MJ Shannon

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the World Health Organization, over 2 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024.

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks on September 11. Earlier this morning, I attended a beautiful and solemn ceremony at the World Trade Center Memorial Garden at Live Oaks School.

Happy Friday!
I was honored to meet Paulie of Paulie's Push earlier this week in West Haven.

Students experiencing significant reading difficulties will soon receive help from the state.

Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker recently announced the State Department of Education has been awarded a five-year, $10 million grant to expand targeted reading intervention for students K-3 with reading difficulties.

Connecticut residents are encouraged to recognize veterans who continue to make lasting contributions in their communities by nominating them for the 2026 Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. This honor celebrates veterans who, after their military service, have shown exceptional leadership and community service.

The 2026 Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week runs from Sunday, August 16, through Saturday, August 22. This week provides a chance for families to save money, whether it is taking children back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.

Great news - Connecticut’s minimum wage will adjust to $17.48 per hour beginning January 1, 2027—an increase from the 2026 rate of $16.94 per hour.

The American Red Cross needs our help - there is an emergency blood shortage, which means the blood supply is critically low and could cause hospitals to triage blood products, prioritizing the most critical cases, delaying non-emergency procedures, and causing risks for patients who require timely transfusions, including trauma patients, women giving birth, and patients with chronic blood disorders.