Connecticut has become the first in the nation to make Google Career Certificates courses available at all community colleges and technical high schools. It’s an effort by the state to improve the IT skills of its workforce to match available jobs.

Google officials said their certificate courses equip people with skills for in-demand IT jobs within three to six weeks — with no degree or experience required. Read More

Milford Public Schools outfitted all eight elementary schools with new science labs, a cost of about $65,000.

“It is the intention of the Milford Public Schools to give students robust, authentic access and opportunity to study of science. This year, for the first time, we are delighted to give our elementary students a real science lab experience,” said Superintendent Anna Cutaia.

Each elementary school was outfitted with a dedicated science space over the summer to provide a head start for the district’s youngest learners to experience an authentic science lab environment. Read More

CTrail will have two new trains starting Monday between New Haven and Springfield, Massachusetts.

The new train service is funded through a competitive grant awarded to CTDOT thanks to the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) Restoration and Enhancement Program.

This is one of the first grants awarded through this program to increase train service on an existing route.

A new northbound train will depart New Haven at 7:35 a.m., arrive in Hartford at 8:25 a.m., and arrive at Springfield at 9:07 a.m. The southbound train will depart Springfield at 11:30 a.m., depart Hartford at 12:08 p.m., and arrive at New Haven at 1:01 p.m. Read More

While massive federal aid has helped states elevate their budget reserves above pre-pandemic levels, Connecticut’s fiscal safety net has few rivals, according to a new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Connecticut’s $3.1 billion rainy day fund — which would allow the state government to operate for nearly 70 days — has been amassed almost entirely over the past four years, due to an aggressive savings program and a surging stock market, as well as federal coronavirus relief.

That 70-day estimate places Connecticut fifth overall behind only Wyoming (301 days), North Dakota (105.6), West Virginia (75.8) and Alaska (73.4), according to Pew. Read More