Connecticut has the sixth-longest emergency room stays in the country, according to an analysis of federal health data. The median ER visit lasts 3 hours and 18 minutes — 38 minutes longer than the national figure. About 2% of patients leave before being seen.

Danbury health inspectors completed 57 inspections in September, finding priority violations at 19 establishments. One South Street restaurant was ordered to temporarily close because it lacked an active food service license. Three city schools were also cited for serious violations. Health officials say the school violations, along with many of those found at restaurants, were corrected.

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A New York judge has rejected a gag order sought by Bethel native Diego Sarabia in a civil lawsuit alleging a 2024 sexual assault at Cornell University. The judge called the request constitutionally impermissible and said it would improperly restrict free speech.

An independent investigation found a text-message thread involving four Region 12 school employees violated workplace sexual harassment and discrimination policies. Former Superintendent Donald Schels and Tyler Cremeans have resigned. Two other administrators are set to return to work with disciplinary action and additional training.

A family member of late Subway co-founder Peter Buck is investing about $8.5 million to redevelop the former Dandy Foods property on Mill Plain Road in Danbury. Plans include warehouse renovations and a new 10,000-square-foot office building for family-related operations.

“Those are the headlines. Full stories available on our station website. From the Newsroom, I’m Sam Walker”

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Bethel land use officials have unanimously approved a $1.7 million gym and ministry center for Danbury-Bethel Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Turkey Plain Road. The project will include a gym, locker rooms, kitchen and expanded parking. It’s the first phase of a larger plan for a K-12 Christian school.

A section of Gregory Street in Danbury will close to through traffic around the clock starting today for Eversource underground cable work. The closure runs between Hilltop Manor and Fairmount Drive and is expected to remain in place through November 2. Drivers should follow posted detours and allow extra travel time.

Connecticut’s early voting for the November general election begins today and runs through Nov. 1. The option remains relatively new in the state, which adopted early voting only in recent years. 174 early voting locations will operate statewide ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.