Topic: Connecticut
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
-
10 richest members of Congress
The 10 wealthiest members of Congress in 2012 include Senate and House members hailing from all over the US. Can you guess which political party had the most lawmakers on the list – and who grabbed the top spot?
-
Five ways big banks' Libor scandal affects you
London, this year's host of the Olympics, is also home to a bank scandal that threatens to rock the financial world as much as the Games influence the world of sports. Here's why: Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate) is a global benchmark for interest rates that reaches deep into the international financial system. Allegations that banks rigged those rates means that everyone from mortgage-holders and indebted students to cities and mutual funds may have had their interest rates unnaturally altered. Already tainted by other scandals, banks are under investigation because of charges that they profited illegally from their rate-rigging scheme. The mess further taints big banks and puts more strain on the credibility of the global financial system. Here are five ways the Libor scandal could affect you:
-
Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on immigration
President Obama has staked out positions favored by Latino voters on immigration issues. Mitt Romney has tried to cast himself somewhere between the staunchest anti-illegal immigration activist of his party and Obama. Here are the two candidates' positions on five issues:
-
Congress goes on summer break: Top 5 things it left undone
Members of Congress have skedaddled for the month of August, leaving behind a long list of unfinished business.
What did Congress leave in the lurch? Here are five of the top pressing issues.
All Content
-
Change Agent
Kids Helping Kids is run by kids – and for kidsThe Connecticut-based nonprofit youth group of middle schoolers and teens plans and carries out projects that make a positive difference in their community and beyond.
-
Energy Voices
Heating oil: a last stand in the Northeast?The gap between heating oil and natural gas prices is the largest in at least a decade, causing Northeast homeowners to convert to natural gas.
-
Same-sex weddings in Washington State: Breakthrough for gay marriage?
On Election Day, voters in Maine, Maryland, and Washington State approved same-sex marriage – the first time such unions had been approved by popular vote. Same-sex marriage licenses in Washington were issued for the first time Thursday.
-
Why US should be wary of attacking cyberradicals, including Al Qaeda
Missives from extremist groups such as Al Qaeda can easily be found online. But launching cyberattacks to shut their websites down is problematic – and even counterproductive, a new report finds.
-
Seattle issues 364 gay marriage licenses by 10 am on first day of legality
Because the state has a three-day waiting period, the earliest that weddings can take place is Sunday.
-
Why Kate Middleton's pregnancy is big news in America (+video)
Brits are mostly taking Kate Middleton's pregnancy in stride. But in the US, British royalty fascinates the public, and news organizations. ABC News has a baby names poll for Kate and William's child.
-
Longer school day? How five states are trying to change education.
Five states are participating in a pilot project designed to recast and improve education in low-income communities by leveraging a longer school day or year in innovative ways.
-
Obama tax plan: Which cities would it hit hardest?
President Obama's plan to raise tax rates would hit the wealthiest Americans. Yet cities with the highest percentage of rich households are clustered in blue states.
-
Trader Joe’s recall: Suspect frozen chicken affects 14 states
Trader Joe's recall involves a batch of Butter Chicken with Basmanti Rice frozen dinners, which may be contaminated with listeria. Trader Joe's advises customers to throw away the affected product or return it for a full refund.
-
Why five states will give their students 300 more hours at school
Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Tennessee will take part in a new pilot program intended to boost student achievement and make US schools more competitive on a global level.
-
Saving Money
'Tis the season for free gift cardsFreebies attached to full-price gift cards are abundant during the holidays. Now is a good time to stock up on gift cards, both for you and for others.
-
Mayor on food stamps? Cory Booker to live on $1.40 per meal
Mayor on food stamps: N.J. Mayor Cory Booker will live on food stamps next week for seven days. Mayor Booker is following in the footsteps of the mayors of Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, who have taken the 'food stamps challenge.'
-
Will Supreme Court decide if gay marriage is constitutional? (+video)
The Supreme Court meets Friday to decide whether it should take up a case on same-sex marriage, and the claim that the Constitution gives people the right to marry regardless of sexual orientation.
-
Sandy recovery claims mount. How much will a divided Congress pay? (+video)
Congress may be wrangling over the 'fiscal cliff,' but budget experts are confident that both parties will agree to provide billions in Sandy recovery aid sought by Northeastern governors.
-
Opinion: To avoid fiscal cliff, Obama and GOP should compromise like Founding Fathers (+video)
President Obama and John Boehner express optimism that a budget deal to avoid the fiscal cliff will be reached, but gridlock threatens. Politicians would do well to remember that America was established by men who sorely disagreed. Consider the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
-
Difference Maker
Restaurant mogul George Schenk melds the needs of people, planet, and profitsServing nutritious food, following ecological principles, and helping his community in Vermont make George Schenk a businessman with a social conscience.
-
Anchors resign on air in dispute with Maine TV news station (+video)
Anchors resign on air: Two news anchors resigned at the end of Tuesday's 6 p.m. broadcast. Later, when they were off air, they expressed frustration with the TV station's management.
-
Leonid meteor shower late tonight: Stay up, bundle up, look up
The Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight in the first of what may be two viewing climaxes this year. The sky at 3 a.m. Eastern time will be moonless, as long as you can see it. Face east.
-
Senate cybersecurity bill fails, so Obama could take charge
The Pentagon wants Congress to pass a cybersecurity bill to safeguard critical assets such as the power grid. But Senate efforts failed, meaning President Obama might issue an executive order.
-
Change Agent
Volunteer Square matches willing helpers with charitable tasksA Connecticut website provides a place where people find volunteer opportunities, and nonprofits find new volunteers.
-
Lessons from Sandy: how one community in storm's path kept lights on
President Obama toured Sandy-hit areas Thursday, even as some communities still wait for power. Princeton University avoided power outages by using a 'microgrid' – and the idea is spreading.
-
Gas rationing begins in New York City and Long Island as some power returns
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced gasoline rationing in the five boroughs, starting early Friday morning, along with Long Island. In the meantime, power crews are slowly getting electrical power restored.
-
Senator Schumer tweaks Karl Rove: If he were a CEO, 'he would be fired'
Sen. Charles Schumer, who has been a key figure in coordinating Democratic campaigns for Senate, said strategist Karl Rove got a 'poor return' for all the money he spent on GOP candidates.
-
Nor'easter darkens Sandy-struck New York, New Jersey. But sunshine is next.
A powerful nor’easter battered Sandy-wrecked communities Wednesday, causing about 100,000 new power outages. But the weekend forecast calls for clear skies and 70-degree temperatures.
-
Wet snow and power outages hit recovering East Coast
Households in the country's most densely populated region that had waited for days without power after Superstorm Sandy were plunged back into darkness, with temperatures near freezing.
Previous
Become part of the Monitor community