Le Journal

What to KnowThe Senate passed legislation last night to reopen the government and end the record-long shutdown after eight Democrats broke with their party and joined Republicans to break the logjam.The measure now goes to the House, which could vote as early as tomorrow afternoon to pass the package and send it to Trump to sign into law. Flight cuts at 40 of the busiest airports around the country were set to rise today from 4% to 6% after domestic carriers already canceled thousands to scale back demands on the nation’s aviation system during the government shutdown. Follow along for live updates.

If you’re shopping for health insurance right now, you may have some sticker shock. Premiums are higher for people looking to enroll through the Affordable Care Act. That’s because some of the subsidies helping lower costs are set to expire, and this latest shutdown deal doesn’t extend that deadline. As people are making decisions about their health insurance, those with plans through the Affordable Care Act are already seeing significantly higher costs. ACA subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year and a vote to extend them is delayed until next month, with approval uncertain. “This can lead to increased uninsured rates, of course, stress when it comes to decision making time,” Karl Minges, a health professor at Sacred Heart University, said. He warns about what that may lead to. “It can deter some people from seeking sort of the necessary medical care that can lead to delayed treatments, missed prescriptions,” he said. About 151,000 people in Connecticut get health insurance through the ACA with about 90% benefiting from the subsidies. Angela Mattie, a Quinnipiac University health and business professor, said the impact is big. “Most households will face a 50% increase in their premiums, which is significant,” she said. That’s why experts are encouraging people to consider all available plans through the ACA, including higher deductible plans. “You’ll pay more out of pocket, but your monthly premiums will decrease,” she said. And the state is trying to help, too, by setting up a $500 million emergency fund to address federal cutbacks. But can that money be used to address the subsides? Governor Ned Lamont said he’s waiting for congressional action first. “We’ve certainly told folks when it comes to rolling on the exchange, wait, because we’ll have a lot more clarity in three weeks than we have today,” he said. State Republicans say that fund is meant for SNAP benefits and is also taking a wait-and-see approach. “If we want to have a separate discussion about offsetting ACA subsidies, let’s do it. But arguably, from what I understand, the federal government anyway is going to have a vote on that by the second week of December,” Minority Leader Senator Stephen Harding said. You have until Dec. 15 to enroll in plans that begin in the new year or until Jan. 15 to enroll in plans that begin Feb. 1, 2026.

For the first time, Black veterans laid to rest at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Manassas, Virginia, are receiving special recognition this Veterans Day. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post recently learned about the African American cemetery and the fact it had been overlooked in traditional ceremonies. Once located in the countryside, Rose Hill Cemetery is now surrounded by industrial buildings. It’s hard to see or find unless you know where to look. The cemetery dates back to the mid-1800s and was created during segregation. It’s now owned and maintained by the city. “Growing up, it was the Black cemetery. It was where the African Americans all came,” said Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger. When local VFW Post historian Jerry Martin recently learned about the cemetery, he was struck to find veterans’ graves, like that of Buffalo soldier George Butler. A few others are recognized at their gravesite for their military service. Martin realized there were likely many more veterans buried there whose markers were too old and worn to identify. “When you look through the cemetery, you see how many unmarked plots there are. You know there are veterans resting in this place and they’re not identified and they’re not honored,” he said. “[…] Nothing was being done here and I said, ‘Why is that?’” The VFW Post 75-89 and American Legion Post 10 immediately stepped up. “He brought me up here and we looked and I said, We gotta get this, we gotta get this, because if you look, there were a lot of veterans buried here, but no one ever paid attention to it,” said Wayne Moore, VFW Post 7589 commander. Environment Jun 9 These military vets are finding a therapeutic new purpose in marine conservation Nonprofits Sep 9 Nonprofits honoring veterans, supporting children and more win grants from NBC On Memorial Day, for the first time, they placed flags on the graves of known service members. But they had a more ambitious plan — raising several thousand dollars for a memorial bench dedicated last Friday to recognize other Black veterans buried there. “In the Marine Corps and all the services, you don’t leave anybody behind. You don’t forget them, and this is part of that. You can’t forget our past and what these men did,” said Stan Moore, American Legion Post 10 commander. “[…] Probably a lot of the gentlemen here didn’t have a good reason to like America, but they still fought for America.” The men said they hope the bench and its inscription will send a new message to families who visit to remember and mourn. “People will come, and it will give them a place to sit and reflect and realize we are here for them,” Stan Moore said. That’s what our goal is. We’re here for the veterans and their families.” And from now on, this cemetery will be treated like so many others on important holidays. “Veterans Day, Memorial Day, we bring the flags. In December, we put out the wreaths. We will take care of this post from now on,” Wayne Moore said. As word gets out, these men said they’re hopeful descendants will be able to help to identify the veterans whose names — as the bench inscription says — are, for now, “known but to God.”

Route 85 has reopened after a dump truck took down poles and wires in Montville on Monday night, but police warn drivers that part of the road could go down to one lane of alternating traffic on Tuesday and drivers should use caution. The Connecticut Department of Transportation said the road was closed at Lake Pond Road. Police said the closure was expected to last through rush hour traffic on Tuesday, but it reopened on Tuesday morning. Construction is still going on, but the road is open with two lanes. Police warn that it could go down to one lane of alternating traffic at some points and drivers should use caution when traveling through the area.

Crews are working to repair a water main break that broke out in Bristol on Monday evening. The Bristol Water and Sewer Department said the break happened on Park Street. Officials said the break extends to Tulip Street, and water is shut off in the area. Surrounding areas could also experience low water pressure. When the water is turned back on, it may be discolored. If your water is discolored, you should run an outside faucet or bathtub until the water clears, and only use cold water. The water and sewer department said a water filling station is located at the Water Filtration Plant and is available 24/7 to customers who experience extended service interruption. You’ll have to bring your own containers, and people are advised to call the plant in advance at 860-583-6504. A separate water main break was reported on Pine Brook Terrace, but it has since been repaired.