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Here Are The Most Popular CTNewsJunkie Stories Of 2025 | CT News Junkie

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Here Are The Most Popular CTNewsJunkie Stories Of 2025 | CT News Junkie


The Connecticut Capitol Building around sunset on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Credit: Doug Hardy / CTNewsJunkie

As 2026 begins, Connecticut is gearing up another busy news year. The legislature is in session beginning next month, with numerous items up for consideration that could have an impact on residents. Also, Gov. Ned Lamont is seeking a third term and the entire General Assembly is up for election, which could alter the balance of power in Connecticut.

Also in 2026, new laws on housing, cancer screening, absentee ballots and more went into effect January 1.

But before we get too far into 2026, let’s take a look back at CTNewsJunkie’s biggest stories of 2025, as determined by our readers. In scanning the list of top 10 most-read stories, transportation, elections, new laws, a new state holiday and clean energy emerged as popular reads.

Speed camera
Fixed radar checking vehicles’ speed.
Credit: Olga Maksimava / Shutterstock

Transportation

It is easy to see what weighs most on readers’ minds, as transportation-related stories made up fully half of the 10 most popular stories list.

Four of the top 10 stories (#s 2, 3, 8 and 10 on the list) dealt with traffic cameras. What towns have been approved for them? What towns are applying? What are the rules for using them to enforce speed? How much revenue do they generate? These were all questions on the minds of readers.

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The fifth transit-related story, and sixth-most popular overall, dealt with the construction of the new Naugatuck Metro-North train station and overhaul of the surrounding area into a mixed-use community.

State governor signing bill
Gov. Ned Lamont hands a pen to David Pucino at a ceremonial bill signing of House Bill 7042 on August 7, 2025 at the State Capitol in Hartford, CT. Credit: Donald Eng

New laws

Two of CTNewsJunkie’s top 10 stories of 2025 dealt with new state laws. Our Dec. 19 story about new laws taking effect January 1 came in at #7, and a similar story in June about new laws taking effect July 1 ranked #9 for the year.

Offshore wind turbine
The first turbine of the Revolution Wind farm, completed Sept. 3, 2024 off the coast of Rhode Island. The turbine was manufactured by Siemens Gamesa of Zamudio, Spain. Credit: Contributed photo / Kate Ciembronowicz for Ørsted

Offshore wind

CTNewsJunkie’s coverage of the Revolution Wind project proved popular with readers, but only one story on that topic cracked the annual top 10. Published on Dec. 26, traditionally a slow news day, the story about four northeastern governors demanding a briefing on the alleged national security concerns of offshore wind generation drew enough interest to rank #5 on the annual list.

A diwali celebration scene
Connecticut has become the second state to recognize Diwali. Credit: Toa55 / Shutterstock.com

Light overcomes darkness

Connecticut gained a new state holiday in 2025, and readers made the story about the announcement the fourth-most popular story of the year.

Public Act 25-59 established Diwali as a state holiday. Connecticut is only the second state to recognize the Southeast Asian holiday celebrating the victory of light over darkness. The state holiday officially is the 15th day of the month Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar. In the Gregorian calendar the holiday typically falls in September or October.

An election results map of Connecticut showing towns in blue, red, gray and orange
A map of Connecticut showing wins and losses by party in the 2025 elections based on unofficial results from the Secretary of the State’s office. EDITOR’S NOTE: This map was updated Nov. 13 and Andover and Bolton were updated with newly available information. Credit: Viktoria Sundqvist / CTNewsjunkie

Democrats roll in municipal elections

CTNewsJunkie’s most-read story of 2025, by far, was the Nov. 5 story detailing the results of the Nov. 4 municipal elections. Connecticut’s political landscape changed dramatically in one day, with 27 towns flipping from Republican to Democratic leadership. In contrast, one town — Easton — flipped the other way, with a Republican replacing an incumbent Democrat who did not seek reelection.

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At just over 36%, voter turnout was about 10% higher than average for an odd-numbered year.







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Lifeguards rescue driver who crashed car into pool in Connecticut

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Lifeguards rescue driver who crashed car into pool in Connecticut


NEW CANAAN, Conn. — An elderly driver was rescued from his vehicle after he accidentally crashed into a swimming pool in on Tuesday.

It happened just after 10:30 a.m. at the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny Park in New Canaan, Connecticut.

The Tesla plowed through a fence and set of trees before plunging into the water. Police say he was trying to park at the time.

The community pool was closed when it happened, so no one was swimming or in the path of the vehicle.

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Lifeguards and first responders entered the pool to help the driver out of the vehicle.

Lifeguard Mike D’Urso, 18, described what happened.

“Me and my coworker were setting up the umbrellas when we heard a loud crash and we turned around and there was a car right in the middle of the pool,” D’Urso said.

D’Urso said the man was conscious and alert, but the vehicle began to take on water.

“The car began to sink a couple minutes in, and my concern was that the water would rise above his head and wouldn’t be able to breathe,” D’Urso said.

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D’Urso and EMS workers pulled the victim out through the passenger side window. The driver said he wasn’t injured, but he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

The pool will have to be drained, cleaned and refilled. Officials hope to have it reopened by the weekend.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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1 dead in Hartford double shooting

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1 dead in Hartford double shooting


One person is dead after a double shooting in Hartford, police said.

ShotSpotter notified police of shots fired around 7 p.m. on Magnolia Street.

When officers got to the scene, they found a woman unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.

Police identified the victim as 46-year-old Diana Tirado of New Britain. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

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There was another woman in her 30s with a gunshot wound on the sidewalk. She was taken to the hospital, where she is listed in stable condition. Her identity has not been released.

Police have not identified a suspect at this time.



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Taste of SoNo Supports Connecticut Foodshare » CBIA

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Taste of SoNo Supports Connecticut Foodshare » CBIA


More than 200 people gathered May 28 in Norwalk for a night of food and entertainment supporting Connecticut Foodshare’s mission to fight food insecurity.

The second annual Taste of SoNo brought together local restaurants, business leaders, community partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters to celebrate Fairfield County’s vibrant culinary community.

The event took place in The Magnificent Room at the SoNo Collection.

Guests sampled offerings from more than a dozen local restaurants, distilleries, breweries, and other exhibitors.

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They also learned more about Connecticut Foodshare’s work through its network of community partners, mobile pantries, and other hunger-relief programs.

Community Impact

The evening featured live music and a silent auction with dining, music, and sports experiences, along with artwork and sports memorabilia.

“We are extremely thankful to everyone who attended and supported Connecticut Foodshare through this event,” said Connecticut Foodshare president and CEO Jason Jakubowski.

“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission.”

Connecticut Foodshare’s Jason Jakubowski

“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission to end hunger in Connecticut and ensure that families facing food insecurity have access to the nutritious food they need.”

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Connecticut Foodshare hosted the event for the second year and has already started planning next year’s Taste of SoNo.



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