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State Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting in Bridgeport


Dems Call for Special Prosecutor Following Comey Firing

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Democratic members of Congress on Tuesday called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate any ties between President Donald Trump and Russia.

The members of the Senate and House were responding to Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey earlier in the day.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumental of Connecticut tweeted that the firing of Comey "compromises investigation of White House ties to Russians – no doubt now special prosecutor is necessary."

U.S. Dick Durbin of Illinois, meanwhile, said the firing "raises the critical question as to whether the FBI investigation of Russian interference in the last presidential campaign will continue and as to whether the investigation of any collusion or involvement by the Trump campaign will also be investigated by the FBI. Any attempt to stop or undermine this FBI investigation would raise grave constitutional issues."

"Under these circumstances, I renew my call for an independent counsel and a special commission to fully investigate the Russian interference. We await clarification by the White House as soon as possible as to whether this investigation will continue and whether it will have a credible leader so that we know it will have a just outcome.”

Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont said Trump's firing of Comey is "nothing less than Nixonian."

Leahy called Trump's justification for the firing — that Comey had treated Hillary Clinton unfairly in his investigation of her use of a private email server — "absurd."

"The President in fact celebrated the Director’s egregious mistakes in that investigation. That fig leaf explanation seeks to cover the undeniable truth: The President has removed the sitting FBI Director in the midst of one of the most critical national security investigations in the history of our country — one that implicates senior officials in the Trump campaign and administration," Leahy said.

He said that "this cascading situation demands the prompt appointment of an independent Special Counsel to pick up the pieces of these investigations."

Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio tweeted, "Now more than ever, we need an independent investigation into Russian ties to ensure American people can have full confidence in findings."

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warren of Virginia said "the only way this administration can begin to demonstrate a commitment to the rule of law, which has so far been sorely lacking, is to cooperate fully with the ongoing congressional investigations and to support the appointment of an independent special counsel."

Many Congress members quickly took to social media expressing agreement about the need for an independent probe.




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Timeline: Former FBI Director James Comey’s Fall From Grace

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Former FBI Director James Comey received high marks from members of both sides of the aisle until the Hillary Clinton email controversy.

NBC News took a look at how Comey went from being a respected leader of one of the government's highest law enforcement agencies to a Washington lightning rod.

Comey's leadership tenure with the FBI began in September 2013 when former President Barack Obama appointed him. Two years later, the FBI began investigating the security Clinton's email server.

He was fired on Tuesday, May 9, by President Trump.



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CT Health Insurance Rates Poised to Rise in 2018

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For people or businesses purchasing health insurance plans for 2018, they are likely to see higher premiums than 2017.

Insurers provided their proposed rate increases to the State Department of Insurance for plans that would be offered for purchase both on Access Health Connecticut and off the state's healthcare marketplace.

Connecticare and Anthem filed rate increases, signaling that each would remain on Access Health.

Connecticare attempted to leave Access Health CT last year after its rate increases were scaled back considerably by the Department of Insurance.

In 2016, there were five insurers offering plans, but by 2017 there only two.

For group plans on Access Health Connecticut, Connecticare and Anthem are looking to raise rates by an average of 8.8 percent and 31.6 percent, respectively.

For individual plans offered on the exchange, Connecticare and Anthem are proposing rate increases that average 15.2 percent and 33.8 percent respectively.

The overarching justification from all insurers, which includes companies like United Health, Harvard Pilgrim, Aetna, and Oxford Health that are offering plans off of Access Health Connecticut, is that more people require healthcare services and more people need prescription drugs. The companies argue their proposed rate increases are justified since they have to provide more healthcare services than in the past.

Connecticut is also reeling from what the possible fallout could be if the Republican-passed healthcare bill becomes law. The US Senate still needs to act, but leadership there has said the final bill will not be the House version.

That's the hope of Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, who's led the state's efforts to comply as much as possible with the Affordable Care Act.

“I think the only thing redeeming in it is that it’s going to go to the Senate and hopefully they will change it because right now there is nothing in that bill that’s going to protect people from losing health insurance," Wyman said during an interview Tuesday.

Others, like community health centers are fearful that their patients may no longer have coverage due to funding cuts contained in the bill.

For Medicaid specifically, healthcare for the poor, a scaleback of Medicaid expansion or payments to states could lead to fewer people receiving care and less money for hiring.

“Obviously if there are cuts to Medicaid, to the Medicaid program, we won’t be able to afford staff salaries, or clinical staff salaries. So, all of that affects a patient’s ability to gain access to quality care," said Nichelle Mullins, President & CEO of Charter Oak Health in Hartford.

Mullins said she's seen firsthand how more people than ever have received healthcare as a result of the law that was the hallmark of the Obama administration.

“Those are the people who now have access to care and they are at risk of losing their care.”



Photo Credit: AP

1 Dead Following Woodbury Crash on Route 64

CT Realtors Want to See Home Sales Bounce Back

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Realtors from across the state of Connecticut rallied at the State Capitol for one thing: a state they can sell to would-be home buyers.

The common thread among real estate agents is that even though Connecticut has an inventory of homes for sale, many of them are out reach for the average buyer, which they say has to do with a struggling state economy.

“Homes in Connecticut are just not affordable," said Michael Barbaro, President of CT Realtors. "They’re attainable through First Time Homebuyer and down payment assistance programs but you have to be able to afford to live in that home and you have to be able to maintain it, so low paying jobs in any economy are not a good thing so we need to again, build it out. We need to build our way out of this mess.”

Recent job gains at Sikorsky, Electric Boat, and Pratt and Whitney have been helpful, agents said, but they haven't been enough to make a dent in the inventory statewide.

They said even though those are jobs in areas where some homes are affordable, they need to see more statewide success.

"Connecticut should be a friendly state to do business in regardless of the name of your company or whether you work for the government or whatever you do for a living,” Barbaro added.

Even with that, many realtors are optimistic. They said homes in towns with good school systems continue to sell, and said they're optimistic about the future and Connecticut emerging from its economic malaise.

Mike Feldman is a real estate agent from Stamford and said he thinks there is daylight for the market in Connecticut after a tough decade.

“We’re still fighting the overhang of some of the foreclosures and the homes that are underwater value-wise compared to what their mortgages are, but we’re seeming to work through those a little bit slower than the rest of the country, but we’re getting through it," Feldman said.

Connecticut Open Hosts Free Tennis Clinic for New Haven Students

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Hundreds of students in New Haven got to swap the classroom for the tennis court on Tuesday.

For many of the 350 third graders at the free clinic hosted by the Connecticut Open, this was the first time they are being introduced to the sport and they learned tips from a pro: U.S. women’s tennis star Sloane Stephens.

“Kids are my passion,” Stephens told NBC Connecticut. “I love teaching them how to play tennis, I love introducing them to the game.”

Stephens is looking forward to competing this summer on the Yale tennis courts after missing the 2016 Connecticut Open because of a stress fracture in her foot.

“Before the U.S. Open, that will be my biggest tournament in my comeback,” she said.

Off the court, Stephens is an ambassador for the non-profit Soles 4 Souls.

“I partnered with them because I felt like there was just a lot of wasted shoes on the tour and felt like we could have a huge impact,” Stephens said.

Last year, the Connecticut Open collected 550 pounds of shoes to be donated to people in need.

“Sloane informed me this morning that she needs us to do even better this year,” Tournament Director Anne Worcester said.

For fans planning to attend the tournament in August, be sure to bring a pair of lightly used shoes to drop off in one of the collection boxes. All of the donations will be refurbished and then donated to men, women and children around the world.

The 2017 Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies runs from Aug. 18-26 in New Haven.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Eversource Impostors Making Rounds in East Hartford

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Eversource is warning of a scam happening in central Connecticut. 

Neighbors at Woodcliff Estates Apartments in East Hartford said they've recently received quite a few visitors at their door and the people knocking are trying to get personal information.

"Couple of guys coming into the building, knocking on doors, asking for the light bill, so I told them, 'You're not supposed to be in here. You're supposed to go,'" said resident Eduardo Deliz.

In a Facebook post, Eversource warned that people pretending to work for the utility company are asking for a copy of a utility bill or even just the account number from unsuspecting residents. In some cases, they're saying the customer could get a discounted rate by doing so. Eversource said it's a scam and that it’s not just targeting their customers.

"My gut told me not to give them my information," said Reynaldo Bagan, who said he also received a knock on his door.

Bagan and many others NBC Connecticut spoke to said they knew right away that something wasn't right.

While giving an account number may not sound like a major data breach, Eversource said the information could be used to try and switch the customer to another energy supplier without their permission or their knowledge.

The utility company said if a resident did give the information away, they should check their utility bill to be sure all the information, including who the energy supplier is, is current and accurate.

Eversource also warned that a person in Waterbury received a phone call demanding immediate payment on a pre-paid debit card or their service would be disconnected. Eversource said they will never make a call like that.

Eversource urges anyone who feels they have been targeted by deceptive marketers or are the victim of a scam to call them at (800) 286-2000 and also report it to their local police department.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Passport Problem Strands Connecticut Family in Texas

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A Connecticut couple is livid with American Airlines after their family vacation to Mexico ended at their connection in Dallas/Fort Worth airport.

Pete Rose and his fiancée Paula had been planning the trip to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico for almost six months. The couple and their four children made the first leg of the trip from Bradley International Airport with no problems and arrived at Dallas/Fort Worth for their connection to Mexico, thinking the hard part of getting through security was over, telling NBC Connecticut responds, “you’re so relaxed when you’re traveling. As far as we were concerned, we were done-- we were in Mexico.”

That relaxed feeling disappeared in an instant when, Pete said, an American Airlines gate agent pulled his passport away from another agent and told him he would not be permitted to fly. When asked for an explanation, Pete said, the agent said, “your passport’s been mutilated.”

The family said they asked the agent repeatedly for a supervisor and were told he was busy. Pete said he was directed to another gate across the terminal where the supervisor was checking in another flight and he ran over. He said the gate was empty when he arrived.

With the plane to Mexico long gone, Pete and his family found themselves stranded in Dallas. They waited for two nights at a local hotel before paying extra to fly back home to Connecticut. Making matters worse, Pete didn’t have any of his clothes, shoes or toiletries, because his checked bag had flown to Mexico.

Upset with the situation, the family reached out to NBC Connecticut Responds for help. Our team has learned that gate agents are allowed to deny boarding to any passenger if a passport appears damaged or altered beyond normal wear and tear, and that it’s the responsibility of the airline to determine if a passport meets standards for international travel, not the Transportation Security Administration.

Pete’s passport had gotten wet on a previous trip, but he said he didn’t replace it because a customs agent told him the damage wasn’t significant. He never suspected his passport’s condition could be considered unacceptable because he had traveled internationally since then, telling NBC Connecticut, “TSA, other countries I’ve traveled through, gate agents and customs agents, they’ve seen no problem with this, so I was 100 percent comfortable that everything I had was proper.”

When NBC Connecticut Responds reached out to American Airlines, they reiterated that their agents are responsible for enforcing passport rules to be sure their passengers aren’t turned away at their destination country, but they also recognized what the family experienced.

In a statement, American Airlines said, “We apologize to the Rose family for what transpired during their recent journey with American Airlines. We have reached out to the family, refunded the full value of their tickets, and have provided travel vouchers for future use on American.”

While the family says nothing can replace the vacation they’ve lost, they are considering using their vouchers and refund, a total value of $7,782, towards a different trip this summer.

The U.S. State Department suggests you may need to replace your passport if it has suffered water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings, or torn pages. For more information, or if you think you may need to replace a damaged passport, click here.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Republicans Divided Over Dismissal of FBI Director

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After President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, fellow Republicans spoke out about the sudden decision, with some welcoming Comey's dismissal and others showing concern about how it affects the FBI's investigation into possible ties between Trump and Russia.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina released a statement supporting the firing.

"Given the recent controversies surrounding the director, I believe a fresh start will serve the FBI and the nation well," Graham said. "I encourage the President to select the most qualified professional available who will serve our nation's interests."

Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri agreed with Graham, saying Comey served the country well, but "many, including myself, have questioned his actions more than once over the past year. I believe new leadership at the FBI will restore confidence in the organization and among the people who do the hard work to carry out its mission."

Sen. John McCain of Arizona said Congress must form a special committee to investigate Russia's interference in the election.

"I regret that that took place," McCain said of Comey's firing. However, he added that he respects Trump's authority to dismiss the FBI director.

"I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey’s termination,” Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina said in a statement on Twitter. “His dismissal further confuses an already difficult investigation by the Committee… Director Comey has been more forthcoming with information that any FBI Director I can recall… His dismissal, I believe, is a loss for the Bureau and the nation.”

Meanwhile, many Congressional Democrats voiced their own concern about Comey's firing and made impassioned calls as well to appoint a special prosecutor to the Russia investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Russia's Top Diplomat Visiting White House for Trump Meeting

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President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson are expected to meet with Vladimir Putin's top diplomat at the White House on Wednesday in what will be the highest level, face-to-face contact with Russia of the American leader's young presidency, NBC News reported.

The meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was announced last week, but it comes during a time when U.S.-Russia relations are, Tillerson said, "at a low point."

But Lavrov was in a joking mood when he spoke to reporters beside Tillerson Wednesday morning at the State Department. NBC's Andera Mitchell asked, "Does the Comey firing cast a shadow over the talks, gentlemen?" and Lavrov replied, with feigned shock, "Was he fired? You are kidding. You are kidding."

And tensions surrounding Russia's involvement in the U.S. election remain high. Tuesday evening, Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, ostensibly for his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. But many question whether the dismissal had anything to do with Comey being in charge of the investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia.



Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Vehicle Stolen from Wethersfield Recovered in West Hartford

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Police from Wethersfield and West Hartford are searching for the suspect in a motor vehicle theft.

Wethersfield police said a landscaping vehicle was stolen out of their town and driven into West Hartford, where it was recovered on Vardon Road and Fairway Street.

Police are searching for a suspect.

More details weren’t immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.




Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Lane Closures on I-95 South in Groton Due to Truck Fire

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There are lane closures on Interstate 95 south in Groton due to a box truck fire, according to the Department of Transportation.

DOT reported that the highway was partially closed at exit 88. No injuries were reported.

The highway was briefly shut down but one lane has since reopened.

No other information was immediately available. Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Brawl on Southwest Airlines Flight Caught on Video

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Passengers aboard a flight that landed in Los Angeles swung punches in a caught-on-camera brawl, Southwest Airlines confirmed Tuesday.

A fellow passenger, Michael Krause, caught the ugly fight on his cellphone on the Sunday flight from Dallas to Burbank. 

Screams can be heard in the video as one woman shouts, "What's wrong with you?"

Southwest said the fight began on flight 2530 when passengers began to get off the plane.

The flight landed safely from Dallas before the fight broke out.

One of the brawling passengers, Chaze Mickalo Cable, 37, of Lancaster, was arrested on suspicion of battery by Burbank police, Burbank Airport police Sgt. Steve Saucedo said.

The other passenger, whose name was not released, suffered a contusion and swelling of left eye, a small cut on left side of his nose, and a chipped tooth.

According to the victim's account in the police report, the whole incident began when Cable turned around in his seat during the flight and made a comment about the woman seated behind him "messing with his chair."

Once everyone began to deplane, the victim stepped into the aisle to help the woman get off the aircraft, the report said.

That's when Cable allegedly sucker-punched the victim, the report said.

The fight ensued as a flight attendant tried to break it up.

The flight attendant lost her footing, and at that point the victim, flight attendant and Cable all fell. Another passenger then came from back of the plane to separate everyone, the report said.

Krause, whose broken hand prevented him from intervening, described the scene as "total chaos."

He described the stewardess as the "hero" of the ordeal.

"We're grateful to our employees who quickly reacted to break up a fight involving three customers," a Southwest Airlines spokeswoman said. "Our Employees are our everyday heroes and are trained to de-escalate conflict while delivering heartfelt hospitality."

NBC4's Robert Kovacik and Adrian Arambulo contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Twitter user @NickKrause08

Police Respond to Medical Call on School Bus on I-91 North

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A child has been brought to medical facility after some sort of medical call on a school bus.

State police said they responded to Interstate 91 North in North Haven, between exits 12 and 13, and the child has been transported.

All lanes of the highway are now open.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Truck Tire Hits Car in Windshield on I-91

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Minor injuries were reported after a truck's tire came off and hit a car on Interstate 91 Wednesday morning.

Connecticut State Police said shortly before 5:30 a.m. a tire came off a crane truck traveling on the northbound side of the highway and went through the windshield of a car traveling on the southbound side.

Minor injuries were reported.

No other details were immediately available.

Check back for updates.

 



Photo Credit: Connecticut Department of Transportation

Trump Takes Aim at Blumenthal After Watergate Comparison

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President Donald Trump took aim at Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Twitter Wednesday morning, in response to the senator’s comments on the dismissal of FBI director James Comey.

On Tuesday the president terminated Comey, citing recommendations from Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, who criticized Comey's handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.

The firing came as a surprise of many in Washington and has earned criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike.

Blumenthal was one of those quick to speak out, calling for an independent special prosecutor on the investigation into White House ties to Russia, and comparing the situation to Watergate.

The senator argued that a special prosecutor is only way to ensure credibility in the FBI investigation going forward.

“The need for a special prosecutor is now crystal clear. President Trump has catastrophically compromised the FBI’s ongoing investigation of his own White House’s ties to Russia. Not since Watergate have our legal systems been so threatened, and our faith in the independence and integrity of those systems so shaken. The only way to restore faith in a non-political, non-partisan FBI is to appoint an independent special prosecutor,” Blumenthal said in a statement Tuesday.

In a series of tweets, the president said Blumenthal’s argument was a “joke,” claiming that Blumenthal as involved in “the greatest military frauds” in the country’s history and calling for an investigation into the senator himself.

Blumenthal became embroiled in controversy when he ran against Linda McMahon for one of Connecticut’s U.S. Senate seats in 2010 – based off comments he made in 2008 suggesting he served in Vietnam.

A New York Times investigation found that Blumenthal received at least five military deferments from 1965 to 1970 and records show he enlisted in the Marine Reserve -- a move that "virtually guaranteed that he would not be sent to Vietnam," according to the Times.

Blumenthal acknowledged that he may have misspoken about his service record at the time the report came out, but denied lying about it.




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Man Found Dead in Car in North Haven Plaza

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A man was found dead in a car in a shopping plaza on Universal Drive in North Haven Tuesday night and police are investigating but said they do not suspect foul play. 

Officers responded to 311 Universal Drive, near Home Depot, at 7:35 p.m. to investigate an unresponsive man in a vehicle and found the man dead, police said. 

Detectives and the medical examiner responded and police said there are no indications of trauma. 

Police have not released the person’s name.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Colleagues, Athletes Send Condolences to Chris Berman

Pedestrian Struck in Putnam

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A pedestrian was struck by a car in Putnam Tuesday night. 

Police said officers responded to Grove and Wilkinson streets at 8:22 p.m. and they learned that a 67-year-old Putnam woman driving a 2009 Subaru Legacy struck 39-year-old Audrea Quinones, of Putnam. 

Quinones was running in the road and was involved in an unrelated disturbance or incident at the time of the accident, according to police. 

The driver and Quinones were transported to Day Kimball Hospital to be treated for what appeared to be minor injuries. 

Police are investigating and anyone with information should call Putnam police at 890-928-6565.





Photo Credit: Getty Images
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