WPKN Local Daily News Podcast · John Iannuzzi, WPKN

January 28, 2026

January 28, 2026·22 min·1 clip

WPKN News begins with News Director John Iannuzzi setting up the day’s local weather and civic updates. The first block focuses on the cold snap and the cleanup that followed the winter storm. Eversource asks people to watch for slick roads and utility poles. The utility says vehicle crashes into poles are one of the biggest threats to outages during storm recovery. Crews are staged and ready to respond. The message is straightforward: drive slowly, use extra caution, and avoid creating new damage while the system is still under stress. The report also notes that the electric grid performed consistently through the storm with minimal damage and very few outages. That keeps the emphasis on preparedness rather than panic. The bulletin then moves to Long Island grocery news. Amazon Fresh stores are set to close after struggling with profitability. The story notes that dozens had already shut over the past year. It adds that about 57 stores in nine states are affected, including locations in California, Illinois, Virginia, and on Long Island. The tone stays matter-of-fact, with the retail change treated as another local-impact story rather than a national spectacle. The weather toll comes next. WPKN reports 10 confirmed deaths in New York connected to the storm. It also says five people died on the island while shoveling snow, including four deaths in Suffolk County. The Connecticut public-service reminder follows immediately after that. Listeners are told to call 211 to find a warming center or get help related to extreme cold and homelessness. The back half of the program shifts from weather response to policing in Bridgeport. Chief Roderick Porter marks the new year with a public update and a look back at 2025. He thanks the community for its support. He says the department wants to keep working with partners in 2026. Porter highlights a 37 percent drop in reported violent crime. He also cites a 24 percent drop in reported property crime. The chief frames those figures as part of a longer effort to keep building on recent progress. The segment carries the feel of a community meeting turned into radio. It closes with an invitation for listeners to stay engaged and share ideas for future topics.

As heard by us

A practical local roundup of storm safety, grocery closures, and Bridgeport public safety.

Connecticut storm cleanup, Long Island grocery closures, and Bridgeport's year-end police update give the piece a clear local frame. It stays useful where it matters most, especially in the guidance on utility safety and the reminder that 211 in Connecticut can help people find…

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You want the day's local safety news before the details get buried.

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