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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 […]
2 mins read
New Britain Independent Rededicated as the New Britain Progressive
Editorial Message The New Britain Independent has been renamed the New Britain Progressive, as New Britain’s not-for-profit community newspaper organization has decided to redouble its efforts at achieving its core mission – to tell the truth that is so often left out of or falsely reported in the for-profit newspapers and to share news and information […]
1 min read
Follow our new Twitter account – @NB_Progressive
The New Britain Independent is changing its name to the New Britain Progressive – @NB_Progressive. Future Twitter posts will be to our new account. Come follow us at @NB_Progressive.
1 min read
Senator Terry Gerratana Eliminates Car Taxes
By Robert Berriault As a resident of New Britain, I encourage New Britain families to show their support for State Senator Terry Gerratana, who has fought to cut taxes for hardworking families in New Britain. Recently, Terry lessened our tax burden by phasing out property tax on motor vehicles. The new law will save Connecticut […]
4 mins read
Democrats Oppose Charter Changes, Urging ‘No Pay Hikes’ for Elected Officials ‘on Off Years’
Press Pool Story New Britain Democrats are urging a ‘no’ vote on City Charter changes proposed by city’s Republican mayor, Erin Stewart, and the Republican-dominated City Council. Democrats are objecting to the proposals that, if approved, would create a four-year mayoral term and change the way the mayor and other municipal officials can raise their salaries. […]
1 min read
Community Organizations to Hold Voter Engagement Day
News Brief Several community organizations are holding a Voter Engagement Day on Thursday, November 3rd to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. The New Britain Branch NAACP#2006, Pride of CT Elk Lodge #1437, Spottswood Political Action Committee and New Britain Black Democratic Club are jointly hosting the event. In encouraging people to attend the event, the New […]
1 min read
Forum Held in Opposition to Watershed Mining and Mining Effects on Neighborhoods
Press Pool Story Protect Our Watersheds CT hosted a forum at which residents who live in vicinity of the Tilcon open-pit rock quarry express concerns about, “noise from the mining operation, tremors from the blasts, cracks in the walls,” as well as concerns about, “dust hanging in the air,” and “chemical residues.” Residents were invited to […]
1 min read
Free Health Consultations and Screenings Offered in Downtown New Britain
News Brief In observance of National Primary Care Week, the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network and the UConn Health Center for Public Health and Health Policy will hold free health consultations and screenings. The event will be held on Wednesday, October 26th, from 1:30pm to 4pm in the Community Room in the New Britain […]
2 mins read
Alderman Questions Stewart on Well Sale in Light of Water Supply Alert
By Emmanuel (Manny) Sanchez In both a press release and an NBC interview roughly two weeks ago, Mayor Erin Stewart stated we are in a “first water alert”. But all facts and statistics show that we’ve been in one since May. I was also informed that the City was at 39.72% capacity when that press release […]
2 mins read
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NEW BRITAIN-Celebrating 125 Years
“A Cornerstone of the New Britain Community for Young People for 125 years” By Rev. Brian K. Riley, New Britain Independent Board President The Boys and Girls Club of New Britain will be celebrating, 125 years of existence on Nov. 3, 2016, they will be holding their 125th Annual Meeting and Anniversary Gala at The […]
2 mins read
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NEW BRITAIN-Celebrating 125 Years
“A Cornerstone of the New Britain Community for Young People for 125 years” By Rev. Brian K. Riley, New Britain Independent Board President The Boys and Girls Club of New Britain will be celebrating, 125 years of existence on Nov. 3, 2016, they will be holding their 125th Annual Meeting and Anniversary Gala at The […]
1 min read
“Sinister Scenes” Haunted House at New Britain Youth Theater
News Brief New Britain Youth Theater is planning a Haunted House, with some theatrical twists, for Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29. New Britain Youth Theater’s Haunted House will depict “sinister scenes from seasons past.” On short guided tours, past some of the theater’s most freakish and bizarre set pieces and props, visitors will […]
2 mins read
New Britain Museum of American Art’s After Dark Halloween Bash
News Brief NBMAA will host its 10th annual Halloween bash, Museum After Dark, this Friday October 28th! New Britain, Conn., October 17, 2016—Dare to scare at Connecticut’s most spooktacular party of the year: New Britain Museum of American Art’s Museum After Dark: 10th Annual Halloween Bash on Friday, October 28, starting at 8 p.m. Haunt the […]
2 mins read
Wave Of New Voters Includes New Britain: 4,154 Added Since June; Registration Deadline Nov. 1
By John McNamara A wave of new voter registrations statewide may push New Britain enrollment past 30,000 for Election Day on November 8th. One week prior to the November 1st deadline, there are 29,100 eligible to vote according to Democratic Registrar of Voters Juan Verdu’s office. In addition, unregistered voters may go to City Hall […]
1 min read
Rana Plaza: Shaheena*
I woke up in my grave before I died. Not once, but time and darkening time again. I’d heard the floor explode and then the space that was the room changed places with the wall. I was drowned in brick, was gripped, was turned to dust, became a mote of broken plaster, became the blinded […]
Stewart Admits to Water Supply Alert
Press pool story Just one day after the New Britain Independent broke the news that New Britain is in a “water supply alert” due to low capacity in the city’s reservoirs, Erin Stewart, the city’s mayor, has admitted to the alert condition. As the Independent reported, New Britain Deputy Public Works Director for Utilities, Gil Bligh […]
Stewart Conservation Commissioner Accused of Abuse of Power
By Robert Berriault Mayor Stewart’s Conservation Commissioner Ken Hass had threatened members of the community by threatening to expose private information that the city possesses on them, including their allegedly nonpublic criminal and civil records, in an attempt to embarrass them publicly, in retaliation for publicly stating their opposition to the Tilcon deal. At 9:21 […]
2 mins read
‘Eight to the Bar’ Kicks Off First Friday at the New Britain Museum of American Art
The fall season of First Friday kicked off at the New Britain Museum of American Art on October 7th. The event featured a variety of activities from live musicians to local bites and beverages. This month, the Museum featured a performance by highly acclaimed jazz band Eight to the Bar, named “Best Live Band” by […]
New Britain in a “water supply alert”.
New Britain is in a “water supply alert” according to a report given by New Britain Deputy Public Works Director for Utilities, Gil Bligh. Bligh gave this report at the September 13th meeting of the New Britain Board of Water Commissioners. Bligh also reported that the New Britain reservoirs were at “52.9% capacity as of August 31, […]
2 mins read
NAACP Declares “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count”
News Brief State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven, West Haven) offered a call for understanding for African American youth, who rail with passion against discrimination, in his inspiring keynote speech at the 2016 New Britain NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. The theme for the celebration was, “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count”. Winfield pointed out that […]
4 mins read
Legislators Announce $2.5 million for Non-Profit Facility
The State Bond Commission has approved $2,575,169 in funding for Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA). The funding is for renovations of its facility on 26 Russel Street in New Britain which houses the Central CT Winter Shelter and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program Team Time Social Club. New Britain’s state legislators, State Reps. Betty Boukus (D-Plainville, New Britain), Peter […]