Newtown Group Launches Anti-Violence Initiative

Parents of Connecticut first-graders slain in last month's mass shooting have joined a new group in calling for a national dialogue to help prevent similar tragedies. Nicole Hockley's son Dylan was one of 20 first-graders and six adults killed a month ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School. She says she doesn't want to have to console another parent. She joined several other parents at Newtown's town hall to announce the launch of Sandy Hook Promise. Group co-founder Tom Bittman says he wants the shooting to become a turning point where Sandy Hook and other communities come together and set a course for change. Adam Lanza shot his way into the school on Dec. 14 and killed 26 before committing suicide as police arrived. He also killed his mother at their Newtown home.

Legislative Leaders Announce Newtown Task Force

Connecticut legislators are announcing the formation of their own task force on gun violence prevention and children's safety following the tragic shooting at Newtown's Sandy Hook Elementary School. Democratic and Republican leaders of the General Assembly are scheduled to discuss the panel Tuesday. Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, a Republican from Fairfield, has said here's a "genuine interest in working together" on a multi-faceted package of bills to be passed this session in response to the massacre that left 20 first graders and six educators at the school dead. He said the committee would act as a clearinghouse for the numerous proposals being offered. The group would also keep tabs on another task force created by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. That group will make preliminary recommendations to Malloy in March.

Gun Rights Advocates To Rally In Hartford

A Texas-based gun rights advocate is helping to organize rallies at Connecticut's state Capitol and state capitol buildings across the country to raise concerns about possible new gun legislation that could affect gun owners' rights. The event, dubbed "Guns Across America," is scheduled to take place at noon on Saturday, Jan. 19. Eric Reed, organizer of the national effort, said the events will be peaceful demonstrations, giving lawful gun owner the opportunity to express their concerns about gun control efforts in the wake of the Dec. 14 school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Reed said "it's unfair to punish law-abiding American citizens who've never broken any laws for the actions of another individual." Gun control supporters are planning a Valentine's Day rally at the Connecticut state Capitol.

Anti-Gun Activists Protest Wal-Mart Gun Sales

Activists say they will protest at a Wal-Mart in Danbury demanding the nation's largest retailer to halt gun sales in its stores. Protesters, including survivors of gun violence, say they will gather Tuesday at the Danbury Wal-Mart near Newtown where 20 children and six educators were fatally shot at an elementary school last month. The protest, scheduled for 11 a.m., is organized by SumOfUs.org, a watchdog group. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says it has spoken with officials of the Obama administration, Congress, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office, sportsmen groups, suppliers and others. The company said it is trying to strike a balance between serving hunters and sportsmen and ensuring that it sells firearms responsibly.

Stratford Renames School For Slain Teacher

Stratford officials are renaming a local school for a resident killed in the massacre there and hailed as a hero. HoneySpot Elementary School in Stratford will be named after 27-year-old Victoria Soto who died trying to shield her students from the gunman inside Sandy Hook Elementary School. Mayor John Harkins made the recommendation which was approved Monday night, exactly one month after the shootings. The mayor also is hoping to build a memorial to Soto, and a petition has been started to rename a local street after her. Soto graduated from Stratford High School in 2003.

State Auditors Say Connecticut Erroneously Billed Feds

State auditors say they've discovered the state of Connecticut erroneously submitted more than $3.4 million in Medicaid claims for partial federal reimbursement. In a letter sent Monday to Governor  Malloy, the auditors said claims for the federal reimbursement dating back to 2006 were made after patients had been discharged from the Albert J. Solnit Psychiatric Center in East Windsor. The facility provides treatment and residential care to children with severe mental illness and behavioral problems. The state received at least 50 percent reimbursement from the federal government for the claims. As a result, the federal government now has a credit of about $1.7 million against future Medicaid reimbursement claims. A Department of Administrative Services said human error was to blame and new procedures and reviews now in place.

Supreme Court Nominee Clears Hurdle

Former Stamford state Sen. Andrew McDonald, the governor's legal counsel, has cleared his first legislative hurdle as lawmakers consider whether to confirm his nomination to the Connecticut State Supreme Court. The General Assembly's Judiciary Committee, which McDonald co-chaired for eight years, voted 40-2 on Monday in favor of forwarding the nomination to the full legislature for final action. Three members were absent. If ultimately confirmed, the 46-year-old McDonald would be the state's first openly gay appellate jurist. McDonald, a Democrat, received a mostly warm reception from his ex-colleagues. Both Republicans and Democrats praised him as a talented and hardworking legislator and lawyer. The leader of the socially conservative Family Institute of Connecticut, however, wants lawmakers to oppose McDonald. Peter Wolfgang is questioning whether McDonald will be fair to "people of traditional values."

Rising Sea Level A Factor In Zoning

A Connecticut task force recommends that local zoning laws reflect changes in rising sea levels and new flood elevations after two storms devastated the state's shoreline. The legislative report released Monday recommends that municipalities and the state consider the impact of rising sea levels when deciding whether to build or issuing public health permits for sewage disposal. The group was formed in February 2012, after Hurricane Irene hit Connecticut as a tropical storm and eight months before more damage was caused by Superstorm Sandy. State officials cannot force towns to change zoning. Rep. James Albis, chairman of the task force, says many lawmakers are torn between maintaining local autonomy and prodding zoning changes to limit damage from massive storms. The East Haven Democrat expects debate in the legislature this year.

PBS Shows To Examine Newtown School Shooting

Public television is putting its resources into a week-long examination of the Connecticut school shooting. PBS announced Monday it will air a series of programs under the umbrella title "After Newtown." The February series will "continue the public conversation" on the topics of gun laws, mental illness and school security, PBS said. Programs including "PBS NewsHour," ''Frontline" and "Washington Week with Gwen Ifill" will be part of the initiative. The science series "Nova" will air a documentary on violence and the brain. A "Frontline" report will examine the life of Adam Lanza, who shot his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Dec. 14 and killed 20 first-graders and six adults before committing suicide. PBS' "After Newtown" initiative airs Feb. 18 to 22 (check local listings for times).