Connecticut
'Potential Security Threat' Closes Carnival At Milford Mall
MILFORD, CT —The Connecticut Post Mall said in a Facebook post that the carnival was closed on Saturday after noon due to a “potential security threat.”
“We are working closely and in full cooperation with the local police and carnival organizers as they evaluate a potential security threat that occurred earlier today,” mall officials wrote. “Out of an abundance of precaution and because the safety and security of our guests, employees and retailers is our top priority, the decision was made to close the carnival this afternoon. We anticipate the carnival will re-open tomorrow. CT Post Mall will communicate carnival hour updates on our website and social media pages.”
No other details about the “potential security threat” have been released by mall officials.
Find out what’s happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Carnival at the Connecticut Post Mall at 1201 Boston Post Road runs through May 5.
The event promises fun for the whole family with carnival rides, games, food wagons, and more.
The carnival will be weekdays 5 to 11 p.m. and weekends 1 to 11 p.m. The event is located in the mall’s rear parking lot near Boscov’s and Dave & Buster’s.
Find out what’s happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
More information is available at the mall’s website.
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Connecticut
Connecticut takes aim at the college affordability crisis — 'We're trying to do everything we can,' governor says
Hartford, Connecticut
Sean Pavone | Istock | Getty Images
When it comes to improving access to higher education, each state is largely left to its own devices. Some are trying a broader array of tactics than others.
Connecticut, for example, recently rolled out several programs to establish pathways to college and lower the debt burden.
Connecticut has also maintained one of the largest wealth gaps in the country for years. The state is hoping its college aid endeavors could help change that.
Getting a degree offers the best shot at social mobility, according to Anthony Carnevale, director of Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce, which could help narrow the income divide.
Still, these plans have mostly flown under the radar. “We have these incentive programs, but nobody knows about them,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont told CNBC.
Here’s a closer look at three of those initiatives — and how they’ve fared so far.
Free college program
“We’re trying to do everything we can to make education less expensive to start with,” Lamont said.
Like a growing number of states, Connecticut recently introduced a free tuition program for students attending community college either full- or part-time. In Connecticut, students receive “last-dollar” scholarships, meaning the program pays for whatever tuition and fees are left after federal aid and other grants are applied.
Since the program started, in the 2020-21 academic year, nearly 34,000 students have participated.
Free college is one of the best ways to combat the college affordability crisis, some experts say, because it appeals more broadly to those struggling in the face of rising college costs, rather than the student loan burden after the fact. A federal effort has yet to get off the ground, although President Joe Biden continues to push for free community college nationwide and included it in his $7.3 trillion budget for fiscal 2025.
However, critics say that lower-income students, through a combination of existing grants and scholarships, already pay little in tuition to two-year schools, if anything at all.
Further, free college programs do not generally cover books or other expenses, such as room and board, that lower-income students also struggle with.
Automatic admission program
To make a four-year degree more accessible, Connecticut introduced an automatic admission program to some Connecticut colleges for high school seniors in the top 30% of their class.
The program, signed into law in 2021, aims to make it easier for high school students, especially those from underserved communities, to go to college. In the most recent application cycle, 2,706 students were offered direct admission through the program.
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Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Chancellor Terrence Cheng said the free-tuition program and the automatic admissions program “are just two examples of steps CSCU and the state have taken to remove barriers to higher education, particularly for first-generation college and minoritized students.”
And yet, for lower-income students, the cost can still be a deterrent, said Sandy Baum, senior fellow at Urban Institute’s Center on Education Data and Policy.
“Both admitting students and telling them how easy it is to pay for it is most helpful, but for students on the margin, they face so many expenses in addition to tuition they will still need to overcome,” Baum said.
Student loan payment tax credit
Next up, the state is rolling out a student loan repayment program to lessen graduates’ debt burden.
In 2019 Lamont signed Public Act 19-86, which created a new tax credit for Connecticut employers who help pay off their employees’ student loans. The tax credit was expanded in 2022 and will be implemented in the months ahead.
“It helps the student, it pays down their debt, makes it very predictable [and] gives businesses an incentive to hire, so it’s a great economic development driver,” Lamont said.
Still, some graduates already pay little or nothing through the federal government’s income-driven repayment plans, Baum said, so borrowers may be better served with a salary increase. “If employers paid more, that would be a lot more fair.”
Ultimately, these programs are all helpful to some degree, but successfully narrowing the wealth gap — in Connecticut and elsewhere — should include assistance for students while they are in college, Baum said.
Improving student outcomes by providing academic and social support in addition to financial aid is the best way to level the playing field, she said.
Many young adults start college, fewer finish. “Rather than focusing on getting people in the door … getting people through is going to have a much bigger impact,” Baum said.
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.
Connecticut
Meet RJ Julia Booksellers, a local bookstore housed in a 105-year-old Connecticut building
Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.
Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert book recommendations.
This week we have RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, Connecticut!
RJ Julia Booksellers opened 30 years ago as an independent bookstore with a mission to be a place where words matter, where writer meets reader and where the ambiance and book selection creates an opportunity for discovery.
The store hosts more that 300 events each year and has won several major awards, including Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year, Lucile Pannell award for bookselling excellence, Connecticut Magazine Best Bookstore, Connecticut Retailers Award for Community Commitment, the Advocate’s Best Bookstore and the New Haven Business Small Business Award.
The building was built in 1919, and has been home to several businesses. When RJ Julia founder Roxanne J. Coady bought the building in 1989, it was carefully restored. Today, the beautiful historic building is filled with restored or replicated features, like the tin tile ceiling, as well as tributes to the businesses that lived there before RJ Julia.
Marketing Manager Elizabeth Bartek revealed her favorite section. “The entire second floor is dedicated to young readers,” she said. “Including ‘A Room of One’s Own,’ featuring a wide variety of young adult novels!”
Bartek says indie bookstores are a vital part of creating and sustaining community and connection.
“At our indie bookstore, we have built an enduring community. We’ve watched children become parents, celebrated as long-time customers became grandparents, and watched families grow and change, experiencing both joy and sadness. Together, by shopping locally and supporting independently-owned businesses, we can preserve that sense of place and connection.
“The continued enthusiasm and loyalty from our customers allows us to be proud passionate members of our community — to continue employing local townspeople, paying taxes in our community, and donating to local nonprofits.”
RJ Julia has an event scheduled nearly every day of the week! Fans of Erik Larson can find him in store on May 23, where he’ll be discussing his latest title “The Demon of Unrest.” If a story time is more your style, Amy Guglielmo will read her new Lucille Ball biography, “Lucy!”, and lead a craft session on June 1.
You can find the details for these events and more on RJ Julia’s events calendar!
Check out these books recommended by the RJ Julia staff:
“The Mysteries” by Bill Watterson
“The Museum of Ordinary People” by Mike Gayle
Connecticut
Wild video shows smash-and-grab thieves trash Connecticut jewelry store
A pair of masked thieves armed with heavy hammers committed a brazen midday smash-and-grab heist at a jewelry store in Connecticut Thursday afternoon.
Police in Westport said on Facebook they’re searching for the culprits, who drove away in a black BMW sedan after bashing in several display cases at Lux Bond & Green.
“Employees of the store reported two individuals wearing masks and gloves entered the store with sledgehammers and began smashing display cases with sledgehammers,” cops said. “The employees safely retreated to the rear of the store and had no interaction with the suspects.”
How much merchandise the thieves stole wasn’t immediately clear. The store did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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