March 1 / 6:00 pm
Lawmakers Consider Seat Belts on School Buses
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Seat belts are the law of the land in Connecticut when you're in your car or truck, but not when your kids get on the school bus.
Many parents find that hard to explain to their kids, who learn at an early age to buckle up. More than 300,000 Connecticut school kids ride the bus to and from school every day but only a small fraction have seat belts. State lawmakers are considering a bill to put seat belts in all school buses.
 Chief capitol correspondent Mark Davis has the story.
Wyman projects $458.9 Budget Surplus
(Hartford-AP) _ State Comptroller Nancy Wyman is predicting the state will end the 1999 fiscal year with a nearly $459 million surplus. The figure released Monday is about $42 million more than what she predicted a month ago.
Wyman says the state will pay significantly less in income tax refunds than was originally anticipated. She says that also makes up the difference between her prediction and the state Office of Policy and Management's forecast of a $402 million year-end surplus. In February, Wyman predicted the surplus would be closer to $416 million. Wyman says the driving force behind the surplus remains the state income tax, which will generate an estimated $3.8 billion in revenue this year.
Two Teens Shot in New Haven
 (New Haven-WTNH) _ Four people are in jail after a shootout near a New Haven store, and 2 of the suspects were hurt with non-life threatening injuries.
It happened on the corner of Munson Street and Shelton Ave at about 9:30 Monday morning. 18 year old Gregory Mack is one of those under arrest. He stuck his tongue out at the camera as police led him away in handcuffs.
Police say an ongoing dispute with Mack sparked the attempted robbery and shootout. 4 guns were seized.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.
Section Of Highway may be Renamed in Memory of Slain Officer
(WTNH) _ Connecticut drivers may be driving in memory of an East Hartford police officer who was killed in the line of duty. Brian Aselton's colleagues are asking the legislature to name a stretch of I-84 after Aselton, who was shot and killed in January. Fellow officers say the highway would be a comfort to them as well as for Aselton's family. The proposed Brian Aselton Memorial highway would run from East Hartford to South Windsor.
Dodd Discusses Shipyard Deal with EB Workers
 (New London-WTNH) _ Connecticut's lawmakers are trying to lend a helping hand to thousands of workers at Electric Boat. EB's parent company General Dynamics has offered $1.4 billion for a rival shipyard in Virginia.
If the takeover goes through it's not clear what will happen to the Groton shipyard and its employees.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports from our Southeastern Newsroom at The Day.
Animal Fibers May Be Clue to Jovin Murder
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Fibers on the clothes of murdered Yale student Suzanne Jovin may offer up clues to her killer. The New Haven Register reports animal hair taken from a jacket the student was wearing may help identify her killer.
The paper cited unnamed officials close to the case as the source of the information.
The 21 year old was found stabbed to death in December.
Arraignment Delayed for Suspected Killer
(New London-WTNH) _ Arraignment for a man arrested for the murder of an Essex resident has been delayed for a week. 24 year old Abin Britton is charged with felony murder, first degree robbery and sale of narcotics, in connection with the death of James Connor. Connor was last seen in a bar in August. His blood-stained car was found a short time later, and his body was discovered in Bates Wood Park in New London in January. Britton was supposed to be arraigned today, but that has now been delayed a week. He is being held on $1 million bond.
Steven Comen, Victim's Brother-in-Law: "The family is very grateful to them (Police) for their undaunting tenacity in this investigation. And we're just hopeful that the judicial system will conclude this horrible situation with a conviction."
Police say they expect to make more arrests in the case.
Charges Dropped Against Death Row Inmate
(Hartford-AP) _ A death row inmate facing execution for the kidnapping murder of a Hartford bank executive has won the elimination of 17 criminal charges filed against him before the murder. A judge has dropped the charges against Daniel Webb after being told by a prosecutor that Webb with either be executed or die in prison. He was convicted in the abduction and shooting of Diane Gellenbeck in August of 1989.
Connecticut Casinos Popular with Massachusetts Gamblers
(WTNH) _ A new study says Connecticut's two casinos take millions of dollars each year from pockets *across the border*. According to the review Massachusetts residents spend more than $620 million a year at Mohegan sun and Foxwoods. The authors of the study are promoting a casino in Massachusetts. They also state that Bay Staters actually outnumber Connecticut residents at the casinos. However officials at Foxwoods say that claim is not true.
Study: Working Moms Cause No Lasting Harm to Children
(WTNH) _ For many, going to work is a necessity, and staying at home with their children is not an option. A new study by the American Psychological Association suggests that children of women who work suffer no permanent harm because of their mother's absence. The study evaluated the development and health of more than 6,000 youngsters of all races from 3 years old to 12. The study gauged the children's language development, academic achievement, self-esteem and behavior problems.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer visited with a mom who works and one who stays at home.
Scallop Fishermen Ready for Opening Day of Season
(WTNH) _ It's a big day for many of Connecticut's shell fishermen. Monday is opening day of the scallop season. And a section of Georges Bank on the US/Canadian border is luring fishermen to the area. But some environmentalists are worried that the popular fishery, which has been closed to boats for five years will reopen too soon, hurting the supply of scallops there.
It is expected to open by June 15th.
Rare Penny Lost - What Makes it Special?
 (WTNH) _ Some might call it a penny from heaven. Last week we ran a story about a rare 1943 'copper' penny worth nearly half a million dollars. We've been inundated with phone calls from people who think they may have one of these pennies.
News Channel 8's Verna Collins explains what makes one penny worth so much money.
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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