Fran Schneidau

schneidau 2011 151 1 Fran Schneidau Veteran WCBS Reporter Fran Schneidau has covered breaking news in Connecticut for more than 20 years.

Broadcasting live from the scene or from the Connecticut bureaus, Fran covers everything from the weather to politics to strikes to murders. She has reported on a wide variety of local stories that have received national attention. These include the rape trials of former Darien High School wrestler Alex Kelly in Connecticut, and the trial of former school headmistress Jean Harris — convicted of murdering her former lover, the so-called Scarsdale Diet Doctor.

Originally from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Fran worked as a Wall Street stockbroker before making the switch to broadcasting in the 1970′s.

She is the mother of three grown children and her off-duty avocations include light verse and animals — not necessarily in that order.

Metro-North Railroad station - Fairfield, CT (file / credit: MTA)

Parking Problems Persist At Fairfield County Train Stations

New Haven Line commuters often wait for years and years before they get their hands on a parking permit at any of the train stations along the line.

2011/10/24

Connecticut Energy Expert Doubts Energy Dept. On Rising Oil Prices

Weather forecasts predict a relatively mild winter. Despite that, the prediction from the Department of Energy is that the price of crude oil will move up, translating into higher home heating costs.

2011/10/21

Cops: Fairfield County Burglars Using Unusual Technique

In Darien, five homes have recently been targeted by thieves who first make sure the homes are unoccupied. That’s not so odd, but what they do next is.

2011/10/19

Reggie, a homeless man, walks the streets - Bridgeport, CT - Sep 18, 2011 (credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Connecticut Businesses Look To State Gov’t For Confidence Boost, Jobs

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says he and legislative leaders agree on 90 percent of the details of a bill that’s supposed to help grow jobs in the long- and short-term.

2011/10/19

Metro-North Railroad station - Westport, CT - Aug 30, 2011 (credit: Paul Murnane / WCBS 880)

Electronics Thefts Up On Metro-North Railroad

While major crimes like robberies and assaults are down, Metro-North is reporting a jump in the theft of electronics.

2011/10/18

Connecticut DMV Using National Teen Driver Safety Week To Keep Teens Safe

In Connecticut, an all-out effort is under way to boost the communication bond between parent and teenager as the 16 or 17-year-old prepares for his or her driver’s license.

2011/10/17

Paul Valeri says his mother is lucky to be a live after a small plane crashed in her yard in Danbury (credit: CBS 2)

Pilot Killed After Small Plane Crashes In Danbury

A small airplane clipped a house and crashed in Danbury on Sunday evening, killing the pilot, officials said. A 91-year-old woman was luckily unhurt when the plane crashed in her yard just outsider her kitchen.

2011/10/17

An American soldier is seen in Afghanistan (file / credit: TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images)

Rep. Jim Himes Praises Program To Ease Soldiers’ Transition Back To Homefront

With a high unemployment rate nationwide, returning veterans face a huge challenge joining the workforce.

2011/10/13

Connecticut Warns Drivers Of Deer Crossing Roads

State wildlife biologist Howard Kilpatrick says from now through December, there may be 3,000 or more deer-car collisions just in Fairfield County.

2011/10/12

Scot King (file / credit: Remember The Wounded Ride)

U.S. Marine Scot King Riding Through Connecticut On Lower 48 Tour For The Wounded

The wounded from the current wars return stateside to a hornet’s nest of red tape, says Scot King, a retired Marine corporal.

2011/10/11

YMCA - Stamford, CT (file / credit: Stamford Family YMCA)

Stamford YMCA Seeks Donations From Local Corporate HQs

These are desperate economic times and desperate times call for desperate measures. That is certainly true at the YMCA in Stamford.

2011/10/10

Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (file / credit: Governor's Office)

Conn. Gov. Dan Malloy Speaks Out Against Longevity Payments

On Tuesday, many non-union Connecticut state workers will be paid bonuses – just because of how long they’ve been employed.

2011/10/10

CT St. Sen. John McKinney (R-28) - File / Photo: Office of Sen. McKinney

Conn. Republicans Renew Push To End Longevity Payments

Many non-union state workers in Connecticut with a long history on the job are eagerly anticipating their October bonuses from the administration of Gov. Dan Malloy.

2011/10/06

Norwalk Police Investigate Hit-And-Run Death

A passing motorist called police after spotting a woman lying at the intersection of Hunt Street and Steepletop Place in the upscale Rowayton section of Norwalk early this morning.

2011/10/05