Mike Savino is the political reporter for NBC Connecticut, making sure Connecticut’s government officials work on behalf of the voters.
Mike is a lifelong Connecticut resident who loves telling the stories of his home state. He’s an alumnus of the University of Connecticut and a graduate of E.O. Smith High School.
Prior to joining NBC Connecticut, Mike worked for several newsrooms around Connecticut. He started his career as a staff writer for the Chronicle in Willimantic, then moved on to the Journal Inquirer in Manchester and the Meriden Record-Journal. He then made the switch to TV, joining a local Connecticut station. He also was head of multimedia for National Mortgage Professional, a business-to-business news outlet covering the mortgage industry.
Mike is a fierce advocate for transparency and open government. He’s been president of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information, a nonprofit organization that protects the state’s Freedom of Information Act, since 2018. He also won CCFOI’s Stephen A. Collins Award for reporting on FOIA issues in 2016.
When Mike’s not on air, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two dogs checking out all the great food Connecticut has to offer. He also loves going to sporting events, especially the UConn Huskies and Hartford Yard Goats.
The Latest
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Machinists protest furloughs outside Pratt & Whitney ahead of contract talks
Machinists rallied outside Pratt & Whitney’s Middletown factory Friday to protest furlough days. The company is imposing seven unpaid days in 2025 as a cost saving measure. The workers were frustrated with the decision, but also said the move sends a bad message with union contract talks set to start in just three months. “This solidifies our membership,” International Association…
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Concerns about homeless shelter space as temperatures drop
With temperatures dropping, organizations that operate homeless shelters are making a plea for more support. They said Connecticut’s homelessness problem continues to grow, but funding for shelter space has not kept up. Organizations say lawmakers need to take even more action when they craft the next budget. “We are hearing of deaths across the state, of people who are...
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New legislative committee to focus on government efficiencies and waste
Lawmakers will form a new committee when they return to the Capitol next week. Members of the Government Oversight Committee say they plan to focus on broader issues within state government, including problems highlighted in audits. “To me this is really about oversight,” said Rep. Devin Carney (R-Old Saybrook), who is slated to be a ranking Republican on the new…
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New laws include minimum wage increase, rules around absentee ballots
Several new laws go into effect on Wednesday, including an increase of the minimum wage and an expansion of paid sick leave. Other changes include protections for home health care workers, rules around absentee ballots and regulations for THC products. The minimum wage will increase to $16.35, a jump of 4.2% from the wage for 2024. Connecticut’s minimum…
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Deadly year on Connecticut roads prompts pleas for traffic safety
Connecticut is having one of its deadliest years on the roadway, with traffic fatalities already surpassing last year’s number. The 314 traffic deaths through Dec. 23 – the most recently available data – already surpassed the 308 deaths for all of 2023. It also reverses the one-year improvement. Connecticut saw 293 deaths in 2021 and a record high of 367…
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Aetna and ConnectiCare have higher denial rates for healthcare coverage, data shows
Aetna, ConnectiCare and Harvard Pilgrim have the highest denial rates among individual health insurance policies sold through Access Health Exchange. A review of 2023 data from the state’s Insurance Department found the three companies deny claims at rates above the statewide average for both HMO and indemnity plans. Aetna had the highest denial rates for HMO plans, at 39.4%, followed…
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New law helps victims of financial abuse fight off debt
Victims of coerced debt will have a new way to fight back and clear their credit thanks to a new law starting Jan. 1. In cases where victims either did not knowingly take on the debt or were forced into, creditors can no longer hold them liable. “It puts a pause on any collection’s agency taking action until they can…
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CSCU officials vow to fix spending problems outlined in audit
One day after an audit raised concerns about spending by top executives, officials with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) vowed to impose more financial control. “I understand people’s frustration, I understand people’s disappointment and we have to take that very seriously,” CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng said after a Board of Regents meeting Thursday at CT State Community...
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Audit finds CSCU executives had ‘lax attitude' with expenses
A scathing audit outlined spending by several top Connecticut State College and Universities officials that appeared to be for private use. “It was a lax attitude toward the use of taxpayer dollars,” said Comptroller Sean Scanlon, who released the audit Wednesday. The findings prompted calls from Gov. Ned Lamont and lawmakers from both parties for better financial controls and…
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Trinity College professor helps Afghan women impacted by the Taliban
Trinity College Professor Lucy Ferriss is wrapping up another semester with her students. It’s something she’s done countless times over her career, but this class is very different. It’s part of the Afghan Female Students Outreach, a program that offers online classes to women in Afghanistan. “You always hope you make a difference in students’ lives, but here I...
