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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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...
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Groups try to influence legislature over fiscal guardrails
A new report from the Connecticut Project Action Fund Wednesday suggests lawmakers look at relaxing some of the state’s fiscal guardrails. Vice President of Advocacy and External Affairs Melvin Medina said the purpose of the report isn’t to make recommendations, but also notes it makes the case that the guardrails are now limiting the state’s ability to pay for...
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Advocates push for more money to support struggling teens and young adults
Lawmakers return to the Capitol in just under a month, and the United Way and local leaders are pushing for an investment in teens and young adults. The two organizations are pushing a 22-point that calls for $407 million in increased funding and a major change to how the state funds education. “They are also the most fiscally responsible thing…
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Several employees claim they were fired after striking at workplace in Enfield
Employees have accused supplement maker iHealth of firing them while they were striking against workplace conditions. The workers, members of Teamsters Local 647, said they received a text message last Tuesday saying they were fired for not showing up for work for two consecutive days. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) joined the workers Monday to build support for legislation aimed at…
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Insurance companies increase security after executive killed
As police continue to look for the man who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare’s top executive, insurance companies are taking steps to protect the rest of their staffs. Security experts say there’s a few measures those companies can take immediately after Brian Thompson was murdered Wednesday. “I think every corporation in America needs to be talking about how it’s protecting...
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Lamont to look into usage of state-owned vehicles
Gov. Ned Lamont is considering hiring a third-party to look into how his staff uses state-owned vehicles. Lamont confirmed he’s considering the step in response to a report on former chief of staff Jonathan Dach’s usage of such a vehicle. “I think we’re going to take a look at that, not in regards to that particular incident, but we...
