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Headlines
NAACP
The NAACP Economic Development Committee and Multicultural Business Coalition April meeting has been planned. The meeting is to occur on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 6:00pm at the Downtown District office at 33 Court Street. Hunter Mathena, the interim President of the Chamber of Commerce is to be the meeting’s guest.
“The rights he dedicated his life to are under threat” By John McNamara A wintry mix outside forced the organizers of the memorial wreath laying for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. inside on Saturday April 12th to mark the anniversary of the assassination of the civil rights leader on April 4, 1968. The “Literacy […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition
Saying, “New Britain deserves better!” the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is calling city residents to action, in support of city funding for emergency housing and education. Mayor Erin Stewart (R) is set to announce her budget for the upcoming year tomorrow. After that, the Council will consider the budget. “We’re calling on the New […]
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 […]
News Analysis
GAE Committee Favors ‘Precise’ Wording On Ballot Questions The Legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee…
News
Ald Candyce Scott (D-3) is speaking about the importance of three resolutions she submitted at…
History
“The rights he dedicated his life to are under threat” By John McNamara A wintry…
Featured Journalism
Director Sjöberg Shares Plans To Build Infrastructure For Reading In New Britain by John McNamara…
Community News
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, April 27, 2025 include
Flooding Series
To: Our Neighborhood Flooding Victims, Concerned Citizens/Taxpayers, City and State Officials: 2013-2025: Mayor Stewart described…
Opinion
By Jonathan Sharp Veterans in Connecticut—particularly in New Britain—face a public health crisis that has…
Latest News and Opinion
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, April 27, 2025 include
Brian Keith Albert (71) passed away in February 2025. He was a life long resident of New Britain and a dedicated community organizer as well as very active in the local NAACP chapter. I had the privilege of serving with him two terms on the Common Council of New Britain where we became close friends. […]
The NAACP Economic Development Committee and Multicultural Business Coalition April meeting has been planned. The meeting is to occur on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 6:00pm at the Downtown District office at 33 Court Street. Hunter Mathena, the interim President of the Chamber of Commerce is to be the meeting’s guest.
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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 […]
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Rep. Bobby Sanchez Wins Re-Election in the 25th
Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) easily won re-election on November 8th. Rep. Sanchez reflected on the moment and thanked the people of his district.
City Bureaucracy Under Stewart to Grow Again While Concerns Rise Over Weakening of Human Rights and Opportunities
Press Pool Story The Republican-dominated City Council approved a city reorganization plan proposed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) that, once again, increases the number of city departments, while placing the city’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission under the newly-created “Human Resources Department”. The City’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission have historically provided oversight […]