MALLOY TELLS LOCAL UCONN STUDENTS TO FIGHT CUTS
CALLING THEM “ANTI-INTELLECTUAL,” GOVERNOR DANNEL MALLOY CONTINUES TO RAIL AGAINST CUTS TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE REPUBLICAN-CRAFTED STATE BUDGET PLAN SENT TO HIM BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY… SPEAKING AT UCONN’S AVERY POINT CAMPUS IN GROTON TODAY, THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE CUTS WOULD DEAL A SETBACK NOT ONLY THE UNIVERSITY, BUT ALSO TO CONNECTICUT’S ECONOMY. HE URGED STUDENTS TO ACT, BY CONTACTING THEIR STATE LAWMAKERS. UCONN SAYS THE CUTS WOULD FORCE THE CLOSURE OF ITS HEALTH CENTER AND SOME REGIONAL CAMPUSES— AND THE ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN DIVISION-ONE SPORTS.
TOPPING-OFF AT MOHEGAN SUN
The final steel beam is raised and lowered into place by a crane during a special topping off ceremony today for a new Exposition and Convention Center at Mohegan Sun. Tribal Chairman Kevin Brown says the 80-million dollar facility is another example of the Mohegan’s dedication to southeastern Connecticut. The steel beam used in the topping off ceremony was signed by iron workers and members of the Mohegan Tribal Council. The 240-thousand square foot Exposition and Convention Center is expected to open in June.
MOHEGAN CHIEF: BIA LIKES TRIBAL CASINO PLAN
The chairman of the Mohegan Tribe says the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs is okay with a planned East Windsor casino, to be jointly run by the Mohegan and Mashantucket-Pequot tribes. Kevin Brown says there has been no indication that the BIA rejects the plan. MGM officials, who are building a casino complex in nearby Springfield, Massachusetts, and want to build one in Bridgeport, claim the Bureau hasn’t been clear about its support of the tribal project. Brown admits a September 15th letter from the BIA is somewhat confusing. It says any action from the department is premature and likely unnecessary. Senator Richard Blumenthal says the BIA’s position should be made clearer.
STATE FIRE CHIEFS DEMAND PROGRESS IN FIGHTING OPIOID ABUSE
The Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association is demanding lawmakers do something about the state’s opioid abuse epidemic. The letter says elected officials and others should take action now to institute treatment programs and long-term follow-up efforts to help those who are addicted. The chiefs say the time for talk is over, it’s now time to do something to stop those who are illegally supplying the drugs.
INSURANCE CO. ATTORNEYS QUESTION CARMAN
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Insurance company lawyers are blasting a man whose mother was lost at sea, saying he made suspicious alterations to his boat before it sank in 2016. Lawyers for Nathan Carman’s insurance company said Monday in federal court documents that the Vermont man is refusing to cooperate as they investigate his claim for what they call the “curious” sinking of his boat. Carman’s mother, Linda, is presumed dead after his boat sank during a fishing trip they took out of Rhode Island. Carman also is “a person of interest” in the 2013 slaying of his millionaire grandfather in Connecticut. Monday’s filing says Carman’s refusal to cooperate is “evasive and not in good faith” and says much evidence is missing, including Linda Carman. Nathan Carman’s lawyers didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment.
STATE CRIME STATS
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Murders and non-negligent manslaughters decreased 33 percent in Connecticut from 2015 to 2016, but the state saw a slight uptick in overall violent crime. The FBI released new data from its Uniform Crime Reporting Program on Monday. There were 78 murders and non-negligent manslaughters in Connecticut in 2016, down from 116 the year before. Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says the 33 percent decrease was the largest in the country, which saw an 8.6 percent increase in such killings. Overall violent crimes in Connecticut including murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults increased 2.3 percent to 8,123 in 2016. Malloy says the murder total in the state last year was the lowest since 1969, and the state has seen the largest drop in violent crimes nationwide over the past four years.
LOADED GUN IN BACKPACK
New London police are investigating the discovery of a loaded gun in a kid’s backpack left in the parking lot of a city funeral home. Police say the director of the Byles-McDougall Funeral Home discovered the gun in the lower rear parking lot of the Huntington Street business September 12th, and called police. A size 8 and a half foot right sneaker was also found in the backpack. Police say the Rossi 38-special had not been reported stolen.
