Legislature Adjourns 2012 Regular Session

The state legislature has adjourned the 2012 regular session.  A last minute flurry of activity led up to the adjournment last night at midnight.  Governor Dannel Malloy addressed a joint assembly of the legislature afterwards, saying their hard work has jump started Connecticut's economy.  Malloy says working together they have passed meaningful education reform, and set the state on a path for long range fiscal stability. 
 
Fare Increase Coming For Metro North Riders

Get ready to fork over more money to ride Metro-North rail lines.  There was a proposal to drop the planned four-percent fare increase but that was not included in the final budget.  The increase takes effect next year.  There will be no increase in fares for bus riders provided the governor signs off on it.

Guard Injured In Juvenile Jail Brawl

A correction officer is injured after a brawl broke out at a state juvenile jail in Bridgeport.  The female guard was apparently trying to break up a fight between two girls at the Juvenile Detention Center on Housatonic Avenue last night.  The guard was rushed to a city hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.  It is not clear whether the girls who were involved in the fight will be facing any charges.

One Dead, Another Injured In Bridgeport Shootings

A couple of shootings late last night in Bridgeport left one man dead and another in the hospital.  Police are not sure if the two shootings are connected.  Both happened just outside of Trumbull Gardens apartments.  Names of the victims have not been released.

Final Approval Granted To Storm Response Bill

The state House granted final approval to a bill that would penalize utility companies for slow restoration of power during blackouts.  The bill toughens performance standards for electric, gas and telephone utilities, and requires them to report their emergency response plans to the state annually.  The bill also launches a microgrid program to ensure vital public and commercial services still have power during widespread outages.  Governor Dannel Malloy praised lawmakers for passing the bill and pledges to sign it.

Charges Could Be Dropped Against Sergeant

A State Police sergeant accused of breaking into a colleague's home has been accepted into an accelerated rehabilitation program.  Sergeant Kevin Boulier was also accused of secretly installing software on the female trooper's computer that allowed him to monitor her e-mails and chats.  Boulier and the victim worked the midnight shift together in 2008 and 2009, and entered into a romantic relationship.  He has been on administrative duty since being charged with burglary, disorderly conduct and computer crimes.

Man Charged With Possession Of Pounds Of Coke

A Newington man has been arrested after police say they discovered over nine pounds of cocaine in his apartment.  Police say officers responded to a domestic dispute call at the apartment of 37-year-old Marc Glover in March, and during a search of the home they discovered the drugs.  Glover was taken into custody this week and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, operating a drug factory and other offenses.

No Charges Against Man In Horse Drag Case

A man whose neighbors reported him for dragging a horse behind his truck will not be facing any criminal charges.  Police say an investigation has revealed that 86-year-old Culver Modisette was not trying to hurt the horse.  After police were alerted to the incident, the animal was removed and a veterinarian determined that the horse was not injured.  Photos of Modisette trying to drag the horse with his pickup truck were posted on the Internet and drew outrage from animal rights activists.

Senate Panel Probes Drugmakers Over Painkiller Marketing

Lawmakers in the Senate are launching an investigation into whether pharmaceutical companies are marketing powerful painkillers for profit.  The Senate Finance Committee is probing Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceuticals as well as Endo Pharmaceuticals, Purdue Pharma and seven medical groups.  The committee wants to know if the groups have been downplaying the risks of opioid painkillers in order to increase sales.  Opioid painkillers were linked to nearly 15-thousand overdose deaths in 2008.  That's more than the number of deaths linked to cocaine and heroin overdoses combined.

Deep Belly Fat Could Increase After Liposuction

Women who turn to liposuction to remove unwanted fat around the tummy may be plagued with another kind of blubber after the procedure.  Scientists in Brazil say the women could add deep belly fat within months after liposuction.  A researcher at the University of Sao Paulo calls the new deep belly fat "compensatory."  The deep fat around the abdominal organs has been linked to the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.  Women who have the fat-removing procedure might be able to avoid the accumulation of deep belly fat with exercise.  The Brazilian scientists found that those who worked out three times a week after liposuction didn't put on the extra fat.  Results of the study are published in the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism."