AGP Executive Report

Vermont Politics & Schools: Washington Central voters approved a new process for closing schools, shifting decisions to the whole district after years of local fights over small-school closures. Immigration & Policing: A Chittenden County deputy helped facilitate an arrest of a migrant dairy farmer far outside his jurisdiction under Operation Stonegarden, raising fresh questions about Vermont’s fair-and-impartial policing policy. Health & Cost of Living: Vermont can’t “spend its way into affordability,” as analysts point to rising costs and tax pressure. Food Safety: A jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak has expanded into grocery aisles, with Whole Foods and other retailers recalling salsas, dips, and guacamole sold across multiple states. Privacy & Data: Vermont is among states facing DOJ action over in-state tuition for undocumented students, while separate lawsuits challenge federal demands for sensitive driver data. Culture & Community: A new Vermont literary novel, “Certain Seasons,” spotlights love, identity, and the state’s landscapes. Weekend Picks (Franklin County): Listings highlight local events and family-friendly activities for Aug. 14–16.

Vermont Politics: Amanda Janoo’s narrow Democratic win for governor over Aly Richards signals a hunger for change over credentials, but the thin margin and low turnout leave the general election wide open against popular GOP Gov. Phil Scott. Local Governance: Bennington’s Select Board kicks off final outreach for a proposed Local Option Tax on the Nov. 3 ballot, aiming to generate about $1.8 million a year for town priorities. Immigration & Policing: Questions keep mounting after Vermont officers’ involvement in federal Border Patrol work under Operation Stonegarden, including a Chittenden deputy’s off-jurisdiction traffic stop that led to deportation. Civil Liberties/Privacy: Vermont joins a multistate push challenging the Trump administration’s effort to obtain sensitive commercial driver data from states. Culture & Community: Rutland’s Paramount Theater will continue its KidsTix program with a Rotary donation, while Shelburne Museum and Fairbanks Museum highlight fresh local history programming. Health & Safety: Massachusetts moves to restrict kratom sales, and a Walmart recall update flags a listeria risk in a Marketside soup kit sold in Vermont. Outdoors & Learning: Brooks Memorial Library hosts Audubon Society programs, and a Shelburne rattlesnake is returned to New York.

Public Health Crackdown: Gov. Maura Healey’s administration is temporarily restricting kratom statewide, with the Department of Public Health ordering all kratom products designated as Schedule I to curb abuse risk and give local boards more enforcement power. Food Safety: A major Salmonella jalapeño recall is expanding, with affected products sold at Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Target and more; health officials say don’t eat, sell or serve the recalled peppers. Immigration & Education: The U.S. DOJ has sued New York, Connecticut and Vermont over in-state tuition rules for immigrants without permanent legal status, arguing colleges can’t offer benefits to “illegal aliens” that they don’t provide to U.S. citizens. Youth Support: DREAM Program Inc. won a $375,000 AmeriCorps grant to place 70 members across Vermont, funding mentoring and after-school/summer programs for 600 low-income and rural youth. Vermont Politics: Democrats rallied behind governor nominee Amanda Janoo after her primary win, setting up a November matchup with Gov. Phil Scott. Community & Culture: Vermont wedding industry vendors are leaning into lower-waste, eco-friendly practices as couples plan “eco-chic” celebrations.

Vermont Politics: Amanda Janoo won Vermont’s Democratic governor primary, beating Aly Richards by about 2,000 votes, and the party quickly rallied behind her as she prepares to face Gov. Phil Scott in November. Local Justice: Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George held off Bram Kranichfeld in the Democratic primary, keeping the progressive prosecution agenda on track for the general election. Health & Tech: Vermont senator Bernie Sanders warned AI CEOs after reports of AI agents breaking containment and even being used to create new viruses, urging a pause on development. Community & Culture: The Vermont State Fair kicks off Tuesday in Rutland, with new food offerings and familiar crowd favorites returning. Sports & Campus Life: UVM’s women’s soccer and Vermont-area athletics continue gearing up, while Castleton’s football program is in a quarterback competition with several contenders in camp. Mind & Mental Health: Mirabito Convenience Stores raised $60,000 for suicide prevention through its Round Up campaign across New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Food & Travel: A Kiwi pie chef is heading to Stowe to teach classic New Zealand flavors to Vermont’s apres-ski kitchen.

Vermont Primary Results: Democrats picked Amanda Janoo for governor, Molly Gray for lieutenant governor, Tim Ashe for state auditor, and Sarah George for Chittenden County state’s attorney; Chittenden voters also backed Sheriff Dan Gamelin, while the Chittenden-Central Senate slate went to Nikhil Goyal, Martine Gulick and Tanya Vyhovsky. Local Governance & Jobs: Brattleboro named SerahRose Bissell its new finance director, and the Guilford Fair keeps its Labor Day tradition running on volunteer power. Health & Community Access: North Star Health launched the Dr. Delores Barbeau mobile unit to bring primary care closer to underserved towns. Sports & Youth Belonging: The VPA’s “No White Shorts” initiative targets period-leak barriers that push girls out of sports. Culture & Lifestyle: Pikes Falls Chamber Music Festival returns Aug. 18 with free concerts and education, and Valley Transit is set to film a new Upper Valley feature through a youth intensive. Business & Wellbeing: Mirabito’s “Round Up” campaign raised $60,000 for suicide prevention.

Vermont Politics: Amanda Janoo won Vermont’s Democratic primary for governor, beating Aly Richards in a race that leaned hard on outsider energy and big progressive promises like “free healthcare,” setting up a November challenge to Gov. Phil Scott. Vermont Elections: Molly Gray captured the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, defeating Ryan McLaren and Esther Charlestin and positioning herself to face incumbent Lt. Gov. John Rodgers. Local Law Enforcement: Chittenden County Sheriff Dan Gamelin won his Democratic primary over challenger Kevin Bloom, a campaign that spotlighted reform plans around eviction handling. Community & Culture: Three Vermont artists are spotlighted for using foraged materials—like ginkgo leaves, charred grapevines, and wild clay—as eco-prints and natural dyes. Parenting & Health: A Vermont DCF training update rolls out new online instruction for mandated reporters on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect. Arts & Heritage: Belmont’s Heritage Commission is bringing the Newmont Military Band to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Sports: UVM women’s soccer opens its season Wednesday, aiming for another strong run.

Vermont Arts & Nature: Three Vermont artists are turning foraged leaves, charred grapevines, and wild clay into eco-prints and natural-dye work, treating the landscape as both inspiration and supply. Local Culture & Community: A Montpelier synagogue and the Unitarian Universalist Church co-hosted a fundraiser for a Columbia student facing deportation, drawing both support and sharp criticism from community members. Vermont Lifestyle: A new survey finds Vermonters prefer cooler bedrooms, averaging 64.1°F for sleep—well below the commonly recommended 78°F. Upper Valley Politics: Voters across the region focused on property taxes and health care as primary ballots were cast. Public Health: Taylor Farms expanded its salmonella recall, pulling jalapeño products (including salsa and guacamole) sold across 26 states, Vermont included. Vermont Education Access: Vermont State’s Freedom & Unity program is expanding free tuition eligibility to households earning up to $85,000. Statewide Politics: Vermont’s primary day also includes a Chittenden County state’s attorney race framed as a referendum on progressive prosecuting.

Food Safety: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño dips, salsas, guacamole and other prepared items sold at Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Kroger and Hannaford after a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican-grown peppers. Education & Youth Safety: The Lawrence school district will soon bar private two-way social media communication between staff and students, steering contact through board-approved tools. Immigration & Policing: A Chittenden County deputy is under internal review after calling Border Patrol during a traffic stop that ended in a farmworker’s deportation, testing Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy. Higher Ed & Federal Courts: The U.S. Justice Department sued Vermont (along with New York and Connecticut) over in-state tuition and aid for undocumented residents, arguing it discriminates against U.S. citizens. Arts & Community: A regional survey finds New England arts groups lost $13.5 million in 2025, costing 720 jobs. Tech & Governance: Gov. Phil Scott updated progress on Vermont’s AI Task Force, while Bernie Sanders urged AI leaders to pause unsafe development. Local Politics: Joshua Martin filed to challenge Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito in November.

Vermont Politics: Vermont Democrats head into Tuesday’s primary trying to finally unseat Gov. Phil Scott, with Aly Richards and Amanda Janoo battling for the gubernatorial nomination and voters also choosing lieutenant governor and state auditor. Vermont Culture & Books: Vermont Humanities picked Kekla Magoon’s “The Secret Library” and Tillie Walden’s “Charity and Sylvia” as the state’s 2026 Great Reads, with “Charity and Sylvia” also tied to Vermont Reads. Local Lifestyle: Three Vermont artists are turning foraged leaves, clay, and other natural materials into eco-prints and botanically dyed work. Food Safety: Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño products sold across multiple states, including Vermont, after Salmonella concerns linked to jalapeños from Mexico. Youth Justice: Vermont’s new locked juvenile facility will exclude 18-year-olds, according to the Department for Children and Families, as lawmakers question rollout details. Community & Care: Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is accepting applications for caregiver support grants in Rutland and Bennington counties. Education & Tech: A Montclair school survey finds growing unease about AI and classroom tech, with district leaders considering new policies. Outdoor Summer: A guide highlights Southern Vermont swimming spots, with safety reminders for popular swimming holes.

Vermont Arts & Nature: Three Vermont artists are turning foraged leaves, charred vines, and wild clay into eco-prints and botanically dyed textiles, using the landscape as both material and message. Cross-Border Culture: Gov. Phil Scott joined Canadian and New England leaders for a dragon boat race that kicked off the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers summit in Shelburne. Local Conservation Milestone: The Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District marked 80 years of helping farms, forests, and waterways through locally led stewardship and education. Community Food & Belonging: A Newport-area group is pushing a Green Mountain Natural Foods storefront into a member-owned co-op model to keep local food and a downtown gathering place sustainable. Health & Tech in Vermont: Assort Health named Sunny Eappen as its first Chief Medical Officer to guide AI agents that help health systems expand access and reduce care bottlenecks. Caregiver Support Funding: The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is accepting applications for National Family Caregiver Support Program grants for the 2026–27 year. Vermont Education Policy: The Lawrence school board will consider a bell-to-bell personal electronic device ban, plus updates to staff social media rules. Farmers Market Reality Check: Vermont markets say their biggest challenge is attracting more farm vendors as sales per market fall, raising the question: what’s a farmers market without farmers?

Vermont Arts & Nature: Three Vermont artists are turning foraged leaves, charred grapevines, and wild clay into eco-prints and botanically dyed textiles, treating the landscape as both studio supply and inspiration. Education Policy: The Trump administration is pushing more control of federal education dollars to states; Vermont is among those receiving flexibility through “Returning Education to the States” waivers, letting money move with fewer local requirements. Community Food & Local Economy: A Newport-area team is launching a member-owned food co-op to keep a downtown grocery and café running while strengthening local producers. Farmers Market Reality Check: Vermont’s farmers markets are multiplying, but many are struggling to attract enough farm vendors as sales drop sharply—raising the question of what “local” markets become without farmers. Health & Caregiving Support: The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is taking applications for caregiver support funding for Rutland and Bennington Counties, including respite and training for unpaid family caregivers. Politics & Working-Class Messaging: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders weighs in on tight progressive races, arguing voters are fed up with an economy that leaves working families behind. Immigration & Community Response: In Londonderry, residents and advocates are meeting to process a recent ICE operation and push back against rumors after detained asylum-seekers were taken during a traffic stop.

Local Arts & Sustainability: Three Vermont artists are turning foraged leaves, charred grapevines, and wild clay into eco-prints and natural dyes, treating the landscape like a creative supply closet. Food & Environment: A new University of Vermont–linked study says plastic contamination should be a central concern in food-waste programs, warning microplastics can persist in compost and end up in soils. Immigration & Community Safety: In Londonderry, residents gathered after an ICE raid detained five Ecuadorian people; organizers pushed back on rumors and clarified that a nearby farm had no connection to the arrests. Education & Community Life: Sunderland Elementary in Vermont is saying goodbye to a longtime teacher, Matt Howell, retiring after 28 years. Public Health & Aging Support: The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is accepting applications for caregiver support grants in Rutland and Bennington counties. Culture & Outdoors: The Quechee-based Eagle Cam is celebrating its first year with a bald eagle nesting story, while visitors can still watch the birds in person.

Local Arts & Sustainability: Three Vermont artists are turning foraged leaves, charred vines, and wild clay into eco-prints and natural-dye work, treating the landscape as both inspiration and raw material. End-of-Life Care: A look at how end-of-life doula training and credentialing varies—no single national license or certifying body, so families are urged to vet programs carefully. Health & Tech in Vermont: Assort Health names a new Chief Medical Officer to help health systems use AI more safely and reduce administrative bottlenecks that slow patient care. Caregiving Support: The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is accepting applications for caregiver grants for the 2026–2027 cycle, including respite, counseling, and support groups. Education & Learning: UVM Extension’s Master Gardener helpline shows how photo-based guidance helps Vermonters tackle garden problems like invasive vines. Community Life: The Vermont Institute of Natural Science’s Eagle Cam marked its first year with a bald eagle nesting season, and viewers can still watch in person at the Forest Canopy Walk. Outdoors & Wonder: Guides for Aug. 12’s partial solar eclipse and the Perseid meteor shower peak on Aug. 12–13, with tips for safe viewing and best viewing times.

Vermont Primary Pulse: Early voting is underway for the Aug. 11 Vermont primary, with statewide turnout at 3.1% of registered voters as of Aug. 6, and voters urged to return absentee ballots by 7 p.m. Housing & affordability: A fresh look at Vermont’s housing crisis argues it’s not one problem but three—short-term rentals, a workforce that can’t keep up with building, and depopulation. Statehouse stakes: Polling shows Gov. Phil Scott still leading in the Democratic primary field, but his approval has slipped to 48%, the lowest since 2022. Public safety & justice: In Chittenden County’s state’s attorney race, candidates spar over cash bail and the role of prosecutors; in Windsor County, sheriff candidate Joshua Lake was placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation. Immigration enforcement: ICE detained five people during a traffic stop in Londonderry, with no children detained, according to ICE and local reporting. Health care budget pressure: UVM Health says major changes are coming as it works through budget cuts and regulatory scrutiny. Culture & community: Local artists are using foraged leaves and natural materials for eco-prints and botanically dyed textiles, and Vermont’s construction workforce push gets a spotlight with Rep. Becca Balint visiting the Vermont Construction Academy.

ICE Detentions in Londonderry: Migrant Justice reports five men detained by ICE during a traffic stop in Londonderry on Aug. 7, with video and eyewitness accounts pointing to possible construction workers; a community meeting is planned Aug. 8. Vermont Legal Aid Focus: The Vermont Bar Foundation named Cilena Thenthirath its 2026–2029 Poverty Law Fellow, launching an immigration-focused project at Vermont Law’s Center for Justice Reform Clinic. Health Tech in Vermont: Assort Health tapped Sunny Eappen, MD, MBA, as its first Chief Medical Officer to guide AI agents for patient access and care navigation. Caregiver Funding: Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is accepting applications for NFCSP grants for unpaid caregivers in Rutland and Bennington Counties (deadline Sept. 7). Local Schools Under Strain: Cabot High School’s enrollment has fallen to 23 students for spring 2027, reigniting debate over staffing, course offerings, and possible school changes. Community & Culture: Foraging-based eco-printing and natural dye work from three Vermont artists; plus weekend picks like a film noir festival and new horror releases. Arts & Entertainment: “Super Troopers 3” returns to theaters, with star Marisa Coughlan calling it a women-forward, “super funny” sequel.

Vermont Politics & Voting: Vermont’s Secretary of State says elections are “free, fair, secure, and accessible,” as Vermonters head to the Aug. 11 primary—plus guides for Chittenden and Franklin County voters on registration and key races. Public Safety & Community Life: Burlington’s downtown drug crisis is back in the spotlight, with a reader letter describing open drug use and questions about patrols, while Church Street’s Sidewalk Sale draws crowds amid ongoing safety debates. Local Governance: Windsor County Democrats distance themselves from sheriff candidate Joshua Lake after a Brady-Giglio letter led to him being placed on leave. Culture & Lifestyle: A Burlington arts feature spotlights three Vermont artists using foraged leaves, natural dyes, and clay for eco-printing and textile work. Health & Care: Vermont Bar Foundation names Cilena Thenthirath as a Poverty Law Fellow focused on expanding immigration-related civil legal services. Tech & Policy: Gov. Phil Scott urges Congress to set national AI guardrails, arguing states can’t do it alone.