Malloy Backs US Minimum Wage Hike, Balks On Connecticut

Governor  Malloy says he supports President Barack Obama's push to increase the federal minimum wage but remains noncommittal about whether it should be raised in Connecticut. Malloy told reporters yesterday that he backs raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 an hour and is "open to discussion" about whether to do so in Connecticut. Legislation would increase the minimum wage from $8.25 an hour to $9 on July 1 and to $9.75 a year later. The legislation also calls for automatic raises in the minimum wage tied to increases in the Consumer Price Index, the federal measure of inflation. Malloy said that over time Connecticut's minimum wage should probably rise to $9 and he'd prefer it be done nationally to shield Connecticut from being at a competitive disadvantage in attracting business.

4th Defendant Sentenced In New London Killing

 state judge has sentenced a fourth man to prison for his role in the random killing of a New London pizza cook in 2010. The Day of New London reports 20-year-old Tyree Bundy was sentenced yesterday in Superior Court to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of 25-year-old Matthew Chew. A co-defendant, 21-year-old Brian Rabell received a similar sentence on Tuesday. Two more sentencings are scheduled today and tomorrow. Police say a group of six men chased down and fatally stabbed Chew as he walked home from work in October 2010, after deciding to attack someone at random. The man who police say wielded the knife, Idris Elahi, pleaded guilty to murder and last year received a 35-year sentence.

'Safe Haven' Baby Given Up In New London

An infant boy has been given up at a hospital in New London under the state's "safe haven" law, which protects parents from being prosecuted for abandonment. The Department of Children and Families says a total of 20 infants have been taken to hospitals under the law since it took effect in 2000. The boy taken to Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London last week is currently staying in a foster home and will be put up for adoption. DCF Commissioner Joette Katz says "safe haven" babies typically generate significant adoption interest. Under the law, infants less than a month old can be left at any hospital emergency department and DCF will assume custody.

Connecticut Soldier Found Dead At Home

 Police in Clarksville are investigating the death of an Army officer from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, who was found dead at his home over the weekend. Fort Campbell spokesman Robert Jenkins said the officer was 24-year-old 1st Lieutenant Chris Rogan, who was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. Jenkins said his family has been notified and he couldn't provide more details while the death was under investigation. Clarksville police found Rogan after they got a call about a deceased person at his home around 7 p.m. CDT Sunday, police spokesman Jim Knoll said. The cause of death was under investigation, Knoll said. Congressman Jim Himes of Connecticut released a statement about Rogan's death and said Rogan was a West Point graduate from Berlin, Connecticut.

Foxwoods To Shed 50 Table-Game Dealers

A union that represents more than 2,000 dealers at Foxwoods Resort Casino says it is looking to shed 50 table-game dealers. Mary Johnson, president of Local 2121 of the United Auto Workers, says casino management is offering 50 severance packages. The cuts reported by The Day of New London come after the casino last month announced a reorganization that would lead to a reduction in the workforce. The UAW has been negotiating its second contract at Foxwoods, which is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. The union's first contract expired in 2011 and both sides entered arbitration toward a new contract last spring. Johnson said issues in the negotiations include pay increases, health care costs and air quality in the casino's table-games areas.