Connecticut
CT Asian community condemns former New Britain mayor's Facebook comment
A former new Britain mayor’s comment on social media is drawing criticism for allegedly being offensive to the Asian community.
Politicians on both sides of the aisle are already condemning former mayor Tim Stewart’s words.
“This constant racist commentary is one that I’ve heard over and over again in my life,” Jenny Heikkila Díaz, co-chair of the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC), said.
Díaz was angered by Facebook comments made by Stewart. In a screenshot provided by New Britain Democrats, the former mayor responds to a post about the Trump campaign’s allegations of Haitian immigrants eating house pets in Ohio.
After the original poster writes, “So far they are leaving the dogs alone,” Stewart replies, “Need to bring in some Asians for that” with a laughing emoji.
Díaz said this only reinforces a harmful stereotype of Asian-Americans being seen as perpetual foreigners.
“It’s part of this continuous history of us being othered, marginalized, excluded, dehumanized,” she said.
Mike Keo, of West Hartford, said this rhetoric cuts deep for so many in the Asian community with bullying at school.
“I was called a dog eater. This is a reality that many of us have grown up with,” he said.
A number of local and state Democrats condemned the comment, calling for him to apologize and step down from the city’s school building committee.
“As a representative of New Britain’s diverse community, I am appalled by the racist rhetoric expressed by Mr. Stewart. His behavior is unacceptable, and he must take responsibility for his actions. He should step down from his role on the School Building Committee immediately,” Rep. Manny Sanchez (D-New Britain) said in a statement.
Republican Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) said the comment was offensive to Asian-Americans and marginalized groups.
“Particularly dangerous and impactful are the potential proliferation of demeaning stereotypes and baiting in this day and age of misinformation, social media and fake news. It sets a dangerous and repugnant path towards danger and harmful behavior,” he said.
Stewart responded to NBC Connecticut saying he had “no comment” on the Facebook post.
This isn’t the first time the former mayor got backlash for his Facebook comments. In 2019, while replying to a photo of women in Congress wearing white, he wrote a comment criticized as misogynistic. Mayor Erin Stewart called out her father at the time tweeting, “To all of those asking; I’m embarrassed and mortified.”
Díaz said aside from the ex-mayor’s post, the allegations about Haitian immigrants eating pets are equally as offensive and harmful.
Mayor Erin Stewart and the New Britain GOP town committee did not respond to requests for comment.
Connecticut
Developing story: Crash closes Taft Bridge on Connecticut Avenue NW
WASHINGTON (7News) — A Park Police chase ends with a moped rider getting hit and killed on the Taft Bridge in Northwest D.C.
7News’ Washington, D.C. reporter, Phylicia Ashley, went to the scene moments after it happened Saturday evening and spoke to multiple witnesses.
Ximen DeFillippes was riding her bike near Woodley Road when she saw the chase.
ALSO READ | Secret Service detains fleeing driver after deadly crash near White House
“The Park Police passed me. We were on Woodley Road. And then I saw the car they were pursuing,” said DeFillippes. “It was going very fast on the sidewalk. It drove up on the sidewalk up Woodley Road.”
DeFilippes was on one side of the Taft Bridge.
“I’d never seen anything that crazy,” said DeFillippes. “It was, it was like really like homicidal. It was just insane. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
7News also saw the aftermath of the chase and found Lamont Penry on the other side of the bridge. He also saw the chase. It ended on the steps of the Chinese Embassy staff housing.
“The car crashed into the diplomatic car,” Penry said. “A young man jumps out, takes off running down the street. The other three guys came out kind of dizzy. They apprehended one who was on the bench. One was at the rear. Tire of the vehicle, looked to be a Camry, and the other was on the other side of the diplomatic car.”
In the middle of the bridge, 7News saw the victim’s body covered by a white sheet. Witnesses said that when the chase reached the Taft Bridge, one of the vehicles involved struck someone riding a scooter.
“Once the gentleman on the bridge was hit. We realized that no one stopped,” said Penry. “Police continued the pursuit until here, and then they turned around.”
RELATED | President Trump allows US Park Police to chase fleeing vehicles
Penry said all the alleged suspects involved looked young. While on scene, 7News saw one person get arrested and placed in an ambulance.
DeFilippes was riding her bike when she said two cars blocked her from getting caught in the midst of the chase.
“I’m feeling lucky that for those few seconds of my path being kind of blocked,” said DeFillippes. “I’m just so glad that happened. Or else I would have been right there. I’m not at all surprised that someone was hurt. Just. Just from the way everything was unfolding, I could just tell it was going to be bad.
Connecticut
WNBA photo gallery: Toronto Tempo @ Connecticut Sun – 6/19/26
Marina Mabrey torched her former team for 37 points as the Toronto Tempo came back from 14 down to beat the Connecticut Sun, 101-97, at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Former UConn women’s basketball star Olivia Nelson-Ododa had 13 points and three rebounds while Aaliyah Edwards had six points and two rebounds for the Sun. Kia Nurse did not score in just five minutes for the Tempo.
Click on picture to enlarge gallery
Connecticut
Diesel fuel spill shuts two lanes on I-91 north in Wethersfield
WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (WFSB) – A tractor trailer’s diesel fuel saddle tank ruptured on I-91 north between exits 25 and 27, state police said.
Approximately 25 to 30 gallons of fuel was released to the road surface, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. No ground soil or waterways were involved, DEEP said.
The two right lanes were closed, according to the state Department of Transportation.
No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported, state police said.
Wethersfield Fire Department solidified the diesel fuel on the ground surface with Speedy Dry, DEEP said. An environmental cleanup contractor was en route for cleanup.
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
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