🌱 How bad are New Britain’s school bus delays this year?

Hi there, New Britain! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How bad are New Britain’s school bus delays this year?
• Why Northeastern’s 2026 baseball tour is bringing them to New Britain
• How a New Britain case is reshaping Connecticut’s homeschooling debate

Also on today's calendar: Super Kids: Storytime Zoo and 9 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around New Britain? Post it to New Britain photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Sunshine mixing with clouds, with a high of 31 and low of 24 degrees.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny and breezy, temps: high: 41, low: 26.
• Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 45 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Connecticut's School Bus Driver Shortage Causes Major Delays (i95rock.com) — New Britain parents are dealing with hours-long school bus delays and incorrect drop-offs amid a severe statewide shortage of school bus drivers. Transportation companies say hiring still lags pre-pandemic levels, forcing some drivers to cover multiple routes and stretching rides that should take minutes into nearly an hour or more.
   

2. Northeastern Baseball Announces 2026 Schedule (nuhuskies.com) — Northeastern University’s baseball team will visit New Britain on March 11, 2026, to face Central Connecticut State as part of a busy road-heavy early schedule. The Huskies, coming off a record-setting season and CAA titles, will also defend their Baseball Beanpot and conference championships while mixing in regional matchups against UConn, Maine, and others.
   

3. PODCAST: Will new CT homeschooling laws come in 2026? (ctmirror.org) — Connecticut’s ongoing debate over regulating homeschooling includes a high‑profile child abuse case from New Britain that helped spur calls for change. State child advocates want annual registration and evaluations for homeschooled children, while many homeschooling parents argue the real failures lie with public schools and child protection agencies. Lawmakers are expected to revisit possible legislation in 2026.
   

4. State Trooper Charged After Drunken Halloween Crash In Southington, Police Say (dailyvoice.com) — A state trooper accused of drunken driving on Halloween in Southington was treated at New Britain Hospital after crashing an off-duty cruiser into mailboxes and a fire hydrant. Police say medical records later showed an elevated blood-alcohol level, and the trooper now faces multiple charges while on paid administrative duty.
   

📸 Around New Britain

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in New Britain

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

Wednesday December 17

• Super Kids: Storytime Zoo
  New Britain Public Library (NBPL) , 20 High St , New Britain
  9:00 am
• Crafty Creatives Club: Terra Cotta Gingerbread Houses
  New Britain Public Library (NBPL) , 20 High St , New Britain
  4:30 pm
• Holiday Party
  One Liberty Square - jens office - regus #309
  5:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Access Health CT: Enrollment Help
  New Britain Public Library (NBPL) , 20 High St , New Britain
  9:30 am
• December Farmington Valley Chapter Holiday Gathering
  The Back Nine Tavern at Stanley Golf Course , 245 Hartford Rd , New Britain
  6:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Time for Tots
  New Britain Public Library (NBPL) , 20 High St , New Britain
  10:00 am
• Cricut One-on-One Sessions
  New Britain Public Library (NBPL) , 20 High St , New Britain
  1:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• The Music Series presents "A Candlelight Festival of Lessons & Carols"
  South Church , 90 Main St , New Britain
  4:00 pm

Monday December 22

• STEAM Session: Pendulum Painting
  New Britain Public Library (NBPL) , 20 High St , New Britain
  9:00 am
• Terrific Tots
  New Britain Public Library (NBPL) , 20 High St , New Britain
  10:00 am

Monday December 29

• Terrific Tots
  New Britain Public Library (NBPL) , 20 High St , New Britain
  10:00 am
• A Book Club Beat
  140 Horse Plain Rd , New Britain
  3:00 pm

📣 New Britain Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making New Britain PatchAM possible:

• CT Bath Systems, LLC — (866) 282-2841
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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• KFC posted a job opening for Assistant Unit Manager in New Britain. Apply here.
• Picerne Real Estate Group posted a job opening for Custodial/Cleaner in New Britain. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near New Britain here.

Ok New Britain! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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