Cities and towns all across the state are holding fireworks displays to celebrate Independence Day, summer and other hometown traditions.

Friday, June 28

• Bridgeport: Barnum's Skyblast Fireworks at Seaside Park, 9 p.m.
• Hamden: Hamden's 26th Annual Fireworks Display at Town Center Park, starts at dusk (Rain date is Saturday, June 29)
• Killingly: Red, White and Blue BBQ & Fireworks at Owen Bell Park, 9:15 p.m. (Rain date is Saturday, June 29)
• New London: Fireworks & Beatles Tribute Band at Ocean Beach Park, 8 p.m.
• Norwich: Connecticut Tigers Friday Fireworks, end of game
• Windsor Locks: Windsor Locks Fire Department Annual Carnival at Veterans' Memorial Park on Southwest Avenue, 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is Saturday, June 29)

Saturday, June 29

• Bristol: Independence Celebration at Lake Compounce, 9:30 p.m.
• Coventry: Coventry Fest 2019 at Patriots Park, 9 p.m. (Rain date is Monday, July 1)
• Danbury: Danbury Town Park on Hayestown Road, 9 p.m.
• East Haven: 17th Annual Beach Party & Fireworks at Town Beach on Cosey Avenue, 9 p.m. (Rain date is Monday, July 1)
• Hebron: Hebron Lions Fireworks at the Fairgrounds on Gilead Road at 9 p.m. (Rain date is Sunday, June 30)
• Middletown: 4th of July Fireworks Fest at Middletown Community Park, 9:30 p.m.
• Redding: Lonetown Farm, dusk (Cost is $20 per car)

Tuesday, July 2

• Vernon: July in the Sky Fireworks at Henry Park, 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is Tuesday, July 9)

Wednesday, July 3

• Danbury: Summer Stage Fireworks Show at Danbury Fair Mall, dusk (Rain date is Friday, July 5)
• Derby: Fourth of July Fireworks on 3rd Street, dusk (Rain date is Friday, July 5)
• Fairfield: Independence Day Fireworks at Jennings Beach, 9:15 p.m.
• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game
• Madison: Madison Fireworks at the waterfront off of West Wharf Beach, 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is Friday, July 5)
• Meriden: Fourth of July Fireworks at East Peak in Hubbard Park, 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is Friday, July 5)
• Norwich: Fireworks at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park, dusk
• Norwalk: Fireworks at Calf Pasture Beach, dusk
• Stratford: Stratford Fireworks at Short Beach Park, 9 p.m. (Rain date is Friday, July 5)
• Watertown: Fireworks in Downtown Watertown, 10:15 p.m.
• West Haven: Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular at Bradley Point Park, 9:15 p.m. (Rain date is Friday, July 5)
• Westport: WPAL Independence Day Fireworks at Compo Beach, 9 p.m. (Rain date is Friday, July 5)

Thursday, July 4

• Cheshire: Fireworks at Kurtz Farms, dusk
• Haddam: Search for Fireworks Sunset Cruise RiverQuest at Eagle Landing State Park, 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Middlebury: 3D Fireworks & Special Blast at the Beach at Quassy Amusement Park, 10:15 p.m.
• New Britain: Great American Boom at Stanley Quarter Park, 9:15 p.m. (Rain date is Friday, July 5)
• New Britain: New Britain Bees at New Britain Stadium, end of game
• New Canaan: Family Fourth of July Celebration at Waveny Park, 9:15 p.m.
• New Haven: New Haven Fourth of July Fireworks at Wilbur Cross High School, 9 p.m. (Rain date is Friday, July 5)
• Norwalk: Rowayton Civic Association Fireworks at Bayley Beach, 9 p.m.
• Norwich: Connecticut Tigers 4th of July Fireworks at Dodd Stadium, end of game
• Ridgefield: Fireworks at Ridgefield High School, dusk (Cost is $20 per car)
• Waterbury: Fireworks at Waterbury Municipal Stadium, dusk
• Weston: Weston's Family 4th Celebration at Weston Middle School, 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is Friday, July 5)
• Wilton: Fireworks at Wilton High School, dusk

Friday, July 5

• Lakeville: Lime Up Lime Rock Fireworks at Lime Rock Park, 9:15 p.m.
• Norwich: Connecticut Tigers Friday Fireworks at Dodd Stadium, end of game
• Orange: Independence Day Concert & Fireworks at the Orange Fairgrounds, dusk
• Simsbury: Talcott Mountain Festival at the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows, following concert (Rain date is Saturday, July 6)
• Warren: July 4th Fireworks at Lake Waramug, 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is Saturday, July 6)

Saturday, July 6

• Danbury: Fireworks at Danbury Fair Mall, 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is Tuesday, July 9)
• Darien: Fourth of July Fireworks at Darien High School, dusk
• Greenwich: Fireworks at Greenwich Point Park and Binney Park, dusk (Rain date is Sunday, July 7)
• Jewett City: Griswold Great Get-Together Fireworks at Veterans Memorial Park, dusk
• Manchester: James "Dutch" Fogarty 4th of July Celebration at Manchester Band Shell, dusk (Rain date is Sunday, July 7)
• New Milford: Fireworks Celebration at the Town Green, 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is Friday, July 26)
• Putnam: Fireworks at the Putnam Rotary Park, dusk
• Stamford: Fireworks at Cummings Park, 9 p.m.
• Wallingford: Fireworks at Sheehan High School, dusk

Sunday, July 7

• Enfield: Fireworks Extravaganza on the Town Green, 9:45 p.m.
• Waterbury: Food Truck and Fireworks Fest at Brass Mill Center, dusk (Rain date is Sunday, July 14)

Friday, July 12

• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game

Saturday, July 13

• Guilford: Fireworks at the Guilford Fairground on Lovers Lane, dusk
• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game
• Hartford: Riverfront Fireworks at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza and Great River Park, 9 p.m.
• New London: Sailfest Fireworks at Waterfront Park and State Pier, 9 p.m.

Friday, July 19

• New London: Fireworks at Ocean Beach Park, 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 20

• Newington: Fireworks Extravaganza at Mill Pond Park, dusk
• Niantic: Celebrate East Lyme on Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street, end of festival
• Norwich: Connecticut Tigers Fireworks at Dodd Stadium, end of game
• Portland: Fireworks Extravaganza at Portland High school, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, July 26

• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game

Saturday, July 27

• Canaan: Canaan Railroad Days Fireworks at Lawrence Field, 9 p.m.
• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game

Wednesday, July 31

• Oxford: Quaker Farms Fire Company Carnival at Oxford High School, dusk

Friday, August 2

• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game
• Oxford: Quaker Farms Fire Company Carnival at Oxford High School, dusk
• Thomaston: Thomaston Fire Department Annual Fireworks on Sanford Avenue, 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 3

• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game
• North Branford: Potato and Corn Festival at Auger Field, 9:15 p.m.

Friday, August 9

• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game
• New London: Fireworks at Ocean Beach Park, 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 10

• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game
• New Britain: Fireworks at the New Britain Bees at New Britain Stadium, end of game

Friday, August 16

• Norwich: Connecticut Tigers Fireworks at Dodd Stadium, end of game

Saturday, August 17

• Wolcott: Wolcott County Fire Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, 10:30 p.m.

Friday, August 23

• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game
• Norwich: Connecticut Tigers Fireworks at Dodd Stadium, end of game

Saturday August 24

• Hartford: Hartford Yard Goats, end of game
• Stamford: Harborfest and Fireworks Show at Cumming's Beach on Shippan Avenue, 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 31

• Clinton: Summer Fest and Fireworks at Clinton Town Beach, 9 p.m.

Saturday, September 14

• New Britain: Fireworks at New Britain Bees at New Britain Stadium, end of game

Police in New Hampshire area searching for a missing 16-year-old boy who has been missing since Monday night.

Phoenix Lutz was last seen at about 10:30 p.m. in his Richmond home, according to the New Hampshire Trooper’s Association. The investigation determined he left his home sometime overnight and has not been in contact with his family or friends since.

Lutz is described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a pink sweatshirt, black pants with pink triangles at the ankle and black shoes. Officials said Lutz sometimes uses the name “Ivy.”

Anyone who has seen Lutz or who knows of his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Sgt. Daniel Brow at the New Hampshire State Police Troop C Dispatch at 603-223-8494 or by emailing him at Daniel.brow@dos.nh.gov.

The Hartford Yard Goats are once again offering a unique opportunity to play golf in the ballpark.  The second annual "Links at the Yard" four-day golf event will be held Sept. 26-29 at Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford.

Tee time reservations are now available for the event, which gives golfers a chance to take a swing towards Par 3 target-style holes from elevated areas of the ballpark.

Tee time availability:

• Thursday 5-9 p.m.
• Friday 5-9 p.m.
• Saturday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Sunday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Reservations are available by calling 860-246-GOAT (4628), by visiting online at www.yardgoatsbaseball.com, or in person at the Click It or Ticket Box Office at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut are proud to be the official media partners of the Hartford Yard Goats.

In the Corona-Elmhurst neighborhood of New York City's Queens, the sewer grid is at maximum capacity, the schools are overcrowded and sanitation services barely cover the neighborhood’s requirements. The citizenship question on the 2020 census could make confronting these challenges harder should a significant portion of its population go uncounted, and consequently off the radar for infrastructure and services planning.

A high proportion of residents in Corona-Elmhurst are Latino and Chinese immigrants, and even before the Trump administration's focus on cracking down on immigration, many were wary of the government, according to community leaders. 

“Fear is what happened in 2010. People would not answer the door, so, on paper, the neighborhood became a ghost town,” the Rev. William M. Hoppe of the Church of St. Leo said of the previous census.

“The 2010 census says we have 178,000 residents. But we know the number would be a lot more and our services are strained because of that,” added Christian Cassagnol, district manager for the neighborhood’s community board.

The census, which is required by the U.S. Constitution, takes place every 10 years and is used to determine representation in Congress, draw up state legislative districts and distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds annually.

New York City has a history of undercounting because its neighborhoods have a high proportion of hard-to-count residents: undocumented immigrants and young, single people. But experts fear that the citizenship question on the 2020 census will worsen the undercounting not only in New York, but nationwide --with far-reaching damages.

Undercounting will not only hurt the undocumented, or sanctuary cities. It will affect representation and federal funding in many states, including Republican states, as well the capacity of both public and private institutions to plan over the next decade.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court will be deciding whether it will allow a citizenship question on the 2020 census. If accepted, this would be the first time the question is included in the census since 1950.

The administration’s argument that the question would provide data to assist the Department of Justice in its enforcement of the Voting Rights Act was struck down as a pretext by federal judges in New York, Maryland and California between January and April. During an April 23 hearing at the Supreme Court, conservative judges seemed inclined to accept the question, despite arguments that including the question would hurt the count. Opponents argued that adding the question would not improve the accuracy of the current method used to count non-citizens.

New evidence was discovered after the hearing, which the American Civil Liberties Union notified the court of. The ACLU says that it shows that a Republican redistricting specialist "played a significant role in orchestrating the addition of the citizenship question" in order to give an electoral advantage to "Republicans and Non-Hispanic Whites."

The Justice Department has said that the specialist Thomas Hofeller, who died in August, had no role in its request to the Commerce Department to add the question. Hard drives that his daughter discovered after his death included his work on a citizenship question.

In the United States, 43 million people are foreign-born, 45 percent of whom are Latino, and 22 million are non-citizens, according to the American Community Survey of 2016. In addition, the Census Bureau estimates that 11.3 million undocumented individuals are living in the United States (about one in four immigrants).

For New York, the undocumented population is estimated at 560,000, with about 1 million New Yorkers living in a mixed-status household, according to the city. 

Experts expect the citizenship question to deter more than the undocumented from responding to the census. Trust in government is at a historic low, and the question of immigration has been especially heated since 2016. In this context, “the problem with the citizenship question is that it seems to point in the direction that individuals might say ‘well, I may be outside the law,’” said Joel Perlmann, professor of sociology at Bard College.

Millions of households have at least one undocumented member, and this could lead the whole household to not participate in the census for fear of getting in trouble with the law. Even in cases where everybody in the household is documented, fear of the government's intention could lead people to become uncertain about the legality of their status, Perlman said.

“People have a stereotype about who will be hurt by this,” said Justin Levitt, professor of law at Loyola Law School. “People have been assuming that it will be targeted to the people who don’t answer the census. It’s not. It will affect all of the surrounding communities.”

The most affected will be states where people are most distrustful and fearful of government, and that includes, most prominently, Republican states that have a high proportion of Latinos.

“Texas has been growing like crazy. If the census were correct, it should get three or four more representatives and billions in funding,” Levitt said. But because the vast majority of the state is Latino and many are undocumented, if the question gets approved, Texas as a whole would lose both federal funds and the new seats that would probably have been drawn by Republicans. Republicans would suffer similarly in Florida and the central valley of California, he said.

In Corona-Elmhurst, and in New York City in general, the city government and community districts are preparing to mobilize people to participate in a context that is more difficult than in 2010: with the citizenship question and in a storm of anti-immigrant rhetoric.

The city has allocated $40 million to ensure a full 2020 census count. This includes $14 million to support community-based organizations "whose work is essential to ensuring a complete count of all city residents."

Community Boards have created Census Committees to help in the process. Organizations, such as NYC BLAC for Census 2020, the Brooklyn Community Foundation, and The New York Community Trust, among other local nonprofits, are leading grassroots initiatives. And in Brooklyn, where a large portion of the undercounting took place in the 2010 census, the Brooklyn Borough president, Eric Adams, has launched the Brooklyn Complete Count Committee and the #MakeBrooklynCount campaign.

“We want the number. Just give us a number of how may people live here,” Cassagnol said.

After participating in 53 rescue operations, saving a dozen lives and finding over 40 bodies in disaster zones, Frida, the beloved yellow Labrador retriever from Mexico’s Navy unit, has retired.

The Mexican navy celebrated the canine's contributions by honoring her in a ceremony on Monday, as part of the International Rescuers Day.

"Her bark always gave hope, and in moments of pain and uncertainty she brought relief," said Deputy Naval Minister Eduardo Redondo.

The 65 pound and 10-year-old dog was part of rescue operations not only in Mexico but also in Ecuador and Haiti in 2010, after the deadly earthquake in Port-au-Prince. But it wasn’t until September 2017 that she gained international recognition on social media after the Mexican navy posted a video of her. 

In September 2017 two devastating earthquakes shook Mexico just days apart. The second one, on Sept. 19, killed more than 300 people, including 205 in Mexico City, and caused many structures to collapse. Frida assisted in rescue efforts in both disasters that month.

Wearing goggles and neoprene booties, Frida accompanied first responders looking for the children that perished in a school in Mexico City during the earthquake. The images traveled the world and became a trending topic to the point that celebrities like actor Chris Evans shared the video saying “What did we do to deserve dogs?”

Even though she didn’t rescue anyone during the aftermath of the earthquake in Mexico City, first responders agreed that Frida gave hope to people in the country and people watching the disaster from afar. 

"In social terms, this dog functioned like a transitional object because maybe she didn't help us in anything real or concrete — meaning she didn't rescue anyone — but she let us feel like there was hope and that there were things that could help us," Fátima Laborda, a psychoanalyst and director of Casa Grana, a psychological assistance and research organization, told The Associated Press at the time.

Now, her gear has been hung up and members of the Mexican navy awarded their canine fellow with a chew toy for her to play in her upcoming phase.

Frida is expected to move to the countryside and help in the training of the rescue dogs next generation, according to Mexican authorities.

A chemical reaction that created a tear gas effect led to the evacuation of eight Torrington businesses and left several apartment tenants looking for shelter Monday.

Firefighters said a man was working on an antique safe he got from a jewelry store next-door to his photography studio and a vial of liquid, which was part of the safe’s protective system, broke.

Firefighters suspect it was a vial of Chloropicrin, which when combined with oxygen creates an irritating gas.

“(Chloropicrin) is used in the old safes as a deterrent, basically from theft,” said Torrington Deputy Fire Chief, David Tripp Jr. “If someone tried to break into a safe, these vials would break, they get the tear gas-effect.”

Meanwhile residents of 19 apartment units were displaced.

“They couldn’t spend the night here,” said Brenda Davis who manages the property where the incident occurred. “Some of them went to hotel rooms. Some of them went to friends but they were all worried about their animals upstairs.” 

Darby Pedroncelli, was among the tenants forced to find shelter for herself and her dogs.

“We hung out around town last night until we realized there’s no way I’m getting back in, at all,” said Pedroncelli, who returned Tuesday morning to find the building still restricted. 

The evacuations occurred around 3:30 p.m. Monday, also cutting the business day short. 

“We weren’t able to get to our phones, our computers. Business virtually shut down,” Steven Roth, CEO of Elevator Service Company, Inc., said. 

Chloropicrin was not only used in safes between the 1920s and 1950s but it was also used in weaponized form during World War I. 

“It’s a very toxic chemical,” Tripp said. “It’s down to the parts per billion. Usually in the fire service we’re dealing with parts per million like with carbon monoxide.” 

Now, the task of clearing the air is the top priority. 

“They were taking air samples all night long, sent them across the street to DEEP’s Mobil lab, which has a chemist to find out the readings of this chemical,” Tripp added. 

While DEEP is expected to re-evaluate the situation Tuesday, there is no timetable yet as to when businesses and residents can return.

Kids can get into four shows at Xfinity Theatre in Hartford for free this summer. For each adult lawn ticket purchased for the following four shows, one child who 12 or under gets one lawn ticket for free.

These are the Kids Get In Free shows in Hartford:

• Heart with Sheryl Crow and Elle King: July 20
• Dierks Bentley with Jon Pardi and Tenille Townes: Aug 15
• Santana with The Doobie Brothers: Aug 21
• Brad Paisley with Chris Lane and Riley Greene: Aug 29

The Kids Get in Free Days tickets will be available only at the Xfinity Theatre gates upon entry day of show with proof of adult lawn tickets purchased.

Wethersfield fire officials say fireworks may have caused damage to a home on Harding Street Monday night.

According to a Facebook post from the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, fireworks were heard in the Harding Street area between 8:45 and 9 p.m. A short time later, crews responded to a fire in the backyard of a home on Harding Street near Cummings Avenue.

The fire spread to the home and caused damage to the exterior and kitchen.

Anyone with information about the fireworks should contact the fire marshal’s Office at 860-721-2806.

Wayfair employees are planning a walkout to protest the company's decision to sell furniture to a detention camp for migrant children at the Mexican border, according to multiple reports.

An employee, who did not wish to be named, told The Boston Globe that Baptist Children's Family Services, a charity group that works as a government contractor managing some of the camps along the southern border, placed a $200,000 order for mattresses on June 13.

More than 500 employees upset with the Boston-based company's decision said they co-signed a letter last Friday to address their concerns to Wayfair co-founders Niraj Shah and Steve Conine. The letter asked the company to "cease all current and future business" with Baptist Children's Family Services.

"We believe that the current actions of the United States and their contractors at the Southern border do not represent an ethical business partnership Wayfair should be a part of,” the employees said in the letter.

CNBC said the employees have asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

According to The Globe, company executives responded Monday by thanking the employees for bringing the issue to their attention but said as business leaders, they believed in the importance of "respecting diversity of thought within our organization and across our customer base."

Employees are planning a walkout at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Wayfair did not return repeated requests for comment Tuesday, according to CNBC.

Two Democratic members of Congress tweeted their support for the Wayfair employees on Tuesday afternoon.

"Wayfair workers couldn’t stomach they were making beds to cage children. They asked the company to stop. CEO said no. Tomorrow, they‘re walking out. This is what solidarity looks like - a reminder that everyday people have real power, as long as we’re brave enough to use it," U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said.

"We must actively #resist any & all efforts by this cruel, incompetent administration to cage children and separate families," added U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts. "I proudly stand in solidarity w/ the hardworking individuals at #Wayfair who are walking out in the name of #justice & humanity."

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts also tweeted her support saying, "I stand with the hundreds of @Wayfair employees who are planning to stage a walkout at their Boston headquarters tomorrow. The safety and well-being of immigrant children is always worth fighting for."

Lincoln National Corporation is closing its facility in Rocky Hill and laying off 83 employees.

According to a notice to the Department of Labor, the company notified employees of plans to close the location at 55 Capital Boulevard on August 20, 2018.

The affected jobs include directors, managers, claim specialists and administrative assistants.

Lincoln National bought the facility from Liberty Mutual Insurance last year.

North Haven animal control has responded to several reports of a bear sighting, according to police.

They said the latest report is on Maple Avenue, near the center of town.

Police warn anyone who sees the bear in a populated area to call animal control officers at 203-239-5321.

They are also urging residents to remove birdfeeders, ensure garbage is properly packaged when placed outside and to look before allowing pets outside.

Connecticut Central State University released its fourth annual analysis of police traffic stop data on Tuesday.

After compiling and analyzing data from more than 500,000 traffic stops across 107 law enforcement agencies, researchers from the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy said racial profiling is on the decline.

“This is really the first year where we are seeing disparities decrease, fewer departments being identified, which is a clear indication that Connecticut is on the right path,” explained Ken Barone, a research specialist with the Institute of Municipal and Regional Policy.

Barone said while the results are promising, this year’s study found disparities in Derby, Fairfield, Meriden, Wethersfield and State Police troops in Tolland and Colchester. Researchers delved deeper into the disparities in Derby and Fairfield. According to the study, minority drivers stopped by police in Derby represented 38.5 percent of total stops, while Fairfield’s minority driver stops represented 31.5 percent. These were both higher than the state average of 30.6 percent. Researchers noted that other factors, such as census data and heavy traffic flow, likely contributed to Fairfield and Derby’s increased numbers. Both municipalities police chiefs responded to the findings, claiming the 2010 census data used in the study did not reflect the current makeup of their communities.

“We believe that the analysis is comprehensive,” said Chief L.J. Fusaro of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association said. “Like anything, it’s not perfect, but certainly we as a group have insisted on constant improvement.”

While the report pointed to a decrease in racially-motivated traffic stops, Barone said the study found minorities are being treated differently after a traffic stop compared to white drivers. This includes whether a driver gets a warning, ticket or a search of the car.

“Minority drivers are more likely to receive different outcomes even when stopped for the same reason as white drivers,” Barone said.

When asked if allocating local and state resources to study racial profiling is worthwhile, Wethersfield resident Kyle Carso offered his support.

“It’s incredibly important, at least, just to bring more awareness to that, just as a local business owner, I hear a lot about it in town, so I know it’s in public consciousness.”

CCSU says the data for 2018 will be released in the fall.

To read the report, click here.

On June 10, 2019, Shawn Bull’s life took a turn for the worst.

The Ellington Public Works employee was cutting a riser for a catch basin.

Suddenly, Bull’s chop saw kicked back and caused multiple lacerations to his neck/throat area.

"There was a severe laceration and I didn’t have much time,” said Bull. “I just noticed a purple liquid oozing out of my neck.”

The painful memory is still troubling for Bull.

Crews work in teams and Bull was working with co-workers who he’s known for years.

Ronnie Moser and Richard Daugherty began running to Bull to apply pressure to the wounds.

“They put pressure on my neck and then Rich came out of the hole and he put pressure on my neck.

Daugherty is a veteran army medic who used his experience in the Iraq War to save his co-worker's life.

The two men along with Dennis Giroux never left Bull’s side as first responders rushed to the scene.

“I don’t remember the helicopter ride or anything else,” said Bull. “I definitely believe that I would’ve of died, if those individuals hadn’t done what they done.”

Paramedics arrived and later transported the father to a helicopter.

“If it wasn’t for their quick thinking, I definitely wouldn’t be here today,” said Bull.

Shawn went through two surgeries, 10 blood transfusions and lost two liters of blood.

He was released from the hospital after only four days and has been recovering at home.

“I’m just grateful and on the road to recovery, hopefully I get there sooner rather than later,” said Bull. “I’m only 48, I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet.”

Since being released from Baystate Hospital, all three coworkers have paid a visit to Shawn at his home.

Bull says he plans on returning to work after his recovery.

UConn's Board of Trustees will vote Wednesday on rejoining the Big East, according to a release from the university.

The presidents of the schools in the Big East voted Monday to extend an invitation to UConn to rejoin the conference, according to the Associated Press.

The vote will take place in open session.

UConn was one of the founding members of the Big East, but when the league dissolved in 2013, the school became a part of the newly-created American Athletic Conference.

Connecticut has joined six states and the District of Columbia in establishing a paid family and medical leave program for private employees.

Public employees are ineligible for the benefit currently, and could be added as eligible if negotiated during collective bargaining.

The moment was a significant one for advocates, who cheered and clapped throughout the bill-signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon.

“Let’s just remember this is not just pro-worker, it is pro-business,” said Rep. Robyn Porter, (D – New Haven). “You can’t be pro-worker without being pro-business because businesses cannot without exist so let’s make sure that this is the message that we are sending.”

Starting in 2023, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program will provide every private sector worker with up to 12 weeks of paid leave, up to $900 per week. The program will be funded through .5 percent payroll deductions in every private sector worker’s paycheck starting in 2021. An appointed board will oversee the formation and administration of the new insurance program.

Republicans fought the Democratic sponsored plan for paid family and medical leave, arguing it was an onerous and expensive mandate. They preferred an opt-in sort of program that would be designed by private insurers, and employees could opt into the program.

“People have a right to make a decision for themselves and not let government tell them that we know better than what’s better for themselves,” said Sen. Len Fasano, (R – North Haven), the top Republican in the State Senate.

But in the end, supporters won the political battle, focusing on the stories of families who could have used it.

One of those stories was on display at the bill signing.

Kharlene Wonder’s husband suffered from prostate cancer and he had to take unpaid time off. That meant Kharlene’s weekly pay of $228 would have to cover the family’s bills which included her mother-in-law and son.

“It was very challenging,” Wonder said. She added that she wished this program was in place when her husband fell ill.

The business community in Connecticut, with some exceptions, had been fighting the legislation tooth and nail. Even though a pair of business owners joined Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and over 100 supporters Tuesday, organizations that represent tens of thousands of employers were staunchly opposed.

“There are no easy replacements for most of the skilled people that I have working here,” said Richard Laurenzi, president of Prospect Machine Products in Prospect.

He said the measure is unquestionably anti-business, forcing a smaller employer, with only 15 workers, to figure things out if one of his employees takes the paid family and medical leave.

“I couldn’t put a number on it, but it would hurt. It would really hurt,” Laurenzi said.

The estranged husband of missing New Canaan mother Jennifer Dulos crossed state lines into New York on Monday, according to two sources with knowledge of the investigation, which could be a violation of the conditions of his release.

Jennifer’s estranged husband Fotis Dulos and his girlfriend Michelle Troconis have each been charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence in connection with the case.

Fotis was released on a $500,000 bond on June 11 after pleading not guilty to the charges. His conditions for release included wearing a GPS monitoring device and to stay within the state of Connecticut. Sources confirm that the court is aware that he crossed the border into New York.

An attorney representing Fotis told NBC Connecticut ""(Fotis) was directed by Waze to avoid a major accident and briefly veered into New York unbeknownst to him on his way to a property he owns in New Canaan."

One of Fotis’ attorneys, Norm Pattis, has stressed that his client is presumed innocent.

Jennifer has been missing for over a month. According to court documents, when police searched her home, they found blood, and investigators believe she was the victim of a serious physical assault. Her disappearance is considered a missing persons case.

City surveillance cameras captured a man police said matched the appearance of Fotis throwing away bags of garbage along Albany Avenue in Hartford the day Jennifer disappeared.

Jennifer, who moved from Farmington to New Canaan after filing for divorce, was last seen while dropping off her children at school in New Canaan on Friday, May 24. Since Jennifer disappeared, her children have been living with her mother.

Investigators have spent the better part of the last month searching for clues related to Jennifer's disappearance at locations all over the state.

As the search continues, police have dedicated a website, FindJenniferDulos.com, and an email address, FindJenniferDulos@newcanaanct.gov, to the investigation. Police have also set up a tipline, 203-594-3544.

More than 150 people came out to a Planning and Zoning Public Hearing in Avon Tuesday night to discuss the future of a property on Nod Road.

The majority of who came out wore "Save Nod Road" stickers and t-shirts. The packed room indicative of the interest in what happens to property on Nod Road, but how it would impact the area depends on whom you talk to.

"Devastating for not just the people that live near it but people that love it," said Robin Baran, the co-president of Save Nod Road.

"This is the best development for Avon," said Anthony Giorgio, managing director of The Keystone Companies, LLC.

Keystone Companies, the developer, is looking to build 95 single-family homes on a portion of a golf course near the Farmington River. Giorgio says they also plan to allocate 80 percent of the total site into a permanent conservation easement.

"This is a way for Avon to gain control of a massive piece of land and to have it preserved in perpetuity and still get new residents, new people for businesses, new tax revenue," said Giorgio.

The backlash from some neighbors has been swift, and concerns range from increased traffic to environmental.

"There is a host of biodiversity on this property of so many species that rely on these wetlands and flood plains and this river and this land and that is a great concern," said Baran.

At Tuesday night's public hearing, the developer pushed for changing the zoning of about 40 acres from agricultural to residential. But a lawyer for Save Nod Road say it should be left agricultural.

Residents for the development call it a responsible change. Those against it say the area should be left alone.

The next public hearing is set for July 9.

Federal agencies responsible for safeguarding millions of Americans' security, public safety and personal data have failed to apply even basic defenses to cyberattacks, Senate investigators said Tuesday.

The alarming warning comes after a 10-month review of 10 years of inspector general's reports by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, NBC News reported.

The 99-page report accuses eight critical agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department and the Social Security Administration, of:

• Having relied on outdated systems — at least one of them almost 50 years old.
• Having neglected to keep track of hardware and software.
• Having failed to apply mandatory security patches.
• Having ignored well-known threats and weaknesses, in some cases for more than a decade.

A New York City man was indicted on attempted murder and additional charges for stabbing his 12-year-old son and 18-year-old stepdaughter in their apartment last month after an apparent failed relationship, and subsequently assaulting two New York City Department of Correction Officers, according to prosecutors.

Carlos Camilo, 43, of the Bronx, was arraigned Tuesday on attempted murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, second-degree assault, second-degree menacing, endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, attempted escape in the first degree and resisting arrest, announced Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark Tuesday.

Camilo is being held on remand and is due back in court Nov. 6.

Attorney information for Camilo was not immediately known.

According to the investigation, on the night of May 28, the Camilo stabbed his son and stepdaughter inside the home they shared in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, after the mother of the victims allegedly talked to Camilo about ending their relationship.

Camilo allegedly went to the 12-year-old victim, who was lying on a bed, grabbed him by the shirt and slit his throat.

According to prosecutors, Camilo then went to the bathroom, where his 18-year-old stepdaughter was in the shower, and allegedly pinned her against the wall and slashed her neck.

The mother and the victims who were slashed fled the apartment after the attack and went to a hospital where they were treated for their wounds, prosecutors say.

Camilo, allegedly, then barricaded himself inside the apartment and slashed himself before NYPD officers were able to remove him.

Subsequently, on May 31, Camilo tried to escape from custody at St. Barnabas Hospital and assaulted two Correction Officers in the process, prosecutors say, adding Camilo also hit one of the officers with a metal pipe which caused a large gash to his head.

Hundreds of Wayfair employees are expected to walk off the job Wednesday to protest the online retailer's decision to furnish a detention camp for migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The workers are expected to walk out from their Boston headquarters at 1:30 p.m. and head to Copley Square, about a seven-minute walk away. Organizers are calling on employees who are based in the headquarters and remote workers to participate in the protest.

More than 500 employees signed a petition demanding the Boston-based e-commerce company cease all current and any future sales with contractors who work with detention camps. The petition directly addresses Wayfair co-founders Steve Conine and Niraj Shah.

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CNBC reports organizers for the protest claim the company made $86,000 in profits made by selling mattresses for the detention camp. An anonymous employee told The Boston Globe that a $200,000 order was made on June 13 by Baptist Children's Family Services, a charity group that works as a government contractor that manages some of the centers.

The controversy was followed by the company's stock dropping by 5.3% Tuesday. Employees are demanding those proceeds be donated to RAICES, a non-profit agency that offers low-cost legal services to undocumented immigrants.

Politicians including 2020 contenders Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to voice their support for the walkout.

DoneGood, a Cambridge-based online retailer, also voiced its support for the walkout and vowed to donate 100% of the revenue they make Wednesday to Raices.

Wayfair did not return repeated requests for comment Tuesday, according to CNBC.

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