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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 […]
1 min read
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 […]
2 mins read
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 […]
3 mins read
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 […]
3 mins read
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 […]
1 min read
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 […]
3 mins read
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 […]
1 min read
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 […]
1 min read
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 […]
1 min read
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 […]
1 min read
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.
1 min read
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 […]
2 mins read
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 […]
1 min read
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 […]
1 min read
Lenovo Donates Computers and Tablets to NBHS Academy of Finance Program
Karen Ondrick, Chief Connector, Community Partnerships at Lenovo was in attendance as New Britain High School Academy of Finance (AOF) launched the AOF/Lenovo Scholar Network on November 2. Now in its third year, the Lenovo Scholar Network pairs the Fortune 500 technology company with the National Academy of Finance (NAF) to help provide high school students […]
1 min read
Work Begins on Teen “Romeo and Juliet” at New Britain Youth Theater
Preparation for a production of William Shakespeare’s teen tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, begins at New Britain Youth Theater in November. Set in 1967 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the “Summer of Love,” the play will be performed outdoors at the New Britain Museum of American Art in June 2017. For teens planning to audition […]
Democrats Win Big in New Britain
Democratic candidates all prevailed in New Britain on Tuesday’s election. Voters handily re-elected Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-6), Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) and Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24), and voters sided with Democrats’ position on two of the three Charter revision referendum questions on the ballot.
1 min read
Election Day Arrives – Top Democrats Support New Britain Campaign Efforts
Press Pool Story Local Democratic campaign efforts were given a push on the last weekend before the November 8th elections with support from top Democratic elected officials. On Saturday New Britain Democrats held a Get-Out-The-Vote Breakfast at Cafe Beauregard on Main Street, where they were rallied with speeches from Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D), State Attorney […]