Storm To Bring Heavy Snow And  Strong Winds

Weather forecasters expect New London County to be the hardest-hit part of Connecticut as a winter storm approaches with heavy, wet snow and high winds. The National Weather Service says up to 7 inches of heavy, wet snow could fall in southeastern Connecticut through Friday morning and wind gusts could hit 50 mph, bringing possible power outages. An earlier winter storm warning was downgraded to a winter weather advisory in effect until 1 p.m. Friday. Forecasters say Fairfield and New Haven counties could see 3 to 6 inches of snow, strong winds and coastal flooding with tides up to 3.5 feet above normal. The Weather Service says northeastern Connecticut and the Hartford area could get 3 to 5 inches of snow.

Legislatives Leaders Resume Newtown Bill Talks

Both Republican and Democratic legislative leaders are planning to resume closed-door discussions about crafting a bipartisan bill that addresses the deadly mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. The leaders were scheduled to meet for the second time on Thursday morning. They also have a tentative meeting scheduled for Friday. On Wednesday, they began the process of reviewing recommendations submitted by three subcommittees on possible law and policy changes affecting gun violence, school safety and mental illness. While leaders from both parties said they're optimistic a bipartisan bill may ultimately crafted for the full General Assembly to consider, it's unclear whether that will actually happen. There remains disagreement between some Democrats and Republicans about expanding the state's assault weapons ban and forbidding the sale of large-capacity ammunition magazines.

Lawmakers Create Fund For Newtown Workers

Connecticut lawmakers have voted unanimously to create a new fund that will help workers traumatized by the school massacre in Newtown. Members of both chambers of the General Assembly on Wednesday voiced strong support for the privately funded Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Fund, saying it's a small way they can help those who experienced such a horrific event. House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero Jr. says several hundred thousand dollars has already been pledged. WWE, AT&T and Northeast Utilities are among the donors. The public can also contribute to the fund to help an estimated 150 to 200 people, including teachers and first responders to the Dec. 14 shooting. The funds will cover uncompensated leave and expenses for those suffering from mental or emotional impairment.

College Cleared After Search For Reported Gunman

Manchester police say the Manchester Community College campus has been cleared after officers searched campus buildings for several hours when a student reported seeing a man with what she believed to be a gun in his waistband. Police said in a statement Wednesday evening that the campus is secure, but they are still looking for the person the student described. Police also said a responding officer was wounded in his foot after a weapon accidentally discharged. He was taken by police cruiser to Hartford Hospital. His name and condition weren't released. The campus was locked down and other students urged to stay away as police armed with rifles searched and cleared the buildings one classroom at a time. A couple hours after the 2 p.m. alert, college president Gena Glickman had said authorities were confident the situation was under control.

Malloy Backs Fiscal Conservatism To Business Group

Governor Malloy has told the state's largest business group with which he's sometimes disagreed that he's pursuing a fiscally conservative budget that will put state finances on the right track. Malloy spoke to about 200 members of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association on Wednesday. Chambers of commerce across the state visit the Capitol one day a year to meet with legislators and agency officials to discuss business and workplace issues. Malloy said he's reduced the debt and repeated his promise to not raise taxes. The Democratic governor and fellow Democrats who control the Legislature raised income and sales taxes in 2011 and won changes in the labor agreement with state workers to help control costs. Malloy and businesses have clashed over spending, taxes and other issues.

House Budget Preserves 2 Submarines In 2014

Legislation passed by the House preserves plans to build two Virginia-class submarines in 2014. Electric Boat manufactures the subs at Quonset Point in Rhode Island and in Groton, Connecticut. The office of U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin (LAN'-juh-vin), of Rhode Island, says legislation passed Wednesday would pay for two subs to be built next year. Langevin and Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut had pushed for the funding amid a debate in Washington over what programs would be affected by automatic spending cuts. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Nominee Tied To "Gifting Tables" Case Confirmed

A Branford attorney who was a figure in a criminal case involving a shoreline pyramid scheme will be one of Connecticut's newest judges. Both chambers of the General Assembly voted Wednesday to confirm Shelley Marcus as a superior court judge, despite reservations raised by some lawmakers about her representation of some participants in the so-called "gifting tables club." Marcus was confirmed 31-4 in the Senate and 79-54 in the House of Representatives. Marcus has denied telling club members their scheme was legal, contradicting statements made by witnesses at a recent trial of two members. But Sen. Edward Meyer on Wednesday called Marcus "highly incompetent" for not making it clear the practice was criminally illegal. Sen. Leonard Fasano said Marcus only represented members in a civil matter involving the Attorney General.