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Michael Walsh

@michaelcwalsh.bsky.social

Journalist for CT Insider covering the Hartford County area. Find my work here: https://www.ctinsider.com/author/michael-walsh/

401 Followers  |  113 Following  |  257 Posts  |  Joined: 20.09.2023
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Posts by Michael Walsh (@michaelcwalsh.bsky.social)

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New study shows that West Hartford has lost one fifth of its tree canopy since 2010 West Hartford said it would also focus on a planting a diverse variety of trees.

West Hartford has lost one fifth of its tree canopy in the last decade plus. But plans are underway to regrow. www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

26.02.2026 14:23 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Serious car crashes in West Hartford rose in 2025: Where were they and what's the plan to stop them? West Hartford is projecting an overall decrease in car crashes causing any type of injury.

Serious car crashes did slightly rise in West Hartford in 2025 - but officials say there are signs that the tides are starting to turn on the town's roadways. Plus, a look at what they have in store for 2026 - including speed and red light cameras. www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

24.02.2026 14:23 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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West Hartford sees one of its largest grand list increases in 'well over 10 years,' official says West Hartford's total grand list is valued at $7.3 billion.

West Hartford sees one of its largest grand list increases in 'well over 10 years,' official says www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

17.02.2026 14:32 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Tolland Town Council fills two vacant seats after initial denial by Republicans Jennifer Buckler, a Democrat, and Jon Graney, who was unaffiliated, both resigned in January.

Tolland Town Council fills two vacant seats after initial denial by Republicans www.ctinsider.com/journalinqui...

13.02.2026 13:55 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Poop subway - maybe should have pitched that in the headline!

10.02.2026 14:37 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Massive tunnel 200 feet below Hartford is complete, but still waiting to go live β€œYou can’t dig up every street in Hartford,” an officialΒ said. β€œThe tunnel is another way to do it.”

The Metropolitan District Commission’s four-mile long tunnel that’s 200 feet underneath Hartford and West Hartford is on track to start operating in 2026. www.ctinsider.com/news/article...

10.02.2026 14:19 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Burst pipe floods Hartford tattoo and coffee shop causing 'overwhelming' damage The business opened on Pratt Street in April of 2024.

Burst pipe floods Hartford tattoo and coffee shop causing 'overwhelming' damage www.ctinsider.com/news/article...

09.02.2026 21:40 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Burst pipe floods Hartford tattoo and coffee shop causing 'overwhelming' damage The business opened on Pratt Street in April of 2024.

Burst pipe floods Hartford tattoo and coffee shop causing 'overwhelming' damage www.ctinsider.com/news/article...

09.02.2026 21:40 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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From the phish community on Reddit Explore this post and more from the phish community

Don't forget r/Phish! www.reddit.com/r/phish/comm...

09.02.2026 17:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Manchester to consider piloting speed cameras in commercial area of town The proposal would install three speed cameras in the Buckland Hills area.

Manchester officials heard a presentation this week about piloting speed enforcement cameras in the Buckland Hills Drive area. www.ctinsider.com/journalinqui...

06.02.2026 14:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Hartford, citing illegal activity, could be latest to place moratorium on smoke shops Hartford police issued warrants on eight permitted smoke shops in 2025.

Hartford could be the latest municipality in CT to place a moratorium on smoke shops www.ctinsider.com/news/article...

04.02.2026 14:26 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Tolland Democrats, Republicans at odds over nomination to fill one of two Town Council vacancies Two Town Council spots were opened when two members abruptly resigned in January.

Tolland Democrats, Republicans at odds over nomination to fill one of two Town Council vacancies www.ctinsider.com/journalinqui...

03.02.2026 14:08 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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West Hartford council denies allowing RV storage at residences, but could revisit the topic The Town Council said it would work on changesΒ that could allow RV storage on residential properties.

West Hartford council denies allowing RV storage at residences, but could revisit the topic www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

02.02.2026 16:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Hartford nonprofit announces new headquarters, $35M investment into 'north side' of city The nonprofit has also changed its name to the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation.

The Greater Hartford Gives Foundation β€” formerly the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving β€” will move its headquarters from a downtown office building to the Albany Avenue and Main Street intersection, bringing a $35 million investment into the neighborhood. www.ctinsider.com/news/article...

26.01.2026 18:14 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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West Hartford plans protected bike lane that will connect popular trail with town center The bike lane will connect cyclists using the town's four-mile long Trout Brook Trail to West Hartford Center.

West Hartford plans separated bike lane that will connects its popular Trout Brook Trail to the town center. www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

26.01.2026 14:22 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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West Hartford residents will notice major changes this year, from pools to housing to roads Several projects will take shape in West Hartford in 2026, including the construction of a new community center.

Did an update on some upcoming West Hartford projects - like a new driving range, community center and ice rink - to see where things stand on. www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

22.01.2026 14:24 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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West Hartford gets $3.9 million grant to install red light cameras: 'It's a huge win' The town will also be installing speed enforcement cameras at 15 locations this year.

Speed cameras still aren't installed in West Hartford yet - they're coming mid-2026 - but the town is also moving forward with red light cameras + $3.9 million worth of roadway safety projects. www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

16.01.2026 14:29 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I know, I'm not sure what the delay was this time around, but I do know they're still moving forward and that it still includes protections for cyclists!

16.01.2026 14:27 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

No - both got pushed to 2026 I believe. The town is definitely still moving forward with both sets of plans.

16.01.2026 13:48 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Bob Weir, the singer, songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of the Grateful Dead who for decades was one of the driving forces behind the revered band and their legacy, has died at age 78.

Story: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

11.01.2026 01:22 β€” πŸ‘ 454    πŸ” 144    πŸ’¬ 19    πŸ“Œ 69
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West Hartford lost a lawsuit over banning short-term rentals. Now the town plans to regulate them West Hartford recently lost a lawsuit that challenged the town's banning of short-term rentals.

West Hartford is looking to regulate the use of short-term rentals like Airbnbs and Vrbos after losing a lawsuit that challenged its attempt to ban those in town. www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

08.01.2026 12:22 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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West Hartford lost a lawsuit over banning short-term rentals. Now the town plans to regulate them West Hartford recently lost a lawsuit that challenged the town's banning of short-term rentals.

West Hartford is looking to regulate the use of short-term rentals like Airbnbs and Vrbos after losing a lawsuit that challenged its attempt to ban those in town. www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

08.01.2026 12:22 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Barbara Davitt, a fixture of Waterbury's WATR radio station for decades, dies at 92: 'An icon' Barbara Davitt, who signed off from the Waterbury radio station in 2024 after 61 years, is was remembered by friends and colleagues as β€œold school in the best sense of the word.”

Barbara Davitt, a fixture of Waterbury's WATR radio station for decades, dies at 92: 'An icon' www.ctinsider.com/waterbury/ar...

03.01.2026 13:57 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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 🧡

02.12.2025 17:01 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Just how fast are West Hartford motorists driving? New data shows where excessive speeders are On one road, 70% of drivers are speeding 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Drivers are speeding excessively all over West Hartford. Here's just how fast motorists are going on some of the town's busiest roadways that officials want to install speed cameras on. www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

12.11.2025 16:13 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Just how fast are West Hartford motorists driving? New data shows where excessive speeders are On one road, 70% of drivers are speeding 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Drivers are speeding excessively all over West Hartford. Here's just how fast motorists are going on some of the town's busiest roadways that officials want to install speed cameras on. www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

12.11.2025 16:13 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Emails show Lamont considered signing Connecticut housing bill days before vetoing it Lamont instructed an aise to draft a statement announcing his support for the legislation before ultimately vetoing it.

Exclusive from CT Insider:

Days before vetoing a much-debated housing bill, Gov. Lamont had a top aide draft a statement indicating he planned to sign it, according to emails from his office.

More behind-the-scenes details about HB 5002 here:
www.ctinsider.com/politics/art...

07.11.2025 20:17 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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West Hartford Republican candidates, who had sought Democratic nomination, explain switching parties One of the candidates called the town's Democratic Party a "lumbering government machine."

To say that the discourse around the upcoming West Hartford Town Council has been interesting might be an understatement. I broke it down by talking to the incumbent Dem mayor as well as two Republican candidates who had previously sought Democratic nominations.
www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

27.10.2025 14:22 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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West Hartford Republican candidates, who had sought Democratic nomination, explain switching parties One of the candidates called the town's Democratic Party a "lumbering government machine."

To say that the discourse around the upcoming West Hartford Town Council has been interesting might be an understatement. I broke it down by talking to the incumbent Dem mayor as well as two Republican candidates who had previously sought Democratic nominations.
www.ctinsider.com/westhartford...

27.10.2025 14:22 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Connecticut general election voter guide 2025 Your guide to key local races as Connecticut voters head to the polls on Nov. 4, 2025, for the general election.

The 2025 CT Insider voter guide is now live! www.ctinsider.com/projects/202...

21.10.2025 13:26 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0