AGP Executive Report

Elections & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Trump’s late push to tighten mail-ballot rules through USPS screening, keeping Vermont’s plan on track and easing fears of disruption for voters. Local Courts & Public Safety: In Burlington, prosecutors rested their case in the trial of Jason Eaton, accused of shooting three Palestinian college students in 2023; the focus now shifts to Eaton’s mental state. Health Care Costs: Vermont regulators ordered more cuts tied to hospital budgets, including new pressure on UVM Medical Center’s commercial insurance rates. State Disaster Aid: Vermont is receiving millions more in FEMA money for repairs from the 2023 and 2024 floods, including road and bridge work and major Green Mountain Railroad repairs. Crime & Sentencing: Theodore Bland was sentenced in federal court to consecutive life terms for killings tied to a drug debt. Community & Culture: Burlington’s Harborvale restaurant highlights a new wave of local dining, while Vermont Cheese Week continues with a screening of “The Big Cheese” in Burlington. Weather & Risk: Frost advisories are in effect for Vermont and nearby states, with temperatures near freezing threatening outdoor plants. Business & Community Giving: The Ron Hance Memorial Golf Classic in Rutland raised $45,000+ for local nonprofits through Heritage Family Cares 4 You.

Hospital Cost Cuts: Vermont regulators approved aggressive budget reductions for UVMMC, including a $16 million lower commercial net patient revenue cap and at least a 4.4% drop in commercial reimbursement rates, continuing pressure to rein in health care spending. Election Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s push to restrict mail ballots for the midterms, keeping states’ existing mail voting processes in place. Immigration Legal Fight: Vermont AG Raoul joined a coalition suing to block the Trump administration’s public charge rule, arguing it unlawfully punishes immigrants for using benefits they’re entitled to. Local Schools: Washington Central is awaiting state approval on an interim superintendent plan as it works to fill an administrative gap. Public Safety: Vermont State Police reported a sexual assault case tied to the Grout Pond camping area in Stratton, with a court date set for Sept. 15. Sports: Harwood’s Jocelyn Brauer scored late to lift the Highlanders to a 3-2 OT win over Burlington. Health Alert: Vermont egg producer Leaping Bear Farm recalled eggs after Salmonella concerns linked to illnesses in the state.

Disaster Recovery: Vermont is getting more than $33.2 million in long-awaited FEMA funding for flood buyouts and hazard mitigation, including over $27.6 million to help purchase at least 90 floodplain- or landslide-risk homes from the 2023 and 2024 disasters. Public Health & Harm Reduction: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” is set for Sept. 24 in Barre, offering free naloxone (Narcan) and overdose-prevention info, plus a traveling exhibit of portraits from Into Light. Community Aging: Central Vermont Council on Aging’s fifth annual “Hit the Trail” fundraiser runs Sept. 27 along the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, with a 5K option, music, food, and raffles including an e-trike. Healthcare Costs: A VAHHS update says Vermont hospital budgets for FY2027 reflect an Affordability Action Plan aimed at cutting operating expense growth and delivering $50 million per year in savings. Immigration Policy Fight: Vermont officials are among states suing to block a new federal “public charge” rule that could count lawful use of public benefits against green-card applicants. Arts & Advocacy: A traveling exhibit, “STILL,” is coming to Maine in October to spotlight women who choose aesthetic flat closure after mastectomy.

Pride in Burlington: Hundreds filled downtown for the city’s 44th annual Pride parade and festival, with a new coalition stepping in after the Pride Center of Vermont stepped back from organizing the September event. Vermont community health: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” is set for Sept. 24 in Barre, offering free naloxone and overdose-prevention resources, plus a traveling exhibit of portraits from Into Light. Rural health push: A new report says states are expanding rural health funding by connecting provider groups to health information exchanges, with Vermont among those receiving federal support. Local education wins: Vermont Adult Learning held a graduation ceremony in Brattleboro honoring students who earned diplomas/GEDs and advanced toward citizenship and workforce goals. Traffic update: Vermont State Police reported a crash causing lane closures on I-91 S near MM51, with the roadway later reopened. Arts & seasons: UVM researchers discussed how extreme weather may affect Vermont fall foliage timing and color. State cannabis enforcement: Regulators announced a settlement with Lt. Gov. John Rodgers over unapproved greenhouse seedlings, with a $2,500 fine.

Public Health & Harm Reduction: Vermont regulators say Lt. Gov. John Rodgers agreed to a $2,500 settlement after an inspection found 200 cannabis seedlings in an unapproved greenhouse site, a reminder that the state’s cannabis rules still hinge on approved growing locations. Education & Community: Vermont Adult Learning held a graduation ceremony in Brattleboro honoring students who overcame barriers to earn diplomas/GEDs, including Logan Hill and Sandra Perez. Local Events: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” in Barre will hand out naloxone and overdose-prevention info Sept. 24, with an Into Light Project portrait display. Roads & Safety: Vermont State Police reported a crash-related lane closure on I-91 S near MM51 that has since reopened. Environment & Economy: UVM experts weigh in on how extreme weather and climate change could affect Vermont fall foliage—and the tourism dollars it brings. Science & Health: New research links bat longevity genes to virus-fighting immune genes, offering clues to aging and cancer.

Public Safety & Health: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” is set for Sept. 24 in Barre, offering free naloxone (Narcan), overdose prevention info, and harm-reduction resources, plus a traveling Into Light portrait exhibit from Vermonters lost to overdose. Aging & Community: Central Vermont Council on Aging’s fifth annual “Hit the Trail” fundraiser runs Sept. 27 along the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail with a 5K option, music, food, raffles, and an e-trike prize. Local Business & Kids Health: Kinney Drugs is expanding its kid-friendly “comfort vaccination experience” with a weekly “Find Flemy” scavenger hunt in stores. Weather & Economy: UVM researchers explain how extreme weather and climate change could shift Vermont’s fall foliage timing and color—big business for the region. Emergency Response: Hazmat crews responded to a Rutland rail derailment involving liquefied propane near Park Street; officials say there’s no leak and no threat. Food Safety: Vermont health and agriculture officials report a Salmonella-linked egg recall from Leaping Bear Farm in Windsor County, with 14 illnesses tied to the strain. Tech & Policy: Vermont lawmakers and national voices are again pushing for AI oversight after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s call for a slowdown and third-party safety checks. Transportation Updates: Vermont’s weekly construction report flags paving, bridge work, and lane closures on major routes including I-89 and I-91.

Public Health: Vermont officials say Salmonella Enteritidis was found in eggs and environmental samples at Leaping Bear Farm in Windsor County, prompting a voluntary recall of cartons dated June 1 through Sept. 5, with 14 illnesses linked to the strain; consumers are urged to throw recalled eggs away and clean any surfaces that may have touched them. Emergency Response: A rail car carrying liquefied propane derailed and rolled over near the Park Street rail crossing in Rutland City; officials report no tank compromise, no leak, and no threat to public health, and residents are asked to avoid the area while crews rerail the car. Community & Aging: Central Vermont Council on Aging is gearing up for its fifth annual Hit the Trail fundraiser on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, with a 5K run/walk/bike, live music, food, and a raffle supporting CVCOA’s free programs. Local Events: The Lake Paran Stone Skipping Festival returns to North Bennington Community Center on Sept. 19, with free viewing and $5 registration for competitors. Vermont Outdoors: UVM experts discuss how extreme weather and climate change could affect this year’s fall foliage. Road Work: Vermont’s weekly construction update flags paving and bridge work on I-89 and I-91, with lane closures and speed limits in multiple areas.

Public Safety: Vermont State Police are asking for help identifying a person of interest in a Cabot road-rage incident on Route 215 where a driver reported being confronted by an armed man; police later said the person has been identified but the investigation continues. Local Government: Residents in Upper Graniteville are upset after the town removed an unsafe basketball court from their playground, saying they weren’t consulted and noting the town’s multi-year plan to resurface other courts. Health & Food Safety: Leaping Bear Farm in Reading is recalling eggs dated June 1 to Sept. 5 after Salmonella was found in eggs and environmental samples; officials linked 14 illnesses in Vermont and say recalled eggs should be thrown away, not composted. Community & Recovery: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” in Barre will hand out naloxone and overdose-prevention info, with Into Light portraits on display. Sports: Otter Valley girls soccer advanced to the Josh Cole Tournament title game with a 7-2 win over Proctor. Arts & Culture: VSO opens its season Sept. 18 at the Flynn with “Charity, Sylvia & Cleopatra,” including a Vermont history-focused world premiere.

Rural Health Funding: Vermont announced the first $11.7 million from its $195 million federal rural health package, including $9 million for scholarships to keep healthcare workers in rural Vermont for at least five years and $2.7 million for nursing home upgrades and training. Broadband Access: Federal changes to the BEAD broadband program let Vermont use new mapping rules to reach more rural homes and businesses that were previously left out. 9/11 Remembrance: Vermont marked the 25th anniversary with public statements and ceremonies, including local first responders in Grand Isle and statewide memorial messages from Gov. Phil Scott and Sen. Peter Welch. Local Public Safety: Vermont State Police are asking for help identifying a suspect in a Cabot road rage incident where a driver was confronted by someone believed to be armed with a gun. Community Health & Youth: CVPH employees are hosting free Picture Day for local kids, while UVM Health Network-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital is partnering on free back-to-school photo sessions. Construction & Travel: A new round of state highway work is set to affect traffic around I-89, I-91, and other routes, with lane closures and detours planned.

Opioid prevention: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” is set for Sept. 24 in Barre, offering free naloxone (Narcan), overdose prevention info, and local harm-reduction resources, plus a traveling Into Light Project portrait exhibit. Rural health funding: Vermont is receiving $11.7 million from federal rural health transformation money to train healthcare workers and expand capacity at three rural nursing homes. Transportation: Officials are working to restore rail service between Vermont and Quebec, aiming to reconnect the region after decades without direct service. Public safety: Vermont State Police reported a multi-car crash at US Route 7 and Kocher Drive in Bennington, with minor injuries. Local government & growth: Rutland’s Walmart Supercenter plans continue with an Act 250 prehearing at the former Diamond Run Mall site. Community events: Barre’s Aldrich Public Library hosts a closing reception for reclaimed-glass art, and Rutland students unveiled a new collaborative mural. Sports: Week 2 of Vermont high school football kicks off Thursday with Burlington/South Burlington at BFA-St Albans and Essex at Colchester. Wildlife: Vermont bear hunting season begins Sept. 1, with rules on tags, reporting, and required tooth submission.

Vermont Politics & Courts: Vermont’s AG Charity Clark is suing Amazon with a coalition, alleging the company secretly inflated prices in its online ad auctions, and she’s also challenging federal Title X funding conditions that would force states to follow an ideological family-planning agenda. Public Safety: A propane leak caused a deadly house explosion in Granville during a birthday party, killing UVM employee Sarah O’Sullivan and her son Liam; three others were injured. Health: The CDC says the Cyclospora outbreak has surged to 19,595 lab-confirmed U.S. cases since May 1, far above 2025 totals. Environment & Energy: Vermont’s secretary of natural resources backed a federal push to make data-center owners help pay for water infrastructure impacts, after Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a similar Vermont bill. Community & Culture: Kinney Drugs is rolling out a “Find Flemy” flu-mascot scavenger hunt for kids, and UVM experts weigh how extreme weather could shift fall foliage timing and color. Business & Growth: A Southwestern Vermont chamber survey finds strong local optimism, but rising costs and workforce shortages are still the biggest barriers.

AI Safety & Politics: A former Anthropic researcher, Jacob Coxon, resigned and warned that AI firms are “gambling with our lives” as they race toward self-improving superintelligence, sparking fresh calls in Congress for regulation. Vermont Legal Spotlight: A federal judge blocked Vermont AG Charity Clark from stopping a Brattleboro man’s AI-assisted political satire videos, citing First Amendment concerns. Endangered Species Act Lawsuits: Vermont AG Charity Clark is part of a coalition suing the Trump administration over Endangered Species Act rollbacks that weaken habitat protections. Public Safety/Health: Vermont’s enrollment trends show gradual declines in the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union, while Vermont Adaptive opened a new Taff Adaptive Yurt at Bolton Valley to expand adaptive sports access. Community & Culture: Radio Bean in Burlington closed after 26 years, and Norwich University marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a series of campus and community events.

Vermont energy costs: The Public Utility Commission approved a 5.5% rate increase for Green Mountain Power customers, effective Oct. 1, after earlier criticism of the utility’s spending plan and a months-long review of what’s driving costs. School meals at risk: SNAP cuts tied to federal changes could ripple into Vermont school breakfast and lunch access nationwide, threatening eligibility for free meals and funding tied to participation rates. Local courts and public safety: A Cabot man accused of stealing about $44,000 in cannabis from a Worcester growing operation pleaded not guilty and faces serious prison exposure; separately, a St. Albans man was cited after an alleged assault on a Vermont State Police trooper. Burlington spotlight: Burlington is lining up to host two major collegiate sailing events on Lake Champlain, including the Intercollegiate Fleet Racing Nationals in May 2028. Community notes: Rutland’s Whoopie Pie Fest returns Saturday, and apple picking is underway in Rutland County after a better growing season than last year.

Vermont Business & Jobs: A 2026 State of the Commerce survey from the Southwestern Vermont Chamber finds most local businesses still thriving and looking to grow, but they’re squeezed by rising costs, worker shortages, and weaker confidence in the broader Vermont economy. School Meals: Vermont ranks No. 1 nationally for school meals in 2026, topping a new report that looks at reach, participation, and how well states connect families to free lunch and breakfast. Local Economy at the Pump: GasBuddy reports Vermont’s average gas price at $4.29 per gallon, up week over week, with Burlington tracking slightly higher than a month ago. Community & Culture: Manchester Community Library and a local photographer are teaming up on an exhibit through Oct. 15 to raise money for the library and the Manchester Kitchen Cupboard. Public Safety: Vermont State Police say a Williston-area trooper arrested a Huntington man for possession of stolen property after locating a stolen vehicle in South Burlington. Food & Labor: Kingdom Creamery says immigration enforcement led to detention of workers and a labor shortage, forcing limited creemee production. Politics & Rights: Bernie Sanders is pushing a bill to ban “artificial superintelligence,” arguing the industry can’t be trusted to control it. Business Leadership: Burton Snowboards names Denny Bruce as CEO effective Sept. 21, as the company heads toward its 50th anniversary.

Suicide Care in Burlington: UVM Health Network and the Four Pines Fund opened the Asha Clinic, a specialized outpatient program at 1 South Prospect St. focused only on suicide care, led by suicide researcher Dr. Craig Bryan, aiming to expand access to proven treatments. Public Safety (Derby): Vermont State Police recovered a Glock 43x reported found on the side of a public highway and asked the owner to contact the Derby barracks. Rural Health Warning: A new KFF analysis says rural hospital obstetrics closures could force Medicaid patients to drive an hour or more for maternity care, with closures accelerating under recent federal changes. Vermont Politics & Rights: Vermonters will vote in November on a constitutional amendment to add an Equal Rights Amendment article guaranteeing equal protection, including protections tied to sex, gender identity and more. Local Crime (Waitsfield/Barre): A Waitsfield man faces attempted first-degree murder and other charges after a Barre Town shooting tied to a domestic dispute. Community & Culture: The Festival of Resistance in Burlington brought workers and union supporters together, including advocates pushing Proposal Three for collective bargaining rights.

Public Safety: Vermont State Police say a Waitsfield man, Joshua Brackett, 41, was arrested after a Sunday shooting in Barre Town that investigators say stemmed from a domestic dispute involving a third party; he faces attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, reckless endangerment, and other charges, and was ordered held without bail pending arraignment. Fatal Crash: In Dorset, a 28-year-old Danby man died after a motorcycle crash on Morse Hill Road near Kelleher Road; police say he failed to navigate a curve and struck a tree, and the investigation is ongoing. Community & Culture: Middlebury is hosting a free Constitution Day celebration Sept. 17 featuring student winners from a statewide “What Does Freedom Mean to Me?” contest, plus readings and performances. Mental Health Access: Burlington’s Asha Clinic opened as a specialized outpatient program focused exclusively on suicide care, led by Dr. Craig Bryan and supported by the Four Pines Fund. Workforce & Housing: A Vermont unemployment update notes the rate is low, but the labor force has shrunk—raising pressure on employers struggling to find workers amid housing and child care costs. Business & Local Growth: VHCB’s Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program awarded nearly $1 million in 2026 grants to working lands businesses for water-quality and viability projects.