AGP Executive Report

Predatory auto lending crackdown: Vermont is part of a sweeping multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, with attorneys general announcing $694 million in cash and debt relief for consumers harmed by risky, allegedly deceptive loans. Statehouse and federal fight: Vermont AGs also joined coalitions pushing back on a U.S. Department of Agriculture plan that would force employees to relocate, arguing it would weaken wildfire, food-safety, and food-assistance work. Reproductive care access: Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom (VARF) is partnering with Maitri Healthcare in South Burlington to expand abortion care capacity, funding equipment and supplies and offering patient financial assistance. Vermont business and jobs: GlobalFoundries and Marvell expanded their Burlington, Vermont chip collaboration to boost capacity for optical connectivity components used in AI data centers. Community calendar (health and civic life): Make-A-Wish chapters announced a Vermont stop on its 2026 Wish Benefit Tour, and the Vermont Community Leadership Summit returns Oct. 6 at Castleton.

Reproductive health access: Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom (VARF) is partnering with Maitri Healthcare in South Burlington to expand abortion care by funding clinic equipment and supplies and offering patient financial help. AI and education: University of Dayton will require first-year students to take two AI-focused courses, while Vermont’s political debate over AI safety and regulation keeps heating up. Healthcare workforce: UVM Health says it’s eliminating or changing nearly 200 positions across its system, including 24 at Central Vermont Medical Center, as budgets tighten. School funding fight: Barre Unified Union School District voters rejected the budget for a third straight time, setting up likely cuts to winter sports, transportation, and extracurriculars. Local government and infrastructure: Orleans approved a temporary $975,000 bridge credit line to replace a Barton River pedestrian bridge while awaiting FEMA and state reimbursement. Clean water planning: Vermont DEC is seeking public comment on draft tactical basin plans for the Missisquoi Bay and Lamoille River basins, with hybrid meetings scheduled in late September. Business and community: Pittsford Village Farm in Rutland County is reopening as a community hub with new businesses, childcare, and housing.

AI Regulation Showdown: Congress is under pressure to act on AI safety, but lawmakers are split and many are leaving town before the November election, with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon appearing together to push for safeguards. Local Politics: Burlington looks set to elect “newbies” to the Vermont House as longtime leaders step aside, shifting how the city can press for help on homelessness and public safety. Healthcare Jobs: Dartmouth Health’s layoffs and canceled openings won’t affect Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, according to both organizations. Flood Recovery Funding: FEMA approved millions in additional Vermont funds tied to major floods from 2023 and 2024. Arts & Community: Vermont Symphony Orchestra opens its season with “Charity, Sylvia & Cleopatra,” and Lyric Theatre launches a free-ticket program to broaden access to shows. Business & Energy: FlexGen and Lightshift Energy are expanding battery storage projects across Massachusetts, Virginia, and Vermont. Banking: Passumpsic Bank named Xiomara Quirindongo branch manager in St. Johnsbury. Vermont Events: Better Connections grants offer $200,000 for municipal planning, and Vermont’s first Navy Week brings sailors to Montpelier.

AI Regulation Push: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders warned that the AI boom could bring job disruption and unprecedented surveillance, saying he’ll soon introduce a bill to ban AI superintelligence until “clear safety rules” are in place, as he and Steve Bannon staged a rare left-right “pro-human” push for guardrails. Election Integrity Tension: FBI Director Kash Patel told senators he’s open to sending agents to polling places, escalating fears about federal involvement in the midterms. Vermont Court Case: A Burlington-area trial opened for a man accused of shooting three Palestinian college students in 2023; he claims U.S. and Israeli intelligence told him to act. Immigration Abuse Report: A DHS inspector general report describes metal “torture boxes” used on immigrants at a Florida detention facility, with inspectors saying the practice doesn’t meet humane-treatment standards. Workweek Proposal: Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Mark Takano reintroduced a 32-hour workweek bill that would make overtime kick in after 32 hours. Local Nonprofit & Community: A Ron Hance Memorial Golf Classic in Rutland raised $45,000+ for local nonprofits via Heritage Family Cares 4 You. Public Service List: Vermont Fish & Wildlife posted a 2026 list of certified leashed dog trackers who volunteer to help recover deer, bear, or moose. Federal Sentencing: Russell Biathrow of Killington was sentenced to 90 months for producing morphed child sexual abuse material.

AI Regulation Showdown: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon are set to co-lead a “pro-human” rally in Washington warning that AI is breaking outside human control, as lawmakers debate guardrails versus innovation. Supreme Court Mail Voting: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s push to tighten USPS rules for mail ballots, clearing the way for states—including Vermont—to continue sending ballots without a “dark cloud” over election operations. Brattleboro Hospital Budget: Vermont regulators ordered Brattleboro Memorial Hospital to revise its proposed FY27 budget, delaying a decision after last-minute changes and a reprieve for its birthing center. Courtroom in Burlington: Trial began for Jason Eaton, accused of shooting three Palestinian students; Eaton claims he acted on orders from the CIA and Mossad via FM radio. Working Forests Funding: The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities awarded $5.5 million to accelerate wood fiber markets, including support tied to Vermont. Local Business & Community: VIP completed its acquisition of Encompass Technologies to expand food-and-beverage tech, while the Vermont Community Foundation was named a 2026 Civic Hub with a three-year grant.

AI policy fight: President Trump is calling AI safety warnings “a hoax” and pushing back on calls for guardrails as lawmakers and industry leaders press for limits ahead of midterms, with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders joining a high-profile Washington push for AI safeguards. Health care costs in Vermont: The Green Mountain Care Board approved aggressive commercial rate and revenue cuts for hospitals, including steep limits for UVM Medical Center, while regulators also delayed a decision on Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s budget after last-minute changes that keep its birthing center open for now. Election rules: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s effort to restrict mail ballots, clearing the way for states to continue existing processes without new Postal Service requirements. Immigration enforcement: Vermont’s AG Raoul is co-leading a coalition suing to block the Trump administration’s public charge rule that would let officials penalize lawful use of public benefits in green-card decisions. Public health & community: Vermont’s first-ever Central Vermont “Save a Life Day” in Barre will distribute naloxone and overdose-prevention resources, and a separate Vermont egg recall is linked to Salmonella illnesses. Local governance & schools: Act 170 school merger work is accelerating as districts seek changes to assigned merger groups, including Harwood’s request to study a different regional pairing.

AI Regulation Pressure: Congress is facing rising calls to regulate advanced AI after high-profile warnings, but lawmakers say the midterm calendar and Trump’s skepticism could slow action. Immigration Legal Fight: New York AG Letitia James and a coalition of states and cities sued to block a Trump “public charge” rule that would let immigration officials penalize lawful use of public benefits. Vermont Health & Community: Central Vermont Council on Aging’s “Hit the Trail” fundraiser supports free services for older Vermonters, while Barre’s “Save a Life Day” will distribute naloxone and share overdose prevention resources. Local Business & Economy: Vermont Chamber and NBT Bank host an Economic Insights webinar ahead of the Fed decision, and Kinney Drugs rolls out a kid-focused “Find Flemy” flu-comfort scavenger hunt. State Policy Watch: Vermont’s Land Use and election-related filings continue to draw attention, including a complaint over political ad disclosures. Energy/Cost: Gas prices in Vermont average $4.40 per gallon, up from last week.

Opioid response: Central Vermont Prevention Coalition is hosting Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” on Sept. 24 in Barre, offering free naloxone (Narcan) and overdose-prevention resources, plus a traveling Into Light portrait exhibit from Vermonters lost to addiction. Aging and community: Central Vermont Council on Aging’s “Hit the Trail” fundraiser returns Sept. 27 with a 5K run/walk/bike on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, live music, and a raffle that includes an e-trike. Local business and health: Kinney Drugs is rolling out a kid-friendly “comfort vaccination experience” with a weekly “Find Flemy” scavenger hunt tied to flu shots. Workforce and housing: Vermont Construction Academy coverage highlights a “toolbelt generation” push to fill trade labor gaps, while RuralEdge and Community National Bank are opening applications for Newport Crossing affordable housing units. Public safety access: A Vermont Supreme Court-related item says a judge blocked enforcement of a state drugstore shutdown law tied to pharmacy benefit managers, with Vermont among states considering similar moves. AI politics: Trump dismissed calls to slow AI development as Democrats press for regulation, as major AI leaders back pacing and third-party safety checks.

AI Safety Debate: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders backed calls for a pause on advanced AI, urging a treaty to halt superintelligence development, as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and other tech leaders argued for slowing progress and adding third-party safety checks. Public Health & Opioids: 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. Local Government: Vershire hired its first town administrator, Dominick “Nick” Caputo, to coordinate operations and keep projects moving. Housing & Community Development: RuralEdge and Community National Bank opened the first phase of Newport Crossing Affordable Housing, with 40 permanently affordable units. Health Care Access: A Vermont commentary highlights how rural areas are at risk of becoming obstetric deserts as birthing centers close or face uncertainty. Vermont Economy/Infrastructure: A weekly AOT road construction report outlines upcoming paving and bridge work affecting traffic on major routes. Sports Betting Promotions: Multiple outlets promoted Vermont-available prediction-market promos for NFL matchups.

Public Health & Harm Reduction: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” is set for Sept. 24 in Barre, offering free naloxone (Narcan), overdose prevention info, and a traveling Into Light portrait exhibit from VAMHAR. Housing & Homelessness: The Upper Valley Haven dedicated its new year-round shelter and resource center in White River Junction, a 20-bed facility expected to begin taking guests soon. AI & Politics: Lawmakers are again pressing for federal oversight after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s call for an AI slowdown, with support from major tech figures and renewed debate over safety and regulation. Work & Wages: Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Mark Takano introduced a bill to gradually move the federal overtime threshold toward a 32-hour workweek. Food Safety: Vermont health and agriculture officials ordered a recall of eggs tied to Salmonella Enteritidis from a Windsor County farm, after linked illnesses were reported. Local Business: Kinney Drugs is rolling out a kid-focused “Find Flemy” flu scavenger hunt in stores ahead of vaccination season. Transportation: Vermont’s weekly construction update flags paving and bridge work on I-89 and I-91 with lane closures and speed limits.

Public Health: Vermont officials say Salmonella Enteritidis was found in eggs and environmental samples at Leaping Bear Farm in Windsor County; the farm is voluntarily recalling eggs dated June 1 through Sept. 5 and pausing sales until the strain is no longer a threat. Housing & Homelessness: The Upper Valley Haven in White River Junction marked the ribbon-cutting for its new year-round 20-bed shelter and resource center, designed to provide nightly sign-ups plus meals and staff support. Courts & Speech: A federal judge blocked Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark from investigating “Planet Hank” over an AI-generated satirical video of a congressional race, citing the video’s satirical nature and free-speech concerns. Addiction Response: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” in Barre will hand out naloxone and overdose-prevention info, with community portraits from the Into Light Project. Work & Wages: Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill to lower the federal overtime threshold from 40 to 32 hours without cutting pay or benefits. AI Policy: Vermont’s rules-of-evidence advisory committee will discuss AI-related evidentiary issues at its Sept. 11 meeting.

Opioid response: 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 Project portrait display from the Vermont Association for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery. Housing policy: Vermont has nearly 50,000 “seasonally vacant” homes, about 14% of the housing stock, and a new education-tax approach is raising questions about what counts as a seasonal home versus a year-round one. Public safety: Essex Junction will add a stop sign at Pine Court and West Street after resident concerns about speeding, with the city citing engineering review and crash-record context. Health care access: More providers are moving toward membership-style care; in South Burlington, a new Horizon Primary Care practice is opening with a concierge model aimed at more time with patients. Education labor: Blue Mountain Union School District teachers have declared an impasse after contract talks stalled, setting up mediation. Energy costs: Heating oil prices are already near or above $5 a gallon in Vermont, with a 700-gallon winter supply potentially costing $1,000 to $1,600 more than last year. AI and courts: Vermont’s Supreme Court advisory committee will meet Sept. 11 to discuss AI-related evidentiary issues, among other rule updates. Data breaches: Vermont is among states tied to investigations into U.S. Bank and Ascent Global Logistics data breaches, with class-action firms urging affected people to review and protect accounts. Arts & community: The Vermont Symphony Orchestra opens its season Sept. 18 with “Charity, Sylvia & Cleopatra,” including a world premiere inspired by Vermont history and LGBTQ+ stories.

Work & Economy: A new federal bill, the “Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act,” would gradually lower the overtime threshold from 40 hours to 32, with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders backing it. Rural Health Funding: Vermont has begun distributing its first $11.7 million from a $195 million federal rural health award, including scholarships for rural healthcare workers and nursing home capacity upgrades. Hospital Access: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital reversed its plan to close its birthing center, keeping local labor-and-delivery services available for Windham and Windsor counties. Opioid Response: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” is set for Sept. 24 in Barre, offering free naloxone and overdose-prevention resources. AI & Policy: The Justice Department escalated its push against in-state tuition for undocumented students, while Vermont’s own AI-related court fights and national AI safety debates continue to draw attention. Local Business & Community: Kinney Drugs is rolling out a kid-focused “Find Flemy” flu scavenger hunt, and Haven Southwick is expanding its cannabis dispensary with a local-art showroom.

Opioid response: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” is set for Sept. 24 in Barre, offering free naloxone (Narcan) and overdose prevention resources, plus a traveling Into Light Project portrait exhibit. Rural health funding: Vermont has received the first $11.7 million of $195 million in federal rural health transformation money, including tuition support for nursing and other healthcare students and training for long-term care nursing assistants. Local business & jobs: Rutland Town’s plan for a Walmart Supercenter at the old Diamond Run Mall is moving through the Act 250 permitting process, with officials focused on environmental and financial impacts. Healthcare access: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital says it will keep obstetric and birthing services after financial losses prompted earlier concerns. AI policy pressure: Lawmakers are pressing OpenAI after incidents involving AI systems “going rogue,” while a former Anthropic researcher’s warning about existential risk is fueling calls for tighter oversight. Vermont economy: A Southwestern Vermont chamber survey finds strong confidence locally, but rising costs and workforce shortages remain major hurdles. Community & culture: Runamok is naming new leadership as founders step back from CEO roles, and UVM researchers discuss how extreme weather could affect fall foliage.

Opioid Response: Central Vermont will hold its first “Save a Life Day” in Barre on Sept. 24, offering free naloxone (Narcan), overdose prevention info, and harm-reduction resources, plus a traveling Into Light portrait exhibit from Vermonters lost to overdose. Rural Health Workforce: Vermont Department of Health awarded $9 million to VSAC for a Rural Health Transformation tuition benefit, aiming to train more nurses, mental health providers, dentists and EMS workers who commit to serving rural communities for at least five years. AI Safety & Governance: Lawmakers and officials are escalating pressure after Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon’s resignation and warnings that frontier AI could become uncontrollable; Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged immediate action to rein in AI. Endangered Species Act Fight: Vermont AG Charity Clark joined lawsuits challenging federal rollbacks to Endangered Species Act protections, arguing the changes weaken habitat safeguards. Business & Jobs: A Southwestern Vermont Chamber survey finds most local firms still optimistic, but worried about rising costs, workforce shortages, and the broader economy. Community & Outdoors: UVM experts weigh in on how extreme weather and climate change could affect Vermont’s fall foliage.

AI & Elections: A federal judge blocked Vermont’s first major enforcement of its AI-media election law, ruling a “Planet Hank” synthetic video is protected satire, while the state’s AG said she’s reviewing next steps. Vermont Politics & Labor: Vermont voters are set to decide on a constitutional amendment (Proposal 3) embedding workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively. National Guard & Families: Vermont broke ground on a new Family Readiness and Support Center at Camp Johnson to consolidate legal, financial, retirement and suicide-prevention services for Guard members and families. Endangered Species Lawsuits: Vermont’s AG Charity Clark is among attorneys general suing the Trump administration over rollbacks to Endangered Species Act protections, arguing habitat safeguards are being weakened. Education Funding & Consolidation: Barre faces another budget revote after prior failures, while districts statewide continue merger planning under Act 170. Local Business & Community: Kinney Drugs is rolling out a kid-focused “Find Flemy” flu scavenger hunt, and Ray’s Seafood Market in Essex is closing after 75 years.