GUN TESTIMONY
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Connecticut lawmakers have heard testimony for and against proposals to ban bump stocks and regulate so-called “ghost” guns made from parts ordered online. The legislature’s Judiciary Committee held a public hearing Friday. Dozens of people signed up to speak, while more than 300 submitted written testimony. Gun control advocates including high school students supported the proposals. Gun rights supporters opposed them. One bill would ban bump stock devices designed to make semi-automatic rifles mimic fully automatic weapons. The other would regulate ghost guns, requiring people to engrave serial numbers on the weapons and register them with the state. The hearing comes a day before gun violence protests planned worldwide in response to last month’s school massacre in Parkland, Florida.
LOCAL POLICE CHIEFS WELCOME FED MONEY TO FIGHT OPIOID ABUSE
A big boost for local police departments trying to fight the opioid crisis. The Omnibus spending bill signed today by President Donald Trump includes three-billion dollars in new money for states now battling the epidemic. Norwich police chief Pat Daley says the scale of the problem is putting a major strain on his department. New London police chief Peter Reichard says additional federal funding to combat the opioid problem will take the pressure off local cities and towns. Reichard and Daley met with Congressman Joe Courtney and other members of law enforcement this afternoon at the Ledyard Police Department.
MORE MONEY FOR SUBS, TOO
It’s good news for the local submarine industry, thanks to the 1-point-3 trillion dollar omnibus spending bill signed today by President Donald Trump. The measure includes funding for as much as 13 Virginia-class submarines, to be built between 2019 and 2023. Second District Congressman Joe Courtney welcomes the news, adding he thinks it will be 12 subs that will be built, since that’s what the ship-building facilities are capable of handling. In all, military spending goes up 66-billion dollars as compared to last year. The spending bill funds the federal government through the end of September.
NEW UCONN COACH WELCOMED
CALLING IT A DREAM COME TRUE, DAN HURLEY WAS INTRODUCED TODAY AS THE NEW MEN’S HEAD BASKETBALL COACH AT UCONN. THE 45-YEAR-OLD HURLEY COMES TO STORRS BY WAY OF RHODE ISLAND, WHERE HE LED THE RAMS TO TWO CONSECUTIVE NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES. HE CALLED UCONN ONE OF THE GREAT BRANDS IN ALL OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL. HURLEY RECEIVES A 6-YEAR CONTRACT TO REPLACE KEVIN OLLIE, FIRED AMIDST AN NCAA INVESTIGATION OF THE PROGRAM AND CONSECUTIVE LOSING SEASONS.
UNTIMELY DEATH IN GROTON
Groton Town police say a woman found dead this morning at the Ramada Inn on King’s Highway is being called an untimely death. Police were called shortly before 7:30 AM to the hotel for a report of a woman not breathing. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not been released yet. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact town police at 860-441-6712.
REPORTED ASSAULTS UP A BIT AT COAST GUARD ACADEMY
NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) – The U.S. Coast Guard says there were five reports of sexual assault or other sexual offenses at its service academy in the 2015-2016 school year. That’s an increase over the previous year, when there were four reports. There were eight reports in the 2013-2014 school year. Congress receives an annual report on sexual harassment and violence at the New London-based academy. The academy provided it to The Associated Press on Friday. Four of the reported offenses were prosecuted. The report says there was insufficient evidence in one case. In a survey, fewer cadets reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact. The academy is developing additional training. Assault reports have risen at the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy, while dropping at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
MIKUTEL RUNNING AGAIN
Former state representative Steve Mikutel of Griswold is looking to get back into the legislature. The Democrat announces Friday he’ll be seeking the 45th District seat, which he held from 1993 to 2015. Mikutel says he’s running because he believes the state has failed to come through with needed money for cities and towns. Mikutel is challenging incumbent Republican Kevin Skulczyk, who’s seeking a second term. The 45th district covers Griswold, Lisbon, Plainfield, Sterling, and Voluntown.
