Norwich Police Officer Wounded By Man In Standoff

Connecticut police say a Norwich officer has been shot and injured at an apartment complex where a suicidal gunman is in a standoff with police. A spokesman for Yale-New Haven Hospital said Officer Jonathan Ley was reported in critical condition there Monday evening. Police said the officer was shot several times after responding to a report at about 2:45 p.m. that a man at the Cedar Glen Apartment Complex had threatened to provoke police into killing him. Police said several shots were fired at about 4 p.m., and the officer was struck. Police took the wounded officer from the building to a Norwich hospital, and he was transferred by helicopter to Yale-New Haven. Police evacuated the apartment complex, and were trying to negotiate with the man.

Connecticut Lawmaker Apologizes Over Facebook Post

A Connecticut lawmaker has apologized after saying in a Facebook post that shooting victim and former Arizona U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords should "stay out of my towns." Giffords last week visited Newtown, Conn., where a gunman killed 20 young children and six adults at an elementary school last month. The Democrat, who met with families of the victims, was critically wounded two years ago in a deadly mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona. The Hartford Courant posted images Sunday showing Republican state Rep. DebraLee Hovey's Facebook comments. In one dated Friday she says, "Gabby Giffords stay out of my towns!!" Hovey released a statement Monday saying her comments were insensitive and that she apologizes if she offended anyone. Hovey had said in another post that the visit was political.

East Haven Officer To Be Sentenced In Police Bias Case

One of four East Haven officers charged in a federal investigation alleging police bias and abuse against Hispanics is facing sentencing. Jason Zullo is scheduled to be sentenced to one to two years in prison Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Hartford. He pleaded guilty in October to obstruction of justice, acknowledging he falsified a police report about a motorcycle chase in October 2008. Prosecutors say Zullo failed to mention in his report that he struck the motorcycle with his cruiser three times during the chase and caused it to crash, injuring the rider and a passenger. Zullo's lawyer says Zullo has not admitted to any bias against Hispanics and notes the motorcycle rider was white. Another officer has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. The remaining two officers await trial.

Tribe Leaders Plead Not Guilty To Theft Charges

The former chairman of a Connecticut tribe and his brother, the tribe's treasurer, have pleaded not guilty to charges that they stole more than $800,000 from the tribe.  Former Mashantucket Pequot chairman Michael Thomas and his brother Steven appeared Monday afternoon in federal court in New Haven. The tribe owns and operates the Foxwoods Resort Casino on its reservation in Ledyard, Connecticut. Michael Thomas is accused of stealing more than $100,000 in tribal funds and federal grant money during his tenure as leader of the tribal council. Treasurer Steven Thomas allegedly stole more than $700,000 when he was assistant director of the tribe's natural resources department. Richard Reeve, an attorney for Steven Thomas, said the case is about whether his client was entitled to wages he received for a job.

Governor Malloy Nominates Espinosa To High Court

Governor  Malloy is nominating Appellate Court Judge Carmen Espinosa to sit on Connecticut's State Supreme Court. Malloy said Monday Espinosa would be the first Hispanic to serve on both the Appellate and Supreme Court. Malloy tapped Espinosa to the Appellate Court 21 months ago. She must be confirmed by the Legislature. Malloy said Espinosa has had an impressive career and is one of the state's most respected jurists. She was first appointed to the superior court in 1992. Espinosa said she hopes her nomination will serve as an example to young Hispanic children that anything is possible if they stay in school.

Connecticut  Hispanics Mark Political Milestones

Elected Hispanic officials and representatives from the state's Hispanic community and national organizations are marking the political milestones made in Connecticut during the most recent election. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill is holding a news conference on Tuesday at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, where she will unveil the state's new Hispanic voter registration statistics. Merrill also plans to mark the election of Connecticut's first Hispanic state senator, Andres Ayala, currently a state representative from Bridgeport.  State Rep. Robert Sanchez of New Britain, State Rep.-elect Hilda Santiago of Meriden and Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, members of the Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission and the National Association of Latino Elected Officials are also scheduled to be on hand for Tuesday's event.

Soccer Stars Visit Newtown

Stars from the soccer world have visited and played with children in the Connecticut town where a gunman killed dozens of people at an elementary school last month. About 40 current and former players including Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones, Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly played with kids on an indoor field at the nonprofit Newtown Youth Academy. The group also included San Jose Earthquakes player Marcus Tracy, who grew up in Newtown. About 1,000 children attended Monday's event, which was arranged by Houston Dynamo general manager and Connecticut native Chris Canetti. Sports stars including New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz and Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman have visited Newtown in the weeks since a gunman killed his mother at home and 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School before killing himself.