The peaceful rally sought to bring renewed attention to ongoing ICE activity in CT, the first large anti-ICE action at the site since January.
Laura Tillman
Laura Tillman is CT Mirror’s Human Services Reporter. She shares responsibility for covering housing, child protection, mental health and addiction, developmental disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. Laura began her career in journalism at the Brownsville Herald in 2007, covering the U.S.–Mexico border, and worked as a statehouse reporter for the Associated Press in Mississippi. She was most recently a producer of the national security podcast “In the Room with Peter Bergen” and is the author of two nonfiction books: The Long Shadow of Small Ghosts (2016) and The Migrant Chef: The Life and Times of Lalo Garcia (2023), which was just awarded the 2024 James Beard Award for literary writing. Her freelance work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. Laura holds a degree in International Studies from Vassar College and an MFA in nonfiction writing from Goucher College.
Lamont orders $300 grocery gift cards for residents losing SNAP
CT will provide the benefit to an estimated 25,000 residents who’ve lost federal nutrition assistance. Cards will be distributed by August.
All eyes on Lamont as CT’s hunger crisis worsens
Advocates are increasingly impatient with Gov. Ned Lamont’s response to a worsening hunger crisis in the wake of cuts to SNAP.
What to know about this year’s ambitious DCF legislation
A bill passed this year makes changes at CT’s Department of Children and Families. Here’s how it’s intended to reform the department.
DDS chief Scheff to step down; deputy to be interim commissioner
DDS chief Jordan Scheff is leaving his position to pursue a new role. Deputy Commissioner Elisa Velardo will be the interim commissioner.
Man charged in Bethany sexual abuse case pleads guilty
Anthony Mastrangelo could serve four years in prison for sexually abusing children in an after-school program and summer camp in Bethany.
DCF ends probe of shoplifting incident before Enfield girl’s death
The DCF has closed its investigation of a shoplifting incident that happened a few days before Eve Rogers’ death. A criminal probe continues.
At CT DCF, staff turnover is high. The costs can be devastating.
The high turnover rate, which has led to confused families and burnout among remaining employees, has become a key factor in DCF’s troubles.
Advocates press Lamont to aid thousands losing food benefits
Anti-hunger advocates are focused on Gov. Ned Lamont in their push to intensify aid for residents who have lost federal nutrition benefits.
Senate confirms Christina Ghio for CT child advocate role
The vote of approval for Ghio as child advocate followed the confirmation of Susan Hamilton last month as the new commissioner of DFC.
CT bill to add new municipal camp requirement gets final passage
The bill would expand a mandated reporter requirement to CT municipal camps but omit previous licensure attempts, which were widely opposed.
CT adopts homeschool regulation over staunch objection from GOP
HB 5468 faced intense opposition, led by a large and vocal body of homeschooling families who see regulations as an attack on their rights.
CT bill expanding DCF oversight heads to governor’s desk
House Bill 5004 came in the wake of a slew of tragedies involving children who were under the watch of the agency.
CT child advocate: Letter to DCF ensured child death did not go ‘unnoticed’
The child advocate said she “could not allow” the child’s apparent suicide and DCF’s handling of the case to go “unnoticed.”
Child Advocate letter points to DCF failings as CT House approves new oversight
In a letter, Connecticut’s Office of the Child Advocate condemned the declining quality of casework at the child welfare agency.



