AGP Executive Report

Student Loans Fight: Connecticut AG William Tong is suing the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that narrows “professional degree” programs eligible for federal student loans—an attack framed as a direct hit to nurses, therapists, and other workforce pipelines. Gas Prices & Roads: A new study warns higher gas costs are squeezing New Hampshire family budgets now, while also threatening future state transportation revenue if driving drops. Public Safety Outdoors: DEEP announced temporary alcohol bans at 10 state recreation areas starting May 20, including Rocky Neck State Park. CSCU Shake-Up: Two top Connecticut State Colleges and Universities leaders resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal tied to the system’s former interim chancellor. Health Watch: Tick bites are sending more people to ERs, with Minnesota flagged among states seeing sharp surges. Connecticut Courts: A probate attorney in Old Saybrook received a statewide pro bono award for decades of guardianship and conservatorship work.

CTDOT Infrastructure: Connecticut is moving ahead with plans to rehabilitate Route 349 bridges over Birch Plain Creek in Groton, targeting rust, leaks, and cracking in a structure built in 1964, with design slated for 2029 and construction following if funding and permits line up. Public Transit Equity: Hartford-area riders say bus-stop upgrades can’t come fast enough—many stops along a high-ridership corridor still lack basic shelter and seating, leaving people exposed and guessing arrival times. Higher Ed Turmoil: The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system is in crisis mode again after its interim chancellor resigned over a sexual harassment investigation, and the Board of Regents chair also stepped down amid related concerns. Workforce Law: Connecticut expanded its “stay-or-pay” prohibition to cover all employers starting Oct. 1, 2026, tightening rules around repayment tied to early departure. Justice & Safety: A former Hartford officer was charged in the fatal shooting of Steven “Stevie” Jones after an inspector general finding he failed to de-escalate. Weather Watch: Heat and humidity are ramping up fast, with advisories and storm risk for midweek.

Retail Security vs Privacy: Kroger says it’s using “automatic” anti-theft scanning that checks shoppers’ license plates as they enter, raising fresh privacy alarms about how long data is kept and when it’s shared. Reproductive Health After Dobbs: A new study finds abortion bans are linked to worse miscarriage care—less use of the most effective medication approach and reduced medication management overall. Crypto Fallout: Bitcoin ATM operator Bitcoin Depot filed for Chapter 11 and shut down its network, underscoring mounting regulatory pressure on physical crypto on-ramps. Connecticut Business & Community: Arvinas held its Impact Day with employee volunteer projects across the region, from meals for patients’ families to hospital blanket-making. Water Infrastructure Push: NEWEA urged Congress to boost funding for aging water systems and tackle biosolids and PFAS. Gun Policy Fight in Virginia: Spanberger signed a ban on certain “assault firearms,” triggering immediate lawsuits from gun-rights groups. Health Care Costs in Rhode Island: Insurers again exceeded the state’s spending target, prompting calls for sanctions. Sports: Knicks vs. Cavaliers is set for the Eastern Conference Finals, starting Tuesday.

Privacy vs. Retail Security: Home Depot and Lowe’s parking lots in Connecticut are rolling out license plate readers to fight theft, but shoppers are raising alarms about what the cameras collect and who can access it—especially after a California class action claimed similar data was stored in a searchable way. Public Safety: New Canaan police warned residents about a text scam that falsely claims unpaid traffic tickets and threatens arrest. Connecticut Politics: The race for governor is now set for a Lamont vs. Fazio showdown after both secured their party endorsements, with Erin Stewart’s GOP bid collapsing amid spending allegations. Law Enforcement: In Tolland, authorities say they arrested more than 50 people after a large cockfighting operation was uncovered. Sports: Caitlin Clark kept stacking WNBA records, posting 21 points and 10 assists as the Fever beat the Storm 89-78.

DOJ vs. Connecticut: The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Friday targeting Connecticut’s law that regulates federal law enforcement officers in the state, naming Gov. Ned Lamont, AG William Tong, and top prosecutors—setting up a high-stakes clash over who gets to set the rules for federal policing. Public Safety in Tolland: State Sen. Jeff Gordon weighed in on a large, multi-agency cockfighting investigation that led to more than 50 arrests, calling it a clear message that animal cruelty won’t be tolerated. Mental Health Coverage: Connecticut’s Insurance Department says all five major insurers violated the state’s mental health parity law and issued fines—an enforcement push that could reshape access to care. Weather Watch: Maryland is heading into a humid stretch with heat-wave potential, with temperatures climbing into the 90s midweek. Local Culture: La CASA opened in Boston’s South End with a weekend of Latino arts and community programming.

DOJ vs. Connecticut Immigration Rules: The U.S. Department of Justice sued Gov. Ned Lamont and top state officials over a new Connecticut law restricting federal immigration officers—arguing it’s unconstitutional and endangers agents. GOP Governor Race Locks In: At the Republican convention, Sen. Ryan Fazio won the party’s endorsement for governor after Erin Stewart exited amid a spending probe; Fazio now faces Lamont in November. Democrats Set the Primary Stage: Lamont won the Democratic endorsement, but Rep. Josh Elliott secured enough delegate support to force a primary. Public Safety/Investigations: State police ran a “significant, preplanned” operation in Tolland with road closures, but details stayed scarce. Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream in 17 states over possible metal fragments, including Connecticut. Sports Spotlight: A’ja Wilson poured in 45 as the Aces beat the short-handed Connecticut Sun 101-94.

WNBA Spotlight: A’ja Wilson poured in 45 points as the Las Vegas Aces beat the short-handed Connecticut Sun 101-94 at Mohegan Sun, turning a tight game into a decisive run with a key 3-pointer and a three-point play. Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream flavors sold in 17 states, including Connecticut, after the FDA flagged a potential risk of metal fragments; no injuries reported. Youth Sports Policy: Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Chris Deluzio unveiled the Let Kids Play Act, targeting “vulture practices” tied to private equity in youth sports—like steering families into costly tournament hotel stays. Weather: A warm, summerlike weekend is on tap with spotty showers and highs pushing into the 70s to mid-80s, with warmer conditions building into the week. Local Watch: Old Lyme residents are being asked to weigh in on a major zoning rewrite, with workshops starting June 4.

Justice Department vs. Connecticut: The U.S. Justice Department sued Connecticut over the “Act Concerning Democracy and Government Accountability,” arguing the state can’t set rules for federal officers—like bans on face coverings on duty and requirements to display badges and follow Connecticut use-of-force policies. Public Safety Funding: Hartford secured about $870,000 to keep an alternative 911 response program running, sending trained civilians to certain calls instead of police. Child Exploitation Case: A 20-year-old Hartford man, Bryan Cruz Solano, faces federal charges after investigators say he distributed child sexual abuse material; searches hit Hartford and Middletown. Food Safety: Straus Creamery recalled select ice cream pints and quarts in 17 states over possible metal contamination, including Connecticut. Sports & Culture: A’ja Wilson poured in 45 as the Aces beat the short-handed Sun; and Connecticut marked Memorial Day season with local community events and ongoing WNBA headlines.

ICE Detention Backlash: Federal judges have now rejected Trump’s mandatory ICE detention policy more than 10,000 times, with courts repeatedly blocking the plan that strips many detainees of bond hearings. Privacy Push: Lawmakers in 35 states are moving to rein in license-plate reader sharing and retention, after concerns that the data can be used for broad tracking. Tech Under Fire: Meta, Alphabet, TikTok and Snap CEOs are being invited back to Capitol Hill for a June hearing on children’s online safety. Connecticut Watch: Lamont announced $35M to backstop federal research cuts at UConn and UConn Health. Local Politics: Erin Stewart suspended her CT governor bid after a report tied her New Britain credit-card spending to potential civil and criminal exposure. Sports Business: The WNBA approved the Connecticut Sun’s sale and relocation to Houston for 2027, reviving the Comets name.

Court Fight in Howard County: Cedar Creek residents are pressing to move forward in court against W.R. Grace over a plastics recycling facility using pyrolysis, but they’re stuck waiting on the Howard County Board of Appeals to release a written decision from a September 2025 zoning challenge. Abortion Pill Access: The U.S. Supreme Court preserved access to mifepristone while a lawsuit continues, rejecting lower-court limits that would have required in-person doctor visits. Yale Admissions Scrutiny: The Justice Department accused Yale medical school of illegally considering race in admissions, the second such allegation this month. Connecticut Politics: Former New Britain mayor Erin Stewart suspended her governor bid after a spending investigation tied to her city credit card. Public Health & Safety: A heart transplant survivor says generic drug problems nearly cost her life, and Connecticut lawmakers are pushing “off and away” phone rules in schools as Rhode Island rolls out a full-day no-cell-phone test. Economy & Markets: Wall Street climbed on a tech rally as investors watched Trump-Xi talks in Beijing.

CT Politics Fallout: Former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart suspended her Connecticut governor campaign after a city-commissioned report alleged she repeatedly used a city credit card for non-city expenses, including political activity, totaling $207,076.07 over years—setting up potential criminal scrutiny and a taxpayer-recovery push. Sports Business: The WNBA and NBA board unanimously approved the sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, with the team staying in Connecticut for the rest of 2026 before moving for the 2027 season. Health & Privacy: HHS-OCR announced over $1.1M in HIPAA Security settlements tied to ransomware breaches, spotlighting weak annual risk analysis and cyberattacks as recurring breach drivers. Consumer/Regulatory: Connecticut’s DPH confirmed its first clade I mpox case, noting no general public risk and urging at-risk residents to get vaccinated. Environment: A Center for Food Safety FOIA lawsuit targets EPA over records on pesticide-coated seed disposal, pressing for answers on neonicotinoid “treated article” loopholes.

WNBA Shockwave: The WNBA and NBA board of governors unanimously approved the sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun to Tilman Fertitta’s Houston Rockets group—Sun stays in Connecticut for the rest of 2026, then moves to Houston for 2027. Game Night: In the meantime, the Sun got routed 98-69 by the Las Vegas Aces as Chennedy Carter poured in 27 and A’ja Wilson added another double-double. Courts—Baby Formula: A federal judge set up a high-stakes NEC infant-formula trial against Mead Johnson, keeping billions on the table. Courts—Kids in Care: A mother’s $20M lawsuit alleges Connecticut DCF “epic” failure after a father took custody of a 7-month-old who was later killed. Privacy Push: Lawmakers in dozens of states are moving to rein in license-plate reader data sharing and retention. Business/Workforce: Bombardier launched an accelerated FastTrack path to FAA A&P certification, expanding training in Hartford. Food Costs: Connecticut families are leaning harder on food pantries as inflation and SNAP pressures bite.

PWHL Expansion: Women’s pro hockey is pushing deeper into new markets: the league announced teams for Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with one more site still needed to reach 12. Connecticut Jobs: IDEX Health & Science in Bristol says it will close around Oct. 30, triggering 73 layoffs. FDA Watch: Connecticut device firms drew heavy scrutiny—FDA inspections in Q1 put device companies among the top categories statewide, with Soma Technology and Tarry Medical Products cited most. Voting Rights: A fresh SCOTUS Voting Rights Act ruling is now raising alarms about how redistricting could affect minority voters in Connecticut and beyond. Healthcare Access: Yale New Haven Health is using financial-AI tools to help Medicaid-eligible patients enroll and stay covered. Public Safety & Courts: Two men face federal kidnapping charges tied to a January case spanning New Hampshire and Vermont. Local Politics: UNITE HERE Local 217 endorsed Gov. Ned Lamont for reelection.

CT Jobs & Pay Transparency: Gov. Ned Lamont signed a new law requiring Connecticut job postings to list a salary range and expected benefits starting Oct. 1, aiming to cut the “find out it pays less” frustration for applicants. Courts & Utilities: Connecticut Supreme Court revived Eversource’s fight with PURA over a $17M rate dispute tied to infrastructure upgrades, pushing the parties back to settle ambiguities first. Mental Health Push: Leaders highlighted Connecticut’s mental health crisis after a widely seen I-95 rescue where an officer talked a man down with a hug, while lawmakers advanced new rules for AI chatbots that encourage self-harm. Gas Tax Politics: President Trump floated pausing the federal gas tax to blunt soaring prices, but it would need Congress. Consumer & Privacy: Rhode Island ranked high for digital identity worries, and the state consumer agency warned homeowners to vet remodelers to avoid scams. Federal Crime: A Cheshire man was sentenced for CARES Act fraud, and a Hartford man faces fentanyl and gun charges.

Gas Tax Showdown: President Trump says he’ll move to suspend the federal gasoline tax to blunt soaring pump prices—but it can’t be done alone, so Congress is the real battleground. FDA & Public Health: Connecticut AG William Tong’s allies are urging the FDA to reverse draft guidance that would ease flavored e-cigarette approvals, warning it worsens youth addiction. CT Labor: Gov. Lamont signed a broad labor law expanding protections for workers, including building-service job retention and anti–wage theft rules. Housing Politics: California’s governor race is turning into a housing fight, with Democrats sparring over how state power should translate into actual homebuilding. Retail Security: A growing patchwork of self-checkout limits and staffing rules is spreading across cities, pushing retailers to rethink how they operate. Environment Watch: A food-safety group sued the EPA for records tied to pesticide-coated seed disposal, pressing for action on a long-running regulatory loophole.

Democratic Shake-Up: Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin beat 14-term Rep. John Larson for the Connecticut 1st District endorsement, setting up an August primary after delegates flipped on the second ballot. Gas Prices: Connecticut pump prices jumped 9.8 cents in a week to an average $4.58/gal, with the cheapest stations at $3.99 and the priciest at $5.65. Public Safety & Courts: A Brockton man pleaded guilty in a $2M New England bank fraud ring, while a federal court case continues over a decades-old New Haven murder conviction where an exonerated witness testified. Local Community: New Britain’s Race in the Park drew hundreds for breast cancer research, and Eastern Bank promoted Yongmei Chen to lead its Community Development Lending Group. Policy Watch: Connecticut lawmakers passed an AI law (SB 5) and are also moving on homeschooling rules—while the broader national fight over pesticide-treated seeds is headed to court via an EPA FOIA lawsuit.