Over 20,000 customers are without power today across western Connecticut after storms brought down trees and power lines.

Eversource reports 20,067 customers without electricity. United Illuminating has restored power to all of its customers.

Many estimated restoration times remain pending, and crews have not released updated timetables for several outages.

Residents are being urged to check with their utility companies for the latest information on when service may return.

One of Connecticut’s most storied homes has sold for just over $9 million.

Known as Pebbles, the six-bedroom, Georgian Revival mansion was designed in 1927 by architect Francis Hamilton. It was once the home of celebrated English playwright Noël Coward and his partner, Broadway producer John C. Wilson.

Pebbles also became a summer retreat for famous guests like Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, fashion editor Diana Vreeland and Broadway legend Richard Rodgers.

The grand estate is surrounded by manicured hedges on nearly 3 acres at 828 Sasco Hill Road in Fairfield, with views of the Country Club of Fairfield, Southport Harbor, Long Island Sound and the Manhattan skyline.

It first hit the market for $10.25 million last May and was last asking $9.75 million.

Coward’s witty, funny plays about sex, class and love — like “Private Lives” and “Blithe Spirit” — still charm today. But his real life was even more fascinating. After briefly serving in World War I, he worked as an actor while writing plays, before serving as a British spy in World War II, when he also sang to entertain troops and created popular war movies.

After the war, Coward continued his career in the United States, where he performed in Las Vegas, and then for television.

The grandly proportioned home includes formal rooms with fireplaces, high ceilings, curved windows and terraces with views of the water and the lush, landscaped grounds.

A main bedroom suite upstairs boasts another fireplace and a spa-like bath. Outside, there’s a striking pool, where the 1968 cult-classic film “The Swimmer,” starring Burt Lancaster, was filmed.

The listing brokers are Wendy Ryan and Andrew Whiteley of Brown Harris Stevens.

Connecticut lawmakers are again considering a two‑cent‑per‑ounce tax on sugary drinks that would be used to pay for universal free school meals across the state.

Under the plan, a two‑cent‑per‑ounce tax would raise the cost of a 2‑liter bottle of soda from $1.99 to $3.35.

The tax would generate funding to reimburse public school districts that provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.

“School meals are an important part of the day for the young people, that level of nutrition, and we believe that all students should have it,” Sen. Gary Winfield said. “And a way of supporting it was thinking about the sugary drinks that we have.”

The American Heart Association, which supports the proposal, commissioned polling of Connecticut residents and found that 79% of respondents favor the tax. (Read the commissioned research by the STATS group here.)

“Rarely do you see this level of agreement or support for a particular proposal,” said Kenneth Dautrich, an associate professor emeritus at UConn.

Universal school lunches are already available in Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and New York, according to testimony submitted by Dr. Tatiana Andreyeva, Associate Professor at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health at the University of Connecticut.

Scott Dolch, president and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association, said the increased cost could impact businesses.

The tax would be paid at the distributor level when it is sold to retailers. Dolch believes it would be passed along to the consumer.

“They can’t eat that,” Dolch said. “Restaurants survive off of, on average, a 3% profit margin.

As written, the tax would also cover certain alcoholic drinks, including cocktails, mojitos, and espresso martinis. Beer and wine industry advocates told the committee Monday that decreased alcohol demand has already put pressure on their businesses.

Last month, Gov. Ned Lamont announced his proposed budget includes funding for universal free breakfast. It would also make lunch free for students who qualify for reduced‑price meals.

Rep. Joe Polletta said Republicans oppose creating another tax to support a universal lunch program.

“Folks on my side of the aisle do not agree with creating yet another tax in Connecticut to pay for something,” Polletta said. “We should find the money in the budget if we think it’s a good plan and a laudable goal.”

A similar measure was proposed last year but did not advance out of committee.

Winfield said he hopes he and other supporters can communicate more clearly this year to answer concerns raised previously.

“Clearly, we want to get to some of the folks who had opposition within the building, and then we’ll see what we get out of it,” Winfield said.