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Elections

FBI Director Says Russia Still Seeking To Interfere In U.S. Democracy

FBI Director Christopher Wray said Wednesday that he stands by the U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, and he warned that the Kremlin has not stopped trying to undermine American democracy. "My view has not changed, which is that Russia attempted to interfere with the last election and that it continues to engage in malign influence operations to this day," Wray said. "It's a threat that we need to take extremely seriously and respond to with...

Connecticut Garden Journal: Spilling The Beans On Beans

By Charlie Nardozzi • 6 hours ago

Howard Walfish (Flickr) / Creative Commons

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It's hard to imagine having problems with your green bean crop. Bush beans are one of the easiest veggies to grow. It's part of our history. Every kid has probably started bean seeds in their science class and were amazed when it bore fruit!

Connecticut Festival Celebrates Authentic Argentine Tango

By Frankie Graziano • 8 hours ago

Frankie Graziano / Connecticut Public Radio

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The tango you see in glitzy television dance competitions is not what you'd see in Buenos Aires.

And that’s why Gem Duras put together The Connecticut Tango Festival -- to promote the sense of community one would feel doing the dance in Argentina.

Connecticut Fertility Trends: Older Mothers And Fewer Babies

By Cara Rosner • 21 hours ago

As fertility rates fall nationwide, Connecticut continues to rank among the lowest in the country—a trend doctors attribute to women here delaying childbearing.

Hartford Picks New Developer In Latest Attempt At 'DoNo' Redevelopment

By Frankie Graziano • 21 hours ago

The city of Hartford has selected RMS Companies to develop 32 properties surrounding Dunkin’ Donuts Park near the intersection of Albany Avenue and Main Street -- an area known as “Downtown North.”

Judge Orders Maria Butina, Linked To Russian Spy Agency, Jailed Ahead Of Trial

By Carrie Johnson • Jul 18, 2018

Updated at 3:50 p.m. ET

A federal magistrate judge ordered Wednesday that a Russian woman charged with being a Russian agent in the United States must be jailed ahead of her trial after prosecutors said she was a flight risk.

The woman, Maria Butina, has been in regular contact with Russian intelligence, the Justice Department says, and she attempted to offer sex in exchange for a position with an organization she targeted.

Thai Cave Rescue: Boys And Coach Speak To Press As They Leave Hospital

By Bill Chappell • Jul 18, 2018

The 12 members of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach subsisted on water that flooded the cave where they were trapped for two weeks — and they now regard the divers who saved them as family, they said at a news conference on Wednesday after finally leaving a hospital and preparing to return to their homes in northern Thailand.

Connecticut Among States Challenging United States Government Over Tax Deduction Cap

By Frankie Graziano • Jul 17, 2018

Connecticut is suing the federal government over Republican tax cuts. The $1.5 trillion cuts were signed by President Donald Trump in December and included a cap on federal deductions for state and local tax, or SALT.

'Better Than Super': Russia Reacts To Trump-Putin Summit In Helsinki

By Lucian Kim • Jul 17, 2018

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, a master of diplomatic verbosity and sardonic barbs, summed up the results of the Helsinki summit in just three exuberant words: "better than super."

After four years of getting short shrift by his American counterparts, Russian President Vladimir Putin was standing side by side with President Trump, who lavished him with the words of praise, respect and awe normally only heard on Russian state television.

Trump Walks Back Controversial Comments On Russian Election Interference

By Brian Naylor • Jul 17, 2018

Updated at 5:18 p.m. ET

A day after his much-criticized news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Trump attempted some damage control Tuesday, saying "I accept" the findings of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential campaign.

But he again repeated his claim that there was no collusion between his presidential campaign and Russia and suggested that others may have interfered in the election.

Amid Electricity Cuts, Anti-Government Unrest Grows In Southern Iraq

By Jane Arraf • Jul 17, 2018

Iraqi officials flew to Tehran this week to try to cut a deal with Iran for electricity, attempting to defuse potentially destabilizing anti-government demonstrations spreading through the country's southern provinces.

The protests started a week ago amid anger over unemployment, corruption and lack of access to basic services such as power. Iraq's health ministry announced Monday that eight demonstrators had been killed in the unrest. Iraqi police say dozens of security forces have been wounded.