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Headlines
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition
The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is planning a Community Budget Forum on the city budget. The Coalition says, “Please join the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition for a Community Budget Forum as a part of our New Britain for All anti-gentrification campaign.” “We plan to analyze the current city budget, explain how a city […]
The CT People’s Survival Program has announced a three-part Community Violence Intervention Series, noting that it is, “focused on equipping community members with practical skills to interrupt and transform violence.” The CT People’s Survival Program is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC). The organization says that, In collaboration with the […]
NAACP
NAACP State Council President Scot X. Esdaile led a crowd of 150 in celebrating the swearing in of newly elected New Britain NAACP President Jan E. Edwards and other New Britain NAACP officers in a ceremony Tuesday evening. Other newly elected officers included First Vice President, Dr. Violet Jimenez-Sims, Treasurer Samuel Simmons, Assistant Treasure Kim […]
The upcoming NAACP Economic Development Committee Multicultural Business Coalition meeting is to feature New Britain Pastor Dana Smith at New Life ll Ministries. The meeting is to include, “Visioning for Multicultural Businesses & Economic Development in New Britain and “Goal Development and Direction for 2025.” The meeting is Monday, February 17, 2025 from 5:00pm to […]
Opinion
By Aram Ayalon As the Connecticut legislator is making a concerted effort in the 2025…
Community News
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, February 23, 2025 include
News
A new City Council proposal seeks to clarify when New Britain residents seeking relief from…
The Arts
Editor’s Note (2/17/2025): The Trinity-on-Main website says that these events are cancelled. City Youth Theater/City Stage Company is presenting Five Guys Named Moe, “a vibrant celebration of Black music and storytelling,” at New Britain’s Trinity-on-Main honor of Black History Month. The performance company says that. This beloved musical tells the story of Nomax, a man […]
News Analysis
Republican City Council Assistant Leader, Ald Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R-1) has reportedly announced that she is…
History
Finding A Common Thread of Racial and Social Justice in 1988 and 2024 By John…
Featured Journalism
Friendship Center’s Cold Weather Triage Program Is Open To Help Unhoused NEW BRITAIN – A…
Flooding Series
To: Allen St. Flooding Victims, Concerned Citizens, City and State Officials. PRIORTIZE:
Latest News and Opinion
A new City Council proposal seeks to clarify when New Britain residents seeking relief from rents can allege that rents are excessive when their landlords have begun eviction proceeding for nonpayment of rent in certain cases. The proposal, introduced by Ald Jerrell Hargraves (R-2) and Ald Neil Connors (D-4) is on the agenda of the […]
By Aram Ayalon As the Connecticut legislator is making a concerted effort in the 2025 session to address homelessness and shortage of affordable housing, one legislation proposal could undermine this effort. The housing committee of the Connecticut legislator is considering HB 6338 that would allow landlords to request the police to evict individuals whom the […]
NAACP State Council President Scot X. Esdaile led a crowd of 150 in celebrating the swearing in of newly elected New Britain NAACP President Jan E. Edwards and other New Britain NAACP officers in a ceremony Tuesday evening. Other newly elected officers included First Vice President, Dr. Violet Jimenez-Sims, Treasurer Samuel Simmons, Assistant Treasure Kim […]
Jr. Canes Win 2nd in National Championships
Press Pool Story The 11U New Britain Jr. Canes won their way all the way to the National Championship game, and finished second in the national tournament. Family and the community celebrated and offered congratulations and expressions of pride, both in person and via social media. The Jr. Canes won their first round game December 5th […]
Jr. Canes to Play in National Championship Game
Press Pool Story The excitement continues to grow as the 11U Jr. Canes football team has won their way into the American Youth Football National Championship Game. The Jr. Canes won their game against the Maryland District Heights Chiefs 13-6. On Friday, December 9th at 9am, the Jr. Canes will play for the National Championship against the Wilmington […]
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‘Elf the Musical Jr’ at New Britain Youth Theater
Over fifty children ages 5 through 17 from throughout Connecticut will star in the New Britain Youth Theater‘s presentation of “Elf the Musical! Jr” December 9th through 11th. Elf the Musical! Jr is a musical based on the hit holiday film starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, a Christmas movie that quickly became a classic, adapted […]
Proposal on Affirmative Action Strikes Out Many Provisions
Press Pool Story The Republican-dominated City Council is considering a proposal by Mayor Erin Stewart on the city Affirmative Action Plan that proposes numerous deletions of text. On Wednesday, December 7th, the Council’s Administration, Finance and Law Public Committee will consider a resolution by Republican Council members Kristian Rosado and Louis Salvio to approve the […]
Berriault Criticizes Social Media Profile as Impersonation
Press Pool Story Bobby Berriault, who recently announced that an exploratory committee to run for city office in 2017 announced that a Facebook profile impersonating him has been removed by Facebook, and another created in its place. “Yesterday, it was brought to my attention that someone had created a fake Facebook profile resembling my own […]
Jr. Hurricanes Win Game 1 in Championship Playoffs
Press Pool Story The 11U Jr. Canes football team won their first round game over Tyler Hurricanes of Texas 24-6. The game, on Monday, December 5th, was part of the playoffs of the American Youth Football (AYF) Championships. The Jr. Hurricanes team, with community support, traveled to the AYF Championships in Kissimmee, Florida to compete. On Wednesday, December […]
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Holiday Dance Party at the New Britain Museum of American Art
News Brief The New Britain Museum of American Art will host a “A Swingin’ Latke-Vodka Holiday Dance Party”. The event, on Thursday, December 8, starting at 5:30pm at the Museum, will feature dancing with Alison Bogatay, of Allongé Dance Variations, and guest dance partner Spencer Pond. They will offer a social dance lesson of the Jewish Hora and […]
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Rep. Elizabeth “Betty” Boukus Passes Away
Press Pool Story State Representative Elizabeth “Betty” Boukus (D-New Britain, Plainville) passed away early today. Boukus represented the northwest part of New Britain and Plainville in the state House of Representatives. “I am saddened with the loss of a special colleague and friend,” said State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain, Berlin, Farmington). “Betty’s long service to […]
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New Britain Election Postscript: “If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?”
By John McNamara “If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?” The question was asked of me by a Holmes School student when I was leaving the Masjid Al Taqwa mosque on Arch Street on a Sunday evening in August. It didn’t matter that the 5th grader has probably lived in New Britain […]
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Berriault Announces Exploratory Committee for City Elections
Press Pool story Bobby Berriault, a member of the Democratic Town Committee and a community activist, has announced that he is forming an exploratory committee to run for city office in New Britain. “We as a city are facing serious challenges that our elected officials are ignoring,” said Berriault. “The New Britain Public School system is […]
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Local Vendors and Live Music in the Holiday Spirit at New Britain Museum of American Art
News Brief Hartford-based singer Nekita Waller will be featured at the New Britain Museum of American Art’s festive First Friday on December 2. December’s First Friday will begin at 5:30 pm at the Museum, at 56 Lexington Street. Waller, who studied at the Hartt School of Music, is known for her soulful R&B sounds and has opened […]
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New Britain Powder Puffs Lose in Overtime to Southington
New Britain High School’s Powder Puff team lost 17-14 in overtime on Monday night against Southington High School. The game winning 20-yard field goal came from Southington’s Caroline Kemnitz. New Britain was led by a strong performance from quarterback Jamyra Irizarry, who was a pivotal factor in the Hurricanes two scoring drives. While all the […]
Cathy Spano to Receive NHS Lifetime Achievement Award
News Brief Catherine M. Spano has been a longtime community activist and leader. Known for years as the “Mayor of Oak Street”, and affectionately referred to by many as “Auntie Kay”, she was a founding leader of the North-Oak Neighborhood Revitalization Zone and her advocacy led to the creation of the Oak Street Police Substation. […]
Organizing for the Holidays with LesMess’ CEO and Founder Leslie Jacobs
By Rhona Cohen — Editor, New Britain Progressive I came to Connecticut in 2006 to help organize in the movement for health care for everyone. It was all consuming work and while I worked at organizing people my home became less so. I didn’t mind, nor did my husband who was similarly immersed outside of […]
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Tercyak Solidly Wins Re-Election
Press Pool Story Democratic State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26) scored a convincing re-election win over Republican Desiree Agosto. In his victory speech, Tercyak talked about issues on which the Connecticut legislature has been an example to the country, implementing policies that can later be adopted nationwide, and his hopes that this would continue with new legislation in […]
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Lopes Wins, In A Setback for Republicans
Press Pool Story Democratic State Representative Rick Lopes (D-24) prevailed solidly against his Republican opponent, Ald. James Sanders (R-AL) by a nearly two to one margin. Lopes’ defeat of Sanders was a major setback for local Republicans, who had hoped that they may prevail in the 24th Assembly District. Local Republicans had reportedly put considerable […]
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Movements Uniting – Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Against Racism, Sexism, Homophobia and Hate Working Together
Press Pool Story Students protested on the CCSU campus on November 9th, the day after the November 8th elections, to “Take a Stand” for immigrant rights and against discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia and hate. The demonstration was the beginning of what organizers plan as a coming together of movements concerned about the future, in the […]
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Gerratana Wins Big Over Two Opponents
Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-6) won a big victory for re-election on November 8th over two opponents. Sen. Gerratana thanked supporters on election night, and described problems encountered by people in New Britain.
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League of Women Voters to Hold Forum on Watershed Mining Proposal
News Brief The New Britain Area League of Women Voters is holding a forum to discuss the proposal of Mayor Erin Stewart (R) to allow mining on New Britain’s drinking watershed land. The League of Women Voters said, in a statement that, “The New Britain Area League of Women Voters is presenting a forum on the […]
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Voters Reject Two of Three Republican City Charter Proposals
Press Pool Story New Britain voters rejected two out of three changes to the City Charter that were proposed by Republican Mayor Erin Stewart and the Republican-Dominated City Council. The two charter proposals that were defeated would have extended the term of office of city’s mayor and tax collector from two to four years. City […]