Alex Putterman
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alexputterman.bsky.social
Alex Putterman
@alexputterman.bsky.social
Reporter for CT Insider, Hearst Connecticut Media. Proud Connecticut News Guild member. alex.putterman@hearstmediact.com
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This week we publish something I've worked on a long time: a five-part series on inequality in Connecticut.

CT is known for wealth, but anyone living here knows that's only half the story.

Today's part explains what makes our state the nation's inequality capital.
www.ctinsider.com/news/article...
Two Connecticuts: How gaps between rich and poor define life in CT
Few places in the United States have inequality quite like Connecticut’s, where extreme wealth and extreme struggle coexist in startling proximity.
www.ctinsider.com
Reposted by Alex Putterman
Via @ctinsider.bsky.social: Hartford is only big U.S. metro where housing affordability will worsen in 2026, Zillow says

www.ctinsider.com/realestate/a...
Hartford is only big U.S. metro where housing affordability will worsen in 2026, Zillow says
Zillow projects Hartford as the only top-50 metro with worsening affordability, with the median monthly mortgage cost to rise $100 in 2026.
www.ctinsider.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Video shows confrontation at Hartford ICE rally after protesters say they were pepper-sprayed

Via @ctinsider.bsky.social’s Josh LaBella and Eric Bedner
www.ctinsider.com/news/article...
Video shows confrontation at Hartford ICE rally after protesters say they were pepper-sprayed
Several demonstrators say they were pepper-sprayed during a clash at a vigil for a Minnesota mom killed by ICE.
www.ctinsider.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
Several demonstrators were pepper-sprayed during a clash with a group of masked men at a Hartford vigil Thursday night.
Protesters pepper-sprayed in clash at Hartford vigil after ICE shooting in Minneapolis
Several demonstrators were pepper-sprayed during a clash with a group of masked men at a Hartford vigil Thursday night.
bit.ly
January 9, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
Hearst Connecticut reporting that protesters have been pepper-sprayed and the driver of a vehicle "made contact" with several people at Hartford's vigil for Renee Good, the woman killed by ICE yesterday in Minneapolis.

www.ctinsider.com/news/article...
Protesters pepper-sprayed in clash at Hartford vigil after Minn. ICE shooting: Live updates
Protests against ICE are occurring in several Connecticut locations Thursday over the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis.
www.ctinsider.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:24 AM
UConn hoops, a governor's election and more: Here are the stories likely to define 2026 in CT
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
UConn hoops, a governor's election and more: Here are the stories likely to define 2026 in CT
Will Lamont win reelection? What does Trump mean for Connecticut? And when will costs come down?
www.ctinsider.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:28 PM
As a longtime Charles Sumner admirer I greatly enjoyed this bio. Cheers to @ztameez.bsky.social!
Charles Sumner was a leading voice in Congress for abolishing slavery and Reconstruction.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect from an ambitious historical biography written by a law student. It ended up being my favorite book I read in 2025.

www.powells.com/book/charles...
Charles Sumner Conscience of a Nation | Powell's Books
A landmark biography of Charles Sumner, the unsung hero of the American Civil War and Reconstruction Charles Sumner is mainly known as the statesman who barely survived a brutal caning on the Senate f...
www.powells.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:48 PM
John Larson, 77, has devoted much of his time in Congress to Social Security and says he’s running again to finally pass a bill to strengthen the program.

His primary challengers say he’s overly focused on an impossible plan.
www.ctinsider.com/politics/art...
Rep. John Larson is running for reelection to save Social Security. His opponents aren't sold
His opponents say he can't pass his ambitious Social Security bill. He says he has to try.
www.ctinsider.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Matt is one of the best editors I've ever worked with, and this piece is equal parts devastating and inspiring. Give it a read
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
'What did I do to deserve this?' Editor Matt Rocheleau on his life and journey with ALS
Hearst Newspapers' editor Matt Rocheleau describes his journey living with an incurable, debilitating, terminal disease.
www.ctinsider.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont says the state will spend $70 million on a "one-year fix" to lessen the financial pain caused by the expiring ACA subsidies.

"We've been able to mitigate the effects of this chaos in Washington, DC, for this next calendar year... The vast majority [are] held harmless."
December 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
We're tracking every lawsuit against the Trump administration that @agwilliamtong.bsky.social and Connecticut have joined as plaintiffs.

There are a lot of them.
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
CT has filed 40 lawsuits against the Trump administration. Here's a full list
Attorney General William Tong has been busy since Trump took office.
www.ctinsider.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Great story from @jrabethomas.bsky.social on response from lawmakers to @ctinsider.bsky.social reporting on homelessness, including some ways their words haven't matched their actions
www.ctinsider.com/news/article...
Lawmakers look to reduce homelessness after ‘heartbreaking’ CT Insider probe
“I worry about an economy where so many people are still being left behind,” Gov. Ned Lamont said.
www.ctinsider.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:39 PM
For advocates, newly signed CT housing bill is a culmination, but also just the start
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
For advocates, newly signed CT housing bill is a culmination, but also just the start
"For the advocates, the work is just starting," said Peter Harrison, state director of the Regional Plan Association.
www.ctinsider.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:27 PM
"One of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service."

CT delegation members calls for Pete Hegseth to resign or be fired over scandals
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
CT delegation members calls for Pete Hegseth to resign or be fired over scandals
Rep. Jim Himes called  the unedited footage of the second strike on the Venezuelan boat "one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service."
www.ctinsider.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
Since we won our union election in May, Hearst has refused to bargain with us, while repeatedly violating labor law.

Last week, we filed four Unfair Labor Practice charges against the company 🧵
December 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
From highways to heat pumps: How DOGE affected Connecticut and cut more than $1 billion www.ctpost.com/connecticut/...
From highways to heat pumps: How DOGE affected Connecticut and cut more than $1 billion
Connecticut state agencies are estimated to have lost about $1.7 billion in one-time and annual grants from the federal government.
www.ctpost.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
Voters favor Lamont in Democratic primary, but a third remain undecided, poll finds www.ctinsider.com/politics/art...
Voters favor Lamont in Democratic primary, but a third remain undecided, poll finds
A poll from University of New Hampshire Survey Center shows Ned Lamont with a lead in the Democratic race for governor.
www.ctinsider.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:26 PM
NEWS: Gov. Ned Lamont has officially signed a sweeping housing bill, months after vetoing a previous version.

The bill is considered Connecticut's most significant housing legislation in decades.
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
Gov. Lamont signs much-debated CT affordable housing bill after vetoing previous version
The bill is Connecticut's most significant housing legislation in decades.
www.ctinsider.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Really liked this story from @ctinsider.bsky.social's Jordan Fenster on roundabouts in CT, which answered every question I had and many that I didn't
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
Get ready for more roundabouts. Connecticut could build 100 in the next decade
Modern roundabouts are different than older style traffic circles, and are significantly safer than signal intersections, experts say.
www.ctinsider.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
How much do UConn's men's basketball players get paid?

A breakdown of the big-money era of college sports in Connecticut, including advantages and disadvantages for UConn, Title IX implications and a new state tax credit aimed at helping the Huskies.
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
How much does UConn pay its men's basketball team? Explaining the new era of big money
UConn is believed to be among the top spenders on men's and women's basketball.
www.ctinsider.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
How much do UConn's men's basketball players get paid?

A breakdown of the big-money era of college sports in Connecticut, including advantages and disadvantages for UConn, Title IX implications and a new state tax credit aimed at helping the Huskies.
www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...
How much does UConn pay its men's basketball team? Explaining the new era of big money
UConn is believed to be among the top spenders on men's and women's basketball.
www.ctinsider.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
NEW: I spent a week in Connecticut’s only immigration court, where thousands of people each year learn if they can stay in the United States.

The court doesn’t allow photography, so I took an illustrator.

My latest for @ctinsider.bsky.social

www.ctinsider.com/news/article... #nutmegsky
A week inside the opaque court where CT immigrants learn their fate
The courtroom often resembles an assembly line, with many cases taking less than five minutes.
www.ctinsider.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
Nine environmental activists arrested in Gov. Ned Lamont's office at CT Capitol www.ctinsider.com/politics/art...
Nine environmental activists arrested in Gov. Ned Lamont's office at CT Capitol
The protesters wore T-shirts that said "Stop Gas Expansion Divest in Renewables"
www.ctinsider.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
@ctinsider.bsky.social @jrabethomas.bsky.social asked unhoused poeple to share what life is like & what would help them the most

These stories remind us homelessness isn’t just a statistic - if we want to understand, we have to listen to the people living it

📰 www.ctinsider.com/projects/new...
November 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
"Connecticut is still perceived as a really great place to live," DataHaven Executive Director Mark Abraham said.
Connecticut residents trust local and state governments — but not the federal one, survey finds
"Connecticut is still perceived as a really great place to live," DataHaven Executive Director Mark Abraham said.
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by Alex Putterman
The state has set aside $500 million, but opinions differ on how to spend it.
Connecticut’s setting aside $500 million. Here's how it might be used
The state has set aside $500 million, but opinions differ on how to spend it.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM