Connecticut
Lawmakers looking to reverse Connecticut's deadly traffic numbers
State lawmakers introduced several proposals Wednesday to improve road safety as the rate of traffic-related deaths in Connecticut shows no signs of slowing down.
According to data from the University of Connecticut, 20 people have died in traffic crashes in Connecticut in 2025 through Jan. 19.
“We all need to come together here in Connecticut and make the decision that 350 people year dying on our roads is not OK,” said Transport Hartford Program Director Jay Stange, who attended Wendesday’s Transportation Committee hearing.
The Committee introduced several bills, including a proposal to lower the blood-alcohol-content (BAC) limit from .08 to .05.
Utah is the only state in the country with a limit that low.
“We just don’t want people to get behind the wheel of a car after using drugs or alcohol,” said Sen. Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), a committee co-chair.
The bill also looks to build upon a current state pilot program training police to use roadside blood tests to determine if a driver is under the influence of cannabis.
Sen. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) said the state has a problem with impaired driving.
“It’s not just BAC, it’s about impairment and a culture of permissiveness, in my mind, that is really enhancing – increasing the danger on our roadways,” Hwang said.
Such proposals have been met with opposition in the past, especially lowering the BAC limit. Some residents have said the bill goes too far and unfairly targets drivers who feel they’re not to impaired to drive.
Hwang agreed the process is about striking a balance.
Lawmakers are also looking at other measures, including a bill that would increase the penalties for drivers who don’t abide by the Move Over Law.
Drivers are required to change lanes or slow down whenever police, Department of Transportation, or other vehicles are stopped along the side of the road.
Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier and DOT worker Andrew DiDomenico were struck in killed in separate incidents last year.
“So folks know that if there’s road work going on, that they should move over, that they should slow down,” Cohen said, adding the bill also calls for more public education.
Additionally, lawmakers are also talking with police departments about how to increase enforcement of traffic laws.
Stange supports the bills. He also said he wants the state to continue supporting DOT’s work redesigning roads in ways that force drivers to slow down.
“The reality is that you don’t drive at the speed that’s posted on the side of road, you drive the speed the road allows you to drive,” he said.
Connecticut
HBO casting in CT for neighbor dispute docuseries
A hit HBO documentary series is looking to Connecticut for stories to feature in its second season.
The show “Neighbors” follows on-going neighbor disputes across the country. The goal of the show is to help neighbors reach a resolution, according to the show’s casting director and executive producer Harleigh Shaw.
“Each story we explore, we spend extensive time with neighbors on both sides to really understand the full context beyond the disputes,” Shaw said.
Producers wanted to share stories in the second season that were based in states that weren’t featured earlier this year in the first season, including Connecticut, Shaw said.
“A lot of the things that we’re most interested in are things that may seem small, but become a bigger issue between the neighbors,” Shaw said. “Anything from disagreements over gardening practices to property lines to noise to dock issues, if it’s a waterfront property. A whole myriad of things. We’re really open to anything.”
However, the show does avoid situations that are violent or dangerous.
Residents from Connecticut looking to participate should be open to third party conflict resolution, according to Shaw.
“Some of the ways that we did that were through mediation,” Shaw said. “That’s a huge one. But there are other things in terms of resources we’d be open to help the neighbors to like help work through the issues.”
Filming will take place throughout the summer and is expected to be completed by the end of September.
The show’s production team is located in New York City and Los Angeles.
“Connecticut has always been really interesting because it’s just a short trip away, and we’re just curious to explore the types of neighbor dynamics that are going on there,” Shaw said.
Connecticut residents who are interested in being on “Neighbors,” can apply at helloneighbortv.com and are encouraged to submit information about themselves as well as their neighbor dispute.
“The neighbor disputes are the entry point for this show, but we’re always also just very interested in inspiring amazing people doing cool stuff,” Shaw said.
“Neighbors” premiered in February and was quickly renewed. The show averages about 3 million viewers per episode.
The show features stories that make viewers laugh and cringe, according to HBO Programming’s Executive Vice President Nina Rosenstein.
“At a time when even the smallest disagreements can spiral out of control, ‘Neighbors’ feels both hilariously absurd and surprisingly relatable,” Rosenstein said. “What makes the show special isn’t just the stories and people they find, but the empathy and humanity they bring to each episode.”
Connecticut
‘Serious’ crash closes Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury
DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Danbury drivers can expect hours-long closures on Sugar Hollow Road early Monday morning after a “serious” crash, according to local police.
Police said the morning crash has caused closures in both directions at the Ridgefield Line (Bennetts Farm Road) and at Miry Brook Road.
The road is expected to close for approximately three to four hours, police said.
Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes, including George Washington Highway and Route 53.
There are no words on injuries.
Additional information was not immediately available.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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Connecticut
Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) – People like Dena Pizzoferrato are changing what they put in their grocery carts after hearing about a cyclosporiasis outbreak.
“I’m kind of a little nervous so I’m looking to see what I buy right now,” Pizzoferrato said. “Today I didn’t buy any lettuce. I said I’m OK for now.”
Doctors say the illness is spread through parasites that make their way onto fresh produce. There have been 23 reported cases in Connecticut since May, but the CDC says the number is likely higher. Across the country, more than 840 cases and 86 hospitalizations have been reported in 31 states.
Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea that can last days to weeks. Doctors have not identified a source for the outbreak.
Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said a range of produce could be contaminated.
“Typical things you would think are vegetables or fruits. In the past, it’s been raspberries, basil, cilantro. You may find it in lettuces, bagged salads. So it’s a variety of things that can be contaminated, but they have not found it at this time,” said Wu.
Wu said residents should take precautions with their produce. “Take precautions with your fruit and your produce. We give the same advice when people go overseas that you should always peel something. You should always boil something,” he said.
Doctors also recommend washing produce thoroughly if boiling is not an option, and washing hands regularly.
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