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COVID Rates Dip With Restrictions About To Lift
As Connecticut prepared to open bars and scale back restrictions on restaurants this weekend, Gov. Ned Lamont reported some of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in months during his Thursday news briefing. Read more
Connecticut Residents Could Qualify For Cheaper Health Insurance Beginning Saturday
Beginning Saturday, Connecticut residents can apply for unusually-discounted health insurance during a special enrollment period of the state insurance exchange coinciding with an influx of federal funds meant to reduce the cost of buying health care policies. Read more
Restaurants Can Start To Apply For Billions In Relief
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the restaurant industry, but help in the form of government grants is on the horizon. Christine Stuart reports for NBC Connecticut
COVID-19 Briefing: April 29
The governor announced another 486 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 36,200 tested, bringing the total number of cases to 338,447. The statewide positivity rate was 1.34%. Another 4 deaths from coronavirus-associated causes were reported, bringing the total to 8,084. The number of patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 decreased by 4 to 403.
Another Delay for Older Victims of Childhood Sexual Assault Seeking Justice
Older victims of childhood sexual assault, who currently are prohibited from suing their attackers, will have to wait at least another year to see if the state statute of limitations can be changed. The Day explains
Tong Joins Suit Challenging Secret Juvenile Court Cases
Attorney General William Tong has joined a lawsuit challenging the legality of confidential juvenile criminal trials, including murder cases, arguing a recent law that allowed for sealing certain cases is unconstitutional. Journal Inquirer has it
CT to Receive $8 Million in Settlement With Suboxone Maker
The state will receive about $8 million as part of an approximately $300 million multistate settlement with pharmaceutical company Indivior, which has been accused of wrongfully promoting its Suboxone drug to treat opioid addiction. New Haven Register has details
Sandy Hook Father Starts Virtual Camp For Those With Disabilities
Ian Hockley has a new project: a summer camp where he says his son, Dylan, would have felt understood. CT Public Radio has details
LOB ACTIVITIES, MEETINGS & EVENTS
TODAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL
The State Capitol Complex is currently closed until further notice.
GUN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION informational hearing with Education, Human Services, Judiciary and Public Health Committees will start at 9 a.m. via Zoom Agenda Watch
GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE will meet at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom Agenda Watch
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE will meet at 10 a.m. via Zoom Agenda Watch
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE will meet at 11 a.m. via Zoom Agenda Watch
OFF SITE
U.S. REP. COURTNEY will hold a virtual news conference at 11 a.m. to name the winner of the 2021 Congressional Arts Competition from schools throughout eastern Connecticut. Media RSVP
STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY from Connecticut’s state universities and colleges will hold a Fund Our Future rally and march to demand equity and access to quality public higher education starting at 11 a.m. at Capital Community College, 950 Main St., Hartford and marching to the state Capitol
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
RECOVERY FOR ALL COALITION will stage a mass "die-in" at the governor's residence, 990 Prospect Ave., at 12 p.m. Saturday, May 1, to call for a budget that builds a foundation for a more equitable Connecticut.
AG TONG and National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) President and District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine will co-host a national convening with the Attorney General Alliance centered on countering anti-AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) hate on Tuesday, May 4 from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Watch
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES, Center for Children’s Advocacy, US Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut will host a community forum titled, "Discrimination in Education: Giving Voice to Problems, Challenges and Solutions During COVID and Beyond" on May 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. More Information & To Register
THE AVALONIA LAND CONSERVANCY in collaboration with UConn and CT Sea Grant will be offering a four-part webinar series on climate change and forests. To Register.
- May 12 - “Experimenting with Climate-Adaptive Forestry Practices: Challenges and Opportunities,” led by Christopher Riely, a conservationist and licensed forester who works on projects in southern New England through his company, Sweet Birch Consulting LLC.
- June 9 - “Brave New Worlds for Trees: Assisted Migration and the Study of the Hoffman Preserve,” led by Juliana Barrett, extension educator and coastal habitat specialist with CT Sea Grant and UConn Extension.
PODCASTS
 ‘The Happiness Lab’ Professor On Ways We Can Be Happier
This week on NEXT, Yale Professor Laurie Santos gives us tips on how we can be happier. Plus, we’ll hear dream experts discuss the evolution of COVID-19 dreams. LISTEN
 Calling for Port Authority Resignations, A New President for The Sun
On Connecticut East this week, state Senator Paul Formica unloads on the Connecticut Port Authority and its board members over State Pier in New London. And the Connecticut Sun welcomes a new club President in former Uconn star Jen Rizzotti. LISTEN
CREAM & SUGAR
Opinion, Analysis and Other News
 Analysis: COVID-19 Cases Fall Unevenly
Susan Bigelow writes that coronavirus cases fell across the state for the second week in a row, and while the falloff wasn’t nearly as dramatic as last week’s 33% drop, it was still significant.
ICYMI: Lamont Goes Tooning
The governor made an - unusual appearance - on Late Night with Stephen Colbert's Tooning segment. Watch it here.
So Long, Tennis. Welcome Back, Concerts!
The center-court net was gone. Along with the court. Monster amps rose from a new concert stage. And a new era officially began for the Connecticut Tennis Center — as an outdoor concert venue called Westville Music Bowl. New Haven Independent has the scene
This week's op-eds:
 Opinion: Two Certainties In Life: Death and Tax Anxieties
Terry Cowgill looks at a kitchen sink's worth of tax proposals that are generating plenty of emotion this session
 Opinion: How to Downsize the Police
The most dramatic change we could make to policing would be to get officers out of the business of traffic enforcement, according to Susan Bigelow
 Opinion: When Data Becomes An Excuse To Prevent Change
Connecticut health policymaking is mired in endless data collection, analysis and presentations. Ellen Andrews writes that reports that all say the same thing pile up, but we never get to making the hard decisions and implementing solutions.
 Opinion: When the Government Steals Your Lunch Money
The treatment of small business trucking companies in Connecticut is like an undersized kid in grade school always getting his lunch money stolen by a bigger, stronger kid. Joseph R. Sculley of the Motor Transport Association of CT explains
 Opinion: A Small Step Toward Normalcy; A Big Thrill for Racing Fans
As Connecticut comes to terms with how best to implement the Governor’s vision for a modernized framework for betting, Sportech and its entire team continue to work hard to secure our place, as the state’s longstanding OTB operator, best positioned to continue serving Connecticut consumers. Read more from Sportech's Ted Taylor
GOVERNOR & LT. GOVERNOR'S DAY
The governor and lieutenant governor did not release public schedules in advance.
PUBLIC POLICY JOBS
LEGISLATIVE AIDE TO THE MAYOR: The Waterbury Mayor’s office is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to work directly with the Mayor and Chief of Staff on a range of topics including but not limited to: public affairs, communications, legislative affairs, economic development, and strategic initiatives. FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY
 YOUTH PROGRAM FACILITATOR – The Center for Latino Progress seeks an individual to facilitate workshops for high-school-age youth in the areas of social-emotional learning, career exploration, pre-vocational skills training, and project learning work experience. FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: CWEALF is seeking an experienced leader to guide this vibrant and highly recognized state-wide social justice and advocacy organization; a leader who is ready to work towards dismantling systemic oppression, champion gender equity, and fight to advance the rights of women and marginalized communities across Connecticut. FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY
• More job listings
• Post a job on our listing site ($10/week)
• Add your listing to our newsletter ($25/week)
• Add your listing both as an Extra Extra post on the home page of CTNewsJunkie.com and our newsletter ($50/week)
SHOUT OUTS
Congrats to Sten Spinella, who has been promoted to serve as The Day's government and politics reporter!
Happy birthday wishes to Frank Cirillo and Paul Doyle!
Don't forget to email ctnewsjunkie@gmail.com if you have a shout out for a friend or colleague.
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESS PATRONS
And here's a shoutout to all of you Press Patrons who support public service journalism. We asked our members to consider writing a short message about why they became subscribers. We were overwhelmed by the kindness you all expressed. THANK YOU ALL! We are eternally grateful.
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