AGP Executive Report

Healthcare Fight: Connecticut Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing to block a U.S. Department of Education rule that narrows what counts as a “professional” degree, arguing it will cut federal loan access for nurses and other healthcare students—worsening rural staffing shortages. State Health Policy: Connecticut lawmakers have approved a major overhaul of the state’s Certificate of Need program, shifting oversight back toward the Department of Public Health and reshaping how hospitals and other providers get approval. Courts & Rights: A federal judge in Connecticut let a celebrity-doctor defamation case move forward, rejecting an early attempt to dismiss it. Community & Care: Local towns held National Day of Prayer observances, while Hospital for Special Care honored a CCSU senior as Volunteer of the Year. Business & Tech: Amazon won local approval to launch Prime Air drone delivery in North Haven, pending FAA sign-off. Sports (CT): The Connecticut Sun remain winless early in the WNBA season, even as the league’s standings and storylines keep shifting fast.

Federal Court Fight Over Student Loans: Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is suing the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that narrows which “professional degree” programs qualify for federal student loans—an attack he says will choke off access for future nurses, therapists, and other critical workers. Public Health Watch: Tick bites are sending more people to emergency rooms, with CDC data showing the highest ER visits for this time of year since 2017, especially in the Northeast and Midwest—so officials are urging extra caution outdoors. Consumer Safety: Straus Family Creamery recalled organic ice cream in 17 states, including Connecticut, after reports of possible metal fragments. Local Growth: Newtown Community Center is adding a basketball court at its Fairfield Hills campus, with construction targeted for June 2026. Business/Tech: ROMTech’s PortableConnect won a MedTech Breakthrough Award for home health physical therapy, and Charles IT named Jessica Golle its Chief Revenue Officer.

Sports Spotlight: The Connecticut Sun are still winless as they head to Portland for a Monday night matchup, with local coverage pointing to a high-scoring script (Sun vs. Fire over/under 173.5) and injury updates including questionable status for key Portland players. Lottery Watch: CT Lottery results rolled in over the weekend and Monday—Powerball (May 16: 08-37-40-44-65, PB 18, PP 3; May 18: 04-13-34-61-65, PB 12, PP 2) plus Cash 5 and Play3/Play4 draws. Public Health Alert: Straus Family Creamery issued a voluntary recall of select organic ice creams sold in 17 states, including Connecticut, due to possible metal fragments—check “best by” dates and discard affected pints/quarts. State Politics: Republican Ryan Fazio won the CT GOP’s unanimous nomination for governor, launching a campaign message focused on affordability and opportunity. Legal/Policy: Connecticut expanded its “stay-or-pay” limits to cover all employers starting Oct. 1, tightening rules around repayment tied to early separation. Business & Community: ROMTech, based in Brookfield, won a MedTech Breakthrough award for its home physical therapy system, PortableConnect.

Mystic Spotlight: Mystic is getting a fresh tourism boost as local restaurants and historic stops earn national attention, including James Beard finalists at Shipwright’s Daughter and The Port of Call. Public Health & Policy: A new study says abortion bans are disrupting miscarriage care—states with bans saw less use of medication management and, when used, less of the most effective approach. Food Safety: Check your freezer—Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream flavors in 17 states, including Connecticut, due to possible metal contamination. Sports: The Knicks and Cavaliers open the Eastern Conference Finals with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line, while WNBA headlines keep rolling with A’ja Wilson’s record-setting run and the Connecticut Sun’s approved move toward Houston. Business & Tech: ROMTech, based in Brookfield, won a MedTech Breakthrough award for home rehab tech, and Arvinas employees held an Impact Day across Connecticut and beyond.

WNBA Spotlight: Caitlin Clark kept rolling for the Indiana Fever, posting 21 points and 10 assists to lead a 89-78 win over the Seattle Storm, while Aliyah Boston sat out with a lower right leg injury. Connecticut Crime & Courts: State police say a 22-year-old man died after being hit by a car on I-395 in Norwich early Sunday; investigators are asking for witnesses. Public Safety: Connecticut authorities joined a major Tolland cockfighting crackdown that led to 50+ animal cruelty charges after a quarry operation. Health Watch: The FDA announced a recall of certain organic ice cream flavors due to possible metal fragments, with Connecticut among the affected states. Politics: Connecticut’s governor race is taking shape after party endorsements, with Ryan Fazio and Ned Lamont emerging as top candidates. Business/Tech: ROMTech, based in Brookfield, won a MedTech Breakthrough Award for its home physical therapy system, PortableConnect.

Fatal Crash on I-395: A pedestrian died after being struck early Sunday on Interstate 395 in Norwich; Connecticut State Police are investigating. Mental Health Response: Groton police used bodycam-recorded dialogue to coax a man away from the Gold Star Bridge barrier during a crisis. Public Safety Crackdown: Connecticut State Police say dozens of arrests followed an investigation into an alleged cockfighting operation in Tolland. Health Care Accountability: Connecticut’s Insurance Department fined major insurers after finding violations of the state’s mental health parity law. Food Safety Alert: Straus Family Creamery recalled select ice cream flavors sold in 17 states due to possible metal contamination. Sports Spotlight: A’ja Wilson scored 45 as the Las Vegas Aces beat the Connecticut Sun 101-94, while Bristol Eastern rolled to a 9-0 senior-day win over East Hartford. Community & Culture: La CASA opened in Boston with a weekend of Latino arts, music, and community programming.

Connecticut Courts: A British man accused of using multiple aliases while illegally doing home improvement work pleaded guilty in federal court in Hartford to illegal reentry, after authorities say he was deported in 2024 and returned anyway. WNBA Spotlight: A’ja Wilson went nuclear for the Las Vegas Aces, scoring 45 points as they beat the short-handed Connecticut Sun 101-94, her fifth WNBA game with 40+ points. Public Safety: Connecticut State Police are running an air-and-ground operation in Tolland, closing Spring Mountain Road while investigators work; officials say no details will come until Monday. Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream flavors and sizes in 17 states, including Connecticut, due to possible metal fragments—no injuries reported. State Politics: Gov. Ned Lamont won the Democratic Party endorsement for a third term, but faces a primary challenger, Josh Elliott. Local Crime: East Haven police are investigating a suspicious death; one man is arrested and charged with assault in the first degree.

WNBA Spotlight: A’ja Wilson went nuclear with 45 points as the Las Vegas Aces beat the short-handed Connecticut Sun 101-94 at Mohegan Sun Arena, hitting 15-of-18 from the field and going 13-for-13 at the line—her fifth career 40-point game, a WNBA record. Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream flavors and sizes sold in 17 states, including Connecticut, after the FDA flagged a potential risk of metal fragments; no injuries reported. Politics & Policy: Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Chris Deluzio unveiled the Let Kids Play Act, targeting “vulture practices” in youth sports tied to private equity. Local Tech/Health: ROMTech, based in Brookfield, won a MedTech Breakthrough Award for its at-home, clinician-supervised rehab system. Weather: A warm, summerlike weekend is on tap with a few showers and highs in the 70s to mid-80s.

WNBA Spotlight: A’ja Wilson went nuclear with 45 points as the Las Vegas Aces beat the short-handed Connecticut Sun 101-94 at Mohegan Sun Arena, turning a late rally into a 16-4 closing burst. Preseason Drama: In Indiana, Caitlin Clark scored 21 but left early after a collision, while the Fever later lost 104-102 in overtime to Washington. Food Safety: The FDA announced a nationwide recall of Straus Family Creamery Organic ice cream in 17 states, including Connecticut, due to possible metal fragments—check “best by” dates and flavors. Public Health Watch: Connecticut health officials urged caution amid a New York hepatitis A outbreak tied to contaminated shellfish sold to some CT retailers. Tech Policy: Senate Judiciary leaders invited Meta, Alphabet, TikTok and Snap CEOs to testify on children’s online safety, with Blumenthal pushing for stronger protections. Local Tech in Healthcare: ROMTech’s PortableConnect won “Best Home Health Care Solution” at the MedTech Breakthrough Awards.

ICE Detention Backlash: Federal judges have now ruled against Trump’s mandatory ICE detention policy more than 10,000 times, with a Senate hearing push looming as lawmakers press tech and immigration-related accountability. Connecticut Politics: Former New Britain mayor Erin Stewart suspended her governor campaign after a report tied her city credit-card spending to personal purchases, raising potential civil and criminal exposure. AI & Jobs: Connecticut passed a law regulating AI use in employment, joining a broader wave of state action on tech oversight. Healthcare & Home Care: Brookfield’s ROMTech won a MedTech Breakthrough award for PortableConnect, bringing clinician-guided physical therapy into patients’ homes. Food Costs: Grocery prices rose again in April, adding pressure on household budgets nationwide. Sports: The WNBA approved the Connecticut Sun’s move to Houston, reviving the Comets name for 2027.

Connecticut Health Alert: The state Department of Public Health confirmed its first clade I mpox case after a patient traveled to Western Europe, with officials urging people at higher risk to get fully vaccinated as summer travel ramps up. Public Safety & Courts: A New Haven judge issued a gag order in a wrongful conviction case after a mayor spoke to the media, warning jurors will be told to ignore news coverage. Politics Watch: Republican Erin Stewart dropped out of the governor’s race after a spending investigation tied to her New Britain credit card, while the fallout keeps widening. Local Business/Tech: ROMTech, based in Brookfield, won a MedTech Breakthrough Award for its at-home rehab system that pairs clinician oversight with telemedicine. Sports: The WNBA approved the Connecticut Sun’s move to Houston for 2027, reviving the Comets name. Health & Pets: A new report reassures pet owners that hantavirus from cats and dogs is highly unlikely, though infected wild rodents brought indoors are a concern.

CT Politics: New Britain GOP gubernatorial hopeful Erin Stewart suspended her campaign after a city report alleged she used a mayoral credit card for years of non-city purchases, including political and personal spending, with the city saying it will pursue recovery and refer matters for possible criminal review. WNBA/CT Sports: The Connecticut Sun’s sale and move to Houston cleared the leagues’ board of governors, with the team staying in Connecticut for the rest of 2026 before relocating in 2027. Health & Tech: ROMTech, based in Brookfield, won a MedTech Breakthrough Award for its PortableConnect home-therapy system, and Confidia Health Institute in Bristol highlighted early patient responses to EBOO therapy. Business/Legal: HHS-OCR reported more than $1.1M in HIPAA settlements tied to ransomware breaches, while a Connecticut FOI ruling said a funded nonprofit group wasn’t automatically subject to FOIA. Culture: Marblehead author Phyllis Karas released a new book about a family tragedy spanning decades.

WNBA Shockwave: The Connecticut Sun’s long-rumored move is now official. The WNBA and NBA boards unanimously approved the sale to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, with the Sun playing out the 2026 season in Connecticut before relocating for 2027—likely to be renamed the Houston Comets. Mohegan Night Recap: Wednesday’s game at Mohegan Sun ended badly for Connecticut: the Las Vegas Aces routed the Sun 98-69, led by Chennedy Carter’s 27 points and A’ja Wilson’s big third quarter. Big TV Moment: The Caitlin Clark–Paige Bueckers matchup on opening weekend averaged 2.49 million viewers on ABC, one of the most-watched WNBA regular-season games on broadcast this season. Connecticut Business & Health: ROMTech’s PortableConnect won a MedTech Breakthrough award for home physical therapy, and Connecticut health officials confirmed the state’s first clade I mpox case after travel to Western Europe. Local Governance: A Connecticut trooper was arrested on a computer crime charge, and Richmond will shift Town Hall hours starting June 29.

Healthcare Awards: Hospital for Special Care in New Britain is celebrating three nurses—Heather Cancort, Milent Pinote, and Jennifer Soto—who earned 2026 Nightingale Awards for patient care, leadership, and mentoring. Sports Business: The PWHL is adding Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, pushing the league toward a 12-team lineup, with one more expansion spot still to be named. Local Economy: Bristol’s IDEX Health & Science says it will close its site around Oct. 30, triggering 73 layoffs. Health Access: Yale New Haven Health is using Escher Health tools to help Medicaid-eligible patients stay enrolled as coverage rules tighten. Regulatory Watch: Connecticut device makers saw a high level of FDA scrutiny in Q1, with Soma Technology and Tarry Medical Products leading in citations. Community & Culture: Barnes Nature Center in Bristol will unveil a donated “Able Table” Friday to boost accessibility on its trail. Weather: Expect light showers today, then heavier rain Thursday.

Elme liquidation update: Elme Communities says it’s in the final stretch of selling off remaining properties, completing five sales for about $252.7M and targeting the rest by mid-2026—though softer D.C. market conditions are pushing its expected shareholder payout down to about $16.74–$17.02 per share. Mental health push in CT: Connecticut leaders used a high-profile I-95 rescue to spotlight the mental health crisis, pairing calls for more support with new rules for AI chatbots that can steer kids toward self-harm. Court in Beacon Falls case: Adam Drozdowski, accused of killing his wife and calling 911 afterward, made his first court appearance as his case moves forward. Tourism for America 250: CT launched “America 250 CT,” lining up major events statewide for the nation’s 250th birthday. Travelers Championship access: The PGA Tour event in Cromwell is expanding free ticket programs for military, veterans, healthcare workers, first responders, and kids. Sports buzz: Sophie Cunningham’s viral Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photos drew major athlete reactions, while the Liberty and Sun keep headlines in the WNBA schedule.

Gas Tax Showdown: President Trump says he’ll move to suspend the federal gasoline tax to blunt Iran-war-driven pump spikes, but Congress has to approve it—while the tax still funds $23B+ a year for highways and transit. Defense Costs: The Pentagon puts the U.S. war on Iran’s price tag at about $29 billion, with updated equipment and operating costs pushing the estimate higher. CT Politics: Former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin won the Democratic endorsement over Rep. John Larson for CT-01, setting up an August primary. CT Education & Policy: Connecticut’s 2026 session ended with 218 bills passed, but several major proposals stalled, including school cellphone rules. WNBA Spotlight: The New York Liberty start fast in early power rankings, with Marine Johannès stepping up as Sabrina Ionescu deals with an injury. Environment Watch: A food-safety group sued the EPA for records tied to pesticide-coated seed disposal, pressing to close a long-running regulatory loophole.