Chris Polansky
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chrispolansky.bsky.social
Chris Polansky
@chrispolansky.bsky.social
14K followers 1.5K following 1.9K posts
Public radio reporter in Connecticut. One-time Bart Harley Jarvis of the Oklahoma press corps. CUNY grad. Replacement-level infielder for the Hartford Dark Twains Sandlot Baseball Club. he/him
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chrispolansky.bsky.social
Just spoke with Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam about the storm. He says warming centers are "very full" but the state has provided money to book folks without shelter into hotels. He says the police use thermal drones to find folks living outdoors in order to get them help. Expecting 20" of snow.
January 25, 2026 at 9:57 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Love this lead image from my colleague Tyler Russell. Welcome to Connecticut indeed

www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-01...
Winter storm dumps snow across CT, motorists advised to avoid roads
Snow accumulations of up to 20 inches are expected in parts of Connecticut with rapidly falling snow and low visilbility making for hazardous driving conditions Sunday.
www.ctpublic.org
January 25, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
giancarlofiorella.bsky.social
The video evidence is clear: Alex Pretti was not armed when he was shot. An agent removed Pretti's firearm from his waist before the shooting.

See for yourself here: www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
January 25, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
stphnfwlr.com
Videos and eyewitnesses refute federal account of Minneapolis shooting

Trump officials have called the victim a "domestic terrorist." State officials warn such unfounded accusations threaten the integrity of the federal investigation.
Videos and eyewitnesses refute federal account of Minneapolis shooting
Trump officials have called the victim a "domestic terrorist." State officials warn such unfounded accusations threaten the integrity of the federal investigation.
www.npr.org
January 25, 2026 at 8:14 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong:
agwilliamtong.bsky.social Attorney General William Tong @agwilliamtong.bsky.social · 3h
It's hard to express how wrong the shooting and murder of Alex Pretti is. There must accountability.
We can’t let Donald Trump destroy our country and the safety, beauty and opportunity it has given to my family and generations of immigrant families who have sought refuge on our shores.
January 25, 2026 at 7:12 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Kevin Stitt? The guy I’ve covered rejecting his pardon and parole board’s recommendations for clemency for death row inmates and having them executed? Concerned about the deaths of Americans?
lebassett.bsky.social Laura Bassett @lebassett.bsky.social · 5h
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) on CNN: “I think the death of Americans, what we're seeing on TV, it's causing deep concerns over federal tactics and accountability. Americans don't like what they're seeing right now. … [Trump’s] getting bad advice right now.”
January 25, 2026 at 6:14 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Scenes from West Hartford
Park Road in the snow A cow statue and signage for AC Petersen Farms A snowy streetscape A snowy streetscape
January 25, 2026 at 6:08 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
The things I do for the story
The author covered in snow
January 25, 2026 at 6:02 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
I don’t drink much any more so didn’t adequately prepare for this unexpected creeping urge for snow day beers
January 25, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
astrokatie.com
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Really gripping footage by the AP’s Mark Vancleave in Minneapolis yesterday after the feds killed Alex Pretti

www.instagram.com/reel/DT6MyVw...
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January 25, 2026 at 4:52 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Snow day
A black and white mixed breed dog looks out the window at snow A black and white mixed breed dog lies on a couch A black and white mixed breed dog in the snow
January 25, 2026 at 4:45 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
At least we’ve got dogs
A black and white mixed breed dog
January 25, 2026 at 3:29 AM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
chrismurphyct.bsky.social
It's simple: the DHS bill isn't going to pass if its lawlessness isn't reined in.
schumer.senate.gov Chuck Schumer @schumer.senate.gov · 22h
Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no.
January 25, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
chrismurphyct.bsky.social
We should not fund DHS without serious reform. We could return CBP to border. We could require warrants for immigration arrests. We could beef up training and require identification.

The list of possible reforms is long. What's unacceptable is the current lawless status quo.
January 25, 2026 at 2:07 AM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Ahead of an expected major winter storm, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has issued a travel restriction for commercial vehicles beginning at noon tomorrow.
Governor Lamont Signs Order Limiting Commercial Vehicle Travel Commercial vehicles - such as permitted vehicles, trucks, RVs, tractor trailers, tankers, and vehicles with trailers - are prohibited from traveling on all limited access highways in Connecticut beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026, and remaining in effect until further notice. A separate announcement will be made by the Office of the Governor when it has been determined that the order can be lifted.
January 25, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
chrispolansky.bsky.social
In honor of the snow, an archival snapshot of Walter (RIP), Samwise and Trout carrying a stick through the snow together
Three mutts carry a stick through the snow
January 18, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
jeffrueter.bsky.social
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.

"Please get the truth out about our son."
Statement from Michael and Susan Pretti Parents of Alex Jeffrey Pretti “We are heartbroken but also very angry. Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the ‘hero’ term lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman. The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He had his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down, all while being pepper sprayed. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you.
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy claims on Twitter that the federal siege of Minnesota is actually about Trump trying to rig the 2026 election.

Here's a transcript of a video he just posted to Twitter, or watch at the link below:

x.com/ChrisMurphyC...
By now you've seen this horrific video, another individual killed in Minnesota. It's just fucking awful, the inhumanity of this. We cannot fund ICE as it is constituted today. But we found out something else really important today: Pam Bondi sent a letter to state officials in Minnesota in which she made a list of demands for ICE to leave Minneapolis, and one of those demands was that the state turn over its voter rolls to federal government. This has never been about public safety. Minneapolis is a much less safe place today because ICE is there. This is likely about trying to rig and steal the election. Donald Trump is wildly unpopular. He is not committed to democracy, and he knows the only way that his movement is to retain power, the only way that his corporate allies retain power, his billionaire allies retain power this November is for Trump to steal the election. And so he's saying to Minneapolis, if you don't give me control of the voter rolls, then ICE isn't leaving. And you can see that if he gets away with it in Minnesota, he's likely going to try it in places like Philadelphia and Phoenix, other key cities in swing states, so understand why it's so important for us to draw a line. I have been arguing all weekend that the Senate should not pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, first and foremost, because this is a rogue agency that is operating outside of the law and is killing American citizens, but also because the underlying game here may be to steal the 2026 election, and no senator, but in particular no Democratic senator, should play a part in that.
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
An absolute nightmare for all parties involved here

apnews.com/article/immi...
The family first learned of the shooting when they were called by an Associated Press reporter. They watched the video and said the man killed appeared to be their son. They then tried reaching out to officials in Minnesota. “I can’t get any information from anybody,” Michael Pretti said Saturday. “The police, they said call Border Patrol, Border Patrol’s closed, the hospitals won’t answer any questions.” Eventually, the family called the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, who they said confirmed had a body matching the name and description of their son. As of Saturday evening, the family said they had still not heard from anyone at a federal law enforcement agency about their son’s death.
January 25, 2026 at 12:17 AM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Threaded together statements on the Alex Pretti killing from each of Connecticut's five U.S. House members here:
chrispolansky.bsky.social Chris Polansky @chrispolansky.bsky.social · 1d
Connecticut U.S. Rep. John Larson on the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis:
“ICE agents continue to act with impunity, refusing to exercise any restraint – leaving a trail of death and violence in their path. It needs to end now,” said Larson. “It is beyond horrifying to watch a second resident shot and killed by agents in Minneapolis. Local law enforcement must be allowed to fully investigate this shooting – with full cooperation from federal officials. We cannot allow these authoritarian abuses of power to go on for one minute longer in the United States of America – whether it is families being separated by armed, masked agents here in Connecticut, or residents being killed in Minneapolis. Accountability starts at the top – with Donald Trump and Kristi Noem. That is why I have called for Secretary Noem’s impeachment and will continue to oppose funding for the Department of Homeland Security until this lawlessness ends, and ICE is reined in. The time for change is now, before more families have to suffer at the hands of this out-of-control secret police force.”
January 24, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Connecticut U.S. Rep. Jim Himes on the killing of Alex Pretti: “cold-blooded murder”

“This week, the Senate will vote on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes funding for ICE. History will be unforgiving to those who capitulate to this immoral criminal administration.”
"I am sick to my stomach at what appears to be another cold-blooded murder of an American citizen at the hands of ICE agents, and the immediate lies being spun in response by this administration. We are watching the relentless escalation of violence by a lawless authoritarian regime. It's clear that the killing of Renee Good has furthered empowered the swaths of violent, masked DHS officers terrorizing our cities. This week, the Senate will vote on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes funding for ICE. History will be unforgiving to those who capitulate to this immoral criminal administration. Every Senator must vote NO."
January 24, 2026 at 9:59 PM
chrispolansky.bsky.social
Connecticut U.S. Rep. John Larson on the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis:
“ICE agents continue to act with impunity, refusing to exercise any restraint – leaving a trail of death and violence in their path. It needs to end now,” said Larson. “It is beyond horrifying to watch a second resident shot and killed by agents in Minneapolis. Local law enforcement must be allowed to fully investigate this shooting – with full cooperation from federal officials. We cannot allow these authoritarian abuses of power to go on for one minute longer in the United States of America – whether it is families being separated by armed, masked agents here in Connecticut, or residents being killed in Minneapolis. Accountability starts at the top – with Donald Trump and Kristi Noem. That is why I have called for Secretary Noem’s impeachment and will continue to oppose funding for the Department of Homeland Security until this lawlessness ends, and ICE is reined in. The time for change is now, before more families have to suffer at the hands of this out-of-control secret police force.”
January 24, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
delauro.house.gov
I am aware of reports of another killing at the hands of federal agents in Minnesota.
 
These deaths are tragic. There is no reason American streets should be occupied by a paramilitary force.
 
I am fighting to get them out of our communities. This cannot stand.
January 24, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Chris Polansky
startribune.com
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 25, 2026
January 24, 2026 at 8:49 PM