AGP Executive Report

Public Safety: Vermont State Police say a Granville house explosion was accidental, caused by a propane leak; two people died (Liam O’Sullivan, 20, and Sarah O’Sullivan, 46, both of Essex Junction) and one woman, 69-year-old Shiela Hammond of Granville, remains in critical condition out of state. Violent Crime: In Barre, police arrested Waitsfield resident Joshua Brackett, 41, on attempted murder and other charges after a Sunday morning shooting left a 55-year-old victim critically but stable; authorities say it stemmed from a dispute involving a domestic relationship. Local Crime: VSP is asking for help identifying two women caught on camera stealing from a Craftsbury farm stand. Mental Health & Community: Asha Clinic opened in Burlington as a specialized outpatient suicide-care program led by Dr. Craig Bryan, expanding local access to targeted treatment. Health & Housing Access: Vermont 211 will stop handling intake for the new Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum after 4:30 p.m. weekdays and on weekends/holidays, shifting that work to the state’s Economic Services Division. Roads: A U.S. Route 7 culvert project is nearing, with a traffic alert for the Route 7 culverts work. Business/Grants: Vermont’s Working Lands Enterprise Initiative offers free grant planning help for eligible applicants ahead of a Better Connections Grant cycle.

Suicide Care in Burlington: UVM Health Network opened the Asha Clinic, a specialized outpatient program focused on suicide care, led by researcher Dr. Craig Bryan, aiming to expand access to proven therapies. Homelessness Hotline Changes: Vermont 211 will no longer handle intake for the new Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum after 4:30 p.m. weekdays and on weekends/holidays, with emergency housing screening moving to the state’s Economic Services Division. PFAS Research Funding: Bennington College and partners won a $7.9 million NSF grant to create a PFAS Environmental Research Network, bringing students and researchers together to track “forever chemicals.” Grant for Local Planning: AOT/Commerce/Natural Resources announced $200,000 in Better Connections grants for two municipalities outside Chittenden County to plan transportation, community development, and water-quality improvements. Granville Explosion: Vermont State Police are investigating a house explosion that killed two and injured three; officials say it’s not currently considered suspicious. Road & Traffic Alerts: AOT posted construction updates, including a major Route 7 culvert project closure and other I-89/I-91 paving and bridge work affecting commutes.

Local Mental Health: UVM Health Network and the Four Pines Fund-backed Asha Clinic opened in Burlington, offering specialized outpatient suicide care led by Dr. Craig Bryan, with a model aimed at reducing attempts and improving quality of life. Vermont Business & Community: The Vermont Agency of Transportation and partners announced a $200,000 Better Connections Grant Program for 2027, funding planning for transportation, community development, and water-quality improvements. Public Safety: Vermont State Police reported a St. Johnsbury case where a woman with a warrant was arrested after troopers found concealed cocaine in a cruiser seat. Higher Education & Research: Landmark College is part of a $7.9 million NSF PFAS Environmental Research Network, training students to study “forever chemicals” in Vermont groundwater and soil. Sports: Burlington-area fans got a big slate of results, including Vermont’s 4-1 win over Kent State and local college and high school football and soccer openers. Arts & Events: Burlington’s Constitution Day celebration at the Film House will focus on free speech and the press with speakers including Anna Gomez and VT Digger founder Anne Galloway.

Mental Health Care: UVM Health Network opened the Asha Clinic in Burlington, a specialized outpatient program focused only on suicide care, led by suicide researcher Dr. Craig Bryan and backed by the Four Pines Fund. Local Planning & Grants: The state is accepting applications for the Better Connections Grant Program’s 2027 cycle, with $200,000 available for two Vermont municipalities outside Chittenden County to plan multi-modal transportation, community development, and water-quality improvements. Business Leadership: Peckham Industries in Newport and Lyndonville named John R. Peckham interim CEO, aiming for continuity as the company transitions leadership. Public Safety & Traffic: Vermont’s weekly construction update lists paving and bridge work affecting I-89 and I-91 corridors, including lane closures and speed limits in multiple regions. Community Process: Wardsboro is launching “Wardsboro Turns Up,” a three-month, community-led planning effort with a free dinner and forums starting Sept. 17. Science & Environment: Landmark College is part of a $7.9 million NSF-funded PFAS Environmental Research Network to study “forever chemicals” in Vermont groundwater and soil. Arts & Civic Calendar: Constitution Day events are set for Sept. 20 on Burlington’s waterfront, focusing on the First Amendment and free press and speech.

Mental Health Care: UVM Health opened the Asha Clinic in Burlington, a specialized outpatient program focused on suicide care, led by researcher Dr. Craig Bryan and backed by Four Pines Fund, aiming to expand access to evidence-based treatment. Housing & Homelessness: Burlington celebrated the completion of 38 permanently affordable apartments downtown on South Winooski Avenue, adding homes for veterans, people exiting homelessness, and working residents, with support from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Champlain Housing Trust. Elections & Voting Access: Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas urged voters to make a voting plan for the November general election, emphasizing universal vote-by-mail and options to return ballots by mail, drop boxes, or in person. Public Health & Environment: Schools dealing with PCB contamination face uncertainty as state PCB remediation funding runs out, leaving educators worried about what comes next. Local Government & Planning: Killington officials were grilled by the state over TIF district reporting and compliance issues tied to the Killington Forward initiative. Community Events: CCTV Center for Media & Democracy received a $10,000 gift to preserve and digitize Burlington-area archival tapes, and Wardsboro is launching a town-led “Wardsboro Turns Up” planning process.

Medicaid Court Fight: Vermont is among 22 states suing the Trump administration over a rule that would block federal Medicaid funding for transgender youth gender-affirming care, with the change set to take effect Oct. 13. Local Shelter Pushback: A plan for a 100-bed, year-round emergency shelter in South Burlington was tabled after city officials raised concerns about strain on services and public safety. School Merger Planning: Vermont Learning Collaborative named seven regional facilitators to lead structured merger study talks under Act 170, with committee meetings set to begin next month. Traffic Alert: VT Route 14 near Circle St in Williamstown is closed after a severe crash, with delays expected and updates to follow. Business & Community: Okemo Valley is launching an Oct. 3–4 Fall Foliage Train and Pop-Up Festival, and Wardsboro is inviting residents to a Sept. 17 community dinner to shape town priorities. Public Safety & Protest: Vermont State Police arrested seven protesters for trespassing at an ICE office in Williston. Health Care Access: A report from Crisis Text Line finds people in rural Mountain West states—including Vermont—are more likely to mention suicide in crisis chats. Cost at the Pump: AAA says Labor Day gas prices are on track to set records, with diesel also hitting new highs.

Health Policy: Updated migraine prevention guidance from the American Academy of Neurology and American Headache Society puts more focus on newer CGRP-targeted therapies and choosing treatment based on what patients value most. Education & Local Governance: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott is urging communities to approach school district consolidation with an eye toward what students could gain, as Act 170 sets up 20 merger study committees and voter approval in 2028. Public Safety: Vermont State Police cited a Richford driver for excessive speed on VT Route 105, with radar confirming 84 mph in a 50 mph zone. Energy & Jobs: A Vernon selectboard is weighing options for the former Vermont Yankee site, including battery storage and small modular nuclear reactors, with an informational meeting set for Sept. 23. Community & Culture: Norwich University cut the ribbon on a new Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center funded by $16.4 million in directed spending. Environment & Research: Bennington College and other Vermont schools won $7.9 million from the National Science Foundation for a PFAS Environmental Research Network. Local News: The National Trust for Local News is buying Vermont Community Newspaper Group titles, aiming to keep local coverage alive.

Local Housing & Water: Highgate’s proposed 30-unit senior housing project is on hold after Cathedral Square and town officials concluded a public water system for the development isn’t feasible. Public Safety & Community: Vermont Fish and Wildlife game wardens held a Q&A in Derby to clear up confusion over changing deer hunting regulations. Vermont Culture: Norman Rockwell’s Vermont years are on display at the Shelburne Museum, highlighting how the region shaped some of his most famous work. Health & Rights: Vermont is part of a multi-state legal fight challenging federal actions targeting gender-affirming care for transgender youth, with attorneys general arguing states should control Medicaid coverage decisions. Sports & Outdoors: Kelly Brush, a Vermont ski safety advocate, marks 20 years since her injury and is set to be honored again with the Kelly Brush Ride on Sept. 12. Education: Maple Street School in Manchester kicked off the year with a new middle school wing under construction, with students set to move into the addition for 2027-2028.

Transgender healthcare fight: Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark is joining a 22-state lawsuit challenging a Trump administration rule that would block Medicaid reimbursements for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth starting Oct. 13. Local public safety and drugs: A Burlington editorial argues the city must do more than talk about “interrupting conditions,” saying drug markets are violent crimes that need enforcement plus stronger treatment options. Election access: Vermont officials are also reacting to a Supreme Court order that would allow federal limits on mail-in voting, with state leaders warning it could interfere with Vermont’s election authority. Central Vermont recovery: Turning Point Center of Central Vermont is holding a grand opening Sept. 15 for a new recovery center in Barre focused on peer support. Community calendar: Constitution Day events, local art exhibits, and fall fairs are set across the region, including a Sept. 5 pancake breakfast in Brookfield and Riverfront Connections at Brattleboro’s Latchis Gallery through Sept. 13.

School Tech Policy: Vermont’s new no-phone rule is moving from law to daily practice, with districts like Rutland High and Sharon Academy tightening enforcement while researchers at UVM study how different kinds of screen use affect young brains. Homelessness Response: Vermont is overhauling motel vouchers for people experiencing homelessness, shifting access to weekday business hours and shorter stays as the Homeless Response Continuum rolls out. Health Care: UVM Cancer Center and the FDA announced a new pancreatic cancer treatment, with local patients already benefiting through a clinical trial. Courts & Local Institutions: A federal bankruptcy judge questioned the Vermont Catholic Diocese’s plan to sell Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington to supporters for $4.3 million, with creditors pushing for a public sale process. Trade & Vermont Economy: Sen. Peter Welch highlighted how Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are hitting Vermont businesses, with Jay Peak officials warning the damage is also coming from eroded trust and rhetoric. Community & Culture: A Constitution Day event on Burlington’s waterfront will focus on free speech and the press, and Southern Vermont’s Ramblin’ Roads Country Fest is set for Oct. 3 in Winhall.

Vermont Corrections Update: After a discrimination complaint, the Vermont Department of Corrections has agreed to expand language services for non-English speakers in custody, including translation help at intake, access to medical info, and posted legal-rights materials in the most common languages. Canada Tensions: Vermont officials and businesses are reacting to President Trump’s renewed trade war with Canada, saying it’s already disrupting local operations. Public Safety Debate: A Burlington opinion piece argues the city must do more than talk about “interrupting conditions” behind violence, calling for tougher action against drug sales alongside better treatment options. Local Events: Burlington-area readers get a slate of community happenings, including a Constitution Day program on the waterfront focused on free speech and the press, plus Brattleboro’s Labor Film Festival and a teen “Takeover” series at the Rockingham Free Public Library. Outdoors & Wildlife: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center plans a raptor migration celebration with live birds and a community hawk-watch.

Corrections & Language Access: Vermont’s Department of Corrections will expand interpretation services and legal access for federal immigration detainees after a Human Rights Commission discrimination complaint and a settlement agreement. Big Tech Accountability: The FTC and 22 state attorneys general, including Vermont, sued Amazon alleging it secretly inflated advertising prices by manipulating ad auctions for years, with higher costs passed to consumers. Climate Superfund Fight: A federal judge blocked New York’s $75 billion “climate Superfund” law, saying it oversteps federal authority—an outcome other states are watching closely. Local Public Safety Debate: A Burlington opinion piece argues the city must do more than “interrupt conditions” behind violence, calling for stronger action against drug sales while expanding treatment options. Community Calendar: Brattleboro’s Windham County Humane Society will hold its 24th annual Walk for Animals Sept. 12, with in-person and virtual ways to help shelter animals. Vermont Culture & Food: Montpelier’s Ondis scaled back its menu after chef Max Vogel’s departure, shifting to snacks and small plates. Sports & Health: UVM athletes are refueling with Miller Farm organic milk during the season, highlighting a local farm partnership. Arts: Weston Theater Company’s production of “Primary Trust” opens its 90th season in Vermont.

Big Tech Accountability: California joined the FTC and a coalition of 22 states in a lawsuit accusing Amazon of secretly inflating ad prices, alleging tens of billions in overcharges to more than a million advertisers—Vermont is named among the states. Local Schools: Harwood Union is weighing major consolidation, including potentially cutting from 7 schools to 3, as it tries to stay under future spending limits. Public Safety & Community: A Vermont veterans and Guard families letter urges Gov. Phil Scott and lawmakers to back the Defend the Guard Act, arguing Guard deployments overseas should require congressional authorization. Health & Care: A new AAN/AHS guideline update expands options for preventing adult migraine, aiming to help clinicians choose the right preventive meds. Food Safety: FDA updated a recall of Lundberg Family Farms organic white jasmine rice sold in Vermont due to possible foreign materials. Community Events: Vermont Business Magazine previews Constitution Day at Burlington’s Film House, plus the Soldiers Atop the Mount living history weekend at Mount Independence.

Vermont Politics: The Vermont GOP is naming Jace Laquerre of Milton as a “placeholder” Republican challenger to Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, with Laquerre saying he wouldn’t serve if elected—an approach George calls an attempt to bypass voters. State Budget: Gov. Phil Scott is pushing agencies to craft a leaner FY2028 budget, aiming for constrained revenue and room for tax relief. Local Roads: Bennington’s $6.45 million “peanut roundabout” at Route 67A and the Bennington College entrance is substantially complete, and the state is seeking public feedback. Public Health: North Star Health is holding grand openings for three new in-house pharmacies in Charlestown, Springfield, and Londonderry. Environment & Science: U.S. Forest Service and Nature Conservancy Vermont are testing 6,000 young elms injected with Dutch elm disease spores to build future disease-tolerant restoration stock. Tech & Consumer Watch: The FTC filed a major lawsuit against Amazon over alleged manipulative ad pricing, with Vermont among the states joining. Health Alerts: New York City reports new West Nile cases across multiple boroughs, urging residents to prevent mosquito bites.

Vermont & Regional Politics: A new DOJ push targets states that offer in-state tuition to undocumented students, with lawsuits now filed against Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington—part of a broader fight that has already hit multiple states. Local Governance & Community: Winooski kicked off its first-ever Friendship Festival, bringing music, food, student performances and activities to celebrate the district’s diverse community. Public Safety: Vermont State Police reported a DUI–Drug arrest in Ferrisburgh after a welfare check on Route 7, and a separate New Haven case involving a driver arrested on a DUI–Drug charge and an active warrant. State Services & Economy: Green Mountain Power is holding a customer open house Sept. 1 in Westminster, with a Facebook Live option Sept. 2. Health & Food Systems: Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture is accepting applications for a Sodexo “Vermont First” innovation grant supporting farmers and food producers entering institutional dining supply chains. Big Tech & Culture: Google Maps has updated U.S. listings to show “Lake America” instead of Lake Ontario, reflecting Trump’s executive order.

Vermont & regional health: A new state survey finds Vermont is still losing primary care doctors, though the drop is slowing; fewer clinicians are working full time, leaving many Vermonters waiting longer for care. Local governance & schools: Barre Unified Union School District is starting the school year without a voter-approved budget again, with voters deciding Sept. 15 on a $57.1 million plan that would shift property tax impacts between the city of Barre and Barre town. State services & infrastructure: Green Mountain Power is holding a customer open house Sept. 1 in Westminster, with a Facebook Live option Sept. 2. Public safety: Vermont State Police report a Bethel domestic assault case with charges including aggravated domestic assault, with a Windsor County court date set for Aug. 31. Environment & science: UVM researchers helped publish new Nature findings on how bats’ immune-system gene changes help drive longevity and cancer resistance. Politics & policy: Sen. Peter Welch met with Vermont farmers about the rural economic crisis, including struggles to access basic federal farm services. National ripple effect: Google Maps will show “Lake America” for U.S. users after Trump’s renaming order, while Canada and some U.S. officials reject it.