Connecticut listeners, here are your top updates for the week. FOX61 highlighted the state’s major stories, noting the upcoming Nov. 4 municipal elections that will decide key local positions including mayor and city council, with towns preparing for substantial voter engagement and hotly contested races. Another top headline is the unveiling of Connecticut Children's Hospital’s new inpatient tower in Hartford, a $326 million investment poised to transform pediatric care with enhanced neonatal and surgical facilities, opening in phases this November and December according to Colliers Engineering.

In government news, the Connecticut State Legislature’s recent session led to significant policy changes. State lawmakers will receive a 4.5% annual pay raise for the current two-year term, following a previously approved bill, as reported by CT Mirror. Public Act 25-168 was passed in June, enacting expanded statutory requirements for all principal public libraries, which need to comply by submitting updated policies for approval to the State Library by November 1, 2025, to maintain eligibility for essential grant funding.

On the business front, the 2025 Manufacturing Tour is traversing the state, spotlighting the vital role this sector plays in jobs and economic development. According to CBIA coverage, Connecticut’s manufacturing sector faces challenges, as 66% of companies surveyed cite tariffs as a negative factor heading into next year. The Hartford Business Journal reports that real estate redevelopment remains sluggish in some regions, such as Waterbury’s Brass Mill Center mall, where plans to revitalize the property have stalled due to weak tenant demand and easement restrictions. Meanwhile, developers in Branford and Watertown are pursuing ambitious projects, including converting underused medical spaces to small business offices and mixed-use developments.

In community news, education and infrastructure are making headlines. Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker have announced $5.3 million in after-school grants awarded to 41 programs statewide to expand academic support and enrichment opportunities, as noted on CT.gov. Coventry’s high school HVAC project is nearly complete following significant grant funding, but the final phase ran over budget. Voters will decide on November 4 whether to shift previously approved bonding authority from other school projects to cover remaining costs without exceeding the original cap. Such school infrastructure updates parallel news from North Haven, where the board is considering rebuilding all four elementary schools for modern standards and efficiency.

Public transit is also getting attention as the Department of Transportation has announced major upgrades coming to Waterbury’s Union Station. Beginning in November, construction will add a modern indoor waiting area and a new elevator, while upgrades to platforms and waiting spaces will continue into 2026. This project is part of a broader plan to modernize all stations along the Waterbury Branch Line, improving regional connectivity and access.

No major weather events have impacted Connecticut recently, providing steady conditions for ongoing construction and community activities.

Looking ahead, municipal elections on November 4 will shape local leadership across Connecticut. Coventry voters will weigh in on school project funding, and anticipation grows around the phased opening of Connecticut Children’s new inpatient tower. The state gears up for the legislative session beginning in February, and debates over state economic policy, school infrastructure, and business conditions are likely to intensify in the months ahead.

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