Andy Puzder, the fast-food restaurant chief executive nominated to be labor secretary, hired an undocumented household employee, NBC News confirmed Monday night.

Puzder didn't keep this to himself though and notified the Trump administration that he once had an employee who did not have legal status in the U.S.

"I was unaware that [our housekeeper] was not legally permitted to work in the U.S. When I learned of her status, we immediately ended her employment and offered her assistance in getting legal status. We have fully paid back taxes to the IRS and the State of California and submitted all required paperwork regarding her employment," Puzder said in a statement released by the White House.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, said he believes this part of Puzder's past shouldn't disqualify him from joining the president's cabinet. However, hiring undocumented workers has derailed previous Cabinet nominees, including President Bill Clinton's attorney general nominee Kimba Wood.

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President Donald Trump, at a press conference during his visit to CENTCOM on Monday, said that the media "doesn't want to report" on terrorist attacks involving Islamic radicals. The White House then provided a list of 78 attacks from September 2014 to December 2016 that officials claimed got short shrift from the news media.

After the White House provided a list of 78 attacks from September 2014 to December 2016 that officials claimed got short shrift from the media, NBC News reported that it covered 57 of the attacks on the list. Those 57 attacks resulted in the deaths of 745 people — including the Paris terrorist attacks in November 2015, which killed 130 people and resulted in hundreds of stories.

By contrast, the 21 attacks NBC News did not cover were smaller incidents in places like Egypt, Bosnia or Bangladesh, and the suspects were described only as "unidentified" or "unidentified ISIL" operatives.

Also on the White House list was another terrorist attack that was covered widely by both the U.S. and foreign media — the December 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, which killed 14 people. NBC News' archives have at least 162 stories that mentioned the suspects. 

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Fire officials say a heater placed too close to flammable materials is to blame for a fire that heavily damaged a home in the Higganum section of Haddam Monday.

The Haddam Volunteer Fire Company and six mutual aid companies responded around 10:30 a.m. to fire at a home on Country Walk.

When crews arrived on scene they found flames coming from the from porch and the first floor roof. The homeowner and her children were already safely outside the building. Firefighters rescued two cats and three pet bunnies from the home.

Firefighters cut roof vents and removed knee walls on the second floor and drafted from an underground tank of Pokorny Road and a pond on Bartman Road to fight the fire. Crews were on scene for about three and a half hours, according to the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company.

Fire officials said the fire started on the front porch and is believed to have been caused by a heater that was too close to flammable materials.

Middletown’s South District, Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company, Chester Hose Company, Durham Volunteer Fire Department, Haddam Neck Volunteer Fire Department and East Haddam Fire Department all responded to the scene to assist, and the Deep River Fire Department provided station coverage.

Former President Barack Obama's vacation appears to be going swimmingly.

He's been spending time in the British Virgin Islands with billionaire Richard Branson, who posted video Tuesday morning showing the pair trying out new water sports and seeing who could go farther in the clear, blue water.

Obama tried his hand at kitesurfing, while Branson, the founder of the Virgin business empire and an extreme sports enthusiast, was on a foilboard.

"Barack and I both fell many times, but we kept trying again and again and made progress over the days," Branson wrote in a blog post. "We were neck and neck until the last run on the last day, when I got up on the foilboard and screamed along for over 50 metres, three feet above the water. I was feeling very pleased with myself, only to look over and see Barack go 100 metres on his kiteboard! I had to doff my cap to him and celebrate his victory."

It's one of the first glimpses of Obama's life after the presidency. In the last days of his second term, Obama talked about needing to take his family on vacation before he could focus on his next job.

"Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then we’ll get back to work," he tweeted shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Obama has left the island of Necker, where the "friendly challenge" took place, according to Branson, who added that he's looking to beat Obama next time but isn't bitter about losing the first round.

"After all he has done for the world, I couldn’t begrudge him his well-deserved win," Branson wrote.

Bridgeport police said a robbery suspect resisted arrest and accidentally shot himself in the leg while struggling with an officer Monday.

According to police around 9 p.m. the suspect, identified as Steven Nieves, 31, entered a store at 375 Capitol Avenue and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk handed over the money and the suspect fled.

Officers responded to the scene and began searching the area. Police said Sgt. James Geremia spotted Nieves on Main Street near Charles Street and confronted him. According to police, Nieves resisted arrest and assaulted Geremia. During the struggle, Nieves reached for a handgun that was in his pocket and the gun went off, the bullet striking Nieves in the leg.

Geremia called for backup and Nieves was taken into custody, police said. Both men were taken to St. Vincent’s Medical Center for treatment and later released.

Nieves is charged with first-degree robbery, criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful discharge of firearms, assault on a police officer, reckless endangerment, threatening and carrying a pistol without a permit. He was issued a $250,000 bond.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the 100 best places to live in the United States and two of them are in Connecticut.

Hartford comes in 31st.

U.S. News & World Report cites the city’s “many cultural gems hidden amidst rolling hills and wooded neighborhoods,” the steady growth in the city’s immigrant population and a public transit system that includes the CTfastrak bus system.

In an analysis of housing costs, the magazine points out housing costs as lower than the national average, but daily expenses that are higher than the national average.

New Haven comes in at 81st. 

U.S. News & World Report says the city is a combination of “New England charm and global cosmopolitanism” in a “livable seaside metropolitan area,” but that nearly all expenses are above the national average. 

Of course Yale University made the write-up, as did the local bus system and Metro-North.

Austin, Texas was rated the best place to live in the country; followed by Denver, Colorado; and San Jose, California. See the full list. 

New London police have arrested a convicted felon accused of having stolen firearms, police said Tuesday.

According to New London police, they were informed early Monday morning by Stonington police of a report of stolen firearms. Two pistols, one assault rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, five high capacity rifle magazines and 15 high capacity pistol magazines were reported missing to Stonington police.

Investigators identified 28-year-old David Johnson, of New London, as a suspect.

According to police, officers found Johnson and issued a traffic stop. During that stop police said they found two of the three guns reported stolen “in close proximity of David Johnson.” Police also reported finding hundreds of rounds of ammunition, high capacity magazines, and high capacity pistol magazines.

Police said they found a third stolen weapon while executing a search warrant.

Johnson is charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of an assault weapon and risk of injury to a minor. According to police, Johnson is already a convicted felon in multiple states.

He was held on a $200,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing.

Rocky Hill police and the Central Connecticut Health District are warning residents to be on the lookout after a woman was bitten by a potentially rabid raccoon Saturday.

Police said the victim was standing near her vehicle on Valley Brook Road when the animal approached her and bit her unprovoked. She suffered minor injuries, police said.

Animal Control is trying to locate the animal. Anyone who sees a raccoon acting strangely or wandering around during daylight is encouraged to contact police.

CCHD reminds residents that rabies can be deadly in humans. The most common way humans contract the virus is through a bite from an infected animal. The wild animals that most commonly carry rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes and coyotes.

The possible signs of rabies in any animal are as follows:

• shyness of a normally friendly pet
• fearlessness (of humans) in wild animals
• uncharacteristic excitability, aggressiveness, or restlessness
• sudden mood changes
• excessive drooling
• abnormal activity during the time of day the animal is usually inactive
• eating substances that are not normally eaten
• paralysis

No injuries were reported after a house fire on Oxford Street in Hartford Tuesday morning.

An NBC Connecticut crew on scene reported that smoke could be seem coming out of the side of the upper floor of the single-family home, which assesor records say was built in 1900. 

Capt. Raul Ortiz of the Hartford Fire Department said there was fire in the walls of the building when crews arrived. No injuries were reported, and firefighters rescued some exotic birds from the home.

More details were not immediately available.

Check back for updates.

A man who is accused of forcing a woman to take money out of her bank account and leading police on a chase has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, unlawful restraint, as well as additional charges.

Southbury Police and troopers from Troop A in Southbury responded to Chase Bank at 775 Main St. South just before 11 a.m. Monday after bank employees reported that a man was forcing a woman to take money out of her bank account, according to state police.

Police identified the suspect as 25-year-old Claude Williams, of Waterbury, and said he was waiting in the car for the victim as she was in the bank. When he saw police, he fled and led them on a chase along local roads in Southbury for about nine minutes until crashing into the median at the bottom of the Interstate 84 exit 15 eastbound off-ramp.

Police took Williams into custody after the crash and said he and the victim know each other and no injuries have been reported.

Williams has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree robbery, engaging police in a pursuit and additional offenses. Police said they found narcotics on Williams and he was also charged with illegal possession of narcotics.

Bond was set at $250,000.

When it comes to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Matt Patricia lets his clothes do the talking.

The New England Patriots defensive coordinator wore a Goodell clown T-shirt as he exited the team plane, Monday, which arrived in Boston following the team’s Super Bowl win in Houston.

Earlier in Houston, Goodell awarded quarterback Tom Brady the Super Bowl MVP trophy. It was widely seen as awkward because Goodell suspended Brady for four games over Deflategate claims.

Patricia later appeared at Gillette Stadium in a sweatshirt.

A Southington house was destroyed in an early morning fire Tuesday but thankfully no one was home at the time, according to Southington fire officials.

Firefighters were called to the home at 321 Berlin Street around 2:15 a.m. When they arrived on scene they reported flames coming out of the windows. Mutual aid was called in from the Cheshire Fire Department to help fight the flames.

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The residents had been staying in a hotel while they refinished the floors so they were not home at the time of the fire. No serious injuries were reported, but the home has been declared a total loss.

Fire officials are investigating the cause.

North Haven police are diverting traffic in the area of the intersection of Elm Street and Sackett Point Road. 

Police said the water company is doing work in the area and there is a “water incident.” 

No additional information was immediately available.

An elderly man was killed when he was struck by a car while crossing West Putnam Avenue in Greenwich Monday, according to Greenwich police.

Police said the man from Port Chester, NY, who was in his 80s, was hit at the intersection of West Putnam Avenue and Western Junior Highway. He was taken to Greenwich Hospital where he died of his injuries. The victim has not been publicly identified.

According to police, the driver of the vehicle immediately stopped and tried to help.

The Greenwich Police Department’s Traffic Section is investigating.

Hartford police are investigating after a man was found unconscious suffering serious head trauma on Becket Street Tuesday, according to police.

Hartford Police Deputy Chief Brian Foley said that when first responders arrived on scene around 11 a.m. it was not clear exactly how the trauma occurred but investigators believe it may be a gunshot wound. The victim, who was not identified, was taken to Hartford Hospital.

Foley said while the victim has not been pronounced dead, police believe the victim’s injuries are “non-survivable” and the Major Crimes Division has been called in to investigate the case as a homicide.

No weapon was found on scene. The building where the victim was found is believed to be in foreclosure.

There was evidence on scene of narcotics use and the incident may be drug-related, Foley said.

Major Crimes and the Focused Violence Reduction Team are investigating.

A Connecticut State police response to an incident where protesters blocked a highway in New Haven over the weekend is under review, state police said. An attorney for the protesters claimed the police response was excessive and violent.

On Saturday, a group of approximately 100 protesters opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies blocked the road on the Route 34 connector and backed traffic up getting of Interstates 91 and 95 in New Haven, blocking the route into the city and to the hospital.

New Haven police and state police responded to clear a path for traffic and to move protesters to the side of the road. According to New Haven police, one protester who refused to move for a police car was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and released on a promise to appear.

State police arrested a man they identified as the leader of the protest, Norman Clement, 66, of New Haven.

Patricia Kane, the attorney representing the marchers, claimed the participants were not violent and the police response, which included state police and state police K9s, as well as backup from New Haven police, was excessive.

“This was a peaceful protest, the only violence was police violence and it’s kind of poetic justice that the dog bit three officers,” Kane said.

Kane told NBC Connecticut she intends to file excessive force complaints against state police. She also said that the protesters were willing to move out of the way for emergency vehicles.

Connecticut state police confirmed that a K9 did bite two troopers and that the situation is under review. State police said the whole incident, including the circumstances that lead up to the bites, will be investigated.

“The K-9 bites are documented and will be investigated, including a full after action report. CSP will also review all of the circumstances surrounding the bites and take additional steps as warranted,” Commissioner Dora B. Schriro said via a statement to the press Monday.

Blocking a highway is a crime and state police said that while they respect the right to assemble and protest, blocking major roads and emergency vehicles will not be tolerated.

“The State Police also respectfully reminds any group that wishes to gather in a reasonable time, place, and manner, that they are welcome to do so, but that under no circumstances may a group assemble on limited access/major thoroughfares or block emergency vehicles," Schriro’s statement read.

New Haven Police Department spokesman David Hartman released a statement Monday that stood by his department’s response and said they were working to keep the protesters safe. That statement read in part, “We stood out nationally as a department whose tactics when dealing with “Occupy”, should be followed. We have been eager to work with protesters to ensure everyone’s safety. We close streets when permits are submitted for marches. We advise and don’t demand. We protect and don’t antagonize.”

Hartman also said his department was disheartened by the demonstrators Saturday, who police said focused their anger toward officers.

New Haven Police Chief Campbell also supported the actions of his department as well as state police.

“I really applaud both new haven and the state police for their restraint – two arrests were made – but there were a lot more people subject to arrest,” he said in an interview with NBC Connecticut Monday.

On Sunday, thousands of people attended the annual Run for Refugees fundraiser, followed by a March for Refugees that protested Trump’s policies and actions regarding refugees. Despite a record number of participants at the run and large crowds at the march, police said there were no incidents at those events.

A lawsuit alleges MetLife Inc. failed to pay $50 million in overtime to claim specialists across the country for the past three years. 

The complaint was filed Tuesday in federal court in Hartford, Connecticut, by former claim specialist Stephanie McKinney, of Charleston, South Carolina, who previously worked at the insurance company's offices in Bloomfield, Connecticut. 

The lawsuit seeks class-action status on behalf of claim specialists nationwide who worked on long-term disability insurance claims for MetLife and two subsidiaries. 

A spokesman for New York-based MetLife said company officials haven't seen the lawsuit so they cannot comment. 

McKinney alleges she and other specialists worked up to 60 hours a week without overtime pay and often had to gather claims information outside of office hours.

New Haven police are investigating after a man was shot in the abdomen this morning.

Police said the shooting was reported at Chapel Street and Winthrop Avenue at 10:30 a.m. and the victim is a New Haven man in his 30. 

He went to Yale-New Haven Hospital and is in stable condition. 

The shooter was described as a man in his 20s who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. 

Police ask anyone with information to call detectives at 203-946-6304.

Some people suffered minor injuries after a person yelled “bomb” or “gun” in a courtroom at New Haven Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon and people started running out of the room, according to state police. 

State police said troopers responded to the courthouse at 121 Elm St. around 12:20 p.m. after marshals reported that a man started chanting in the courtroom. 

The judge asked the man to leave the courtroom, but he refused and marshals removed him, state police said. 

At some point, someone in the courtroom yelled “bomb” or “gun,” prompting people to run out of the courtroom. 

Minor injuries were reported and man is being held while authorities investigate, according to state police, and they said they did not find any guns or bombs. 

It’s not clear why the man was there. State police said he was not due to appear for a case nor does it appear he knew anyone scheduled to appear. 

No additional information was immediately available. 

Icing today in the hills, will be accompanied by mild temperatures tomorrow, and measurable snow on Thursday.

NBC Connecticut meteorologists have issued a First Alert for a significant snow storm that will impact the state on Thursday.

Temperatures will be mild tomorrow with highs in the low- to middle-50s statewide. Temperatures quickly cool to the middle to upper-20s tomorrow night.

Enough cold air will be in place with high pressure to our north that will allow this storm to be primarily snow even down to the shore.

We're forecasting 6 to 12 inches of snow by Thursday evening. This is a wide range and we will fine tune the numbers as more information comes in.

With the timing of the storm and amount of snow forecasted we expect there to be a number of impacts, including school closings and snow covered roads. You can sign up here for school closing alerts.

The storm will start in the early morning hours with the heaviest between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Snow will wind down by the evening commute.

We expect widespread school cancellations for Thursday. You can find the latest list of school cancellations by clicking here.