CT Ranks Among Nation's Best States For Arts, New Study Says: Here's Why CT Ranks Among Nation's Best States For Arts, New Study Says: Here's Why
CT Ranks Among Nation's Best States For Arts, New Study Says: Here's Why From world-class museums to thriving nonprofits, the Northeast remains a national hub for the arts — but not every state in the region is keeping pace. SmileHub released its 2025 list of best states for the arts on Monday, April 1. The report compared all 50 states using 16 key measures — including access to arts nonprofits, artist pay, education programs, and public funding. Arts-based industries employ nearly 5.2 million people nationwide, according to SmileHub. "Engagement with the arts is shown to benefit mental health, improve the likelihood of young people being recognized for a…
Big Lots Unveils Reopening Plan For Hundreds Of Stores After Bankruptcy Filing Big Lots Unveils Reopening Plan For Hundreds Of Stores After Bankruptcy Filing
Big Lots Unveils Reopening Plan For Hundreds Of Stores After Bankruptcy Filing Big Lots stores will reopen under new ownership more than seven months after the chain filed for bankruptcy. Discount retailer Variety Wholesalers, the new owner of Big Lots, announced the reopening plan in a news release on Friday, April 4. Big Lots applied for bankruptcy in September 2024 and Variety Wholesalers purchased hundreds of locations about three months later. Variety is planning a four-phase rollout following the company’s acquisition of 219 Big Lots locations out of bankruptcy. "We're thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life by offering more deals…
Layoffs Hit Pandemic-Era Heights As Musk Slashes Federal Jobs, Trump's Widespread Tariffs Begin Layoffs Hit Pandemic-Era Heights As Musk Slashes Federal Jobs, Trump's Widespread Tariffs Begin
Layoffs Hit Pandemic-Era Heights As Musk Slashes Federal Jobs, Trump's Widespread Tariffs Begin The US saw one of its largest waves of layoffs in decades, fueled by billionaire Elon Musk's efforts to purge the federal government, as markets fear the financial impacts of President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs. US employers announced 275,240 job cuts in March, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said on Thursday, Apr. 3. That's the third-highest monthly amount since Challenger began tracking layoffs in 1989, only surpassed by the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April and May of 2020. So far in 2025, employers have announced 497,052 job cuts — the highe…
Rising Sea Levels Will Threaten 38K+ In CT By 2050, New Study Says: See The Map Rising Sea Levels Will Threaten 38K+ In CT By 2050, New Study Says: See The Map
Rising Sea Levels Will Threaten 38K+ In CT By 2050, New Study Says: See The Map Rising sea levels could put hundreds of thousands of homes underwater across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic within 25 years, according to new analysis. Climate Central released its Coastal Flood Risk Across the US study on Wednesday, April 2. The nonprofit scientific group said coastal flooding will threaten more than 2.5 million Americans in about 1.4 million homes by 2050. In a generation, a "100-year flood" could reach homes across dozens of coastal Northeast communities, threatening more than 1.1 million residents from the North Shore of Massachusetts to the Virginia…
Tufts Student Arrested By Agents In Massachusetts, Moved to Louisiana Detention Center: Report Tufts Student Arrested By Agents In Massachusetts, Moved to Louisiana Detention Center: Report
Tufts Student Arrested By Agents In Massachusetts, Moved to Louisiana Detention Center: Report A Tufts University student who was arrested by federal agents in Massachusetts last week was later located in a detention center more than 1,500 miles away in Louisiana, CNN reported. Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, was walking to meet friends for dinner after breaking her Ramadan fast on Tuesday, March 25, in Somerville, Massachusetts, when six plainclothes officers approached her and took her into custody. Officers hid their faces with cloth coverings and masks before putting her in handcuffs and into the back of an unmarked police car.  The incident was recorded on surveillance video and circul…
Revamped Mega Millions Game Promises Better Odds, Boosted Prizes: Here's What's New Revamped Mega Millions Game Promises Better Odds, Boosted Prizes: Here's What's New
Revamped Mega Millions Game Promises Better Odds, Boosted Prizes: Here's What's New An updated Mega Millions game is set to launch with bigger prizes, better odds, and a higher starting jackpot of $50 million. Mega Millions announced the first major change to the game since 2017 in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 25. The first drawing under the new structure will take place at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 8. The lottery game said the changes aim to bring higher non-jackpot payouts, improved odds, and faster-growing prizes. "Beyond big jackpots, players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes and that's exactly what this new game delivers," said Joshua Johnson, l…
Ed Sheeran Opening Pop-Up Pub In New England: See Why Your Old Phone Is The Cover Charge Ed Sheeran Opening Pop-Up Pub In New England: See Why Your Old Phone Is The Cover Charge
Ed Sheeran Opening Pop-Up Pub In New England: See Why Your Old Phone Is The Cover Charge A superstar singer known for a song reminiscing about a photograph now wants you to grab an old cellphone and come to his pop-up pub on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Ed Sheeran will open up the limited-time bar called "The Old Phone Pub", the singer-songwriter confirmed on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Wednesday, Mar. 26. The pub will be in Ipswich, which shares a name with Sheeran's hometown in England. The pub will only stand for two days – Friday, Mar. 28, and Saturday, Mar. 29 – and is inspired by Sheeran's new song "Old Phone" from his latest album "Play". It's his fi…
Iconic Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Announces 'Fresh, Vibrant' Spring Special: Here's What's On It Iconic Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Announces 'Fresh, Vibrant' Spring Special: Here's What's On It
Iconic Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Announces 'Fresh, Vibrant' Spring Special: Here's What's On It Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, the legendary Connecticut-based pizza institution with a Westchester locale, is marking its 100th anniversary with a fresh new menu item.  Pepe’s, known coast-to-coast as “Pepe’s Pizza,” launched its spring special, "The Caprese," on Tuesday, March 25, as part of its year-long centennial celebration.  According to the chain, The Caprese is topped with a creamy nut-free pesto sauce, fresh and whole milk mozzarella, roasted marinated cherry tomatoes, garlic, Pecorino Romano, and a rich imported olive oil blend. It’s available now through June 1 a…
CT Ranks Among Nation's Least-Stressed States, New Study Says: Here's Why CT Ranks Among Nation's Least-Stressed States, New Study Says: Here's Why
CT Ranks Among Nation's Least-Stressed States, New Study Says: Here's Why While most Americans are feeling the pressure — from rising costs to political uncertainty — residents in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic may be catching a bit of a break, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of the most stressed states in the US on Monday, Mar. 24. The findings suggest that despite national anxieties — like inflation, job instability, and healthcare access — many in the region are experiencing less day-to-day stress than much of the country. Connecticut ranked 42nd overall, placing it among the 10 least-stressed states. The Constitution State had …
CT Among 20 Most Innovative States, New Study Says: Here's Why CT Among 20 Most Innovative States, New Study Says: Here's Why
CT Among 20 Most Innovative States, New Study Says: Here's Why Several states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are setting the pace for US innovation by driving research, technology, and business growth, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 Most & Least Innovative States study on Wednesday, Mar. 19. The study evaluated all 50 states and Washington, DC, using 25 key factors, including STEM job concentration, research and development spending, and tech industry presence. Washington, DC, took WalletHub's top spot, driven by its high concentration of professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math. The nation's c…
Kitty Dukakis, Wife Of Ex-Presidential Nominee, Dies Kitty Dukakis, Wife Of Ex-Presidential Nominee, Dies
Kitty Dukakis, Wife Of Ex-Presidential Nominee, Dies Kitty Dukakis, the wife of former Massachusetts Governor and presidential nominee Michael Dukakis, died on Friday, March 21, at the age of 88, her family said.  Her son, John Dukakis, said in a statement that the mother of three died "surrounded by family." She was born on December 26, 1936, and lived a full life fighting to make the world a better place and sharing her vulnerabilities to help others face theirs. She was loving, feisty and fun, and had a keen sensitivity to people from all walks of life. She and our dad, Michael Dukakis, shared an enviable partnership for over 60 years and …
These 68 Bridges Are At Risk Of Failure, NTSB Finds After Key Bridge Collapse These 68 Bridges Are At Risk Of Failure, NTSB Finds After Key Bridge Collapse
These 68 Bridges Are At Risk Of Failure, NTSB Finds After Key Bridge Collapse The catastrophic collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland is sparking national concern as federal investigators warn that nearly 70 other bridges across the country could face a similar fate. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Thursday, March 20, recommended that 30 bridge owners conduct urgent vulnerability assessments after an investigation into the deadly collapse of the Key Bridge found it was nearly 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold for critical structures. Key Bridge collapse. Baltimore County PD According to the NTSB, 68 bri…