McConnell: Any Gun Proposals Will Take A Back Seat

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says federal spending and the country's debt will dominate the congressional agenda for the next three months, and that debate about potential gun legislation in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting will take a back seat. The Kentucky lawmaker tells ABC's "This Week" that lawmakers will wait to see what an Obama administration review led by Vice President Joe Biden might propose. McConnell says Congress will need to study any recommendations and then see what's appropriate to do. But he says that over the coming months, nothing much beyond the country's finances will occupy the attention of Congress. 

Newtown Sets Up Task Force To Handle Donations

Chris Kelsey is the tax assessor in Newtown, but for the better part of three weeks, his job has been setting up and organizing a warehouse to hold the toys, school supplies and other gifts donated in the wake of the massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary school. Despite the town's pleas to stop sending gifts, Kelsey said trucks have been arriving daily with tokens of support from across the world. A task force has been set up to coordinate the more than 800 volunteers who have been working to sort the gifts, open mail and answer the thousands of emails and phone calls offering assistance. Kelsey said the town's normal business is mostly on pause while officials continue to deal with the outpouring of support.

Hartford Officer Shoots Robbery Suspect In Ankle

Hartford police are investigating a city officer's shooting of an alleged robbery suspect. Officials say Officer Israel Mantilla shot the man in his right ankle shortly after 12:05 a.m. Sunday on Chadwick Avenue in the city's West End. Police haven't released the name of the man, who was treated for a non-life threatening injury at Hartford Hospital and later released. Police officials say Mantilla responded to the Chadwick Avenue area to try to find a suspect from a street robbery that was reported shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Authorities say Mantilla approached a man who matched the description of the suspect and fired one shot from his city-issued pistol during the encounter. The police department's Major Crimes Division is investigating the shooting.

Officials Capture 2 Female Jail Escapees

Authorities say they have captured two inmates who escaped from the York Correctional Institution.  Officials say 30-year-old Melissa Riley, of Willimantic, and 34-year-old Jessica Rivera, of Waterbury, were captured about 8 p.m. Sunday in Hartford. They were returned to York Correctional, where they were charged with escape and held on $500,000 bail each. Prison officials say they could not locate the pair at the minimum security facility about 8:15 p.m. Saturday. The facility was placed in lockdown. Riley was in prison for a drug charge, while Rivera was serving time for conspiracy.

New Britain Hospital Opens Cardiac Unit

The Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain has opened a cardiac care center for women. Cardiologist Heather Swales, director of the new Women's Heart Wellness Center, says heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. Swales says three of the most common cardiovascular conditions affecting women are coronary artery disease, which is hardening or narrowing of the arteries; heart failure, which is decreased ability of the heart to pump blood effectively; and high blood pressure. The hospital also will provide a monthly support network for women with heart disease.

Retired fisherman, First-Time Author Dies At 98

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Retired Connecticut fisherman Jim Henry, who learned to read at age 91 and published his first book at 98, has died. Henry's granddaughter, Marlisa McLaughlin, told The Day of New London that Henry died Sunday morning at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich after suffering pneumonia. He was 99. The Stonington resident gained national attention for his late-in-life career as an author whose first book, "In a Fisherman's Language," was a collection of short stories about his life. He was helped by Mark Hogan of Literacy Volunteers of Eastern Connecticut. The book was accepted into the Library of Congress, and Henry received a congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama. His story was featured in national media, and he received letters from people around the world.

Poll: Few Americans Know All The Risks Of Obesity

A new poll suggests that many Americans don't realize that obesity can lead to other health problems besides heart disease and diabetes. More than 7 in 10 of the roughly 1,000 people who took the AP-NORC Center survey said heart disease and diabetes are the most serious consequences of diabetes. But only 7 percent mentioned cancer, although doctors long have known that fat increases the risk of developing cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, uterus and certain other sites. About 15 percent knew obesity can contribute to arthritis, a vicious cycle as the joint pain then makes it harder to exercise and shed pounds. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and strokes were fairly low on the list, and infertility didn't get a mention, a 

McConnell: Any Gun Proposals Will Take A Back Seat

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says federal spending and the country's debt will dominate the congressional agenda for the next three months, and that debate about potential gun legislation in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting will take a back seat. The Kentucky lawmaker tells ABC's "This Week" that lawmakers will wait to see what an Obama administration review led by Vice President Joe Biden might propose. McConnell says Congress will need to study any recommendations and then see what's appropriate to do. But he says that over the coming months, nothing much beyond the country's finances will occupy the attention of Congress.

Newtown Sets Up Task Force To Handle Donations

Chris Kelsey is the tax assessor in Newtown, but for the better part of three weeks, his job has been setting up and organizing a warehouse to hold the toys, school supplies and other gifts donated in the wake of the massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary school. Despite the town's pleas to stop sending gifts, Kelsey said trucks have been arriving daily with tokens of support from across the world. A task force has been set up to coordinate the more than 800 volunteers who have been working to sort the gifts, open mail and answer the thousands of emails and phone calls offering assistance. Kelsey said the town's normal business is mostly on pause while officials continue to deal with the outpouring of support.

Hartford Officer Shoots Robbery Suspect In Ankle

Hartford police are investigating a city officer's shooting of an alleged robbery suspect. Officials say Officer Israel Mantilla shot the man in his right ankle shortly after 12:05 a.m. Sunday on Chadwick Avenue in the city's West End. Police haven't released the name of the man, who was treated for a non-life threatening injury at Hartford Hospital and later released. Police officials say Mantilla responded to the Chadwick Avenue area to try to find a suspect from a street robbery that was reported shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Authorities say Mantilla approached a man who matched the description of the suspect and fired one shot from his city-issued pistol during the encounter. The police department's Major Crimes Division is investigating the shooting.

Officials Capture 2 Female Jail Escapees

Authorities say they have captured two inmates who escaped from the York Correctional Institution.  Officials say 30-year-old Melissa Riley, of Willimantic, and 34-year-old Jessica Rivera, of Waterbury, were captured about 8 p.m. Sunday in Hartford. They were returned to York Correctional, where they were charged with escape and held on $500,000 bail each. Prison officials say they could not locate the pair at the minimum security facility about 8:15 p.m. Saturday. The facility was placed in lockdown. Riley was in prison for a drug charge, while Rivera was serving time for conspiracy.

New Britain Hospital Opens Cardiac Unit

The Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain has opened a cardiac care center for women. Cardiologist Heather Swales, director of the new Women's Heart Wellness Center, says heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. Swales says three of the most common cardiovascular conditions affecting women are coronary artery disease, which is hardening or narrowing of the arteries; heart failure, which is decreased ability of the heart to pump blood effectively; and high blood pressure. The hospital also will provide a monthly support network for women with heart disease.

Retired fisherman, First-Time Author Dies At 98

Retired Connecticut fisherman Jim Henry, who learned to read at age 91 and published his first book at 98, has died. Henry's granddaughter, Marlisa McLaughlin, told The Day of New London that Henry died Sunday morning at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich after suffering pneumonia. He was 99. The Stonington resident gained national attention for his late-in-life career as an author whose first book, "In a Fisherman's Language," was a collection of short stories about his life. He was helped by Mark Hogan of Literacy Volunteers of Eastern Connecticut. The book was accepted into the Library of Congress, and Henry received a congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama. His story was featured in national media, and he received letters from people around the world.

Poll: Few Americans Know All The Risks Of Obesity

A new poll suggests that many Americans don't realize that obesity can lead to other health problems besides heart disease and diabetes. More than 7 in 10 of the roughly 1,000 people who took the AP-NORC Center survey said heart disease and diabetes are the most serious consequences of diabetes. But only 7 percent mentioned cancer, although doctors long have known that fat increases the risk of developing cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, uterus and certain other sites. About 15 percent knew obesity can contribute to arthritis, a vicious cycle as the joint pain then makes it harder to exercise and shed pounds. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and strokes were fairly low on the list, and infertility didn't get a mention, a