2 Missing Boys, Grandmother Found Dead In Preston

Authorities say two young Connecticut boys who were taken from their daycare by their grandmother have been found dead, along with her. State police say Ashton and Alton Perry and their grandmother, 47-year-old Debra Denison, were found dead Tuesday night in a parked vehicle in Preston. Authorities say Denison had picked up 6-month-old Ashton and 2-year-old Alton from their daycare in Danielson at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and could not be located. State police then issued an Amber Alert. At about 9:30 p.m. troopers received a report of a suspicious vehicle parked near Lake of Isles. The two boys and their grandmother were pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy will be performed to determine the manner and cause of death. State police continue to investigate.

Gun Violence Families To Call For New Connecticut Laws

Connecticut lawmakers are being urged to pass legislation to stop urban gun violence. Family members of gun violence victims in the cities are scheduled Wednesday to call on the General Assembly to close loopholes that allow illegal guns to flow into urban areas. The family members are expected to join legislators and law enforcement leaders for a news conference at the Legislative Office Building. They are urging support of various gun violence measures proposed by Connecticut Against Gun Violence, which is organizing the event. Lawmakers have been focusing for weeks on reducing gun violence, especially in schools, following the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown that left 20 first graders and six educators dead. A subcommittee is working on a package of recommended gun law changes.

United Way Defends Newtown Donations Process

The United Way says in response to concerns by the daughter of a Newtown, Conn., school shooting victim a new nonprofit group overseeing donations is getting input from victims' families on how to distribute the money. Cristina Lafferty Hassinger posted on her Facebook page the families are being asked for proof of hardship before the smallest disbursements are issued. She wrote her mother, principal Dawn Hochsprung, was shot dead trying to protect students and staff and the families "shouldn't have to fight for what is rightfully" theirs.

United Way of Western Connecticut said Tuesday a one-page form is used for those seeking help with immediate needs. It says the families met last week with the board of the new foundation, which is overseeing distribution from a larger fund established by the United Way.

Wolcott School, Under Pressure, OKs Anti-Gay Shirt

The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut says officials in a school district are reversing themselves and allowing a student to wear a T-shirt with an anti-gay message. The ACLU announced Tuesday that the lawyer for the school district says Wolcott High School student Seth Groody may wear the T-shirt, which bears a slash mark through a rainbow. The ACLU says he wore the shirt April 20, which was designated as a day of awareness of harassment toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. He removed the shirt when ordered by school officials. The ACLU says it was prepared to sue the school district. School attorney Christine Chinni wrote to the ACLU this month saying Groody may wear the T-shirt.

Malloy Calls For Changing Liquor Pricing

Lawmakers are considering a bill proposed by Governor Malloy's administration that would change how liquor is priced for retail sales in Connecticut. Current law states that no retail permit holder can sell liquor at a price below their cost. But Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein told members of the legislature's General Law Committee on Tuesday that cost includes a separate, so-called "bottle price" that's set by the wholesalers each month. Malloy's bill would set the minimum allowable retail price at the actual cost paid by retailers for each bottle, plus shipping and delivery costs. The Connecticut Package Stores Association claims Malloy's proposal will harm the product selection available today and ultimately lead to higher, not lower prices, for consumers if big-box retailers ultimately dominate the market.

Report Shows Revenue Fell Fast In 2011 At Connecticut Casinos

A study says Connecticut was in the top tier of states with Indian casinos generating revenue in 2011. It's also among states with the fastest falling casino revenue. "Casino City's Indian Gaming Industry Report" said Wednesday that Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun pushed Connecticut into the top five states that accounted for about 61 percent of total Indian casino gambling revenue in the U.S. in 2011. The others are California, Florida, Oklahoma and Washington. Revenue at Connecticut's two casinos in 2011 also was among the fastest to decline in the United States. The report says Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun generated about $2 billion in 2011. That was down by about 2 percent in 2010. The decline in Connecticut Indian gambling was due to the weak economy that reduced consumer spending and rising competition in the Northeast.

3 Charged In Alleged Hedge Fund Fraud

Three executives of a Ridgefield-based hedge fund have been accused of lying to clients about the state of their investments in order to keep their business. The executives of New Stream Capital each pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Hartford to charges of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud. Two of the defendants, 44-year-old David Bryson of Ridgefield and 61-year-old Bart Gutekunst of Weston, were released on $5 million bonds. Forty-year-old Richard Pereira of Ridgefield was released on a $300,000 bond. The indictment alleges that New Stream failed to inform investors who transferred from one fund to another that the older fund remained open and was being given priority. Stan Twardy, an attorney for Gutekunst, said his client looks forward to the opportunity to vindicate himself in court.

Florida Man Pleads Not Guilty In 2010 Connecticut Drug Heist

A Florida man has pleaded not guilty to charges in the theft of about $80 million in prescription drugs from a Connecticut warehouse in 2010. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office says Amaury Villa pleaded not guilty to theft and conspiracy charges Tuesday in New Haven. He pleaded guilty in Florida last year to possessing drugs stolen from the warehouse. Amaury Villa and his brother Amed Villa were arrested last year in Florida on federal theft and conspiracy charges related to their alleged participation in the theft, called the biggest in Connecticut history. The thieves broke into the Enfield warehouse of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. in March 2010. The stolen drugs including antidepressants and a chemotherapy drug used to treat lung cancer were later recovered in Florida.

Deal To Keep AHL Team In Hartford to 2016

A deal has been struck to keep the American Hockey League's Whale playing at the XL Center in Hartford until 2016. The multi-year deal was announced Tuesday by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. It calls for the New York Rangers' minor-league affiliate to play at the XL Center for the 2013-2016 seasons and includes a provision that could extend that by another two years. The deal was reached between Global Spectrum and the Madison Square Garden company. The governor's office described the agreement as a critical milestone in contract negotiations for management of the XL Center and Rentschler Field that are under way between the Capital Region Development Authority and Global Spectrum. Development authority director Michael Freimuth said securing a professional hockey team was a big factor in selecting Global Spectrum to manage the XL Center.

Valentine Ready To Try Handling  With College Athletics

Bobby Valentine has been introduced as the new athletic director of Sacred Heart University. Valentine, a Connecticut native fired as manager of the Boston Red Sox after just one season, will take over a program that competes in the Northeast Conference and has 31 teams, including baseball. The high-profile hiring by the Pioneers brought a packed crowd to his press conference. Approximately 300 people attended, including several athletes. Valentine, who agreed to the position last week with Sacred Heart, led the Red Sox to a 69-93 record, and was fired with a year remaining on his contract. His new post doesn't begin officially until July 1, the school says.