Good morning, Hartford.

Summit Adaptive Sports hosts a therapeutic kayaking session near Hartford where veterans use adaptive techniques on the water for healing and empowerment—organizers report the event is designed to offer a calming space for recovery.

The West Hartford Chamber Minority Business Network will host Colorful Conversations—a panel discussion on Hispanic contributions to our economy and culture—on Thursday, Sept.

18 from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom and Facebook Live. Panelists will share data and strategies to support Hispanic-owned businesses and strengthen community ties.

Under a new Connecticut law, every school district must create policies to handle challenges to library books and materials and have them approved by the board of education with input from superintendents, curriculum directors, and librarians—efforts to update outdated rules after a surge since the pandemic. The law aims to ensure fair and community-informed reviews of challenged titles.

Teachers in Hartford are facing high stress and worrying shortages as the school year begins, a survey by the Connecticut Education Association shows 98% feel burned out and many cite budget cuts and low salaries—conditions that local experts say are also heightening student anxiety and concentration issues. Health professionals suggest reducing screen time and increasing support to help both teachers and students cope.

Officials with the Army Corps report that herbicide treatments including diquat have reduced hydrilla in parts of the Connecticut River to small clumps.

The team will use tracer dyes to plan further treatments next summer — pending extra funding from Congress to continue the project.

The City of Hartford and the Urban League announced the second year of the Microgrant Program — expanding grants from $2,500 to $5,000 and adding dedicated staff to support small businesses.

The program, which will invest over $370,000, will prioritize microenterprises with five or fewer employees in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.

One direction of LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center is closed until Oct.

15 for a $10M project that began in the spring—crews use a recycled paving method to improve the road while free on-street parking is offered. Local businesses stay open and planned sidewalk expansions will let outdoor dining start next summer.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act 25-44 on Monday at the Ben Franklin Center in Norwalk to protect consumers from junk fees, price gouging, and device eavesdropping—State Sen. Bob Duff joined the ceremony—and the law strengthens consumer safeguards.

On Sept. 10, the Connecticut Department of Insurance issued final rulings on eight rate increase requests for the 2026 plan year, affecting 224,000 people while state leaders including Sen. Jeff Gordon and Sen. Richard Blumenthal opposed the hikes as unsustainable amid rising drug costs and high insurer profits. Lawmakers warned that steep premium increases and the potential loss of federal premium tax credits could force residents to make difficult financial choices—raising concerns over access to affordable care.

Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Fairfield has introduced the state’s first ETHOS machine that uses AI to adjust radiation plans for cancer patients.

The new treatment method lets doctors tailor each session so that patients like 71-year-old Jim Kempf can complete therapy in fewer visits while protecting healthy tissue.

State officials are discussing UConn Health's potential purchase of Bristol, Day Kimball and Waterbury Hospitals—possibly for up to $400 million—to boost financial stability and keep these facilities in public hands.

Meetings on Monday with Gov. Lamont’s team and UConn Health leaders set the stage for using bonded funds and for review at the upcoming Board meeting on Wednesday.

CT Horrorfest Show - 2 Day Pass

10 a.m.-7 p.m. & 11 a.m.-5 p.m. — Connecticut Convention Center — Ticket pricing varies — Meet horror icons, shop themed vendors, and enjoy Q&A panels at this thrilling festival.

Hartford Girls Rock! 2025

1-3 p.m. — Hartford Marriott Downtown — Donations support scholarships — Celebrate and honor outstanding young women for their leadership and community service.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters Concert

1-4 p.m. — William H. Mortensen Hall — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the classic early songs of Elvis Costello with The Imposters backing him.

Hartford Whine and W3rk Fit Camp

7-9 p.m. — Warehouse 635 — Ticket required — Join a high-energy Caribbean dance fitness camp suitable for all fitness levels.

Area 11 Convention Preview

8 a.m. – 11 p.m. — Sheraton Hartford South Hotel — Registration required — Explore community recovery resources at the 66th Area 11 Convention.

BASWA's 25th Anniversary Celebration

3-7 p.m. — Farmington Gardens — Free venue parking — Celebrate 25 years of beauty and culture with live entertainment and local vendors.

Twenty One Pilots Live in Hartford

8:00 p.m. — Xfinity Theatre — Tickets starting at $82 — Experience the cinematic spectacle of Twenty One Pilots on their Clancy Tour: Breach 2025.

Twenty One Pilots - The Clancy Tour: Breach 2025

8:00-9:30 PM — Xfinity Theatre — Last-minute tickets available — Experience the electrifying performance of Twenty One Pilots live in Hartford.

The Notebook - The Musical

7:30-9 p.m. — William H. Mortensen Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the emotional journey of love in this captivating musical adaptation of the beloved story.

Live Music with The Boomers

6-9 p.m. — Cotton Hollow Kitchen — Free entry — Enjoy classic rock and pop hits while savoring great food and drinks.