Good morning, Westport.

Staples Players staged 'Sweeney Todd' in spring 2015 (highlighting cast members who have since forged careers in theater, film and digital arts) and the retrospective review celebrates the production’s complex music and memorable performances, showcasing its lasting impact on local talent.

Connecticut students on free or reduced-price lunches saw large improvements in math and English scores—narrowing achievement gaps with higher-income peers during the 2025–26 school year.

A local fisherman spotted a rare smooth hammerhead shark near Niantic in Long Island Sound on Monday.

Marine science educator Debbie Sayer (from Project Oceanology) said sightings are unusual and may tie to changes in food patterns.

Heating aid applications have opened after state legislators approved a $94.2 million plan — a 3.3% increase from last winter — in August, and residents are advised to check eligibility details before applying.

A Yale report found that from 2019 to 2023 Connecticut recorded an average of 6,581 cancer-related deaths each year and that the state maintains a lower mortality rate compared to the national average.

In September, National Childhood Obesity Month offers tips for building healthy habits in children and teens.

Health experts advise better sleep, less screen time and balanced meals, and parents can access guidance from the CDC, NIH and Connecticut’s Nutrition Physical Activity Obesity Prevention Program + more resources.