Ray and Joe D.

Greg Bordonaro from the Hartford Business Journal discussed the third annual innovators issue, highlighting eight profiled individuals, including Jay Walker, founder of Priceline.com, and Austin McCord, who transformed a power plant into a public park. Walker's new company, Object Systems, aims to reshore pharmaceutical manufacturing. McCord's ventures include Casana, a health tech company, and the National Havoc Robot League. Steve Leonard Jr. is transitioning his family business, Student Leather, to the next generation. Electric Boat plans to hire 1,000 people annually over three years, despite supply chain issues, and has acquired several properties for future expansion.

Brian Shactman and Christopher Keating discussed the challenges of energy prices in Connecticut, with a focus on the nuclear option proposed by Governor Ned Lamont. Lamont is exploring small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs) due to their faster construction times compared to traditional nuclear plants. However, the process is complex and lengthy, with significant regulatory hurdles and public feedback required. Additionally, Keating highlighted the impending staffing crisis in the Connecticut State Police, with 174 troopers eligible to retire by 2027, posing a significant loss of experience and expertise.

Brian Shactman interviews Connor Geary, also known as Game Day Connor, about his experiences in the sports media industry. Connor discusses his roles with various teams, including the Yard Goats, Connecticut Sun, UConn, and now the New England Patriots. He highlights the challenges of each job, noting that the Connecticut Sun program is the most demanding due to its high physical and on-camera activity. Connor also mentions his work with Connecticut's indoor soccer team and the Basketball Hall of Fame. He shares anecdotes about meeting notable figures like Travis Scott and Vince Wilfork at Patriots games. Brian and Connor also promote the Yard Goats' 12 Days of Christmas deals.

Brian Shactman and Morgan Cunningham discuss Morgan's new radio show schedule. Morgan's Saturday afternoon show, "Spotlight Connecticut," will move to Saturday mornings at 11 AM starting January 3 to avoid preemptions. Additionally, Morgan will host a new talk show on Saturday nights from 9 PM to midnight, titled "Nighttime Neighbors," targeting insomniacs, shift workers, and others active at night. The new show aims to fill a niche, as only six out of the top 75 markets have live Saturday night programming. Morgan will handle all aspects of production and plans to cover topics like creativity and independence, with potential for call-ins in the future.

Brian Shactman and Jill Schlesinger discussed the upcoming economic data releases, including jobs numbers for November and the CPI report. Schlesinger noted that the labor market is in a "low, higher, low fire market" with minimal hiring and firing, except in certain industries. She highlighted that the economy is growing due to increased spending on AI and wealthier Americans, but job creation has slowed significantly, with only 76,000 jobs created through September 2024. Schlesinger emphasized the challenges faced by young college graduates in finding jobs, advising them to focus on adaptability and skills rather than specialization.

David Lightman from McClatchy DC closes out our week with excitement over Pete Alonso ending in Baltimore, and all the excitement and happenings in the Capitol.

Brown, Paindiris and Scott Lawyers is one of our great sponsors and they sponsored today's show at the Holiday Store. One of their attorneys Bridget Gallagher joins us.

We make our picks for Week 15 of the NFL with our friends at 96.5 WTIC-FM.

Captain Cheryl McCollum of the Hartford Citadel describes what she does and how the holidays should be about giving!

Divisional Secretary Major Rohan Gage joins us to discuss the needs of those this holiday season.

Captain Steve Salmon is a North End Corps Officer. He discusses martial arts, the holidays and the importance of the Salvation Army.

CT Insider's Mike Anthony calls in to talk about the New UConn Football Coach Jason Candle.

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam joins us to discuss the new housing proposal that will bring actual houses to the city.

Lon Seidman from Lon.TV joins us to discuss a new executive order involving Artificial Intelligence!

The President of Boxes to Boots Kristen Gauvin calls in to update us about the lost and returned boxes for our troops. Some good things happening and hopefully a resolution is on the horizon.

Mike Baldelli joins us to discuss the holiday store and EDS Deployments.

Nathan Grube and Andy Bessette from The Travelers Championship come through the Holiday Store and it is always a fun time!

John Carmon from Carmon Funeral Home stops by the Avon Old Farms Hotel to join Brian for the Holiday Store.

One of the greatest sponsors of the show and the holiday store is Johnson Brunetti. Heath Grossman is an advisor for Johnson Brunetti and he stops by the Holiday Store.

Major Donald Spencer previews another great day of the Holiday Store at the Avon Old Farms Hotel.

Erik Semmel from TAB Computer Systems and Computer Talk with TAB joins Brian at the Holiday store to talk about the latest in AI including a pretty gross yet innovative way to make sure you're healthy. (You HAVE to hear it to believe it!)

Ed Danek has served as President and CEO of the Hartford Federal Credit Union for 35 years. He joins Brian at the Holiday store to discuss the needs in communities and how important it is to donate this year.

Eric Person from The HBRA joins us to call for the Home Builders to unite in giving this holiday season.

Don Cusson from Cusson Automotive stops by the Holiday store to talk with Brian about cars and the importance of giving this holiday season.

Major Donald Spencer joins Brian to preview the 2nd day of this year's Holiday Store from the Glastonbury Homewood Suites by Hilton.

Development in Hartford, Downtown News and A weird way to get sports betting in, The Hartford Business Journal's Greg Bordonaro covers it all in this week's CT Business Blend.

The Dean of The MA School of Law Michael Coyne discusses the latest on the Brian Walshe murder trial!

Jill Schlesinger joins us to discuss the latest with your money during the holiday season and how about low gas prices?!

We wrap up the week with David Lightman who gives us the latest from Washington D.C. and all of the craziness there.

The Founder and Owner of The Elm Street Diner in Stamford and Norwalk, John Moshos joins us to discuss how the use of social media, especially Tik Tok is helping his business grow.

John Brighenti is the Co-Owner of the Avon Old Farms Hotel where we will be broadcasting live from for the Holiday Store

Erik Hansen from the Hartford Wolfpack stops by the Holiday Store to discuss an upcoming event to benefit the Salvation Army.

Eric Person from The HBRA stops by to preview all the things they have including the Big Home show in the first part of 2026

Salvation Army and WTIC back together again for the Holiday Store and Majors Donald and Paula Spencer will be with us through it all and they tell us how all of us can help those less fortunate this holiday season!

David McGuire is The Executive Director of the ACLU of Connecticut. He calls with Concerns about license plate readers go back more than a decade, but the technology in recent years has exploded in popularity and the potential misuses have evolved.

Kristen Gauvin calls in from Boxes to Boots with awful news that a massive number of the boxes have been returned as undeliverable. She can't seem to get any answers, and we are trying to help get these packages to the troops!

President of the Hartford Yard Goats Tim Restall comes in studio with gifts and some news about the upcoming season and promotions.

The Courant's Ed Mahony gives us the latest on PURA and what will happen next.

Adult Diapers, A Jets Camper, and of course our NFL Picks with Christine and Salt from 96.5 WTIC-FM.

CT State Comptroller Sean Scanlon joins us for the hour to discuss lowering taxes, his higher hopes, and his disappointment in Jim Mora leaving UConn for Colorado State.

Erik Semmel from TAB Computer Systems and Computer Talk with TAB joins us for another Tech Tuesday to discuss the latest on AI including how AI FAILED Erik on Thanksgiving Day!

Leslie Blake Walker will star in A Christmas Carol at The Hartford Stage through December 28th. She joins us to talk about the production and her background in acting.