These news briefs are part of The Connecticut Mirror’s 2026 political coverage. For more Connecticut political news, sign up here for The Issue, the CT Mirror’s weekly politics newsletter.
CT officials pledge to support Puerto Rico during water crisis
Connecticut stands ready to offer any assistance it can to help Puerto Ricans as the island’s record drought continues, state officials announced Wednesday.
During a morning press conference, members of the CT-Puerto Rico Trade Commission joined Gov. Ned Lamont and other officials to discuss the water crisis. Connecticut is home to one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in the country, making the issue a personal one for many state residents.
Officials said that a formal request for aid has not been made yet, but the state is looking into ways to provide potable water and other infrastructure assistance. A group is expected to travel to the island in October to witness conditions on the ground.
— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter
CT launches youth-oriented manufacturing marketing campaign
The Connecticut Office of Manufacturing has launched a new storytelling effort to boost awareness of manufacturing careers among young people.
The “I Can Make It” storytelling campaign highlights Connecticut’s modern manufacturing industry, focusing on aerospace, robotics, and shipbuilding. The state has promoted similar campaigns in recent years, including the “Make it Here” effort started in 2023 and “I Got it Made” in 2024.
The latest campaign comes as the state makes significant investments in youth robotics and broader career pathways initiatives.
— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter
Hartford Public Schools CFO resigns
The chief finance officer of Hartford Public Schools, Caitlin Richards, has resigned after nearly two years with the district. A spokesperson for Hartford schools confirmed Richards left after getting a job offer at Nashville Public Schools.
Hiring a CFO was the first of 64 recommendations the state made to HPS to help stabilize its finances. The district is now searching for a replacement.
Richards’ departure complicates an ongoing audit into the district’s 2024-25 finances. That audit began after questions arose in April about the accuracy of the district’s budget projections.
HPS plans to release an exit interview with Richards pending the superintendent’s approval.
— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter
A new cancer treatment comes to CT
Connecticut’s two biggest healthcare systems are teaming up to bring cutting edge cancer treatment to the state. This week Hartford HealthCare and Yale New Haven Health hosted a ribbon cutting for a new proton therapy center in Wallingford.
Proton therapy delivers more precise treatment than traditional radiation, helping to protect healthy cells and reduce side effects of treatment, physicians at the event said. It’s particularly useful in treating children, as well as adults with tumors located next to critical organs.
Previously, Connecticut residents looking to get proton therapy had to travel to Boston or New York.
— Katy Golvala, Health Reporter
CT’s paraeducator shortage grows significantly
The State Department of Education revealed Wednesday that the number of unfilled paraeducator positions in Connecticut has grown by over 400 since last year.
As of August, there were 1,264 unfilled special education paraeducator positions and 274 unfilled other paraeducator positions across the state.
Ajit Gopalakrishnan, chief performance officer for the department, hypothesized the recent $10 million grant to boost in-district special education services may be contributing to those numbers.
The state launched a new paraeducator academy in August with the goal of training 200 to 250 new paraeducators in the next year. The course is free and does not require a college degree.
— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter
CT officials highlight local Latino businesses
More than 300 people attended the Hispanic Federation’s CRECER Latino Business Expo in Hartford on Tuesday, a chance for the local business community to engage with and support one another. The fairly new event was held in Connecticut for the first time this year.
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal addressed the audience during the event, with Blumenthal noting that the expo was a powerful reminder of the significance of Latino communities to Connecticut’s economy. According to the Hispanic Federation, Latinos owned 23% of the state’s small businesses in 2023.
— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter
CT commemorates International Overdose Remembrance Day
Advocates were joined by elected officials on Monday in commemorating victims of drug overdose during ceremonies in Manchester.
The state has made strides in the past few years in its efforts to reduce the number of overdose deaths, with rates decreasing annually since the peak of around 1,400 in 2021. In 2025, an estimated 836 people died of an overdose.
At a ceremony at the Root Center, Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, told those gathered that the biggest issues in the fight are philosophical, and that some officials “say not every life is worth saving.”
— Laura Tillman, Human Services Reporter
Special education attorney to join education department
Connecticut State Department of Education has filled a new role for a special education attorney as it seeks to address a critical report released in January.
The report found issues in Connecticut special education — among them, a state complaint process lacking legal oversight and transparency. The new attorney, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, is meant to address those concerns.
State complaints are one way parents can take action if they feel their children aren’t receiving adequate special education services. Dissatisfaction with the process is widespread; advocates say the findings are often legally suspect and poorly enforced.
— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter