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Connecticut Today - September 10, 2026 · Connecticut Today

• 0:05
  P>Good morning. It's Thursday, September 10th, and this is Connecticut Today, CT
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  Insider's Daily Audio Briefing. Catch up on Connecticut, all news, no noise
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  in under 5 minutes. We're starting off with a quick look at
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  the weather. Expect a warm and humid day across Connecticut, with a
• 0:19
  chance for a brief morning shower. We'll have the full weather update
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  at the end of the briefing.
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  In today's headlines, Nearly 40 of Connecticut households cannot easily afford basic
• 0:29
  living expenses, according to the United Way of Connecticut’s latest ALICE report.
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  The report finds that 570,000 households statewide were financially unstable as of
• 0:38
  2024. While this is a slight decrease from last year, it is
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  still 14 higher than in 2019. The ALICE report tracks families who
• 0:46
  are working but do not earn enough to cover essentials like housing,
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  food, and childcare. Every town in Connecticut, including the wealthiest suburbs, has
• 0:54
  at least 14 of residents below the ALICE threshold. United Way officials
• 0:59
  say recent increases in gas prices and other living costs are not
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  reflected in the new data, so the true number of struggling households
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  could be even higher.
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  p>Rising prescription drug prices are adding to Connecticut’s affordability crisis, according to
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  insurance executives and state regulators. Pharmacy expenses rose 15 year over year
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  for customers of Connecticut and United Healthcare. Insurance companies say the growing
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  use of expensive new drugs, including those for diabetes and weight loss,
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  is a major factor. United Healthcare reports that medical and pharmacy claim
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  costs have increased 25 in the past two years, leading to higher
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  premiums. A recent business group survey found that nearly half of residents
• 1:37
  said paying medical expenses was difficult, and 59 reported higher healthcare costs
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  over the past year. Out-of-pocket medical expenses and insurance premiums remain a
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  struggle for many families. Connecticut's real estate market continues to move quickly,
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  with homes now staying on the market for just over a month
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  on average. A decade ago, buyers had about five months to make
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  a decision. Today, buyers often pay the asking price or more, and
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  sellers have held the advantage since 2021. Data from Redfin shows that
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  when homes sell in under 60 days, sellers typically have the upper
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  hand in price negotiations. These trends reflect the statewide market, though individuals
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  experiences may vary. As the anniversary of September 11 approaches, Weathersfield native
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  and Army veteran Carl S. Ai is reflecting on his experience as
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  one of the first responders at the Pentagon attack site. Aye says
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  the sense of national unity he witnessed on September 12, 2001, stands
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  out most in his memory. He now speaks to students and groups
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  about the importance of remembering the events and lessons of 9-11ths. A
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  worries that memories of the attacks are fading and emphasizes the need
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  for vigilance and unity. He also tote that conspiracy theories and misinformation
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  have clouded the legacy of that day. Connecticut residents who challenge denied
• 2:48
  insurance claims have a real chance of success, according to a CT
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  insider analysis of state records. Over the past decade, one in three
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  challenges to Health insurers were decided in favor of the patient. In
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  2025, policyholders filed more than 5,000 complaints with state regulators, who can
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  require companies to reversed, decisions. Health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers had
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  the highest rates of overturned decisions. Among companies with at least 20
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  complaints, CAREMARC PCS had nearly half of its decisions reversed, while Quantum
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  Health Insigna also saw high rates of overturned or settled complaints. Across
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  the state's five largest health insurers, the state ruled in favor of
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  patients about 34 of the time. And now for the full weather
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  forecast, Thursday will bring a mix of clouds and sunshine, with a
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  gusty breeze and higher humidity. Highs will reach the middle to upper
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  eighties inland and the lower to middle eighties along the shoreline. A
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  brief shower is possible in the morning, especially in southern Connecticut, but
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  most of the day should be dry and warm. By evening, skies
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  will clear as cooler, drier air moves in for Friday and the
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  weekend. Thanks for listening. For more local news, visit ctinsider.com. This digest
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  was partially generated by AI and then reviewed and edited by our
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  newsroom staff.