AGP Executive Report

Leadership Change in Connecticut Arts: Bridgeport’s Klein Memorial Auditorium bids farewell to longtime executive director Laurence Caso, who retires after 18 years, with Tenisi Davis stepping in to keep the venue’s concerts, plays, and arts education moving. Local Arts Programming: Mosaic Dance Theatre Company brings a world premiere to Montclair in October—Cassandra: An Ongoing Tragedy—reworking Greek myth through modern devastation, with free reservations and artist talkbacks. Sports as Culture (and a CT tie-in): Katie Taylor’s final pro bout at Dublin’s Croke Park is getting major attention, including her public reflections on family life as she prepares for life after boxing. Community Health Tech: Greenwich teens Brynn Forlizzi and Teddy Aaron launch Soothe Note, an app that helps cancer patients and caregivers track symptoms and turn it into doctor-ready reports. WNBA Business Talk: Coverage continues around Cathy Engelbert’s WNBA exit and the league’s $75 million capital raise, with critics questioning long-term impact on players and ownership.

Local Arts & Culture: New England Ballet Theatre (Avon) announced its 2026-27 season and a new residency at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, with “The Picture of Dorianne Gray” kicking off Sept. 26-27. Music & Community Events: Hartford’s long-running Black-Eyed & Bluesfest is back after uncertainty, set for Sept. 12 (3-9 p.m.) at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, keeping the free-festival blues vibe alive. Arts, History & Restitution: An Argentine court approved the return of “Portrait of a Lady,” a Nazi-looted 18th-century painting, clearing the way for it to go to the heir of Dutch-Jewish dealer Jacques Goudstikker. CT Innovation Spotlight: Greenwich teens Brynn Forlizzi and Teddy Aaron built Soothe Note, an app that helps cancer patients and caregivers track symptoms and prep visit-ready reports. CT Sports/Entertainment Tie-In: Beenie Man received an official proclamation from Hartford recognizing his global impact on dancehall and Jamaican culture.

Connecticut Consumer Alert: The state warns residents about unregulated offshore DeFi exchanges after a local investor lost $200,000 following a deceptive solicitation, with officials stressing that offshore platforms often leave victims with few recovery options. Election Mail Fight: AG Brown and a coalition won a preliminary court order blocking USPS from forcing states into new, disruptive mail-ballot design and tracking requirements ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. WNBA Leadership Change: Cathy Engelbert announced she’ll retire as WNBA commissioner at year’s end, closing a tenure marked by major growth and ongoing controversy. Arts & Community: UConn’s Ballard Institute will host free puppet-building workshops led by Sara Peattie, and the Hebron Harvest Fair returns with Better Than Ezra headlining. Local Culture & Books: Newington’s “Nacho King” Alex P. Taylor brings his cookbook event to Stew Leonard’s. Sports Spotlight: UConn football’s coaching family continues to settle in, with Nicole Candle discussing the move to Storrs.

Transgender Healthcare Lawsuit: Twenty-one states (including Connecticut) and D.C. sued HHS over a rule that would block federal Medicaid funding for youth gender-affirming care starting Oct. 13. Local Immigration Policy: Danbury approved non-citizen legal residents (including DACA recipients) to serve as police officers after ICE raids sparked outrage, with leaders calling it a welcome message. Arts & Safety: A rock show at Virginia’s Wolf Trap was canceled after a worker was crushed beneath a tour bus. Community Events: A Labor Day weekend fair roundup highlights Haddam Neck, Goshen, North Haven, Somers, Berlin, and Durham. Connecticut Food Culture: Kelly’s Cone Connection in Hamden debuted an “apizza” ice cream slice inspired by New Haven-style pizza. Art News: Two Eastman Johnson paintings stolen in 1978 were recovered in Connecticut. Sports Spotlight: WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced she’ll retire at year’s end.

WNBA & FIBA Spotlight: Caitlin Clark’s record-setting August is fueling Team USA’s FIBA Women’s World Cup debut, even as the WNBA pauses and the U.S. faces key health setbacks. Local Arts Calendar: Norwalk’s Norwalk Public Library hosts “Music With Deirdre,” and the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion rolls out “Evolving Icon,” reimagining historic figures through portraiture. Theater & Music in Connecticut: Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation’s “Jagged Little Pill” lands in Connecticut with emotional depth and Morissette’s songs at the center. Community & Culture: Watertown Library brings back “Mr. Joe” for a kid-focused sing-along, while North Windham artist Xiaohong Song returns with “East and West” at Top Shelf Gallery. Remembering 9/11: UConn marks the 25th anniversary with a campus ceremony, memorial stair climb, and carillon bell tolls. Sports Notes: UConn men’s basketball schedules are out, and Cinema Diverse previews its 2026 LGBTQ+ film festival.

Underage Gambling: Connecticut’s Consumer Protection chief warns that even “small” bets can spiral, citing survey data showing 1 in 4 high schoolers wagered in the past year and noting strict age rules for lottery, sports betting, and casino play. Health & Small Business: A new look at how prevention and longevity are reshaping careers, with growth in integrative wellness, coaching, telehealth, and home care. Local Libraries & Arts: Watertown Library hosts a musical story time at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 16 for ages 3–6, blending animal songs and interactive storytelling. Sports Betting/Prediction Markets: Connecticut’s legal and regulatory spotlight widens as prediction-market platforms face court and agency pressure over sports-related wagering. Connecticut Arts & Culture: The (New) New Haven Advocate returns as a quarterly arts-and-culture broadsheet, reviving the city’s print-news tradition. Consumer Alert: AG William Tong issues a warning about unregulated offshore DeFi crypto exchanges and the lack of protections for Connecticut investors.

Local Arts Calendar: Brattleboro’s Latchis Gallery is hosting “Riverfront Connections,” a Riverfront Connections art exhibition by Friends of Island Park that runs through Sept. 13 and spotlights the history and present-day life of Island Park along the Connecticut River, including a new four-panel circus mural. Community Arts & Culture: Connecticut Women Artists has opened its 2026 National Open Juried Exhibition at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, running through Oct. 16. Hispanic Heritage Programming: Quinebaug Valley Community College will mark Hispanic Heritage Month with free performances and workshops, including Puerto Rican folk music with Grupo Boriken (Sept. 17) and a Latin dance presentation (Oct. 6). Arts in Place: Stonington’s Cultural District Commission launched StoningtonCulture.com to help residents and visitors find local artists and events, with individual artist pages and listings for dozens of creatives. Music & Performance: Plainville’s Congregational Church is hosting an ice cream social on Sept. 13 featuring Center Stage Jazz, a volunteer big band from the Plainville Wind Ensemble.

Connecticut Arts & Entertainment: Goose, the Connecticut-born indie-groove band, wrapped a sold-out three-night run at Red Rocks on Sept. 1 and is now heading to Dillon Amphitheater for Sept. 2—proof that local roots can still land on national stages. Theater Spotlight (CT): Eric Graise is back onstage with The Snow Goose, a new musical that premiered at The Goodspeed in Connecticut on Aug. 28 and runs through Oct. 18. Art & Culture (CT): A new Shelburne Museum exhibit, Norman Rockwell: At Home in Vermont, spotlights Rockwell’s deep ties to Arlington, Vermont—an “at home” story that will resonate with anyone who loves American illustration and small-town scenes. Pop Culture Fandom: Gilmore Girls stars are bringing Stars Hollow vibes to Danville, with panels and meet-and-greets running Oct. 23–25. Local Business/Arts Adjacent: A Norwalk office-to-residential conversion at Merritt 7 (M7 Lofts) is moving forward with major financing—more housing near transit can mean more audiences, foot traffic, and creative momentum.

Local Arts Calendar: Music Theatre of Connecticut opens its 40th anniversary season with Harmony, Sept. 11–27 at 509 Westport Ave., Norwalk, starring Constantine Pappas as a Young Rabbi and featuring the Comedian Harmonists’ rise in 1920s Berlin. Live Music & Pop Culture: Dolly Parton’s death at 80 is being marked across Connecticut, with tributes highlighting her songwriting legacy and her lasting impact on music and TV. CT Sports Spotlight: Southern Connecticut State women’s soccer starts strong at home, routing Post 7-0, while UConn’s marching band prepares its first football halftime show of the season. Community & Education: Lawmakers press Connecticut Children’s Medical Center for details on a DOJ-related shift ending transgender care for minors. Arts Beyond CT: Dre Island announces a U.S. tour that includes Bridgeport and Hartford, promoting his Love Is in the House project. Food & Fun: Colony Grill expands again, adding new locations planned for Newington and South Windsor in 2027.

Voter-Fraud Push: Connecticut election officials are reacting to reports that DHS is launching a coordinated voter-fraud investigation surge in multiple states, with Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas saying she doesn’t know whether Connecticut is included and hasn’t been contacted. Mail-Ballot Alarm: A Blumenthal-disclosed federal whistleblower warns USPS’s rushed, court-blocked mail-ballot screening portal could lead to millions of ballots not reaching voters or being rejected. Food Safety Recalls: Halloween Chocolately Eyeballs (undeclared milk) are recalled in Connecticut, and Lundberg Organic jasmine rice is recalled in Connecticut due to possible foreign material. Arts & Culture: Susan Tedeschi is set for Tanglewood and Berklee’s first “Homecoming” block party Sept. 19, while “White Collar” star returns to TheaterWorks Hartford for a third project. Local Sports/Community: Colby-Sawyer names Catherine Thomas new nursing dean in New London; and Connecticut’s road-safety study flags alcohol-impaired crashes and pedestrian/biker risk even as fatalities trend down.

Connecticut Education: The state Board of Education is pushing phone-free, bell-to-bell guidance, aiming to help students practice being present—not just boost test scores. Local Business & Community: Colony Grill is expanding in Hartford County with new planned openings in Newington and South Windsor in 2027, bringing its Hot Oil Bar Pie concept to more towns. Arts & Culture Calendar: The Barnes Museum announced September and October programming, including a 9/11 forum appearance at CCSU, a downtown historic walking tour, and its Victorian funeral traditions tour. Workforce Pathways: Plainville’s new Trades Academy is launching to help students earn industry credentials and apprenticeship hours while still in high school. Sports & Spotlight: Basketball Hall of Fame weekend included a visit to the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum, highlighting basketball’s civil-rights connections. Pop Culture With CT Ties: Taylor Swift’s $50,000 donation to a Connecticut mother seriously injured while helping teens has become a feel-good local story.

WNBA & FIBA World Cup: The league is heading into a 17-day break as stars travel to Berlin for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, with Connecticut Sun and Fever players among those representing their countries. Local Sports Spotlight: The Connecticut Sun’s matchup news keeps coming, including a Wings win over the Sun and fresh injury/return updates that will matter right before the postseason. Immigration & Community Impact: Danbury leaders are demanding answers after more than 70 residents were detained by ICE during an operation, raising fresh fear for families and local businesses. Tech & Youth Safety: Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal criticized a major Meta settlement as a “half-measure,” arguing it still needs stronger congressional guardrails. Arts & Culture (Music): Country star Brad Paisley honored Dolly Parton with an emotional solo performance in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Local Business: The Brownstone opened a second Hartford-area location in West Hartford, adding another spot for pizza, pub food, and live music. Made in Connecticut: Nodine’s Smokehouse in Goshen continues nearly 60 years of small-batch smoked meats and cheeses.

WNBA & Connecticut Sports: The Dallas Wings rolled past the Connecticut Sun 97-71 in a Sunday matchup that was also a last-chance tune-up before a FIBA break, with Paige Bueckers scoring 15 and Arike Ogunbowale adding 18 as Dallas locked in playoff momentum. Injury Update: A scary collision involving Paige Bueckers and Alanna Smith briefly raised concern, but Smith returned before halftime. College Sports Spotlight: Austyn Modrzewski’s huge debut (six TD passes, plus a 68-yard TD run) powered USD past Central Connecticut State 59-20, a reminder that CCSU’s Connecticut ties are still producing big moments on the national stage. Arts & Music (Connecticut): Brad Paisley teared up during a Bridgeport performance of his Dolly Parton duet “When I Get Where I’m Going,” honoring Parton after her Aug. 25 death. Local Governance & Policy: Connecticut is among states pushing back in court over Kalshi’s sports betting markets, arguing the platform is operating illegally.

WNBA Spotlight: The Connecticut Sun head to Dallas for a Sunday showdown with the Wings (8:30 p.m. ET), with Dallas favored and both teams chasing momentum before the FIBA Women’s World Cup break. Local Sports Culture: In Connecticut, the Sun’s season story keeps unfolding through player performances and matchup previews that fans will be watching right up to the league pause. TheaterWorks Hartford: TheaterWorks Hartford’s 40th anniversary season continues with a benefit reading of Jeffrey Lieber’s “The Lady, or The Tiger,” featuring Tim DeKay and Rob Morrow. Music & Community: Outer Frequencies launches a fall concert series Sept. 11 at Christ Church Episcopal in Harwich Port, with proceeds benefiting WE CAN. Arts & Design: A new look at Marcel Duchamp-related work (“Duchamp”) highlights ongoing Connecticut-area interest in modern art and curation. Real Estate (NYC, but lifestyle-facing): Manhattan’s top-selling condo relaunch at 250 W 96th Street shows how design-led luxury sales are heating up again.

WNBA Spotlight: Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell powered the Indiana Fever to a 111-91 win over the Connecticut Sun, with Clark setting major league marks (including consecutive 30-point/10-assist games) as the teams head into the FIBA World Cup break. Local Sports & Facilities: Western Connecticut State University will open its 2026 fall season with men’s soccer and field hockey at the newly resurfaced Westside Athletic Complex (WAC) in Danbury. Music & Community: Taylor Swift donated $50,000 to help a Connecticut mother, Ashley Taunton, recover after she was badly injured in Rhode Island while helping teens on I-95. Arts & Culture: “Duchamp,” a new feature from Communis’ Transiterations series, spotlights Marcel Duchamp through multilingual text and ready-made art references, with a Connecticut tie via the Yale University Art Gallery. Green Living: Greenfield reported rising recycling totals after switching to single-stream collection and larger automated carts.

WNBA Spotlight: Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell powered the Indiana Fever to a 111-91 win over the Connecticut Sun, with both scoring 34 points and Clark stacking historic firsts—back-to-back 30-point/10-assist games and a season that reached 800+ points and 300+ assists. Local Arts & Community: Plainville’s 39th Hot Air Balloon Festival returned to Norton Park with arts-and-crafts, rides, live entertainment, and balloon launches. Music & Philanthropy: Taylor Swift donated $50,000 to help a Connecticut mother, Ashley Taunton, recovering after she was injured while helping teens during a July I-95 crash. Sports Culture: Simone Biles met the Fever after their win, sharing hugs and photos with Clark and Sophie Cunningham. Entertainment: “I Love Lucy” is set to receive TV’s new Legacy Award at the Emmys, honoring its lasting impact on sitcoms and culture. CT-Adjacent Legal/Policy: Connecticut is among states challenging prediction markets like Kalshi, as courts weigh who should regulate them.