<p>Westport, CT - Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand playreading of “The Shark Is Broken,” based on true events during the making of the film “Jaws,” on Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m. The play is written by Ian Shaw, son of actor Robert Shaw, one of “Jaws” stars, and Joseph Nixon. Director is Mark Shanahan, Playhouse artistic director and Script in Hand curator.</p><p>“And just when you thought it was safe to go back in the theater, our Script in Hand series will take an even deeper dive into the ‘Jaws’ legacy,” said Shanahan. “This hit Broadway play takes us behind the scenes with the movie’s three main actors as they battle bad weather, mechanical failures, and each other to bring ‘Jaws’ to life. It’s the perfect pairing with the June 2 film screening for an unforgettable, cinematic summer celebration. Get your tickets now, because the buzz around this event has us thinking---we’re gonna need a bigger theater!"</p><p>In “The Shark Is Broken,” stranded on a boat are the three legendary stars of “Jaws” - Robert Shaw,&nbsp;who played Quint, a shark hunter and captain of the Orca;&nbsp;Richard Dreyfuss,&nbsp;who portrayed Matt Hooper, a marine biologist;&nbsp;and Roy Scheider,&nbsp;who played police chief Martin Brody. They grapple with long delays, cramped quarters, and clashing personalities as they wait for their famously unreliable mechanical shark to work. Based on real events this critically acclaimed play takes audiences into the tense, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartfelt moments when the camera wasn’t rolling. With razor-sharp dialogue, “The Shark Is Broken” explores the egos, anxieties, and friendships that shaped “Jaws.”</p><p>“The Shark is Broken” premiered in 2019 for a three-day run in Brighton, England, followed by a run at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe and transfer to London’s West End in 2021. The show received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play and ran in Toronto before transferring to Broadway in 2023.&nbsp;</p><p>The cast, in alphabetical order, includes&nbsp;<strong>Seth Andrew Bridges</strong>&nbsp;as Roy Scheider (Westport Country Playhouse: “The 39 Steps,” Script in Hand playreading “Murder by Misadventure,” fight choreographer for “A Sherlock Carol”; Off-Broadway: Mint Theater Company; Regional: Alley Theatre, etc.; Film/TV: Over 100 credits, including “Billions,” “Only Murders in the Building”; Training: NYU; @sethandrewb);&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Ciaran Byrne</strong>&nbsp;as Robert Shaw (Theater Highlights: “Philadelphia Here I Come” at Irish Repertory Theatre&nbsp;- Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Outer Critics Circle award-nominated production for Best Revival of a&nbsp;Play; “Moment” at Studio Theatre D.C. - Helen Hayes Award nominee for Best Production; Television: “Public Morals,” directed by Edward Burns, produced by Steven Spielberg);<strong>Patrick Halley</strong>&nbsp;as Richard Dreyfuss&nbsp;(Westport Country Playhouse: Script in Hand playreadings of “Lombardi,” “Miracle on South Division Street,” “A Merry Little Christmas Carol”; Off-Broadway and at many of the country’s major theaters, including The Pearl, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Alliance Theatre, four seasons with Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival; Bucknell graduate); and&nbsp;<strong>Faith Sandberg</strong>&nbsp;reading stage directions (Westport Country Playhouse:&nbsp;Script in Hand playreading “How the World Began,” “A Danger to Yourself and Others”; Stage: “Fun Home,” “Peter &amp; The Starcatcher,” “Mamma Mia”; originated roles of Terri in new musical “The Good Girl,” Sophie in an adaptation of “Tom Jones,” Kitty in season one of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”).</p><p>Playwrights are Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon.&nbsp;<strong>Ian Shaw</strong>&nbsp;trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, having obtained a BA in American Studies at Sussex University. Theater includes: “War Horse” (National Theatre); “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “The Philadelphia Story,” and “The Brothers Karamazov” (Manchester Royal Exchange); Television includes: “Wuthering Heights,” “The Queen,” and the Emmy award-winning “Hiroshima.”&nbsp;<strong>Joseph Nixon</strong>&nbsp;is the author (with Brian Mitchell) of the plays “Those Magnificent Men” (New Perspectives, 2010); “Big Daddy vs. Giant Haystacks” (The Foundry Group, 2011); “Seven Studies in Salesmanship” (The Foundry Group, 2013); and the musical “The Opinion Makers” (Mercury Theatre/Derby Theatre 2013.)&nbsp;</p><p>Director&nbsp;<strong>Mark Shanahan</strong>&nbsp;is Playhouse artistic director and Script in Hand curator. In the 2024-25 Playhouse season, he directed “The 39 Steps,” “A Sherlock Carol,” and “Theatre People.” He also directed his own adaptation of “Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” in partnership with Agatha Christie Ltd., which premiered at the Tony Award-winning Alley Theatre. He is the author of “A Merry Little Christmas Carol,” “See Monsters of the Deep,” the Off-Broadway and regional hit comedy “The Dingdong,” as well as numerous radio plays as creator of the White Heron Ghost Light series, featuring Christopher Plummer, Judith Ivey, Rhonda Ross, and other notables. Shanahan has directed at stages around the country such as Alley Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Virginia Stage, Arkansas Rep, White Heron, Mile Square Theatre, Hudson Stage, Theatre Squared, Fulton Opera House, Weston Playhouse, Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Florida Rep, Penguin Rep, Merrimack Rep, The Cape Playhouse, and many more. As an actor, Shanahan has appeared on and Off-Broadway (“The 39 Steps,” “Tryst,” “The Shaugraun,” and others) and at many celebrated regional theaters. Shanahan has appeared on the Westport Country Playhouse stage in “Journey’s End” (2005), “David Copperfield,” directed by Joanne Woodward and Annie Keefe, (2005), “Sedition” (2007), “Tryst” (2008), and “Around the World in 80 Days” (2009), and numerous Script In Hand readings. Shanahan is also the creator and curator of Westport Country Playhouse Radio Theater, in partnership with WSHU Public Radio, and served as writer/director of the Playhouse radio adaptation of “A Merry Little Christmas Carol,” and as director of scripts commissioned for the series.&nbsp;<a href="http://mark-shanahan.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">mark-shanahan.net</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">Stage manager is&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: windowtext;">Kevin Jinghong Zhu</strong><span style="color: windowtext;">&nbsp;(Westport Country Playhouse: “Dial M for Murder,” “Kim’s Convenience,” “As Bees in Honey Drown,” “Tribes,” “Paris”; Off-Broadway: “Bus Stop,” “A Delicate Balance”; Regional: “A Raisin in the Sun”; MFA: Yale School of Drama;&nbsp;</span><a href="http://bit.ly/kevinjzhu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">bit.ly/kevinjzhu</a><span style="color: windowtext;">).</span></p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">Tickets are $30. Running time is approximately 90 minutes; no intermission.&nbsp;Age recommendation 14 and up.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">For full details, visit:&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/script-in-hand-the-shark-is-broken/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/script-in-hand-the-shark-is-broken/</a><span style="color: windowtext;">&nbsp;</span></p><p>“The Shark Is Broken” celebrates the 50^th&nbsp;anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” and is paired with a screening of the classic film on Monday, June 2, at 7 p.m.&nbsp;Details:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/jaws/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/jaws/</a></p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">The Script in Hand Playreading Series is supported by Joyce Hergenhan and the White Barn Program of the Lucille Lortel Foundation. 2025 Programming and Season Sponsor is Barbara Streicker. Media sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio. Westport Country Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.</span></p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">Upcoming Script in Hand playreadings are scheduled on&nbsp;Mondays at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8, Nov. 3, and Dec. 1;&nbsp;titles to be announced.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">Script in Hand playreadings offer intimate storytelling as professional actors&nbsp;use their skills to catapult the audience’s imagination without benefit of scenery or costumes.&nbsp;For a video on Script in Hand, visit:&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2eWDaF-JXA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2eWDaF-JXA</a></p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">A complete schedule of Playhouse events is available at&nbsp;</span><a href="http://westportplayhouse.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">westportplayhouse.org</a><span style="color: windowtext;">.&nbsp;</span>All play titles, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.</p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">For Westport Country Playhouse information and tickets, visit&nbsp;</span><a href="http://westportplayhouse.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">westportplayhouse.org</a><span style="color: windowtext;">&nbsp;</span>or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), Instagram (wcplayhouse), and&nbsp;<span style="color: windowtext;">YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).&nbsp;</span>Westport Country Playhouse is located at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport<span style="color: windowtext;">.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p>FAIRFIELD, Conn. — As part of Fairfield University’s 75th Commencement exercises, the inaugural Fairfield Bellarmine Class of 2025 received their associate’s degrees in a momentous ceremony held on May 15 at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. This event celebrated a milestone in Fairfield’s ongoing mission to broaden access to Jesuit Catholic higher education.</p><p>The 35 graduates are the first to complete Fairfield Bellarmine’s rigorous two-year program, which launched in 2023 in partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport. The initiative was created to serve underrepresented students in the Greater Bridgeport area, offering associate’s degrees in business, computer science, health studies, and liberal studies—alongside a comprehensive support system of academic, financial, and personal development resources.</p><p>Fairfield Bellarmine’s innovative model is already yielding exceptional outcomes, with an&nbsp;<strong>80% two-year graduation rate</strong>—exceeding Connecticut’s community college three-year graduation rate, which remains below 20%. Approximately&nbsp;90% of the graduates plan to continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree at Fairfield University.&nbsp;</p><p>During the ceremony, students were recognized for academic achievement, leadership, and service:</p><ul><li><strong>Ana Catalina Aguirre</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Jaheim Kash-Wayne McKie</strong>&nbsp;were recognized as recipients of the inaugural&nbsp;<em>Romero Award</em>&nbsp;for exemplifying the values of a Catholic, Jesuit education.</li><li><strong>Francisco G. Martinez</strong>&nbsp;earned the&nbsp;<em>Kay Pierce Award</em>&nbsp;for dedication to community service and academic achievement.</li><li><strong>Catherine Erol</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Trinity Santiago</strong>&nbsp;were awarded the&nbsp;<em>Bellarmine Medal</em>&nbsp;for maintaining the highest academic averages in the graduating class.</li></ul><p>Student speaker<strong> Scarllet E. Lopez</strong>, reflected on the support and encouragement she and her classmates received from faculty and staff throughout their time at Fairfield Bellarmine.</p><p>“What we experienced here wasn't just academic learning. The professors and the Bellarmine staff made sure our time here was about more,” Lopez said. “They pushed us to be better. They believed in us even when we didn't believe in ourselves. They encouraged us when we felt overwhelmed... They reminded us that we were capable of more than we ever imagined.”</p><p>Lopez added, “We are Cohort 1. The very first class of Bellarmine...We set the standard. And I know deep in my heart that the path we walked will open doors for others—students who once doubted if college was for them, who just needed one more chance to believe they belonged.”</p><p>In his remarks, Fairfield Bellarmine Vice Provost and Executive Director Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., recalled a powerful question asked by a student during an early campus visit: “Before the first day of classes of your first fall semester, we invited you to campus to see the newly renovated buildings. When we got to St. Ambrose Hall, and the Bank of America study lounge, with its vaulted ceilings and stained glass, one of you paused, and asked me: ‘Is this all for us?’ ‘Yes, all for you,’ I replied.”</p><p>He reflected on how that simple question grew in meaning over time: “‘Is this all for us?’ Yes, Fairfield Bellarmine is for you, because you are a child of God, worthy of an education rooted in excellence that forms the mind, heart and spirit…This is for you, because you have remarkable gifts, talents and beauty.”</p><p>Fr. O’Brien praised the graduating class for their lasting contributions, recognizing their role in shaping Bellarmine’s future: “Before you arrived, we spent three years planning and laying a foundation. And you trusted us and our vision to come here, to expand access and opportunity in Jesuit higher education. Then, you helped us create what Fairfield Bellarmine is all about…you helped us shape the experience for the next class and beyond.”</p><p>He concluded by urging the graduates to embrace their deeper purpose: “Your diploma... means little unless it is a summons to service. In this way, you are messengers of hope.”</p><p><strong>To watch a recorded livestream of the event, please visit:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://vimeo.com/1073317705" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">https://vimeo.com/1073317705</a></p><p><em>Fairfield University is a modern, Jesuit Catholic University, rooted in one of the world’s oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. More than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 44 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and 46 countries, are enrolled in the University’s five schools. In the spirit of rigorous and sympathetic inquiry into all dimensions of human experience, Fairfield welcomes students from diverse backgrounds to share ideas and engage in open conversations. The University is located in the heart of a region where the future takes shape, on a stunning campus on the Connecticut coast just an hour from New York City.</em></p>

<p>FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Credit cards with varying interest rates combined with other debt can be difficult to manage. Sacred Heart University graduate Sourabh Dadapure MS ’16 has developed CreditConnect, an app that helps people tackle their debt and gain control of their financial future.</p><p>Dadapure came to SHU in 2014 after completing his undergraduate studies in computer engineering in India. He was searching for a program that would provide him with the most hands-on experience possible, which led him directly to Park Avenue.</p><p>“So much of the work I did during my time in school in India was based in theory,” Dadapure said. “When I was looking at coming to study in the U.S., I knew I wanted to attend a school that provided the opportunity to solve real-world problems, and SHU gave me just that.”</p><p>Since graduating with a master’s degree in&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IeNJgsWRFduklcosJj7MilnEHTn9op5II8vxrh9uQef6ZUKUEjAJWK0BEgD6M9wISf6LXa-2BWrvseelXt7BucvmwoIPQM7kUpVIiyqndX9A3MdPGr46FbdsPDsgkATsalknxKIS2cpP4skuxaZrrQ0g-3D-3DD-gd_FrbdBNjFDoEa-2F9q6J5rbxTv-2FYob5s2OonmKskZDAI3GbhEJtfSPFgoDWHq8Bubs2uS2iETCIFkazkr2vsQt5zP8tZqSrdLReTPnffLPp1eIja2d2KKQnzOnkBTIkERgzpOY7PJBsj8tly6-2FmyL4hYK7VG8H2S68jEI9MWY0DByUMGzdu1MOacepC7ViHimWlWSUDkprlxb3Fn2y1rNfaxLe-2BJFjWVanaW0Jddaj8S-2FVqayP7Wr-2BBXBobX8bURb8AtgI3lyels45TQo00TN-2FGQWa-2B3vsDSfx85ApGFD8QRYg97l3Jc71qJ-2B76trpvT32ESEwRR5erYT9qN4REIr1REV5RnS0qKAywpCHikgkg7zddb-2BJd-2BnGS9JlNfYCPabyyeK234DnOCNmXn5zIAzJz5g-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">computer science &amp; information technology</a>, Dadapure has worked in app and software development. From guiding startups in creating apps to assisting established companies in improving their software, he developed a knack for knowing what successful technology is all about.</p><p>His experience, coupled with years of research into personal finance and advising friends about debt issues, led Dadapure to his latest venture. CreditConnect is a cutting-edge app that helps users monitor their credit card debt, for free. His app combines a custom-built algorithm with an AI-powered virtual assistant to guide users in managing their debt, offering personalized, long-term strategies.</p><p>“I wanted to create an app that was rooted in service and making people’s lives better,” Dadapure said. “I had been helping myself and my friends with debt-related issues as we navigated post-college life, and I knew I could pair my skills to make something equally useful and special.”</p><p>Making the app free was also important to Dadapure. “So many of the services I had tried before are not free, and when you’re trying to get out of debt, the last thing you want are app costs mounting up,” he said.</p><p><a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IeNJgsWRFduklcosJj7MilnEHTn9op5II8vxrh9uQeekCzoKIATLgyK3vvc5AHyiKU2CeS6h5qomCpIB5VDKkmxXAQ88CO0lKLECzFwjuqw-3DJg5r_FrbdBNjFDoEa-2F9q6J5rbxTv-2FYob5s2OonmKskZDAI3GbhEJtfSPFgoDWHq8Bubs2uS2iETCIFkazkr2vsQt5zP8tZqSrdLReTPnffLPp1eIja2d2KKQnzOnkBTIkERgzpOY7PJBsj8tly6-2FmyL4hYK7VG8H2S68jEI9MWY0DByUMGzdu1MOacepC7ViHimWlWSUDkprlxb3Fn2y1rNfaxH5pss6P1-2Fv2En0p9LGMi9LsqNjYSXY1vK2PuGhs4n80IZksh7afSaZInDryrMvJA6SLzArj8eOPJJNkaVy0gugVJWjSWw8T4jNd0doKjlftODLEfgWsZQ31aTRbPVVKM-2FmZIHbjsSGHXfJv-2FvhSIrtBSPsLoALRqnpD-2BH5Y2WIEmn3I6pRYsdXWpnVoa8rFOQ-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">Robert McCloud</a>, professor of&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IeNJgsWRFduklcosJj7MilnEHTn9op5II8vxrh9uQedF9yhOnVXbxzo8bdCqCiYxmYjXTNsG1-2Bv1zp8g9eDothYVBgrVbHj2UpamYF8IH4jhzfvyyVDO0SEK8U09jjx7I928SbXf1UyAPjlfyC8jWQ-3D-3DI7Wd_FrbdBNjFDoEa-2F9q6J5rbxTv-2FYob5s2OonmKskZDAI3GbhEJtfSPFgoDWHq8Bubs2uS2iETCIFkazkr2vsQt5zP8tZqSrdLReTPnffLPp1eIja2d2KKQnzOnkBTIkERgzpOY7PJBsj8tly6-2FmyL4hYK7VG8H2S68jEI9MWY0DByUMGzdu1MOacepC7ViHimWlWSUDkprlxb3Fn2y1rNfaxKy6C218CVpb4fd8FuYqGwVPa16cbtrpHJljMxUGaEdxJfIcXmd6B41o168lp1kJVXDTVcnx1erdd3EWjkp5y1FzfLIc-2Fv1GjIMO43ReyJ18WLSP-2BgQqzgFidN1xLFl2-2FufH4w-2FjMZbDxKPplrZHgr6tyYzodGqlIPdJiYOVPEugcBwygWfiCq1mOilHjw3krg-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">computer science</a>&nbsp;and director of technology integration at SHU, speaks highly of Dadapure’s character, resilience and attitude.</p><p>“When Sourabh first came to SHU, he had a sparkle in his eye and contagious curiosity about software and technology,” McCloud said. “He loved to explore the U.S. and was a hardworking and impressive student who was determined to be successful in this country.”</p><p>Dadapure’s message to the next generation of students, professionals and engineers is simple. “Follow your passions, strive for a field that really excites you and, most importantly, believe in yourself,” he said. “With the right amount of hard work and dedication, anything can be achieved.”</p><p>Dadapure is always improving his app. It can be downloaded from the&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IeNJgsWRFduklcosJj7MisuosW6TczjyFblXM6VoygG9k0dLXphqHw6VWp7jWiayezV8K3lZMuOa5OMhnY2Zeg-3D-3D2pds_FrbdBNjFDoEa-2F9q6J5rbxTv-2FYob5s2OonmKskZDAI3GbhEJtfSPFgoDWHq8Bubs2uS2iETCIFkazkr2vsQt5zP8tZqSrdLReTPnffLPp1eIja2d2KKQnzOnkBTIkERgzpOY7PJBsj8tly6-2FmyL4hYK7VG8H2S68jEI9MWY0DByUMGzdu1MOacepC7ViHimWlWSUDkprlxb3Fn2y1rNfaxFvl9twlljEUbS1RiMh-2BrgLk2SpbA8iYgVOh52guCWIwKq-2FtCSse9BIf-2Fk122GkG2ELgbN0dH9ftLEzYGE4EhHh2twkDaFtMN328aY76MuPjEwwL696-2BlI5umnPQMk4XV-2FqW6admewF3ewsC9UDlJP3ifLKYKdPk9XpZ5NR331kExSoWnp-2BfUhlvP3MpVaip8w-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">IOS App Store</a>.</p><p><strong><em><u>About Sacred Heart University</u></em></strong></p><p>As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts &amp; Sciences; School of Communication, Media &amp; the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science &amp; Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education &amp; Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business &amp; Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., &amp; Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its&nbsp;<em>Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition</em>, and&nbsp;<em>Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition</em>. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre.&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.3KYkKCumCfJCrG2op2AWQGMH8NA2HszzKFMqxExvHODSk-2BOFF79ZsNqAVERw9U23wKRx_FrbdBNjFDoEa-2F9q6J5rbxTv-2FYob5s2OonmKskZDAI3GbhEJtfSPFgoDWHq8Bubs2uS2iETCIFkazkr2vsQt5zP8tZqSrdLReTPnffLPp1eIja2d2KKQnzOnkBTIkERgzpOY7PJBsj8tly6-2FmyL4hYK7VG8H2S68jEI9MWY0DByUMGzdu1MOacepC7ViHimWlWSUDkprlxb3Fn2y1rNfaxEhBDcV3UPdKsfFQujdzhdeTVr5fpEd80gGsrML4gzOrYA1I8QadVUGHxDh6c2PsJZ9T4zPA6GJNE06-2F-2FKHCdwdfG5Wj1JO5psBf85m53trivRTRrtYTGu1tfXswCcWGZM7thRc7aJz3Mn57d0uaLhwUmkZ9Qm4NQws6yiM8RtMo0zbBWn4vcksqDxEqR7Tg0w-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">www.sacredheart.edu</a></p>

<p><strong>HARTFORD, CT</strong>&nbsp;–&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(35, 42, 49);">The state Senate and state House of Representatives voted today to spend an additional $284 million on Medicaid in a compromise that exceeded the state’s spending cap for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 and paved the way to craft a new, two-year state budget.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><strong>Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield)</strong>&nbsp;voted no on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&amp;which_year=2025&amp;bill_num=6863" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">House Bill 6863</a>, a deficiency spending bill that bypassed traditional legislative scrutiny and allocated funds above the state’s spending cap to address a shortfall in the Medicaid program.</p><p>“We must fund essential Medicaid services for our most vulnerable residents,” said Senator Hwang. “But we must do so transparently, sustainably, and with full accountability to taxpayers.”</p><p>Senator Hwang emphasized that Medicaid funding is essential to protecting seniors, children, and low-income individuals. But he argued that responsible funding must be paired with strategic planning and efficiency - not last-minute spending maneuvers that disregard structural reform.</p><p>“Compassion and accountability are not mutually exclusive,” Hwang said. “We can serve our most at-risk residents effectively while still respecting the taxpayers who fund these programs.”</p><p>Senator Hwang expressed deep frustration over the latest example of expedited one-party Democratic control that has effectively undermined the legislative process, limiting bipartisan engagement and public accountability.</p><p>“Once again, the majority party rushed a major financial decision through the legislature under the guise of an ‘emergency,’” Hwang said. “This habit undermines public trust and shuts out the deliberative process needed for sound budgeting.”</p><p>The deficiency bill, coupled with an emergency&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.ct.gov/governor/-/media/office-of-the-governor/news/2025/20250519-declaration-of-the-existence-of-extraordinary-circumstances.pdf?rev=7e945c07dfd64817be045f0dea1c2442&amp;hash=01D3FA878FAC4C25D726DF3A059FF1F4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">declaration from Governor Lamont</a>, appropriated emergency funding to cover&nbsp;<u>projected shortfalls</u>&nbsp;in Medicaid expenditures through the end of fiscal year 2025. But Hwang questioned the need to override&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/olr/documents/IssuesConf2024/05%20Fiscal%20Guardrails.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Connecticut’s statutorily mandated fiscal guardrails</a>&nbsp;- critical spending caps enacted to ensure long-term budget stability - based on “anticipated” federal cuts that have not yet materialized.</p><p>“We are setting a dangerous precedent by preemptively breaking our fiscal rules,” Hwang warned. “If we normalize supplemental spending to patch systemic flaws without reform, we’ll inevitably face tax increases, depleted reserves, and a return to unsustainable habits that once threatened our state’s fiscal solvency.”</p><p>Citing the state’s projected budget trajectory, Hwang urged legislative leaders to shift from reactive budget band-aids to proactive, sustainable planning as the 2025 legislative session draws to a close.</p><p>“Budgets are about values, priorities and vision,” Hwang said. “We must begin developing the next biennial budget now - with a focus on transparency, discipline, and protecting both our fiscal health and our social safety net. Connecticut deserves nothing less.”</p><p>Senator Hwang reaffirmed his commitment to fiscal policies that are compassionate, strategic, and sustainable, and called on fellow lawmakers to uphold Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails as a sign of respect to both vulnerable residents and responsible taxpayers.</p>

<p class="ql-align-center">Westport, CT - <a href="https://www.startupwestport.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="text-align: left; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Startup Westport</a>, the Westport-based nonprofit supporting entrepreneurship in Connecticut, has opened applications for its first pitch competition. In partnership with The Westport Library, the program will spotlight early-stage startups and support the state’s innovation ecosystem, culminating in a live grand finale on Thursday, November 20.</p><p>Applications are open today at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.startupwestport.org/pitch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">startupwestport.org/pitch</a>.&nbsp;<strong>The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 12.</strong></p><p>The selected startups will receive coaching and support throughout the spring and summer from Startup Westport mentors, The Westport Library’s business librarian, and other local experts. In September, four finalists will be chosen to pitch live at the grand finale.</p><p><strong>Eligibility criteria include:</strong></p><ul><li>Pre-institutional funding round</li><li>Existing corporation in an evaluable category</li><li>Connecticut-based founder or strong state association</li><li>Scalable business model</li><li>No "sin" products</li></ul><p><strong>Key dates:</strong></p><ul><li>Thursday June 12: Application window closes at midnight</li><li>Thursday, June 19: Participating startups notified</li><li>Thursday, June 26: Special Session: Education event for all participants</li><li>Thursday, November 20: Pitch night</li></ul><p>"We're excited to provide a platform for Connecticut's most innovative entrepreneurs," said Peter Propp, Vice President, StartUp Westport and co-chair, StartUp Westport Pitch. "This competition will not only showcase talent but also provide crucial mentorship and networking opportunities."&nbsp;</p><p>Co-chair Shobana Mani noted: “We have so much talent in the greater StartUp Westport community. We can’t wait to see who applies.”</p><p>“Here at the Library, we’re big believers in the power of ideas and personal exploration, both to effect change and positively impact the public good,” said Bill Harmer, Executive Director, The Westport Library. “It is for those reasons and more that we’re proud to partner on this exciting initiative with our good friends from StartUp Westport.”</p><p><strong>About The Westport Library</strong></p><p>Founded in 1886, built in 1908, and transformed in 2019, The Westport Library is one of the most active and innovative public libraries in the nation, devoted to enriching the intellectual and creative lives of the community. Among its many highlights are a full collection of books for children, teens, and adults; an engaging and colorful Children’s Library; a MakerSpace; a Library of Things; a Seed Library; a robust café and store; and professional art installations that rotate throughout the year. The Westport Library is also home to Verso Studios, replete with an SSL hybrid analog sound studio and broadcast control suite featuring a state-of-the-art console and six robotic cameras, and the Trefz Forum, an open, flexible space that can accommodate up to 600 patrons and features an 18-foot video wall, 35-foot stage, state-of-the-art sound, and theatrical lighting. Situated in the heart of downtown Westport overlooking the scenic Saugatuck River, The Westport Library annually hosts StoryFest, the largest literary festival in Connecticut, and VersoFest, its multi-day music and media festival. Above all, the Library strives to serve the whole community as a vibrant gathering spot where people of all ages come to seek information, gain knowledge, exchange ideas, and share experiences. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">westportlibrary.org</a>.</p><p><strong>About StartUp Westport</strong></p><p>Founded in 2020, StartUp Westport is a unique public-private partnership dedicated to cultivating entrepreneurship and driving innovation in Westport and throughout Connecticut. With more than 1,800 members, the organization connects local talent, aspiring founders, seasoned business leaders, and community partners to foster collaboration and economic growth. Through strategic programming — including educational workshops, networking events, special interest groups and mentorship opportunities — StartUp Westport provides startups and early-stage companies with the resources, exposure, and support they need to succeed. With a mission to build a vibrant and inclusive innovation ecosystem, Startup Westport is committed to positioning the region as a leading hub for breakthrough ideas, scalable ventures, and long-term business success. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.startupwestport.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">startupwestport.org</a>.</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>HARTFORD, CT</strong>&nbsp;– In a milestone for Connecticut’s libraries and communities, the General Assembly has passed Senate Bill 1234, An Act Making Certain Terms in Electronic Book and Digital Audiobook License Agreements or Contracts Unenforceable. The bipartisan bill, championed by&nbsp;<strong>Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield)</strong>, now awaits Governor Ned Lamont’s signature.</p><p>This legislation marks a major shift in how public libraries can license digital content, moving away from restrictive, cost-prohibitive contracts and toward a more equitable, transparent model. The bill is designed to curb exploitative e-book pricing practices, promote digital access, and ease financial burdens on local municipalities and taxpayers.</p><p>Digital content is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity,”&nbsp;<strong>Senator Hwang said</strong>. “Libraries are the great equalizer in our society. This legislation strengthens their role in delivering knowledge, dignity, and opportunity to all and does so in a way that’s fiscally responsible and legally sound. This bill promotes fairness, transparency, and access. It balances federal intellectual property protections with smart contract reforms, ensuring that our libraries, supported by local taxpayers, can affordably serve all residents, regardless of income, background, or zip code.”</p><p>The legislation includes a trigger clause (Amendment A, LCO 8035): it will take effect once states with a combined population of at least seven million adopt similar measures, ensuring Connecticut doesn’t act in isolation but leads a national movement.</p><p><strong>Ellen Paul, Executive Director of the Connecticut Library Consortium</strong>, celebrated the bill’s passage: “I have been working with Senator Hwang for the last four years on this bill and I am just overjoyed that we finally got it across the finish line. This is not just a victory for libraries, but for communities and readers across the state of Connecticut. We will now finally be able to negotiate fair and reasonable contracts with publishers.”</p><p><strong>Deborah Schander, Connecticut State Librarian</strong>, added: “On behalf of the State Library, we are one of the many libraries that will be positively impacted by this legislation. We’re delighted to see this change, and grateful to all the supporters who helped make it happen. We hope this paves the way for other states facing the same challenges.”</p><p><strong>Scott Jarzombek, President, CT Library Association</strong>, “This is a major win for libraries and taxpayers. It will allow us to spend less on restrictive digital licenses and more on programs, services, and activities that benefit our communities. We look forward to fair negotiations with publishers and a more sustainable future for public libraries.”</p><p>The bill addresses longstanding inequities in digital licensing. Under current terms imposed by the “Big 5” publishers, libraries pay up to five times more than consumers for an e-book, only to lose access after 26 checkouts or two years. These terms waste taxpayer dollars and hinder access for seniors, students, and underserved communities.</p><p>By focusing on contract law instead of copyright, SB 1234 avoids the legal pitfalls that derailed similar bills in other states. It empowers libraries to negotiate fairer terms, operate with greater transparency, and better serve the public good.&nbsp;</p><p>“Our libraries have adapted to the digital age, it’s time the law caught up,” Hwang concluded. “SB 1234 ensures our libraries can provide the resources our residents need to read, learn, and grow, without being shackled by unreasonable and secretive contracts. It’s a smart, sustainable win for education, equity, and economic responsibility.”</p>