Connecticut State Treasurer Denise Nappier, the first woman to hold the office and the first African American woman elected to statewide office in Connecticut, is not seeking re-election after nearly two decades in the office. She made the announcement Wednesday morning.

Nappier was elected in 1998, becoming the first woman elected treasurer of Connecticut and the first African American woman elected to statewide office, according to officials.

She will have served 20 years when her fifth term ends in January 2019, which would make her the longest-serving Connecticut state treasurer since Andrew Kingsbury, who served 24 years, from 1794 to 1818. 

“For nearly 19 years, this office has promoted the protection of shareholder value and the rights of consumers and workers by strengthening accountability and pursuing prudent and responsible business practices,” Nappier said in a statement. “The results are striking.”

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman released statements about Nappier’s service.

“Denise Nappier’s public service and dedication to the state of Connecticut is second to none. From the moment she made history as the first African American woman elected to statewide office in Connecticut, Denise has managed the state’s assets with distinction, routinely surpassing investment-return benchmarks,” Malloy said in a statement.

“But perhaps more importantly, she restored dignity and professionalism to an office that desperately needed leadership. Denise has also used her time in public office to advance the cause of social justice, raising her voice for values like diversity and inclusion by standing up for racial and gender parity in corporate boardrooms. And while much work remains before we realize that goal, Denise’s work has made a real difference in encouraging companies to put more women and people of color in leadership positions. There is no doubt that she will leave big shoes to fill, but I know (that) Connecticut is better off thanks to her years of leadership,” Malloy said.

“For 20 years, and through some very challenging times, Denise has worked tirelessly to strengthen Connecticut’s fiscal health and sustainability. She’s the driving force behind initiatives to improve fiscal literacy, support community investments, and make the Office of the Treasurer relevant to every household in the state,” Wyman said.

“By pushing through gender and race barriers, her leadership also sets an example for the next generation – and her work to expand access to higher education helps ensure that a talented leadership pipeline stands ready. She is a friend and a dedicated public servant. I wish her the best in her future and thank her for her steadfast service,” Wyman's statement says. 

Comptroller Kevin Lembo released a statement, saying it has been a “great honor” to work alongside Nappier.

“As our state struggled to emerge from an era of corruption and abuse of public trust, Treasurer Denise L. Nappier made history as the nation’s first African-American woman elected state treasurer and the first woman elected treasurer in Connecticut’s history,” Lembo said in a statement.

“When the Connecticut people needed her most, Treasurer Nappier began her legacy of service by investigating and putting an end to an era of ethics abuses by her predecessor. She reformed the office by (bringing) responsible financial management that has grown the state’s pension plans and trusts from less than $19 billion to more than $34 billion,” Lembo’s statement goes on to say.

Connecticut Democratic Party Chairman Nick Balletto also released a statement, calling Nappier “an exceptional public servant and true leader” for the party during her time in elected office as Hartford treasurer and then State treasurer.

“Denise has blazed a trail for women and African-American leaders in the Democratic Party, the state of Connecticut, and across the nation, as, amongst other firsts, the first African-American woman elected Treasurer in the United States and the first and only woman elected Treasurer in Connecticut,” Balletto said in a statement.

The state of Connecticut plans to award at least three more licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries and the state Department of Consumer Protection will be taking applications. 

The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) announced Wednesday it has issued a Request for Application.  

“Our state’s Medical Marijuana Program is incredibly successful, and is growing rapidly,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull said in a statement. “When there is a substantial increase in the number of patients, DCP can issue new RFAs in order to best meet the demand for medication, and continue our commitment to quality health care.” 

There are nine dispensary facilities http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?q=548068 and four producers providing medication for the state’s 22,348 medical marijuana patients. There are also 807 certifying physicians and advanced practice registered nurses in the state of Connecticut. 

Connecticut medical marijuana dispensaries:

• Arrow Alternative Care, Inc., 92 Weston Street, Unit #16 in Hartford 
• Arrow Alternative Care #2, Inc., 255 West River Street in Milford 
• Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut, 471 East Main Street in Branford 
• Caring Nature, LLC, 237 East Aurora St. in Waterbury 
• Compassionate Care Center of Connecticut/D&B Wellness, LLC, 4 Garella Road in Bethel 
• Prime Wellness of Connecticut, LLC, 75 John Fitch Boulevard in South Windsor 
• Southern CT Wellness & Healing, LLC, 318 New Haven Avenue in Milford 
• Thames Valley Alternative Relief, LLC; 1100 Norwich-New London Turnpike in Uncasville
• The Healing Corner, Inc., 159 East Main Street in Bristol 

Gov. Dannel Malloy has activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday for a storm that’s expected to drop as much as a foot of snow in some parts of the state.

"After assessing the situation with emergency management officials and key agency commissioners, we will activate the EOC beginning at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning," Malloy said in a statement. “We are continuing to monitor this storm very closely as a slight shift in track could change the forecasted snowfall totals and impacts across the state."

The NBC Connecticut meteorologists are forecasting a high impact storm with significant snowfall and strong winds. The I-395 corridor will receive the highest snowfall totals and the strongest winds, with snow totals of 8-12 inches expected. The central portion of the state can expect anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow. The least amount of snow will fall along the Connecticut/New York border, where 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected.

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Winter storm warnings have been posted for central and eastern Connecticut ahead of Thursday's storm. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Litchfield County and a winter storm watch is in effect for Fairfield County.

The Department of Transportation has 634 state trucks and another 200 private contractors ready to respond to this storm. There are also 17 industrial snowblowers prepared to help clearing efforts.

The state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol was already in effect due to a stretch of below-freezing temperatures. That protocol directs state agencies to coordinate services during extreme cold. A list of available shelters and warming centers can be found by calling 211 or visiting www.211ct.org.

Bradley International Airport is warning travelers to expect weather-related cancellations and delays ahead of Thursday’s storm.

As of 4 p.m. the airport was reporting a moderate number of cancellations for tomorrow, and warned that officials expect to see more delays and cancellations as the storm moves in.

The airport itself is expected to see between 4 to 8 inches of snow from Thursday’s storm.

Travelers should check with their airline for details on their specific flight and any rebooking options before heading to the airport.

Airport flight status information can be found online by clicking here. 

President Donald Trump did not want to win the presidency. First lady Melania Trump wept with sorrow on election night. Former Trump campaign advisor Sam Nunberg tried to explain the Constitution to the candidate, but only made it to the Fourth Amendment before Trump got bored.

These are just a few of the bombshell claims in "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," author Michael Wolff's book chronicling the first year of Trump's presidency, CNBC reported.

The book will hit shelves Jan. 9, but New York Magazine on Wednesday published an adaptation of some key sections. NBC News has also obtained an advance copy of the book. 

One of the book's claims: some of Trump's closest allies, including Rupert Murdoch, were stunned by his lack of understanding on issues of policy

A 36-year-old father who was shot at a restaurant near Buckland Hills in Manchester on Saturday has died and two of his co-workers have been charged in connection with his death.

The victim, Norris Jackson, of Hartford, was shot at Bonchon Restaurant on Pleasant Valley Road and was transported to Hartford Hospital in critical condition, where he died on Sunday night, according to Manchester Police.

Officers were searching for 28-year-old James Goolsby and his 23-year-old girlfriend, Leanne Robitaille, both of Manchester, in connection with the shooting. They were brought into custody on Tuesday night.

Goolsby was taken into custody on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford, charged with murder and his bond was set at $1 million, while Robitaille was found at Main and Bond streets in Hartford. She has been charged with hindering prosecution and her bond was set at $100,000.

According to the arrest warrant, multiple witnesses told police that Goolsby, who worked as a kitchen manager, shot Jackson, who worked as a fry cook, in the kitchen of the restaurant.

In an emotional 911 call released to NBC Connecticut witnesses can be heard explaining what happened to emergency dispatchers and begging them to send help.

"My boss literally just shot one of my coworkers," one caller said.

Goolsby’s arrest warrant states that family members told police Goolsby and Robitaille showed up after the shooting. According to the document, Goolsby told both family members he shot a man and said that the guy he shot was "always disrespecting him and his girl at work."

The family members told police Goolsby and Robitaille left without telling anyone where they were going.

Both Goolsby and Robitaille were arrested Tuesday night in Hartford. They are due back in court on Jan. 18.

The case remains under investigation.

The restaurant franchise released the following statement after the shooting:

"We at Bonchon Franchise are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Manchester, CT today, and are deeply concerned about the family and friends who are suffering. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and their family as we also respect their privacy during this ordeal."

Waterbury police have arrested nine alleged gang members after a shooting outside the Superior Courthouse in Waterbury Tuesday morning.

The victim was shot in the right leg around 11 a.m. and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening, police said. Investigators believe the victim was targeted for his involvement in gang activity.

In a press conference Wednesday police said they arrested nine people in connection with the shooting, all believed to be members of the 960 Gang. The shooting suspect has been identified as Zaekwon McDaniel. He is being held on a $1,050,000 bond.

Police said investigation led officers to a house on Thomaston Avenue and a car connected to the incident. Investigators found an AK47, marijuana, and other firearms and ammunition during a search.

Eight other suspects were arrested following the searches. Investigators also said that bullets from three different guns were fired during the shooting and they are working to determine whether any of the remaining eight suspects were also shooters.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Waterbury police.

The future of a relief center in Hartford for hurricane victims is in limbo as their lease ends in February.

Since November 5, the relief center at 15 Vandyke Ave. has provided needs to those who’ve moved to Connecticut from hurricane-ravaged areas. But center officials say they don’t have the funds to stay open past their lease.

In the basement of the building The Capitol Region Education Council, better known as CREC, has made this “The Relief Center For Our Caribbean Friends.”

Those who have made Connecticut home after Hurricanes Maria and Irma damaged their homes can come here to get assistance – with getting food and clothing, baby needs as well as housing, health care and job search assistance.

But the lease for this building ends on February 28.

With a $20,000 rent due each month for the building, center officials say they don’t have the funds to keep it open any longer.

“We need more support – we have the building until the end of February. We would love to help stay open a little longer but we need more agencies to join us. I mean, this cannot just be one or two agencies, it just cannot,” explained Aura Alvarado, the director of communications and community relations for CREC

That’s why state and city leaders invited Governor Malloy to tour the facility, so that he can see the services being provided to people like Betsy Gomez and her family from Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Gomez moved here with her two young daughters in mid-December after Hurricane Maria destroyed her home.

Now she lives in a Hartford hotel with her two young daughters.

She doesn’t speak English. She told NBC Connecticut when she first came from Puerto Rico she didn’t even have long pants or a coat because Puerto Rico’s weather is warm.

The services the center provides allows her to get all the clothing she needs to deal with Connecticut’s winter weather – for free.

As the future of this center is unknown, the governor said they will work with CREC to try and figure something out.

“I think Hartford is going to have to have a center and so we’ll look at what that issue specifically is,” Malloy said.

So far, the center has served about 1,200 people.

The forecasted 40 mile per hour winds are a weather déjà vu for Ledyard residents, many who were the last in the state to have their power restored after an October windstorm that caused 300,000 outages.

"I’ll come out here once in a while and I’ll open it up and I’ll check the oil down inside," Bill Pinckney said.

The outlook on Overlook Road is much like Bill Pinckney’s.

"It’s worse this time because if we have the same type of thing, people don’t have heat," Pinckney said.

"The house next door, there was a big tree that fell down and took down the power lines with it, and it was several days before they got their power lines cleared up so they could open the road. And my power was off for five days," Pinckney said.

"We have all of our available line workers tree crews and support staff in position ready to go and will be available to respond to any emergencies or outages," Tricia Modifica of Eversource said.

Modifica said hundreds of crews are already in place across the state the company urging customers to call about outages as they occur.

"We do need them to call in and report the outage don't assume that we just know, that your neighbor reported it so that you're covered," Modifica said.

The message comes just months after Eversource’s new outage report program overloaded in October which led to a delay in power restoration in some areas.

"I know that it has been tested to make sure that it is ready to go for a storm like we're expecting tomorrow," Modifica said.

"I believe that they understand that where we're coming from," Ledyard Mayor Fred Allyn said.

Allyn said the town has been in talks with Eversource since October’s nearly week-long outage and hoping the company’s system test runs will prove its ready for the next whip of wind.

"Their system was overwhelmed. They need to make sure it's robust enough to handle the responses that they're going to receive," Allyn said.

Pinckney said Overlook Road’s new power poles are the battle scars that prove the strength of the wind, and will be tested by the same powerful winds that took down their predecessors

"If a big tree comes down and takes the wires down, we’ll be in the same predicament," Pinckney said.

Like other towns and cities across Connecticut, Waterbury was bracing for the effects of Thursday's nor'easter Wednesday night.

Public schools in Waterbury are closed Thursday. The city is issuing a parking ban. And residents caught up in it all are bracing themselves for the first big snowstorm of 2018.

The last-minute rush to gather groceries ahead of the snowstorm reached a fever pitch at the Shop-Rite on Wolcott Street in Waterbury tonight. Pauline Pendarvis was among the residents trying to get what they needed and get home quickly.

"Crowded and packed. I’m glad to get out of there," she said of the busy grocery store as she loaded her items into her car.

Many more cars filled every parking spot and idled at the store’s front door waiting for customers loading up on with everything they’d need to not have to leave home once the weather hits. Staying in during the storm seemed to be the prevailing theme among shoppers.

"Relax and eat with all this food that we have in there," said Elizabeth Batista.

"I’m supposed to go to work. But I don’t think I can make it… if it’s like that," said resident Tamala Wrong.

"I’m staying in the house. I’m canceled for work and I’m glad," said Pendarvis.

City officials are hoping everyone who can will choose to stay indoors as snow begins to blanket the Brass City’s roads.

"It’s going to be a treacherous day with blowing heavy snow during the day," said Waterbury Public Works Director David Simpson.

DPW has spent much of this week checking and preparing their plows and salt trucks for this storm. The city’s 325 miles of were already pretreated for the snow over the weekend. Now it’s a matter of waiting for the weather… with the hope that people will stay safe indoors until the storm passes.

"We’ll be out early tomorrow morning at the onset of the storm. For everyone’s sake, the more people that stay off the road, the safer it is for everyone," said Simpson.

Waterbury’s parking ban goes into effect at 6 a.m. Thursday. There is no parking at all in the pre-posted zones and also no parking on the odd side of the street until the ban is lifted.

A 44-year-old man named as a person of interest in the death of a woman and the abduction of her two daughters in Texas is in custody in southern Colorado.

Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks tweeted late Wednesday that Terry Allen Miles was "caught in Colorado without incident" and that the 14- and 7-year-old girls were safe.

Miles had been sought for questioning in the death of 44-year-old Tonya Bates, whose body was found Sunday at the home they shared in Round Rock, north of Austin.

Authorities said it's not clear how long Bates had been dead before her body was found.

Banks previously said photos dated Dec. 30 from a convenience store in Trinidad, Colorado — about 200 miles south of Denver — appeared to show Miles. Banks said the missing girls were not seen with Miles inside the business.

Miles has not been charged with a crime, Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported.

An Amber Alert for the two girls was canceled earlier Wednesday when authorities said they believed the girls were no longer in Texas.

A Shelton attorney who was arrested after a boy reported the man sexually assaulted him for years and threatened to post nude photos online if he did not continue to have sex has pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Shelton police initially charged 51-year-old Peter Kruzynski, of Shelton, with first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree sexual assault and two counts of risk of injury and impairing morals of a minor and coercion.

The boy told his parents, who alerted police, according to police.

The victim said Kruzynski sexually assaulted him when he was 12 years old, took nude photographs of him then coerced him to continue having sex with him for years by threatening to post the photos on the Internet.

The victim also told police that Kruzynski used his status as an attorney to coerce the victim to continue having sex.

Kruzynski was ordered not to contact the victim, but emailed and texted him after, according to police, and was then arrested on a harassment charge.  

Neither Kruzynski nor his attorney commented outside of court after the arrest.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Kruzynski was suspended in December 2016 from the practice of law on an interim basis following the arrest.

A Hartford woman has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after a dog was found frozen to death on Adams Street in Hartford, according to police.

Hartford police said a concerned neighbor reported on New Year’s Day that a pit bull mix had been left outside during the bitter cold weather. Officers responded to the home on Adams Street and found the dead dog chained inside a doghouse behind the home.

The 3- to 4-year-old dog did not have any protection against the cold and showed signs of hypothermia and other signs of neglect, according to police.

It is not clear but police said the dog may have been outside for a month. The dog was being kept in the basement before a pipe bust and then was moved outside.

On Wednesday, police applied for an arrest warrant charging 50-year-old Michelle Bennett, of Adams Street in Hartford, with one count of animal cruelty.

Police attempted to serve a warrant at Bennet’s home overnight and located her on Cabot Street just before 1 a.m. Thursday.

Bond was set at $2,500.

Governor Dannel Malloy is not putting into place a travel ban on state highways Thursday, he said during a morning news conference.

"This will be a major weather event in our state," Malloy said. "While highways remain open, Connecticut travel conditions will still be quite hazardous at times."

The governor says travel will be "treacherous" during the evening commute.

"It is strongly recommended that Connecticut motorists stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary," said Malloy.

By keeping cars off the highways, it allows Department of Transportation crews the opportunity to clear the roads.

Governor Malloy urged companies across the state to allow employees to stay home if possible.

Nonessential first and second shift state employees have been told not to report to work.  

The governor asked residents to keep fire hydrants clear of snow so firefighters will be able to locate them and use them in case of an emergency.

A preliminary magnitude 4.4 earthquake on the Hayward Fault jolted Bay Area residents out of bed early Thursday, but it appears to have done little damage.

The temblor, initially reported as magnitude 4.5, struck at 2:39 a.m. two miles east of Berkeley and had a depth of eight miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. No injuries or accidents were reported. According to the USGS website, people reporting feeling the quake 40 miles south in San Jose.

NBC Bay Area Chief Meteorologist Jeff Ranieri reported the quake lasted about 10 seconds and had a bit of rolling and a sharp jolt. The temblor was felt across the region in San Francisco and in parts of the East and South Bay.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services said there were no reports of damages from the region at this time. But a video posted to Twitter showed products that had fallen from the shelves of a San Leandro Safeway store.

Bay Area Rapid Transit said on Twitter that, while no damage was reported to the system, the first trains this morning were delayed while maintenance crews inspect tracks and structures throughout the BART system. Normal service later resumed.

In the South Bay, the VTA also reported delays due to routine inspections.

John De Motto tweeted out a picture of grocery items on the floor at a Safeway store in San Leandro. De Motto also tweeted out a photo of a ceiling panel on the floor.

There hasn't been a major earthquake on the Hayward Fault over a hundred years. The last major earthquake on the fault was in 1868.

A CT Transit bus crashed in the snow on Route 2 in Marlborough on Thursday.

The bus went down an embankment around 6:30 a.m., according to state police.

There were no passengers on the bus at the time of the crash, police said.

The driver suffered a minor injury.

‏Milford police have arrested two men in what they are calling a “gruesome animal cruelty investigation.”

Police Tweeted that the two local men are accused of stealing and killing 20 chickens from two locations during the early morning hours of Christmas Day.

Police plan to release more information later today.

Check back for updates.

Many flights have been canceled to and from Bradley International Airport, as well as other airports in the region, because of the blizzard and several airlines are allowing travelers to make flight changes because of the storm.

American Airlines

American Airlines is allowing passengers affected by the storm to change their trip with no change fee if they are traveling to, through or from the following airports if they bought tickets by Jan. 2 and are traveling Jan. 4 and 5. 

• Hartford, Connecticut (BDL)
• New Haven, Connecticut (HVN)
• New York Kennedy, New York (JFK)
• New York LaGuardia, New York (LGA)
• Providence, Rhode Island (PVD)
• Westchester, New York (HPN)
• Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
• Albany, New York (ALB)
• Bangor, Maine (BGR)
• Boston, Massachusetts (BOS)
• Burlington, Vermont (BTV)
• Long Island, New York (ISP)
• Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT)
• Montreal, Canada (YUL)
• Newburgh, New York (SWF)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PHL)
• Portland, Maine (PWM)
• Quebec, Canada (YQB)

Delta 

Delta passengers who wish to cancel their trip because of a flight cancellation or significant delay, of 90 minutes or more, are entitled to a refund for the unused portion of your ticket. Even if your flight is not canceled, you may make a one-time change to your ticket without fee if you are scheduled to travel to, from, or through the following destinations on Delta, Delta Connection®, or Delta-coded flights on Jan. 4 and 5.

• Bradley
• T.F. Green in Rhode Island (PVD)
• Logan in Boston
• New York John F Kennedy, NY (JFK)
• New York Laguardia, NY (LGA)
• Newark, NJ (EWR)
• Albany, NY (ALB)
• Bangor, ME (BGR)
• Burlington, VT (BTV)
• Manchester, NH (MHT)
• Portland, ME (PWM)
• White Plains, NY (HPN)

Jet Blue

JetBlue is waiving change and cancelation fees and fare differences for customers traveling today to or from the following local airports, as well as several others.

• Bradley
• Logan in Boston
• T.F. Green in Rhode Island
• JFK in New York
• LaGuardia in New York
• Newark, New Jersey
• Newburgh, NY (SWF)
• Westchester County, NY (HPN)
• Worcester, MA (ORH)

Customers can rebook their flights for travel through Wednesday Jan. 10 online in the ‘Manage Flights’ section of jetblue.com or by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) prior to the departure time of their originally scheduled flight. Customers with cancelled flights may also opt for a refund to the original form of payment. Original travel must have been booked on or before Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Southwest

Southwest customers who are holding reservations to, from or through several cities on Thursday or Friday and want to alter travel plans may rebook in the original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge.

The following airports are affected:

• Hartford (BDL)
• Albany (ALB)
• Boston (BOS)
• Islip/Long Island (ISP)
• Manchester (MHT)
• New York/LaGuardia (LGA)
• Newark (EWR)
• Portland (PWM)
• Providence (PVD)

Customers who purchased their itinerary via Southwest.com or the mobile app are eligible to reschedule their travel plans online or from their mobile device.

Customers who did not purchase a ticket via Southwest.com can call 1-800-435-9792 to speak with a Customer Representative.

Customers in the U.S. scheduled to travel internationally must call 1-800-435-9792 to speak with a Customer Representative for assistance with rebooking.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is allowing a modification charge or fare difference waiver through Jan, 10 for people traveling from or to the following airports on Jan. 4 or 5: 

• Bradley Airport (BDL)
• Boston, MA (BOS)
• New York, NY (LGA)
• Newark, NJ (EWR)
• Atlantic City, NJ (ACY)
• Philadelphia, PA (PHL)

United Airlines 

United Airlines is offering “additional flexibility” that might allow travelers to change travel plans if they would like to reschedule their flights. Reschedule your flight at united.com.

If you still plan to travel, check your flight’s status on the United app or at united.com/flightstatus before going to the airport and sign up to receive flight status messages in the event of changes.

Air Canada

Air Canada is revising its ticketing policy for customers booked on affected flights, including to or from Bradley on Jan. 4, and allowing anyone wishing to make alternate travel arrangements without penalty, space permitting, using on the online booking tool. 

Prior to leaving for the airport, check your Flight Status, or call Air Canada's automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533.

Or, contact Air Canada Reservations toll-free in Canada and the U.S. at 888-247-2262.

Local airports affected:

• Bradley
• Boston
• LaGuardia
• Newark

The Dow Jones industrial average on Thursday drove past yet another milestone, breaking above 25,000 for the first time after a stronger-than-expected jobs report, CNBC reported.

It was the Dow's fastest 1,000-point move in its history, and it prompted a congratulatory tweet from President Donald Trump, who noted, "Big cuts in unnecessary regulations continuing."

"The Dow hitting 25,000 was a pretty wild idea even a year ago. And while it's symbolically important, the real story is never just a number. It's the underlying strength that is pushing markets this high," according to Steve Claussen, vice president of trader strategy at E-Trade.

The U.S. private sector added 250,000 jobs in December, according to two private reports released before the opening bell. They also fueled all-time highs for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite.