Blumenthal Says Newtown Reference May Spur Gun Changes

Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says President Barack Obama's reference in his inauguration speech to the murders of 20 children and six educators in Newtown could spur changes in federal gun law. Blumenthal told The Associated Press on Monday that the image and symbol of the Dec. 14 shooting deaths in the president's speech will be a "motivating force" to pass new laws. Obama said America's journey is not complete until all children from Detroit to Appalachia to "the quiet lanes of Newtown" know they are cared for, cherished and safe from harm. Blumenthal, a Democrat, said Obama's reference to Newtown is valuable because he has given only two inaugural speeches and every sentence counts. Obama is proposing a ban on military-style assault weapons, limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines and requiring background checks for all gun buyers.

Study Shows High School Grad Rate Highest Since '76

A U.S. Education Department study says the high school graduation rate nationally is the highest since 1976, but more than a fifth of students fail to get a diploma in four years. The study released on Tuesday says that across the U.S. the dropout rate for male students was 3.8 percent. For females, it was 2.9 percent. The dropout rate was higher among males in every state. The percentage gap between male and female dropouts ranged from lows of 0.2 percentage points in Idaho to highs of 1.7 in Connecticut and Rhode Island Officials said the steady rise of students completing their education is a reflection of the struggling economy and a greater competition for new jobs. The national dropout rate was about 3 percent overall, down from the year before.

Trial Starting For Women Charged In Pyramid Scheme

Two Guilford women accused of participating in a "gifting tables" pyramid scheme are heading to trial. The federal trial starts Thursday in Hartford for Donna Bello and Jill Platt. They have pleaded not guilty to charges including wire fraud and filing false tax returns. Platt's attorney, Jonathan J. Einhorn, has said everything she did was legal and based upon the advice of lawyers. Norman Pattis, Bello's attorney, denied it was a pyramid scheme. Prosecutors said the women operated the scheme from 2008 to 2011. New participants paid $5,000 to the person in the "dessert" position at the top, and moved up by recruiting others. Those reaching the top of the pyramid got $40,000. A third woman charged in the case pleaded guilty in December to a tax charge.

Body Of 92-Year-Old Missing Rocky Hill Man Found

Rocky Hill police say a 92-year-old man reported missing has been found dead. Police say they do not believe the death of Raymond Krawiec appears to be suspicious. He was among Connecticut's last survivors of the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Police say that at about noon Monday police responded to a report of the discovery of Krawiec's body. He was found about a mile from where he lived. Police issued a Silver Alert on Sunday. The cause of death has not been determined.

Security Guards To March Through Downtown Hartford

Private security guards that work at state office buildings are planning a march through the streets of downtown Hartford. The workers, employed by the New Jersey-based SOS Security, are scheduled to march down Capitol Avenue on Wednesday. Last month, a union filed an unfair labor practice charge on the workers' behalf with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming the company conducted an illegal surveillance of employees after an officer was allegedly threatened for engaging in union activity. The union 32 BJ, which is part of the Service Employees International Union, has been working to unionize the approximately 50 guards employed by SOS.

2 Top Malloy Appointees Face Legislative Hearing

Two of Governor  Malloy's top appointees are facing a legislative confirmation hearing. The General Assembly's Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee is scheduled to hear Tuesday from Jamey Bell, Malloy's choice for State Child Advocate, and Sharon Palmer, commissioner of the Department of Labor. Both are working in their new jobs. Bell, who lives in Bloomfield, succeeded Jeanne Milstein, who retired last March after a dozen years. Bell executive director of Connecticut Voices for Children. Palmer, who lives in Waterford, had been the president of the Connecticut chapter of the American Federation of Teachers since 2003. The union represents 28,000 teachers and other employees in the state. If approved by the committee, as expected, the nominations face further action by the House and Senate.

Derby Seniors Group Makes Peace With Foxwoods

A senior citizens center in Derby has ended a boycott against Foxwoods Resort Casino. The center halted trips to the eastern Connecticut casino last year after some seniors took offense at published comments by Chief Executive Officer Scott Butera. He said he was misquoted and his comments were taken out of context when the news story referred to seniors not contributing to Foxwoods' profits. The New Haven Register reports that Butera accepted an invitation from the executive director of the Derby senior citizens' center to pay a visit. Butera participated in a question-and-answer session with about 50 members and spoke with members individually. Foxwoods, to help boost its relationship with senior citizens, developed a program exclusively for those 60 and older.