January 12 / 6:30 pm
 Governor Signs Patriots Bill
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Another legislative touchdown in the drive to build a new home for the New England Patriots. In a ceremony at the Old State House in Hartford, Governor John Rowland signed the bill authorizing the construction of a 68,000 seat open air stadium for the Patriots, at a cost of $374 million dollars. The stadium is part of the Adriaen's Landing project on the Hartford Waterfront.
The governor signed the bill under a portrait of George Washington and surrounded by legislative leaders and Patriots Owner Robert Kraft. Rowland said he's very pleased with the final package lawmakers passed. In a speech before the signing, Rowland held up a t-shirt with a Patriots logo and the words "Countdown 2001". On the back it reads "Coming soon to a stadium near you."
 Chief capitol correspondent Mark Davis has the details.
Yale Lecturer Denies Involvement in Student's Murder
(New Haven-WTNH) _ A lecturer at Yale University who's been named in a 'pool of suspects' in the murder of Suzanne Jovin is denying that he was involved.
James Van De Velde faxed a statement to News Channel 8 and other news outlets concerning the death of Jovin, who was a student of his. The statement reads in part:
"Any suggestion that I had anything to do with the death of my former student is deeply, deeply painful and outrageous. I am innocent."
Here's more on the story.
Autopsy Shows Man Was Murdered
(WTNH) _ Autopsy results are in on an Essex man found dead over the weekend, and
it turns out 33 year old James Connor was murdered. The state's chief medical examiner reported that Connor died from multiple gun shot wounds to the head.
Connor disappeared last August. His remains were discovered on Sunday in a New London park.
Family of Man Killed by Officer Files Lawsuit
(New Milford-WTNH) _ The family of a New Milford man shot to death by a police officer last month has filed a federal lawsuit. Lt. Scott Smith shot and killed 27 year old Franklyn Reid December 29th. Autopsy results show Reid was shot in the back. Police have said Reid was driving erratically and was wanted on several charges.
The Reid family's attorneys announced they've filed a civil rights lawsuit claiming Lt. Smith used excessive force.
Richard Bieder, Reid Family's Attorney: "When the person he shoots is a wisp of a man - very slight of body, when the person who was shot had no visible weapon, and when the person who was shot is facing the other way from the shooter, this is excessive force no matter whether the shooting was accidental or intentional."
The lawsuit names Lt. Smith and the town of New Milford.
And even though this lawsuit does not accuse police of racism, Reid's family does.
Reid's grandfather tells News Channel 8 "the shooting was racially motivated. It's a dangerous situation for the people of New Milford, Black or White."
A lawyer representing the town declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying only "this is a tragic event for all individuals involved and for the community."
The Waterbury State's Attorney is looking into whether the shooting was justified.
Improvements Promised in Witness Program Following Boy's Murder
(Bridgeport-WTNH) _ State lawmakers are promising to make improvements in the state's witness protection program. The move comes after 8 year old Leroy Brown Junior and his mother, Karen Clarke, were gunned down last week.
The Bridgeport boy was a key witness in a murder trial. Family and friends will remember the two victims in a memorial service Thursday night.
Bridgeport police have not made any arrests in the murders.
Car Careens Down Street During Robbery Attempt
(New Haven-WTNH) _ New Haven police are investigating a robbery Tuesday morning that ended with two people being taken to the hospital.
News Channel 8's Ned Berkowitz reports.
Accused Animal Abuser Denied Special Probation
(WTNH) _ A Connecticut man charged with animal cruelty will not have his record cleared. A judge Tuesday denied Eric Crockett's request for accelerated rehabilitation. Crockett was charged with tying up his puppy and throwing her in a dumpster, to die. He denies those charges. Now his lawyers must work out a deal with prosecutors or go to trial.
Hartford High Keeps Accreditation
(Hartford-WTNH) _ The report card is out and Hartford Public high gets a passing grade of sorts. The school was put on probation two years ago after being cited for curriculum and teaching problems and building code violations.
Today the Hartford school superintendent announced the school will not lose its accreditation and will be examined again in 2000.
Dr. Matthew Borrelli, Hartford School Supt.: "What we got today is we are on the right trail. We are making progress sufficient enough for them not only to say bravo but see you next year."
Hartford school administrators say they will continue to work on curriculum and building improvements.
Cigna Unit Sold for $3.4 Billion
 (Hamilton, Bermuda-AP) _ Cigna is selling its US and international property-casualty insurance operations to Ace of Bermuda for nearly three and a-half billion dollars in cash. The sale will allow Cigna to focus on its core health-care and employee-benefits operations, while making Ace a global property-casualty company. Cigna, based in Philadelphia, has offices in Bloomfield and New Haven.
Winter Storm Causes School Delays
(WTNH/AP) _ It wasn't a lot of snow, but it was enough. Our third storm in the past week made dozens of schools and towns delay opening by at least an hour. Some schools, after first delaying classes, changed their minds and closed for the day. The hardest hit town for snow is North Canaan, which had 3" as of 7:00.
Police restricted a stretch of Interstate 395 in eastern Connecticut to trucks, as freezing rain glazed the highway before 8 a.m. leading to numerous fender-benders. A multi-car crash also closed down a section of Route 9 near Haddam.
Casino Cash Considered for Various Spending Projects
(Hartford-AP) __The cash coming from the casinos is being seen as a source for some new spending proposals. Some state lawmakers expect to use income from casino slot machines to finance spending proposals during the legislative session. They want to cash in on the so-called Mashantucket/Mohegan Fund. As the session gets underway, bills have been introduced which would set aside some of that money a college scholarship fund. Another bill would funnel money to Ledyard as reimbursement for property taxes lost to annexation of lands by local tribes.
The state's 25% share of slot machine money from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard and the Mohegan Sun Casino in Montville has grown in value. In the most recent fiscal year, the state's piece of the action was nearly $258 million.
Former Principal Resigns After Sex Assault Conviction
(Enfield-AP) _ A former high school principal in Enfield who had been convicted of sexual assault is no longer working for the school system. Enfield's school superintendent says William Cutler has resigned from the school system. There had been an earlier report that Cutler was going back to work for Enfield public schools just days after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl.
Cutler resigned from his job at the Higgins School, where he assisted in curriculum planning and other administrative duties. However, School Superintendent John Gallacher says today that Cutler quit yesterday and is no longer attached to the school system. Cutler, the former principal of Enrico Fermi High School, was convicted last Friday of fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.
Man Killed While Sitting in Car
(Bridgeport-AP) _ Bridgeport police say a 26-year-old man has died after apparently being shot in the head while sitting in a car. Police were called out to a city street early today and found a car parked with the windshield wipers on and a body in the seat on the drivers side. After getting inside the car, they found Terrance Friend with a head wound, apparently from a gunshot. An autopsy is scheduled today to determine the exact cause of death.
Lawmakers Decry Teller Fees
(WTNH) _ These days it seems if you want to get some from your bank you're going to have to pay for it. Bigger banks are instituting fees for driving through to the teller. But Connecticut is fighting the trend as it has fought bank fees in the past.
Consumer Team 8's Anna Sava has more.
Scouts Get Tickets Following Blizzard Demise
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Some good news for girl scouts who were shut out when the New England Blizzard went out of business. On Tuesday, the Girls Scouts announced 4 other Connecticut teams will allow the them to trade in their Blizzard tickets for other games. The scouts will be able to go to a total of 3 events, including Hartford Wolf Pack and Beast of New Haven hockey, Connecticut Wolves soccer, and New Haven Ravens baseball.
The Scouts will be able to turn their tickets into their leaders.
State Sex Offender Website Online
(Hartford-WTNH) _ The State of Connecticut's Sex Offender Registry went online at the first of the year. Residents can look to see if a convicted sex offender is living in their neighborhood by accessing the information through the Department of Public Safety's website at www.state.ct.us/dps/
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