If you are one of the thousands of men and women who have worked in, or are nearing retirement from Connecticut's manufacturing workforce, we'll tell you how to help inspire and mentor the state's next generations of manufacturing professionals through a brand new program from AARP.

Then as we wrap up the 46th annual celebration of National EMS week we'll be speaking with a seasoned EMT and trainer as well as an emergency dept doc about how EMS pros have stepped up more than you know during this COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to answer the call 24/7 and 365 days a year.

Finally, we're going to get you growing naturally and native-ly around your home and garden with a special guest from the National Wildlife Federation inviting you to peruse it's new Garden for Wildlife virtual shop to discover and acquire a selection of the best native plants for you here in Connecticut.

This morning we're circling back to speak with Jenn Hubbard - whose daughter Catherine was lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy - to find out all the exciting things ramping up for summer at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, and to invite you to participate in the upcoming 5k Race For Catherine.

Then we'll touch base with the Commissioner of Connecticut's Dept of Veterans Affairs. On the heels of the Memorial Day holiday, there's lots to talk about as this critical support agency continues improving outreach and support services for the state's heroes and their loved ones.

And we'll close with representatives of the national Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the Black Women’s Health Imperative to review a new report detailing the long history of predatory practices designed to get young women hooked on smoking, and what can be done about it.

Our focus on the issue of COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and care facilities across Connecticut starts with a national expert from AARP talking about how that organization is pursuing legislation to better support and protect residents of those facilities.

Then we'll take a very personal look at a tragic COVID-19 nursing home experience that affected State Rep Michelle Cook of Torrington, and how her experience helped initiate a sweeping investigation into why so many seniors were being infected by and dying from it.

We'll follow touching base with Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the outlook of area high school seniors and their future educational or career plans.

Finally, we'll remind you about an important event coming up at the Burroughs Community Center July 9 - and how a regional nonprofit called Save a Suit is aiming to help veterans who may be more food insecure because of the virus health emergency.