Governor Dannel Malloy signed two pieces of legislation today designed to improve early childhood education and increase access to pre-kindergarten in the state. The bills increase funding for early childhood education and poorer school districts and creates a kindergarten to third grade literacy pilot program.
Bridgeport Votes for Medical Marijuana Yearlong Moratorium
The Bridgeport Planning and Zoning Commission has voted for a yearlong moratorium on accepting any applications from the medical marijuana industry. The clock begins ticking on June 3 and will give commissioners time to develop a strategy for reviewing proposals. The moratorium marks the completion of a reversal in how Bridgeport has approached the two-year-old legalization of medical marijuana in Connecticut.
Increase in Connecticut Electricity Rates
Electric rates in Connecticut are rising. Regulators have approved an 8 percent increase in electric generation rates for Connecticut Light & Power residential customers who do not get their electricity from competing suppliers. The increase announced last week boosts the average residential bill by $5.29 a month. CL&P is also asking regulators for permission to raise a separate rate by 5.9 percent to replace new equipment and improve reliable delivery of electricity.
Powerful Storm Closes Schools and Knocks Out Power
The National Weather service in Albany was in Connecticut today to investigate the nature of damage caused by a storm that blew through the western and southern parts of the state Tuesday night. Nearly 3,000 customers were without electricity in New Milford at one point. Schools in the Region 15 district were closed today because of storm-related power outages and unsafe road conditions.
Famed Author Angelou Dies at 86
Author and poet Maya Angelou, 86, who rose from poverty,and violence to become a force on stage and screen has died. Angelou was a professor of American studies at Wake Forest University since 1982. Angelou had been set to appear this week at the Major League Baseball Beacon Awards event, but cancelled in recent days because of an unspecified illness. She received the Chubb Fellowship at Yale University in 1970.