In Case You Missed It Weekend Digest: February 29

To help keep you informed on the most shared and talked about stories, each Saturday and Sunday we'll revisit five stories from the previous week, including the most recent updates.

Vaccination Confrontation

Hundreds of people packed the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on Monday as the General Assembly's Public Health Committee passed a bill that would remove the religious exemption for vaccinations for school-age children. The bill included an amendment that would grandfather in all students who already have applied for the exemption. Many who attended the vote Monday were upset with the decision to move the bill forward to the full legislature. See more on the controversy here.

The legislature’s Public Health Committee approved a bill that would removed the religious exemption for vaccinations for school-age children.

Colleges & Coronavirus

Several colleges in Connecticut are requiring students studying overseas in areas affected by coronavirus to come home. Fairfield University informed its students in Florence, Italy they must return to the United States. The president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities directed 17 schools in the system to suspend or cancel planned trips to affected areas. For more on the concerns, click here.

Schools and universities across the state are assessing their travel plans and study abroad programs as coronavirus continues to spread.

Local

Wallingford 2 hours ago

Peer support team helps Wallingford firefighters with processing service call responses

Berlin 2 hours ago

Oil dumped in Berlin illegally

Gag Order Ruling

The state Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal to remove the gag order in the Dulos case. Norm Pattis, the attorney for the late Fotis Dulos, filed the appeal to remove the order and the state Supreme Court has dismissed it. Dulos died by suicide last month. See more on the court's ruling here.

The state Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal to remove the gag order in the Dulos case.

Kobe & Gianna Remembered

Thousands packed the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday as the NBA, the city, and the world said goodbye to Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and the others killed in last month's helicopter crash. Vanessa Bryant gave a tearful, powerful tribute to her daughter and her husband. For more on the emotional tribute, click here.

Athletes and entertainers joined the public and the Bryant family to celebrate the life of Kobe Byrant and his daughter Gigi during Monday’s ceremony at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Dog Food Dangers

A Connecticut family is dealing with the heartbreak of losing their pet dog, but that grief is coupled with guilt that what they fed him may have contributed to his death. Lauren and Brad Lutrus believe the grain-free food they gave to 3-year-old Kilo caused a condition in his heart that led to his death. See more on grain-free pet food here.

The FDA is investigating a possible link between grain-free pet foods and a form of heart disease called DCM.