Josh Elliott

It’s hard to believe, but a new school year is just around the corner! With summer winding down, families are getting back into their routines, picking up fresh supplies, and looking forward to all the learning and excitement the year ahead will bring.

Don’t forget that this year’s Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week runs through Saturday, August 22, so there’s still time to save on back-to-school shopping for your children.

During the tax-free week, certain items of clothing and footwear costing less than $300 per item are exempt from sales tax. The exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as qualifying purchases from online retailers.

Sales tax also does not apply to eligible non-electronic school supplies, making it more affordable for families to stock up on essential back-to-school items.

Click here for a list of items that ARE EXEMPT from sales tax and a list of items that are STILL TAXABLE.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has opened the CT Grown for CT Kids (CTG4CTK) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2027. This statewide grant program supports the development and expansion of farm-to-school initiatives across Connecticut by connecting children with local food while strengthening local agriculture and nutrition education.

Microgrant applications are due by September 9, and full grant applications are due by November 9. A total of $950,000 is available to support farm-to-school efforts, full grant awards will be funded up to $50,000, while microgrants will receive up to $5,000 each.

Eligible applicants include local and regional boards of education, regional education service centers, private schools and institutions, colleges and universities including student‑led groups, cooperative arrangements under section 10‑158a, childcare centers, group childcare homes, family childcare homes under section 19a‑77, and organizations or entities, including Connecticut farmers, that administer or support farm‑to‑school programs.

This is the sixth round of funding for CTG4CTK, which was originally established as a two-year pilot program in 2021. In June 2025, the legislature allocated up to $1 million annually in the FY26 and FY27 budgets.

Click here to register for an informational webinar that will be held on Tuesday, August 25, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Click here for more information and to access the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant webpage. 

A $20 million state investment to establish a new 100,000-square-foot Hartford Innovation Center at State House Square in downtown Hartford.

Funded through the Connecticut Innovation Clusters Program and administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the center will bring together workers, students, startups, employers, researchers, and public agencies to build skills, test emerging technologies, and accelerate the responsible adoption of AI.

The public-facing campus will feature labs, classrooms, and collaborative spaces, with a focus on strengthening Connecticut’s key industries, including insurance, healthcare, financial services, advanced manufacturing, and government.

The Hartford award is the second investment through the $100 million Connecticut Innovation Clusters Program, which supports the growth and application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing across the state’s economy. The first award, announced in September 2025, provided $50.5 million for public infrastructure and facilities in downtown New Haven to accelerate the development of quantum technologies and their applications in sectors such as the life sciences.

Click here to read the full release.

Nomination requests for applicants seeking an appointment to a military service academy are processed through the Congressional offices of the applicants’ home state. If you would like to apply for a nomination from Senator Blumenthal, the online application window is now available and will remain open until 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 30.

Click here to apply through Sen. Blumenthal's office.

Nomination interviews will take place on November 7 and 8. Due to the number of candidates that will interview, scheduling requests will not be accommodated. Please plan accordingly to be available on those dates.

Should you have any questions, please email the Service Academy Coordinator at Service_Academy@blumenthal.senate.gov

If you would like to apply for a nomination from Congressman Jim Himes, the online application window is now available and will remain open until 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 16.

Click here to apply through Congressman Himes' office. 

On Sunday, August 23, Sleeping Giant Park Association invites you to learn about insects on the Giant, this hike will introduce participants to some of the many insects that call the Giant “home”, and their incredible adaptations and diversity. 

This will be an easy to moderate hike, 2 hours or so with stops for discussion. All hikers should bring water and have proper clothing and footwear for conditions. Children must be 8 or older. Sorry, no pets.

The hike will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the welcome center (200 Mt. Carmel Avenue). Please arrive 15 minutes early.

Click here for more information and to reserve your spot.