When Spain takes the field against defending champion Argentina in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final, captain Rodri will carry the hopes of his country onto soccer's biggest stage. Years ago, the future superstar Rodrigo Hernández Cascante was just another teen at a sleepaway camp in Deep River, CT.

A teenager has been released from the hospital, after being shot by a police officer in Manchester Sunday night, in an incident that lasted just seconds after the officer arrived.

Bittersweet does not even begin to cover what my current feeling is: Friday was my last day at @ctpublic.bsky.social, after I was given the opportunity to start the Puerto Rican Communities beat in the state with the largest proportion of Boricuas — 8% on paper, though UCONN estimates it’s higher.

In CT’s deepest blue district, the four Democratic candidates running to represent part of the state in Congress are all in alignment about the direction of the country under President Donald Trump. Some candidates took aim at the Democratic Party itself. bit.ly/4f1VIDY

On Friday and Saturday, both days with “feels-like” temperatures above 100 degrees, New Haven had a single cooling center open – a meeting room in a city building at 200 Orange St. bit.ly/4wtkKmk

Crews worked on Sunday to restore electricity after Saturday night's heavy storms cut power to nearly 100,000 customers across CT. As of 8 a.m. Monday, Eversource said more than 30,000 customers were without power. That's down from Sunday evening, when more than 50,000 customers were without power.

In honor of America's 250th birthday, elected officials publicly read the Declaration of Independence on Thursday at the Old State House in Hartford.

With the gubernatorial election season coming up, candidates are weighing in on one of the biggest topics for voters this year as housing affordability remains an issue.

An extreme hot weather protocol is in effect across Connecticut through Sunday evening, according to the office of Gov. Ned Lamont. Dr. Anumeha Singh, chief of emergency medicine at Hartford Hospital, offers five tips to stay safe in the heatwave:

A new online tool out of the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health strives to provide hyperlocal information about the range of extreme weather risks on mortality, including the potential impact on older adults.

Viktor Hovland capped off a gritty rally when he made a 7-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole Monday morning and won the Travelers Championship when Scottie Scheffler missed a 4-foot birdie putt.

Relief groups based in Connecticut and residents with ties to Venezuela are looking for ways to help after deadly earthquakes hit the South American country.

Butterfly bushes, those fluffy shrubs with purple flower clusters, have been a mainstay in many Connecticut gardens for more than 100 years. Now, ecosystem advocates say gardeners should consider planting alternatives that are native to the region. bit.ly/4wg9wle

We’re talking Bad Bunny (again) on @ctpublic.bsky.social’s The Wheelhouse. Last year, the professor of the first course on Benito, Petra Rivera-Rideau, was on the show ahead of the Super Bowl announcement and her co-authoring “P FKN R.” Escucha a esta hora with host @frankiegraziano.bsky.social:

Connecticut stacks up poorly compared to other states based on its home ownership affordability and construction rate, according to a new report.

🎆 Communities across Connecticut will celebrate July Fourth and America 250 with concerts, children's activities, food trucks and — of course — fireworks. Here’s a list of Fourth of July events across the state: bit.ly/4vostls

At its peak in mid-to-late June, the rose garden at Elizabeth Park will have more than 10,000 roses in bloom.

A year ago, we at @ctpublic.bsky.social decided to break format, opening my radio story directly with 13-year-old Monse’s plea: “We just need our mom back.” Today, it won the @pmja.bsky.social award for spot news in the largest market category (against heavy hitters WNYC, WBEZ, LAist, etc.).

Inside the capsule are contributions from the three branches of the federal government, many of the ongoing America 250 events and programs, and all 50 states, the five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. https://to.pbs.org/4e7c5zO

In an unscripted speech delivered at the New Haven Lawn Club, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer behind musicals like “The Phantom of the Opera,” and “Cats, "urged systemic change to Broadway and continued passionate support for local theaters like the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has now officially kicked off and the U.S. Men’s National Team took its first victory 4-1 Friday night. CT is not hosting any of the 104 tournament matches, played across North America, but fans still gathered across the state for the first U.S. match against Paraguay.

While World Cup games aren’t taking place in Connecticut, the city of Hartford is launching an initiative called Summer of Soccer. It's a series of free viewings and watch parties across the city. Learn about the three key locations playing host to the watch parties here:

WATCH: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May that costs were up 3.8% & the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and energy since U.S. airstrikes began in Iran earlier this year. We explore how public policy & politics are impacting consumer spending this summer:

#QuoteOfTheDay / #QOTD, 6/8/2026 #Quote by: #CT photographer Adrian Montoro, also youth coordinator for Hartford Deportation Defense, to Daniela Doncel for @ctpublic.bsky.social (whose Tyler Russell took the photo) #ImmigrantHeritageMonth #IHM2026

I am so lucky to have interviewed the authors of 3/8 books listed here. You should read (and follow!) “The Island of Forgotten Gods” by @victorpineiro.bsky.social, “This Is the Only Kingdom” by Jaquira Díaz (@jaquiradiaz on Instagram) and “An Arcane Inheritance” by @wordsiren.bsky.social 📚

The recent leadership controversies that have rocked Connecticut’s public higher education system are not isolated incidents but symptoms of deeper institutional challenges. (1/2)

Here at CT Public, we're kind of obsessed with reading. Our staffers share their favorite books of 2026, from unforgettable novels to thought-provoking nonfiction.

Connecticut and other New England states are working together to find ways to build new nuclear power plants in the area.

Connecticut – along with nine other states – saw an 18% decline in suicide rates among young people, after the national crisis hotline 988 launched in 2022.

And by @ctpublic.bsky.social www.ctpublic.org/2026-05-22/a...

"Nevermore"

WATCH: Kristin Haddad is a pinstriper, designer and artist in East Haddam, CT. She’s owner of Killustrate It and specializes in pinstriping classic cars. She calls herself the “Lady Pinstriper,” and doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t painting. Watch our new mini doc now: bit.ly/49dPA9B

The U.S. Forest Service is considering closing 57 of its 77 research labs across the country, including two in Connecticut. Both labs focus on managing invasive insects — like spongy moths, spotted lanternflies and Asian long-horned beetles — to prevent trees from dying.

Black community leaders and family members of Steven “Stevie” Jones are reacting to news that the Hartford police officer who fatally shot the 55-year-old now faces manslaughter charges. bit.ly/4wF9q7B

President Trump is scheduled to address the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s commencement ceremony Wednesday morning at 11 in New London. The event is closed to the public. Protesters are expected in the city. www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-05...

My latest Poderosas feature for @ctpublic.bsky.social is on Malby Rojas, as her popular New Haven bakery celebrates its first anniversary this month!

Thrilled to be able to join @frankiegraziano.bsky.social on @ctpublic.bsky.social's The Wheelhouse this morning to talk about CT Community News and the CT Student Journalism Collaborative. It is Local Journalism Appreciation Day here in CT! youtu.be/bN510Ux8Xgg?...

Connecticut’s U.S. Reps. @johnlarsonct.bsky.social and @delauro.house.gov want answers, after the Trump administration rescinded $715 million from a fund to make Puerto Rico’s energy grid more resilient. The two spoke with me for @ctpublic.bsky.social: www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-05...

An annual Holocaust commemoration event in Fairfield Tuesday night has added meaning for some residents who are still reeling from a recent antisemitic incident involving local high school students. bit.ly/4cG7m7w

As the population ages in CT and states across the country, there will be a bigger need for long-term care. And that’s going to lead to a bigger need for people who are trained to help. But the supply of these skilled workers is not keeping up with demand. bit.ly/4n1F2Qw

Doing a thorough tick check after spending time outdoors, wearing light clothing, and tucking your pants into your socks are all ways to reduce the risk of tick bites.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Thursday she is working to "shut down the bureaucracy of education," telling an audience in New Haven that she wants to diminish federal involvement in schools and give more discretion to states.

A man carrying an AR-style pistol in his backpack was detained by security guards after entering the Hartford headquarters of insurance giant Aetna Thursday morning, according to police.

Vacant parking lots and underutilized medical offices in Glastonbury will soon be home to new apartments. The former industrial park development on Nye Road will include 64 apartments, the majority of which will be designated affordable.

The average refund so far is $350 more than last year at this time, despite projections that it would be closer to $1,000 due to Republican-led tax changes as part of the Big Beautiful Bill Act. n.pr/41zHjZo

Boricuas of all ages gathered at the Borinqueneers Monument in New Britain on the fifth anniversary of the relatively new holiday: National Borinqueneers Day. U.S. Congress passed legislation making April 13 the date to honor the only segregated Latino unit, the 65th infantry regiment, in 2021.

Challenges are compounding for agriculture businesses in Connecticut, from rising costs for fuel and supplies to natural disasters. Billy Collins owns 400 acres of farmland. He estimates the annual fuel bill for his fleet of machines is at least $250,000. He expects it to rise 30% this year.

Some form of a universally free school breakfast for public students in Connecticut may end up becoming a reality after this year’s budget session. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said she feels broadly optimistic the move will gain support from the state legislature.

Just 10 years ago, Connecticut had four professional baseball teams, three pro hockey teams, a pro tennis tournament every year in New Haven, and a WNBA franchise at Mohegan Sun. By next year in those four sports, we’ll be down to one pro baseball team and two pro hockey teams. And that’s it.

Late Connecticut State Rep. Quentin “Q” Williams was honored with a designation on the Connecticut Freedom Trail in Middletown, the city he represented. The Freedom Trail recognizes the accomplishments, contributions and history of Connecticut’s African American community.