Good morning, Hartford.

Plainville's 39th Hot Air Balloon Festival supports the local Fire Department by funding operations and student scholarships.

The event is held today at Norton Park with balloon launches at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and includes fireworks and treats (organizers report growing visitor interest).

Olivia Rodrigo and Willie Nelson are headlining a series of 10 concerts set for September across Connecticut, offering Hartford residents chances to enjoy live music at local venues.

The West Hartford Symphony Orchestra will host Chamber Cabaret at Town Hall on Saturday, Sept.

19—a benefit event that debuts its 2026–2027 season.

E.C. Goodwin Technical High School welcomed students back on Friday with other technical high schools across Connecticut.

The schools began the new term with fresh lessons and programs for all students.

Two fire-damaged homes on Capen Street were renovated into modernized two-family homes after a 2019 fire left them vacant.

The Hartford Land Bank acquired the properties in 2023 and developers celebrated a ribbon cutting last Friday at 11 a.m. with landscaping provided by a UConn partnership + Federated Garden Clubs.

On Aug. 26, local nonprofit 2-4-1 Sports held its Play It Forward fundraiser at the Pond House in West Hartford to exceed its $53,000 goal and support sport-based youth programs while honoring Stephanie Blozy with the Legacy Award (she also announced a new scholarship).

Paige Bueckers returned to Unrivaled this season and was named a First-Team All-Unrivaled selection, earning recognition for her performance with UConn basketball + a key milestone in her comeback.

Rebecca Lobo recalled her favorite moment from her UConn days (1991–1995) in Apple TV's new docuseries.

The former star (valued in our local sports scene) shared how that moment defined her storied career.