Puerto Rican Nationalist Gets 5 Years For Robbery

A Puerto Rican nationalist has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a 1983 robbery of $7 million from a Connecticut armored car depot. The record-setting heist was carried out by a militant group dedicated to independence for the U.S. island territory. At his sentencing Wednesday, Norberto Gonzalez Claudio said his family is the most important thing to him, and he hopes to be with them as soon as possible. Gonzalez pleaded guilty in June to foreign transportation of stolen money, conspiracy to rob federally insured bank funds and illegal weapons possession. His plea agreement calls for him to receive credit for the time he's spent in custody. He was captured by the FBI last year in Puerto Rico.

 Connecticut Representative Larson's Caucus Chairmanship Ending

 Connecticut U.S. Rep. John Larson is wrapping up his two terms as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. His replacement is expected to be elected by fellow House Democrats after the Thanksgiving holiday. The job of caucus chairman is limited to four years. The chairman is responsible for representing the interests of the caucus in leadership meetings. California Rep. Xavier Becerra (hahv-YEHR' beh-SEH'-rah), the current caucus vice chairman, has announced he's interested in being the next chairman. It appeared Wednesday that Larson's new leadership opportunities are limited. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she will run to keep her job as the House minority leader, largely freezing the caucus' current leadership team. Larson, who lives in East Hartford, has represented the state's 1st Congressional District since 1999.

 Meriden Cop Indicted On Brutality Charge

 A federal grand jury in Connecticut has indicted a Meriden police officer on charges of brutality and obstructing an investigation in connection with an alleged assault of a prisoner in the police department lockup in 2010. Twenty-five-year-old Evan Cossette, who is the Meriden police chief's son, was indicted Wednesday by a Hartford federal court grand jury. He is to be arraigned Nov. 20.  The charges allege Cossette pushed Pedro Temich in a police department jail cell, causing Temich to fall and hit his head on a concrete bench. Temich suffered a severe head gash and lost consciousness. Cossette is accused of obstruction for allegedly making false statements about the incident.

 Waterbury Man Sentenced In TSA Drug Case

 A Waterbury man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a drug-trafficking ring that prosecutors say also involved Transportation Security Administration officers. Prosecutors say 29-year-old Bruce Yazdzik was a dealer in the ring, which sent large amounts of oxycodone pills from Florida to Connecticut on commercial airliners. Authorities say the drug dealers paid off TSA agents to allow the pills through airport security. Twenty people, including two police officers and three TSA officers, have been charged as a result of the Drug Enforcement Administration investigation dubbed "Operation Blue Coast." Yazdzik has been in custody since his arrest in September 2011. He pleaded guilty in April to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, oxycodone.

Judge Eyes Challenge To Delaware Bloom Energy Deal

 Attorneys for Governor Jack Markell are asking a federal magistrate to dismiss a challenge to a scheme to lure California-based fuel cell manufacturer Bloom Energy to Delaware with millions in state incentives and higher rates on Delmarva Power customers. FuelCell Energy Inc., a Connecticut-based fuel cell manufacturer, argues that the Bloom Energy deal, one of Markell's signature job creation efforts, amounts to economic protectionism and discrimination.  Attorneys for Markell argued Wednesday that the suit should be dismissed because FuelCell has made no effort to conduct business in Delaware and thus cannot show that it has been harmed. They also asked the judge to dismiss the claims of John Nichols, a Delaware resident challenging the higher rates imposed on him and other Delmarva Power customers to pay for the Bloom deal.

Durham Pedestrian Struck And Killed By Car

Authorities say a woman has died after being hit by a car in Durham.  State police say the woman was hit by a Jeep Wednesday evening while she was walking on Route 79. The road was shut down for several hours while officials reconstructed the scene.  They say the driver is cooperating.  State police continue to investigate.

Regulators Defy Deal, Vote Higher Yellowtail Catch

Northeast fishing regulators have approved a 2013 catch limit for yellowtail flounder on Georges Bank that's more than twice what was recommended by a committee that negotiates the shared catch with Canada. Members of the New England Fishery Management Council, who met Wednesday in Newport, R.I., said they had no choice, in order to avoid the collapse of the local fishing and scalloping industries.      But it came amid warnings that approval could destroy the longtime trade agreement with Canada.  And it came even though the Northeast's top federal regulator said the approval won't pass legal muster.      A low catch limit on yellowtail threatens fishermen who chase other species in Georges Bank. Since many accidentally catch yellowtail, they're given a yellowtail catch limit, which they can't exceed without triggering severe restrictions that threaten their businesses.

Ollie Donates $100k For New UConn Training Center

Connecticut's new basketball coach is putting $100,000 of his own money toward the construction of a new basketball training facility on campus. Kevin Ollie, who also played at UConn, says he thinks it is important for him to show his commitment to the planned UConn Basketball Development Center.     Ollie, who spent 13 years in the NBA, was hired in September to replace Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun. He signed a one-season contract with a pro-rated value of $384,615. The school's Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved plans to begin construction on the $38 million training facility in the spring. It will be built adjacent to Gampel Pavilion, the team's on-campus arena, on the site of the school's former football stadium.

Mystic Penguins Hang Out With Huskies

A couple of penguins from Africa spent the day hanging out in UConn territory - at Gampel Pavilion to be specific. Erin Merz, a spokeswoman for Mystic Aquarium, says the penguins, a male named Blue-Blue and a female named Green-Blue were in Storrs Wednesday for a video shoot with former UConn basketball coach Jim Calhoun. Calhoun is a trustee of the aquarium and the promotional video for Mystic will air this season on the video board at UConn home games. Merz says the birds met many Huskies on their visit, but only Calhoun will appear with the penguins in the video. Mystic has over two dozen resident African penguins, and Merz says several of them, including Blue-Blue and Green-Blue, occasionally travel for promotional or educational events.