Briceyda Landaverde

Connecticut’s youngest voters are keeping a close eye on one more crucial race this election season — the quest for 2026 kid governor.  “It is really an honor to be a kid governor,” 2025 Connecticut Kid Governor Keudy Martinez said.  On Wednesday and Thursday, the current kid governor, Keudy Martinez, and his cabinet will hit the road, visiting nine schools…

Drivers caught on camera disobeying the law and endangering students has led multiple municipalities to add cameras to school buses.  “My own personal experiences, my wife and I put our two daughters onto the bus every morning, and on a concernedly frequent occurrence, we see people that run through the stop sign that the bus puts out,” New Haven Mayor…

Looking at her own reflection has a new meaning for Ginny Williamson.  “I look in the mirror every morning. I have a nose. You know? Where before I had nothing, nothing,” Ginny Williamson of Groton said.  The 78-year-old previously had skin cancer removed but then it came back during the pandemic and this time it was worse.  “It seemed to…

During the early morning hours on Friday, family members held on tight to their Connecticut National Guard soldiers as they embarked on a new mission.  “Very proud of him, excited, for him to venture out in the world and serve our country,” Maria Teixeira, of Ansonia, said.  This is the first time that Teixeira is sending off her only son,…

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, affects about 10 million people in the world. It’s a leading cause of infertility and the exact root of the health condition is unknown.  According to the World Health Organization, symptoms can include irregular periods, weight gain, acne or oily skin, hair thinning or excessive hair on your face or body.  “It can be very…

Amarey Brookshire is just like any other teenager. “She’s into TikTok and likes learning the dances. And, you know, we call each other all the time about like, funny trends that we see,” her aunt, Jasmin Franjul, said. Amarey’s journey to reach her 16th birthday has been anything but normal. She was born with sickle cell disease, which causes red…

Excitement is brewing for the last summer hurrah. “I look forward to checking out Boston, and hopefully having a safe drive back, along with some great food and time with the families,” Mio Perin of Manhattan, New York said.  Perin and his family left early Monday morning from their Connecticut vacation home to maximize one last trip to Massachusetts.  “Check…

Inside Diligence Training in East Hartford, the goal is to go beyond the physical.  “It is a very big community here, everybody is welcomed, they help you build your confidence,” Jordyn Williams said.  “People are coming for the physical gym but we are able to trickle in those other aspects of wellness just so we care for people as a…

Family and friends erupted in applause on Friday to congratulate the 65th class of New Haven firefighters.  “What a great honor it is to be in the fire service with your son,” New Haven Fire Dept. Lt. Josue Vega Jr. said.  “It felt surreal, it’s been a long journey to get where I am right now,” New Haven firefighter Josue…

Bad Bunny has reached international stardom, but this summer he’s focused on his home of Puerto Rico.  “This album means so much and it means so much to all of us, every Puerto Rican, whether we are on the island or whether in the diaspora,” said Adriana Waterson, of Norwalk.  Friday, Bad Bunny kicks off a run of 30 shows…

The mission is to get more girls on the soccer field.  “We have always wanted to do something for the girls and get the girls in the city of Hartford involved,” Hartford Lions Soccer Academy founder Kenniel Martin said.  Youth nonprofit Hartford Lions Soccer Academy is hosting its first ever girls’ soccer clinic at no cost to families. Participants must…

Rashad Johnson and Aaron Rogers are the co-founders of The Breed Entertainment, which puts on the annual Black Wall Street Festival in New Haven. Each August, crowds gather on the New Haven Green for the Black Wall Street Festival.  “We are just truly blessed, and to see 10,000 people come out on the green, once a year because of something…

Millions of people are hitting the road for Independence Day celebrations. This year, experts say the holiday travel period spans over two weekends from Saturday June 28 to Sunday, July 6.  INRIX, a transportation data provider, estimates the busiest time on Wednesday will be between noon and 9 p.m., and on Sunday the worst time to travel will be between…

A line wrapped around New Britain High School Friday for the 18th Connecticut Mission of Mercy free dental clinic.  “We provide free dental services to the underserved in Connecticut,” Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach Dr. Eve Marie Perugini said. Doors opened at 7 a.m. but crowds were outside hours before with some patients sitting in lawn chairs. Organizers said it shows…

The Stowe Center in Hartford is filled with centuries-old history and this Saturday you can explore inside during a tour about what it means to Inherit Freedom.  “We talk about the white antislavery writer Harriet Beecher Stowe and Black abolitionist Fredrick Douglass and how their lives connect,” Versatile Poetiq, a visitor experience associate, said.  Visitors will learn about Stowe and…

Erick Russell and Chris Lyddy met back in 2011 and haven’t looked back since. “We sat across from each other, made eye contact, we made introductions and from that day on we have been together,” State Senate Senior Advisor Chris Lyddy said. The two men remember coming out to their families and friends, feeling unsure of what the reaction would…

Kelly Gay of Windsor is in long-term recovery from substance use disorder.  “I was 18 years old, I was using drugs daily, I was homeless, I was in a great deal of trouble,” Gay said.  She knows first-hand the stigma surrounding the disorder.  “There is some idea we have some choice in this, there is some idea that we are…

Seconds after getting off the school bus, Jeannette Dardenne’s daughter was greeted by two black bears in West Hartford. “She got off and I got a phone call, she said in a really calm voice, ‘mom there is a bear in front of me,’ and I said ‘OK,’ and she kind of paused and said ‘there are two bears in…

Denise and Cliff Castellano are celebrating 35 years of marriage this summer. “She is my best friend,” Cliff Castellano, of Wallingford, said. About three years ago, Cliff noticed something was off about his wife, specifically at work. “I noticed things starting to slip with dates and things like that that normally she was always 100% on top of,” Cliff said….

The competition is heating up between the Hartford Police Department and Hartford Fire Department ahead of the second annual CommUnity soccer match. “It gets super competitive, but it gets done in a healthy way, there is nothing wrong with competition, it’s for bragging rights,” Hartford Lions Soccer Academy founder Kenniel Martin said.  Last year, police officers walked away with a…