AGP Executive Report

Healthcare & Rural Access: Copley Hospital says its new Copley Express Lab in Morrisville (opening Aug. 3) will keep Lamoille County testing local after decisions that would have routed services out of state. Public Safety: Vermont State Police recovered a man’s body from the Lamoille River in Fairfax after a swimmer went missing; crews also responded to other drowning incidents statewide and are urging extra caution around strong currents. Holiday Weekend Safety: With heat and water conditions both in play, Vermont agencies are reminding people to swim with friends, use life preservers, and take breaks. Local Sports: Rutland County Little League district tournaments begin Monday, with multiple age groups playing round-robin games before knockouts. Arts & Community: South Burlington animator Travis Van Alstyne won the Vermont Prize for 2026 for “Love of the Land,” a film about a Vermont farmer’s fight over eminent domain. Business & Military: BAE Systems delivered 19 Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicles to the U.S. military, including the Vermont National Guard’s Army Mountain Warfare School.

Vermont Politics & Elections: A Manchester campaign stop put two Democrats in front of voters as the Aug. 11 primary nears, with Gov. Phil Scott’s long run in the governor’s office framed as a reason to change course. Healthcare & Workforce: In Bennington, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center CEO Estevan Garcia says the hospital plans to become a medical training facility, launching a new three-year family medicine residency to help rural staffing. Lake Champlain Protection: New York DEC and the State Canal Corporation updated their rapid response plan to slow the spread of round goby into the Lake Champlain Basin, including continued monitoring and “Clean, Drain, Dry” guidance for boaters. Public Safety: Vermont State Police resumed search and recovery efforts after two people went into Arrowhead Mountain Lake in Georgia and didn’t resurface. Local Business: St. Albans welcomed ReStash, a new used-and-new craft supply store, filling a gap after JoAnn’s left the area. Energy: Burlington Electric issued a “Defeat the Peak” alert, asking residents to cut electricity use from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during extreme heat.

Healthcare Access: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital says it will close its obstetric service line, including the Birthing Center, within six to nine months, citing big annual losses and the difficulty of staffing maternity care 24/7, while it keeps talking with state leaders about alternatives. Public Safety: Vermont State Police report a missing-person case in Brownington ended with the death of Nicole Richardson, believed to be an accidental drowning in the Clyde River. Extreme Heat: The region is bracing for record-setting heat and humidity, with alerts and guidance to protect kids, pets, and drivers—plus reminders to conserve electricity during peak demand. Local Government & Growth: Burlington’s Memorial Auditorium redevelopment debate continues, with renewed calls to sell the long-closed site rather than wait on a stalled plan. Environment & Enforcement: Vermont is dealing with persistent illegal dumping, as limited staffing and resources leave some cases unresolved for years. Regional Economy: A Brattleboro CEO roundtable is set to focus on state revenue pressures and planning for the next biennium.

Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: Vermont is among 17 states and the DOJ that reached a $3.3 million settlement with major egg producers accused of colluding to inflate prices; the deal also sends 53 million eggs to food banks and nonprofits, including nearly 1 million to Vermont food shelves. Extreme Heat Watch: Millions across the Northeast and Midwest are under heat alerts with dangerous overnight temperatures and heat indexes that can push into the 110s to 115 range—cooling access matters most for kids, seniors, and people with health conditions. Vermont Housing Moves: VHCB approved nearly $7.4 million for affordable housing projects, including 29 rentals in Brandon and a 48-unit affordable building in White River Junction. Local Public Safety: Fairfax is shifting to part-time police coverage from Milton, with Vermont State Police backup when needed. Education & Governance: Gov. Phil Scott signed Act 170, setting next steps for Vermont’s education system changes, while local leaders continue debating how funding and consolidation will play out. Community Spotlight: Operation Flags for Heroes is expanding into South Hero, adding a new Route 2 display honoring local veterans and first responders.

Egg-price fallout hits Vermont: Vermont is set to receive about 915,000 eggs and $56,000 from a nationwide settlement after federal and state investigators alleged major egg producers colluded to inflate benchmark prices from 2022 to 2025; the broader deal totals 53 million eggs and $3.3 million across 17 states, with eggs headed to food banks. Local infrastructure: Champlain Parkway officially opens in Burlington, a four-lane project decades in the making that adds sidewalks and a shared-use path and is expected to reshape traffic patterns. Public safety & rules: Vermont eases some vehicle inspection failures to reduce costs, while a new law boosts penalties for oversized vehicles stuck in Smugglers’ Notch. Wildlife watch: Bear sightings are rising in more populated parts of Chittenden County, with officials urging residents to remove attractants like bird feeders and secure trash. Education leadership: Washington Central School Board begins an interim superintendent search as it prepares for the July 1 contract year. Sports: U-32 sophomore Bubba Chamberlain wins the Vermont Golf Association Junior Tour event in Williston.

Outdoor Music: July’s outdoor concert season is in full swing across Vermont, with big-name acts like Weird Al and Jack White plus local favorites and museum and festival series. Corrections Education: Community College of Vermont is getting a $2.9 million grant to expand programs for incarcerated students and strengthen re-entry support, including a new CEDAR Center. Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: Vermont will receive about 915,000 eggs and $56,000 from a multistate settlement after egg producers were accused of coordinating to raise prices. Wildlife Update: Vermont Fish & Wildlife is prohibiting the sale and possession of pond slider turtles, while allowing owners who had them before July 1, 2025 to keep them. Local Tax Forum: Bennington will host a July 28 public forum on a proposed local option tax as outreach continues. Boating Safety: Game wardens and state police are urging safer boating this Fourth of July weekend, citing alcohol and life-jacket use in drowning deaths. Medicaid Fight: Vermont is among states challenging Trump administration Medicaid work requirement rules that narrow “medically frail” exemptions. Health & Education: Student loan payment changes starting July 1 could raise bills for many borrowers, according to advocates. Community & Business: Burlington’s Champlain Parkway officially opens, and local eateries are rolling out summer updates and late-night service.

Medicaid Fight: Vermont and other states are suing the Trump administration to block new federal Medicaid work rules, arguing the “medically frail” exemptions were narrowed and could cost eligible people coverage. Public Safety & Courts: The family of Scott Garvey, a Putney man fatally shot by a Vermont trooper during a mental health crisis, filed a civil rights lawsuit after the AG cleared the trooper. Local Justice: Chittenden County restorative justice centers are consolidating into one Burlington-based center starting July 1, with Essex officials warning services may need adjustments. Health Care Access: BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont withdrew proposed lower-cost marketplace plans for 2027. Community & Culture: Franklin Opera House in Franklin, NH received a Northern Border Regional Commission grant for Soldiers Memorial Hall upgrades; Vermont also saw a Pride Month film release about mountain biker Lea Davison. Sports: Vermont swept New Hampshire in the Twin State Baseball Classic. Vermont Business/Jobs: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice is accepting applications for its first paid LNA training program starting August.

Health Care Access: UVM Health is pushing new rules for its Medical Group to cut long outpatient wait times, including requiring specialists to see more patients and tightening scheduling controls—clinicians say it could mean shorter visits and more burnout. Workforce & Economy: Vermont’s unemployment rate held at 2.6% in May, but the labor force participation rate fell to 62.5%, with officials warning the bigger issue is a shrinking workforce. Health Insurance Costs: A new early look at ACA Marketplace filings suggests some states could see double-digit premium jumps in 2027; Vermont’s proposed average increase is 6.5%. Public Safety: A man in Hartford was arrested after police say he trapped his girlfriend in an apartment during a mental health crisis; she escaped uninjured. Environment & Summer Health: State officials shared tips for spotting cyanobacteria blooms in lakes and ponds and what to do if you think you’ve been exposed. Local Business & Growth: The Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation launched InvestInSouthwest.org to spotlight regional investment opportunities and community assets. Community Calendar: St. Albans plans a free CENTENNIALS Picnic in Taylor Park on July 5 to mark America’s 250th anniversary. Education/Training: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice is accepting applications for its first paid LNA training program, starting in August 2026. Sports: Vermont swept New Hampshire in the Twin State Baseball Classic, winning both games at the Maxfield Complex.

Health Care & Workforce: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) is launching its first paid Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) training program in August 2026, covering certification fees and aiming to hire graduates into full-time roles. Public Safety: Vermont State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in West Rutland on June 26, where a man was struck by a passing vehicle that did not stop. Mosquito-Borne Disease Watch: Health officials detected Jamestown Canyon virus in Charlotte mosquitoes, the first mosquito-borne virus detection in Vermont this year, urging residents to protect against bites. Local Economy & Development: A Vermont Business Magazine report says Rutland’s economy is in transition, with major moves including Walmart relocating to the former Diamond Run Mall site and Killington’s Village expansion. Dairy & Agriculture Grants: Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants to modernize dairy processing and packaging, with about $1 million available and a required 25% match. Roads: VTrans posted its weekly construction schedule for the week of June 29, with multiple paving and shoulder work projects affecting traffic. Community & Culture: French Heritage Day returned to Winooski with music, vendors, and the Waiter Race at the farmers market, celebrating the city’s French roots.

Vermont privacy vs. policing: Vermont lawmakers tried to curb license plate surveillance, but VTDigger reports police have used a loophole to run more than 100 out-of-state license plate searches since 2023 via a national camera network. Public safety updates: Vermont State Police reported a two-car crash in Fletcher (Pond Rd/Cambridge Rd) with suspected minor injuries, and a Derby-area domestic assault arrest of Zoey Copp, charged after an incident in Troy. Healthcare workforce: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice is accepting applications for its first paid Licensed Nursing Assistant training, starting August 2026 in Barre, with certification fees covered and a path to full-time work. Road work: VTrans listed multiple June 29 construction impacts on I-89 and I-91, including paving and shoulder work with lane closures and reduced speeds. Local crime: Police say a Brandon woman returned to the scene and called 911 after allegedly stabbing two relatives, and was taken into custody.

Healthcare Workforce: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice is launching its first paid Licensed Nursing Assistant training in August 2026, offering classroom and clinical prep, covering certification fees, and aiming to hire graduates full-time. Public Safety: Vermont State Police report a DUI #2 and cruelty-to-a-child arrest in East Burke, plus a separate DUI drugs case in Highgate and a cocaine sale/dispensing arrest on I-89 near Randolph. Transportation & Access: Waterbury held its second annual Train Day celebrating the restored Victorian station and Vermont rail heritage, while Brattleboro opened a new $10 million ADA-accessible train station. Community & Culture: The Vermont Renaissance Faire kicked off its 10th annual run at Champlain Valley Expo, and Team Vermont returned from the Special Olympics USA Games with medals. Food Security: Hunger Free Vermont launched a new map tool to help families find free summer meals statewide. Wildlife: Vermont Fish and Wildlife begins its turkey brood survey July 1 to track wild turkey productivity.

Healthcare Workforce: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) is launching its first paid Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) training program in August 2026, offering classroom and hands-on clinical prep, covering certification fees, and aiming to place graduates into full-time roles. Public Safety: Vermont State Police arrested Brandon woman Tamara Stone, 51, after a stabbing on Triangle Court left two adult relatives seriously injured; she faces attempted second-degree murder and aggravated domestic assault charges and is held without bail pending arraignment. Roads & Travel: VTrans posted its weekly construction plan for June 29, including paving and shoulder work on I-89 and I-91 that will bring lane closures and delays, plus local roadwork updates for North Bennington and other areas. Food Security: Hunger Free Vermont says summer meals for kids 0-18 are free statewide with no paperwork, and it’s rolling out an updated map tool to help families find nearby sites. Local Economy & Community: A Rutland Region update highlights major shifts ahead, including Walmart’s move to the former Diamond Run Mall space and Killington’s Village expansion, alongside new leadership at the chamber. Culture & 250th: Vermont’s “America 250” celebrations keep rolling, with events and tours planned across the state, including a Vermont Symphony Orchestra summer festival series.

Elections & courts: Michigan AG Dana Nessel and a coalition of states won in federal court, permanently blocking key parts of a Trump executive order aimed at federal control over elections, including rules tied to voter lists and mail voting. Public health: Vermont detected Jamestown Canyon virus in mosquitoes in Charlotte, the first mosquito-borne virus finding in the state this year; officials urge bite prevention. Public safety: Vermont State Police are investigating a suspected hit-and-run in West Rutland that killed a pedestrian, and they’re also searching for a Brandon woman, Tamara Stone, after two relatives were stabbed. State policy: Gov. Phil Scott signed a new tobacco law raising retailer licensing fees, increasing penalties for under-21 sales, and banning certain kid-appealing nicotine products. Housing: Vermont is working with Essex Junction, Hartford, and Manchester on pre-approved housing plans through the 802 Homes catalog, aiming to make it statewide. Healthcare workforce: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice is accepting applications for its first paid LNA training program starting in August.

Vermont Public Safety: Vermont State Police are still searching for Tamara Stone, 51, a person of interest in a Brandon assault where two adult relatives were stabbed and airlifted or taken to hospitals; police say they won’t release victims’ names due to domestic violence. Fatal Crash: In Lowell, a 2021 Polaris RZR side-by-side crash killed passenger Maddison Hayden, 22; the operator, Randy Lemieux II, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and charged with DUI with death resulting. Traffic: I-89 southbound in Montpelier/Middlesex is snarled after a jackknifed tractor-trailer crash near Exit 8; police say most lanes are blocked and delays could last 2–4 hours. Local Economy & Community: Sterling College’s Craftsbury campus is now up for sale, with groups like Headwaters Land Trust weighing redevelopment plans. Arts & Culture: Tillie Walden’s “Charity & Sylvia” lands as a rural Vermont-set queer history story. Health & Workforce: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice is accepting applications for its first paid LNA training program starting August 2026. Public Safety (Crime): VSP is asking for tips after a Stamford burglary at Billmont’s Country Store.

Health Workforce: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice is launching its first paid Licensed Nursing Assistant training in August, offering classroom and clinical prep and covering certification fees, with a path to full-time jobs. Public Safety & Crime: Vermont State Police are searching for a Brandon woman accused of stabbing two relatives, with one victim flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Elections: A federal judge paused parts of a Trump mail-voting order, while the USPS postmaster said ballots could be blocked if states won’t provide voter lists. Food Assistance: USDA data shows South Dakota as most accurate in SNAP payments, with Vermont also among the lower-error states; higher-error states face new financial consequences. Environment & Health: A Charlotte case confirms Jamestown Canyon virus in Vermont; and in Bennington/Shaftsbury, officials updated residents on PFOA contamination. Local Culture & 250th: The Vermont Historical Society is preparing its “50 for 250” exhibit, opening July 3. Business & Community: Vermont CARES will take over Burlington’s needle-exchange program at 139 Bank St. starting July 1.

Paraquat Ban: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weed killer tied by advocates to Parkinson’s disease, while the EPA continues reviewing safety and industry groups warn of farm impacts. Healthcare Pressure: Vermont’s healthcare debate continues as state fiscal leaders, including Auditor Julie Blaha, push back on Medicaid cuts and warn local governments can’t absorb the fallout. SNAP Costs: A new federal SNAP payment-error review could force some states to cover millions if mistakes aren’t reduced, with Vermont readers likely watching how eligibility and benefit accuracy play out. Youth Mental Health: Vermont is preparing to join the Youth Mental Health Corps, training 18-to-24-year-olds to deliver peer support in schools and community settings, starting with a planning grant. Outdoor Safety: Tick season coverage urges Vermonters to prevent bites and manage Lyme risk without panic. Local Sports & Community: Rye High School student-athletes signed college letters of intent, and the Vermont Wild plans a Pride Month match in Manchester. Public Safety Notes: Vermont State Police reported a heroin possession arrest in Rutland, a domestic assault case in Royalton, and a missing Corinth man later found dead in New Hampshire.