Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin told the crowd at Congregation Beth Israel that Connecticut’s hate crime laws had historically been scattered throughout the state’s general statutes, sometimes making things confusing for the justice system. He said the new law brings the relevant statutes together into one section of the penal code. bit.ly/4uZzNE0

While World Cup games aren’t taking place in Connecticut, the city of Hartford is launching an initiative called Summer of Soccer. It's a series of free viewings and watch parties across the city. Learn about the three key locations playing host to the watch parties here: bit.ly/3PVVOV8

In this episode of Audacious, you’ll meet people who donate small amounts to hundreds of places, hand out cash on city streets, and send money directly to people in poverty, no strings attached. bit.ly/4uRsbCV

Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 to honor the emancipation of the last enslaved people in the U.S. in Galveston, Texas. Here's a look at some of the events happening across Connecticut to mark the federal holiday: bit.ly/43cJliO

This hour on Disrupted, we’re recognizing Juneteenth by taking a look at celebrations past and present. We’ll take a look at the history of Emancipation Days and how they’ve been documented, and we’ll hear from one of the organizers of this year’s Juneteenth celebration in New Haven. bit.ly/4xrRdL0

New funding aims to make it easier for Connecticut high school students and veterans to get to school, jobs and activities by creating a grant program for free bus passes. The effort builds on a 2024 pilot program in Hartford and New Haven. High school students received free CTtransit bus passes to travel throughout the two cities. A new law signed by Gov. Ned Lamont is pushing that program statewide with $2.5 million in funding to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT). bit.ly/4xgYT2K

Connecticut’s congressional delegation, including House Intelligence Committee ranking member Jim Himes, on Thursday opposed a short-term extension of a controversial surveillance law, which looks likely to lapse at the end of the week. bit.ly/4uC3N7Y

Connecticut has crowned 24-year-old Katy Guamana the new Ecuadorian Queen, after the Association of Ecuadorians in Connecticut hosted its first pageant. bit.ly/4ek1L6g

🔊This hour on The Colin McEnroe Show, a look at revenge in politics, literature, and everyday life — and what it would mean if we treated revenge differently. bit.ly/43ZQMKy

🔊 Bestselling author Amy Bloom is widely known for 2022 memoir “In Love." The book documents her journey with her late husband, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. The pair made a decision to travel to Switzerland to help him end his life. Bloom’s latest book is different. “Blunt Instrument” is a vivacious, and often hilarious, murder mystery that’s set in the world of academia. And it’s partly inspired by Wesleyan University. Bloom recently sat down with us to talk about her book and writing process. Listen here: bit.ly/3SgLEPx

⚽ The city’s professional soccer team, Hartford Athletic, is hosting what it says could be the state’s largest watch party for the U.S. match against Paraguay on Friday night. Learn more: bit.ly/43zl4DM

Connecticut has crowned 24-year-old Katy Guamana the new Ecuadorian Queen, after the Association of Ecuadorians in Connecticut hosted its first pageant. bit.ly/4ek1L6g

On average, insurers requested more than 16% increases for individual health plans, and nearly 18% hikes for employer-sponsored plans for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. The Connecticut Insurance Department, which is reviewing and would ultimately need to approve the requests, said it will “conduct a thorough review of every filing." bit.ly/4vJDz4s

Meriden now has its first tenants union. The group is the fifth such union formed in the state to fight against a Shelton-based corporate landlord. bit.ly/4e2O8cS

Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin told the crowd at Congregation Beth Israel that Connecticut’s hate crime laws had historically been scattered throughout the state’s general statutes, sometimes making things confusing for the justice system. He said the new law brings the relevant statutes together into one section of the penal code. bit.ly/4uZzNE0

Connecticut’s entire congressional delegation is opposing the potential closure of an invasive insect laboratory in Hamden. The closure, which Connecticut Public first reported in May, is part of a federal cost-cutting plan by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. bit.ly/4uuIZPN

Scott Kemp, a local immigrant rights advocate, says ICE agents and other federal law enforcement officers have started bringing along a camera crew to record ICE enforcement operations in Connecticut. bit.ly/4xpIFVe

Meet CT Public's "Where We Live" team and swap books with fellow book lovers! Where We Live, Connecticut Public’s morning news talk show, recently launched a new community series called "Where We Read." This is a safe space for book dragons and the literary curious to find community, make new friends and discover exciting reads. On Saturday, June 13, join Where We Live Host Catherine Shen and the crew at Grace's Place in Meriden for a few hours of fun mingling and a book swap! No assigned reading, no pressure — just a relaxed afternoon among fellow book lovers. eventbrite.com/e/discover-ne…

A study found higher immigration improved nursing home staffing and care, as immigrants from much of the workforce. bit.ly/4v7nIwE

WATCH The Wheelhouse live! The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May that costs were up 3.8% and the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and energy since U.S. airstrikes began in Iran earlier this year. This hour, we explore how public policy and politics are impacting consumer spending this summer. youtube.com/watch?v=1la08tzj…