Murphy Holds Slight Lead In Connecticut Senate Race

A new University of Connecticut/Hartford Courant Poll gives Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy a narrow lead over Republican Linda McMahon. The survey shows that 44 percent of likely voters support Murphy, compared to 38 percent who back McMahon. Seventeen percent said they are undecided.     The telephone poll of 574 likely voters was released on Thursday, the same day that McMahon and Murphy face off in their final of four debates. Poll Director Jennifer Necci Dineen said the debates have helped people make up their minds in this close race to fill the seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman. But she said negative TV ads appear to have harmed both candidates' favorability ratings. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points.

Man Injured In 150-Foot Fall Off Cliff In Bloomfield

 Authorities say a 20-year-old man has been seriously injured after falling 150 feet off a cliff in Connecticut. Bloomfield police say the man was rock climbing at the Tariffville Gorge recreational area Wednesday evening when he slipped and fell.  The man was flown to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police say he was conscious and alert at the time.  Authorities continue to investigate.

Father To Claim $20M From State In Child's Death

   The father of a 3-year-old girl allegedly beaten to death by her mother's boyfriend has filed notice of a $20 million claim against the state, charging it with failing to remove her from the mother's home despite evidence of abuse. The Hartford Courant reports that Hugo Angeles also filed notice of a separate $5 million claim on behalf of the victim's older sister, who also was allegedly abused by Fredy Alexander Chingo Riz.  The girl's mother, Rosa Gladis Diaz-Mendez, and Riz have been charged with manslaughter in the death of Athena Angeles.  Child protection officials say the beating death could have been prevented had Windham Hospital doctors not missed signs of previous abuse during an earlier hospital visit.  Hugo Angeles' claim contains a timeline that suggests the state had opportunities to intervene.

New Britain Man Charged In Car Theft After Chase

 A New Britain man has been arrested following a car chase from Meriden to Haddam involving four stolen vehicles and three police agencies.  The Hartford Courant and WFSB-TV report that Jose Gonzalez was charged with engaging police in pursuit, first-degree larceny and reckless driving. Police say the 21-year-old Gonzalez was not injured when he crashed before allegedly stealing a truck early Wednesday morning  The chase began in Meriden at about 3 a.m. when state troopers received a report that three cars had been stolen. Meriden police chased two of the car thieves but broke off the pursuit. Police say a state trooper spotted the driver of a third stolen car and chased it.  Gonzalez crashed, abandoned the car, then stole a truck and was finally stopped by tire-deflating stop sticks.

Watson Fails In Plea Agreement On Marijuana Charge

 Rhode Island Rep. Robert Watson and prosecutors have failed to reach a plea agreement on charges in Connecticut of marijuana possession and driving under the influence. The Providence Journal reports that the former Republican leader of the state House met in a final conference on Tuesday before trial is set to begin in Connecticut Superior Court in New Haven. Police in East Haven, Conn., charged Watson with driving under the influence, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia after stopping him at a sobriety checkpoint in April 2011. He pleaded not guilty. Watson denied smoking marijuana, saying he had it on hand in case of a medical condition.  His trial is expected to begin in January.

Milford Firm Recalls Ice Cream Over Salmonella Fears

 A Connecticut ice cream company says it's recalling a peanut butter and jelly product because it could be contaminated with salmonella. Milford-based Buck's Ice Cream says the recall involves Iskream Inc. brand Peanut Butter and Jelly No Sugar Added Ice Cream. It says the decision was made because of an expanded recall of nut products by the Sunland Inc. organic peanut processing plant. The Sunland plant in New Mexico was shut after salmonella was found in Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter. Thirty-five illnesses in 19 states have been linked to the product. Salmonella can cause sometimes fatal infections in children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy people often experience fever, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.  No illnesses linked to the Connecticut ice cream have been reported.

Former Coach Settles Lawsuit With Lacrosse League

 A former coach who accused a youth lacrosse league of discriminating against girls by providing them with fewer resources than boys has settled her lawsuit. Claudia Harris and the New Canaan Lacrosse Association announced the settlement Wednesday. Harris sued in Stamford Superior Court in December, saying the association provided boys with more money, equipment and experienced referees and a lower ratio of coaches to players. The league denied it discriminates against girls and said it goes to great lengths to provide equal access to boys and girls. Harris said she was dismissed as a coach and board member in 2010 after raising gender issues.  The league says Harris will serve on a new grievance committee. Harris says the league is taking steps to seek more women in its leadership ranks.

NU To Help Preserve Open Space In Connecticut

Northeast Utilities says it is helping to preserve a large chunk of land in northern Connecticut in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.  The company says it is announcing a new nonprofit land trust to protect approximately 1,000 acres as permanent open space.  Attorney General George Jepsen, DEEP commissioner Dan Esty and Northeast Utilities CEO Tom May are expected to attend the event Thursday at Kings Island in Enfield.  The utility owns thousands of acres of open space in Connecticut.