AGP Executive Report

Local Music Spotlight: Harwood Union High School’s student band, the Glam Cowboys, won a “Beats for Good” contest and will open National Life Group’s Do Good Fest in Montpelier, landing a prime festival slot plus $1,500 for the band and $5,000 for the school music program. Community Celebrations: Milton is gearing up for a July 4 “Celebrating 250!” day with a grand parade, live band sets, and fireworks at Bombardier Park West. Education & Arts Access: Vermont schools are still battling chronic absenteeism, and a new state law targets the problem—framing attendance as key to the social side of learning, not just test scores. Career Pathways: Northwest Career and Technical Center held a Skilled Trades Signing Day where more than 20 students committed to future careers in trades, cosmetology, manufacturing, and healthcare. Food & Culture: Gondolas Snack Bar is back for its third season in Morristown, with a second year-round location in Morrisville and a menu built around stacked smash burgers and creemees. Arts Reading: Vermont Youth Book Awards named student-voted winners across K-4, 4-8, and high school categories, spotlighting new youth titles.

Juneteenth History & Film: North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association is running its “Juneteenth Colors of Freedom in the Adirondacks” tour on June 20, starting at Ausable Chasm and ending at the Plattsburgh Public Library with a movie based on a true story of escape back to freedom. Local Leadership in Senior Living: Danielle Nickerson has been appointed executive director of The Village at White River Junction, bringing nearly a decade of Vermont senior-care leadership. Vermont Arts & Community Building: Vermont Arts Council’s Vermont Creative Sector Convening in St. Albans drew about 200 people for hands-on sessions connecting artists, music groups, and local history. Sports Coaching News: Drew Kelleher returns to UVM as head men’s lacrosse coach, while Virginia hires Chris Feifs as associate head coach/defensive coordinator after a decade at Vermont. Pride & Culture: Burlington’s Discover Jazz Festival wrapped with major performances including Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Mavis Staples, and Vermont-based author William Graham contributed to a Pride exhibit theme. Statewide Health/Science: UVM researchers report H1N1 and H3N2 use different routes into lung cells, pointing toward new antiviral design paths.

Arts & Culture: Dorset Theatre Festival kicks off “Summer Magic” with professional summer theater at the Dorset Playhouse, bringing a full spotlight back to Southern Vermont. Music & Community: Burlington’s Discover Jazz Festival wrapped with big-name sets, including Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Mavis Staples, plus local performers across Church Street and waterfront stages. Local Arts Economy: St. Albans hosted the Vermont Creative Sector Convening, a “Hands-On” day connecting artists, music orgs, history and culture with community and economic development. Historic Gardens: The von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort in Stowe earned Historic Hotels of America’s Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens nod, celebrating Maria von Trapp’s long-rooted landscape design. Outdoor Access: Barre Town opened Milestone Nature Center, a sensory-friendly nature space built for neurodivergent visitors with accessible paths and hands-on stations. Sports (Vermont): Vermont Amateur golf qualifiers advanced players for the July 7–9 tournament at Ekwanok in Manchester. Business/Leadership: Danielle Nickerson was named executive director of The Village at White River Junction, bringing nearly a decade of Vermont senior-care leadership. Healthcare Policy: A new public commentary argues Vermont can’t fix hospital problems with top-down directives alone, calling for reference pricing instead. Sports (Baseball): Summer college baseball is a Vermont-friendly option, with the Mountaineers, Nighthawks, and Lake Monsters keeping fans close to the action.

Vermont Arts & Music: Burlington Discover Jazz Festival wrapped with major sets including Chris Potter and Julian Lage, plus a world-premiere tied to John Brown’s raid, keeping the Flynn and downtown venues buzzing. Community Events: Merck Forest & Farmland Center announced its Oct. 3 Hike-a-thon in Rupert, with multiple trail options and a music-and-food celebration at the Sap House. Film & Culture: Brattleboro’s Latchis Theatre is leaning into classic Hollywood this summer, with “Casablanca” drawing a near-capacity crowd and more big-screen sequels on deck. Sports Spotlight: The Lowell Spinners opened their Futures Collegiate season with a rain-shortened win over the Vermont Lake Monsters, while Vermont high school spring sports scores and playoff updates keep rolling in. Local Life & Entertainment: Vermont Quick Lube’s “Ladies’ Day” is getting a feel-good profile, pairing fast service with flowers and small perks for customers. Tech & Schools: A national look at how schools are pushing iPads/Chromebooks early is sparking fresh debate about what parents and students are really getting.

AI & Politics: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ push for public ownership in AI is getting high-profile attention, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly telling Sanders he supports the idea of public equity even if he won’t back Sanders’ exact 50% threshold. Vermont Education & Tech: A national look at “anti-tech” backlash in schools spotlights parents alarmed by early iPad/Chromebook rollouts and what they see as a mismatch between classroom tech and kids’ needs. Local Governance: Peacham voters voted to let the town buy its elementary school building for $1, keeping it as a community asset if district mergers happen. Arts & Community: Burlington Discover Jazz Festival keeps expanding beyond traditional venues, including a “Skate Jam” that pairs skateboarders with live music at Talent Skatepark. Health & Environment: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, an herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease. Sports Culture: Marlboro Music marks its 75th anniversary season in southern Vermont, with tickets now on sale. Sports Betting (Sports): Kalshi and Polymarket promos are driving attention to NBA and Stanley Cup markets ahead of key games.

Cinema Nostalgia Meets Blockbusters: Brattleboro’s Latchis Theatre keeps its “golden age” vibe alive with big-screen classics like a near-sellout one-night return of “Casablanca,” plus summer sequels including “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Toy Story,” and “Spider-Man.” Chamber Music Milestone: Marlboro Music marks 75 years in southern Vermont with a July 18–Aug. 16 anniversary season led by Mitsuko Uchida and Jonathan Biss; tickets are $20–$40. Jazz Festival Day 4: Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Mavis Staples headline Burlington Discover Jazz Festival’s Waterfront Park lineup. Local Food & Drink Plans: Burlington Wine & Food Festival returns June 27 at Hula Lakeside with 75+ exhibitors, seminars, and live jazz. Community Running Story: Pam Begnaud keeps her and late husband Bubba’s 50-half-marathons-in-50-states goal moving after his death. Sports Spotlight: Lowell Spinners fall to Worcester, then host Vermont Sunday; Johnny Damon’s Bobblehead day drew big attention. Health Watch (Backyard Flocks): CDC links a salmonella outbreak to backyard chicken flocks, with cases reported across many states including Vermont. Vermont Policy: Vermont becomes the first state to ban paraquat, tied to Parkinson’s risk.

AI Wealth Push: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ plan for the public to own a big stake in AI companies is getting high-level attention, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly meeting Sanders and President Trump floating a similar “American people benefit” partnership. Local Arts & Culture: Burlington Wine & Food Festival returns June 27 at Hula Lakeside with 75+ exhibitors, seminars, and live jazz. Community Sports: Northfield’s Summer Road Race Series kicks off its 15th season June 4, with weekly 5Ks through August. Health & Environment: Vermont becomes the first state to ban paraquat, an herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease. Music & Theater: of Montreal’s new album aethermead is described as their warmest, most vulnerable work in years, while WCPA’s Shakespeare in the Sangres has its summer interns settled in and rehearsing. Human Interest: Justin Spencer of Recycled Percussion keeps pushing a wheelchair-bound friend from Vermont to Maine to raise support for traumatic brain injuries.

AI Wealth Politics: Trump is floating a plan to have the federal government acquire “pieces” of major AI firms so Americans get equity and possible dividend-style payouts, with Sam Altman reportedly aligning on the broader idea even if he won’t back Sanders’ 50% target. Vermont Arts & Culture: Manchester Music Festival (52nd season) leans into “Sounding America” for a “Summer of Discovery,” while Weston Theater Company revives “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” for its 90th season. Local Entertainment & Community: Burlington Wine & Food Festival returns June 27 at Hula with tastings, seminars, and live jazz; and Otter Valley’s softball run ends in a Lyndon win as the Vikings surge to the semis. Food & Lifestyle: Vermont Smoke & Cure goes bold with new A.1. and Lea & Perrins meat sticks, now hitting Kroger nationwide. Books & Reading: Vt. Book Nook spotlights Rickey Gard Diamond on what reading means, plus summer picks and reviews keep the literary calendar moving. Tech & Privacy: A survey finds many Americans don’t realize how searchable they are on Google or AI tools, and that attempts to remove info often fail.

AI Policy & Ownership: President Trump says he’s talking with top AI executives about the federal government acquiring “pieces” of major AI companies, framing it as a partnership where the public could benefit via returns/dividends. Vermont Arts & Community: Marlboro Music marks its 75th season with July 18–Aug. 16 chamber-music gatherings led by Mitsuko Uchida and Jonathan Biss, with tickets $20–$40. Food & Local Culture: Burlington Wine & Food returns June 27 at Hula Lakeside with 75+ exhibitors, seminars, and live jazz across two tasting sessions. Health in the Spotlight: Dartmouth Hitchcock plans to use $900,000 in federal funds to build an inpatient substance-use treatment program inside its birthing pavilion. Outdoor Recreation Rules: Vermont tightens wake-boat limits starting June 11, including a 500-foot buffer and $300 fines. Community Gardens: Franklin County residents keep growing food and connections through shared garden plots and programs. Local Flavor, New Product: Vermont Nut Free Chocolates rolls out Skippers with 100% plant-based colors as part of a broader natural-color shift. Sports & Youth: Essex Farmer’s Market kicks off with expanded music and a new Kid’s Day for young makers.

Weekend Arts & Community: St. Albans and beyond are packed with June 5-7 plans, from the Vermont Dairy Festival in Enosburg Falls to library teen nights and hands-on creative meetups. Live Music & Culture: NIVA ’26 is gearing up to spotlight live music in a “post-monopoly world,” with its June 7-10 conference in Minneapolis. Outdoor Fun: Burke Mountain’s Bike Park opens Saturday, June 6, with lift-accessed riding and new 2026 trail upgrades. Public Art: Nashua is celebrating four new permanent sculptures by guest artists from around the world, with a weekend closing event. Health & Safety: Vermont tick season is in full swing—protect, check, remove, watch. Tech & Policy: A UN study says data centers’ electricity use is already massive, and Vermont’s own debate over data centers is heating up. Music Spotlight: Sed One launches his first solo endeavor, Sed One Strikes, after the death of longtime collaborator JL. Sports: Lowell Spinners pull off a 5-4 walk-off win in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

Ski Season Success: Ski Vermont says the 2025-26 season delivered 4.36M skier visits—up 4.7% year over year and the best since 2014-15—capping things at Jay Peak with industry updates. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA issued a G3 geomagnetic storm watch for tonight, with the best viewing typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. (and specific forecast windows) if skies cooperate. World Cup Travel Advisory: New England immigrant advocacy groups issued a warning for 2026 FIFA World Cup travelers, citing risks like detention, device searches, and restrictions on protest. Arts & Community Calendar: “Go, See, Do” spotlights local picks including The Addams Family, PRIDE parade events, and library programming. Local Arts Leadership: Hildene’s Legacy Gala lands Pulitzer-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin for July 8, launching a new civic discourse initiative. Sports Spotlight: Hartford girls lacrosse advanced in the Division II playoffs with a revenge win over Brattleboro. Music & Recovery: Okemo’s Music on the Mountain returns as a benefit for the Divided Sky Foundation and The Phoenix recovery community. Community Pride: Manchester’s Block Party celebrates local businesses and culture with live music and neighborhood energy.

Wake-boat rules tighten: Vermont is restricting wake boats to special zones on just 20 lakes and ponds, with new 500-foot buffers from other boats and swimmers—an update praised by lake groups and criticized by wake-surf fans. Burlington Jazz Festival returns: The 43rd Burlington Discover Jazz Festival brings free performances downtown, with curator Jason Moran spotlighting youth musicians and adding skatepark and ice-rink jazz collaborations. Local music breakout: Burlington guitarist Lara Cwass is drawing attention after a fast rise, with recent shows at Foam Brewers, Radio Bean, and Einstein’s Tap House. Community arts fundraiser: The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is hosting a Bake Sale & Basket Auction to support programming. Kids take the stage: Newport City Elementary students will perform “Bully No More,” a musical aimed at helping kids recognize and prevent bullying. School disruption: Fake bomb threats led to evacuations and lock downs at multiple Vermont schools; police say threats appear unfounded. Reading picks for summer: New mystery/thriller and romance lists are out, plus a spotlight on Maria von Trapp’s faith-centered writing. Sports & season buzz: The Vermont Mountaineers gear up for summer baseball, while spring playoff coverage and scores keep rolling in. Media shift in Newport: Newport Daily Express is cutting print days and moving more content online, adding a daily news show. Data-center backlash: States are racing to regulate data centers amid noise, energy, and water concerns.

Burlington Jazz Festival: Curator Jason Moran is steering this year’s Burlington Discover Jazz Festival toward youth, with student bands on Church Street, a youth-focused Skate Jam at the A-Dog waterfront skatepark, and Moran performing with the Vermont Youth Orchestra. Local Media: The Newport Daily Express is cutting print to three days a week and pushing more daily content online, plus a new local news show. Arts & Community: Two Rivers Printmaking Studio’s “Out of the Box” exhibit turns everyday objects into collaborative print prompts, with the show running through June 30. School Arts Spotlight: Tunbridge’s First Branch Elementary art classroom fire was ruled accidental after combustible materials were left too close to a pottery kiln; classes resumed after a brief delay. Public Safety Disruption: Newport City Elementary faced a non-credible bomb threat that led to evacuation and a short lockdown at a targeted high school. Music Release: Kevin Copeland’s debut solo album Only Love Songs drops July 2, with the single “Hotel Bar” out now. Make Music Vermont: The statewide Make Music Day push invites performers and venues for a free June 21 live-music day.

Vermont agritourism push: The new “Seek and Savor” campaign is spotlighting Vermont farms and food experiences to bring more visitors statewide. Local arts & community: Essex Pride weekend in Essex Junction brought drag story hour, comedy, and queer joy to the community. Museum & history on the move: A Smithsonian “Spark! Places of Innovation” traveling exhibit is headed to Bellows Falls (starting June) with stops in Barnet and Swanton. Seasonal culture in Putney: “Twilight on the Tavern Lawn” returns with free outdoor concerts through Aug. 23, and author Jessie Haas presents “Dearest Blood” at the Putney Public Library on June 9. Vermont sports spotlight: Kaiden McCarthy of Vermont Academy was named Gatorade Vermont Baseball Player of the Year. Nature science: Scientists are injecting American elms in Benson with Dutch elm disease fungus as part of a conservation effort. Brattleboro transit milestone: A new Amtrak station opens with level boarding and ADA upgrades on June 24.

Mountain Biking Season: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up for its Bike Park opening day this weekend (Sat., June 6), with weekend-only hours at first and a later Thu–Sun schedule starting June 18; new for 2026 includes Gravity Logic trail-design work, a major rebuild of Jester, and restored connections with Kingdom Trails. Pride Week (St. Albans): St. Albans Pride Week returns for its third year, running June 7–14, with events like an inclusive outdoor church service and a “Movies that Matter” screening at the Welden Theater. Local Arts & Youth: A Basement Teen Center mural collaboration will debut at the Montpelier Art Walk on June 5, with SafeArt mentorship and youth programming at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Food & Community Fundraising: Southshire Community School’s “Pastapoolza” pasta fundraiser drew local restaurants and families to support student programs. Ice Cream News: Ben & Jerry’s says Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream flavor isn’t going anywhere—just updated packaging after his Late Show exit. Sports (VPA Lacrosse): Vermont’s spring lacrosse playoffs are set, with full boys’ and girls’ bracket schedules now posted. Tech & Kids (Vermont): Vermont’s lawsuit against Meta over addictive social media practices moves forward after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Meta’s bid to avoid the case.

Mountain Biking: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up for the opening of its Bike Park on Saturday, June 6, with weekend-only hours at first and expanded Thursday–Sunday operations starting June 18; new for 2026 includes Gravity Logic trail-design work, a major rebuild of Jester, and renewed connections with Kingdom Trails. Food & Drink: The inaugural Manchester Food & Wine Festival wrapped Memorial Day weekend with a big Grand Tasting highlight and continued momentum for Southern Vermont’s culinary scene. Local Dining Rebrand: Storybook in Hayward has reopened after renovations, leaning into a literary, cozy vibe with a lounge-like layout, arcade, and courtyard. Pop Culture/Local Treats: Ben & Jerry’s says Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream pint won’t disappear—just gets updated packaging as his Late Show era ends. Sports: The VPA released spring tournament pairings across baseball, softball, lacrosse, Ultimate, and tennis, with playoffs starting Tuesday. Community Spotlight: Gilford promoted Deputy Chief Dustin Parent to chief, starting June 14. Public Safety & Trust: Burlington’s internal review cleared officers of policy violations tied to a March ICE raid, finding use-of-force allegations exonerated or unfounded. Arts Calendar: This week’s Vermont picks include Ben Folds at Paramount Theatre in Rutland, a St. Johnsbury Pet Parade, and Greensky Bluegrass at Shelburne Museum.