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Opinion: Let’s protect CT's men and women who keep the lights on

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Opinion: Let’s protect CT's men and women who keep the lights on


Most people don’t think much about their basic utility services. Electricity, natural gas and water just show up – a testament to the tens of thousands of utility workers across our state and country who keep those services working night and day and regardless of the weather. It’s a hard job, but utility workers are tough.

To keep all these services functioning, utilities must continually invest in the critical infrastructure to ensure those systems work. If you don’t invest in that infrastructure, over time, these systems break down because they are out in the elements, or they simply become old and outdated. Across Connecticut, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) are doing this infrastructure maintenance daily to make sure the lights stay on.

Michael Monahan Credit: Michael Monahan

As a leader in the labor union which represents thousands of electrical workers in our state, let me assure you this work never stops to ensure reliable service for customers. But Connecticut may soon not be able to adequately invest in our water, gas and electric infrastructure. And without those investments, our state’s energy system will suffer, as will Connecticut’s utility workers.

This is because several utilities in Connecticut recently had their creditworthiness downgraded by rating agencies. Now, when those utilities go to borrow money from lenders so they can invest in maintaining their infrastructure, those borrowing costs will be higher. These utilities may be forced to forgo investments in their infrastructure because they cost too much, or utility customers are going to be forced to pay higher utility bills to compensate for those higher borrowing costs.

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These credit downgrades occurred because the state’s utility regulators have created an uncertain environment that has thrown cold water on investment in our state’s energy system. Worse, unless regulators quickly step in to strengthen our utilities, more credit downgrades are on the horizon.

And this problem is only going to grow – quickly. Connecticut has immediate needs for infrastructure investment. In the case of electricity, we are going to need more power as data centers and electric vehicles proliferate. We need a regulatory environment that protects customers and workers while allowing for continuous and long-term investments in the electric grid. These changes will allow us to meet the needs of tomorrow and to enhance the grid to be more resilient to severe weather.

We are already seeing the direct consequences of the actions which have been taken by leaders in Connecticut. Job growth in this critical sector is at risk, as we have seen our union brothers and sisters see more opportunities outside of Connecticut in neighboring states like Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. IBEW’s members are neighbors, coaches, volunteers, and active members of their communities in Connecticut. They shouldn’t be worried about whether their jobs are safe in the state they call home because of regulatory policies that have made their job security a riskier proposition.

A failure to improve regulatory certainty will continue to have a detrimental impact on Connecticut’s union workers and residents who rely on utility services. We hope immediate action will be taken to address this issue in Hartford to bring certainty back to Connecticut for the benefit of working men and women and Connecticut’s utility customers.

Mike Monahan is the vice president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), District 2, which covers the New England states.

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Connecticut

HBO casting in CT for neighbor dispute docuseries

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.”





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‘Serious’ crash closes Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury

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‘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.

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There are no words on injuries.

Additional information was not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.


Download the News 8 app to get breaking news and weather alerts.

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Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.



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Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut

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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.

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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.

Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.

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