AGP Executive Report

Public Safety & Health: 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 exhibit. Fall Travel & Outdoors: UVM experts weigh in on how extreme weather and climate change could affect Vermont’s fall foliage, noting the big economic draw and the tricky factors behind leaf color timing. Electricity & Cost of Living: Vermont regulators approved a smaller Green Mountain Power rate hike—5.5% starting Oct. 1—after customer backlash and debate over “resilience spending.” Family Travel Ideas: Lake Champlain made a national “best lakes for fall foliage boating” list, ranking No. 7 for access and peak timing around mid-October. Road Trip Planning: Vermont’s AOT road construction report flags upcoming paving and bridge work across I-89 and I-91, with lane closures and speed limits to watch. Local Events: North Bennington’s Lake Paran stone-skipping festival returns Sept. 19, drawing competitors and spectators for a free-to-watch, end-of-summer tradition. Community & Culture: Burlington Airport held a mock plane crash exercise to help first responders practice emergency response.

Public Safety & Travel: Burlington Airport hosted a mock plane crash exercise with hundreds of volunteers and emergency crews, using realistic “passenger” roles to help first responders stress-test communications and emergency plans. Fall Foliage Watch: UVM researchers say Vermont’s leaf-peeping season depends on a mix of weather, water, and day length, and this year’s timing and vibrancy may shift with recent conditions. Family-Friendly Autumn Fun: The Lake Paran Stone Skipping Festival returns Sept. 19 in North Bennington (free to watch; $5 to compete), drawing hundreds and featuring top casters including world record holder Kurt Steiner. 9/11 Remembrance in Vermont: A Ground Zero steel beam is now on display at Currier’s Market in Glover for the 25th anniversary, with a permanent home at the Glover Fire Station and continued appearances at events. Local Health & Harm Reduction: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” is set for Sept. 24 in Barre, offering free naloxone (Narcan) and overdose prevention resources.

Fall Foliage Watch: UVM researchers say Vermont’s leaf-peeping season depends on a “delicate dance” of weather and tree biology, and this year’s timing and color could shift with extreme conditions. Apple Picking Guide: A new roundup highlights pick-your-own orchards across Vermont for fall outings, from classic varieties to cider and farm activities. Central Vermont Event: Barre’s Central Vermont Prevention Coalition is hosting Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” Sept. 24 with free naloxone (Narcan) and overdose-prevention resources. Road-Trip Planning: A weekly Vermont construction update flags paving and bridge work on I-89 and I-91 that could mean lane closures and slower speeds. Local Fun: The Lake Paran Stone Skipping Festival returns Sept. 19 in North Bennington—free to watch, $5 to compete. Community & Culture: Milton Artists’ Guild adds four new members, bringing fresh work in pottery, photography, painting, and jewelry. Travel Safety Note: Reports of Canadian travelers facing long CBP interrogations at the border include phone and fingerprint confiscation during secondary inspection.

Fall Foliage Watch: UVM researchers say Vermont’s leaf-peeping season depends on a “delicate dance” of weather, water, and day length, and this year’s timing and brilliance may shift with extreme conditions. Leaf-Peeping Timing: A separate look at the season suggests peak color could arrive later in parts of the East if warm weather hangs on, so plan road trips with a little flexibility. Road & Travel Planning: Vermont’s weekly construction roundup flags paving and bridge work on I-89 and I-91 plus local detours around Milton and Colchester, including the I-89 Exit 16 diverging diamond opening Thursday—expect lane shifts and slower speeds. Community & Safety: Central Vermont’s first “Save a Life Day” in Barre (Sept. 24) will hand out naloxone and overdose-prevention info, with Into Light Project portraits on display. 9/11 Remembrance: Vermont National Guard ceremonies marked the 25th anniversary, including a moment of silence tied to F-16 deployment over New York. Local Culture: Milton Artists’ Guild added four new members, bringing fresh pottery, photography, painting, and jewelry to the community.

Public Health & Safety: Vermont health officials are urging South Hero residents to take rabies precautions after a rabid raccoon was confirmed in the Champlain Islands town, raising concerns about wider wildlife spread. Healthcare Access: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital reversed course and will keep its birthing center open, preserving local labor-and-delivery care for Windham County. Road & Travel Planning: The Interstate Exit 16 diverging diamond interchange on U.S. 2/7 in Colchester will shift to a new overnight traffic pattern starting Sept. 16, weather permitting, after paving and striping work Sept. 13–16. Local Events & Pride: Pride Vermont’s parade returns to downtown Burlington Sunday with a new coalition leading the route to Battery Park. Outdoor & Seasonal Travel: UVM researchers weigh in on how extreme weather and climate change could affect Vermont’s fall foliage timing and vibrancy. Cost of Getting Around: AAA reports the national gas price average jumped 13 cents in a week to $4.27, with crude volatility tied to Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Transit Update: Officials are working to restore rail service between Vermont and Quebec, aiming to reconnect the region beyond road and air travel. Community & Culture: A Central Vermont “Save a Life Day” in Barre will distribute naloxone and offer harm-reduction resources ahead of overdose emergencies. Economy Watch: A Southwestern Vermont chamber survey finds confidence remains high, but rising costs and workforce shortages are straining growth.

Rail Revival: Officials are working to restore rail service between Vermont and Quebec, aiming to reconnect major hub areas and reduce the hassle of border travel. Outdoor & Wildlife: Two derelict dams are being removed in Smugglers’ Notch to reopen about 10 miles of trout habitat and improve water quality and flood resilience. Fall Foliage Science: UVM experts break down how weather and climate change could shift Vermont’s leaf-peeping timing and color this year. Healthcare Workforce: Vermont’s first $11.7M slice of $195M in federal rural health funds will support tuition for nursing and other healthcare students plus long-term care training and staffing. Maple Industry: Runamok’s founders are stepping back from CEO roles, with new leadership taking over as the specialty maple brand plans its next chapter. Local Events: The Orleans County Fair keeps harness racing alive in Barton, while Vermont Country Store marks 80 years at a new Weston Village Fair & Jubilee. Bear Hunting Season: Vermont’s bear hunting rules are in effect, including tag requirements, reporting timelines, and tooth submission for population data.

Tourism & Events: Rochester Fringe is adding “Circus in the City,” a free outdoor contemporary circus program running Sept. 15–26, aimed at pulling visitors into downtown Rochester. Winter Travel: Ikon Pass is expanding deeper into Asia for winter 26/27, adding Madarao (Japan) plus Beidahu and Lake Songhua (China). Local Heritage by the Water: Greens Ledge Lighthouse in Vermont’s region named a new vessel “Lightkeeper Charlie Erdmann,” boosting access to the historic site. Outdoor Planning & Safety: Vermont reminds hunters that moose, deer, and elk from CWD areas must be processed before entry into the state. Weather Watch: NOAA says El Niño is likely to bring warmer, wetter conditions to Vermont this winter, shaping expectations for ski and leaf-peeping plans. Conservation & Land: A Worcester Woods project finalized conservation easements protecting 3,447 acres of working forest in Woodbury. Community & Health: Barre’s first “Save a Life Day” (Sept. 24) will distribute naloxone and overdose-prevention resources. Local Culture: Cabot’s Cheese and Culture Festival returns Sept. 26 with tastings, workshops, and live music.

Fall Foliage Forecast: UVM researchers say Vermont’s leaf-peeping season depends on a “delicate dance” of weather, water, and day length, and climate change could shift both timing and color intensity. Energy & Lodging: Alterra Mountain Company is pouring more than $350M into winter 26/27 upgrades, with major plans at Deer Valley and Tremblant. Outdoor Access: Hinesburg Town Forest earned 2026 Vermont Tree Farm of the Year, highlighting its conserved land and trail networks that draw hikers and mountain bikers. Adaptive Recreation: Vermont Adaptive opened the Taff Adaptive Yurt at Bolton Valley, expanding year-round programs for athletes with disabilities and veterans. Local Planning: Vermont’s Act 170 school merger process moves forward as statewide facilitators are in place and committees must convene by mid-October. Town Projects: Pawlet is set to break ground Sept. 18 on a geothermal system for town hall and the library to cut heating and cooling costs for decades. Health & Travel Safety: CDC reports 19,595 lab-confirmed Cyclospora cases tied to iceberg lettuce, with thousands more under review. Community Events: Big Pond Improv Festival returns to Vermont Comedy Club, plus a Page Dickey gardening talk in Londonderry Sept. 14.

Adaptive Sports & Resorts: Vermont Adaptive opened a new 27-foot Taff Adaptive Yurt at Bolton Valley, expanding year-round programs for athletes with disabilities, veterans, families, and volunteers. Hiking & Trail Updates: The Green Mountain Club says Taft Lodge on Mount Mansfield will close for repairs through the end of the regular hiking season, with hikers directed to other Long Trail overnight options. Fall Foliage Without the Car: A new guide argues going car-free is the best way to enjoy fall foliage, highlighting slower, scenic ways to travel. Camping Rules Change: Vermont is updating regulations for primitive camping on state land, including tighter limits on campfires as wildfire risk rises. Local Outdoors & Conservation: Hinesburg’s Town Forest is set to be celebrated as the 2026 Tree Farm of the Year, with community walks and a mountain bike option. Community Events: The Vermont Country Store marks 80 years at the Weston Village Fair & Jubilee, and the Big Pond Improv Festival returns to Burlington for a weekend of shows. Public Health & Housing: Vermonters are losing local birth centers, and a proposed 100-bed homeless shelter site in South Burlington was rejected—showing how local decisions shape access.

Energy & Costs: Vermont regulators approved a 5.5% electricity rate increase for Green Mountain Power customers, effective Oct. 1, after a review that pushed the utility’s original 7.5% request lower. Fall Travel & Events: Okemo Valley is launching an Oct. 3–4 Fall Foliage Train & Pop‑Up Fall Festival in Ludlow, with multiple daily scenic rides plus local food and artisan stops. Family Fun: Whoopie Pie Fest returns downtown Rutland this Saturday, Sept. 12, with tastings, live entertainment, and awards on Center Street and Merchants Row. Outdoor Access: Fellowship of the Wheel is completing new Saxon Hill multi-use trails in Essex, aiming to make steeper routes more beginner- and intermediate-friendly. Sailing on Lake Champlain: Burlington will host two collegiate sailing competitions, including the Intercollegiate Fleet Racing Nationals in May 2028, with Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center and UVM teaming up. Community Safety: Vermont State Police are investigating a theft at Shaftsbury Elementary School reported Aug. 22, seeking tips about a suspect and vehicle. Accessibility Upgrade: Grant Cottage State Historic Site completed an 878-foot accessible paved pathway to the Eastern Overlook at Mount McGregor, expanding views for visitors of all abilities.

Fall Foliage Planning: Maps from Explore Fall and NBC5 show early color in higher elevations, with peak timing shifting from the Northeast Kingdom and northern Green Mountains (mid-October) to the Champlain Valley later in October. Winter Ski Deals: Smugglers’ Notch Resort joins the Indy Pass for 2026–27, adding no-blackout access for independent-mountain skiers and riders. New Trails in Ludlow: Okemo Valley Trails hosts a free Sept. 12 grand opening for the Fletcher Farm Trail Network—three miles of mountain-bike trails open to hiking, nature walks, and cross-country skiing. Local Flavor & Day Trips: Hardwick gets a spotlight as a small town with an outsized food-and-outdoors scene, plus a look at heritage apples returning to produce standout cider. Trade & Tourism Watch: New Canadian tariffs are already hitting Vermont and New York businesses that rely on Canadian visitors and imported goods. Power Rates: Vermont regulators approved a 5.5% Green Mountain Power rate increase starting in October, tied to grid hardening and storm resilience. Burlington Arts: The new SEABA Center in the South End is expanding free gallery programming, music, markets, and events. Festivals: A roundup highlights 10 Vermont festivals to catch this fall.

Rural Health & Travel: A new analysis warns that rural hospital closures—especially obstetrics units—could mean hour-plus drives for pregnant Medicaid patients, with rural median travel times far higher than urban areas. Sports & Community: No. 11 Vermont men’s soccer heads to Boston University Tuesday night, aiming to keep an unbeaten start rolling, while the Green Mountain Stage Race ends with the Burlington Criterium on Labor Day. Outdoor Recreation: St. Johnsbury Academy’s mountain bike club earns varsity recognition, expanding access through trails and youth programs—good news for riders and visitors alike. Local Food & Tourism: A mother-daughter tamale duo in Lyndonville is bringing a Colorado family tradition to Vermont via a food truck and regional stops. Wildlife & Conservation: Vermont researchers are spreading Dutch elm disease–resistant elms to test whether new generations can survive and help restore elm-lined landscapes. Safety: Vermont State Police report a fatal Dorset motorcycle crash on Morse Hill Rd. Agriculture & Grants: VHCB’s Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program awarded over $1 million to working lands businesses for water quality and long-term viability.

Ski Season Kickoff: Teton Gravity Research is bringing its 31st annual ski film, Actually, It Is Rocket Science, to Park City’s Jim Santy Auditorium on Sept. 23—an easy win for winter travelers planning a mountain getaway. Outdoor & Events: The Adirondack Canoe Classic (the 90-Miler) returns Sept. 11–13 with 275 boats and about 600 paddlers, raising money for stewardship and youth canoe camping scholarships. Fall Foliage Travel: Okemo Valley is rolling out a Fall Foliage Train plus pop-up festival events, giving visitors another reason to plan a late-season Vermont trip. Local Recreation Access: A new mountain bike club at St. Johnsbury Academy earns varsity recognition, with plans to build trails and expand youth access to the sport. Grant News for Working Lands: VHCB’s Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program awarded $943,745 in 2026 grants to help farms and forest businesses improve water quality and stay viable. Road & Trip Planning: Vermont’s AOT posted a weekly construction report with multiple highway projects that could affect travel times. Safety Alert: Vermont State Police reported a fatal motorcycle crash in Dorset on Morse Hill Rd near Kelleher Rd; the investigation is ongoing. Travel Costs Watch: AAA says Labor Day is shaping up for record-high gas prices, with the national average around $4.14.

Road Safety: Vermont State Police report a Danby man, 28-year-old Geoffrey E. Fuller, died after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Dorset on Sunday evening, when he left the roadway and struck a tree. Travel Disruptions: A major U.S. Route 7 culvert project is moving forward with a full closure planned Sept. 19–Oct. 3 between Bennington (Exit 2) and Arlington (Exit 3), with traffic detoured via VT 7A and VT 313. Labor Day Travel Costs: AAA says Labor Day is shaping up for record-high gas prices, with the national average around $4.14 as crude oil stays elevated. Outdoor & Family Fun: Labor Day weekend is drawing crowds outdoors across Vermont, from parks to lake time, plus Plymouth’s Folk and Blues Festival runs through Sunday and VMBA Days brings downhill mountain biking to Bolton Valley. Fall Planning by Rail: Okemo Valley is launching an Oct. 3–4 Fall Foliage Train plus Pop-Up Fall Festival in Ludlow, adding to its winter Holiday Express lineup. Tourism Watch: Canadian visitors are up slightly this summer versus last year, but still far below normal levels, leaving Upper Valley businesses cautious ahead of foliage season. Local Grants for Visitors’ Roots: Vermont’s Working Lands Enterprise Business Enhancement Grant opens Oct. 9–Dec. 10, with free grant planning help available for eligible applicants.

Labor Day Travel Watch: AAA says the national gas average is $4.14 and could set a new Labor Day record, with crude prices staying high amid Strait of Hormuz volatility—good to know if you’re road-tripping through Vermont. Outdoor Weekend Energy: Reports from Colchester and across the state show families making the most of the unofficial end of summer—parks, lake time, and camping are drawing crowds. Fall Foliage by Rail: Okemo Valley is launching an Oct. 3–4 Fall Foliage Train plus a Pop‑Up Fall Festival in Ludlow, adding a second scenic rail season alongside the Holiday Express. Accessible Mountain Biking: VMBA Days at Bolton Valley brought downhill clinics and guided rides, with Vermont Adaptive and Unlikely Riders helping broaden access for riders of all abilities. Local Events on the Calendar: Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival returns (Calvin Coolidge Historic Site), with music continuing Sunday afternoon. Vermont Travel Culture Moment: A Burlington teen’s Normandy trip with WWII veterans highlights the “Next Gen” travel experience that pairs youth with history. Road & Travel Planning: AOT’s weekly construction update flags I‑89 and I‑91 work (paving, bridge rehab, and lane closures) that could affect drive times.

Labor Day Outdoors: Vermonters are making the most of the holiday weekend with lake time, parks, and camping as summer winds down. Plymouth Folk & Blues: The 21st Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival kicked off at the Calvin Coolidge Historic Site, with music continuing Sunday (2–5 p.m.). Downhill for Everyone: VMBA Days rolled into Bolton Valley, pairing downhill clinics and guided rides with efforts to broaden access through Vermont Adaptive and Unlikely Riders. New Rail Fall Fun: Okemo Valley is launching an Oct. 3–4 Fall Foliage Train plus a Pop‑Up Fall Festival in Ludlow. Local Sports Spotlight: Burr and Burton Academy opened with a 49–0 win over Middlebury, while Spaulding girls soccer beat Thetford 4–1. Travel Planning Watch: Vermont’s Sept. 7 construction schedule includes I‑89 paving and bridge work plus I‑91 Exit 2 paving—expect delays and lane changes. Tourism Economy Note: Canadian visitors are up slightly this summer, but still far below typical levels, keeping Upper Valley businesses cautious ahead of foliage season. Community Events: Lucy Mac 5K9 returns Sept. 12 at Ascutney Outdoors to support the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society.