Frankie Graziano
ReporterIf you read any of Frankie Graziano’s previous biographies, they’d be all about his passion for sports. But times change – and he’s a family man now.
Part of the reason for the biographical “tone-change” is a slight deviation in Frankie’s career path. In 2016, he moved over to news from the sports world. He became a Connecticut Public reporter. And that’s currently where he works as a breaking news reporter.
He’s been on-the-scene to get state residents the latest available information on major local happenings over the past four years – like the vintage plane crash at Bradley International Airport in 2019 and the recent landmark police accountability legislation that passed through the state capitol.
Other highlights from his time at Connecticut Public include some long-term storytelling he was able to do after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, which led thousands of evacuees from the island to escape to Connecticut.
Frankie also played a crucial role in the station’s continuing coverage of a police shooting in Wethersfield. Anthony Jose Vega Cruz, 18, died two days after being shot by former Wethersfield police officer Layau Eulizier Jr. on April 20, 2019. Much of this work went intoCollision Course, a 2020 New England Emmy award-winning documentary produced by Vanessa de la Torre. You can also hear Frankie’s national stories on NPR -- including one that was produced out of his basement about sports in the age of COVID-19.
Prior to going to work for Connecticut Public, Frankie produced over 1,200 hours of sports content for Connecticut Public Television and CPTV Sports. There, he worked to showcase thousands of local student-athletes -- whether it be during state championship events broadcast live on television or if they’d been honored with the network’s statewide UChoose Student-Athlete of the Week. He also put together a “Tip-Off Classic” featuring Connecticut’s top boys and girls high school basketball squads.
Frankie graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and History. While in school, he created a program on UConn’s student television station. He also interned at WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3. He covered collegiate baseball in Torrington during the summer.
Frankie is the husband of Colleen Graziano, APRN. He’s also “Daddy” to Charlie and Annie. They live in Glastonbury; Frankie (born Francesco Graziano Jr.) is originally from Torrington. His parents are from Italia: his mother Rosa Maria emigrated to America in 1967 and his father Francesco Sr. made his move to the United States shortly after marrying “Rosie” in 1975.
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Connecticut Senators revive fight for federal assault weapons ban, as Gov. aims to tighten state lawConnecticut’s U.S. Senators are reintroducing a federal ban on assault weapons, in an effort to curb mass shootings. -
Frankie & Johnny: Jan. 27, 2023: Shootings in California reverberate in Connecticut. New Haven marks the Lunar New Year. Lawmakers consider gun violence proposals.
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Right now, students taking at least six credits at local community colleges that are attending college for the first time don't have to pay for college in Connecticut. But, a new proposal could extend free college tuition to all community college students and to some students attending state universities.
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One of the biggest focuses for the 2023 legislative session is housing. This hour on Where We Live, we talk about the housing market in Connecticut and what legislative action we might see in the future.
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New Haven mayor Justin Elicker said there will be increased police patrols at this weekend’s Yale-China Lunarfest celebration, which bills itself as the largest Lunar New Year festival in Connecticut and will be held fully in person for the first time since 2020.
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This hour, we discuss the recreational marijuana rollout in Connecticut, continued efforts to decriminalize marijuana and the delayed Clean Slate Law.
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Officials say Jimmie Shoemaker-Gonzalez stole and crashed the vehicle on Thursday. The inspector general's office released body cam footage that shows a man jumping into the cruiser and driving off while an officer shot at the vehicle.
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Frankie & Johnny: January 13, 2023. Topics this week include the sales launch of marijuana for recreational use; efforts by Connecticut officials to erase cannabis convictions in tandem with the broadening of adult-use pot in Connecticut; and the success of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team in the face of mounting injuries.
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A recent report reveals Black veterans are more likely to leave the military via other-than-honorable or general discharge, preventing their access to benefits. We discuss how these disparities are being addressed in Connecticut. Plus, hear from Conley Monk Jr., a Marine veteran from Hamden who is suing the VA over racial discrimination.
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State Representative Quentin “Q” Williams died last week after a collision with a wrong-way driver. This hour on Where We Live, we remember his legacy, his time in office and how he served his constituents.
