100 Jobs Eliminated At Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney says it is laying off 80 hourly employees and eliminating 20 other positions through buyouts amid falling demand for repair work. Company spokesman Bryan Kidder says the completion of a program to build engines for the F-22 fighter was another factor in the reductions. The Hartford Courant reports the layoffs occurred at the company's East Hartford location and the buyouts were split between East Hartford and a Middletown location. The company facilities in East Hartford employ more than 1,500 workers in a machinists' union and about 8,000 salaried employees. The jet engine manufacturer has said it expects business to improve, but it must first get through a few years as the military shifts to new fighter jets that require different engines.

Forecast Sees Slow Economic Growth In New England

A new report predicts continued sluggish economic growth in New England and cautions that most states in the region will not return to pre-recession employment levels until 2015. The four-year forecast released Wednesday by the New England Economic Partnership says Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont will have the strongest economies in the six-state region, while Rhode Island will continue to experience the highest unemployment. The economists said Maine and Connecticut will also struggle to reach pre-recession jobs levels before the end of 2016. The forecast assumes some sort of compromise in the ongoing "fiscal cliff" negotiations, but warns that New England — because of its higher than average per capita income — could be hit harder than the nation as a whole if there is no deal and taxes go up.

Malloy Approves Temporary $550 Million Credit Line

Governor Malloy has authorized $550 million in temporary lines of credit at the request of the state treasurer in case the state needs cash to pay its bills. Treasurer Denise Nappier says state government is facing reduced cash levels and obtaining credit lines is a precautionary measure. Malloy's authorization doesn't mean money from the credit lines will be used. The Democratic governor's approval comes as state Comptroller Kevin Lembo is projecting a $415 million deficit in this year's $20 billion state budget. The shortfall estimate is $50 million higher than the one by the Malloy administration. Republican lawmakers say they're against borrowing money to pay operating expenses. They say they've been questioning the adequacy of the state's cash reserves for months.

Connecticut Trooper’s Theft Caught On Video

Connecticut authorities say a police cruiser camera recorded a state trooper stealing $3,700 from a man who was dying after motorcycle crash on the Merritt Parkway in Fairfield. An arrest warrant affidavit obtained Tuesday by the Connecticut Post says the camera caught the actions of Trooper Aaron Huntsman after the Sept. 22 accident that killed 49-year-old John Scalesse of Orange. Huntsman was charged with larceny, interfering with police and tampering with evidence. The affidavit says Huntsman denied stealing the money. Police allege Huntsman took the wad of cash after paramedics found it in Scalesse's pocket. Troopers say Huntsman told other officials he was taking it as evidence.

7 Districts Split $25M In Gates Education Grants

Seven school districts will split $25 million in education funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Philadelphia; Boston; Denver; New Orleans; New York; Hartford, Conn.; and Spring Branch, Texas, are recipients of the grants announced Wednesday. The communities are among 16 that signed a collaboration compact designed to reduce tension between district and charter schools. The agreement entails sharing resources and best practices. By signing the compact, each district received $100,000 and became eligible for further funding. Over the next few years, Hartford will get nearly $5 million and Denver about $4 million. The other districts will receive between $2.2 million and $3.7 million each. Funds will go toward projects including universal enrollment systems and joint professional development for charter and district teachers.

Rhode Island Casino Exec Faces Child Porn Charge

 An executive at Rhode Island's Twin River casino has been charged with possessing child pornography after police say they discovered the images on his work computer. Lt. Brian Casilli of Rhode Island State Police says Suneet Talpade was arrested at Twin River in Lincoln on Monday and charged with possessing child pornography. Casilli says police began investigating after a call from the casino to report possible child pornography. The 51-year-old Talpade is from Wallingford, Conn. Casilli says Talpade was released on $10,000 personal recognizance bail.

Feds Look At Housing Authority

 Fairfield officials say FBI agents are investigating an apparent theft of funds from the town's Housing Authority. It's not clear how much money allegedly was stolen or who allegedly stole it. The Connecticut Post reports that town leaders confirmed the federal probe during a finance board meeting Tuesday night. The authority runs two housing complexes for the elderly and the local housing voucher program. It currently has a $347,000 federal funding deficit and owes $65,000 to town government. Messages seeking comment were left Wednesday for an FBI spokesman and the Housing Authority. Robert Mayer, chief of staff for Fairfield's first selectman and the town's acting fiscal officer, says federal agents are pursuing the person who allegedly stole the funds.

Connecticut Man And Daughter Charged With Incest

A 46-year-old Connecticut man and his 23-year-old daughter have been arrested on incest allegations after police say DNA tests proved they were the parents of a child. An arrest warrant affidavit obtained by The News-Times of Danbury says George Sayers and Tiffany Hartford of Bethel were charged Monday with third-degree sexual assault in an investigation that began with a complaint by Hartford's former girlfriend. Police say Hartford's former girlfriend was upset that Sayers didn't get her permission before selling photos and videos of her and Hartford having sex. Sayers and Hartford were also charged with obscenity and conspiracy. Authorities say DNA tests showed they were father and daughter and the parents of a child. Sayers and Hartford are being held on bail.

Hartford Attorney Confirmed To Federal Bench

The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Hartford attorney Michael Shea as a U.S. district judge for Connecticut. Connecticut's U.S. senators, Joe Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal, announced the 72-23 vote Wednesday evening. He will fill one of two vacancies on the eight-judge Connecticut district, which like some others around the country has sought out-of-state help and enlisted senior judges to deal with a backlog of cases. President Barack Obama nominated Shea in February. Shea is a 1993 graduate of Yale Law School. He is a partner at Day Pitney LLP and chairman of its appellate practice group. The senators said Shea not only has experience with a wide range of legal issues, but has worked to improve the administration of justice, done extensive pro bono work, and work with Connecticut non-profits.