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Connecticut Today - October 9, 2026 · Connecticut Today

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  P>Good morning. It's Friday, October 9th, 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 five minutes.
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  Friday brings a classic early October feel, with a crisp start in
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  the 40s and 50s, plenty of sunshine, and afternoon highs in the
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  mid to upper 60s. We'll have the full weather update at the
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  end of the briefing. Connecticut has reported its first influenza-related death since
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  May, just before the official start of the 2026-27 respiratory virus season.
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  The State Department of Public Health recorded the death on September 26.
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  Flu cases remain low, with 121 cases reported as of October 7,
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  but that number is up 89 from the previous week. Dr. Manisha
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  Juthani, the DPH Commissioner, encourages residents to get vaccine especially since a
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  new state initiative now offers free flu shots to uninsured and underinsured
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  adults. The best time to get a flu vaccine is in October,
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  according to Dr. Scott Roberts of Yale New Haven Health, to ensure
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  peak immunity during the winter surge. Fall in Connecticut means apple picking
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  and colorful leaves, but it also brings a longer allergy season for
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  many residents. Warmer autumns have allowed ragweed and other plants to release
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  pollen for a longer period. According to NOAA, Connecticut's average fall temperature
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  has risen by 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970. Hartford now averages 15
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  more above normal autumn days than it did in 1970. The Osthma
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  and Allergy Foundation of America estimates about 50 million people in the
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  U.S. Are allergic to ragweed pollen. Experts recommend checking local pollen forecasts,
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  limiting outdoor time when pollen is high, and using HEPA filters indoors
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  to help manage symptoms. Comments from Eversource Energy CEO Joe Nolan have
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  reignited tensions between the utility and Governor Ned Lamont's administration. Nolan told
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  financial analysts that Eversource had, quote, shut the faucet off in Connecticut
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  regarding investments until storm costs were paid. Spokesperson for Governor Lamont called
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  the remarks, quote, inappropriate and incorrect, and said Eversource is obligated to
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  maintain the grid regardless of regulatory disputes. Eversource officials say Nolan's comments
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  were misinterpreted and that investment in Connecticut is set to increase to
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  1 billion next years. The company is also planning new projects, including
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  the Huntsburg's Energy Hub in Montville, and is seeking a rate increase
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  from state regulators. Work to replace and update signs and renumber exits
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  along Interstate 91 is set to begin next week and will continue
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  for 2.0 years. The State Department of Transportation says more than 1,000
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  signs will be replaced or updated, improving visibility and readability for drivers.
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  Exit numbers will be updated to a mileage-based system, with new numbers
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  ranging from 1 in New Haven to 57 in Enfield. Drivers should
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  expect temporary lane and shoulder closures during both daytime and nighttime hours.
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  The project is expected to be completed by September 2028. And now
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  for the full weather forecast, Friday will be mostly sunny and breezy,
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  with highs in the mid to upper 60s across most of Connecticut.
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  The dry air and low humidity will make for a pleasant day,
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  though a jacket may be needed in then morning. Friday night will
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  be clear and chilly, with lows in the 40s inland and slightly
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  milder temperatures along the shoreline. The weekend starts off comfortable, but clouds
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  and showers are expected to move in by Sunday afternoon. Thanks for
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  listening. For more local news, visit ctinsider.com. This digest was partially generated
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  by AI and then reviewed and edited by our newsroom staff.