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The Connecticut Hall of Change inducts their 2024 Great Eight in the Capital City

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The Connecticut Hall of Change inducts their 2024 Great Eight in the Capital City


HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – It’s deemed the Oscars for the re-entry world. Sunday The Connecticut Hall of Change inducted their 2024 “great eight” in Hartford.

The men and women, who were formerly incarcerated, are being recognized for their growth and change.

“I’m alive. I’m clean. I’m free,” said inductee Victoria Steele.

“The obstacles that these individuals have had to overcome are insurmountable for most,” said CEO and Founder of Connecticut Hall of Change Charles Grady.

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The 2024 Connecticut Hall of Change inductee’s hurdles include mental health struggles, addiction, and time behind bars.

“At 16, I was in and out of prison for over 30 years,” Steele said.

Victoria Steele traded in her state inmate number for a state employee ID number, now working for Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services helping people going through a similar battle.

“Change is possible and that we don’t ever have to live that way again and I’m able to give back to the community and give back to young adults and I am able to do those things, and I truly feel honored and blessed,” Steele said,

The inductees, nominated by the community, were awarded for not only turning their lives around but helping others.

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Our own Good Morning Connecticut Anchor Laura Hutchinson is on the board this year and helped select the “great eight.” Now the inductees’ stories will live on forever in the Old New Gate Prison and Copper Mine Museum.

“The community they once caused problems in, today they give back to those communities and it’s incredible to see the response from the community as they do the work. They help hundreds if not thousands of people every year,” Grady said.

The inductees have all been out of prison for at least five years and now some are police officers, work in corrections or even earned their doctorate degrees and give back working in recovery, youth programs and justice reform.

Each personal story inspired the crowd, bringing both tears and people to their feet in applause. Steele said change comes from within and said if she can do it, anyone can.

“I am strong and resilient and worthy. I stand before you today as a free woman not because the state of Connecticut granted me a pardon but because I finally learned how to pardon myself.”

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Grady said the Connecticut Hall of Change is surpassing state lines, expanding into Maryland this September and several other states in the next year.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.



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Connecticut

Justice Department sues Connecticut over sanctuary policies

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Justice Department sues Connecticut over sanctuary policies


NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) – The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of Connecticut and the city of New Haven, arguing their “sanctuary” policies illegally interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, targets Connecticut’s “Trust Act” and local rules that limit cooperation with federal authorities.

Named in the suit are Gov. Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

Federal officials claim these policies violate the U.S. Constitution and allow “dangerous criminals” to be released into the community instead of being handed over to federal agents.

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“This lawsuit seeks to end such open defiance of federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate.

The move is part of a broader federal crackdown on sanctuary cities, with similar legal actions recently filed against Los Angeles, New York City, and Boston.



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Connecticut lawmakers go head-to-head in Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic

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Connecticut lawmakers go head-to-head in Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic


HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Lawmakers put aside politics on Monday for a good cause, going head-to-head on the field.

Democrats took on Republicans in the Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford. All ticket sales go towards charity, with this year’s recipient being United Way of Connecticut.

The Democrats won for the second year in a row, the Republicans had a three-year win streak previously.

“It’s great, especially because we’re coming into the real heat of the legislative session, so it’s a lot of fun to be out here,” State Rep. Jason Doucette (D) said. “We have a fun time with our friends across the aisle.”

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“United Way is a great organization, a statewide organization, and all of our local United Ways,” Former House Minority Leader Themis Klarides (R) said. “Especially in this day and age, people need so much help just for their everyday activities and keeping their families going, so we’re just really proud to have them be our charity this year.”

Lawmakers on both sides encouraged Connecticut residents to support their local United Way organization however they can.



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This CT city is one of the ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US,’ according to Livability

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This CT city is one of the ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US,’ according to Livability


Livability released its annual list of small to mid-sized cities throughout the nation where residents can “truly thrive,” according to its website. Livability analyzed more than 100 data points in eight essential categories to measure a city’s overall health and “fun factor.”

The Fairfield County city was named to the list for being “home to a charming downtown, excellent schools, an arts community” and its proximity to New York City.

Danbury ranked high for its health, safety and amenities such as dining variety and access to parks and museums. Livability highlighted places in the city such as Danbury Museum, Railway Museum, Danbury Music Centre, Ives Concert Park, The Palace Danbury, Aldrich Museum, Danbury Ice Arena, Thrillz Park, Tarrywile Park and the Danbury Fair Mall.

Some of Livability’s top reasons to move to Danbury include the city being a “commuter’s dream,” as it is 50 miles from New York City and an hour from Hartford. The website also stated that Danbury is “affordable” compared to other Connecticut cities, with a median home value of $417,303, an average household income of $91,100 and median monthly rent of $1,679.

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Livability also described Danbury as a “regional powerhouse for retail and health care” and stated that it was “one of the most diverse cities in the country” for its culinary and cultural scenes.

Danbury previously was named to Livability’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.” list in 2024 and 2025.



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