New "In the Loop" Layout
Exciting news! We are redesigning "In the Loop". Be on the lookout next week for our new layout! Great things take time :)
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CT Agency Corner
Department of Consumer Protection - CT Announces the First Pharmacy to link with State Prescription Tracking Database
by Mike Johnson
The state announced this week that Walmart achieved a milestone in becoming CT's first pharmacy to completely integrate their prescription system to the state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).
A pharmacy having access to the PDMP, which is controlled by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), means that a pharmacist at Walmart will now be able to see every time a patient has been prescribed a controlled substance in CT and in 30 other states. The PDMP helps reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse and overdose by providing background on the frequency of a controlled drug being prescribed. The ultimate goal of the program is to have complete access to patient prescription history in order for a provider/pharmacy to make the best healthcare decisions possible for their patients.
Walmart's initiative to integrate the PDMP is not a requirement by law but is strongly encouraged by the DCP Commissioner in order to have other pharmacies take the same steps toward integrating their systems into the PDMP.
For more information about how your information is shared through the PDMP you can click
here.
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The Real Scoop
It's campaign season folks! Mark your calendars for upcoming debates to learn more about those candidates running for office this fall.
SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY, WSHU PUBLIC RADIO, HEARST CONNECTICUT MEDIA GROUP will host separate primary debates for the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates moderated by Hearst Connecticut's Ken Dixon at Sacred Heart University, Martire Business & Communications Center, 5401 Park Avenue, Fairfield. The events are open to the public and will be live-streamed on Hearst Connecticut's news websites and aired live on 89.9FM.
- Republican Debate: Tuesday, July 24 at 2 p.m.
- Democratic Debate:Thursday, July 26 at 2 p.m.
The Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC) will co-host a Republican and a Democratic gubernatorial candidate forum with the Connecticut Mirror and Connecticut Public Radio and the events will be moderated by WNPR's John Dankosky:
- Republican Candidate Forum on Monday, Aug. 6, with a reception from 6 to 7 p.m. and the forum will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield.
- Democratic Candidate Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 7, with a reception from 6 to 7 p.m. and the forum will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bucknall Theater, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven.
WFSB will host a series of political debates in partnership with UConn moderated by Dennis House:
- Gubernatorial Debate on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the UConn Storrs Campus.
- U.S. Senate Debate on Sunday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to noon at the WFSB Rocky Hill Studio.
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Did You Know?
CT Weather: July Facts
- July averages 3.1 inches of precipitation
- 3rd - Tornado hits the Waterbury/Wolcott line, 1996
- 9th - Tornado hits Monroe, 1996
- 10th - Tornado outbreak in Litchfield and New Haven Counties; Town of Hamden hit the hardest, 1989
- 15th - 2-3 inch hailstones fall on Bozrah, Franklin, and Lebanon, 1799
- 15th - Highest temperature ever recorded in Connecticut 106°F in Danbury, 1995
- 22nd - Second highest temperature ever recorded in Connecticut 105F in Waterbury, 1926
- July's consistent heat makes it the most thunderstorm prone month
- July 1994 was hottest on record; average temperature of 77.1°F was 3.4°F above normal
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Behind the Scenes
By Chelsea Neelon
Tick tock! Time is running out for constitutional office candidates to qualify for the Citizen's Election Program grant (CEP).
July 20th is the official deadline for candidates that are participating in CEP. Not all candidates will be applying for the grant; some are raising their own funds and some are self-funding their campaigns. On the Republican side, party endorsed candidate for governor Mayor Mark Boughton has already qualified with the grant, along with Tim Herbst. David Stemerman, former hedge fund manager, is self-funding his campaign, while Bob Stefanowski opted to not participate in the program. Steve Obsitnik applied for the grant, but has been tied up in a legal battle with SEEC, and may not make the deadline, ultimately needing to end up using his own funds, which he has indicated he is more than willing to do if need be.
On the Democratic ticket, both governor candidates are not participating in CEP. Party endorsed candidate Ned Lamont is self-funding his campaign, with Mayor Joe Ganim was ruled ineligible from participating in CEP due to his former conviction. Just yesterday, party endorsed candidate for Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewicz and endorsed candidate for Attorney General William Tong were cleared to receive their grants for their primary campaigns. The Attorney General primary will include Tong, Chris Mattei, and Senator Paul Doyle, all who have qualified for CEP. Primary challenger for Lt. Gov Eva Bermudez Zimmerman still has yet to receive confirmation whether she has qualified for the grant. In such a hotly contested Lt. Gov race on the Democratic ticket, securing CEP funds could be critical for the August primary.
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Municipal
Roundup
by Ryan Bingham
This week in Stonington, the Board of Selectman voted to form a task force that will explore the idea of banning plastic bags, straws and plastic takeout containers in Stonington. More plastic items could potentially be added to the list after more community input. Once the task force is assembled, they will provide a report in 90 days with their findings. This push to reduce plastic coincides with a more global initiative to reduce plastic. Corporations like McDonalds and Starbucks will be weening off their use of plastic straws and moving to paper straws in order to reduce the amount of plastic used. It will be interesting to see the findings, and to see if any other towns follow suit.
In Capital city news, soccer is coming to Hartford! The Hartford Athletic, the United Soccer League's latest expansion team, will be coming to play at Dillon Stadium. Bruce Mandell, the owner of the team, worked diligently with agencies and the state to renovate Dillon Stadium in order for the team to play and bring soccer to the Hartford community. The goal is to revamp the city and bring something great into the Hartford community, and many residents are excited to have a professional soccer team of their own to be a part of. After the success of the Hartford Yard Goats in the city, it will be intriguing to see how this project plays out and what Hartford will look like with a professional soccer team added to the mix. Read more about the team and it's future
here.
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Upcoming Events:
Connecticut's Future Now Presents: A Summer Social for Future Leaders
Thursday, July 19th
5:30pm-8:30pm
Eli's Tavern, 21 Daniel St, Milford CT
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