AGP Executive Report

South End Housing Push: Burlington’s South End Coordinated Redevelopment Project is moving from planning to action, with Burlington City Council sign-off and funding commitments aimed at hundreds of new apartments on Lakeside Avenue—potentially one of the biggest housing builds in Vermont. Battery Storage Debate: Vergennes residents are raising fire-safety and pollution concerns ahead of a public hearing on a proposed battery storage facility, arguing lithium-ion risks could hit nearby homes. Vermont Sports Playoffs: St. Johnsbury’s Devlin Murphy poured in seven goals as the Hilltoppers beat Mount Mansfield in the Division I girls lacrosse opener, while BFA-Fairfax topped Rutland in the D2 playoffs with Joe Brock leading the scoring. Public Safety Update: Vermont State Police cited Larry Garrow of Richford for burglary and grand larceny in a St. Albans-area case, and are still seeking information to recover a stolen ATV. Vermont Business & Outdoors: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up for June 6 bike park opening with expanded trail plans, and Vermont Smoke & Cure is rolling out new A.1. and Lea & Perrins meat sticks nationwide.

Amtrak Tragedy in Claremont: An Amtrak train traveling from Washington, D.C. to St. Albans struck and killed a person near Claremont Tuesday evening; officials say no passengers or crew were hurt. Offshore Wind Lawsuit: New York and six other states, including Vermont, sued the Trump administration over a deal to cancel offshore wind leases tied to TotalEnergies, arguing the buyout was unlawful and threatens clean-energy goals and jobs. Vermont Education Tour: U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Essex tech and Vermont State University’s Williston campus, highlighting career and technical education. Local Energy Costs: Swanton Village Electric raised rates more than 30% after a Highgate Dam bladder failure reduced power production. Sports Playoffs: Vermont high school spring playoffs are underway, with brackets and schedules posted across baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and ultimate. Business & Community: Burke Mountain Resort plans to open its bike park June 6, and Vermont Smoke & Cure launched new A.1. and Lea & Perrins meat sticks nationwide.

Vermont Economy & Jobs: Vermont lost about 900 jobs in April, with the state’s labor force participation rate slipping to 62.7%, adding pressure to already tight household budgets. Public Safety: A new Windham County law lets towns coordinate with the sheriff’s office for regional police coverage, aiming to improve service where small towns lack their own departments. Health Care Access: Copley Hospital in northern Vermont added contrast-enhanced mammography, bringing a more precise breast imaging option to a critical-access setting. Local Business & Tourism: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up to open its bike park for the season June 6, with new trail work and connections to the Kingdom Trail network. Environment & Lake Protection: Vermont’s Lakes and Ponds Program is urging shoreline owners to use shoreland best practices—like native plantings and rain gardens—to reduce erosion and protect water quality. Statewide Cybersecurity: Vermont saw a sharp jump in cyberscams last year, with losses topping $26 million. National Policy With Vermont Ties: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders says he’s still backing Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner despite the sexting scandal, arguing voters should focus on cost-of-living issues. ICE Medical Neglect: A major investigation reports detainees across the country allege serious medical neglect in immigration custody, including in Vermont.

Burlington Police Accountability: An internal review cleared Burlington police officers of policy violations tied to a March ICE raid, saying use of force was “objectively reasonable and proportional,” and that allegations were exonerated or unfounded. Vermont Weather Watch: Spring brought extreme swings for Vermont, including the state’s first April tornado (EF-1 in Williamstown), plus a cool, wetter season overall—now attention turns to what summer could bring. Public Health: Tick bites are spiking, with ER visits at the highest levels for this time of year since 2017, and Lyme disease remaining the most common concern. Education & Community Schools: Peacham voters approved a plan to let the town buy its elementary school building for $1 to keep it as a community asset if district mergers happen. Statehouse Wrap: The Vermont Legislature adjourned after a late push on education and budget work, including a failed attempt to expedite an ICE masking bill. Local Sports: VPA spring playoff pairings are set across baseball and softball divisions, with multiple Burlington-area teams in the mix. Business & Growth: Burke Mountain’s bike park is gearing up for a June 6 opening, with major trail upgrades planned for 2026.

Vermont Privacy: Vermont lawmakers passed a new Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act giving residents a right to opt out of targeted ads, including rules for “sensitive” data and enforcement by the attorney general. Health Care: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for a fourth straight time, citing nursing excellence and patient outcomes. Nonprofits & Community: The Vermont Museum of Natural History received a $5,000 capacity-building grant to help unify its board and strengthen systems after recent changes. Local Planning: Fairfield’s Common School Working Group has narrowed restoration plans to two options as it weighs expensive heating against keeping the 1809 building in use. Business & Jobs: Five state CPA societies approved a merger forming the New England Society of CPAs, effective July 1. Water Rules: Wake surfing is set to be banned on Lake Fairlee and most other Vermont lakes starting June 11 under expanded state rules. Public Safety/Science: A meteor exploded over northeastern Massachusetts, with NASA saying it broke apart about 40 miles up and released energy equivalent to about 300 tons of TNT.

Vermont Health Care: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for the fourth straight time, highlighting nursing excellence and patient-care outcomes. Local Food & Community: Morse Block Deli in Barre is set to mark its 10th anniversary this summer, built on locally sourced food and long-running support for community groups. Vermont Sports: Vermont’s individual high school tennis tournaments wrapped with first-time champions—Essex’s Hannah Knickerbocker and Burlington’s Niah LeMay—while Burlington also swept boys singles and doubles. Community Events: Winooski held the first-ever Service Carnival alongside the farmers market, connecting residents with nonprofits and volunteer opportunities, and St. Albans hosted a regional line-dancing gathering benefiting United Way of Northwestern Vermont. Vermont Outdoors & History: The East Burke Whitewater Race story looks back at rivalries and champions from the event’s heyday, and why today’s young paddlers may be missing out.

Nursing Excellence: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for a fourth straight time, highlighting its push for high-quality, patient-centered care. Vermont Business & Community: LaunchVT’s 2026 Demo Night is set for June 16 at Hula, with startups pitching to investor judges and cash awards after the accelerator’s 12-week coaching run. Local Sports: The Vermont Lake Monsters opened their 2026 season at Centennial Field with an 8-5 win over the New Britain Bees, staying undefeated at 4-0. Arts in Manchester: Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester is unveiling a major expansion starting June 7, built around the Lyman Orton collection of 20th-century Vermont art. State Policy Watch: Vermont is set to reconsider its nuclear moratorium, with a new push arguing the state needs reliable, low-carbon power. Lottery: Vermont Lottery results for May 30 included Powerball numbers 01-27-35-44-52 (Powerball 12, Power Play 2) and Pick 3 day 5-7-9, evening 6-8-2.

Statehouse & Education: Vermont lawmakers wrapped up a session centered again on education reform, with a deal on education bills clearing the way for Gov. Phil Scott’s signature—while the bigger question of how to fund and govern rural schools keeps colliding with Act 181 school merger plans. Public Health & Environment: Gov. Scott signed Vermont’s landmark ban on paraquat, a neurotoxic herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease, ending most uses by year’s end while allowing limited, regulated use through 2030. Courts & Tech: The U.S. Supreme Court let Vermont’s Meta lawsuit move forward over claims of social media addiction, keeping the fight alive. Economy & Jobs: Vermont employment fell again in April, with the state losing 900 jobs and labor force participation slipping. Local Business & Community: Long Trail Brewing marks National Trails Day June 6 with a limited 168-beer “Realllly Long Trail Pack” and donations to Vermont trail groups. Health Care: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation for the fourth straight time, highlighting nursing excellence. Sports: Spaulding beat Lamoille 8-2 in Friday’s baseball roundup.

Education Reform Wrap-Up: Vermont lawmakers adjourned Friday after passing a sweeping education package, with Gov. Phil Scott praising compromise and the final bill keeping voluntary school-district mergers, regional resource-sharing, and a new funding framework headed to his desk. Leadership Shake-Up: With House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate leaders not seeking reelection, attention turns to who will steer the next Vermont House and Senate, as lawmakers weigh potential pro tem successors. Privacy & Tech: Vermont’s comprehensive consumer data privacy bill is poised for signing despite doubts, while the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Vermont’s Meta social media addiction lawsuit to proceed. Public Health & Environment: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weed killer linked to Parkinson’s risk, and the state also faces ongoing Lyme concerns as federal officials announce a major Lyme push. Local Economy & Community: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation again, and South Hero’s Lake Effect Vermont is preparing a June 10 grand opening in a new location. Sports: High school tennis state tournaments begin Friday in Burlington, and local lacrosse and college athletics headlines keep rolling.

Nursing Excellence: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for the fourth straight time, a top national mark for nursing practice. Entrepreneurship Spotlight: LaunchVT’s 2026 Demo Night is set for Tuesday, June 16 at Hula, featuring startup pitches and investor judges, with cash awards and donated professional services. Local Arts: The Shires 1-Minute Film Fest returns this fall, inviting Vermont-area filmmakers to create 60-second stories (theme: “Growth”) with submissions encouraged from first-timers using phones. Public Safety: Vermont State Police are still seeking information about a suspicious death in Sheldon: Matthew Turner, 55, was found with stab wounds in October, and investigators are asking whether it was homicide, suicide, or accident. History & Community: Peru’s Civilian Conservation Corps camp is highlighted in a local history excerpt, while Bennington’s fifth annual Soccer Charity Cup runs through June to raise funds for a charity chosen by the winning team. Memorial Day Reminder: Vermont marked Vietnam veterans in 1982 with the “Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway” dedication on I-89 and a permanent memorial in Sharon.

Public Safety: Vermont State Police are still investigating a suspicious 2025 death in Sheldon after Matthew Turner, 55, was found with stab wounds to the chest; the case remains “undetermined,” and investigators are asking the public for tips. State Politics: Gov. Phil Scott says he’ll seek a sixth term, while House Speaker Jill Krowinski announced she won’t run again. Courts: A Rutland jury acquitted Daniel Banyai of felony assaulting a police officer tied to a 2024 altercation during enforcement of a court order. Health Care: Rutland Regional Medical Center earned Magnet designation again—its fourth straight time—highlighting nursing excellence. Higher Education & Sports: Lawmakers finalized state funding for UVM’s $175 million indoor sports and entertainment venue, including a $12 million public appropriation. Kids Online Safety: Vermont AG Jay Jones joined a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken protections for children online. Business & Community: LaunchVT’s Demo Night is set for June 16 at Hula, spotlighting the 2026 startup cohort. Arts & Culture: The Shires 1-Minute Film Fest returns this fall, inviting filmmakers to create 60-second stories with a “Growth” theme.

Paraquat ban: Vermont became the first U.S. state to ban the weed-killing herbicide paraquat, with Gov. Phil Scott signing H.79 after concerns about a link to Parkinson’s disease; the law takes effect Nov. 1 and includes an orchard/berry permit through 2030 plus annual reporting and funding for alternative weed-control research. Education debate: Lawmakers keep wrestling over how to rebuild Vermont’s education system as schools plan for summer without clarity on district consolidation and governance changes. Online child safety: Vermont AG Jay Jones is pushing stronger guardrails for internet safety, joining a broader fight around federal proposals aimed at kids’ online protections. Housing costs: A proposal to cap rental application fees at $5 is gaining attention as renters face high up-front costs before they even sign a lease. Local culture & community: The Shires 1-Minute Film Fest is returning this fall in Bennington, inviting phone-made shorts and a “Growth” theme, plus a prop-and-dialogue challenge. Sports & recreation: Vermont Wild FC opened its inaugural season in Manchester, and the Equinox Lacrosse Shootout returns Saturday with U10-only competition.

Ticketing & consumer protection: Vermont’s new ticket resale law signed by Gov. Phil Scott caps resale prices for smaller venues (3,000 seats or fewer) at 110% of the original ticket and requires clearer labeling about whether buyers are purchasing from issuers or resellers. Public health & environment: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease, with limited exemptions; the move could pressure other states to follow. Education policy: The House and Senate formed a Committee of Conference to finalize Vermont’s education reform bill after the House refused to concur with Senate amendments; the bill keeps voluntary school district mergers and accelerates the shift to a foundation funding formula. Courts & online safety: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Meta’s appeal in Vermont’s social media addiction case, clearing the way for the lawsuit to proceed. Local sports: BFA-St. Albans’ Comets edged Missisquoi Valley Union 3-2 on a walk-off bunt, while U-32 girls lacrosse beat Hartford 9-6 to secure key playoff positioning. Community & culture: The Shires 1-Minute Film Fest returns this fall in Bennington, challenging filmmakers to create 60-second stories on themes like “Growth” (plus a prop-and-dialogue category).

Paraquat Ban: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a law banning the herbicide paraquat, citing links to Parkinson’s disease; sales and use end in November 2026 with a phased transition for some crops until a full statewide ban by Dec. 2030. Courts & Social Media: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Meta’s bid to block Vermont’s lawsuit over claims Instagram is addictive for teens, clearing the way for the state to press its case. Public Health & Firefighters: 20/20 Biolabs says its OneTest multi-cancer blood test was selected for a statewide Vermont firefighter screening program, expected to test about one-third of eligible firefighters through 2026. Local Food Security: Franklin and Grand Isle food shelves report a spring surge in demand, with families new to assistance showing up more often. Community & Culture: St. Albans hosts a Downtown and Historic Preservation conference and a Creative Sector convening June 4-5, and Bennington’s Shires 1-Minute Film Fest returns this fall with a “Growth” theme. Arts Calendar: City Lights welcomes poetry readings June 6, and Sherburne Library’s storytelling event highlights community media and local voices.

Supreme Court vs. Meta: The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Meta’s bid to block Vermont’s lawsuit over claims Instagram is designed to be addictive for teens, letting the case move forward and raising pressure on other states pursuing similar fights. Statehouse Watch: Vermont lawmakers passed an education reform bill that avoids forced school mergers, shifting to a voluntary consolidation path and adding new funding tools. Public Health: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weed-killer linked to Parkinson’s disease, with limited orchard exemptions until 2030. Local Notes: Burlington-area housing is inching forward near the Pine Street Barge Canal Superfund site, while Rutland County Health Partners launched a free mobile clinic to reach uninsured residents. Community & Sports: Memorial Day ceremonies drew crowds and tributes, and the Brattleboro Bears topped the Slaters 5-1 on Senior Day.

Online Child Safety: Connecticut AG William Tong says his office is investigating Roblox after reports of child exploitation, arguing the company profited while failing to protect kids online. Big Tech in Court: The U.S. Supreme Court also refused to hear Meta’s bid to block Vermont’s Instagram addiction lawsuit, letting the case move forward. Public Health: New CDC estimates show U.S. overdose deaths fell about 14% in 2025, with opioid deaths dropping sharply too. Corrections Staffing: A Vermont corrections staffing crisis is still driving missed shifts, lockdowns, and unsafe conditions, with critics blaming years of neglect. Food Assistance: Florida lawmakers backed funding for an AI system aimed at reducing SNAP payment errors as federal rules tighten. Local & Community: Girls on the Run Vermont will hold a Manchester 5K June 6 to support the Every Girl Fund, while Green Mountain Academy hosts “The Art of Corn” June 4 at the Southern Vermont Arts Center. Business: Mirabito is buying nine Quicklee’s c-stores in western New York and rebranding them.