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The New Britain City Council has scheduled a special meeting and hearing to determine whether…
Community News
The New Britain Symphony Orchestra says that it, “ushers in spring in this, its 76th…
Opinion
By Joe Wasserman If you agree that our future is threatened by catastrophic climate change…
News Analysis
By John McNamara News of the end of the line for making Stanley tools in…
NAACP
News briefs for week ending February 14, 2026 By NB Politicus Council fills Ward 3 vacancy Democrat Alberto Borrero, a Concord Street homeowner, is the new Alderman from Ward 3 on the New Britain Council succeeding State Rep. Iris Sanchez (D-25) who was elected to the state House of Representatives in a January 6 special election. The Common […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition
The CT People’s Survival Programs (CT-PSP) and the Muslim Justice Center have announced an event, “Black History Iftar & Discussion: From Prison to Power: Black Muslim Resistance.” An Iftar, organizers note, “is the evening meal during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims break their daily fast at sunset. Beyond nourishment, iftar is a sacred time […]
Schools
As the summer days wind down and back-to-school shopping begins, familiar signs of a new school year appear. Store shelves are stocked with school supplies, shopping carts start to fill, and a growing sense of anticipation starts to creep in. Across the town of New Britain, students are preparing to return to the school halls […]
Flooding Series
Featured Journalism
Director Sjöberg Shares Plans To Build Infrastructure For Reading In New Britain by John McNamara…
History
Dr. Lisa Wisniewski’s Book Shares Oral Histories from Communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts So Migrants’…
Latest News and Opinion
The New Britain City Council has scheduled a special meeting and hearing to determine whether Ald Robert Smedley should be disciplined or removed from office following a series of online comments that the charges against him said appeared defamatory, dangerous, profane and “disgraceful”. This formal proceeding follows the Council’s approval of Resolution No. 37071 in […]
The New Britain Symphony Orchestra says that it, “ushers in spring in this, its 76th year,” announcing that it is presenting “A Time for Peace” symphony concert. The Orchestra says that, Under the baton of Maestro Toshi Shimada, the NBSO welcomes the Farmington Valley Chorale, directed by Ellen Gilson Voth. The program includes Ralph Vaughan […]
Jr. Hurricanes Open Registration for Football, Cheer and Dance
News Brief The New Britain Jr. Hurricanes has opened registration for 2017 football, cheer and dance programs. Future sign-ups are at New Britain High School, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, on the following Thursdays: April 6th April 20th May 4th May 18th June 1st Sign ups are for: Tackle Football ages 8 to 13 Cheer ages 8 to 14 Dance/Step […]
23% Increase in Mayor’s Salary Proposed
The Republican-dominated City Council is considering a proposal that would increase the salary of the city’s mayor by 23%, up to $108,016. Currently Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s salary is $87,634, an amount that is more than twice the 2015 New Britain median household income of $40,457. The proposed mayoral salary of $108,016 would be 267% of what the […]
Third Annual Gospel Blockbuster on May 6th
News Brief James Bernard Dorsey, in association with the First Church of the Reformation, is holding the Third Annual Gospel Blockbuster. The program will be on May 6th at 5:00pm at 77 Franklin Square. Doors will open at 4:00pm. The program will feature: Robert Williams and the Nu Gospel Keynotes Donnie, Darryl and the Joyboyz […]
Summer Programming at New Britain Youth Theater
Press Pool Article The warmer weather will soon bring summer vacation for New Britain’s kids. Looking forward to this, the New Britain Youth Theater has announced programs and performances for spring and summer, with classes including acting skills, improv, puppetry, and musical theater. There will be performances from the works of Beatrix Potter, author of the “Peter Rabbit” children’s […]
OIC 45th Anniversary Awards Gala on May 12th
The New Britain Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) will hold its 45th Anniversary Awards Gala on May 12th. Alex Johnson will receive the Leon Howard Sullivan Award, Nancy Sarra will receive the Angelo Tomasso Community Award and Mary E. Royce will receive the Connie Wilson Collins Award. Seven others are to receive OIC Essence Awards. […]
New Britain High School Senior to Play Football at American International College
Press Pool Story Alex Silva, senior at New Britain High School, has been awarded a scholarship from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and he signed his letter of intent to play football at AIC this upcoming fall. “It feels great looking back at all the hard work I put into this and all the […]
’13th’, From Slavery to Incarceration, Film Showing and Community Discussion
News Brief The NAACP New Britain Branch and the League of Women Voters are co-sponsoring a showing of Ava DuVernay‘s documentary film ’13th’. The documentary provides an in depth analysis of the racial bias of incarceration in the United States and the high number of Americans who are imprisoned. A community discussion will follow the […]
“Building Sustainable Social Movements in the Twenty-first Century” – CCSU Africana Studies Annual Conference
Press Pool This from the Center for Africana Studies: “Building Sustainable Social Movements in the Twenty-first Century.” The Arab Spring. Black Lives Matter. Occupy Wall Street. Code Pink. The Women’s March. These social actions represent a growing sense of disenchantment among citizens of the world. Diverse groups are working to change the structure of violence […]
Democrat Merrill Gay Announces City Elections Exploratory Committee
Press Pool Story Democratic Board of Education member and longtime activist, Merrill Gay, has announced that he has formed an exploratory committee to begin raising funds to run for office in November’s city election. “All around us we see the need to make change happen ourselves when we don’t like what we see. I am […]
By the Numbers: Statistical Debate Concerns Educational Quality in New Britain
Press Pool Story A critique of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s education record by Democratic City Council candidate Bobby Berriault sparked a heated internet debate in January about education in New Britain and whether to view statistics about the city’s schools as a sign of progress or as a measure of how far the community has […]
CT Breast Health Initiative Officially Launches Registration For the 2017 Race in the Park
The CT Breast Health Initiative (CT BHI) officially launched registration for their biggest fundraising event of the year, a Mother’s Day weekend tradition, RACE IN THE PARK 2017. CT BHI’s RACE IN THE PARK 2017 will take place on May 13, 2017 in New Britain’s historic Walnut Hill Park with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. […]
Health Care Rally to be Held in New Britain’s Central Park on Saturday February 25th
News Brief New Britain will host a candle light vigil to rally in support of the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare,” and opposing Republican efforts to repeal it. The rally will be held on Saturday, February 25th from 6:00pm to 6:30pm at New Britain’s Central Park in front of the CT Access Health office […]
Water-gate? Extreme Drought Continues While Stewart Drinking Water Well Sale Comes Under Increased Fire
Press Pool New Britain continues to be under “Extreme Drought” conditions, according to the United States Drought Monitor. The news comes as the plans by Republican Mayor Erin Stewart to sell a high-yield drinking city water well come under increased fire, with state legislation proposed in response to the sale. The well sale has come […]
Support for Malloy Budget Increasing State Aid to New Britain
By Bobby Berriault I write in strong support of Governor Malloy’s proposed state budget for FY 18 and FY 19. His budget calls for increasing state aid to New Britain by $24.2 million over the course of the next two years over what we currently receive. His proposal allows municipalities like New Britain to add […]
NAACP Freedom Academy Looking for Leaders of Tomorrow
News Brief The New Britain NAACP is looking for “Leaders of Today and Tomorrow” to participate in its “Freedom Academy” February 25th from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. The Freedom Academy is a training for people interested in considering candidacy for public office, elected or appointed. The training is sponsored by the NAACP New Britain Branch, The Black […]
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Rep. Lopes Bill Requires Fair Market Value For City To Sell Wells, Watershed Land
By John McNamara State Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24) has filed a bill requiring municipalities or water companies to “complete a fair market appraisal of any property encompassing a watershed, well or reservoir before such property may be sold, and to make such appraisal public at least 90 days prior to such sale.” The legislation (6481) […]
Black Ministerial Alliance Hosts a Celebration of Black History February 26th
News Brief, The Black Ministerial Alliance of New Britain will celebrate Black History on Sunday, February 26th. The event, themed ” A Legacy of Strength, A Future of Hope”, will be celebrated by Guest Preacher, Rev. Jacqueline King, Pastor of Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church. The Celebration will be at 4:00pm at Bethesda Apostolic Church, 249 […]
Southern Style Breakfast at Bethesda Apostolic Church February 18th
News Brief Bethesda Apostolic Church is celebrating Black History with grits, fish, eggs, sausage, bacon, bisquick, coffee, juice at its Southern Style Breakfast on February 18th from 9:00am to 11:00am. The Church invites people to “Join us as we eat, drink and be merry for our spirits to stand through it all.” The Breakfast will be […]
Two More Showings of “Travesties” at the Hole in the Wall Theater
News Brief There will be two more chances to see the play, “Travesties” at the Hole in the Wall Theater. The two showings will be Friday February 17th and Saturday February 18th, both at 8:00pm. The play, by Tom Stoppard, is described by the Theater, “What do you get when you combine Oscar Wilde, Monty Python, […]
City Hall Watch: Deferring Municipal Debt Payment Means Cash Now, Higher Interest Next Year
By John McNamara The Stewart administration is shifting $6 million from a scheduled payment on the city’s rising municipal debt— creating an election year windfall to avert yet another tax increase. The Common Council approved what representatives of William Blair & Company, the city’s bond counsel, called a “re-structuring” of a $28 million bond at […]