Good morning, Hartford.

CTDOT is hosting a holiday toy drive that begins today when the bus returns to Fastrak Cedar Street in Newington.

Further collections will be held Saturday in Hartford and Dec. 13 at Walmart, with others scheduled through Tuesday—donate new, unused toys to support Marine Toys for Tots.

CT native Kevin Hutson is set to fulfill his lifelong dream by serving as Santa at Carl Bozenski’s Christmas Village in Torrington on Dec.

21 (noon to 5 p.m.), where he first met St. Nick and families share holiday magic.

Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville was named the best casino concert venue nationally by Newsweek readers in its 2026 Readers' Choice Awards + the 10,000-seat venue, which hosts over 125 shows a year, beat leading Las Vegas venues including the Sphere and Caesars Palace.

A new report from Boston University's Wheelock Educational Policy Center finds that 1,500 teachers of color may face last-in-first-out layoffs in Connecticut, affecting recent gains in educator diversity in districts such as Hartford — lawmakers may need to rethink current layoff practices ahead of future budget cuts.

DEEP held a bear listening session in Burlington’s Sessions Woods Wildlife Management area to hear about rising bear encounters + the agency will host a final session next Tuesday, Dec.

16 at 6 p.m. at West Hartford’s Elmwood Community Center to gather community ideas for future bear management.

House Bill 7175 (taking effect New Year's Day) provides new tax credits and property tax exemptions for eligible Connecticut farmers, offering them relief for the coming year.

Eligible farmers will benefit from lower taxes starting January 1.

State Public Health officials are tracing contacts of an unvaccinated child (under 10 from Fairfield County) who tested positive for measles, the first case since 2021, and officials say anyone who may have been exposed will be contacted.

State regulators approved Hartford HealthCare’s bid to buy Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital in Vernon.

The acquisition is expected to boost local health services.

Bunnell and Windsor will play in the Class MM football championship at Arute Field — CCSU in New Britain on Saturday at 3 p.m. Bunnell reaches the finals for the first time since 2007 and Windsor aims to bounce back after last year's close finish.

West Hartford’s Hall/Conard girls hockey team opened its season with a 4-3 overtime loss to East Catholic at Veteran’s Rink on Dec.

10. The team rallied from early deficits but ultimately lost when the winning goal came 30 seconds into extra time (tough start for a top-ranked squad).

Glow Hartford

12:00 – 1:30 PM — Connecticut Convention Center — Limited tickets available — Experience one of Hartford's top concert picks this December.

Glow Concert

12:00 – 1:30 PM — Connecticut Convention Center — Ticket info available — Experience a top concert event in Hartford this December.

Glow - Hartford Concert

4:00 – 5:30 PM — Connecticut Convention Center — Must-attend concert experience — Don't miss this top music event lighting up Hartford this December.

Glow - Hartford

4:00-5:30 PM — Connecticut Convention Center — Ticket prices not specified — Experience one of Hartford's top concert picks this December.

Bulkeley vs. Prince RVT Basketball Game

6:00-7:15 p.m. — A.I. Prince Technical School — Free entry — Catch the Prince RVT varsity basketball team in action against Bulkeley on their home court.

Inder Sahani - Stand Up Comedy Live

6-11 p.m. — The Theater of the Performing Arts — Cost info not provided — Experience an evening of laughter with the witty Inder Sahani in Hartford.

Glow - Hartford

12:00 – 1:30 PM — Connecticut Convention Center — Ticket prices vary — A vibrant concert experience awaits at this must-attend event in Hartford.

Glow - Hartford

12:00 – 1:30 PM — Connecticut Convention Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience one of Hartford's top concert picks this December.

Glow - Hartford

3:00-4:30 p.m. — Connecticut Convention Center — Fair pricing — Experience one of the top concert picks happening in Hartford.

Glow - Hartford

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. — Connecticut Convention Center — Check for ticket prices — Experience an illuminating concert that lights up Hartford this December.