Feds Approve Connecticut  Insurance Exchange Plan

Connecticut is one of the first states to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of its plan to set up a new health insurance exchange. A total of six states won approval Monday for plans developed under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law. The exchange is expected to be set up by next year for individuals and businesses to find affordable coverage. Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman says the approval shows Connecticut has made important progress while most states are still grappling with how to move forward with health reform. The state has received $116 million in federal money to design and create the exchange. In Connecticut, about 377,000 of the state's 3.5 million residents are uninsured, or nearly 11 percent.

New Fairfield Man Charged In Wife's Death Arraigned

A 63-year-old New Fairfield man charged with shooting and killing his wife told police she was coming at him with a knife. Robert Bell was arraigned Monday in Danbury Superior Court and bail was set at $750,000. He is charged with first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and other offenses. Authorities say Bell allegedly shot his wife, Svetlana, four times after an altercation Saturday night. Police say they found Svetlana Bell unresponsive on the kitchen floor, with apparent gunshot wounds to her chest area. She was transported to Danbury Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time later. The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence says the killing highlights the serious problem of domestic violence in the state.

Murphy Will Discuss Looming Cuts To Heating Aid

Congressman Chris Murphy says Connecticut would lose about $5.6 million in heating aid for low-income families this winter if lawmakers in Washington don't stop the "fiscal cliff" from becoming a reality. Murphy has scheduled a round-table discussion on the looming aid cuts Tuesday in New Britain. Connecticut is set to get $79.5 million from the heating aid program this fiscal year. Murphy says that number could be slashed by 7 percent under the "fiscal cliff," which is a series of automatic spending cuts and tax increases that will go into effect if Congress doesn't act. Murphy is calling for preservation of funding for the program, which serves nearly 120,000 households in Connecticut. The average benefit per household in the state was $863 in the 2011 fiscal year.

Malloy Senior Adviser Leaving At End Of Year

Governor Malloy’s senior adviser is leaving the administration after two years and is pursuing an undisclosed new job. Malloy announced Roy Occhiogrosso's  departure Monday at the Legislative Office Building. He said Occhiogrosso initially agreed to serve as senior adviser for one year after Malloy was first elected in 2010, but the Democratic governor persuaded him to serve another year. The 47-year-old Occhiogrosso has been a leading public voice for Malloy's administration and top defender against criticism. He was top aide to Malloy's successful 2010 campaign and unsuccessful 2006 gubernatorial run. Occhiogrosso said he's finalizing details of his next career move. Asked why he's leaving at the end of the month, Occhiogrosso said people often stay in political jobs like his too long and it's time for a change.

Ex-Manchester Fire Boss Charged With Illegal Tax Breaks

A former Manchester fire chief has been arrested on charges that he inflated the number of firefighters eligible for personal property tax breaks. Paul Litrico surrendered Monday on a warrant charging him with second-degree larceny and false entry by a public official. The president of the Eighth Utilities District's board alerted police in July to missing documents certifying that certain department members were eligible for a $400 motor vehicle tax abatement based on their volunteer hours. Police say Litrico certified that 17 members of the department qualified for tax abatement but only three appeared to be eligible. Litrico's lawyer told The Hartford Courant that Litrico believed he acted lawfully and was working with complicated information related to tax eligibility issues. Litrico is due in Superior Court on Jan. 8.