Sometimes, certain laws in a state can make you wonder whether they are fact or fiction. 

Some rather bizarre “laws” are nothing more than a myth, where others are clearly defined. 

Like every other state, Connecticut has some strange laws.

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One quite famous strange “law” of Connecticut regards pickles. 

Many online articles discuss a law in Connecticut stating that in order for a pickle to be considered a pickle, it must bounce. 

The subject was investigated by many sources, including The Connecticut State Library and NBC CT. 

Both point to the same article written in the Hartford Courant in 1948 as the source of the myth, where two pickle packers found themselves in legal trouble for selling pickles “unfit for human consumption.” 

One strange Connecticut “law,” which is actually a myth, provides that pickles must bounce.  (iStock)

When the “putrid” pickles were being tested, the Food and Drug Commissioner of the time, Frederick Holbrook, stated that a good test to tell whether a pickle was good or not was to “drop it one foot” and see if it bounced. 

A bouncy pickle makes a good pickle. 

When these particular pickles were dropped, they did not bounce and instead splattered, though the test was not the reason for the legal trouble. There were many laboratory tests also conducted. 

Even though the pickle law is fictional, there are other strange laws in the state that are real. 

Read about a few below. 

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1. Restrictions on silly string
2. Don’t release balloons
3. Limitations on arcade games

1. Restrictions on silly string

Minors aren’t trusted with silly string in Meriden, Connecticut. 

Silly string is often used in a celebratory fashion, but it can quickly cause a big mess. 

In the city of Meriden, silly string cannot be sold to minors unless they are with a parent or legal guardian. 

The specifics are laid out in Chapter 175 of Meriden law. 

Children of Meriden, Connecticut are not allowed to be sold silly string without a parent.  (iStock)

If a store is selling silly string or products similar to it, it must be locked up, held behind the sales counter or “in some other manner which restricts public access to such products.” 

The fine for breaking this law is $99. 

2. Don’t release balloons

There are many occasions where balloons are purposefully released into the air. Many states have cracked down on this practice and have created laws limiting the release of balloons, or banning the act completely. 

To date, there are ten states, including Connecticut, that have some sort of law regarding the release of balloons into the air, according to CBS News. Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware are others. 

Connecticut General Statute Section 26-25C details this law. 

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The law prevents the release of ten or more “helium or lighter-than-air gas balloons” into the atmosphere during a 24-hour period. 

Though the release of balloons may seem harmless, and a law against it could seem rather strange, celebratory balloons could pose a danger to wildlife.

Animals could mistake balloons for food, causing harm or, in certain cases, death, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes on its website. 

The strings of balloons can also be dangerous for animals, as they could get tangled up in them, the federal agency additionally notes. 

Ten or more balloons may not be released into the air in Connecticut.  (iStock)

3. Limitations on arcade games

Did you know that Rocky Hill, Connecticut, has a law involving arcade games? 

The details are laid out in Chapter 81 of the town’s legislation. 

Described in the law is the regulation that no “more than four mechanical amusement devices” are allowed. 

As part of the law, individuals, partnerships, corporations, clubs or associations can not “have in any place within a permanent structure open to the general public or occupied by any club or association any mechanical amusement device without first having obtained a license therefor.”

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“Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A, no person shall have in any place within a permanent structure open to the general public more than four mechanical amusement devices,” the law also states. 

Those who break this law face a fine of $25 for each day of violation. 

South Carolina is another state that has a strange arcade law. Its law is specific to pinball. Those under the age of 18 are not allowed to play the popular game.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday imposed a temporary drone flight ban across parts of New York state, including Brooklyn, Queens, and two communities on Long Island. The restriction, which is set to last until January 18, is part of a broader effort to secure critical infrastructure sites, including energy facilities and government buildings, as drone sightings continue to spark fears and uncertainty in the region.
“Precautionary action” or real threat?
Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York reassured the public that the ban was precautionary in nature, emphasizing that “there are no threats to these sites.” However, with the restriction affecting critical areas like Far Rockaway in Queens, Ridge, and Garden City on Long Island, many are left wondering if authorities know more than they are letting on.
Meanwhile, the FAA’s move comes after a similar ban was imposed in New Jersey earlier this week, covering a significant portion of the state, including Camden, Elizabeth, and Jersey City. The restrictions, which will last through January 17, are part of a response to rising concerns over drone activity near sensitive infrastructure, such as the Salem Nuclear Generating Station in Lower Alloways Creek.
“This is an extremely important site,” Rep. Jeff Van Drew Says of Nuclear Plant
Rep. Jeff Van Drew, whose district includes Salem County, voiced his concerns over recent reports of drones near the nuclear facility. “This is tactically an extremely important site,” Van Drew explained, highlighting the importance of the facility, which generates nearly half of New Jersey’s power. PSE&G, the operator of Salem Nuclear, confirmed that the company had requested the FAA impose flight restrictions near the facility for safety reasons.
While there has been no direct evidence of a threat, the urgency surrounding the drone sightings has escalated. Van Drew criticized the federal government for not providing more concrete details on the incidents, noting that “what scares people is uncertainty.”
A broader concern spreads across the region
As drone sightings have become more frequent, public concern has intensified. In Connecticut, Republican lawmakers are now calling for similar drone restrictions to protect the state’s critical infrastructure, with a collective question hanging in the air: “What about Connecticut?”
In New Jersey, Rep. Josh Gottheimer expressed frustration over the lack of transparency. “They must brief the public on the reasons for their action,” he stated. He worried that without a clear explanation, the FAA’s broad ban could create even more confusion and panic among residents and businesses in the affected areas.
Confusion and difficulties for pilots
Patrick E. Bradley, an aviation lawyer and pilot based in Princeton, New Jersey, remarked on the unusual nature of the FAA’s decision, pointing out that he has never seen such an extensive set of restrictions in over 40 years of flying. “All of these minuscule, tiny, temporary flight restrictions – I’ve never seen that done before,” Bradley said, adding that the complexity of the bans could lead to confusion for both drone operators and airplane pilots trying to navigate the airspace.
The FAA’s restrictions apply only to drone operators, but consequences for violators are severe. Pilots found flying drones in restricted areas could face federal detention or questioning. Many commercial drones are registered with the FAA, making it easier for authorities to track down violators. However, there is still concern over how hobbyists or recreational drone users may be discovered.
Security concerns or overreaction?
Despite repeated assurances from federal officials that there is no immediate security threat, the uncertainty surrounding the drone sightings continues to fuel speculation. Dana Gallagher, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, stated, “We continue to assess there is no public safety threat relating to the reported drone sightings,” while maintaining that the FAA acted out of an abundance of caution.
As drone sightings continue to proliferate, with numerous reports across New Jersey, New York, and other northeastern states, the question remains: Are these drones merely harmless misidentifications of helicopters or planes, or is there something more sinister at play? Only time will tell whether the FAA’s swift actions are a prudent response to potential threats or an overreaction to a growing sense of anxiety.
For now, New Yorkers and New Jerseyans, along with drone operators across the region, will have to adjust to the new temporary restrictions—waiting to see if this is a momentary precaution or the beginning of a broader regulatory crackdown.

One day after an audit raised concerns about spending by top executives, officials with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) vowed to impose more financial control.

“I understand people’s frustration, I understand people’s disappointment and we have to take that very seriously,” CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng said after a Board of Regents meeting Thursday at CT State Community College Manchester.

Cheng was the focus of an audit released Wednesday by Comptroller Sean Scanlon that reviewed how he and other administrators used their state-issued credit cards, or P-cards.

The audit found Cheng often exceeded limits for meals, occasionally purchased alcohol and hired a driving service three times despite the state providing transportation for him.

The audit also found questionable spending by some presidents at the system’s four state universities and 12 community colleges.

Cheng said he is looking to implement Scanlon’s 10 recommendations. Those involve clear, consistent polices and creating more financial oversight.

Board of Regents Chairman Martin Guay also said the system needs to impose changes to restore public trust.

“This is very fixable and it will be fixed,” Guay said.

Guay agreed on the need for more oversight, especially after regents cut eliminating internal auditing operations in 2017 as a way to save money.

Guay noted Cheng is no longer using his P-Card and the CSCU system is re-evaluating when a school’s nonprofit foundation should pay for an administrator’s meal or other costs.

Cheng said he’s still reviewing Wednesday’s audit, but hopes to start working on system-wide P-Card policy and other measures. He wants to implement changes over the next 100 days.

But questions remain about whether Cheng will be the one to make those changes.

Republican lawmakers called for Cheng’s termination Wednesday. Guay said he isn’t ready to make that determination.

He wants to talk with Scanlon to learn more about his findings, as well as with CSCU’s financial leaders and attorney.

“We don’t know enough to make that kind of a decision so we’re not making that right now,” he said.

Governor Ned Lamont expressed his support for Cheng while speaking with reporters at an unrelated event in Hartford.

Students, meanwhile, expressed frustration. The audit’s findings detailed spending over a three-year period that coincided with tuition increases and unpopular cost saving moves.

This includes a consolidation of community colleges that has drawn criticism from students and faculty.

“We do expect a level of credibility and accountability from our leaders,” CT State Community College Manchester student Darren Mack said.

Guay said he understands the audit undermines the CSCU system’s efforts to control costs.

“You make progress and something like this happen and you get – it becomes problematic with trust,” he said.