March 9, 1999 / 7:30 pm
The Dangers of March Madness
(Hartford-WTNH)_ It's almost become an annual rite of passage, placing bets on the NCAA mens basketball tournament.
It's no big shock, people right in your own workplace are probably taking a gamble.
But remember, it's illegal.
And for some, its a disease that can ruin lives.
 News Chanel 8's Jayne Saffer has the story
Amtrack Unveils High Speed Train
(New Haven-WTNH)_It looks like a bullet and travels 150 miles per hour.
We're talking about Amtrack's new high speed train, right on track to ride here in Connecticut in October.
It will cut the train ride between New York and Boston by an hour and a half.
Until now Amtrack has kept the details under wraps.
But today executives showed us what it looks like.
News Channel 8's Christina Hager has the story
Shuttle to New York Takes Off, Finally
(New Haven-WTNH)_ After a rough start flights between Tweed-New Haven and JFK are taking off.
Trans International Express had scheduled three flights daily beginning yesterday, but they never left due to the late delivery of a second aircraft.
This afternoon, a plane did take off for the Big Apple on the 20-minute flight.
One round trip ticket costs less than $100.
Tooth Fairy Project Comes to Connecticut
(Waterford-WTNH)_If you live in Southeastern Connecticut the "tooth fairy" is looking for you.
The project by that name wants you to open wide.
It's studying the possible effects of radiation from nuclear power plants like Millstone Three which is in Waterford, and it's collecting baby teeth from people in the area.
News Channel 8's Kristen Cusato explains just what they're looking for
Officials Weigh Costs and Benefits of Anti-Radiation Pill
(Washington-AP) _ In 1981, workers went door to door handing out small pills to people living near an eastern Tennessee nuclear plant.
The drug, potassium iodide, reached about two-thirds of the households within five miles of the Sequoyah plant. But far fewer folks, just 15% in 1996, have answered more recent calls to replace their old pills with fresher ones.
And now states such as Connecticut, where hundreds of thousands of people live in the figurative shadow of the Millstone nuclear power plants, are waiting for guidance from the federal government on using potassium iodide to prevent thyroid cancer and other disease in the event of a nuclear disaster.
For more on the push to bring the anti-radiation pill to Connecticut click here
NRC Proposes Fines Against Northeast Nuclear
(Washington-AP)_The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing an $88,000 fine against Northeast Nuclear Energy Company for discriminating against two whistleblowing employees. The company, a subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, runs the Millstone nuclear power plant near Waterford. The agency's recommendations follows conclusions that the workers lost their jobs after speaking out about safety concerns at the plant. The company has 30 days to respond to the NRC recommendations.
Dentist In Jeopardy Over Mercury Controversy
(Hartford-AP) _ The state Dental Commission has begun hearings on pulling the license of an Orange dentist in a controversy over dental fillings.
Doctor Mark Breiner has been called on the carpet for claiming that people should have their amalgam fillings containing mercury removed.
Breiner claims the mercury poisons people and removing the fillings would ease symptoms for diseases ranging from Lou Gehrig's disease to depression.
State officials say Breiner's claims aren't backed by scientific evidence. Yesterday's hearing was held to determine whether Breiner should lose his license.
Breiner's lawyer insists state medical officials are trying to cover up the dangers of mercury in dental fillings.
The hearing is expected to resume sometime next month.
Trouble Continues For Hartford Fire Chief
(Hartford-WTNH)_Hartford's embattled fire chief, Robert Dobson returned back on the job today after a three week suspension for doing personal business on city time.
But city manager Saundra Kee Borges says Dobson has a lot of work to do to regain the confidence of his department.
Dobson also faces several reverse discrimination suits from white firefighters in the department.
Lawmakers Hear Testimony of Racial Profiling
(Hartford-AP)_ Lawmakers have been hearing testimony today on a not so subtle form of racism, racial profiling. They've heard testimony from people who say they've been unfairly pulled over by police because they are black. Bridgeport State Senator Alvin Penn, who says he's been a victim of police profiling, is pushing for legislation that will outlaw the practice.
Prominent Attorney Still Missing
(Marlborough-WTNH)_Prominent attorney F. Mac Buckley was facing a grievance hearing next month before he disappeared last week.
A client of Buckley's filed complaints saying he charged an unconscionable fee and failed to account for his time and effort.
Buckley was last heard from as he headed for court last Monday.
Sweepstakes Executives Defend Industry
(Washington DC-WTNH)_ Some of the people who run major sweepstakes across the nation defended their contests before a Senate committee today.
They say charges that their companies use deceptive practices are false.
Representatives from American Families Enterprises, Publisher's Clearing House and Readers' Digest also told the Senate committee they support the proposed bill to ensure consumer safety.
Connecticut is one of the state's suing Publishers Clearinghouse for misleading consumers.
New Player in the Hartford Stadium Game
(Hartford-WTNH)_ There's a new player in the push to move the steam plant that's blocking the site of the football stadium in Hartford.
Windsor based ABB confirms it's working with the Connecticut Resources Authority.
ABB is an engineering giant that specializes in steam power plants.
Government officials have proposed moving the steam plant to a trash energy plant in order to clear the site.
For more on ABB and the stadium click here
Virginia Company to Buy North Stonington Based A&T
(North Stonington-AP)_ A Virginia based company has agreed to buy North Stonington defense contractor Analysis and Technology.
The price is $104 million and must be approved by at least two-thirds of A&T's shareholders.
Fairfax-based Anteon Incorporated says it doesn't expect any layoffs at this point.
Both companies say the impact would be minimal on A&T which has more than 1,700 workers in a dozen states. Its headquarters is in North Stonington.
Both companies have defense contracts with about 80 percent of A&T's business from the Navy.
A&T specializes in high-technology engineering and information services.
Restricting Laser Pointer Sales
(Hartford-WTNH)_ A proposed law could make it illegal for some people to buy laser pointers in Connecticut.
A bill working its way through the legislature would ban the sale of the pointers to anyone under 18.
Supporters say they can cause damage if shined into someone's eye.
They also point to situations where a laser pointer aimed at a police officer was mistaken by the officer as a laser site on a gun.
Lawmakers Address Child Abuse
(Hartford-AP) _ State legislators are exploring several ways to address the
problem of child abuse. Today, lawmakers are considered everything from a Constitutional amendment to a dozen bills to address the issue. Supporters of the Constitutional amendment say state law needs to say clearly that children have the right to basic sustenance such as food, clothing, shelter, health care and personal care.
New Welfare Commissioner Speaks Out
(Hartford-AP) _ The state's newly appointed welfare commissioner is speaking out against a bill that would end the penalty given to welfare mothers who have more kids. Some lawmakers on the Human Services Committee say the policy is punitive and unfair and they support the bill to eliminate it. But Commissioner Pat Wilson-Coker says the policy is not about money, but it's about encouraging personal responsibility to get people off welfare and into work.
Pill Bill Returns With Same Controversy
(Hartford-AP)_A bill requiring insurers to cover prescription birth control is once again pitting matters of health care against religion and morality.
Supporters of the so called "pill bill" say the legislation would lower health insurance costs, reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and restore equity to an insurance system where women have higher out of pocket costs than men.
Those opposed told the Insurance and Real Estate Committee today that the proposal is costly, immoral and dangerous.
The same bill passed the Senate last year, but died in the House amid opposition from insurance companies and anti-abortion lawmakers.
UConn To Get High-Tech Business Center
(Washington-AP) -- Connecticut's US senators say the University of Connecticut has been awarded 220-thousand dollars to improve international high-tech business practices. The centers are called "CIBER," which stands for Center for International Business and Education and Research. The center will work with schools, businesses and students needing help to get into the international technology trade.
Lawmaker Wants to Ban Junk E-Mail
(Hartford-AP) -- A lawmaker is seeking a ban to junk e-mail that tries to sell goods or services.
Representative Paul Doyle of Wethersfield says junk e-mail takes up time and money. Computer users have to delete unwanted messages, and sometimes they have to do it online, which costs money.
Doyle says his bill before the General Law Committee would be similar to a federal law several years ago that banned junk commercial faxes.
Four states have passed similar laws.
Pumpkins Fans Make Some Noise
(Guilford-WTNH)_ A Guilford man says he's being harassed because he wants the rock band "Smashing Pumpkins" to stop the noise.
Peter Jeffrey is suing the band and the New Haven Coliseum claiming he suffered permanent hearing loss after attending a 1997 concert.
Jeffrey says fans of the group have been sending him nasty e-mails and making crank phone calls to his home.
Hartford Online
(Hartford-AP)_Hartford's tourism bureau has gone online. The city has set up a Website with lodging, entertainment and other information at www.enjoyhartford.com .
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/sor.htm
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