Helen Ubiñas was born in New York and received her bachelor's degree from Boston University. She began her career in journalism in 1994 when she started with the Hartford Courant as a city desk reporter and has held a number of positions there since, including town reporter, features reporter, and lifestyles and specialties reporter. Since 2000, Ms. Ubiñas has been a Courant columnist.
Ms. Ubiñas has been awarded a number of honors and was a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists. She is also a member of a Pulitzer Prize winning team for breaking news. In 2004, she was apart of a team that won the Scripps Howard Foundation National Journalism Award for public service. In 2005, she was a finalist for her column writing for the National Headliner Award and the American Society of Newspaper Editors Award. She was also a finalist for the Howard Scripps Foundation National Journalism Award for commentaries in 2006. She also won first place for her column writing from the New England Associated Press News Executives Association.
Joe Amarante is a writer for the New Haven Register. Known for his humorous columns, Amarante covers entertainment and media-related topics. He also blogs about all things media at J4: Java Joe's Journal Jive . Check out the blog for his latest insights on everything from network television programming to local news. Amarante describes himself as a writer, editor, family guy, softball and baseball fan with an interest in conservation, peace, health, travel, justice, and a good sandwich.
Steve Kotchko is one of the most respected journalists in Connecticut. He is the “dean” of State Capitol resporters, hosts “OTR-On The Record” which is a Connecticut Public Television political program and frequently contributes articles to Connecticut Magazine and the New York Times. Kotchko has interviewed numerous national figures including Jimmy Carter, Ronald Raegan, George Bush, Bill Clinton and most presidential candidates. He is also the Connecticut Radio Network’s Vice President for Communications. He joined CRN in 1973.
