NY TV Anchor Accused Of Choking Wife At Darien Home

A New York television news anchor has been accused of choking his wife at their Connecticut home and threatening her even after police arrested him. Police say they received a call Sunday morning from WCBS-TV anchor Rob Morrison's mother-in-law about what was going on at the couple's home in Darien. They say Morrison had been belligerent toward CBS financial news anchor Ashley Morrison throughout the night and wrapped his hands around her neck. The arresting officers say they heard him threaten to do her more harm while they were processing him. They say she didn't seek medical attention. Rob Morrison has posted $100,000 bond and is due in court Tuesday. He faces charges including strangulation and disorderly conduct. The Morrisons said Monday the allegations are "greatly exaggerated." Their attorney says they're cooperating fully with authorities.

VP Biden To Give Address On Gun Violence In Connecticut

Vice President Joe Biden will be in Connecticut this week for a discussion on gun violence hosted by some of the state's Congress members. Biden is expected to deliver the keynote address at the conference on federal efforts to curb gun violence. He will be speaking Thursday at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, which is just a few miles away from the scene of the Dec. 14 massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. A 20-year-old gunman killed 20 first-graders and six educators inside the school before committing suicide. The conference is being hosted by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty. It will feature state and local leaders as well as mental health experts and faith leaders.

Newtown Families Form Tight Bonds With Troopers

In the aftermath of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Connecticut State Police assigned troopers to tend to the families of each of the 26 victims. The detail ended officially with the funerals, yet many of the officers are staying in close contact with the families they helped through the tragedy. The troopers were assigned to help the families with whatever they needed after a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six educators on Dec. 14 at the school in Newtown, Conn. Jennifer Hubbard, who lost her 6-year-old daughter, Catherine, said she now considers her family's trooper liaison a part of their family. The parents of 6-year-old victim Josephine Gay, Bob and Michele Gay, said the presence of the state police was and continues to be an enormous comfort.

Closing Arguments Planned In 'gifting table' Trial

Closing arguments are expected in the trial of two Guilford women charged with running a gifting table pyramid scheme. The arguments are planned Tuesday in federal court in Hartford. Donna Bello and Jill Platt have pleaded not guilty to charges including wire fraud and filing false tax returns. Prosecutors said the women operated the scheme from 2008 to 2011. Prosecutors say the scheme involved women joining the clubs by giving $5,000 "gifts" to high-ranking table members. The new members climbed up the rankings by recruiting new members and left the tables after receiving $40,000 from new members. Platt's attorney has said everything she did was legal and based upon the advice of lawyers. Bello's attorney denied it was a pyramid scheme. A third woman charged in the case pleaded guilty to a tax charge.

Protest Planned Against Rocky Hill Nursing Home

Opponents of a proposed nursing home for severely disabled prisoners and mentally ill patients in Rocky Hill are planning a rally at the state Capitol. A group called Protect CT is organizing Wednesday's event, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on the north grounds. Officials had hoped to open the 95-bed home this month, but the project faces a court challenge. Also, the state lawmakers who represent Rocky Hill have filed legislation that would prohibit the state's Departments of Correction and Mental Health and Addiction Services from releasing people in their care to any private residential nursing facility that has not been the subject of a site approval process. That process must include input from residents and an independent analysis of the impact of such a facility.

Blumenthal: Connecticut Impact Possible In Pentagon Cuts

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says federal budget cuts known as the sequester could damage Connecticut's significant aerospace industry. The senior senator was in Toulouse, France, on Monday on a trade trip intended to boost Connecticut contracts with Airbus. Without action by President Barack Obama and Congress, the Pentagon spending cuts will occur on March 1. In a conference call with reporters, Blumenthal said many contracts have already begun. He says the sequester, if it happens, will not end production soon. However, Blumenthal said the impact would be unwelcome. Greg Hayes, chief financial officer of United Technologies Corp., told investor analysts on Feb. 7 he expects the sequester to happen. He says the impact on the aerospace conglomerate's profit will be small, but it will be felt.

Bill Sets Inspections For High-Mileage Cars

Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would require inspections of high-mileage vehicles. State Rep. Tom Vicino, a Democrat from Clinton, has proposed a bill that would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to periodically inspect any registered vehicle with an odometer mileage reading of more than 100,000. Vicino, a first-term lawmaker, is the owner-operator of Superior Auto in Westbrook and a former member of the Connecticut Auto Body Board of Directors. The General Assembly's Transportation Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on the bill Wednesday. Committee members are also scheduled to hear testimony that same day on a bill proposed by Greenwich Rep. Livvy Floren, a Republican. It would require anyone 65 years old or older to undergo an eye examination before DMV can renew their driver's license.

Connecticut Seeks Nominations For Community Greenways

Connecticut is looking for nominations for new greenways. Greenways provide space for recreation, bicycling and walking and also support economic development. An official designation by the Greenways Council recognizes a greenway as an open space that brings improvements to the community and is supported by local government initiatives. Designated greenways may be considered for grant money. There are 68 designated greenways in Connecticut. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Connecticut Greenways Council says nominations for official state greenway designations will be accepted through May 1. More information is available at http://www.ct.gov/deep/greenways.