Kevin Ryan

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month
• Texting Scam Alert
• DEA Takeback Day
• Your Guide to Peak Fall Foliage
• CT Pizza Trail

Each October, we bring awareness and honor the millions of lives affected by breast cancer. Throughout the month, we stress the importance of mammograms as the best way to screen for breast cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women. 

One in eight women in the United States will get breast cancer. More than 40,000 women die from breast cancer in the U.S. each year.

Let us stand with survivors, honor those we've lost, and continue fighting for a cure. 

This year marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Governor Ned Lamont has officially proclaimed October 2025 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Connecticut, recognizing the contributions and achievements of residents with disabilities in the workplace.

Connecticut is a state that values inclusion and remains committed to fostering a workforce where individuals of all abilities are welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed. Inclusive employment benefits both employers and employees which in turn enriches the workplace and strengthens the community.

The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services plays a crucial role in helping individuals with disabilities find, maintain, and advance in meaningful employment. The department helps ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the workplace. Assistance for jobseekers with disabilities is available virtually and in-person, below are links to services:

• Department of Aging and Disability Services: information on employment and other services available to people with disabilities
• Department of Developmental Services: resources and job information for individuals with intellectual disabilities
• Visit one of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s American Job Centers (appointments are recommended)
• CTHires: serves as a one-stop resource to search for jobs, create a resume, and find training
• Attend one of several job fairs that are scheduled across the state

As we celebrate this month, let’s continue working together to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is alerting everyone of a new scam where criminals impersonate the DRS with fraudulent text messages. They claim that you are owed a tax refund and must provide banking and other information to receive the money.

The DRS will NEVER send taxpayers a text message or seek to obtain information from taxpayers via text. If you have information on a tax-related scam, contact DRS by completing a referral form on the agency’s website.

Taxpayers with questions are encouraged to reach out to DRS at 860-297-5962, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. or by email at DRS@ct.gov.

The drug epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. When they do - it has dangerous and often tragic consequences. 

You can help fight that epidemic by participating in DEA Takeback Day. It's an opportunity for anyone to remove unneeded medications from their homes, preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction.

On October 25th, from 10 am to 2 pm, you can turn in excess drugs at dozens of collection site locations across the state. You can find details on the drop-off process and locations by using the DEA Collection Site Locator. Click here to find the closest site to you and for more info.

Now that fall has arrived, Connecticut is about to glow with autumn color! Here’s what to expect and how to make the most of it:

• Litchfield Hills / Northwest CT: tends to peak earlier, so early October is ideal there
• Hartford & Central CT: mid‑October is often prime
• Connecticut River Valley: the color can linger a bit, making it great in mid‑to‑late October
• Coastal & Shoreline areas: later in October, sometimes up until Halloween

Click here for the full CT Fall Foliage Report so you know peak viewing times in each area of the state.

The CT Tourism Office has some great ideas on how to enjoy the season, click here for CT's Fall Foliage Road Trip Guide and links to hiking trails and click here for seven different CT Fall Foliage Drive Loops around the state and the peak times to take them.

Don’t miss your chance to soak in the season’s beauty!

Connecticut has been staking its claim as the Pizza Capital of the United States for years, and now with the launch of the Connecticut Pizza Trail, pizza lovers finally have a curated way to explore the state’s legendary slices.

The trail features the Top 100 pizzerias across the state, chosen by public vote, and mapped out to help guide your journey. From the coal-fired classics of New Haven to hidden gems in smaller towns, the trail celebrates the diversity and quality of Connecticut’s pizza scene.

The Pizza Trail offers a one-of-a-kind way to taste your way across a state that’s serious about its pizza.

Click here for a full guide to the trail and to download the map.

Sincerely,

Kevin Ryan
State Representative