Connecticut
Opinion: Don't believe the transit hype
Don’t believe everything you read or see in the media.
Sage advice on any topic, but especially when it comes to coverage of transportation. A couple of recent stories illustrate my point.
Improved cell service on Metro-North
Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto held a media event recently in Stamford to promote the fact that AT&T has improved its cell coverage along the New Haven line.
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<p>That telephone company spent $60 million installing 30 high-powered macro towers and small cell nodes, some of them on CDOT land, in a public-private partnership. Many are specifically aimed at dead spots in service on the trains.
<p>This is good news… if you are an AT&T subscriber. If you use Verizon or T-Mobile and find an area with no cell coverage on your commute, this won’t help you. The AT&T enhancements are for its customers only. That means only about a third of cellphone using commuters will benefit by this enhancement.
<p>There is no word from the other companies on how they might be filling holes in their service. But… it’s a start.
<p>However if you read the media coverage, you’d think <em>every </em>commuter’s cellphone coverage had been improved! “Cellphone service to get upgrade on Metro-North rail line,” proclaimed the Hearst papers. “Wireless service upgrades coming to New Haven line for CT commuters,” said WSHU public radio. “Gov. Lamont and AT&T launch $6M infrastructure project to improve wireless cell service for Metro-North commuters,” reports News12 TV.
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Improved cell coverage is a crucial issue for commuters looking to be more productive during train-time. But attention-grabbing headlines such as these may lead to a perception of better service. The more you’re told “cell service is getting better” the more you’ll think it is. Or so the pols hope.
But… don’t believe the hype.
Faster than Acela?
In April another media event, this time at Grand Central, celebrated faster train service from New Haven: three early morning (5 – 7 a.m.) super-express trains, one of them cutting ten minutes off its old running time, making that single train “faster than Acela.”
Great news… if you’re a pre-dawn-commuter from New Haven. Again, kudos to Metro-North for much needed signal and infrastructure improvements. But has the average commute to Grand Central really improved? Not really. The exception is not the rule.
With limited stops these super-express trains still average only 52 mph. Regular express trains get about 46 mph and locals run just 38 mph. Remember: the M-8 cars on Metro-North are capable of 80 mph.
How did the media portray these improvements?
“New Metro-North schedule, with shorter trips on New Haven line, now in effect,” trumpeted the Hearst papers. “Metro-North Is Faster Than Acela,” promised Bloomberg (quoting MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber).
The “faster than Acela” claim is technically true… for one Metro-North train. Keep in mind that New Haven to Grand Central Terminal is 73 miles, but to Penn Station (on Amtrak) is 75 miles. But not wanting to always sound like a grouch, I say good for Metro-North.
What worries me is the media coverage which over generalizes and lacks the caveats I’ve cited. Telling commuters repeatedly that their trains are running faster, when they are not, may be persuasive, but it is not accurate.
So, take media coverage of transportation with a grain of salt. The headlines don’t always tell the full story. And don’t believe the hype.
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I am proud to report that “Talking Transportation” recently won an award from CT-SPJ, the Society of Professional Journalists, first place in the General Column / Commentary category… just one of a dozen such honors awarded to the Connecticut Mirror.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — A New Haven man was sentenced to six years in federal prison on Monday for violating the terms of his release after he was found in possession of narcotics, including meth pills shaped like Super Mario in 2024.
According to the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, 33-year-old Ronnell Rogers was pulled over in New Haven on May 2, 2024, and was found with fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin packaged for distribution, and meth pills shaped like “cartoon characters,” including Mario.
Rogers had been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison in 2022 for drug distribution and firearm possession, as well as 14 months for violating the terms of his supervised release for a previous federal conviction for unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon. He was released in March 2024.
Rogers has been in federal custody since May 30, 2024, and pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
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, Millionaire 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 Sunday, May 10, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Cash 5 numbers from May 10 drawing
02-26-27-31-32
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play3 numbers from May 10 drawing
Day: 2-7-1, WB: 4
Night: 5-1-4, WB: 1
Check Play3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play4 numbers from May 10 drawing
Day: 1-5-5-1, WB: 1
Night: 9-6-7-1, WB: 5
Check Play4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life 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.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 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.
Lexie Brown had 17 points to lead the Seattle Storm to an 89-82 win over the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Sunday afternoon..
Former UConn Huskies women’s basketball star Stefanie Dolson had six points and four rebounds for the Storm while Katie Lou Samuelson did not dress as she continues her recovery from an ACL injury suffered during 2025 training camp. Olivia Nelson-Ododa had five points and one rebound for the Sun while Aaliyah Edwards sat out with a left thigh injury.
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