The Connecticut Mirror strives each day to help readers across the state make sense of how state and federal policies affect their lives. One of the core ways we do that is through our CT Mirror Explains series. This year, readers were interested in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the public ben efits charge on their utility bills, the controversial new housing law, and more. Here’s a list of our top 10 explainers this year, defined by number of users that read them. 1. What to know about the public benefits charge on your electric bill The public benefits charge has drawn the public’s ire due to the debate over CT’s electric prices, which are among the highest in the nation. (Published May 19) Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror 2. What to know about two new COVID variants spreading in CT Two new COVID-19 variants are spreading across the country and doctors in Connecticut are expecting they could bring an uptick in cases. (Published July 21) Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror 3. New CT laws taking effect Oct. 1: E-bikes, towing, Sunday hunting Over seven dozen Connecticut laws concerning a range of issues wholly or partially took effect Oct. 1. Here’s a look at some of them. (Published Sept. 22) Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror 4. What will new Medicaid, SNAP work requirements look like in CT? Some people will need to work, train or volunteer 80 hours a month to qualify for benefits. But it won’t take effect for at least a few years. (Published Aug. 4) Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror 5. New CT laws taking effect July 1: School lessons, e-books, budget Nearly six dozen laws wholly or partially took effect in Connecticut on July 1. Here’s a look at some of them. (Published June 16) Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror 6. New CT laws on price gouging, junk fees, auto renewals: What to know Connecticut lawmakers passed legislation adding safeguards for people purchasing a wide variety of goods and services. Here’s what to know. (Published June 23) Credit: MARK PAZNIOKAS / CT Mirror 7. What to know about the CT housing bill passed in special session The House and Senate approved the wide-ranging housing bill to replace a similar bill that Gov. Ned Lamont vetoed after the regular session. (Published Nov. 17) Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror 8. What Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ could mean for CT residents Republicans were trying to pass a bill in Congress that would extend tax breaks and make cuts to safety net programs. (Published June 2) Credit: Rod Lamkey, Jr. / AP 9. How CT residents can block web tracking under new privacy provision Connecticut consumers can now opt out of most targeted advertising and the sale of their personal data with one tool. Here’s how it works. (Published Jan. 13) Credit: Yehyun Kim / ctmirror.org 10. How fallout from Trump’s federal grants pause has affected CT Here’s a look at what the aftermath of Trump’s directive to pause federal financial assistance has meant, and could mean, for Connecticut. (Published Feb. 17) Credit: The White House ...read more read less