Erica Phillips

1 month ago | ctmirror.org | Erica Phillips

The early days of March 2020 were something of a blur — at the time, and looking back. The state had confirmed its first case of coronavirus. Hospitals were working through the logistical challenges of preparing for an onslaught of patients with a sickness doctors barely understood. Gov. Ned Lamont froze travel by state employees and discouraged large gatherings. Lawmakers scaled back their activities at the Capitol, and staff undertook a deep cleaning of the building.

1 month ago | ctmirror.org | Shauneen Miranda |Erica Phillips

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Education Department on Monday warned 60 colleges and universities they could face repercussions if they fail “to protect Jewish students on campus.” In a statement announcing letters to schools across the country, the department did not detail what consequences the schools could face, but the letters came less than a week after the administration announced that it would be canceling roughly $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University over “the...

1 month ago | ctmirror.org | Molly Ingram |Erica Phillips

A leaked internal memo from the Department of Veterans Affairs has revealed plans to cut more than 70,000 employees. The department is made up of more than 25% veterans. It would amount to a 15% cut across the department. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, slammed the plan on Thursday morning. He said the cuts would have detrimental effects on the country’s veterans. “The VA is approaching a seismic disaster,” Blumenthal said.

1 month ago | ctmirror.org | Jennifer Shutt |Erica Phillips

WASHINGTON — The National Institutes of Health won’t be able to implement an across-the-board cap on how much it pays research universities and medical schools for indirect costs, under a federal court order released Wednesday in cases brought by Democratic attorneys general and university associations.

1 month ago | ctmirror.org | Shauneen Miranda |Erica Phillips

WASHINGTON — In her first hours as the new Education secretary, Linda McMahon wasted no time informing U.S. Education Department employees in an email titled “Our Department’s Final Mission” of her plans to “overhaul” the federal agency.