AGP Executive Report

Supreme Court Climate Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Suncor v. Boulder, a case that could shape whether cities and states can sue oil companies for climate-related damages under state law. Vermont Politics & Elections: Vermont Public released transcripts from its 2026 election interviews for secretary of state and attorney general races, with Sarah Copeland Hanzas and Charity Clark facing GOP challengers. Local Public Safety: Vermont State Police reported a missing 83-year-old hiker in Cavendish who was later found safe, plus a Derby grand larceny case involving a stolen utility trailer and a Berlin incident involving alleged violation of conditions and simple assault. Road & Community Alerts: Main St in Montgomery was shut down after a crash, and Highgate police charged a woman accused of harassing dispatchers by phone. Health & Business Notes: Rutland Regional Medical Center plans a public debut of the da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system Oct. 10, and Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $7,200 grant for adult home healthcare. Sports: Orleans County’s Quinn Pratte and Rutland’s Mason Farley qualified for the boys golf state tournament.

Climate & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a major climate damages fight tied to Boulder, Colorado’s lawsuit against oil companies, a case that could shape dozens of similar suits nationwide. Local Public Safety: Vermont State Police are investigating a missing 83-year-old man in Windsor County after he was last seen hiking in Albert C. Lord State Forest. Law Enforcement: In Highgate, police charged a 55-year-old woman with criminal threatening and disorderly conduct by telephone after repeated calls and threats to dispatchers. Health Care Costs: The Trump administration says it will send $90 Medicare premium rebate payments to more than 20 million seniors in October. Vermont Energy Pressure: A new estimate says heating oil prices could jump 50% this winter, adding about $900 to average household bills—hitting Vermont families already squeezed by winter costs. Vermont Elections & Voting Access: Vermont officials are working to improve voting accessibility ahead of November, including guidance for nursing home residents and a statewide task force with advocacy groups. Community & Business: Float Away Wellness Spa announced a partnership with UVM Athletics, bringing floatation therapy to student-athletes for recovery and mental focus.

Vermont Politics & Governance: Gov. Phil Scott announced new administration appointments, including Nick Kramer as deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan as deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Voting Access: Vermont officials and advocates are pushing to improve voting accessibility ahead of the November election, including guidance for nursing home residents and voting assistance. Public Safety & Courts: A federal judge ruled warrantless “Flock” location-history searches violate the Fourth Amendment, a decision that could affect how similar cases are handled. State Infrastructure: Vermont’s road construction report lists ongoing I-89 paving and resurfacing work plus statewide line striping, with drivers urged to expect delays and reduced speeds. Local Community & Health: Central Vermont home health and hospice received a $7,200 grant to support adult home healthcare, while a Vermont health-care association project helped stock a personal care closet and community fridge for students in need. Weather & Preparedness: A Dartmouth study suggests Northeast droughts may be less frequent and less intense, but Vermont farmers still face real drought risk. Energy Costs: Heating-oil prices are expected to jump this winter, and LIHEAP benefits may not keep up with higher bills. Sports: Randolph Union High School won the 2026 VPA bass fishing state championships.

Vermont Arts & Community: Open Studio Weekend is back for the fall season, with artists across the state opening their home studios and spaces for visitors through Sunday. Local Outdoors & Sports: The Pico Ski Club is hosting its annual swap and sale this weekend to help skiers gear up for winter. Veterans & Public Memory: Derby Veterans Park added five new monuments, including new honors for conflicts the park previously missed and a memorial for all who served. Health & Policy: A new study using Medicaid data finds kids’ access to pediatric sleep tests varies wildly by location, with some children up to four times more likely to get testing than others. Civil Liberties: A federal judge ruled a Tulsa deputy violated a woman’s Fourth Amendment rights by using Flock Safety to search her without a warrant. State Government: Gov. Phil Scott announced new appointments, including Nick Kramer as deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan as deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Traffic: Vermont State Police reported an I-91 NB crash at MM105 with the passing lane closed and delays expected.

Privacy & policing: A federal appeals court covering Vermont ruled border agents can search travelers’ phones without suspicion, and a separate federal judge called Flock “indiscriminate mass surveillance,” adding new pressure on automatic license plate reader use. Vermont politics & policy: Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the Ban Flock Act to restrict federal ALPR and vehicle-location data access, keeping Vermont’s privacy debate front and center. Healthcare & workforce: Community College of Vermont won a $790,000 grant to expand a statewide licensed nursing assistant training hub, aiming to close gaps in the care workforce. Local community & business: Vermont Historical Society acquired Big Heavy World’s music collection, preserving decades of Vermont music history; and Float Away Wellness Spa announced a partnership with UVM Athletics to bring floatation therapy to student-athletes. Affordability & voting: ACA marketplace plan selections fell as premiums rose, while a guide explains Vermont’s vote-by-mail rules and deadlines. Community calendar: Cider Days returns to Belmont Oct. 10-11 with live music, vendors, and fresh cider.

Vermont Politics: Three candidates are vying for Rutland-2 House seats, with Democrat Marsha Cassel challenging GOP incumbents Tom Burditt and David Bosch, as the race focuses on affordability, taxes, and school and infrastructure priorities. Public Safety: Vermont State Police say a drug task force search in Waterbury led to an arrest of Ashley Brooks, 42, tied to a Sept. 23 incident on Stowe Street involving cocaine. Elections & Voting Access: Vermont Secretary of State candidates are taking shape, including incumbent Sarah Copeland Hanzas, as the state’s election administration and voting-rights protections remain a key campaign theme. Local Government: Barre has a new deputy fire chief, Nick Copping, sworn in after a long internal search. Health & Community: Float Away Wellness Spa announced a partnership with UVM Athletics to bring floatation therapy to student-athletes, marking the first time the service has been offered through UVM sports. Courts & Policy: Bernie Sanders introduced the Ban Flock Act to block federal use of automatic license plate readers, aiming to curb surveillance concerns.

Vermont Politics & Rights: Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark released a protest-rights guide spelling out First Amendment protections and limits as she faces scrutiny over prosecuting protesters. Statehouse Watch: Three candidates are vying for Vermont state Treasurer, setting up a close race with incumbent Mike Pieciak, Republican Lynn LaFleur, and Progressive Zachary Hampl. Public Safety & Health: Support staff and technical professionals at UVMMC authorized a strike after contract talks stalled, citing staffing levels and “safe staffing” demands. Climate & Energy Lawsuits: States and cities sued the Trump administration over EPA rollbacks of power-plant emissions limits, arguing the changes will worsen pollution and health impacts. Surveillance Debate: Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced The Ban Flock Act to block federal use of automatic license plate readers, arguing they erode privacy. Local Community: Vital Communities will transfer 38 town listservs to a new nonprofit, UVLists, with the switch expected to finish by month’s end.

Medicaid Accountability: Vermont’s Washington County Mental Health Services will pay $60,661 after allegations it billed Medicaid for case management not provided, raising concerns for families who rely on consistent check-ins. Diesel Costs Hit Schools: Record-high diesel prices are straining Vermont school district budgets, with one district projecting $200,000 more than planned and noting monthly fuel increases of $16,000 to $20,000. State Government Moves: Gov. Phil Scott announced appointments including Nick Kramer as deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan as deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Youth Justice Update: A new Vermont study finds 18-year-olds handled in family court are less likely to reoffend than those processed in adult criminal court, supporting the state’s “Raise the Age” direction. Local Business & Community: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $7,200 grant to support Adult Home Healthcare, while Brattleboro’s Reality Fair is set to teach financial literacy to hundreds of students. International Day of Non-Violence: Vermont coverage highlights civil disobedience traditions tied to Gandhi’s birthday and the UN’s Oct. 2 observance.

Rural Health Funding: Rutland Regional Medical Center won $3.15 million in Vermont Rural Transformation grants to expand and relocate its Rutland Women’s Healthcare clinic, part of a broader push to reshape rural care. State Appointments: Gov. Phil Scott named Nick Kramer as deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan as deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Public Safety: Jeffrey Mullins was sentenced to six to 10 years (with all but six months suspended) for his role in a fatal Hartford shooting last August. Drugs & Enforcement: Vermont State Police Drug Task Force searched a Waterbury residence tied to a months-long narcotics investigation; no details were released as the case remains active. Local Business & Community: NorthCountry Federal Credit Union awarded Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice a $7,200 grant to support Adult Home Healthcare for more than 1,700 Central Vermonters each year. Politics & Voting: A letter urges voters to scrutinize Vermont State Rep. VL Coffin’s record ahead of an upcoming House election. Climate Policy Fight: Vermont AG Nick Brown joined a coalition suing the EPA over the rollback of power plant greenhouse gas limits. Tourism Watch: Canadian tourism to New England is recovering only slightly, with some visitors still staying away amid U.S.-Canada tensions.

Vermont Politics & Elections: ACLU of Vermont executive director James Lyall urges voters to prioritize healthcare, housing and wealth inequality, arguing Vermont leaders must better reflect public values. UVM Safety: UVM police are investigating reports of alleged “date rape” drug incidents off campus in the Burlington area, with officials saying multiple distinct events may be involved. Health Policy: Senators Markey, Schumer and Sanders press the CDC over a nearly four-week delay in ordering free COVID-19 shots for low-income children under the VFC program. State Government: Gov. Phil Scott announced new administration appointments, including Nick Kramer as deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan as deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Environment & Outdoors: Vermont Fish & Wildlife will close a 20-by-100-foot corridor at Hatchery Cove in Grand Isle to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon during fall spawning. Local Business & Community: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $7,200 grant to support adult home healthcare, while Vermont teachers can apply for National History Day professional development workshop grants.

UVM & Health Tech: UVM’s Larner College of Medicine landed a landmark up-to-$38M ARPA-H contract to build AI-powered “digital twins” that could help clinicians personalize treatment for critically ill patients and potentially cut ICU stays. State Appointments: Gov. Phil Scott named Nick Kramer deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Public Safety: Vermont State Police issued a criminal citation for excessive speed after a driver hit 91 mph on VT Route 36 in Fairfield, and reported a minor crash involving a state trooper on Westminster Heights Road in Westminster. EMS Planning: Pownal and other Southshire towns will hold public meetings on EMS regionalization options aimed at stabilizing rising emergency service costs. Environment & Outdoors: A small portion of Hatchery Cove on Lake Champlain will close to fishing Oct. 1–Nov. 30 to protect a salmon migration corridor. Community & Business: NorthCountry Federal Credit Union awarded Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice $7,200 to support adult home healthcare for more than 1,700 Central Vermonters yearly.

Vermont Health & Community: Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice received a $7,200 grant from NorthCountry Federal Credit Union to support its Adult Home Healthcare program, which serves more than 1,700 people a year with short-term care and therapy at home. Local Roads & Safety: Vermont State Police reported crash-related lane obstructions on I-89 north of Berlin (MM 47.4) and on Route 100 in Warren, with motorists urged to expect delays. Wildlife Protection: Vermont Fish & Wildlife ordered a portion of Hatchery Cove in Grand Isle closed to fishing from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon during their fall run. Land Use Watch: The Land Use Review Board is holding public meetings on new Act 250 criterion 8C, aimed at preventing “undue adverse impacts” to forest blocks and habitat connectors starting in 2028. Arts & Education: Vermont State University Castleton students and partners are planning community-focused events, including a Reality Fair for financial literacy at Leland & Gray on Oct. 6, and a Rutland-area art fundraiser benefiting No Empty Bowls. Public Notices: VSP also flagged a littering investigation tied to the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail.

Burlington & statewide safety: Vermont Rep. Troy Headrick was allegedly assaulted during an Abenaki gathering in Burlington; police arrested Robert Richard on simple assault, as the Abenaki Council of Odanak calls for protection from intimidation. Public works & mobility: The Scott administration’s Agency of Transportation will distribute $6.2 million in Bicycle and Pedestrian grants for projects in Chester’s Stone Village, Moretown, Randolph, plus crosswalk work in Rutland and Sharon, and the next phase of the Essex Junction-to-Essex Town VT 15 path. Cybersecurity transparency fight: Vermont has started using an Anthropic AI tool to scan state IT for vulnerabilities, but lawmakers say they weren’t told and critics warn the lack of oversight could raise risk. Local environment enforcement: Vermont State Police say they identified a person who piled trash on the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail while trying to clean up; officials say it still created hazards and will cost the state to remove. Arts & education: Phish fans and VSAC are launching a new music scholarship for Vermont students, funded in perpetuity by The Mockingbird Foundation. Health & justice: A federal judge set tighter oversight for the slow-moving case against a man accused in the 2025 killing of a border agent in northern Vermont.

Mental Health Access: HCRS won $3.6 million to build a 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care Center in Brattleboro, with services starting January 2027 and added short-term residential beds for youth. Public Safety & Health: Burlington’s city council got an update on a potential Overdose Prevention Center location, with a non-binding letter of intent from Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform; the plan would include supervised consumption, drug checking, and referrals. Education Reform Watch: Act 170 merger work is moving from planning to action, with the first merger committee meeting set for Sept. 30 and districts wrestling with what “good faith” and consolidation could mean for schools, taxes, and tuition. Community Support: Vermont’s legal community raised $20,033 in the 10th annual Legal Community Food and Diaper Drive for the Vermont Foodbank. State & Local News: A small portion of Hatchery Cove in Grand Isle will close to fishing Oct. 1–Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon during their fall run. Sports: U-32 rolled past Missisquoi 9-1 in wet, cold conditions.

State Politics & Elections: A new Vermont Public poll says Gov. Phil Scott leads Amanda Janoo by 10 points, adding fresh uncertainty to a race that’s been shifting fast. Public Safety: Vermont State Police are investigating littering on the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail in Sheldon after VTrans found a large amount of trash and scrap metal. Local Government & Housing: Vermont approved financing for 80 affordable apartments and recovery housing for mothers, expanding options for families in need. Courts & Consumer Protection: Vermont’s attorney general joined a multistate push urging Congress to regulate rapidly evolving AI, while other legal news highlights efforts to protect consumers from financial “tricks and traps.” Environment & Outdoor Life: Vermont Fish & Wildlife is closing a small Hatchery Cove area in Grand Isle to fishing through late November to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon during their run. Crime: A New York man was arrested in Rutland County in an alleged “Scooter Crew” fentanyl trafficking case. Business & Community: Vermont Legal Community Fighting Hunger raised more than $20,000 in two weeks for food and diapers statewide.

Vermont Corrections: The Vermont Department of Corrections says Trevis Gembarowski, 44, died at Southern State Correctional in Springfield after a medical event; officials say the death doesn’t appear suspicious and notified state police and the Prisoners’ Rights Office. Public Safety/Traffic: A nor’easter brought outages and downed trees across the Northeast, including Vermont; in Bridport, VT Route 22a reopened after a car hit a telephone poll and damaged a power pole. Local Roads: VT Route 113 in West Fairlee reopened after a death investigation found nothing suspicious; troopers sent the decedent for autopsy. Community & Culture: The Vermont 251 Club held its annual meeting in Montpelier, with a member’s 2-by-2-inch paintings of every Vermont town now displayed in the Statehouse. Outdoors & Food: Hatchery Cove in Grand Isle will close to fishing Oct. 1–Nov. 30 to protect a salmon spawning corridor. Sports: Vermont high school and college teams saw weekend action, including Castleton field hockey beating Thomas 3-1.