In the Media: January 2026

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: Concerns grow over Elon Musk's AI chatbot ‘Grok' being used for criminal activity

Vahid Behzadan, associate professor of cybersecurity, data science, and computer and electrical engineering, director of the SAIL Lab, and co-founder of the Connecticut Artificial Intelligence Alliance, discusses how X’s Grok AI tool, built directly into the platform, can digitally undress adults and children in pictures online, creating in just seconds explicit images without consent.

In the Media

A&E Crimes + Investigation: A Supposed Hollywood Producer Got 146 Years to Life in Prison for Fatally Drugging a Model and Her Friend

Robert Powers, associate professor of forensic science, comments that many common drugs used to facilitate sexual assaults have, 'effects on the ability to store memories.' This means drug-facilitated sexual assault victims may not remember the attack or even where they were prior to being drugged.

In the Media

Connecticut Public Radio: What if an ICE shooting happened in Connecticut? A legal expert explains

Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, comments, 'It’s important for people to understand that interfering with any federal officer doing his or her duty is a federal crime. There are plenty of ways to peacefully protest without directly interfering with them.'

In the Media

CT Insider: Two Connecticut residents win $750k jackpots on Mohegan Sun online slot machines

Declan Hill, associate professor of investigations, comments that online betting 'is the new opioid epidemic.'

In the Media

Dagbladet (Norway): Greenland – Not on the Radar

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of homeland security, international affairs, national security, and political science, says that, 'Greenland is simply not on the radar. The advantage of being a continental country with a large domestic economy is that you don't have to worry about the rest of the world in the same way that the rest of the world has to worry about you.'

In the Media

WICC 600 AM Melissa in the Morning: Cell Phone Outage

Vahid Behzadan, associate professor of cybersecurity, data science, and computer and electrical engineering, director of the SAIL Lab, and co-founder of the Connecticut Artificial Intelligence Alliance, discusses a nationwide outage affecting cell phone networks.

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: University of New Haven professor weighs in on impeachment effort against Secretary of Homeland Security Noem

Patricia Crouse, practitioner-in-residence in public administration, discusses the impeachment process against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem that is being led by a group of Democrats in Congress.

In the Media

Fox 61: Connecticut’s Iranian community speaks out as protests continue across Iran

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses what started as an economic protest in Iran has turned deadly across the country.

In the Media

NBC 10 News: Rhode Island residents adjust spending habits amid high prices

David Sacco, assistant professor of practice in finance, discusses wages not keeping up with the cost of goods and services, causing consumers to adjust their spending habits.

In the Media

WICC 600 AM CT Today With Paul Pacelli: Drone Politics In The City Of Bridgeport?

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of homeland security, international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the protest and deadly violence happening in Iran, as the U.S. considers military action in the country. (interview begins at 25:52)

In the Media

WICC 600 AM Connecticut Today with Paul Pacelli: There's Growing National And Local Anger About ICE

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses the latest developments on the ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis. (interview begins at 18:56)

In the Media

Finance Buzz: Ask the Experts

Demissew Ejara, an associate professor of finance, comments that car ownership versus leasing depends on the consumer’s current needs and financial considerations.

In the Media

BBC News: Key questions for FBI investigators to unpick in Minneapolis shooting

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, comments on the ongoing investigation in Minneapolis after an ICE officer shot and killed a woman in her vehicle.

In the Media

WTIC 1080 AM Brian & Company: Matthew Schmidt

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of homeland security, international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the latest in Venezuela and the protests happening in Iran.

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: Connecticut Iranian doctor reacts to recent protests, crackdown in home country

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses the deadly protests in Iran and the possibility of U.S. military intervention.

In the Media

Rochester Institute of Technology: Top cybersecurity students across the globe face-off at RIT’s pentesting competition

The University of New Haven was one of the top 12 collegiate teams selected to compete in the weekend-long 2026 Collegiate Testing Competition global finals.

In the Media

Hartford Business Journal: Amid decline in international students, University of New Haven President Frederiksen maps out growth agenda for 2026

Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., comments on launching a new Center for Innovation and Applied Technology, opening an international satellite campus in Saudi Arabia, returning the university’s Pompea College to a new building being planned on its main West Haven campus, and upgrading its athletic center as part of the transition to Division I.

In the Media

Eyewitness News 3 WFSB: CT '26: USPS postmark changes

Brian Marks, associate professor of practice in economics and business analytics, discusses changes in postal services, including the USPS postal mark.

In the Media

Hartford Business Journal: 5 to Watch: Meet top CT leaders we expect to make headlines in 2026

Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., was chosen by the Hartford Business Journal as one of the top 5 Connecticut leaders to watch for 2026.

In the Media

HuffPost: A Doctor Was Blocked From Helping An ICE Shooting Victim — Is That Even Allowed?

Brian Marks, associate professor of practice in economics and business analytics, and a secondary appointment in the Department of Population Health and Leadership, comments on video of an ICE shooting in Minnesota, 'Law enforcement was establishing or established a perimeter and treated the area as a crime scene,' perhaps to 'secure the scene for many purposes, including for evidentiary purposes.'

In the Media

CNN: ICE Agent Fatally Shoots U.S. Citizen in Minneapolis

Kenneth Gray, a professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses how a review board will examine the events in Minneapolis, where an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in a vehicle.

In the Media

Fox News: Ohio dentist murders: Alley video, no forced entry fuel insider fears, experts say

Peter Valentin, associate professor of forensic science, discusses a video released that shows an Ohio dentist and his wife being killed, with a date and time stamp, helping investigators see additional footage in the area to search for the suspect.

In the Media

CTV News: Former FBI agent says public should ‘hold judgement’ on ICE shooting until investigation concludes

Kenneth Gray, a professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, says the Minnesota ICE shooting has been “politically charged” and urges the public to wait for the results of the investigation.

In the Media

News 8 WTNH: Connecticut expert offers way to lower juvenile crime rate

William Carbone, distinguished lecturer of criminal justice and executive director of the Tow Youth Justice Institute, says developing brains and the hormones of adolescence can exacerbate juvenile behavior issues. Still in the background of many juvenile offenders is childhood trauma.

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: Select Connecticut law enforcement experts weigh in on fatal shooting in Minneapolis involving ICE officer

Kenneth Gray, a professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses the ongoing investigation into the shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis and what the law is in Connecticut when an officer believes they are threatened with a motor vehicle.

In the Media

CBC National News: Minneapolis Shooting

Kenneth Gray, a professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses how the FBI's board of investigation is examining an ICE officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis.

In the Media

Washington Examiner: What to know about the ICE shooting in Minnesota that left one woman dead

Kenneth Gray, a professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, comments that a review board will examine the events in Minneapolis, where an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in a vehicle.

In the Media

Milford-Orange Times: Giving After The Holiday Season

Daniel May, professor emeritus of biology and environmental science, wrote an op-ed on the importance of giving after the holidays, as many are still in need of food and supplies.

In the Media

CTV News: How will the deadly shooting involving ICE agents in Minneapolis be reviewed?

Kenneth Gray, a professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses how a review board will examine the events in Minneapolis, where an ICE officer fatally shot a woman.

In the Media

Fox 61: Could Venezuela’s oil deal affect gas prices in Connecticut?

John Rosen, an adjunct professor of economics and business analytics, discusses whether the price of gas would be affected if the U.S. impounds oil taken from Venezuela.

In the Media

Eyewitness News 3 WFSB: X’s Grok AI tool creates nonconsensual intimate images of women

Vahid Behzadan, associate professor of cybersecurity, data science, and computer and electrical engineering, director of the SAIL Lab, and co-founder of the Connecticut Artificial Intelligence Alliance, discusses how X’s Grok AI tool can digitally undress adults and children in pictures online, creating explicit images without consent in just seconds.

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: People are leaving CT; here's where they're going.

John Rosen, an adjunct professor of economics and business analytics, discusses the reasons for people moving out of Connecticut, saying, in part, it's due to the cost of living and jobs

In the Media

CT Post: Democrats warn of privacy risks as Republicans support federal lawsuit over CT voter data

Patricia Crouse, a practitioner in residence of public administration, comments on a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit filed against Connecticut and 22 other states that have refused to turn over voter registration data.

In the Media

New Haven Independent: New Cop Scandal Q: Who Was Or Wasn’t Watching For 6 Years?

John DeCarlo, professor and director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice, comments that best practices for any police department with cash-based funds should include written policies on conducting independent audits, segregating financial duties, and surprise cash counts.

In the Media

Fox News Detroit: The Interview: Ex-FBI Agent on Venezuela: Mexico and Colombia “Might Be Next”

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Venezuela on drug trafficking charges. In this in-depth interview, Gray discusses the possibility of the U.S. going into Mexico and Colombia, as the drug cartels in those countries have been declared Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the Trump administration.

In the Media

CBS News: Off-duty Yonkers firefighter accused of reckless driving after crash

Paul Januszewski, a practitioner-in-residence in paramedicine and director of the Online Paramedicine Completion Program, discusses a requirement that firefighters have a valid driver’s license in the state where they work.

In the Media

CBC News: Trump's Greenland annexation threats overshadow Ukraine security conference

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of homeland security, international affairs, national security, and political science, comments on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, as Russia has taken massive losses in personnel and equipment.

In the Media

NBC 10 Providence: Experts disagree on legality of Maduro capture

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, national security, and criminal justice, discusses the law enforcement operation by the U.S. to capture Nicholas Maduro and his wife in Venezuela to bring criminal charges of drug trafficking against them.

In the Media

News 8 WTNH: Police investigating deadly crash allegedly involving stolen vehicle in New Haven

Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses a crash involving a stolen Hyundai Elantra and says this specific model with a key ignition is vulnerable and that there is a manufacturer fix.

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: DMV builds new EV charging stations, experts say state still has more work to do

Shayok Mukhopadhyay, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, discusses the need to expand the number of charging stations across the state as more electric vehicles are on the road.

In the Media

LiveNOW from Fox: Monday: Maduro could appear in New York federal court

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses the charges in an American court facing former President of Venezuela Nicholas Maduro and his wife for leading a criminal drug-trafficking organization, after being captured by a U.S. counterterrorism unit.

In the Media

Newstalk ZB: International relations expert Dr Matthew Schmidt says Trump's actions are unconcerned with international laws or norms

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of homeland security, international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the United States' decision to remove Nicholas Maduro and his wife from Venezuela to face charges for leading a criminal drug-trafficking organization.

In the Media

News12: Expert says capture of Venezuelan leader made statement on war on drugs

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses the charges in an American court facing former President of Venezuela Nicholas Maduro and his wife for leading a criminal drug-trafficking organization.

In the Media

CBC News: Carney heads to Paris as allies discuss security guarantees for Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of homeland security, international affairs, national security, and political science, comments, 'I think that the 'coalition of the willing' is the greatest success of Ukrainian foreign policy since the start of the war.'

In the Media

WTIC AM Brian & Company: Kenneth Gray Monday, January 5, 2026

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses the charges in an American court facing former President of Venezuela Nicholas Maduro and his wife for leading a criminal drug-trafficking organization.

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: What comes next for Maduro as Connecticut leaders react to his capture

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses the charges in an American court facing former President of Venezuela Nicholas Maduro and his wife for leading a criminal drug-trafficking organization.

In the Media

Military.com: 'Major Pivot': US Foreign Policy on Drugs, Oil & Regime Change in Venezuela

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of homeland security, international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the United States' decision to remove Nicholas Maduro and his wife from Venezuela to face charges for leading a criminal drug-trafficking organization.

In the Media

CT Insider: Connecticut's congressional delegation wants details of overnight arrest of Venezuelan president

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, likens the arrest of the former President of Venezuela to Operation Just Cause, during the invasion of Panama, when Manuel Noriega was seized and taken to the United States for trial in 1990.

In the Media

The Guardian: Venezuelan leader lands in New York after capture – as it happened

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of homeland security, international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the United States' decision to remove Nicholas Maduro and his wife from Venezuela to face charges for leading a criminal drug-trafficking organization.

In the Media

Fox 5 Washington, D.C.: Expert discusses legal authority, precedent after Maduro captured and brought to US

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses the charges in an American court facing former President of Venezuela Nicholas Maduro and his wife for leading a criminal drug-trafficking organization, after being captured by the U.S. counterterrorism unit.

In the Media

CTV News: FBI: ISIS-Inspired Attack on NYE Thwarted

Kenneth Gray, professor of practice in homeland security, criminal justice, and national security, discusses a potential New Year’s Eve attack that was thwarted by the FBI after the suspect posted videos online.

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: Small businesses speak on Connecticut minimum wage increase impact

James Mohs, associate professor of accounting, marketing, and taxation, discusses the latest increase in Connecticut’s minimum wage and the impact it will have on small businesses, as the cost of goods and services continues to rise.

In the Media

Talking with TVP World: How is Russian propaganda shaping the Ukraine peace process? Olena Lennon

Olena Lennon, a practitioner-in-residence in national and homeland security, discusses the ongoing Russian propaganda campaign against Ukraine in an effort to derail peace negotiations.

In the Media

News 8 WTNH: Connecticut increasing statewide minimum wage on Jan. 1

John Rosen, an adjunct professor of economics and business analytics, discusses Connecticut's increase in the minimum wage, which now ranks among the highest in the nation.

In the Media

Connecticut Post: What does Bridgeport's spike in home values mean for tax bills?

James Mohs, associate professor of accounting, marketing, and taxation, comments on how cities determine the mill rate for property tax.