AGP Executive Report

Senior Living Leadership: Danielle Nickerson, a Bethel native with nearly a decade of Vermont healthcare leadership experience, has been named executive director of The Village at White River Junction. Missing Person: Vermont State Police are asking for help locating Alek Deng, 18, last seen Saturday in Newbury. Workforce Skills Program: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH marked its June 3 completion ceremony for eight graduates, including a Burlington High School alum with Down syndrome and Type 1 diabetes who gained real workplace experience. Public Lands & Costs: A new push for formal rules around Vermont’s public land management is raising the stakes for transparency and public accountability, as officials also weigh higher fees and access costs. Health Policy: A national spotlight on medical aid in dying highlights how the option is legal in Vermont and other states, with details on how it works. Local Sports: St. Albans Phantoms 7/8 girls lacrosse won their league title, and BFA athletes turned in strong performances at the Division 1 state meet. Recreation & Grants: Pre-applications for Vermont’s Dairy Processor Modernization Grant open June 25, and Summer Jam returns June 27 in Bennington with free family activities.

Workforce & Disability Inclusion: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH wrapped up with a June 3 ceremony for eight graduates, including a Burlington High School alum who gained real workplace rotations and more independence while managing Type 1 diabetes. Education & Community Assets: Peacham voters approved buying their elementary school building for $1 so the town can keep it as a community asset if district mergers happen. Higher Ed Milestone: Community College of Vermont held graduation for about 500 associate-degree recipients, with keynote remarks focused on resilience and mental health support. Vermont Sports: White River Valley swept key events at the VPA Division III track and field state meet, with Cassandra Armstrong leading the Wildcats. Local Governance & Costs: A new Vermont law boosts penalties for oversized vehicles illegally traveling through Smugglers Notch, with fines rising sharply starting July 1. Public Policy & Tech: Microsoft data shows Vermont’s AI tool use is among the lowest in the U.S., with Chittenden County leading the state. Health & Environment: Top neurologists in Australia say regulators ignored their concerns as a weedkiller linked to Parkinson’s disease faces a final decision mid-year.

Vermont Economy & Tech: Microsoft data shows Vermont near the bottom for AI use, with Chittenden County leading the state at 32.3% of working-age residents using generative tools. Local Resilience: After the 2023 flood, Vermont volunteers are crawling culverts through the “Culvert Crawlers” program to help towns prioritize maintenance and reduce washouts. Public Safety & Law: Vermont’s new Smugglers’ Notch rules raise penalties for oversized vehicles starting July 1, with fines jumping to $10,000 and $20,000 if traffic is substantially blocked. Health & Care: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH celebrated eight graduates, highlighting workplace skills and independence for young adults with disabilities. Weather & Community: Forecasts call for more showers and downpours this weekend, while Central Vermont Humane Society’s 34th Walk for Animals drew families to the State House. Sports: Burlington Discover Jazz Festival brought music to skateparks, and VGFC’s Neve Renwick scored late to lift the Vermont Green women’s team.

Vermont Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a data-center law meant to curb unchecked development, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and environmental groups who warned of higher utility bills and pollution. Public Health & Environment: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, an herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease, with a phase-out planned for current users. Local Impact: South Burlington’s planning commission is moving toward zoning rules for data centers after community concerns about energy and water use. Workforce & Inclusion: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH celebrated eight graduates, including a Burlington High School alum, highlighting real workplace skills for young adults with disabilities. Community Events: Central Vermont Humane Society held its 34th Walk for Animals at the State House, and Burlington Wine & Food Festival returns June 27 on the waterfront. Sports: Lowell Spinners lost 13-6 to Worcester despite home runs, with Johnny Damon honored before the game. Arts & Culture: Marlboro Music marks its 75th season this summer, with tickets now on sale.

Vermont AI use: Microsoft data finds Vermont near the bottom for generative AI adoption, with 23.3% of working-age residents using tools like ChatGPT—far behind other New England states. Local planning: South Burlington’s planning commission is drafting early zoning rules for data centers, aiming to get ahead of a fast-moving industry and its energy and water concerns. U.S. politics with Vermont ties: Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing public ownership in AI, and reports say OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with Sanders to back the broader idea even if he won’t support Sanders’ 50% threshold. Maine Senate drama: Graham Platner’s campaign is in damage-control mode after new allegations surfaced, while supporters including Rep. Ro Khanna rally behind him. Business & community: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH program held a completion ceremony for eight graduates, highlighting workplace skills for young adults with disabilities. Sports: Otter Valley beat top-seeded Lyndon in softball playoffs?—actually, Lyndon advanced with a big win over Otter Valley in the Division II quarterfinal. Crime: Federal authorities arrested five out-of-state suspects in a $500,000+ bank and credit union wire fraud case spanning Vermont and the Northeast.

Vermont Workforce & Health: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH wrapped up with a June 3 ceremony for eight graduates, highlighting real workplace rotations and growing independence for young adults with disabilities. Housing & Homelessness: Montpelier opened the Turret House shelter with 18 beds, aiming to reduce pressure on downtown businesses as Vermont’s unhoused population keeps rising. Community Justice: The Community Restorative Justice Center in St. Johnsbury is helping people reenter the community with practical supports like housing, IDs, and health care. Public Safety: Vermont officials warned that “swatting” bomb hoax calls are becoming more common in schools, including recent incidents that turned out unfounded. Environment & Outdoors: Vermont Fish and Wildlife urged anglers not to disturb spawning sea lamprey in the Connecticut River basin. Local Business & Culture: Burlington Wine & Food Festival returns June 27 on the waterfront with two tasting sessions and more than 75 exhibitors. Sports: Vermont Lake Monsters beat Nashua 9-6 in Futures League action at Centennial Field.

Workforce & Health: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH wrapped up with a June 3 ceremony for eight graduates, including a Burlington High School alum whose year at the medical center helped build workplace skills and more independence while managing Type 1 diabetes with less support. Renewable Power: Burlington Electric Department approved new hydro power purchase agreements, including Skelton Hydro output in Maine (100% through 2026, then 50% starting 2027) and a 10-year deal for Connecticut’s Wyre Wynd project. Wake Boat Rules: Vermont’s tightened wake-boat limits take effect June 11, with a 500-foot buffer in permitted zones and $300 fines for violations. Local Food & Learning: Smokey House Center in Danby won a Farm to School grant for a new berry alley cropping system, bringing 300+ students from 14 schools to plant a diversified perennial food setup. Community Gardens: Franklin County’s growing network of community gardens is helping residents learn, share space, and build pride—across St. Albans, Swanton, Enosburgh, Fairfax, Fairfield, and Montgomery. Politics & Personal Allegations: Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner denied claims from an ex-girlfriend alleging “unsettling” and physically intimidating behavior. Sports: Mount Anthony’s Lady Patriots softball team heads into postseason play after a strong season and playoff momentum.

UVM Medical Center & residents: Nearly 70 resident doctors rallied outside UVM Medical Center in Burlington on Thursday, pushing for a fair contract after negotiations stalled since January, with demands including higher pay, caps on shift length, and benefits like childcare and education stipends. Healthcare workforce: The same week, UVM Health marked the Project SEARCH completion ceremony, highlighting how the yearlong program helps young adults with disabilities build workplace skills and independence through real rotations. Sports: Chris Feifs stepped down as UVM men’s lacrosse coach after 10 years, leaving a 78-59 record and America East titles in 2021 and 2022. Public health: Vermont officials reminded anglers to avoid disturbing spawning sea lamprey in the Connecticut River basin and urged tick prevention as tick season ramps up. Local projects: Barton secured permits to replace a damaged culvert on Pageant Park Road this summer. Community & culture: Bennington Free Library begins a grant-funded heating and cooling overhaul June 8, with phased closures expected through mid-August. Business & outdoors: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up to open its bike park for the season on June 6.

Workforce & Disability Employment: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH wrapped up with a June 3 ceremony for eight graduates, highlighting real workplace rotations and growing independence for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local Business & Food: Burlington Wine & Food returns June 27 at Hula Lakeside with more than 75 exhibitors, two tasting sessions, and seminars plus live jazz. Community Health & Environment: Pollen season is in full swing after a late start, with allergists warning tree pollen is driving higher counts in Vermont. Northern Lights: NOAA upgraded the outlook for June 4-5, with a strong G3 geomagnetic storm raising chances of auroras across much of the northern U.S., including Vermont. Sports: Hearts of Pine (Portland, Maine) secured a USL W League franchise and plans to launch a women’s team in May 2027. Agriculture & Learning: Smokey House Center received a Farm to School grant for a new Berry Alley Cropping system, bringing hundreds of students to plant perennial crops. Public Safety: Tick-bite-related ER visits are rising nationwide, with Lyme risk increasing as warmer weather boosts tick activity.

Juvenile Justice: Vermont unveiled a proposal for a new 14-bed Green Mountain Youth Campus in South Burlington to replace the gap left when Woodside closed in 2020, with officials aiming for operation by summer 2028. Local Government & Public Safety: Burlington’s mayor released an internal review of the March 11 ICE protest, while Migrant Justice says it disagrees with the findings and points to injuries shown in its own materials. Health & Education: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH celebrated eight graduates, including a Burlington High School alum, highlighting workplace skills for young adults with disabilities; Community College of Vermont will also hold commencement for nearly 500 graduates Saturday. Weather & Community: Northern lights may be visible Thursday night into early Friday, with the strongest activity expected 8–11 p.m.; and Vermont’s sunniest stretch of the year is arriving in June. Business & Culture: Burlington Wine & Food Festival returns June 27 on the waterfront, and Burke Mountain’s bike park opens Saturday, June 6. National Impact: A new analysis warns Social Security could cut benefits by about $500 a month on average if lawmakers don’t act by 2032.

South End Housing Push: Burlington’s South End Coordinated Redevelopment Project is moving from planning to action, with Burlington City Council sign-off and funding commitments aimed at hundreds of new apartments on Lakeside Avenue—potentially one of the biggest housing builds in Vermont. Battery Storage Debate: Vergennes residents are raising fire-safety and pollution concerns ahead of a public hearing on a proposed battery storage facility, arguing lithium-ion risks could hit nearby homes. Vermont Sports Playoffs: St. Johnsbury’s Devlin Murphy poured in seven goals as the Hilltoppers beat Mount Mansfield in the Division I girls lacrosse opener, while BFA-Fairfax topped Rutland in the D2 playoffs with Joe Brock leading the scoring. Public Safety Update: Vermont State Police cited Larry Garrow of Richford for burglary and grand larceny in a St. Albans-area case, and are still seeking information to recover a stolen ATV. Vermont Business & Outdoors: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up for June 6 bike park opening with expanded trail plans, and Vermont Smoke & Cure is rolling out new A.1. and Lea & Perrins meat sticks nationwide.

Amtrak Tragedy in Claremont: An Amtrak train traveling from Washington, D.C. to St. Albans struck and killed a person near Claremont Tuesday evening; officials say no passengers or crew were hurt. Offshore Wind Lawsuit: New York and six other states, including Vermont, sued the Trump administration over a deal to cancel offshore wind leases tied to TotalEnergies, arguing the buyout was unlawful and threatens clean-energy goals and jobs. Vermont Education Tour: U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Essex tech and Vermont State University’s Williston campus, highlighting career and technical education. Local Energy Costs: Swanton Village Electric raised rates more than 30% after a Highgate Dam bladder failure reduced power production. Sports Playoffs: Vermont high school spring playoffs are underway, with brackets and schedules posted across baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and ultimate. Business & Community: Burke Mountain Resort plans to open its bike park June 6, and Vermont Smoke & Cure launched new A.1. and Lea & Perrins meat sticks nationwide.

Vermont Economy & Jobs: Vermont lost about 900 jobs in April, with the state’s labor force participation rate slipping to 62.7%, adding pressure to already tight household budgets. Public Safety: A new Windham County law lets towns coordinate with the sheriff’s office for regional police coverage, aiming to improve service where small towns lack their own departments. Health Care Access: Copley Hospital in northern Vermont added contrast-enhanced mammography, bringing a more precise breast imaging option to a critical-access setting. Local Business & Tourism: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up to open its bike park for the season June 6, with new trail work and connections to the Kingdom Trail network. Environment & Lake Protection: Vermont’s Lakes and Ponds Program is urging shoreline owners to use shoreland best practices—like native plantings and rain gardens—to reduce erosion and protect water quality. Statewide Cybersecurity: Vermont saw a sharp jump in cyberscams last year, with losses topping $26 million. National Policy With Vermont Ties: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders says he’s still backing Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner despite the sexting scandal, arguing voters should focus on cost-of-living issues. ICE Medical Neglect: A major investigation reports detainees across the country allege serious medical neglect in immigration custody, including in Vermont.

Burlington Police Accountability: An internal review cleared Burlington police officers of policy violations tied to a March ICE raid, saying use of force was “objectively reasonable and proportional,” and that allegations were exonerated or unfounded. Vermont Weather Watch: Spring brought extreme swings for Vermont, including the state’s first April tornado (EF-1 in Williamstown), plus a cool, wetter season overall—now attention turns to what summer could bring. Public Health: Tick bites are spiking, with ER visits at the highest levels for this time of year since 2017, and Lyme disease remaining the most common concern. Education & Community Schools: Peacham voters approved a plan to let the town buy its elementary school building for $1 to keep it as a community asset if district mergers happen. Statehouse Wrap: The Vermont Legislature adjourned after a late push on education and budget work, including a failed attempt to expedite an ICE masking bill. Local Sports: VPA spring playoff pairings are set across baseball and softball divisions, with multiple Burlington-area teams in the mix. Business & Growth: Burke Mountain’s bike park is gearing up for a June 6 opening, with major trail upgrades planned for 2026.

Vermont Privacy: Vermont lawmakers passed a new Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act giving residents a right to opt out of targeted ads, including rules for “sensitive” data and enforcement by the attorney general. Health Care: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for a fourth straight time, citing nursing excellence and patient outcomes. Nonprofits & Community: The Vermont Museum of Natural History received a $5,000 capacity-building grant to help unify its board and strengthen systems after recent changes. Local Planning: Fairfield’s Common School Working Group has narrowed restoration plans to two options as it weighs expensive heating against keeping the 1809 building in use. Business & Jobs: Five state CPA societies approved a merger forming the New England Society of CPAs, effective July 1. Water Rules: Wake surfing is set to be banned on Lake Fairlee and most other Vermont lakes starting June 11 under expanded state rules. Public Safety/Science: A meteor exploded over northeastern Massachusetts, with NASA saying it broke apart about 40 miles up and released energy equivalent to about 300 tons of TNT.

Vermont Health Care: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for the fourth straight time, highlighting nursing excellence and patient-care outcomes. Local Food & Community: Morse Block Deli in Barre is set to mark its 10th anniversary this summer, built on locally sourced food and long-running support for community groups. Vermont Sports: Vermont’s individual high school tennis tournaments wrapped with first-time champions—Essex’s Hannah Knickerbocker and Burlington’s Niah LeMay—while Burlington also swept boys singles and doubles. Community Events: Winooski held the first-ever Service Carnival alongside the farmers market, connecting residents with nonprofits and volunteer opportunities, and St. Albans hosted a regional line-dancing gathering benefiting United Way of Northwestern Vermont. Vermont Outdoors & History: The East Burke Whitewater Race story looks back at rivalries and champions from the event’s heyday, and why today’s young paddlers may be missing out.