Good morning, Hartford.

Aaron Vnuk, who lost his sight to retinitis pigmentosa (a former collegiate pitcher), and his wife bought Blind Faith CrossFit in 2023 and now run workouts that encourage people of all abilities to push past their limits.

Voices of Hope will hold its Evening of Hope on Wednesday, Nov.

4 at 5:30 p.m. to honor Mark Wilf and remember Rabbi Philip Lazowski z”l; tickets are still available for the community event.

Helena Martinez’s Todavía Aquí installation is on display at the Wadsworth Athenaeum through Nov.

8, and on Día de Muertos the museum will host a free community celebration with Mariachi Tercera Generacion + free Mexican hot chocolate and pan de muerto for the first 100 attendees.

Connecticut households face heating oil above $6 a gallon—about $2.78 higher than last year—as industry warns tight global supplies and nearly $7 diesel will squeeze families and small local fuel dealers this winter; the state added $12 million in aid but more help may be needed.

Gov. Ned Lamont and state leaders highlighted Connecticut’s Tech Talent Accelerator at a press conference Wednesday (East Hartford) and announced Tech Talent Accelerator 3.0 plus AI pilot courses at Connecticut College, University of New Haven, and Quinnipiac to train students, and a $20 million investment for a Hartford applied AI workforce center.

Mayor Arunan Arulampalam announced Wednesday the Hartford HUSKY D Response Coalition to help about 13,000 residents navigate Medicaid changes taking effect Jan.

1, with United Way as project manager connecting people to benefits, job training, exemptions (including medically frail), and local health centers.

Through the end of October Hartford Hospital's Take the Time mobile mammography bus is offering free screening to uninsured women at locations across the state; call 860 972 1243 for dates, sites, and what to bring.

Open enrollment through Access Health CT runs Oct.

23–Jan. 15, 2027; coverage begins Jan. 1 for sign-ups by Dec. 15 and Feb. 1 for enrollments between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15. Free help is available in Hartford at Concilio Hispano de la Salud and The Village, by phone, and from certified brokers.

All-American Sarah Strong, who took last summer off to recover and return reenergized, will lead No. 2 UConn this season as the Huskies aim to rebound from a Final Four loss last spring (Strong already has 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 250 assists).

Construction started this week on a $125 million train station in Thompsonville to restore Hartford Line passenger service for the first time since 1986, with the station due to open in early 2030 and offering a high-level platform, waiting room, bus lane, drop-off area, and about 80 parking spots.