Segarra Calls For “Shared Sacrifice,” Gives Chief Of Staff $20,000 Raise

The city of Hartford is facing a roughly 10 percent budget shortfall next year — more than $50 million. But as WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, Mayor Pedro Segarra is also giving out raises.

Here’s the story. And here is the spreadsheet the city sent in response to our FOI request.

City And Police Seek Help In Solving Man’s Death

In Hartford, Mayor Pedro Segarra held a press conference today/yesterday to ask the public for help in solving the case of a city man found in the street last month.  The man, Dartanyon Blake, later died.  WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports.

Here’s the story.

Hartford Releases Health Report

Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra (Jeff Cohen/WNPR)

The City of Hartford released what it calls a health needs assessment today.  WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports.

Here’s the story.

Juvenile Justice Advocates At the State Capitol

There’s a big change coming this summer.  As WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, most 17-year-olds charged with crimes will go from being treated like adults to being treated in the juvenile justice system.

Here’s the story.

“Police Chief” Rovella?

I don’t read the press releases from the Hartford Police Department as often as I should.

But here’s one from today that calls Interim Police Chief James Rovella just plain old “police chief.”  Here’s another one.

Last I checked, there’s still a search on for the full-time chief, no?

 

Murphy Stands Behind Health Overhaul

The U-S Supreme Court begins deliberations on the nation’s health care overhaul law next week.  At issue is the act’s highest profile piece — the requirement that all Americans buy health insurance, or face a penalty.  WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports.

Here’s the story, which is part of a reporting partnership that includes WNPR, NPR, and Kaiser Health News.

Abe Giles’ Way?

Courtesy Rick Hartford/Hartford Courant

Say “Abe Giles’ way,” and that might mean different things to different people.

For some, that “way” could be a reminder of how hard the former state representative worked for the people of Hartford’s North End.  For others, it might be the less reputable “way” of a man who pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors but got no jail time for his role in the corruption case of former Mayor Eddie Perez.

And soon — there could be something else.  The city council is considering naming the corner of Windsor and Main Streets after Giles, who died last year.

It would be called “Abraham L. Giles Way.”

Check out item 31.

Hartford Has New Bed Bugs Ordinance

Hartford’s city council recently passed a new ordinance to deal with bed bugs in the city.  WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports.

Here’s the story.

NPR’s All Things Considered Spotlighting Health Care Tonight

Listen to All Things Considered on WNPR at 5 p.m. tonight to hear a series of stories and conversations on the nation’s health care overhaul.

Don’t miss it.

Gearing Up For Supreme Court Hearings on Health Care Overhaul

You’ll be hearing lots over the next few days here and elsewhere about the future of the way we pay for health care.  Here are a few links to some good reads that will give you a sense of why all of this news is relevant to you.

Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hold three days — that’s a lot of days — of hearings on the Affordable Care Act (which is often referred to as Obamacare, typically by folks who don’t like it).   The big nut is this: Can the federal government make you buy insurance?  We’ll soon find out.