AGP Executive Report

Bennington Resort Update: Developers behind a planned $42.7M luxury resort on the former Southern Vermont College campus say they’ve worked through historic and environmental hurdles and have now filed for Act 250 and town approvals—while promising more neighbor input before anything moves forward. PFAS Pressure: Vermont officials and residents are still responding to worsening PFAS contamination concerns in Bennington County, with state support like free water testing and well help as talks continue with the former ChemFab owner. Postal Crunch in South Burlington: Residents report major mail and package delays tied to short staffing, adding to a broader Vermont pattern of USPS delivery problems. Local Music Calendar: Grace Fall Band brings R&B/soul/rock and original songs to Bennington Theater’s Basement Music Series on May 22, and the Bandwagon Summer Series returns with a refreshed lineup across eastern Windham County. Community Arts & Food: MayFest lights up downtown Bennington May 23, and Manchester’s inaugural Food & Wine Festival runs May 22-24. Sports/School Notes: Vermont State University Castleton held a 400+ graduate commencement, while Castleton/VTSU and other campus updates keep rolling in.

Local Governance: Brownington is rolling out two-way cameras on every town truck, grader, and excavator to improve road visibility and document complaints or accidents. Public Health: Tick bites are spiking across the Northeast, with ER visits for Lyme-related care hitting the highest levels for this time of year since 2017. Environment & Accountability: In Glover, the Shadow Lake dam restoration is moving to the next step after hydrology studies and a preliminary risk assessment—12 rebuild designs are now under review. Arts & Community: Burlington hosts a live healthcare-communications conference in late May (May 27–29) for the first time in Vermont, themed “The Craft of Connection,” while Putney’s Next Stage Arts is set for John Gorka on May 17. Sports & Culture: Vermont Green FC returns to preview its men’s and women’s seasons on The Sports Rapport, live at 2 p.m. Entertainment Buzz: Noah Kahan’s “The Great Divide” stays at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a second week.

PFAS Pressure in Bennington County: Vermont is stepping up support for South Bennington and Shaftsbury after research found PFOA contamination spread and worsened over time, with free well testing and talks underway with the former ChemFab owner. Tick Season Spike: ER visits for tick bites are at their highest for this time of year since 2017, with warmer conditions driving more Lyme-related care across the Northeast. 250th Anniversary Spotlight: Bennington’s downtown 250th banners are back for year two of three, with youth-designed themes tied to the Declaration of Independence and next year’s Vermont founding and battles. Burlington Culture Calendar: Winooski’s Farmers Market opens today, plus the Burlington Record Fair and the final day of Comedy Play Fest in Waterbury. Gas Watch: Midgrade prices hit a low of $4.50 in Lamoille County (week ending May 9), while premium lows in Windham County were $4.99. Arts & Books: Young Writers Project posts “Strawberry Teacups and the Möbius Strip,” and Julia Alvarez brings a career-spanning lens to revisiting life through writing.

Data Center Backlash: A new national tracker says efforts to pause or ban data center projects have jumped nearly tenfold in a year, with 69 jurisdictions now holding active moratoriums—fueling local fights as AI-driven buildouts keep accelerating. Vermont Policy Watch: Vermont lawmakers are pushing ahead on AI data center rules, even as the broader U.S. debate heats up. Arts & Community: Burlington is set to host the NESHCo healthcare communications conference May 27–29, bringing regional marketing and strategy leaders for “The Craft of Connection.” Weekend Culture: Putney’s Next Stage Arts welcomes folk icon John Gorka on May 17, and Opera Vermont brings “La Cenerentola” to the Barre Opera House May 23. Weather: Expect a warm, bright Sunday with only a spot shower possible, then more humidity and storm chances midweek. Sports & Local Life: Montpelier Ultimate heads to the Pioneer Valley Invitational, and Vermont high school spring sports scores are rolling in.

Vermont Sports & Community Pulse: The spring season is officially rolling with Vermont high school spring sports scores and schedules for Saturday, May 16, plus Ultimate action as Montpelier’s boys team heads to the Pioneer Valley Invitational for a shot at elite competition. Stanley Cup Night in Vermont: Sabres vs. Canadiens Game 6 is set for 8 p.m. ET, and a Sleeper Fantasy promo is pushing a $120 bonus for players using code NYPBONUS. Everyday Costs Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest Windham County premium price at $4.99/gallon for the week ending May 9, while statewide premium averages remain elevated. Arts & Local Culture: Studio Place Arts is spotlighting Vermont farms in “Milk Cans, Bees, and Maple Trees,” and Opera Vermont brings “La Cenerentola” to Barre Opera House on May 23. Tech Policy: Vermont Senate lawmakers are moving ahead on AI data center regulations (including battery backup), after a moratorium bill stalled.

World Cup Ticket Warning: Boston-area fans are being told to avoid ticket fraud for Gillette Stadium matches by using only official FIFA app transfers—screenshots and random links won’t get you in, and extra checkpoints are coming. Local Business Spotlight: Ann Clark is expanding beyond cookie cutters with five gourmet baking mixes made in Rutland, while Burlington bagel owner Adam Jones says he tried AI marketing and immediately got hit with one-star reviews. Arts & Entertainment: Opera Vermont brings Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” to the Barre Opera House (May 23), and Robert Earl Keen returns to Vermont for a rare Paramount Theatre show in Rutland (May 26). Community & Culture: Bookstock kicks off in Woodstock this weekend, and LAHS unveils newly acquired Bernadine Custer Sharp paintings (May 23–June 7). Policy Watch: Vermont Senate lawmakers are set to advance AI data center regulations, including battery backup requirements.

AI Data Center Pushback: Vermont’s lawmakers and AG Charity Clark are stepping into the AI fight—Clark was named co-chair of a national AG committee focused on AI, kids’ online safety, and cyber privacy, while policymakers elsewhere are weighing pauses and guardrails as data centers strain power grids and budgets. Equal Protection Vote: Vermont voters will decide this fall on PR.4, a constitutional equal-protection amendment explicitly naming groups historically facing discrimination. Gun Smuggling Fallout: Federal prosecutors say a Canada-bound trafficking operation tied to Akwesasne moved dozens of guns, with multiple pleas and charges—another reminder that border crime keeps evolving. Local Culture & Community: Brattleboro’s Historical Society is turning Municipal Center hallways into a museum, and Burlington’s ONE Arts daycare is temporarily closed amid state “corrective actions.” Spring in Vermont: Expect the classic “Spring 1.0” false start—warm bursts, then cold surprises—so plan outdoor time, but pack for whiplash.

Gun Smuggling Crackdown: U.S. prosecutors say they’ve dismantled an NH-to-Canada pipeline that moved dozens of illegal guns through Vermont and the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation, with 13 people charged or pleading guilty and some weapons later recovered at Canadian violent-crime scenes. Inclusion Week: Vermont marks its annual Inclusion Week, rooted in a grassroots push that’s now been adopted by 165 towns—an ongoing reminder that local commitments shape statewide culture. UVM Pressure Points: UVM projects a 15% drop in next year’s freshman class, opening a $12M budget hole and raising the stakes for recruitment and funding. School Nutrition Shift: Bromfield’s “Ditching Diet Talk” program is getting attention for teaching healthy eating without weight-obsessed messaging. Arts & Community Calendar: This week’s Vermont entertainment mix leans big on music—Trey Anastasio Foundation events, Grand Point North’s 2026 lineup, and a fresh summer movie guide for theaters and streaming.

Local Media Fundraiser: GNAT-TV is hosting “Hats Off to Summer” on June 3 to keep community coverage alive, from town halls to youth media training. Border Crime Crackdown: U.S. prosecutors say they dismantled an international gun-smuggling ring that allegedly moved dozens of illegal firearms from New Hampshire into Canada, with some weapons later showing up at violent crime scenes. Energy & Costs: Gas prices in Vermont remain volatile, with Bennington County regular hitting $4.15 in the week ending May 9, while transmission-plan fights and power reliability debates keep energy in the spotlight. Childcare Watch: A Burlington childcare center (ONE Arts Community School) is temporarily closed after a state licensing review, with a possible reopening date of May 26. Music & Culture: Grand Point North announced its 2026 lineup—Grace Potter, Portugal. The Man, Dawes, Dark Star Orchestra and more—bringing big festival energy back to Burlington in September. Tech in Schools: Parents and districts continue clashing over screen use, with new reporting fueling the debate again.

Soka University deal watch: Soka University is in exclusive talks to buy Middlebury’s Middlebury Institute campus in Monterey, with a possible name change to “Monterey Institute of International Studies at Soka University,” after Middlebury planned to wind down most MIIS programs by spring 2027. Higher-ed pressure: UVM is facing a $12M deficit tied to a projected 7% drop in undergrad enrollment, while leaders pitch lawmakers for funding for a proposed 5,000-seat multipurpose arena. Community building, local style: Barton’s former bank building is being transformed into a cafe/market, makers space, co-working hub, and event venue. Health & safety: Connecticut AG William Tong leads a bipartisan push urging the FDA to reverse draft guidance that could make flavored e-cigarettes easier to approve. Arts & culture: Grand Point North’s 2026 lineup is set, and Burlington is gearing up for Grace Potter with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Tech in schools debate: Parents keep pushing back on classroom devices as districts resist opt-outs.

Local Democracy in Motion: Hanover voters approved a $34.51M operating budget, a cell tower lease, and a fire ladder truck bond, while a zoning rollback petitioned article failed and a social districts plan was tabled over a procedural hiccup. Community & Nature: The Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival drew 1,500+ people for hands-on environmental demos, turtle-trap checks, and a bald eagle telescope moment. Housing Momentum: Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity is set to open a second ReStore in Berlin, aiming to funnel donated goods into affordable housing projects. Arts That Stick: Bookstock’s “Unbound” exhibit spotlights how printed language can be reshaped into meaning, with a standout work built from a Soviet writer’s collected works. Public Health & Policy: Vermont AG Charity Clark was named co-chair of a national AI safety and privacy committee, pushing for guardrails for children and consumers. Entertainment & Culture: Noah Kahan’s “The Great Divide” keeps climbing—again topping the Billboard 200. Sports & Community: Four Rivers swept the top spots at its annual ultimate tournament, with Otters winning the finals.

Girls Lacrosse Spotlight: The Burlington Free Press reader vote for the 2026 girls lacrosse breakout player is live now—cast ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com through May 19 (no limits, no email/social voting). Farm Weather Upgrade: UVM has opened the first station in the Vermont Mesonet, a statewide weather network meant to tighten flood preparedness and give farmers more precise, local forecasts—especially where mountains limit radar. Community Arts, Small-School Big Heart: Block Island School’s drama club has grown fast, with about a third of students in “Descendants: The Musical,” building stages in the gym with volunteers. Local Media Support: GNAT-TV’s “Hats Off to Summer” fundraiser June 3 backs community coverage and hands-on media training. Town Budget Pressure: Killington is working through budget timing after voters rejected an earlier plan, with possible changes to the tax collection schedule. Sports Front Porch: Rutland’s home track meet delivered standout performances, including Gradyn Bellomo and Amelia Shelton.

Local Media Fundraiser: GNAT-TV is hosting “Hats Off to Summer” on June 3 to keep community reporting alive, including coverage of local government meetings and youth media training. PGA Championship Buzz: Keegan Bradley joked he can “smell the northeast” ahead of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink, where a deep, varied field has bettors eyeing multiple winners. Tech in Schools Debate: Vermont lawmakers and educators are weighing whether to “pump the breaks” on classroom tech, with concerns about distractions and how chatbots/phones are used. Upper Valley Justice Update: A hearing tied to a fatal Hartford shooting has been postponed, with a pre-sentence report now due by July 25. Sports Hall of Fame: UMaine announced its 2026 Sports Hall of Fame class, led by basketball standout Blanca Millan and hockey player Cory Larose. Food & Culture: Manchester’s Neighborhood Noodle is leaning into ramen season, while Vermont’s Japanese wine scene gets a boost from Nippon Naturals.

Men’s Health Ride Grows in Vermont: The 9th annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is set for May 17, with 44 Vermont riders already signed up and nearly $3,000 raised for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. Local Arts & Community Media: Lawrence Public Library and The Raven Book Store are hosting free experimental-theater events Tuesday, while GNAT-TV’s “Hats Off to Summer” fundraiser June 3 aims to keep local government coverage and youth media training alive. Education & Policy: Vermont lawmakers dropped a school-food bill banning certain chemical additives after big district pushback. Health Care Watch: The House Health Care Committee advanced S.190, moving Vermont toward reference-based pricing in FY 2027 and adjusting how critical access hospitals handle Medicare cost sharing. Disaster Recovery: FEMA approved nearly $2.2M for Vermont flood recovery, focused on transportation repairs. Culture Spotlight: Noah Kahan’s new album “The Great Divide” keeps the Vermont spotlight on national stages.

ICE Out Vermont Alliance: In St. Albans, a coalition of faith and community groups says it scored a “partial victory” after protests helped force the CBP office to close for the day, with organizers reading demands and naming people who’ve died in ICE custody. Campus Identity Fight: Middlebury College’s Hillel student board voted to rename the group “Jewish Association of Middlebury” and distance itself from Hillel International over Israel-related concerns. Local Housing Safety: Hartford’s selectboard will review Twin Pines’ draft safety plan for a proposed 48-unit affordable development, aiming to set up a committee to monitor safety across Twin Pines properties. STEM Expansion: The American Precision Museum hit its $3M renovation goal for a new Gene Haas Center for Manufacturing Inspiration, opening this December. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports Windham County’s lowest regular price at $3.69/gallon for the week ending May 2, while Vermont averages rose to $4.28. Arts & Music: Noah Kahan returned to SNL as musical guest, performing “The Great Divide” and “Doors.”

In the last 12 hours, Vermont-area coverage skewed toward a mix of community life, entertainment, and local institutions rather than a single dominant breaking story. Several items highlighted upcoming or ongoing events and culture: a Mother’s Day/weekend “things to do” roundup, a Wilburton Inn interactive dinner-theatre return (“Murder in the Mountains” / “The Dangerous Divorcee”), and local arts programming such as a whimsical art show at Johnie’s Coffee Shop and festival-style community gatherings (including “Cuban Night” on a Burlington campus). Sports and education also showed up in lighter, community-focused ways, including St. Michael’s College athletics/health programming and recognition at VTSU-Lyndon’s athletic banquet.

There was also notable “Vermont business and science” reporting in the most recent window, though it reads more like feature coverage than a fast-moving development. UVM researchers were reported as challenging a long-standing assumption about how language meaning is organized, with a new study describing “ousiometrics” and arguing language is biased toward safety and survival. Other business/industry pieces included a Vermont chocolate company launching new “Caramel Cups” positioned for Gen Z/Gen Alpha snacking preferences, and an energy-grid forecast from ISO New England projecting changing seasonal electricity demand as electrification grows.

A major legal headline cluster in the last 12 hours centered on the Wellesley mother case: coverage described her arraignment/plea and that she was ordered held without bail, with investigators alleging she admitted killing her two children and attempting suicide after arriving at an aunt’s home in Vermont. While this is not “Vermont entertainment” in the narrowest sense, it is the most serious, high-attention story in the most recent set and is corroborated by multiple entries in the last 12–24 hour window as well.

Looking slightly farther back (12 to 24 hours ago), the same Wellesley case continued to dominate attention, alongside other Vermont-relevant institutional updates. That period included reporting on Vermont Public’s executive leadership transition (VTDigger naming a new CEO), and additional community/event coverage (multicultural festival photos, interactive theatre, and local planning items like Brattleboro’s motel housing request). It also carried forward broader entertainment and media items—such as Matt Damon returning to host “SNL” ahead of “The Odyssey”—which connects to the entertainment-heavy tone seen in the last 12 hours.

Overall, the rolling 7-day set shows a steady stream of community and arts/entertainment coverage plus a few high-profile “headline” stories (especially the Wellesley mother arraignment). However, beyond those, the evidence in the most recent 12 hours is more consistent with routine local features and event promotion than with a single large, Vermont-wide entertainment turning point.