AGP Executive Report

Vermont Education & Health: Vermont’s medical education costs are largely covered by commercial insurers, with an independent analysis putting UVM Medical Center’s education bill at $161 million last year and projecting $88 million for 2026—raising fresh questions about what insured Vermonters should pay. School Policy: Vermont’s statewide cellphone ban in schools begins this year, with districts required to adopt at least the state’s model restrictions. Housing & Finance: A new push to talk about “capital” behind workforce housing highlights how financing tools like Invest in Vermont can make projects pencil out when conventional borrowing won’t. Community & Recovery: Turning Point Center of Central Vermont announces a Sept. 15 grand opening for its new Recovery Center in Barre, expanding peer recovery support for people and families affected by substance use. Arts & Culture: Shelburne Museum’s Norman Rockwell Day on Sept. 26 brings curator-led tours, artmaking, and a special look at Rockwell’s Vermont years. Food & Family Fun: Garlic Town USA returns to downtown Bennington on Sept. 5 with expanded chef demos, entertainment, and family programming for the festival’s 31st anniversary. Sports: Mount Mansfield’s Aly Dorman reflects on her early commitment to UVM women’s basketball after helping lead her team to a state championship. Local History: Springfield’s Liberty Tree planting ties a Vermont community to the national 250th anniversary Liberty Tree effort.

Community & Culture: Veerio launched a Chittenden County pilot to make it easier to find local events—aiming to replace scattered flyers and missed listings with one reliable source for everyday happenings. Public Health: A cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce is expanding, with Vermont among the newly reported distribution areas as cases climb across dozens of states. Civic Life: Springfield’s Garden Club dedicated a Liberty Tree as part of a national 250th-anniversary effort, linking local planting to the Revolutionary-era “Liberty Tree” tradition. Health & Access in Vermont: Vermont is rolling out a new website to prepare Medicaid recipients for October and January changes, including new eligibility rules for some immigrants and upcoming work-related requirements for certain adults. Local Leadership: Rutland County Head Start named Lauren Weiss permanent director, moving from interim leadership to a full-time role. Arts & Learning: Shelburne Museum announced a Norman Rockwell Day on Sept. 26 with curator-led tours, artmaking, and a lecture on Rockwell’s photography. Sports & Community: UVM Extension helped Brattleboro Union High School students build a dry stone wall through the CAVE program, blending hands-on craft with geology and teamwork.

Vermont Medicaid Changes: Vermont has launched a website to prepare Medicaid recipients for October and January rule shifts, including new eligibility limits for some immigrants starting Oct. 1 and Medicaid work/renewal requirements for many adults 19–64 beginning Jan. 1. Privacy Fight: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from accessing sensitive CDL data tied to more than 17 million commercial drivers, after a coalition of state attorneys general challenged the demand. Ben & Jerry’s vs. Unilever: A judge narrowed Ben & Jerry’s lawsuit accusing Unilever of silencing its social activism, dismissing most claims while some payment-related allegations remain. Substance-Use Recovery: Turning Point Center of Central Vermont announced a Sept. 15 grand opening for its new recovery center in Barre, expanding peer support for people and families affected by substance use. Local Culture & Arts: Shelburne Museum will host Norman Rockwell Day on Sept. 26 with curator-led tours and artmaking, while Marlboro Music Festival wrapped its 75th season with Beethoven and a celebration of its long Vermont legacy. Back-to-School Health: A Vermont health column urges families to check vaccine status before school and highlights measles and other preventable risks.

Vermont Economy: The state’s unemployment rate held steady at 2.6% in July, with county rates ranging from 2.3% to 3.1%, as the Department of Labor points to reemployment support for workers hit by layoffs. Health & Policy: The DOJ sued Vermont (along with New York and Connecticut) over in-state tuition for immigrants without permanent legal status, part of a broader federal push. LGBTQ Healthcare: CMS says federal Medicaid/CHIP funds can’t cover gender-affirming care for most minors, a move tied to the Trump-Vance administration’s wider LGBTQ policy shift. Culture & Community: Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival will host Jane Fonda for “Gaslit,” and Vermont’s Athens Brick Meetinghouse welcomes Cameo Baroque on Aug. 29. Local Living: Garlic Town USA returns to Bennington Sept. 5 with expanded chef demos and family programming, and Delicious Dirt Farm & Apothecary opens a new Bakersfield farm store.

Community Recovery: Turning Point Center of Central Vermont is opening a new Recovery Center in Barre (18 South Main St.) with a Sept. 15 grand opening focused on peer support, healing, and connection for people and families affected by substance use. Leadership Change: Mercy Connections’ longtime executive director Lisa Falcone announced her retirement after eight years, citing major growth, governance changes, and millions secured for operations and services. Local Culture & Outdoors: Veerio launched a pilot app in Chittenden County to make it easier to find everyday Vermont events in one place. Public Safety: Vermont’s debate over e-bikes and unregulated e-motos continues after multiple accidents involving riders of different ages. Food & Health: A Hannaford recall raised questions about how salmonella can contaminate cooked foods, with health officials explaining cross-contact risks. Civic Life: A federal lawsuit challenges Milton’s volunteer appointment decisions as retaliation tied to free speech. Sports: Yale opened its season with a 2-0 win over Vermont in New Haven. Politics: Bernie Sanders endorsed Florida Democrat Angie Nixon for U.S. Senate, boosting a national spotlight on the race.

Community Food Fundraiser: Retired Burr and Burton Spanish teacher Chris Nolan finished a 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail trek and raised about $5,000 for Manchester’s Community Food Cupboard. Financial Wellness: Working Bridges marked 20 years helping northern Vermont workers build budgeting and savings skills through employer-based support. Public Safety & Community Care: State Farm grants will equip four Vermont volunteer fire departments with safety gear. Arts for Young People: Sandglass Theater won a commission to remount “Rock the Boat,” a puppet show on refugees and inclusion, with new themes tied to climate and war. Education & Access: Soka University announced it will acquire the Middlebury Institute, keeping many programs intact as the MIIS name shifts. Local Business: The Burlington Business Association is shutting down after nearly 50 years, with downtown advocacy work moving to a new chamber division. Health & Lifestyle: A back-to-school drive delivered 1,000+ pounds of allergen-friendly food to shelters in Upstate New York. Culture & Community Tech: Veerio launched a pilot app to centralize local event listings across Chittenden and Addison counties.

Public Safety: Vermont State Police ended extra downtown Burlington patrols after a violent weekend, with Gov. Phil Scott saying support could return if the city requests it. Immigration & Policing: Scott says a Chittenden County sheriff’s deputy violated Vermont’s fair and impartial policing rules by contacting U.S. Border Patrol during a traffic stop that led to a farmworker’s detention and deportation. Education & Cybersecurity: Vermont school districts were hit this summer by a sophisticated phishing scheme that spread through trusted accounts, raising fears of broader attacks even if no student or staff data was stolen. Higher Ed Transition: Soka University of America plans to acquire the Middlebury Institute for International Studies, renaming it Monterey Institute and taking new applications for the 2027 class. Arts & Community: Grand Point North returns to the Burlington waterfront with a new 100% nonprofit model, and proceeds will support Potter’s Grand Point Foundation for rural Vermont artists. Local Culture: A new Vermont Climbing Festival is set for Sept. 25-27 in Waterbury, pairing clinics and stewardship with community fundraising. Housing & Taxes: Colchester residents raised concerns about property tax increases after reappraisal, arguing communications promised smaller changes. Health Policy Debate: Lawmakers weigh single-payer and Medicaid reform options to cut health care spending, as new studies and projections fuel the argument.

Immigration & Community: In St. Albans, an ICE “routine check-in” for Ugandan asylum seeker Steven Tendo ended with him walking out after 15 minutes, as supporters cheered; he’s a UVM Medical Center nursing assistant and pastor living in Vermont since 2021. Education & Opportunity: The Tutorial Center in Bennington County is launching a new hybrid option starting Sept. 22 for students 16+ to work toward a high school diploma or GED, with evening in-person/remote flexibility. Local Culture: Bennington Theater will host the 2026 Vermont Film & Folklore Festival (Nov. 5–8), moving the event from Manchester and expanding its slate of films and community programming. Arts & Music: Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra headline a free VAE concert in downtown Bennington Aug. 29, with free dance lessons and Latin food. Environment & Recreation: A Vermont mountain biking case highlights a crackdown on rogue trail building after a discovery of an elaborate, highly technical trail network. Housing & Finance: A Brattleboro workforce housing project at Winston Prouty points to “capital” as the missing piece—highlighting Invest in Vermont low-interest financing as a key tool for affordability. Women’s Equality: WalletHub ranks Vermont among the top states for women’s equality, placing it fifth in its 2026 study.

Vermont Education & Community: Essex Westford School District is using summer break to tackle stormwater and aging infrastructure, including an $800,000 remediation push at four schools funded largely through the Vermont Green Schools Initiative to help protect Lake Champlain. School Safety: Milton and AAA Northern New England are urging drivers to stop for school buses after “Red Lights Flashing Equals No Passing” events highlighted hundreds of illegal passes last year. Food Access: Brattleboro’s “Load the Latchis” food drive aims to fill 750 theater seats with groceries (or $25 virtual bags) for Foodworks, while The Root Social Justice Center’s free Back-to-School BIPOC Hair Clinic returns Aug. 22. Housing & Affordability: A Vermont nonprofit argues the state’s housing fight is also a financing problem, pointing to Invest in Vermont low-interest support for workforce homes in Brattleboro. Local Culture & Legacy: A profile spotlights Chuck and Jann Perkins of the Alpine Shop, whose decades of skiing passion helped build Vermont’s alpine community. Public Health & Daily Life: A Walmart soup kit recall over possible listeria contamination includes Vermont among affected states.

Vermont Youth Health: A new Youth Risk Behavior Survey finds encouraging drops in vaping, alcohol, and marijuana use, alongside a nearly 10% improvement in reported poor mental health among Vermont students. STEM for Kids: ECHO Leahy Center and GlobalFoundries team up to expand hands-on STEM learning statewide, including mobile festivals and teacher training. Makerspace Growth: Generator Makerspace wins a $750,000, five-year grant to scale STEAM programming for grades 4–12 in Burlington’s South End. Civics in the Classroom: Vermont middle schoolers shine at the National Civics Bee, with one student earning a trip to the national competition. Reproductive Care: Coastal Fertility in Nexton adds a new reproductive endocrinologist, bringing more infertility-focused services. Community & Culture: Vergennes Day returns with races, music, vendors, and family events, while a Vermont Revolutionary War patriot tied to the Boston Tea Party gets honored with a new grave marker. Public Safety Watch: Teen alcohol use rises after age 13, and a study flags high pedestrian death rates for kids in Georgia.

Vermont Housing & Finance: Fitch assigned an AA+ rating (stable outlook) to VHFA’s $47.5M multiple purpose bonds, citing stronger mortgage-backed securities performance and solid financial footing. Public Safety in Burlington: Police are still investigating a fatal downtown stabbing plus other weekend violence, with officials urging calm as questions swirl around safety and city proposals. Immigration Support: The Vermont Afghan Alliance says it’s losing 80% of funding amid the federal crackdown, threatening legal, language, and healthcare navigation services. Education & Health: Local experts remind families that back-to-school vaccines remain key, even as Vermont rates stay relatively high. Culture & Community: Shelburne Museum acquired a Revolutionary War-era Gilbert Stuart portrait of William Seton, and the Flynn’s Playing Fields returns with free outdoor performances for schools. Food & Safety: FDA announced a Walmart tomato bisque soup kit recall over possible Listeria contamination. Lifestyle: A women-in-wilderness program helped participants learn backcountry skills and repair the Sioux Charley Trail.

Burlington Safety Update: Burlington police are investigating multiple weekend incidents, including a fatal stabbing near Church Street and separate reports of gunfire downtown, as Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak urged stronger gun laws while noting officers were assigned to the area. Public Health & Education: Sen. Bernie Sanders announced the Stop Social Security Garnishment Act to block seniors’ Social Security checks from being withheld over old student loan debt. Workplace & Equality: A WalletHub study ranks Utah 50th and Idaho 47th for women’s equality, with the weakest scores in education and health. Early Childhood Leadership: Rutland County Head Start named Lauren Weiss, Ph.D., as its new director, highlighting her experience with disability supports and inclusion. Tech in the Classroom: Vermont educators are taking a cautious approach to AI, with some using it for planning while others worry about overreliance and student limits. Arts & Community: Queer Arts Fest expanded to two days at Millstone Hill, drawing thousands and adding more education and community-building programming. Culture & Lifestyle: Architectural Digest picked Put-in-Bay, Ohio, as the prettiest town in the state, while Vermont was also spotlighted as a top destination for healthy living and outdoor air.

Local Public Safety: Burlington police say a 21-year-old Essex Junction woman, Haily B. Peacock, fired a gunshot downtown early Sunday while checking whether the firearm in her purse was loaded; she’s charged with reckless endangerment and released pending arraignment, with a no-firearms condition. Sports & Community: Bryan Schmitt won his third Bassmaster Elite title at Lake Champlain, edging Chris Johnston by a pound. Tech & Aging: Central Vermont Council on Aging is partnering with Technology for Tomorrow on a free “Take the Mystery Out of Tech!” Zoom course for seniors and caregivers. Women’s Sports: Sacred Heart’s unbeaten women’s soccer team beat Vermont 2-0, with strong saves from both sides. Immigration & Courts: A federal ruling in an immigration bond case turns on whether an undocumented Salvadoran man is “seeking admission,” shaping how mandatory detention applies. Culture & Pride: Queer Arts Fest expanded to two days at Millstone Hill, drawing thousands and adding education and community-building programming. History & Belonging: Vermont offered free admission to state historical sites for Bennington Battle Day, including Ethan Allen Homestead events highlighting Fanny Allen’s legacy. Activism: Korean and Filipino groups rallied nationwide demanding “U.S. Out of Korea” and an end to Pacific war escalation. Child Safety: Vermont DCF launched updated online training for mandated reporters on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect.

Leadership Change in Vermont Energy: Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) named Lindsay Kurrle its next president and CEO, tapping a longtime Scott administration leader known for housing, business development, and flood recovery work. Lake Life & Safety: A new look at wake-sports rules highlights how Vermont limits wake activity to designated zones—aimed at protecting shorelines, shallow water, and lake health. Culture & Community: A Northeast Kingdom nonprofit leader argues that rural organizations are more than charities, focusing on local revitalization and community-driven priorities. Immigration Politics: Democrats are split over what to do with ICE, with the DNC backing competing resolutions—reform versus elimination—showing a deep party fracture ahead of midterms. Legal Fight Over College Tuition: The DOJ sued Vermont and other states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, raising fears for migrant families and college futures. Food Recall: Walmart recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states due to possible listeria contamination, including Vermont. Local Human Interest: Mike Baker, a professional ring finder, recovered a lost wedding ring from Lake Dunmore—then donated half his reward to the Central Vermont Humane Society. Music Moment: Noah Kahan brought out Chappell Roan for “California” at the Rose Bowl, turning a big stadium set into a Vermont-to-pop-culture crossover.

Leadership & Energy: Vermont Gas Systems named Lindsay Kurrle its next president and CEO, tapping a longtime Scott administration leader known for housing, tourism, business outreach, and flood recovery work. Food Safety: Walmart recalled 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states, including Vermont, after testing flagged possible listeria contamination; no illnesses reported. Immigration & Education: The DOJ sued Vermont and other states over in-state tuition for undocumented residents, arguing federal law bars colleges from offering those benefits. Politics & Turnout: A new AP report highlights a Democratic primary turnout surge in states including Wisconsin and Michigan—momentum that could shape November races. Culture & Community: Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame announced its 2026 inductees, with Westminster farmer Paul Harlow earning a lifetime achievement award. Local Learning: Eastern Wyoming College’s archaeology field school is training the next generation through hands-on excavation at a major Wyoming site.

Vermont Politics & Community: Vermont Gas Systems named Lindsay Kurrle its next president and CEO, tapping a longtime Scott administration leader known for housing, economic development, and flood recovery work. Public Health & Safety: A Walmart-linked recall pulled Marketside tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states over possible listeria contamination, including Vermont. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested at least nine people across Vermont in weekend operations, with advocates raising concerns about workplace and commuting arrests. Labor & Health Care: UVMMC’s contract with support staff and technical professionals expired, triggering rolling pickets by 500+ workers and community members over staffing and patient-safety protections. Education & Family Life: Upper Valley parents report a childcare crunch—most take months to find care, and many miss work due to incompatible schedules. Culture & Arts: Carly Pearce headlines a Rutland show, while a Bennington Battle Day weekend guide spotlights local history and festivities. Food & Lifestyle: Vermont Country Store marks its 80th year with a community celebration in Weston.