Connecticut Mirror Expands Hartford Outreach Team
The news organization adds two specialized roles to strengthen engagement with local residents.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Civic Engagement
The Connecticut Mirror has hired a new Hartford community engagement reporter and a manager of engagement. These roles aim to better address the information needs of historically underserved communities in the region.
Why it matters
These additions reflect an effort to improve local information access through direct community outreach. By prioritizing listening sessions and digital interaction, the organization seeks to bridge gaps in local news coverage.
The positions are funded through the Raising Voices Lab, an initiative focused on expanding journalistic reach. Success will be tracked via engagement metrics from community listening sessions and digital interactions.
The players
Sandy Battulga
She is the newly appointed Hartford Community Engagement Reporter who previously worked at Colorado Public Radio.
Kat Struhar
She serves as the Manager of Engagement and brings experience from her former position at The Washington Post.
The Connecticut Mirror
This is a news organization that operates in Connecticut and recently launched initiatives through its Raising Voices Lab.
The details
Sandy Battulga joins the team as the Hartford Community Engagement Reporter, where she will facilitate listening sessions and manage a text line for resident feedback. Kat Struhar, the new Manager of Engagement, will oversee the organization's newsletters, mobile app, and social media presence.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: The Connecticut Mirror announced the hiring of two staff members.
Political Context
The hires function under the Raising Voices Lab, which aims to diversify the voices represented in traditional media cycles. Critics often argue that institutional news outlets struggle with geographic bias, necessitating these targeted engagement efforts to regain public trust.
Residents in Hartford can expect more direct opportunities to provide feedback through organized listening sessions and a dedicated text line. These changes aim to make local reporting more responsive to the specific concerns of the local community.
The takeaway
News organizations are increasingly prioritizing direct dialogue to ensure their reporting reflects the needs of the communities they serve. Residents are encouraged to utilize the new text line and digital channels to share information that impacts their neighborhood.
Further reading
Learn more about local initiatives at the Civic Engagement portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The CT Mirror.
