MALLOY BUDGET PLAN Governor Dannel Malloy’s new spending plan would eliminate state education aid to 85 school districts and cut school aid to another 54 cities and towns, if the state budget impasse isn’t resolved by next month.  The Democratic governor announced a new executive order Friday that would provide $1.46 billion to school districts with the highest student needs and greatest reliance on state aid. Thirty districts designated as the state’s neediest would see no aid cuts.  More »

REID AND HUGHES The future of the vacant Reid and Hughes building in Downtown Norwich could be determined on Monday night. The city council is expected to act on a proposed development agreement that would allow the Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development to convert the Main Street building into housing and retail space. The deal would require the Institute to stabilize the building over the winter and secure financing for the project within three years.  More »

NEWTOWN LAWSUIT Lawyers for the parents of two children killed in the Newtown school massacre are demanding to see evidence that two slain teachers had access to keys that could have been used to lock their classroom doors.  The attorneys filed motions in Danbury Superior Court this week asking a judge to allow them to examine two folders that are in state police custody. Newtown’s lawyers say the folders were in the classrooms of Victoria Soto and Lauren Rousseau and contained keys on the day of the shooting.    More »

LOCAL VIGIL FOR CHARLOTTESVILLE A candlelight vigil for the Charlottesville, Virginia victims was held last night at McCook Point Park in Niantic to provide an opportunity for people to come together in the spirit of love and peace, and to show support for the victims of the hatred that was displayed last weekend. East Lyme First Selectman Mark Nickerson said he had a warm feeling about the strong turnout of residents in his community but not a good feeling about what happened last weekend.  More »

TODDLER DEATH Officials in Connecticut have ruled the methadone overdose death of a 3-year-old boy a homicide.  The state medical examiner’s office says Leon Lapierre, of Stafford, died in April of acute methadone intoxication. Methadone is used to help wean people off heroin.  State police say no charges have been filed. POLICE SHOOTING The father of a 15-year-old boy killed by a Connecticut officer has filed a legal notice saying he intends to sue the city of Bridgeport over his son’s death.    More »