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News
Incumbent Gov Ned Lamont (D) appears to have been chosen by Democratic voters to run…
Community News
As challenges like substance use and housing struggles continue to affect members of the community,…
News Analysis
By Carol S. Austad, Ph.D The spotted lanternfly is no longer someone else’s problem. It…
Featured Journalism
by John McNamara Sponsors and attendees at the New Britain Public Library’s (NBPL) 10th Annual Fundraiser on…
Opinion
Opinion by CT People’s Survival Programs On Saturday, August 8 at 12:00 PM, the coalition…
Community Announcements
By Bike New Britain On Monday, Bike New Britain will be providing the 5th grade class at Smalley School in New Britain with a bike safety education program. Beginning on Monday, May 4th and continuing through Thursday, May 7th, members of Bike New Britain will be conducting safety education classes from 8am to 9:45am Then […]
Community Announcement by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut (BBBSCT) honored two New Britain residents during its annual Big Night celebration this Saturday, recognizing Big Sister Alex Steel as the 2026 Big of the Year and Jessica Mercado as the 2026 Parent Partner of the Year. Both were celebrated […]
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 […]
History
By John McNamara Saturday, March 7th was one of those days when New Britain lived…
Flooding Series
Latest News and Opinion
Former Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman passed away early Wednesday morning, prompting Gov Ned Lamont to direct that all US and state flags on Connecticut state government buildings be lowered to half-staff immediately. Wyman, who served as the state’s 108th lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2019, was remembered as a trailblazing leader and a tireless […]
Incumbent Gov Ned Lamont (D) appears to have been chosen by Democratic voters to run for a third term as Connecticut’s Governor, as unofficial results of the Democratic primary show him defeating State Rep Josh Elliott (D) by a more than two-to-one margin. In New Britain, unofficial results show Lamont winning by 1,557 votes to […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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.
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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.
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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 […]
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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. […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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“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 […]
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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 […]