Brian & Company

Brian Shactman interviews Larry Ward, President of the University of Hartford, and Vin Baker, NBA star and assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, about a new outdoor athletics and recreation complex named after Baker. The facility, set to open in the fall, includes six basketball courts, six tennis courts (one for pickleball), and a lacrosse bounce back wall. Baker, who overcame addiction, empha...

Meghan Portfolio, Manager of Research and Analysis,Yankee Institute. Recycling Scams as Deposit Rate Increases to 10-cents Still not under control

Republican Chris Shea is looking to run on the Republican ticket against Jahana Hayes in the 5th District.

Former House Republican Leader Themis Klarides joins us to discuss the latest in the state of CT and the nation.

CT Insider's David Borges talks about The UConn men as they are in search of another title under Dan Hurley. Plus, Will Alex Karaban continue to step up to be the Alpha this team needs?

Congressman Joe Courtney calls in to talk about Iran, Security and everything else going on in the world today.

The Hartford Business Journal's Greg Bordonaro calls in to discuss Hartford HealthCare expanding even more, The People's Bank Arena and more in this week's CT Business Blend.

Professor Matthew Schmidt calls in to discuss the latest out of Iran and Israel.

Ray Dunaway stops in to remember his friend and Manchester Road Race legend Tim Devanney who passed away recently.

Senator Richard Blumenthal calls in to comment on the on-going strikes in Iran.

With all of the turmoil in the world, how does it impact the markets? Jill Schlesinger talks about it all!

Brian Shactman and Chris Keating discussed the recent emergency certification legislation in Connecticut, where Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding debated the process. Ritter, frustrated with GOP filibusters, pushed through bills, prompting Governor Lamont's potential vetoes. Keating noted Ritter's historical disdain for cutting off debate and the long-stan...

Brian Shactman discusses with Frank Zapski, a pizza expert from the New Haven Pizza School, about the unique New Haven style pizza. Zapski, who started making pizza at 12 and later ran a pizza truck, now teaches pizza-making through his school, which has had over 5,000 students. He plans to start a University of New Haven Pizza to offer more affordable classes, including a three-day intensive cour...

Brian Shactman and David Lightman from the National Journal discussed several key issues, including Bill Clinton's upcoming testimony, the ongoing tensions with Iran, and the potential for regime change. They debated the credibility of Clinton's statements and the implications of Iran's military presence. The conversation also touched on the Pentagon's concerns about AI misuse in war games and the...

The conversation discusses Connecticut's land acquisition goals, aiming to protect 21% of the state's land as open space, a target set in the late 90s. Lindsay Suhr, Director of Land Management at DEEP, explains the state's efforts, including regular property acquisitions and grants that have protected between 2,000 and 5,000 acres annually, totaling $14-15 million. The state's reporting is based...

Connecticut's homelessness crisis was discussed with Sarah Fox, CEO of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. Fox highlighted that over 6,000 people experience homelessness annually, with more than 8,000 over a year. Key causes include affordability issues, with 30% of shelter residents exceeding their income and 22% living doubled up. The coalition's legislative agenda seeks $123.9 millio...

Brian Shactman discusses the maple syrup industry with Rob Lamothe from Lamothe Sugar House in Burlington, highlighting the misconception that maple syrup is only produced in Vermont. Rob explains the optimal conditions for sap flow and the process of making syrup, noting a 43:1 sap-to-syrup ratio and the use of reverse osmosis to reduce water content. He details advancements in technology, such a...

Sen. Stephen Harding responds to Speaker Ritter on bill proposals.

Brian Shactman and Seth Bahler from Oak Ridge Dairy in Ellington discussed the challenges faced by Connecticut dairy farmers. Since 2005, the state has lost over half of its dairy farms. Baylor highlighted that milk prices dropped 25% from 2025 to 2026, costing his farm $500,000 monthly. He advocated for $20 million in funding and a refundable tax credit similar to Massachusetts' program to suppor...

Michael Shea, Executive Director & CEO, Connecticut Airport Authority. Talks BDL update, expansion. Flight in and out. How the winter season has been, heading into spring and summer travel season.

Dr. Amy Chai, a Republican candidate for Connecticut's first congressional district, discussed her campaign and political views. She highlighted her transition from Libertarian to Republican, influenced by her conversations with Vivek Ramasami. Chai emphasized her commitment to transparency, particularly through her Financial Transparency Act, which aims to reduce government fraud by creating a se...

Erik Semmel from TAB Computer discussed the severe shortage of hard drives due to increased demand from AI and data centers, affecting small to mid-sized businesses. A hard drive that cost $400 last year now sells for $1,000. Additionally, three Silicon Valley engineers were arrested for sending trade secrets to Iran. Erik highlighted that 40% of AI use involves sensitive data, posing security ris...

Josh Morgan from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) discussed the recent storm response, highlighting the efforts of crews who worked through the night to clear highways by late afternoon. Crews cycled in and out to ensure continuous operations. Mr. Morgan mentioned potential weather systems that could bring 1-3 inches of snow, prompting strategic deployments. The ban on commercial...

Greg Bordanaro, Editor Hartford Business Journal. Potential impact to CT's banking industry of the big Webster-Santander deal, new potential regulations for data center development, and my take on Lamont's CT Option.