A Lobster Controversy, Primarying John Larson, and New Legislation for Connecticut's Cannabis Market

Bylines New Voices: Julia Gillego on Students and "The Age of AI"

An interview with Julia Gillego, a UConn journalism student about her audio report called "The Age of AI," covering AI and students.Bylines New Voices is hosted by Brian Scott-Smith with student journalists from college and university programs across Connecticut. Powered by ⁠⁠CT Examiner⁠⁠ [https://ctexaminer.com] in collaboration with ⁠⁠CT Community News⁠⁠ [https://ctcommunitynews.org/].

A Lobster Controversy, Primarying John Larson, and New Legislation for Connecticut's Cannabis Market

CT Examiner Editor-in-Chief Gregory Stroud and Brian Scott-Smith host a roundtable with reporters Ally LeMaster, Luke Feeney and Nick Sambides, and Arts Editor Robin Breeding. Here are the stories: 1. In a short legislative session before an election, lawmakers are trying to push bills through at a rapid pace. But local lobstermen say a provision tucked into a wide-ranging labor bill could kill their industry, which has suffered for decades. 2. A bill that could have widespread impacts on Connecticut’s cannabis market passed the state House and Senate during the last week of the legislative session with a few changes voted on by state lawmakers. But what are those changes? And what is the future of the bill? 3. Connecticut Congressman John Larson has been something of an institution, having served the first district for 28 years. Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin is a comparative newcomer. So how did Bronin wrestle the nomination away from Larson?

CT Examiner Weekly on WPKN-FM (May 7, 2026)

Co-hosts Brian Scott-Smith and CT Examiner Editor Gregory Stroud are joined by reporters Ally LeMaster, Nick Sambides and Eric Obernauer for a roundup of news across Connecticut and Arts Editor Robin Breeding with a weekly calendar [https://ctexaminer.com/events/] of events.Here are the stories: 1. With Connecticut lawmakers wrapping up a short session on May 6th, a lot of bills -- including one on homelessness -- will likely have to wait until next year before getting a vote. But two bills -- one on vaccinations and one on homeschooling -- will make the cut. 2. A hot housing market has added hundreds of thousands of dollars to the average homeowner's net worth, but with retail and office values lagging, that leaves many residents on the hook for a much bigger share of local taxes. 3. Not so long ago, schools were encouraging students to bring their smartphones into the classroom — but not anymore. With dozens of states enacting “bell-to-bell” bans, lawmakers have been debating whether it's time for Connecticut to do the same. I'm Eric Obernauer with that story.

CT Examiner Weekly on WPKN-FM (April 30, 2026)

Co-hosts Brian Scott-Smith and CT Examiner Editor Gregory Stroud are joined by reporters Ally LeMaster, Luke Feeney and Eric Obernauer for a roundup of news across Connecticut and Arts Editor Robin Breeding with a weekly calendar of events. Here are the stories: 1. Connecticut was one of four states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2021. Now 5 years later – with sales and revenues stalling – the state legislature passed new rules to open up the market. 2. Decades ago, the city of Stamford was given land to be used as a park – “forever.” But how long is forever when the city decides later to use it for something else? 3. State legislators have been debating a bill that would ensure the right to panhandle and sleep outdoors on public land – but what are local governments ready to get on board?

CT Examiner Weekly on WPKN-FM (April 23, 2026)

Co-hosts Brian Scott-Smith and CT Examiner Editor Gregory Stroud are joined by reporters Ally LeMaster, Luke Feeney and Eric Obernauer for a roundup of news across Connecticut and Arts Editor Robin Breeding with a weekly calendar of events. Here are the stories: 1. Last fall, Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law a blockbuster housing bill aimed at the construction of tens of thousands of apartments across Connecticut. But with towns facing early deadlines to pass new zoning rules as soon as July, the state's top planners are warning of problems down the road. 2. The Connecticut River stretches for hundreds of miles and through four states, with over two million people living within its watershed. The river's past, present and future is the focus of the third annual CT River Valley Summit at Wesleyan University this May in Middletown. 3. With rising costs and limited budgets, school boards across Connecticut face a common question:  Where to cut when the money gets tight? And how do school boards justify $400,000 pay packages for administrators while weighing cuts to classrooms?