May 12 / 6:15 pm
'Pill Bill' goes back before Legislature Thursday
(Hartford-WTNH) _
It's one of the most controversial proposals of the past few years. The 'pill bill' would require insurance companies that cover prescriptions to pay for birth control. Last year, after the proposal had passed the state Senate, pro-life legislators in the house killed the bill by attempting to attach a ban on partial birth abortions. This year there may be a compromise.
 Chief capitol correspondent Mark Davis reports.
Senate approves Internet stalking bill
(Hartford-AP) _ The state Senate has passed a bill that would make it a crime for people to use Internet chat rooms to lure children for sex.
Under the bill, first-time offenders would be punished with a year in jail or a $1,000 fine. Repeat offenders could get slapped with as much as ten years in jail and a $10,000 fine. Senator Donald Williams, the bill's sponsor, says the proposed law will allow police to make arrests before an Internet stalker actually has sex with a minor. The bill, which was passed 36-0, now heads to the House of Representatives.
House approves bill to curb telemarketer calls
(Hartford-AP) _ Anyone who has ever been fed up with telemarketer calls at suppertime could get some relief under a bill the state House of Representatives has OK'd. The bill would require national companies doing telephone solicitations in Connecticut to honor a list of residents who do not want such sales calls. The list is maintained by the Direct Marketing Association. Residents can get on the list by writing to the group and providing their names, addresses and telephone numbers. The bill says that a company that repeatedly calls people on the list could be sued under the Unfair Trade Practices Act. Many companies already use the list to avoid unwanted calls, but they are not required to. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Hartford development plans include community college, revamped Civic Center
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Hartford is trying to revitalize its downtown.
A 300-million dollar plan is in the works for the redevelopment of the Civic Center and to bring a community college to the area. And although it isn't part of the package, the old G.Fox building will soon get a much needed facelift as well, which has a lot of people very excited.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer reports.
Witnesses reportedly back police officer's story in shooting of Aquan Salmon
(Hartford-AP) _ Hartford police have found witnesses who back a police officer's account the night he shot and killed a 14-year-old suspect. Two people have told police they heard two gunshots coming from the parking lot on Enfield Street where Aquan Salmon was killed April 13th. Officer Robert Allan fired his revolver once after saying he heard a gunshot following the chase after four suspects in a mugging incident. Allan had been chasing the youths after a woman reported that she was mugged four youths who drove off in a white Cadillac. However, there are other witnesses have told police they only heard on gunshot and that the boy was starting to surrender when he was shot.
Police did recover a realistic-looking toy gun and a handgun-shaped cigarette lighter from the scene, but no guns. The investigation into the shooting is continuing.
Buckley granted change in bond status
(WTNH) _ The attorney for F. Mac Buckley is requesting a change in Buckley's current bond so he can attend additional psychiatric sessions.
Buckley appeared trim and tan when he surrendered last month after being a fugitive for more than six weeks. Buckley is accused of taking money from clients. This morning a judge agreed to adjust the electronic monitoring bracelet Buckley was ordered to wear so he can get additional counseling at the Institute for Living. Buckley's lawyer say his client was ill and didn't attend this morning's court hearing. Buckley's next court appearance is scheduled for May 27th.
Suspects in murder of boy witness want trial moved
(Bridgeport-WTNH) _ Two brothers accused of killing an 8-year-old trial witness and his mother want their trial moved out of Bridgeport. Russell Peeler's lawyer filed the motion claiming there is too much publicity surrounding the case.
Peeler is charged in the ambush killing of Leroy Brown, Jr. and Karen Clarke.
The 8-year old was to have been a witness in another trial against Russell Peeler. Peeler's brother Adrian is charged with being the triggerman in the murder.
Chinese students protest Belgrade bombing
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Chinese students at Yale University protested the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade Wednesday. They said they were upset about the Chinese citizens killed in the accidental attack.
Tong Han, Yale Student: "Our protest is independent from the protest in China. Here we want to share, as a group of Chinese students at Yale, we want to share with Americans our view."
Three journalists were killed and more than 20 embassy staff were wounded in last Friday's bombing, which NATO officials have called a targeting error.
This was not the only group in Connecticut drawing attention.
It appears a group of Chinese reporters visiting Connecticut has managed to continue their stay in New Haven despite reports their government had ordered the group to return home.
City wants money to deal with school bullies
(Bristol-WTNH) _ With anxiety over school violence at a high point, the city of Bristol is asking the federal government for a "bully grant" worth $108,000 for Bristol Central High School. Funding from the bully grant would include $22,400 in overtime, $4,600 to send four staffers to a conference, $4,400 for two desktop computers and $14,000 for four laptop computers. But is the money really necessary?
News Channel 8's Ned Berkowitz reports.
Students finding higher-paying summer jobs
(WTNH) _ Now that's school's almost over many high schoolers are beginning their job search. But are they heading to those minimum wage jobs, at the mall or grocery store? Many times we think of kids flipping burgers or bagging groceries, but summer jobs aren't like they use to be.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.
Man charged with kidnapping after refusing to get wife medical help
(Waterbury-AP) _ A Waterbury man has been arrested on a kidnapping charge for refusing to get medical attention for his wife. Police say Alan D'Elia's wife suffered a brain aneurysm a month ago, but he refused to get medical attention. When police learned about D'Elia's wife two or three weeks ago, they got a warrant for his arrest, but police say D'Elia eluded them and since then has driven around with his wife in the car. Police say the woman is in what they call a convalescent state and needed hospitalization when they nabbed her husband yesterday. D'Elia was arrested after police were tipped off chased him from Waterbury to Southington. He's being held on $250,000 bond.
Residents fight highway plans
(North Stonington-AP) _ Some North Stonington residents are fighting plans to expand several highways in the region. They say the state just wants to speed the flow of traffic to the region's two Indian casinos. The state receives a share of the casino's revenues every year. Nearly 300 people turned out at a public hearing last night on a state Department of Transportation proposal to modify routes 2, 2-A, 32 and 164. The state is considering several options, including building one or more bypasses for routes 2 and 2-A. The DOT is expected to make a final decision this fall. Another hearing is planned at Preston Plains School tonight.
Theatres get set for 'Phantom Menace' ticket sales
 (WTNH) _ Star Wars fans were using the force of "patience" to get the first tickets to "Episode One, The Phantom Menace. Tickets went on sale at 3:00 pm Wednesday. At the Showcase Cinemas in North Haven lines starting forming last night.
Star Wars diehards were allowed to purchase 12 tickets apiece cash only, in an effort to prevent scalping. The movie premieres May 19th, with some shows starting at 12:01 am.
Manager at Vo-Tech school fired
(Danielson-AP) _ A financial manager at a Danielson vocational school has been fired after school officials say he used students to help build a home at low cost for a relative. School officials say Richard Mailloux was fired from the Harvard H. Ellis Regional Vocational Technical School effective Friday.
Officials say a report by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal found Mailloux used vo-tech students to perform $7,200 worth of masonry and electrical work on his nephew's Brooklyn home. The school's students routinely do projects below market value for the training. But they are not allowed to do a project worth more than $100 for state employees or their families.
According to Blumenthal's report, Mailloux also hired relatives to work in the school and failed to advertise job openings. The Chief State's Attorney's Office is investigating whether criminal charges will be filed.
Gas prices rising
(WTNH) _ Gas prices in Connecticut are still on the rise.
AAA says the price of self-serve unleaded gas went up three cents a gallon last month. Nationally prices went up just a penny. The average price per gallon is $1.24 in Connecticut, while the average for the rest of the US is a $1.16.
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