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.

This morning we'll learn how one mom's agonizing journey to diagnose Lyme Disease in her teenage daughter has grown into one of the region's newest nonprofits - Partner In Lyme - and how you can help the cause at their first virtual fundraiser in early January.

And we'll close replaying a conversation with the new Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of New Haven - Dr Lorenzo Boyd discussing police practices, movements to defund police agencies and identify the all important crossover point where racial justice comes into play.

Halloween in a COVID world stands to be one of the potentially scariest holidays and it will be upon us soon. So where do you stand on celebrating - trick or treating - or maybe just taking a pass on Halloween 2020. We'll help you figure it out with a mom and medical authority from PhysicianOne Urgent Care.

Then we'll get some sobering news - and maybe a little spark of hope - as we touch base with the CT Center for Economic Analysis. We'll get the latest low down on jobs and household income growth, how they are being impacted by the pandemic, and how legalized cannabis could go far toward propelling Connecticut out of the sorry economic state we're find ourselves in right now.

Finally, we'll hear from the Beardsley Zoo's lead educator on MonarchWatch - and learn a little bit about this important environmental partnership that puts everyday folks like you to work helping protect and sustain the world's endangered Monarch butterfly population.