Pouring rain will overspread Connecticut Friday night, which could impact Friday night activities, including some football games. 

The NBC Connecticut meteorologists are tracking the storm, which is expected to begin impacting the state between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Some urban flooding is possible. 

Track the storm on interactive radar.

Jason Coffman speaks to the media after finding out his son Cody Coffman was among those shot and killed inside the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California. “This is so hard,” he said tearfully.

A day after Election Day in Connecticut the numbers show there are several close races, some separated by fewer than 100 votes. In a stunning result, one of those races involves the current speaker of the house for his seat as state representative in Berlin and Southington, a seat he’s held for 14 years.

Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz feels he headed back to the general assembly for another term after Connecticut Democrats once again secured the majority in the State House.

Although there is no official winner declared, Aresimowicz is claiming victory. The Secretary of the State’s office data shows him leading the 30th House District race by just 37 votes.

“I believe Ned Lamont lost my district by over 2,000 votes,” he said. “I believe Matt Corey beat Chris Murphy in my district by a large margin. I think I’m a rock star.”

His opponent, Republican Michael Gagliardi, entered the race only a few weeks ago after the other GOP candidate dropped out. Gagliardi is not quite ready to concede.

“It was tight,” Gagliardi said. “We kind of knew it would be. I thought it would be an uphill battle since I entered the race only three weeks before Election Day. As we saw the results come in, we saw how tight it would be.”

The race may not be over. In Connecticut, if the margin of victory is less than half of one percent of all votes cast an automatic recount is triggered which would be the case for this race.

“I think I owe it to the voters on such a close race to double count the ballots,” Gagliardi said.

“My district is tough,” Aresimowicz said. “I, as the speaker of the house, have to take some positions that are out of line with my district but in line with my caucus.”

It’s still unclear how many of the other close races may require a recount.

A legislative committee has approved the use of medical marijuana in Connecticut to treat chronic neuropathic pain associated with degenerative spinal disorders. 

The Regulations Review Committee of the General Assembly approved it Wednesday, according to the state Department of Consumer Protection. 

The Committee also voted to update regulations to reschedule the medication Epidiolex, or cannabidol, as a Schedule V medication. It is an oral solution used for some rare, severe types of seizure disorders. 

The state Department of Consumer Protection will submit the regulations to the Secretary of the State's Office, who will post the regulations online. 

As of Nov. 8, there are 29,543 patients in Connecticut’s medical marijuana program, 1,000 certifying physicians, 31 conditions approved for adults and eight for patients under 18.

Actress Tamera Mowry-Housley and her husband, former Fox News correspondent Adam Housley, confirmed Thursday that their niece, Alaina Housley, was one of 12 victims killed in the Southern California mass shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill. 

"Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner. We thank everyone for your prayers and ask for privacy at this time," the couple said in a joint statement to NBC. 

The Los Angeles Times reported Adam Housley arrived at Los Robles Medical Center, the nearest hospital from the bar, around 3:30 a.m. PT searching for information on his niece but was not allowed through. He told the Times her Apple Watch and iPhone still showed her location inside the Thousand Oaks bar.

“My gut is saying she’s inside the bar, dead,” he said. “I’m hoping I’m wrong.”

Mowry-Housley, a co-host on the daytime talk show “The Real,” and Housley had taken to social media overnight frantically searching for information.

Mowry-Housley had responded to a tweet from a college student who was looking for her suitemate. The student, Ashley, posted photos of Alaina and described what the 18-year-old Pepperdine University freshman was wearing when she was last seen at the country music event at Borderline Bar & Grill.

“Ashley this is her aunt Tamera Mowry-Housley. Can you please DM me your information?” she replied to the post.

The suitemate responded that she had been in touch with Mowry-Housley’s husband and that Alaina was the only friend missing from their group of girls who went line dancing Wednesday night.

Adam Housley wrote on Twitter that he was "staying positive and praying and hoping and wishing there was more I could do."

The “Sister, Sister” star posted an update at about 9 a.m. ET that Alaina had not yet been located. “It’s been 7 hrs,” she added. 

By Thursday afternoon, the couple confirmed they had "just learned that our niece Alaina was one of the victims of last night’s shooting at Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks." 

"Our hearts are broken," they said. 

Pepperdine University released a statement saying the college was "devastated" to report the loss of one of its students.

"Our hearts are broken with the news of this profound loss. We offer our deepest condolences to the Housley family and ask that our community join us in keeping Alaina’s family, friends, and loved ones in their prayers during this incredibly difficult time," the university tweeted.

Alaina Housley graduated in June from Vintage High School in Napa and turned 18 a month later. According to social media posts, by August, the college freshman had moved into the dorms at Pepperdine University in Malibu. 

Twelve people, including a Ventura Country sheriff's deputy, were shot and killed late Wednesday at the bar. The attacker, identified as a decorated 28-year-old Marine Corps veteran from the area, was found dead in an office at the bar after shooting himself, investigators said.

Borderline is a popular hangout for students from local colleges, including Pepperdine University, Moorpark and Cal State Channel Islands. Pepperdine confirmed in a tweet that “multiple” students were at the bar Wednesday night and the university is “working to identify and provide support to those students.”

Ventura County set up a family reunification center down the highway from the Borderline, which the sheriff's department says is staffed with chaplains and Red Cross workers. 

Outside the center, Thousand Oaks City Councilman Rob McCoy and senior minister at GodSpeak Calvary Chapel, told reporters that families still waiting  for information on those who are unaccounted are "just hoping against all odds." 

"The longer they wait it appears to be inevitable to many of them and you just hug them," he said.

Mowry-Housley’s identical twin sister, Tia Mowry, also took to social media to express shock over the news and pleaded for information about Alaina’s whereabouts.

"Alaina Housely we are praying. We love u! If you know anything or any information please let us know. We love you! #borderline," Mowry wrote on her Instagram page. 

An emergency hotline is available at 805-465-6650 for family and friends looking for information.

CORRECTION (Nov. 8, 2018, 4 pm. ET): The headline on an earlier version of this story misspelled Tamera Mowry’s last name.

Stratford police are investigating a report of a suspicious person at a bus stop Thursday morning.

Police said it happened at 7 a.m. and there is no threat to any child or school, but Wooster Middle School was placed in “stay put” mode out of an abundance of caution.

Police said the incident is under investigation at this time.

At the former New Haven Clock Company factory on Hamilton Street, is time running out for the only remaining tenant?

A housing developer has a $38 million plan to revitalize an old industrial building in New Haven, but Scores Gentlemen’s Club and Steakhouse is challenging an eviction notice.

“I think it’s good to develop a building that’s been sitting dormant for a long time and we need affordable housing,” Ellen Keane from New Haven said.

Scores is located in one corner of the 130,000-square foot property purchased by Oregon-based Reed Realty at the end of June.

“I specialize in redeveloping historical buildings,” local developer Bill Kraus told NBC Connecticut.

Kraus said the plan is to transform the industrial building that became a home for artist and musicians into 130 new apartments.

“A significant portion of it will be for artists, musicians, creatives of all kinds, makers, as well as the general affordable housing community,” Kraus said.

In court documents, the developer’s lawyer said Scores’ lease became month to month after expiring on March 31, 2017. He argues Scores should be evicted because, as of July, the lease had expired due to a lapse of time. The attorney for Scores is pushing back as the case goes through court.

“We don’t comment on ongoing litigation,” Kraus said, “but I will say our plan for that space is to create residential lofts.”

The project is receiving public funding from the city and state for environmental remediation that has already begun, Kraus said. He added construction on the new apartments should begin in the first quarter of 2019.

NBC Connecticut spoke briefly with the attorney for Scores and is still waiting for comment on behalf of the club’s owners.

Sears has released another list of stores it will close and the Sears in Meriden is on it.

The new list, which includes the Sears at 470 Lewis Ave., is in addition to previous lists of unprofitable stores that will be closing.

Sears filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday.

At its peak, the operator of Sears and Kmart had 4,000 stores in 2012, but will now be left with a little more than 500.

See the store locator on Sears' website to see which Sears stores remain open.

See the store locator on Kmart's website to see which stores remain open. 

Wolcott High School will not be playing their big Senior Night game tomorrow after the superintendent said some players vandalized an opponents' locker room.

Superintendent Dr. Anthony Gasper told us that after a thorough investigation, they are confident multiple football players vandalized the locker room at St. Paul High School in Bristol during a game last month. They caused substantial damage.

He said the school gave the players who were involved several chances to take responsibility for their actions. Gasper said only two players came forward. School officials said they believe others were involved, but they never came forward.

As a result, he said the team has forfeited tomorrow’s varsity and junior varsity football games against Sacred Heart High School/Kaynor Tech. It’s also Senior Night, their last home game of the season, where they normally honor seniors with a ceremony.

In a letter sent home to parents, Gasper said the senior class football team and the cheer team will now be recognized at their Thanksgiving game at Holy Cross. Seniors in the marching band will be honored at a boys’ basketball game in February.

Gasper said the investigation is not over. They will continue to look into the actions of the coaches who were charged will supervising the players at the time.

Parents who spoke to NBC Connecticut said they understand the schools actions, but they’re disappointed that all players who were not involved are being punished.

Fulfilling President Donald Trump's midterm promise to crack down on undocumented immigrants crossing the Southwest border, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security published a rule on Thursday that will make it harder for immigrants to claim asylum if they are caught crossing the border between designated ports of entry.

Senior administration officials told reporters on a conference call that the president has the legal authority to do so because of sections of immigration law that allow the president discretion over who is admitted into the United States — the same language the administration used to support its travel ban in court.

The officials said the plan is to force more immigrants who wish to claim asylum to do so at designated ports of entry, NBC News reported.

The Glock 21 .45-caliber handgun that a Marine Corps veteran used to kill at least 12 people, including a sheriff's sergeant, in a bar in Thousand Oaks, California, was bought legally, the Ventura County sheriff said Thursday. But a comprehensive ban on the large-capacity magazine with which it was equipped is being blocked by a federal lawsuit brought by the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association.

The California State Sheriff's Association and other law enforcement groups are supporting the NRA lawsuit and none had comment after the sergeant was killed.

To be sure, it appears that the gunman would have been unable to have legally obtained a large-capacity magazine in California regardless of the court fight. He would have been a child when California first prohibited magazines larger than 10 rounds in 2000 and grandfathered in ones people already owned. But Thursday's shooting drew attention to the legal battle.

After the San Bernardino shooting, voters approved extending the ban to all magazines, with the new law to go into effect in July 2017. But that the lawsuit brought by the California Rifle and Pistol Association halted its implementation.

The veteran, identified as 28-year-old Ian David Long, shot his way into the western-themed Borderline Bar & Grill and killed at least 12, including Ventura County Sheriff Sgt. Ron Helus. Helus, a 29-year veteran of the department and a member of its SWAT team, was one of the first officers to rush into the bar filled with college students. He exchanged gunfire but was struck multiple times and later died at the hospital.

Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said that the Glock 21 .45-caliber handgun was designed to hold 10 rounds and one in the chamber.

“The weapon did have an extended magazine on it,” Dean said. “We do not know at this time how many rounds were actually in the weapon or how many rounds the magazine could actually hold because it's still being processed as part of the evidence.”

It is believed that Long shot and killed himself, the sheriff said.

Supporting the California Rifle and Pistol Association’s lawsuit blocking the ban on larger magazines are the California State Sheriff’s Association, the Western States Sheriff’s Association, the California Reserve Peace Officers Association and other law enforcement groups.

The California sheriff’s association and the reserve peace officers association did not respond to request for comment about their participation.

Jim Pond, the executive director of the Western States Sheriff’s Association, when asked if he had a comment in light of Helus’ death, said, “I don’t at this time because I’m really unaware of the events surrounding that one. So until I get some more information we won’t have any information at this point.”

In a brief that the groups submitted, they argued that a ban on the grandfathered magazines would not increase public safety because it would affect only law-abiding gun owners and that magazines holding more than 10 rounds are not “large-capacity” but are standard-issue on commonly owned pistols and rifles.

California is one of nine states and the District of Columbia that have enacted a ban on large-capacity magazines. In California, it is generally illegal to buy, make, sell, give, lend or import a magazine able to accept more than 10 rounds, according to the office of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

After voters approved extending the prohibition, owners who had been grandfathered in would have had to destroy the magazines, send them out of state, sell them to a federally licensed firearms dealer or turn them in to police.

“There’s just a lot of data that shows that large-capacity magazines are particularly attractive to mass shooters and to individuals committing crimes against law enforcement,” Ari Freilich, staff attorney for the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, told the Sacramento Bee last year. “They do not have legitimate self-defense value.”

An extended magazine could have given the Thousands Oaks gunman 30 shots, perhaps even more if he reloaded, former New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton, an MSNBC contributor, told NBC News.

The Sacramento Bee reported that it was unclear how many larger-capacity magazines remained.

Implementation of the extended ban was halted by a federal judge until a final ruling in the lawsuit was issued.

Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who created the Giffords Law Center after she was shot and six others were killed, said in a statement Thursday that she was heartbroken and angry.

“Voters made clear Tuesday night that the days of the NRA blocking action to strengthen our gun laws are over,” she said. “Now is the time to come together and pass legislation that will start putting our country back on the right track. Legislation that will prevent guns from landing in the wrong hands. Legislation that will save lives.”

The Gun Violence Archive, an independent research and data collection organization established in 2012, called the Thousands Oaks shooting the 307th mass shooting of 2018. The group defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot or killed, not including the shooter.

“Do we really want to raise our children in a country where mass shootings are a weekly occurrence?” Giffords asked. “A country where every single day in America, more than 90 people are killed with guns? This level of gun violence doesn’t happen in any other high-income country.”

The case against a man accused of setting a fire that killed a Branford woman in 2006 has been dismissed, according to the Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office.

John Vailette, 48, was convicted of murder and arson charges in 2015, accused of setting the fire that killed Kathy Hardy. However, on August 23, 2018, a judge granted him a new trial due to new information that law enforcement failed to disclose a prosecution witness in the original trial to the defense.

U.S. Attorney John Durham agreed to dismiss the case, stating in a motion that a necessary witness for a new trial has passed away and citing the failure to disclose the information during the original trial as reasons why prosecution should not go forward.

Voter turnout soared in the 2018 midterm elections, according to an early projection in a new study, potentially reaching the highest level in over 50 years.

An estimated 48.1 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, over 113 million people in total, according to research by University of Florida Professor Michael McDonald, who runs the U.S. Election Project. If that holds it would be the highest rate since 1966, when 48.7 percent of voters participated, NBC News reported.

The numbers are subject to change as states continue to report final vote counts, especially places like California, where voters can mail in their choices all the way up to Election Day and large numbers of ballots have yet to be counted.

When shopping for a new car, safety is one of the biggest factors many people consider. But according to new research by AAA, advanced driver assistance systems, known as ADAS, can bump up the repair cost of damaged vehicles.

In fact, AAA found that in a minor front or rear collision involving a car with ADAS technology the repair costs can run as high as $5,300. That’s about $3,000 more than repairing the same vehicle without the safety features.

“Advanced safety systems are much more common today,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “It’s critical that drivers understand what technology their vehicle has, how it performs, and how much it could cost to repair should something happen.”

Aldo Carducci, owner of AC Auto in West Hartford, says safety features like bumper sensors that are used to help with the automatic emergency braking, side mirrors or rear camera sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and front camera sensors on windshields are vulnerable and can really add up if they’re damaged.

“Newer model cars are becoming tech companies on wheels,” said Aldo Carducci. “What we did 20 years ago won’t work today.”

Carducci says even though the technology is designed to save lives, it comes at a price.

“People come in from a simple backing out of their driveway. They may clip the side mirror on their garage and it used to be a simple repair. Nowadays they end up filing insurance claims,” said Carducci.

AAA says one in three Americans can’t afford an unexpected $500 repair bill. So, the agency urges consumers to get an insurance policy review and consider the potential repair cost of these advanced systems. And they recommend that you take your vehicle to a certified collision specialist that can do the repairs. NBC Connecticut reached out to Auto Alliance, a trade group of automobile manufacturers, for comment on AAA’s survey. We’re still waiting to hear back.

A vacant, condemned church in Vernon that has since become a target to vandals is now on the market.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich took over the former Sacred Heart Church property on the Hartford Turnpike in October 2017 after a merger of Sacred Heart and St. Bernard in Rockville, according to communications director Wayne Gignac. Now the diocese is looking to sell the church, rectory and community center and also seeking bids to demolish it.

A real estate listing states the building is “condemned due to structural issues with the walls.”

The church hasn’t been in use since May of 1997, according to the Vernon Town Clerk’s office.

But it has since become a target for vandals and trespassing, which has been shown in videos recently posted on YouTube.

In video shot by “Jack and Dave Explore” this past August, there’s an apparent hole where people could easily enter the building.

Vernon police are aware of the trespassing, according to Lt. William Meier, who mentioned a report as recent as September of this year. No arrests have been made.

Gignac said when the Diocese took over the property, it re-secured the building and has since added other security measures, including cameras.

There are no trespassing signs surrounding the site. But throughout the day Thursday, there were cars parked in the lot. The people NBC Connecticut spoke to were there for recreational use.

To the best of his knowledge, no one has been given permission to film on or in the site, according to Gignac. The parking lot is not open to the public for any unauthorized use.

Sherrin Roch lives nearby and calls the church an eyesore.

“I don’t know, can we go more than eyesore? But anyways. It’s very unpleasant to have it in the neighborhood,” Roch said.

Deborah Coulombe’s aunt lives in the senior living facility behind the church and said she’s seen a YouTube video from someone exploring the inside of the church.

“I don’t think anybody should be doing that. It’s been closed off. It states clearly do not enter. No trespassing,” Coulombe of Ashford said.

Milford police have released photos of a car that could be linked to a string of crimes in hotel parking lots.

Surveillance photos show a car spotted prowling the area recently hit by thieves.

Eight people reported car break-ins at the Hampton Inn on Plains Road and the Howard Johnson on the Boston Post Road Thursday.

Investigators said the burglar or burglars shattered windows and were able to get away with electronics, as well as credit cards and clothes. Detectives think those responsible were driving a mid-2000’s Toyota Corolla.

“We’ve experienced hundreds, literally hundreds of residential car break-ins and thefts in the last six months or so,” Officer Mike DeVito explained.

DeVito said police will boost patrols at hotels, like the ones they’re doing now in neighborhoods.

“We’ve been concentrating there heavily. Every night seven nights a week. We will expand that shift and check our commercial areas like we did formerly. We’ll up that as well,” DeVito said.

NBC Connecticut reached out to both hotels for comment but has not yet heard back. If you think you recognize that car in the pictures, contact police at 203-878-6551.

Protests across the country Thursday called on President Donald Trump not to interfere with the Mueller investigation.

“This rally is about the fact that no one is above the law, including the president of the United States,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (D).

From the steps of the Connecticut Capitol to the White House, protesters had that message: president Trump, you are not above the law.

“Just let this investigation happen. Let the truth come to bare. If you’ve done nothing wrong, everything should turn out just the way you thought,” said Plainville resident Kara Curtis.

In Hartford and around the country, people rallied against the president’s firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and Mike Whittaker’s appointment as attorney general, saying that this is a clear attempt by the president to curtail or even end Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.

Marchers at the New Haven Green had the same message.

“Our democracy is under attack. It is a break the glass moment,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D).

Congressional Democrats have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from overseeing the investigation.

Demonstrators said they wanted to make their voices heard in Washington, and make it clear to the president that they’re paying attention to what he’s doing and not doing, and they hope he’ll let justice take its course.

“The president feels like he is being threatened. So, therefore, he’s knocking one by one the people out of the way that are threatening him,” said West Haven resident Margaret Firla.

Similar rallies were held across the country: crowds marched in New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston and Philadelphia, where protesters convened in Center City and marched down Market Street chanting "Protect Mueller."

In Boston, ralliers came together on Boston Common, holding signs in support of the integrity of the Mueller investigation.

More people have signed up to protest again should Robert Mueller be fired or if the White House makes any other significant moves impacting the investigation.

Connecticut State Police, like law enforcement across the country, are on high alert after the deadly shooting in Thousand Oaks, Calif. 

With every mass shooting that occurs, law enforcement across the country learns and adapts.

"Early reports are that he used some form of smoke grenade or something like that so that's one of the first times we've seen something like that used so now we'll have to adapt to that and incorporate that in our training,” explained Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Dan Jewiss.

Jewiss said State Police practice how to approach, enter and move through a building with an active aggressor, their focus to quickly stop the threat to save lives.

“When we have civilian lives in danger, we're going to put ourselves in danger and go through that door to try and stop the threat,” Jewiss said.

That is exactly what Sgt. Ron Helus of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office did, sacrificing his own life to save others. And while law enforcement will continue to train and adapt, police said civilians can also help by always remaining aware of your surroundings.

“When you go into a location, you should be aware of where the exits are, not just where you're in the habit of exiting and entering, but what other possible exits and that doesn't just mean doors,” Jewiss said.

State Police said they’ve recently started outfitting troopers with ballistic vests and helmets as well. They also have an active aggressor training for civilians, done mainly at schools, businesses and churches.

They may be cute but Connecticut bears are also raising safety concerns. In 2018, the state says the number of bears entering homes doubled to more than two dozen, and the year isn’t over yet. As the animals move closer to our communities, could it be time for a bear hunt in the state?

NBC Connecticut regularly receives photos and videos from viewers showing close encounters with bears including a young cub checking out a birdfeeder, a group of bears pushing around pumpkins, a group of them messing around with a swing set.

Bob Bouchard sent us a video clip in September of a bear surprising him at his home and then quickly leaving his Southington neighborhood.

“I it startled me for a moment, then I jumped back,” Bouchard said.

Marie Stuckman’s dog had a scary encounter with bears in her Bristol neighborhood. After a bear bit his tail, Charley was left with a stub. Stuckman said she avoids having things like garbage and birdfeeders that attract bears out near her home, and believes it may be time for a bear hunt.

“With bears breaking into cars, and homes, and the fact that they’re being destructive, terrorizing my dog, I don’t have another solution,” she said.

Annie Hornish, Connecticut director of the Humane Society of the United States, said that while the Stuckmans may be doing their part to keep bears away, many people don’t and that needs to happen before a bear hunt.

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“Science shows that hunting does not remedy these situations. What does work is public education,” Hornish said.

Hornish said that in more serious bear nuisance cases, animal control officers can “haze” bears with rubber bullets.

Marcia Cerrone of East Haven prefers that approach.

“Unfortunately, bears, fox, deer, other animals they have nowhere to really go, cause we’re going into their territory,” Cerrone said.

Tom Bradley of Canton said despite preventive measures, he has gone from no bear sightings to several dozen per year.

“I am living here in ground zero in terms of bear country,” he said.

Bradley said bears put holes in his garage to get to the garbage, and when he accidentally left the garage open, one tried to get in his mud room.

“When I turned the doorknob I could feel someone or something on the other side trying to turn the doorknob at the same time.”

A three-year bear study by UConn professor Tracy Rittenhouse determined bears have become “urban adaptors,” preferring neighborhoods with houses every two to three acres to the wilderness. She speculates this is probably because of the extra food available.

“We thought that maybe we just got more phone calls in those areas, because there’s more people in those areas, but our research demonstrated that it’s not that people see the bears more often, it’s that there really are more bears in those types of places,” explained Rittenhouse.

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That research, coupled with state projections showing the bear population of 800 will double within a decade, is why Susan Whalen, deputy commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), said her agency supports a bear hunt. Hunts are permitted to varying degrees in four out of six New England states, plus New York, and New Jersey.

The Humane Society disputes the state’s bear population projections, and contends a bear hunt won’t work.

“Hunters when they hunt they’re not killing bears that are involved in nuisance behaviors, which are in suburbia, they’re hunting bears that are deep in the woods, so they’re not even targeting, it’s a very non-specific way to address the issue,” Hornish said.

But DEEP points to several studies that refute that claim, and said bears that have become comfortable around humans are among the animals killed during these hunts.

Jesse St. Andre, with the Nutmeg State Sportsmen’s Council, who is also a biologist for a wildlife agency in a neighboring state, said there are ways to safely hunt nuisance bears that frequent neighborhoods.

“If we have a bear, say hitting a neighborhood that just keeps tipping over the trash cans, well if that neighborhood is adjacent to a big wood lot, and that’s where that bear’s living, it’s easy enough to go there and just intercept that bear,” said St. Andre.

DEEP stresses a bear hunt would be just one tool in its toolbox. In rare cases, DEEP will relocate or euthanize bears. But the agency prefers to keep encouraging people to stop attracting bears with garbage, birdfeeders, and unprotected livestock. Those preventative measures are a tough sell in the land of steady habits and those who like birds in their backyard.

It does not appear that a bear hunt will happen in Connecticut any time soon, however. The last two years when it was proposed in the legislature, it failed both times, early in the process.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia said Thursday that it would pay financial reparations to victims of clergy sex abuse, even from years ago.

The Independent Reconciliation and Reparations effort will be funded by the archdiocese, which said it was not sure how much money would be required but that the financial commitment was "significant."

The archdiocese also announced the creation of an independent commission to review church policies, led by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.

Archbishop Charles Chaput made the announcement in his weekly column Thursday. The dioceses of Harrisburg, Scranton and Allentown also announced similar programs Thursday; the Erie Diocese said it would set up a fund, but it didn't disclose any details.

"The damage done to innocent young people and their families by sexual abuse in the past is profound," Chaput wrote. "It can’t be erased by apologies, no matter how sincere. And money can’t buy back a wounded person’s wholeness. But what compensation can do is acknowledge the evil done and meaningfully assist survivors as they work to find greater peace in their lives."

Chaput stressed that money for the reparations would not come from donations to Catholic Charities, seminaries or donations made to parishes, ministries, and schools.

The money may come from selling off church properties, Chaput said.

The abuse survivor's group SNAP said that other dioceses, including New York City, "feeling the heat" have started similar compensation programs.

But a spokesman questioned whether the program would be transparent.

Instead, the goal of some reparation programs is "to keep the secrets, secrets” and to "help stall legislative reform," said David G. Clohessy, director of the St. Louis chapter of Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priest. 

“Victims deserve the opportunity for relatively faster settlements, if they want it, but victims also deserve the right to go to court,” Clohessy said.

The Independent Reconciliation and Reparations program is also independent from survivor assistance efforts of the archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection, which has already paid out $18 million to victims. And it's separate from any legal settlements that the church may be ordered to make.

The confidential compensation will be determined by independent claim administrators, Chaput said. Lynn Shiner, who has served as director of the Pennsylvania Office of Victims’ Services, will represent victims as the program's victim support facilitator.

"The program is designed to help survivors come forward in an atmosphere where they are secure and respected, without the uncertainty, conflict and stress of litigation,” Chaput said.

The archdiocese consulted with violent crime survivors and advocates to form the program, Chaput said.

The announcement comes months after a scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report exposed hundreds of instances of clergy abuse across the rest of Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia’s church had already been the focus of a 2005 grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse, which found former cardinals John Krol and Anthony Bevilacqua were involved in the cover-up of a sex scandal against accused priests throughout the archdiocese.

Another grand jury report in 2011 made new charges against priests still serving in the archdiocese.

In 2012, Philadelphia Monsignor William Lynn became the first Catholic church official to be convicted in the country of covering up sex abuse among priests in his charge.

Back in September, Chaput pledged to compensate sexual abuse survivors, he noted in his latest column.

“I deeply regret the pain that so many victims carry from the experience of sex abuse,” he said. “I hope this program will bring them a measure of peace.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.