A new report says Uber used a secret program dubbed "Hell" to track Lyft drivers so that the company coud maintain an edge over its biggest competitor. 

Only a small group of Uber employees, including CEO Travis Kalanick, knew about the program, according to a story in the technology trade publication The Information, that cited an anonymous source who wasn't authorized to speak publicly.

Between 2014 and 2016, Uber was able to track how many Lyft drivers were in service, see if they were driving for both ride-hailing services and otherwise stifle competition.

The program was discontinued in early 2016, according to the report.

It's the latest embarrassing revelation for Uber, which has faced a series of executive departures and accusations of sexism and sexual harassment.

A representative for Uber did not respond to messages for comment Thursday. Lyft said in a statement to the publication that "if true, the allegations are very concerning."

Bill Ziegler, known as "Wild Bill", the owner of a nostalgia shop in Middletown, died at 70 on Tuesday.

"Though we are devastated by this fact we are happy to say he passed sometime Tuesday evening after having a wonderful day at his second home, Wild Bills Nostalgia, with most of his immediate family including his youngest grand kids," the store's Facebook said.

Wild Bill's Nostalgia is described as a place "to celebrate a retro amusement experience for the entire family with an interesting 'twist' to offer affordable fun and memories." 

The store and the land its on has been a staple in Middletown for more than three decades.

"Joyful till the end, he fed the cows with them and played with his talking tree," the Facebook continued. 

The nostalgia shop featured retro collectibles, like show-print posters, antiques, toys, vinvyl records, vintage clothing and other knick knacks. 

Friends and customers are invited to a memorial event on April 30, 2017 at Wild Bills Nostalgia, 1003 Newfield St, Middletown, Connecticut 06457.

The U.S. is prepared to launch a preemptive strike with conventional weapons against North Korea should officials become convinced that North Korea is about to follow through with a nuclear weapons test, multiple senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News.

North Korea has warned that a "big event" is near, and U.S. officials say signs point to a nuclear test that could come as early as this weekend.

The intelligence officials told NBC News the U.S. has positioned two destroyers capable of shooting Tomahawk cruise missiles in the region, one just 300 miles from the North Korean nuclear test site.

The Kentucky doctor dragged from a United Express flight at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago suffered a significant concussion, broken nose and lost his two front teeth, attorneys for David Dao said Thursday. 

In revealing plans to file a lawsuit, Chicago aviation attorney Thomas A. Demetrio said the issue that led to David Dao's "forceful" and "violent" removal was not in fact "overbooking" but rather a larger problem of airlines "bullying" customers.

"For a long time, airlines, United in particular, have bullied us," he said. "They have treated us less than maybe we deserve."  

Dao’s lawyer criticized the flight’s crew for standing by idle as police used “violent” force to remove a 69-year-old man from the plane, noting that Dao was not a threat to passengers or United employees.

"This was not a troubled passenger," he said. "This was not a nut job. This was not a threat to anyone. Should he have been unceremoniously dragged out of that airplane the way he was? He's a 69-year-old man. Is that really the way we want to treat the aged?"

David Dao's daughter told reporters Thursday that her family was "horrified and shocked and sickened" by what they saw in the now-viral video. 

"What happened to my dad should have never happened to any human being regardless of the circumstance," said Crystal Dao Pepper. 

In a statement issued shortly after the Thursday news conference, United said it "cannot stress enough that we remain steadfast in our commitment to make this right."

"This horrible situation has provided a harsh learning experience from which we will take immediate, concrete action," the statement read. "We have committed to our customers and our employees that we are going to fix what’s broken so this never happens again."

Video showed Dao, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, getting dragged off the full United Express flight by airport police, prompting outrage on social media nationwide. 

Screaming can be heard on the videos, but nowhere is Dao seen attacking the officers. After he was dragged down the aisle of the jet, video shows him standing in the aisle with blood on his face and saying quietly, "I want to go home, I want to go home."

Demetrio said Dao told him the the experience was 'more horrifying and harrowing' than when he left Vietnam in a boat during the fall of Saigon in 1975.

United CEO Oscar Munoz, in his latest statement, described the removal as "truly horrific." He said the company would reassess policies for seeking volunteers to give up their seats, for handling oversold situations and for partnering with airport authorities and local law enforcement.

"No one should ever be mistreated this way," Munoz said in his most contrite apology yet as details emerged about the incident. 

Munoz also pledged to conduct a wide-ranging review of company policies.

On Thursday, United added that it will not ask law enforcement officers to remove passengers unless it is a "matter of safety and security."  

The event stemmed from a common air travel issue — a full flight. United was trying to make room for four employees of a partner airline, meaning four people had to get off.

At first, the airline asked for volunteers, offering $400 and then when that did not work, $800 per passenger to relinquish a seat. When no one voluntarily came forward, United selected four passengers at random.

Three people got off the flight, but Dao said he was a doctor and needed to get home to treat patients on Monday. He refused to leave.

Three Aviation Department police officers got on the plane. Two officers tried to reason with the man before a third came aboard and pointed at the man "basically saying, 'Sir, you have to get off the plane,'" said Tyler Bridges, a passenger whose wife, Audra D. Bridges, posted a video on Facebook.

One of the officers could be seen grabbing the screaming man from his window seat, across the armrest and dragging him down the aisle by his arms.

Other passengers on Flight 3411 are heard saying, "Please, my God," ''What are you doing?" ''This is wrong," ''Look at what you did to him" and "Busted his lip."

United Airlines has since announced that all passengers on Flight 3411 will receive refunds for their tickets.

"All customers on flight 3411 on Sunday, April 9 are being compensated for the cost of their tickets," the company said in a statement Wednesday. 

Airport officials have said little about Sunday's events and nothing about Dao's behavior before he was pulled from the jet that was bound for Louisville, Kentucky. Likewise, the Chicago Aviation Department has said only that one of its employees who removed Dao did not follow proper procedures and has been placed on leave. Two more officers involved in the situation were suspended on Wednesday.

No passengers on the plane have said that Dao did anything but refuse to leave the plane when he was ordered to do so. 

Also Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the way Dao was treated "completely unacceptable" and praised Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans for taking "swift action." He promised that a city investigation would "ensure nothing like this ever happens again."

Dao’s lawyer said he doesn’t believe the incident was racially motivated and that it appears that airlines don’t have standard procedures for kicking people off plane.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that it is reviewing Sunday's events to see if United violated rules on overselling flights.

A Suffield police officer shot and killed a suspect after an interaction during a motor vehicle stop on Thursday, according to state police.

The incident took place near East Street around 12:30 p.m.

The officer fired at least one round, striking the man.  The man was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Suffield police initially said officers in the area responded to the report of a stolen car, but state police would not speculate on what led to the incident.

The officer invovled in the incident was not injured, but was taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

The State Police Central District Major Crimes unit has taken over the investigation.

The name of the suspect and the name of the officer involved have not been released.

The Hartford Yard Goats will play their first game at Dunkin' Donuts Park in downtown Hartford tonight.  

Jeff Dooley, the voice of the Yard Goats, called the ballpark "America's newest great ballpark" and said it offers something for everyone.

"It's going to be quite the show, I think, for everybody tonight," he said. 

One of the unique features of the park is that steam will rise from the big Dunkin' Donuts cup on top of the scoreboard in left field to signal a home run. 

There will be plenty of places to grab food, including "The Grazin' Goat" and "Dark Blues Diner," on the concourse. 

"I think fans are going to be blown away by what they see here and we look forward to greeting them," Tim Restall, the general manager, said.

The Yard Goats previously announced their full promotional schedule for their inaugural season at Dunkin' Donuts Park.  Promotions include fireworks and premium giveaways. See the full schedule here.

Tickets average around $12 and purchasing information is available on the team's website. Tonight's game is sold out, except for standing room tickets.

Hartford's Double-A Eastern League team will play 70 home games this year at Dunkin' Donuts Park.  

The team is an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.  The Yard Goats will play the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the inaugural game at the new stadium.

If you're headed to the game, click here for directions to the park.

Three people have been taken to the hospital after a wrong-way driver on Interstate 91 in East Windsor crashed into the median and an SUV, rolled over in a fiery crash and was struck by a car as he ran across the highway, according to state police.

State police said a 23-year-old Farmington man driving a 2004 Pontiac Bonneville was going north on the southbound side of I-91 near exit 45 in East Windsor just before 10 p.m. when he hit a median and an SUV, then crashed into the median again.

At that point, his car rolled over and caught fire and he ran from the vehicle, over the median and across the northbound lanes of the highway when he was hit by a driver.

The man who was struck was taken to Baystate Hospital after suffering from serious injuries, according to state police.

The drivers of the two other cars sustained minor injuries.

Police are investigating and they ask witnesses to call Troop H at 860-534-1000.

The Yard Goats may have lost its opener but fans say this was still a win as thousands filled the seats at the Hartford ballpark.

Under the bright lights, thousands rooted for the new home team, as the Hartford Yard Goats took on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

The team lost 7-2 against the New Hampshire team, which is the Double-A affiliate for the Toronoto Blue Jays. 

"Opening night, been waiting a long time," Shirley Babiec, of Manchester, said. 

Some 7,000 fans scoped out the action and the recently completed stadium.

A sold out crowd filled the seats and even overflow standing rooms tickets were snagged for a chance to witness history.

“I think it’s really nice. A lot nicer than I expected to tell you the truth," George Polinski, of East Hartford, said. 

But, not everyone at the game was there to compliment the $70 million project.

A small group stood outside and hoped fans and political leaders remember the challenges, delays and pitfalls it took to for the team, formerly known as the New Britain Rock Cats, to get to Hartford.

"My fear is that if we’re not out here continuously bringing this message to everyone’s memory it will happen again," Debra Cohen, who was protesting, said. 

Hartford’s mayor Luke Bronin said, despite criticisms in the past, it’s time to embrace this venture.

"After the long and rocky road that we traveled to get here, it’s hugely exciting and obviously a huge relief to be here today," Bronin said.

That’s why for many, the night was about fun. And a chance to sample a signature Dunkin Donuts Park BLT, made with donuts.

Many said they will be back and hope this leads to even bigger things for the city.

“This is why you take on these types of enterprises because it usually affects those things around it in a more positive light.” Patricia Williams, of Hartford said. 

Yard Goats will play 70 games this season. You can find the full schedule here.

Yard Goats' home opener was special for one little girl from Somers.

Ten-year-old Genevieve Neiman was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in June 2016. The cancer depletes white blood cells and causes Genevieve to have a tough time fighting off infections.

"I don’t really get to do a lot because there’s a lot of germs everywhere so I have to be careful where I’m going," said Genevieve.

For the Yard Goats' first home game, Genevieve has been named the Yard Goats' ball kid.

Just like the players, she’ll be center stage with them helping them in the dugout. She will even throw out a pitch before the game.

"It will be a once in a lifetime chance to do it," said Genevieve.

It’s all part of a program by Connecticut Children’s Medical Center where children at the hospital can get the chance to be a ball kid for some of the home games.

"They are immersed in the game, they are a member of that Yardgoats team and I got to tell you those ball players do a tremendous job making them a part of the team," said director of communications for Connecticut Children’s, Monica Buchanan.

That’s exactly how the team made Genevieve feel while she was at the hospital. Players visited her at Connecticut Children’s when she was first admitted in June.

What’s also special about being the ball kid tonight is this week she completed 10 months of high dosage chemo treatments.

Instead of going to the hospital at least once a week, she now just has to go once a month for maintenance chemo, which is little easier for her body.

“It’s just a huge relief and celebration and time for us to be happy and share it with the world,” said Meredith Neiman, Genevieve’s mother.

Some tolls could be installed on state highways in about 18 months if Connecticut lawmakers approve plans to install electronic tolls, according to Democratic House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz. 

The original prediction said tolls could be installed in three or more years.

"We don't want to pay, you know? If you go to New York, New Jersey, you keep paying,” said Muhammad Ghauri, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, about the tolls. He was driving through Connecticut on Thursday.

Several drivers who travel through the state don’t want to pay the extra cost. Currently there are no tolls on Connecticut roadways.

“We don't need to pay anymore to travel. We have (three) kids. It’s too much,” said Cindy DeMello of Falmouth, Massachusetts.

She travels through Connecticut several times a year and on Thursday, she was en route to Disney World with her family. She said tolls could mean less trips.

David Grey, of Garrison, New York, remembers the state tolls from decades ago and he wasn’t a fan then. 

"I have no other way to get to the Cape so I'm stuck,” Grey said. “But it's a pain in the neck with the traffic."

“It seems like (Connecticut is) in a really deep hole and this is just some way of trying to pull out of it,” said Bob Schilling of New Bedford, Massachusetts. “I don't know how much more they can tax."

State budget analysts predict the state will run out of money for road and bridge repairs within the next several years. Revenue from tolls could be used to help fund infrastructure projects.

Under the proposal, toll prices would be cheaper for people who live in Connecticut.

"I think if it's for road maintenance and bridge maintenance that's really important. And that I'd probably go for that,” said Dawn Kopel of Woodbridge.

"I spend enough out of my paycheck during the week to go to the state and the towns,” said North Stonington’s William Martin.

The son of a famous Mexican mariachi musician charged with trying to smuggle four undocumented Chinese nationals crammed in the trunk of his car across the U.S.-Mexico border into San Diego has pleaded not guilty. 

Jose Emiliano Aguilar, the 24-year-old son of Grammy Award-winner Pepe Aguilar, was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on March 14 at the San Ysidro border crossing and charged with human smuggling. 

At his arraignment Thursday, he entered a not guilty plea to a federal charge of human smuggling through his San Diego-based defense attorney, Jeremy Warren. 

The family thanked fans for the outpouring of support they received in recent weeks in a statement issued through Warren.

"The Aguilar family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support from thousands of people in the United States, Mexico, and all over the world. They are united and strong and they stand by their son Jose Emiliano. They thank everyone for their kindness and understanding as the case progresses," read the statement.

Jose Aguilar allegedly arranged to smuggle the immigrants into the U.S. under a deal in which they would each pay him between $3,000 and $60,000 if they successfully entered the country, according to a complaint filed in federal court.

The complaint said Jose Aguilar drove through a border checkpoint just after 5:45 p.m. on March 14 in a Chrysler 200, accompanied by a woman in the passenger seat.

Aguilar, who is a U.S. citizen, showed his passport to border agents, while his passenger showed officers her border crossing card, according to the complaint. Aguilar allegedly told officers they were headed to San Diego and had nothing to declare from Mexico.

During a routine primary inspection of the car, a K-9 dog alerted officers to the trunk. Officers told Jose Aguilar to unlock it, the complaint said. Inside the small space were four undocumented Chinese nationals, officials said, three women and one man. Aguilar and his companion were detained while border agents removed the people from the trunk.

They were questioned as "material witnesses" and, according to documents, admitted they were citizens of China without lawful documents to enter the U.S.

Each had made their own smuggling arrangements with Jose Aguilar, agreeing to pay him to help them get into the U.S., according to the complaint. Two of the Chinese nationals said they planned to head to Los Angeles, while the other two said they were headed to New York City.

A document filed in the U.S. District Court Southern District of California shows Aguilar was released on a bond of $15,000. His bond conditions include that he not travel to Mexico and that he not possess any drugs or firearms. He must also report to supervision to a pretrial services agency.

Additional conditions outlined for Jose Aguilar include that he must undergo psychiatric or psychological counseling, he must "actively seek and maintain full-time employment, schooling, or combination of both," and must live with his mother. He must also surrender his passport and cannot apply for new travel documents.

Previously, Warren confirmed Jose Aguilar's relation to Pepe, but said this case has nothing to do with the mariachi singer. The attorney released this statement to NBC 7: "We understand the interest in our client Jose Aguilar because of his father’s musical career. However, this case has nothing to do with Pepe Aguilar. Jose Aguilar is young man who will address this matter in court, and not in the press. We understand that Pepe Aguilar will provide a statement shortly. In the meantime, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy."

The prosecutor in this case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Blanca Quintero, told NBC 7 the U.S. Attorney's Office would not be commenting any further at this time.

Aguilar is scheduled to be in court next on May 15. 

Three people were arrested during the first night of Hartford Yard Goats baseball, accused of scalping tickets to the game.

Hartford police detectives were watching several people suspected of illegally selling tickets to the baseball game and arrested three people accused of scalping 17 tickets.

The three suspects were charged with ticket scalping.

The "mother of all bombs" that the U.S. military dropped in Afghanistan Thursday is so big it has to be pushed out of a cargo plane with a parachute attached, NBC News reported.

The largest non-nuclear bomb the military has ever dropped, weighing 21,000 pounds, the GBU-43 creates a mushroom cloud visible up to 20 miles away. And it's notable that it wasn't used in current flashpoints like Syria or even North Korea.

"Afghanistan was not really on the agenda during Donald Trump's presidential campaign, but ISIS was," explained Emily Winterbotham, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank.

The militant group is attempting to establish a foothold along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, even though it's more than 1,500 miles from their stronghold in Iraq and Syria.

Part of Route 10 in Southington is closed after a crash.

The road is closed between Hobart and Curtiss streets.

No additional information was immediately available.

A man who was kicked in the head and punched during a traffic stop Wednesday in Georgia told NBC News it was second his second encounter with one of the officers within days.

After videos of one of the incidents appeared online, the Gwinnett County Police Department fired both police officers, saying the videos confirmed "the force used was unnecessary and excessive."

Demetrius Hollins, 21 was stopped by Sgt. Michael Bongiovanni, and Master Police Officer Robert McDonald showed up on the scene as back up. The videos show the officers assaulting Hollins while he was lying on the ground, handcuffed. 

"I was actually trying to get to the camera app because I actually kind of had an encounter ... with the particular police officer before and he charged me with the same charges as he charged me with yesterday," said Hollins, who was booked for marijuana possession, obstruction and multiple traffic violations.

The first West Hartford Wine & Food Festival will take place on Saturday, June 17 at the Kingswood Oxford School.

Celebrate your love of wine and appreciation of culinary arts with the best that Connecticut has to offer.

Wine and food will be enjoyed from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., featuring 25 of the top wineries in the world and more than two dozen of Connecticut’s top restaurants. Participating wineries include Jackson Family Wines, Caymus Vineyards, La Crema, Beaulieu Vineyards, JUSTIN Winery, and more. Restaurants include Grants, Bricco, Firebox, INDIA and The North House. 

Included in the ticket price, you can sample over 250 wines, with bottles starting around $20. In addition to the wine tastings, there will be craft beer tents, single barrel whiskies and non-alcoholic options available. You will also be able to take home your own commemorative tasting glass.

Local musicians will provide live entertainment in the picnic area. After that, you can participate in Wine 101 sessions and blind taste tests with Master Sommelier for JUSTIN Winery, Joseph Spellman.

All day long, raffles and auctions will take place for large format bottles, wine experiences, gift cards and more, with all proceeds going to the schools.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $149 on the West Hartford Food & Wine Festival website or by visiting Maximum Beverage in West Hartford or Farmington. There are special packages available as well, including a four-pack group special and a VIP Wine Dinner deal.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit multiple independent schools in West Hartford with need-based financial aid and scholarships, including Kingswood Oxford, The American School for the Deaf, the Intensive Education Academy, Renbrook School, The Watkinson School, Northwest Catholic, Solomon Schechter Day School, and St. Brigid-St. Augustine Partnership School.

Everyone attending must be 21 or older. Designated driver tickets will be available for purchase for $75. LYFT will also give you up to $15 in free credit toward your first ride with the promo code “WESTHARTFORD2017”.

This is expected to become an annual event.

Police are investigating after three people were shot on Chapel Street in Norwalk on Thursday night.

The shooting was reported at 10:40 p.m. and police responded to the scene of the shooting, but did not find any victims. 

Then, staff from Norwalk Hospital called police and said two victims arrived in a private vehicle and the third victim arrived later. All three victims are males and their injuries are not life-threatening, according to police.

Authorities have not identified them.

Police ask anyone with information on the shooting to call police at 203-854-3111 or submit an anonymous tip online or text NPD the message and send it to 274637.

West Hartford police said a woman was under the influence and talking on a cellphone when she caused a head-on crash just before 12:30 a.m. Friday. 

Emma Rossi, 40, of Weatogue was going north on Trout Brook Drive when she crossed the double lines and hit another car head-on at 12:24 a.m., according to police. 

West Hartford police said her blood alcohol content was .193, which is more than double the legal limit of .08. The next reading showed a blood alcohol level of .175, according to police. 

Rossi was charged with driving while intoxicated, illegal use of a cell phone and failure to drive in a proper lane. 

She is due in court on April 27. 

In a separate incident on Thursday, West Hartford police also charged 30-year-old Lauren Persenaire, of Farmington, with DWI and illegal use of a cell phone. They said an officer stopping her for taking on her phone on Trout Brook Drive at 6:15 p.m. Thursday. Her blood alcohol level was .1, then .83, according to police. She was released on a non-surety bond.

Choate Rosemary Hall, the elite boarding school in Wallingford, Connecticut, released a report Thursday detailing decades of alleged sexual abuse of students that went unreported or was handled quietly. 

At least 12 former faculty members at the Wallingford school allegedly abused students between 1963 and 2010, according to the 48-page report by an outside investigator hired by Choate's board of trustees.

The report says the alleged sexual misconduct included “intimate kissing,” “sexual intercourse” and “forced or coerced intercourse."

"Certain Choate graduates described themselves as having been flattered, at the time, by attention they received from faculty or staff," the report says. "But told (investigators) they later recognized that the conduct had been abuse."

No current faculty members have been implicated, and there are no claims relating to current students. 

Choate released a letter Thursday to the school's community calling the report's findings "devastating."

"The detailed content of this report is devastating to read. One can only have the greatest sympathy and deepest concern for the survivors. The conduct of these adults violated the foundation of our community: the sacred trust between students and the adults charged with their care," wrote Michael J. Carr, a chairman of the board, and Headmaster Alex Curtis.

Choate first announced in October 2016 that it hired a law firm to conduct an independent investigation after "reports of adult sexual misconduct with students" surfaced.

Notable alumni include former President John F. Kennedy and his brother Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.

Many who graduated from the school said they did not report the abuse because they either didn't realize it was abuse or didn't think an administrator would "be sympathetic," according to the report.

"Our interviews and school records showed that sometimes the school moved quickly and decisively," the report reads. "In other cases, it was slower to respond and allowed the faculty member to remain at the school, sometimes with restrictions on his or her activity, for a considerable length of time." 

In one case, the faculty member stayed at the school until he voluntarily retired, according to the report.

The investigation found that reported sexual abuse at the school was often handled "internally and quietly." 

"Even when a teacher was terminated or resigned in the middle of the year because he or she had engaged in sexual misconduct with a student, the rest of the faculty was told little and sometimes nothing about the teacher's departure," the report reads. "When told, (faculty was) cautioned to say nothing about the situation if asked."

Choate did not file any reports to the Department of Children and Families, which is a statute required for any person or institution interacting with children, prior to 2010.