A  Giffords Meeting Planned With Newtown Survivors

A spokesman says Connecticut's lieutenant governor has been invited to attend a meeting between former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and families of the victims of the deadly Newtown elementary school shooting.  Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman's spokesman Steve Jensen said Thursday night a visit by Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, is "planned but not confirmed" for Friday afternoon.      He says the plans include Giffords meeting at a private home with families of the 20 children and six school officials killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School last month. He says Giffords may also make a second appearance.  Giffords was wounded by a gunman in a mass shooting two years ago in Tucson, Ariz. Six people died in that assault.

Connecticut Medical Examiner  Employee Allegedly Showed Gunman's Body

An employee at Connecticut's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has been placed on administrative leave over an allegation she let her husband view the body of the man who killed 26 people at a school.      A state employee with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press on Thursday that Jean Henry is accused of showing Adam Lanza's body to her husband on Dec. 16, two days after the shooting. The employee spoke on the condition of anonymity because the inquiry is under way.  Governor  Malloy says he would be "deeply disappointed" if the allegation is true.  A University of Connecticut Health Center spokesman confirmed Henry was put on administrative leave Dec. 21. The center handles personnel matters for the medical examiner's lab.

 Governor Will Form Commission To Explore Gun Policies

 Connecticut Governor  Dannel P. Malloy has formed an advisory commission that will review and recommend changes to state laws and policies in the wake of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.   Malloy announced Thursday he has appointed Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson to chair the panel. An initial report is due to Malloy by March 15, in time for the General Assembly to take action during the next session.  The group plans to examine gun laws, school safety measures, gun violence prevention and mental health services.  Additional members of the commission will be announced later. Malloy said they will include experts in education, mental health, law enforcement and emergency response.

Connecticut Teachers To Raise $1M For Sandy Hook Fund

The Connecticut Education Association has announced a $1 million fundraising drive for the University of Connecticut's Sandy Hook Memorial Scholarship Fund and to create a permanent monument honoring the 20 children and 6 educators killed in the Newtown shooting.   The CEA, which represents 43,000 teachers, has established a memorial and scholarship fund through its nonprofit Connecticut Education Foundation. Money received will go to UConn's effort.   CEA President Sheila Cohen says, "We hope the fund will provide some small solace in the months and years ahead."   UConn's fund will help cover college costs for the siblings of those killed in the assault, dependents of the educators who died and students currently enrolled at the elementary school who are later accepted at UConn. It has already received nearly $700,000.

 Report Calls For More State School Funding

 Policymakers are being urged to make a long-term commitment to increasing the amount Connecticut spends on its major grant for local education.  It's one of the key recommendations included in a new report from the Task Force to Study State Education Funding.  It comes days before the General Assembly convenes on Jan. 9 for the new legislative session, when it will hammer out a new two-year state budget.  The task force has spent the past two years examining the state's Education Cost Sharing grant program, special education funding and state contributions to so-called choice programs such as magnet, vocational-technical and vocational-agricultural schools.  State Sen. Andrea Stillman, the panel's co-chairman, said the report recommends the state increase its share of ECS funding while encouraging more streamlining and accountability in other programs.

Murphy Sworn In To US Senate

Chris Murphy has taken the oath of office to become Connecticut's newest U.S. senator, replacing the retiring Joe Lieberman.  The Democrat on Thursday was escorted down the center aisle of the Senate by Sen. Richard Blumenthal to take the oath from Vice President Joe Biden. He later signed the Senate's Oath Book, which contains the names of all senators.   Murphy told The Associated Press before the ceremony he was thrilled to walk with Blumenthal, calling him an example to his generation of public servants of someone to look up to and admire.  Blumenthal now becomes the state's senior senator.      The 39-year-old Murphy will be the youngest member of the Senate.