for lawmakers, he’s watching what happens down in Washington, D.C. 

The governor’s proposal is due in February, but the current federal spending plan expires in March.

Lamont and lawmakers are worried the Republican-held Congress and President-Elect Donald Trump will cut funding for Medicaid, education and other federal aid.

While he waits, Lamont will receive pressure from Democrats to relax the state’s fiscal guardrails. The governor said he’ll listen, but doesn’t think the state is ready to make major changes.

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“Look, we’ll see,” he said. “We’ve paid down by the end of this year, say, $10 billion of pension. We’ve gone from the worst-funded pension system in the country to below average. Below average is not good enough to me.”

Lamont said he plans to work with the Trump administration but vows not to budge on certain policies, including immigration.

America First Legal, founded by Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Steve Miller, recently sent a letter to Lamont pressuring him to comply with Trump’s deportation plan.

The letter said the group had identified Connecticut as a “sanctuary jurisdiction,” something that “subjects you [Lamont] and your subordinates to significant risk to criminal or civil liability.”

Lamont said he doesn’t want to see changes to Connecticut’s immigration policy. The Trust Act states Connecticut agencies do not cooperate with federal deportation efforts except for undocumented immigrants who are charged with Class A or B felonies.

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“If you want to get that 16-year-old dreamer out of Guilford High School, go look somewhere else,” Lamont said.

Lamont also wants to see changes at the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, focused on attracting more students.

For now, that’s a task for Chancellor Terrence Cheng, who was the subject of an audit last month questioning his spending and expenses.

Lamont said he will talk with Board of Regents Chairman Martin Guay before deciding whether to reappoint Cheng.

“I’m going to let him make the call, making sure we’re making the changes at Connecticut State we need to keep it on the right path,” he said.

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Lamont is halfway through his second term in office. He said Thursday he’ll make a decision after the session about running for a third term.

“I don’t want to get pushed around politically either,” he said. “So I’m going make up my mind after the session, see how people think we’re doing.”



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Connecticut

At least four injured after multi-vehicle accident involving bus in Bridgeport, per police

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At least four injured after multi-vehicle accident involving bus in Bridgeport, per police


At least three people were taken to local hospitals after a multi-vehicle accident involving a public transit bus in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Tuesday, according to the Bridgeport Police Department.

The collision took place at around 7:40 p.m. on the 500 block of Water Street, where officials located a Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority (GBTA) bus that struck at least six other vehicles and a wall of the Bridgeport train station.

Once at the scene, emergency medical officials transported several individuals to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Two people were taken to Bridgeport Hospital, and two others to St. Vincent’s Medical Center; the extent of their injuries was unknown, per authorities. 

An MTA Facility Manager has responded to the scene to assess the structural damage, according to police.

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Train service was not impacted on the Metro-North lines as a result of the nearby collision. However, traffic was impacted by the closure of the northbound lane of Water Street between State Street and John Street.

The Bridgeport Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team reported to the site of the crash to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Bridgeport Police Department Traffic Division, Sergeant Darryl Wilson, at 203-576-7640.



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Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend

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Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend


CONNECTICUT — The quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s is anything but dull in Connecticut. With schools on break and families looking for ways to get out of the house, towns across the state are rolling out kid-friendly programs, glowing light displays, museum activities, and creative ways to ring in the new year early — or right at midnight. From owls in Mystic to trolley rides in East Windsor and countdown celebrations from Torrington to Hartford, this weekend (Dec. 26–28, with New Year’s Eve events close behind) offers plenty of reasons to bundle up and explore.

In Mystic, nature lovers can spend Friday, Dec. 26, learning about one of the region’s most fascinating nocturnal creatures during Vacation Day: All About Owls at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Designed for kids on school break, the program introduces participants to local owl species through hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and outdoor exploration. It’s a great option for families looking to balance holiday downtime with educational fun.

Over in Greenwich, the Bruce Museum is hosting Once Upon a Museum: Winter Storytime from Friday through Sunday, Dec. 26–28. Held each morning, the program combines seasonal storytelling with museum exploration, offering young children a calm, creative start to the day. Parents can expect winter-themed books, light activities, and a welcoming introduction to museum spaces that keeps little listeners engaged without overwhelming them.

For families seeking something festive after dark, East Windsor is glowing thanks to Winterfest & the Winter Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum. Running on select dates including Dec. 26–28, the event features illuminated displays, holiday décor, and nighttime trolley rides through a sparkling tunnel of lights. The experience blends transportation history with holiday spectacle, making it a unique winter outing for all ages.

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Meanwhile, Meriden continues its long-running seasonal tradition with the Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park, which remains on display through Jan. 2. The expansive park is transformed by thousands of white lights wrapped around trees, lining walkways, and reflecting off the park’s lake. Visitors can drive through or park and stroll, making it one of the state’s most accessible and popular holiday light displays.

As the weekend gives way to New Year’s Eve, Connecticut towns are preparing celebrations that range from family-friendly to full-scale citywide events. In Hartford, First Night Hartford 2026 takes over downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 31. This alcohol-free celebration features live music, dance, comedy, ice skating, fireworks, and activities spread across multiple indoor and outdoor venues. It’s one of the state’s largest New Year’s Eve events and a longtime tradition for families and night owls alike.

For those with younger children who won’t make it to midnight, Torrington offers KidsPlay Countdown on Dec. 31. Hosted by the KidsPlay Children’s Museum, the event allows kids to celebrate the new year with games, activities, and a countdown timed just for them. It’s festive without being overwhelming and lets families enjoy the excitement of New Year’s Eve without late-night fatigue.

Another early celebration takes place in East Lyme, where Countdown to Noon gives families a chance to ring in the new year before lunchtime. With music, activities, and a midday countdown, the event is tailored to younger children who want the thrill of a New Year’s celebration without staying up past bedtime.

Altogether, this post-holiday weekend highlights the best of Connecticut’s winter programming: educational nature programs, calm museum mornings, glowing light displays, and creative countdowns that meet families where they are. Whether you’re exploring owls in Mystic, riding a trolley through lights in East Windsor, listening to stories in Greenwich, or planning ahead for a New Year’s countdown in Hartford, Torrington, or East Lyme, there’s no shortage of ways to close out 2025 and step into 2026 with a sense of wonder.

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CT, US offshore wind projects face second federal pause

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CT, US offshore wind projects face second federal pause


The federal government is again pausing offshore wind projects in Connecticut and along the East Coast. The Trump administration is citing national security risks the Defense Department found in classified reports. It is the second time the administration attempted to halt offshore wind developments, although the first attempt was blocked after a federal judge ruled the government’s actions were illegal. Connor Yakaitis, deputy director of the…



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