Roland Lemar

As we celebrate the Fourth of July and commemorate America's 250th Anniversary, we honor the courage, vision, and sacrifices of those who established our nation.

This historic milestone invites us to reflect on our shared heritage, celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, and reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of liberty, equality, and opportunity that continue to guide our country. On this Independence Day, let us come together in gratitude, patriotism, and a renewed commitment to the ideals that define our nation.

On Saturday, July 4, at 9:00 p.m., a Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration will take place at East Rock Park.

On July 4 & 5, ride between any CTrail Shore Line East station on any train listed on their schedule for just $2.50.

Kids ride FREE with any adult ticket.

Click here for schedules and service updates.

Due to a long-duration heat wave that is expected to impact Connecticut, the Governor has ordered the state’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol to be activated through at least 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5.

An Extreme Heat Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service as Connecticut has the potential to reach the warning-level criteria. Peak temperatures are expected during the afternoon hours of Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3 when highs are expected to reach 100 degrees and heat indices could climb up to 110 degrees each day.

Residents are encouraged to take precautions during the heat wave, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity during peak heat hours, and checking on older adults, young children, and other vulnerable individuals who may be at greater risk of heat-related illness. Click here to read the governor's release with prevention tips to stay safe and hydrated.

Cooling centers will be available for anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat. Click here to find a list of active cooling centers or call 2-1-1.

Click here for a list of Summer Meal locations and hours of operation.
 

The Early Childhood Education Endowment’s Advisory Board voted last week to approve the new early childhood educator health insurance subsidy program beginning in 2027 and available through Access Health CT’s Open Enrollment starting October 23.

Established into law in 2025, the state's historic Early Childhood Education Endowment has already created up to 1,000 new child care spaces, supported an 8% increase in Early Start CT reimbursement rates, expanded Smart Start preschool classrooms, and invested in operational grants for providers across the state. As specified in Public Act 25-93, $10 million of the FY27 Endowment is dedicated to a health insurance subsidy program for early childhood educators. Early childhood educators often struggle with access to affordable health insurance, and this subsidy program can help retain and recruit essential workers for our early childhood system to work for families, employers, and our economy. 

The subsidy will allow educators to access qualified health plans through Access Health CT and receive a subsidy toward their cost for health insurance through either an individual plan through Access Health CT, an employer’s small employer group plan through Access Health CT or in conjunction with an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) offered by their employer. Eligible early childcare educators must not be eligible for Medicaid or the Covered Connecticut program.

The subsidy program is income-based and provide a flat subsidy for covered options regardless of which option through which an individual receives their health insurance. Early childhood educators earning between 175% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will receive a subsidy of $1,200 per year; those earning between 250% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level will receive $1,100 subsidies; and those earning over 400% will receive $1,000.

Approximately 7,200 to 8,800 early child care workers will be eligible for the program. Access Health CT will also receive funding from the Endowment to promote and advertise the program to early childhood educators and providers.

It’s too late for registered Democrats or Republicans to switch parties and vote in their new party’s primary this August. The deadline was May 11, and state law requires a 3-month waiting period.

If you’re unaffiliated, however, you still have time. You can join a party and vote in that party’s primary right away, as long as you’ve been unaffiliated for at least three months.

Updating your party affiliation is one of the many changes voters can conveniently do online at https://ow.ly/Vmcn50Z38Qr.

The City of New Haven, local non-profits and other organizations will be offering activities such as: Summer Camps; Movies in the Park; Family Fun Days; organized sports clinics; open swims at pools and splash pads; arts and cultural programs; academic tutoring and enrichment programs; youth employment opportunities; and more.

Click here to access the newly released Mayor’s 2026 Summer Youth Guide.

Movies in the Plaza brings you free Wednesday night movie screenings through October in downtown New Haven’s Pitkin Plaza (145 Orange Street).

Grab your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and some takeout from a local spot, and spend an evening under the stars enjoying blockbusters, nostalgic blasts from the past, cult favorites, family films, and more.

This event is free and open to the public, there is free popcorn and snacks, and it is a (leashed) pet-friendly event.

The next movie showing: Liar Liar on July 1 at 8:00 p.m.