DANBURY, Connecticut — A dedicated student crew at Western Connecticut State University is taking full advantage of their technological tools and social media expertise to present WCSU’s 15th annual “Election Connection” news production, providing local coverage of Connecticut races as well as weather, sports and exploration of important issues.
Since its debut in November 2011, “Election Connection” has provided election night coverage of information and race results featuring a team of students in the studio and in the field covering key races and topics important to western Connecticut. This year’s show airs on election evening, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, from 8 p.m. to midnight.
“Election Connection” will stream over YouTube at WCSU Studio Election Connection, on Facebook and on the WCSU website at www.wcsu.edu/live. A radio simulcast will air on WXCI-91.7 FM. Social media access is available on Instagram @electionconnection
Executive producer Dr. JC Barone, WCSU professor of Communication and Media Arts, observed that students participating in the interdisciplinary course that produces “Election Connection” have been staying late after class and working weekends because a commitment to the program drives them.
Under Barone’s supervision, the student production team is led by Producers Yianna Kariotis, of East Haddam, and Gabriel Wilkins, of Washington; Director Christopher Hurst, of New Rochelle, New York; and Technical Directors Brandon LaRose, of Montville, and Haley McPadden, of Cheshire. Anchors for the show are Buster Comaskey, of New Milford; Jackson Chase, of Burlington; and Becca Hensley, of Grottes, Virginia. Sports reporters for the show are Dylan Meyer, of East Hartford, and Emily Mannion, of New Fairfield. “Election Connection’s” race analyst Tundra Armstrong, of New Milford, will deliver updates on local, state, and national races of importance. Other students in leadership roles include Studio Floor Manager Andrew Soto, of Norwalk, and Cameron Kurasz, of Norwich, who will deliver live weather reports. The sound director is Patrick Carlone, of Brookfield. Sound technicians are Gustavo Casoni, of New Canaan, and Vincent Butera, of Danbury. The Studio camera operator is Matthew Rolon, of Sleepy Hollow, New York.
The Field team producer is Samantha Murray, of Danbury. Field reporters and crew members are Matthew Moody, of Bethlehem; Nathaniel Reich, of New Fairfield; Anthony Garten, of New Milford; Emelie Myhill, of Bridgewater; Noah Berg, of Brookfield; and Jesnie De La Cruz, of Manhattan, New York. In-studio researchers are Migdalia Rivas and Daniel Joseph, both from Waterbury. The Graphics team is Shauna Llamas, of New Hartford, and Camila Parades, of Danbury. Promotional photo/video by Leah Graham, of Bethel. The swing crew is Richard Stefan, of Danbury. WCSU Technical support is provided by Jason Esposito, Michael Olsen, Rich Parmalee and Scott Volpe.
Barone has drawn from his extensive professional experience to design the course as a vehicle to train students in media and news production for the demands of today’s job market. “This year’s election is important with local races to report on and round-table studio discussions,” he said. “Word has spread that this is an educational experience that will help students in their careers regardless of what their discipline is.”
WCSU’s “Election Connection” productions have earned recognition from professional organizations in the communications field, including honors in the category of Studio Multi- Camera Production at the national Broadcast Education Association’s Festival of Media Arts, as well as Student Production Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Boston/New England. Additional recognitions include Telly Awards for Live Coverage and a Communicator Award of Distinction from the International Academy of the Visual Arts. “Our goal is consistently to deliver quality programming to the community and Connecticut,” Barone said.
Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.