Latest news with #UniversityofConnecticut
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
After clash, ‘substantial' x4 progress on CT budget deal; ‘We're not going to raise taxes'
Only hours after a public clash, negotiators made major progress on a new, two-year state budget that could lead to a final vote as early as Monday. House Speaker Matt Ritter of Hartford had tangled with Gov. Ned Lamont's administration to the point that Ritter threatened to pass a one-year budget. That would have broken a tradition lasting more than 30 years as the state always passes two-year budgets in order to look ahead for the fiscal outlook. But after a logjam was broken, the one-year plan was essentially off the table Thursday. 'We made substantial, substantial, substantial, substantial progress,' Ritter said, repeating the word four times. One of the reasons for the progress, he said, is that negotiators decided to pre-pay $200 million for the pension obligations for public school teachers that creates extra room under the spending cap and helps to balance the budget. 'The key to the budget deal will be the teacher pension,' Ritter said. After numerous complaints at public hearings and private discussions this year, the public colleges will receive millions of dollars more than some expected. The University of Connecticut will receive $35 million more than the governor's proposal in the first year, even though that total is less than what the budget-writing committee had recommended. UConn would then receive an additional $10 million more in the second year, he said. The Connecticut State University system, which includes the 12 community colleges, will rely on its large fiscal reserves in the first year, which had been recommended by the budget committee. CSCU would then be increased by $10 to $15 million higher in the second year. But Ritter stressed that the totals for the second year, which would start in July 2027, could change. 'For people that get too worried about year two, we come back and revisit things and see where we are,' Ritter told reporters, adding that he had delivered the latest news to UConn President Radenka Maric. Ritter also stressed that the final details were still being written by the nonpartisan staff — a laborious process that traditionally takes 48 hours after a handshake agreement. 'There is no deal,' Ritter said late Thursday morning. 'I want to be very clear. We have not had that handshake.' On the tax side, a proposal to increase the capital gains tax that had been favored by liberal Democrats will not be in the final deal. The legislature's finance committee voted to raise taxes on the state's wealthiest residents by imposing a capital gains surcharge of 1.75 percentage points on top of the 6.99% rate that the wealthiest earners currently pay, meaning that the new rate would be 8.74%. But Lamont strongly opposed that idea as he has during his entire tenure as governor. Lamont said he too was happy with the overall progress on the two-year, $55.5 billion spending plan. 'We're going to have a good budget,' Lamont told reporters at the state Capitol. 'It's going to be done on time. We're not going to raise taxes. We're going to be able to honor the commitments to the most vulnerable. A budget is a reflection of our values. I think we're in a good place.' In a trade-off with Lamont, the final deal is expected to include the creation of a new child tax credit for the first time in state history. House Democrats prefer the child tax credit instead of Lamont's proposal to increase the popular property tax credit on the state income tax to $350 per tax filer. As such, the credit would remain at $300 per year. While the final version of the bill has not been released, the latest Democratic proposal calls for a permanent, refundable credit of $150 per child for a maximum of three children, or $450 per year. That represents a sharp drop from an original proposal of $600 per child for an overall total of $1,800 per year. With various pressing needs on the tax and spending sides of the complicated state budget, lawmakers say they are often unable to award as much tax relief as they would like. Democrats have been pushing for the full tax credit to be available to single parents earning up to $100,000 per year, heads of households earning up to $160,000 per year, and couples filing jointly earning up to $200,000 per year, according to an analysis by the legislature's nonpartisan fiscal office. The credit would start on Jan. 1, 2026 and would save families a combined $82.7 million per year. Besides the budget, another key bill in the final days of the session is the so-called 'implementer' that provides specific details to implement the $27 billion annual spending plan. In the past, the 'implementer' has sometimes turned into a hodgepodge of legislation that failed in various committees and then was jammed into the implementer at the last minute, creating bills that were so large that legislators would often miss key provisions that were purposely buried in obscure language. Ritter described it as a 'tight implementer,' adding, 'So far, it's the best one I've seen.' House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford was not pleased because the budget talks have been between Lamont and top-level Democrats who control both chambers of the legislature. 'When Republicans are not in the room, bad things happen,' Candelora told reporters Thursday. 'I think we are going to see that this budget is going to be cobbled together with gimmicks to end-around the spending cap. … I want a real, two-year budget that is based in reality.' Breaking with the tradition of not spending precious debate time on bills that will be vetoed, Ritter said the state House of Representatives will be debating a controversial bill on awarding unemployment compensation to striking workers. The workers would become eligible after striking for more than 14 days. The tradition was adopted so that bills would not take up precious time in the final days of the legislative session, which ends at midnight Wednesday, when some bills will be left on the table with no time for a vote. Ritter has long maintained the tradition, but this year will be an exception. 'This is year three. It's time to have that issue addressed one way or another,' Ritter told reporters. 'We have tried very hard in the House to find compromise, including last year's bill. We're going to let it go on the board. … I think there's a solution there somewhere, but we haven't been able to find it. That's the one exception we're going to make to that rule this year.' Known for accurately counting votes, Ritter said there would be at least 76 votes to pass the striking workers bill, but he said the House Democrats cannot muster 101 votes to override Lamont's expected veto. The 102-member House Democratic caucus has at least 20 moderate members who can break ranks with their colleagues and block any veto overrides. Candelora blasted the bill, saying it was purposely written to help unions. 'I think it's sending the wrong message to the state of Connecticut,' Candelora said. 'If you think about all the bills we've done, we do labor bills every other day in this chamber, but we don't have conversations about how to grow Connecticut's economy. So we continue to see bills that are choking out our businesses in the state of Connecticut for a very small population of union workers. … We have abused our unemployment system in Connecticut.' Democrats have been under extreme pressure on the bill from union members, who have helped Democrats win elections for decades and can also find candidates to force primaries against incumbent Democrats. The bill passed this week on strict party lines by 24-11 in the state Senate. While the precise timing was still up in the air, the bill will likely be debated on Friday or Saturday – when the House will be in session as they rush to finish their work by June 4. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Lakers draft prospects: Lamont Butler
2025 Lakers draft prospects: Lamont Butler The Los Angeles Lakers will not have a first-round draft pick this year, but they will have the No. 55 overall pick in the second round. While the odds of ending up with a serviceable player that low in the draft are minuscule, the Lakers have been able to find diamonds in the rough in the second round in recent years. They appear to be doing some due diligence in order to make the most out of that No. 55 selection. They were scheduled to work out Samson Johnson, a big man from the University of Connecticut, and Lamont Butler, a guard who played for the University of Kentucky Wildcats this past season, will reportedly work out for Los Angeles. Butler is a small guard who is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, and he averaged 11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals a game on 49.8% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range during the 2024-25 campaign. Before that, he spent four seasons with San Diego State University, where he was named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year during the 2023-24 season. He is a native of Southern California. He grew up in Moreno Valley in the Inland Empire, and he went to Riverside Polytechnic High School, where he broke NBA legend Reggie Miller's career school scoring mark. He received offers from several colleges, including the University of Southern California, before he committed to San Diego State. His defensive abilities and improving outside shooting could appeal to a Lakers team that needs more of those qualities from its backcourt and wing players in order to become a true championship contender next season.
The Print
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Print
Research Investigates Walnuts' Role in Reducing Inflammation and Colon Cancer Risk
New Delhi [India], May 23: New findings published in Cancer Prevention Research show daily walnut consumption may improve markers of systemic inflammation and reduce colon cancer risk. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and accounts for around 10% of total cancer diagnoses.1 Urolithin A (UA), a metabolic byproduct of the plant-derived polyphenols, ellagitannins, found in walnuts, are thought to contribute to these findings. Researchers at the University of Connecticut analyzed the impact of 56g of daily walnut consumption among 39 healthy adult participants, age 50-65, on urinary urolithins and markers of inflammation, immunity and other indicators of colonic health for three weeks prior to undergoing a routine colonoscopy. 2 This clinical trial followed a preclinical study by Dr. Masako Nakanishi, an investigator in the Rosenberg lab, who first reported on these effects of walnut consumption on colon cancer. 3 In the present study, researchers found that consuming a walnut-containing diet resulted in increased urinary UA levels which were linked to lower levels of several inflammatory markers present in the blood. In addition, the study found changes in colon polyps that could ultimately prove to be beneficial for preventing the development of some cancers. Urolithins have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties and may play a role in cancer prevention. 4,5 It is thought that higher levels of urinary UA could be responsible for these changes that were observed in polyp tissues, even after a short exposure interval to walnuts. Dr. Daniel W. Rosenberg, the HealthNet Chair in Cancer Biology and an investigator at the Center for Molecular Oncology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, has been studying the properties of walnuts and their anti-inflammatory benefits for more than a decade. 'Walnuts are an exceptional source of health-promoting nutrients called ellagitannins. These nutrients, when broken down by the gut microbiome to form urolithin A, are thought to reduce inflammation and may be responsible for reducing risk of colon cancer,' notes Rosenberg. Beyond their ellagitannin content, walnuts are known for their nutrient composition. Walnuts are the only nut to provide an excellent source of omega-3 ALA (2.5g/28g), which has been researched to support brain health, heart health and more.6 Walnuts also provide 4 grams of plant-based protein along with a variety of other nutrients in just one handful.7 'This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting walnuts as a functional food with benefits that go beyond basic nutrition. The ability of walnuts to produce urolithin A — a compound linked to reduced inflammation and potential protection against colon cancer — makes them especially relevant today, as more Indians face digestive health challenges linked to modern diets and lifestyles. Including a handful of walnuts daily is a simple, effective habit that can support gut health and contribute to overall wellness,' states Naaznin Husein, Member of the Indian Dietetic Association. Reaping the health benefits of walnuts is as easy as incorporating a handful into your meals and snacks. Try some of these recipes to add California walnuts: * At breakfast, try this tropical mango smoothie bowl * Snack on these California walnut ladoos or smoked spiced California walnuts * Make a batch of these California walnut kebabs for dinner More research is needed as this was a relatively small and short-term study and it is unclear whether the observed effects of consuming walnuts would persist over a longer period of time or in a larger population. Additionally, the study was not a randomized control trial. For more information on the role of walnuts in cancer prevention and gut health or recipe ideas, please visit The California Walnut Commission (CWC) represents more than 3,700 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational farmers' family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the United States being from California. The CWC, established in 1987, promotes usage of walnuts through domestic and export market development activities as well as supports health research with consuming walnuts. References: 1. World Health Organization. Colorectal cancer. World Health Organization website. Accessed May 2, 2025. Updated July 11, 2023. 2. Moussa MR, Fan N, Birk J, et al. Systemic inflammation and the inflammatory context of the colonic microenvironment are improved by urolithin A. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2025;18(4):235-50. 3. Nakanishi M, Chen Y, Qendro V, et al. Effects of Walnut Consumption on Colon Carcinogenesis and Microbial Community Structure. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2016 Aug;9(8):692-703. doi: 10.1158/ 4. Fan N, Fusco JL, Rosenberg DW. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of walnut constituents: Focus on personalized cancer prevention and the microbiome. Antioxidants. 2023;12(5):982. 5. Mandalari G, Gervasi T, Rosenberg DW, Lapsley KG, Baer DJ. Effect of nuts on gastrointestinal health. Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1733. 6. Sala-Vila A, Fleming J, Kris-Etherton P, Ros E. Impact of alpha-linolenic acid, the vegetable omega-3 fatty acid, on cardiovascular disease and cognition [published ahead of print February 16, 2022]. Advances in Nutrition. 7. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Kentucky considered ‘epicenter' of 17-year cicada ‘Bourbon Brood'
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — The unmistakable sound will mark the turn from spring to summer across the Bluegrass because, according to University of Kentucky entomologists, the state is at the epicenter of the cicadas' emergence. The periodical cicadas have popped up across western Kentucky in previous years. But the 17-year cicadas will be most prevalent across Kentucky's central and eastern regions in 2025. Cicadas return in 2025: Will Kentucky see them? UK has deemed them the 'Bourbon Brood,' and the University of Connecticut noted this brood is among the largest of all 17-year cicada broods. The insects emerge from the soil after 17 years to molt into their flying, adult forms, typically from April to May, much earlier than typical cicadas. 'We will begin seeing this brood of cicadas when the soil warms to the mid-60s, about the same time you start to see iris blooms,' Jonathan Larson, assistant extension entomology professor in the Department of Entomology at UK Martin-Gatton CAFE, said. 'A lot of people hate them, but I hope they will learn to appreciate them as periodical cicadas are such a rarity.' No damage is too little, FEMA officials say: Deadline for February disaster help in Ky. approaching Kentucky considered 'epicenter' of 17-year cicada 'Bourbon Brood' Letcher County man charged in connection with 2024 death of Whitesburg woman Cicadas count their feeding cycles to know when to emerge, and not all cicadas appear in the correct year. Those that don't are called stragglers and typically don't stick around for long. 'A song from a large congregation of cicadas can be deafening, rivaling the sound made by a jet engine,' Larson said. 'Only the males can produce the sound, and their first song is to encourage other males to congregate in sunlit trees. Another choral song is then made to attract females. The males will die shortly after mating, and the females will begin laying their eggs.' For additional information on periodical cicadas from the UK Department of Entomology, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Research Investigates Walnuts' Role in Reducing Inflammation and Colon Cancer Risk
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], May 23: New findings published in Cancer Prevention Research show daily walnut consumption may improve markers of systemic inflammation and reduce colon cancer risk. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and accounts for around 10% of total cancer diagnoses.1 Urolithin A (UA), a metabolic byproduct of the plant-derived polyphenols, ellagitannins, found in walnuts, are thought to contribute to these findings. Researchers at the University of Connecticut analyzed the impact of 56g of daily walnut consumption among 39 healthy adult participants, age 50-65, on urinary urolithins and markers of inflammation, immunity and other indicators of colonic health for three weeks prior to undergoing a routine colonoscopy. 2 This clinical trial followed a preclinical study by Dr. Masako Nakanishi, an investigator in the Rosenberg lab, who first reported on these effects of walnut consumption on colon cancer. 3 In the present study, researchers found that consuming a walnut-containing diet resulted in increased urinary UA levels which were linked to lower levels of several inflammatory markers present in the blood. In addition, the study found changes in colon polyps that could ultimately prove to be beneficial for preventing the development of some cancers. Urolithins have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties and may play a role in cancer prevention. 4,5 It is thought that higher levels of urinary UA could be responsible for these changes that were observed in polyp tissues, even after a short exposure interval to walnuts. Dr. Daniel W. Rosenberg, the HealthNet Chair in Cancer Biology and an investigator at the Center for Molecular Oncology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, has been studying the properties of walnuts and their anti-inflammatory benefits for more than a decade. "Walnuts are an exceptional source of health-promoting nutrients called ellagitannins. These nutrients, when broken down by the gut microbiome to form urolithin A, are thought to reduce inflammation and may be responsible for reducing risk of colon cancer," notes Rosenberg. Beyond their ellagitannin content, walnuts are known for their nutrient composition. Walnuts are the only nut to provide an excellent source of omega-3 ALA (2.5g/28g), which has been researched to support brain health, heart health and more.6 Walnuts also provide 4 grams of plant-based protein along with a variety of other nutrients in just one handful.7 "This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting walnuts as a functional food with benefits that go beyond basic nutrition. The ability of walnuts to produce urolithin A -- a compound linked to reduced inflammation and potential protection against colon cancer -- makes them especially relevant today, as more Indians face digestive health challenges linked to modern diets and lifestyles. Including a handful of walnuts daily is a simple, effective habit that can support gut health and contribute to overall wellness," states Naaznin Husein, Member of the Indian Dietetic Association. Reaping the health benefits of walnuts is as easy as incorporating a handful into your meals and snacks. Try some of these recipes to add California walnuts: * At breakfast, try this tropical mango smoothie bowl * Snack on these California walnut ladoos or smoked spiced California walnuts * Make a batch of these California walnut kebabs for dinner More research is needed as this was a relatively small and short-term study and it is unclear whether the observed effects of consuming walnuts would persist over a longer period of time or in a larger population. Additionally, the study was not a randomized control trial. For more information on the role of walnuts in cancer prevention and gut health or recipe ideas, please visit The California Walnut Commission (CWC) represents more than 3,700 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational farmers' family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the United States being from California. The CWC, established in 1987, promotes usage of walnuts through domestic and export market development activities as well as supports health research with consuming walnuts. References: 1. World Health Organization. Colorectal cancer. World Health Organization website. Accessed May 2, 2025. Updated July 11, 2023. 2. Moussa MR, Fan N, Birk J, et al. Systemic inflammation and the inflammatory context of the colonic microenvironment are improved by urolithin A. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2025;18(4):235-50. 3. Nakanishi M, Chen Y, Qendro V, et al. Effects of Walnut Consumption on Colon Carcinogenesis and Microbial Community Structure. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2016 Aug;9(8):692-703. doi: 10.1158/ 4. Fan N, Fusco JL, Rosenberg DW. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of walnut constituents: Focus on personalized cancer prevention and the microbiome. Antioxidants. 2023;12(5):982. 5. Mandalari G, Gervasi T, Rosenberg DW, Lapsley KG, Baer DJ. Effect of nuts on gastrointestinal health. Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1733. 6. Sala-Vila A, Fleming J, Kris-Etherton P, Ros E. Impact of alpha-linolenic acid, the vegetable omega-3 fatty acid, on cardiovascular disease and cognition [published ahead of print February 16, 2022]. Advances in Nutrition. 7. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019.
