Walter Smith Randolph
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Investigative journalism, New York City, New York City politics, education issues, crime issues
Investigative Executive Producer, @CBSNewYork• @NABJ's Vice President-Broadcast • @VillanovaU & @CUNY @NewmarkJSchool trained • Queens forever
Articles by Walter Smith Randolph
Reporter's Notebook: Celebrating the past, and looking to the future of The Accountability Project
Two years ago, when I arrived at 1049 Asylum Ave., I was given a mission—launch an investigative unit committed to shining a light on issues across the state while making a big impact and winning a few awards along the way. As I move on from Connecticut Public, I can say mission accomplished—but we’re not done yet. Our very first story, a fact check on motor vehicle thefts, won a Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
TAP’s investigation sparks change at Connecticut’s health department
Officials at Connecticut’s health department say they hope to update doctor disciplinary records across the state by the end of the year. A TAP investigation earlier this year found that out-of-state disciplinary information was missing from some doctor’s profiles on DPH’s site. Now, members of the Medical Examining Board are crediting The Accountability Project’s investigation for sparking the change.
For CT Public, a new investigative reporter focused on race, youth and justice
Dear TAP supporter, As we enter the third year of the Accountability Project, we have good news all around. We recently learned CT Public won five regional Edward R. Murrow awards including overall excellence. TAP's coverage of Sandy Hook and our investigation into a pay discrepancy at a local healthcare provider was included in that recognition.
ISAAC charter school drops accreditation bid after questions raised about work environment
For years, leaders at the ISAAC school in New London worked to achieve a major goal — getting accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. They even produced a 108-page self-assessment as part of the process. But that all came to a halt last month when the charter school pulled out of the process.
Reporter's Notebook: TAP goes to Norway
When I approached our Chief Content Officer back in November asking him if we could go to Norway to follow a group of Connecticut policymakers and thought leaders who were learning about Norwegian corrections, I thought for sure the answer would be no. Much to my surprise, the answer was a resounding yes. That led to an hour-long Cutline documentary, a radio series and a panel discussion and screening of the documentary.
CT policymakers visit Norwegian prisons to learn best practices
When we first met Christoffer Dahl, he was inside a tool shed unsupervised — with access to a hammer, a screwdriver and a blade. “We do maintenance, we do fishing cabinets, paint wall," Dahl said. "If they do something outside, we do gardening. We do everything.” Everything includes making meals for each other, with access to a stove, knives and other utensils. Dahl can also watch television and work out with his floormates. “In here, we (sic) pretty much brothers," he said. "We do some activities.
CT policymakers visit Norwegian prisons to learn best practices
When we first met Christoffer Dahl, he was inside a tool shed unsupervised---with access to a hammer, a screwdriver, and a blade. “We do maintenance, we do fishing cabinets, paint wall. If they do something outside, we do gardening. We do everything,” said Dahl. That everything includes making meals for each other---with access to a stove, knives, and other utensils. Dahl can also watch television and work out with his floormates. “In here we (sic) pretty much brothers. We do some activities.
CT policymakers visit Norwegian prisons to learn best practices
When we first met Christoffer Dahl, he was inside a tool shed unsupervised — with access to a hammer, a screwdriver and a blade. “We do maintenance, we do fishing cabinets, paint wall," Dahl said. "If they do something outside, we do gardening. We do everything.” Everything includes making meals for each other, with access to a stove, knives and other utensils. Dahl can also watch television and work out with his floormates. “In here, we (sic) pretty much brothers," he said. "We do some activities.
The Accountability Project is expanding!
If a reporter presented a story to me with an exclamation in the headline, I’d probably edit it out but this headline deserves an exclamation point or two. March will mark two years since CT Public launched The Accountability Project. It was an ambitious effort to build an investigative team with three reporters dedicated to uncovering stories across Connecticut. Nearly two years later, I’m happy to report we’ve done that and more—-and now we’re expanding.
Sandy Hook parents turn grief into action
For the parents of Sandy Hook victims, every day of the last 10 years has been a readjustment. “Ten years of struggle, of triumph, of hard work, of reprioritizing, maintaining focus on my marriage and my role as a father,” said Mark Barden, the father of Daniel. While Barden is focused on his family, he’s also focused on gun safety. As co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, Barden has channeled his pain into action.
Avon loses bid to keep records secret in ex-police chief's departure
Avon residents are a step closer to learning more about the accusations that led to the retirement of the town’s former police chief. A superior court judge on Tuesday rejected Avon’s bid to keep secret an 11-page document that describes incidents involving former Chief Mark Rinaldo. That 11-page log, kept by an unnamed employee, led to Rinaldo’s abrupt retirement in 2019.
The future of adoption in a post Roe v. Wade world
With Roe v. Wade overturned, and abortion becoming less available, will we see more children placed in foster care and parents seeking adoption? This hour on Where We Live, we speak with experts and learn whether or not we should expect to see an increase in adoption. We hear from the Connecticut Department of Children and Family Services Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes. Later, we hear from Doris Houston, Director of the Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies at Illinois State University.
Hartford HealthCare to reimburse home caregivers for meal charges
Hartford HealthCare will now reimburse some live-in caregivers for meal credits dating back to 2016. This comes just days after Connecticut Public’s Accountability Project reported some home health aides were paying for meals they never received. Independence at Home, which is owned by Hartford HealthCare, will return nearly $480,000 to 114 home caregivers.
A CT teacher was fired for using the N-word & stereotypes in class. Now, she’s getting her job back.
A Connecticut high school teacher who was fired for a racist lesson plan three years ago is headed back to the classroom with more than $250,000 in backpay, after winning a nearly three year-long legal battle over her dismissal.
Reporter's Notebook: Celebrating a year of The Accountability Project
This month we’re celebrating a year since we fully launched The Accountability Project at CT Public and what a year it’s been. With the incredible talents of reporters Jacqui Rabe Thomas and Jim Haddadin, combined with the leadership of Chief Content Officer Tim Rasmussen and support of the entire team at CT Public, we’ve been able to report the stories that matter.
The future of adoption in a post Roe v. Wade world
With Roe v. Wade overturned, and abortion becoming less available, will we see more children placed in foster care and parents seeking adoption? Today on Where We Live, we speak with experts and learn whether or not we should expect to see an increase in adoption. We hear from the Connecticut Department of Children and Family Services Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes. Later, we hear from Doris Houston, Director of the Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies at Illinois State University.
Connecticut's merged school safety councils set to meet
On Wednesday, Connecticut’s merged School Safety Infrastructure and School Building Projects Advisory council will meet for the first time. It comes three months after Connecticut Public's Accountability Project found the infrastructure council was not upholding its legislative mandate. The infrastructure council was founded in 2013 in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting. The council was supposed to have 11 members who would set guidelines for school design.
ISAAC charter school's probationary period extended as investigations into school mount
If you listen to the State Board of Education’s Accountability and Support meeting from September 2021, you might think it was a celebratory meeting. In video of the meeting posted to Youtube, Dr. Nick Spera, the executive director of the Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication also known as ISAAC, enthusiastically pumps his arms in the air as a state education official announces...
Connecticut marshals under scrutiny for allegedly charging excessive fees
When Lois Patrick was growing up in Bridgeport, her big yellow house on Wentworth Street was the center of gravity for her family. Aunts, uncles and cousins gathered every year for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Her uncle was married there, and on the Fourth of July – her grandmother’s birthday – they celebrated with hamburgers and homemade ice cream, spilling from the backyard into the street.
CT paid thousands for public schools facilities assessment but the work was never done
At the Beardsley School in Bridgeport, you can see and hear it’s age. Through the creaky steel door into the 118-year old red brick building is a stairwell that leads to the school's main corridor. A nearby entryway leads to the gym, where the wood floors are buckling with age. In the dimly lit basement are the kindergarten classrooms and the windowless cafeteria. Air purifiers hum throughout the building. "It's kind of ancient.
Reporter's Notebook: Taking a closer look at CT's Freedom of Information Commission
Thanks for subscribing to The Accountability Project’s new newsletter. We’re an intrepid group of reporters looking to shine a light on all things Connecticut. For the past year, we’ve been hard at work uncovering issues like why some tenants are being evicted even though they paid their rent and why a school safety panel formed after Sandy Hook is struggling to continue their work.
Long delays at Connecticut's Freedom of Information Commission leave public in the dark
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Two years ago, a mystery was unfolding inside Avon Town Hall. Long-time police chief Mark Rinaldo was abruptly placed on leave in November 2019, and town officials were tight-lipped about the decision, saying only that allegations had surfaced about his conduct. Join in the work of CT Mirror You may not be on staff, but you can produce the journalism.
By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas Verified, Walter Smith Randolph Verified, Jim Haddadin Verified, Maxwell Zeff Verified
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The Connecticut Mirror
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Long delays at Connecticut's Freedom of Information Commission leave public in the dark
Tyler Russell / Connecticut Public Joseph Sastre is a lawyer looking into the abrupt retirement of Avon police chief Mark Rinaldo by making use of the Freedom of Information Act. Two years ago, a mystery was unfolding inside Avon Town Hall. Long-time police chief Mark Rinaldo was abruptly placed on leave in November 2019, and town officials were tight-lipped about the decision, saying only that allegations had surfaced about his conduct.
Despite concerns from lawmakers, Sheff v. O'Neill agreement poised to go into effect
Dave Wurtzel / Connecticut Public A high school classroom in Connecticut. Connecticut legislators have just one week left to reject the historic Sheff v. O’Neill school desegregation agreement or it will go into effect. While many from the Hartford delegation are not happy with the terms of the agreement, it doesn’t look like lawmakers will stop it.
Lamont earmarks $90M for HVAC upgrades in schools
Connecticut Public Radio | By Walter Smith Randolph, Published March 1, 2022 at 5:04 PM EST Hilary McDevitt / Photo provided by teacher An air purifier in a classroom in Bridgeport The governor has earmarked $90 million in his budget. This comes just a month after our Accountability Project found that one-third of districts say they can’t afford the upgrades. Gov.
School safety panel formed after Sandy Hook shooting struggles to continue work
At the front door of Manchester’s Verplanck Elementary School, visitors are greeted by the sound of electronic chimes, followed by the voice of secretary Natalie Dark speaking over the intercom. “Can I help you?” she asks, peering at video from a surveillance camera displayed on her phone. In years past, visitors to school buildings in Connecticut could often stroll into the central office, passing unnoticed through unlocked doors.
Amid hiring scandal, state's top prosecutor decides to retire
Yehyun Kim / CTMirror.org Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo Jr., at a news conference in July. Facing being removed from office, Rich Colangelo — the state's top prosecutor — has informed the Criminal Justice Commission that he will be retiring from the job March 31. Commission member Scott Murphy said the panel planned to fire him, had he not stepped down. "We found the conduct of the chief state's attorney to be both extremely disappointing and disturbing," said Murphy.
Commission weighing removal of Connecticut's top prosecutor set to meet Wednesday
Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media via The Associated Press State prosecutor Richard Colangelo speaks during a hearing at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn., March 3, 2020. An independent investigation is questioning the "integrity" of Colangelo hiring a state budget official's daughter in 2020 while lobbying for pay raises for staff.
Lamont says more oversight needed as former top official faces FBI investigation
Connecticut Public Radio | By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Published February 3, 2022 at 4:53 PM EST Still image from a CT-N video. Governor Ned Lamont announces a vaccination requirement for state employees and educators. Governor Ned Lamont says if it were up to him, he would fire the state’s top prosecutor. This comes a day after the governor’s office released an investigation into the hiring and pay raise scandal between his deputy budget director and the state’s top prosecutor.
Investigator casts doubt on statements by Connecticut's top prosecutor in hiring probe
CTMIRROR.ORG and Jacqueline Rabe Thomas / CTMIRROR.ORG Chief State's Attorney Richard Colangelo (left) and former OPM Deputy Secretary Kosta Diamantis were the subjects of an independent investigation commissioned by Gov. Ned Lamont. An independent investigator hired by Gov. Ned Lamont to probe alleged improprieties by government officials has called into question the credibility of statements made by Connecticut’s top prosecutor.
Bridgeport officers involved in the death investigation of two Black women placed on leave
Connecticut Public Radio | By Walter Smith Randolph, Published January 31, 2022 at 1:06 PM EST Courtesy The Crosland Law Group, / Lauren-Smith Fields Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim is placing two police officers, who were involved in the death investigations of two Black women, on administrative leave. The internal affairs department is currently looking into the conduct of the officers.
Historic agreement reached in Sheff v. O'Neill school desegregation case
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Connecticut Public Radio | By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Walter Smith Randolph Published January 28, 2022 at 9:34 AM EST Tyler Russell / Connecticut Public Elizabeth Horton Sheff, mother of lead plaintiff Milo Sheff, described the end of the 33 year law suit like handing over her baby. "But just like dropping off Milo in kindergarten, I'll be hanging around in the background" she added.
By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas Verified, Walter Smith Randolph Verified
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New England Public Media
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Historic agreement reached in Sheff v. O'Neill school desegregation case
Connecticut Public Radio | By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Published January 27, 2022 at 5:04 PM EST Julianne Varacchi/Connecticut Public / Connecticut Public Elizabeth Horton Sheff, mother of the lead plaintiff in Sheff v. O’Neill Milo Sheff, is photographed in June, 2021. Every Black and Latinx student from Hartford who wants a seat in a high-quality integrated school, should be offered one. That’s what state officials and civil rights attorneys committed to in a historic agreement reached Thursday.
Child advocate urges education leaders to grant immunocompromised families learning accommodations during pandemic
Connecticut Public Radio | By Walter Smith Randolph Published January 20, 2022 at 5:39 PM EST Connecticut Public screen grab / Immunocompromised parent Marney White (right) and her son Lane Mayville were interviewed virtually in December 2021. Left behind and betrayed. Those are just some of the words immunocompromised families use to describe how they feel about the new school year. While students headed back to the classrooms, for some families that’s simply not an option.
Facebook removes 'Unmask Our Kids CT' account
Connecticut Public Radio | By Jim Haddadin, Published January 19, 2022 at 4:50 PM EST Jessica Hill / The Associated Press A protester from Unmask Our Kids CT holds up a sign at Gov. Ned Lamont's car as Lamont leaves Goodwin University in East Hartford on Sept. 8, 2021. A social media account that became a rallying point for parents who oppose Connecticut’s mask mandate in schools has been removed for repeatedly violating Facebook’s COVID-19 and vaccine policies, according to the company.
Education during the pandemic: struggling students, a staffing crisis, and questions about school safety
Connecticut Public / Connecticut Public Gwen Crosby teaches at Two Rivers Middle Magnet School As the pandemic stretches through another school year, there are several ways to evaluate how the public health crisis is impacting students and educators. By several measures, things are not going well for many. On Thursday at 8 p.m., Connecticut Public will share their stories during a one-hour show on CPTV.
Connecticut will speed up court process for some juvenile offenders
Kelan Lyons / CTMirror.org / ctmirror.org A sign is pictured outside the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters and Detention Center on Broad Street in Hartford. After major disruptions brought on by the pandemic, Connecticut’s juvenile court system will strive to handle some cases more quickly to help curb repeat crime. Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday said the court system will aim to get juvenile offenders in front of a judge within one day of being arrested.
Probe launched as details surface about former Connecticut budget official's daughter landing high-paying job
Konstantinos "Kosta" Diamantis, then director of the Office of School Construction The state's deputy budget chief abruptly resigned in October after news surfaced that his daughter landed a high-paying job at another state agency. Now the governor’s office has hired a team of outside investigators to probe the situation and "any potential improprieties by state employees," according to records obtained by Connecticut Public.
Juveniles, Joyrides, and Justice: Radio Special
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All summer long, we heard about spiking crime rates, stolen cars and a failed juvenile justice system, but what do the numbers show? And what do those who actually work with juvenile offenders think is happening? Has the pandemic had any affect on the juvenile justice system? This half hour radio special explores these issues through reporting from Connecticut Public's Accountability Project.
By Walter Smith Randolph, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas Verified, Jim Haddadin Verified, Walter Smith Randolph Verified
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Connecticut Public
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Charts: 5 things to know about juvenile crime in Connecticut
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A pandemic bump in auto thefts and some other crimes is fueling a heated debate about how Connecticut handles juvenile offenders. Critics say children who break the law get too many chances. But reform advocates say the state should increase services for troubled kids and keep more out of the criminal justice system. In the series Juveniles, Joyrides & Justice, Connecticut Public’s investigative reporting team explored how the pandemic affected crime and punishment for Connecticut youth.
By Jim Haddadin Verified, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas Verified, Walter Smith Randolph Verified, Deidre Montague
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New England Public Media
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In Connecticut, Youth Justice Reform Has Become an Election Year Issue
By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jim Haddadin and Walter Smith Randolph The Regions Program for Boys in Hamden, Connecticut was opened last December, This locked facility can house up to eight teen boys. Pictured is the hallway with doors to the bedrooms. A tower overlooks the hallway and controls the locks to the doors. Photo: CT Public. Note: This article was republished with permission from Connecticut Public. Behind the security fence, cameras and locked doors live seven children.
Charts: 5 things to know about juvenile crime in Connecticut
Graphic by Connecticut Public / Google Flourish When juvenile offenders in Connecticut get into trouble again, it’s most often for low-level offenses. During the two-year period ending in 2020, the most serious charges filed against repeat offenders 63% of the time were misdemeanors, violations or infractions, according to court records. About 37% were felonies. A pandemic bump in auto thefts and some other crimes is fueling a heated debate about how Connecticut handles juvenile offenders.
Juveniles, Joyrides & Justice: State lawmakers are calling for changes, but will it help?
As medics tried to save a jogger who New Britain police say was mowed down by a teen driving a stolen car, onlookers at the scene had some strong feelings about what they were witnessing. “They’re giving him CPR. This is why they shouldn’t be chasing nobody,” a video of the aftermath shows one bystander saying. New Britain officials report police were only involved here because a resident whose wallet the teens stole was chasing the kids through residential neighborhoods for over 11 minutes.
Connecticut governor wants more judges, tougher penalties for teens
Following a wave of high-profile juvenile crimes, Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday that the state needs stricter punishments for some youth, and he announced plans to speed up the court process for young offenders. Lamont spoke outside the Capitol after meeting with the mother and grandmother of a teenager from Hamden who was fatally shot this week. The Democratic governor said amid the stresses brought on by the pandemic, the state should do everything it can to provide services for troubled youth.
CT incarcerates fewer children than other states. Is that the right call?
CT Public The Regions Program for Boys in Hamden was opened last December, This locked facility can house up to eight teen boys. Pictured is the hallway with doors to the bedrooms. A tower overlooks the hallway and controls the locks to the doors. Behind the security fence, cameras and locked doors live seven children. A 40-person team of social workers, teachers, chefs and mentors gets paid to help them turn their lives around.
How politics has shifted the narrative on juvenile justice
CT Public A mailer from the Glastonbury Republican Town Committee. Connecticut’s juvenile justice system and car thefts were the hot political topics over the summer. Media outlets picked up the story and largely showed white victims in the suburbs with minority suspects in Connecticut’s cities. Local critics cried foul over the coverage, asking for context. Mel Medina is one of them.
Juveniles, Joyrides & Justice: How politics has shifted the narrative
Glastonbury Republican Town Committee / This mailer is from the Glastonbury Republican Town Committee. Connecticut’s juvenile justice system and car thefts were the hot political topics over the summer. Media outlets picked up the story and largely showed white victims in the suburbs with minority suspects in Connecticut’s cities. Local critics cried foul over the coverage, asking for context. Mel Medina is one of them.
How the pandemic affected Connecticut's juvenile justice system
Tyler Russell :: Connecticut Public This is the area in New Britain where police say a pedestrian was struck and killed by a juvenile in a stolen car. Omar McDew may never be able to count all the car thefts his football team has prevented. But this coach says giving children who live in one of the nation’s poorest communities something to do is the best crime-prevention strategy out there. “Those are 30-something kids that are not out in the streets stealing cars.
Costs adding up for state to monitor COVID-19 testing of state employees who won't get vaccinated
Joe Amon/Connecticut Public/NENC / A vial used for conducting the COVID-19 test is held up at a drive-through mobile center outside Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. (Joe Amon/Connecticut Public/NENC) The Lamont Administration will pay nearly $150,000 each month to a vendor to primarily monitor COVID testing results for the 5,838 state employees who have declined to get the vaccine. That cost does not include the bill the state will pick up to cover the weekly tests. Gov.
Construction Costs Double for Tweed New Haven Airport Renovations
All summer long, the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority has said an upgrade to its existing terminal would cost in the range of $5 million. Now, that price tag has more than doubled. The airport authority’s board of directors voted last week to increase the construction budget for the project to $11 million, citing unforeseen circumstances that drove up project costs. The reasons behind the increase remain unclear.
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