Good morning, Hartford.

After hail hit parts of Connecticut on July 4, homeowners in Torrington, Harwinton, and Bristol face delays with insurance claims and are hiring public adjusters as 21 state complaints remain under review (some cases saw quick approvals while others stalled).

The University of Hartford announced it partnered with New Haven Public Schools on August 19 to offer eligible employees a 10% discount on select graduate programs and an application fee waiver.

The new Education Alliance provides flexible online, hybrid, and on-campus class options + personalized admissions support.

Hartford public schools start soon with a back-to-school celebration on Friday, Aug.

21 at Hartford Public High School, convocation on Monday, and the first day of school on Tuesday. Superintendent Townsel highlighted academic, athletic and arts successes — though a $35 million deficit remains as funding is sought.

Connecticut officials in Hartford reported Wednesday morning that the LEAP program boosted attendance and strengthened school-family ties across 15 districts during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Education leaders said the program will expand support for students and families in the coming school year.

New state data (released Wednesday) shows that chronic absenteeism in Connecticut schools has steadily declined over the past four years.

The LEAP program helped lower chronic absenteeism from nearly 24% during 2021 to 2022 to 16.4% last school year by connecting families with home visitors.

State leaders plan to expand LEAP later to lower absences amid challenges from the COVID era + high costs.

Connecticut officials and local healthcare providers are preparing for Medicaid eligibility changes under the Big Beautiful Bill set to take effect Jan.

1. The outreach effort will include door-knocking and advertising to help up to 110,000 residents meet new work and community engagement requirements to keep their HUSKY coverage.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and the FTC announced a $4 million settlement with Manchester City Nissan for unauthorized fees charged to customers — the dealership must refund affected buyers and list clear pricing standards to prevent future deceptive practices.

State-funded mobile vans now bring methadone treatment closer to patients in rural Connecticut.

CHR’s van began service on Aug. 18 in the Quiet Corner while two vans already serve the southeast and Greater New Haven (reducing travel barriers and stigma).

State health officials reported West Nile virus in 22 towns as of Wednesday and urged residents to take extra care against mosquito bites (by using repellent and avoiding outdoor exposure at dusk).

A RentCafe report shows 56% of Hartford millennials now own homes (a major shift from the historical 23%) as affordable housing and strong local jobs boost buying power; the study notes a 52.5% rise in ownership over five years linked to local homebuyer programs.

Former UConn star Azzi Fudd will miss the rest of her rookie season after the Dallas Wings announced she is set to undergo an arthroscopic knee procedure in Connecticut early next week to address ongoing soreness.