AGP Executive Report

Kids Online Safety: House lawmakers unveiled a revised kids online safety package, including a weaker version of KOSA that Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal says is “dead in the Senate.” Court Fight: The Trump administration sued New York over its new immigration law, arguing it interferes with federal enforcement—while New York and AG Letitia James countersued. Mystic Fashion & Textiles: Mystic Museum of Art is previewing “Luxe, CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways,” tracing Connecticut’s textile and fashion legacy from historic velvet to today’s designers. WNBA Spotlight: Caitlin Clark picked up her fifth technical for clapping, and she’s now nearing a one-game suspension. Sports Media: ESPN icon Linda Cohn announced she’ll retire June 30 after more than three decades anchoring SportsCenter. Connecticut Economy: CTDOL says May unemployment rose to 5.1% and employers added about 500 jobs, with arts and recreation among top gainers. Road Safety Data: A new study ranks Connecticut among the biggest increases in nighttime speeding deaths.

WNBA Milestone: Connecticut Sun center Brittney Griner set the WNBA all-time blocks record, passing Margo Dydek with her 878th career rejection in a 92-63 win over the Chicago Sky. Local Arts & Community: New Britain Museum of American Art marked its 25th Juneteenth Celebration with free admission, live music and dance, a keynote conversation with former UConn assistant coach Jamelle Elliott, and an open-mic spoken-word block. CT Sports Spotlight: Stonington’s Cam Ogden earned Gametime CT’s 2026 Player of the Year honor after a breakout season at George Washington, highlighted by 12 home runs and a 1.95 ERA. Film & Culture: “On Golden Pond” turns 45, with a New England-focused look at how the classic was made and how local businesses still riff on the movie. Sports Media: ESPN announced Linda Cohn will anchor her final SportsCenter on June 26, ending a 34-year run that began in Bristol, Connecticut. Upcoming CT Event: New Britain’s first annual Jerrell Hargraves Memorial Golf Tournament is set for Thursday, June 25. Environmental Legacy: A new Yale Beinecke Library exhibit revisits Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” and connects her story to today’s PFAS concerns in Connecticut.

Goose at MSG Tragedy: Connecticut jam band Goose said it’s “reeling” after fan Paul Kueker, 51, fell to his death during their Madison Square Garden show; the band shared support resources and later led a moment of silence in Central Park. Local Arts Spotlight: Artlink announced Mary O’Malley’s new ceramic exhibition “Setting” at Fort Dunree (opening June 27), alongside an open-call “Still Life” show. Music Charts: Olivia Rodrigo’s “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and her Unraveled Tour is set to hit Hartford in September. Sports & Community: Formula Drift confirmed a three-year Connecticut run at Stafford Motor Speedway. Education: Charter Oak State College launched a new online master’s in Integrated Early Childhood/Elementary and Special Education (Birth–Grade 3). Health & Growth: Stamford Health outlined a $275M Bennett Medical Center campus expansion focused on cancer care and behavioral health. CT Summer Events: Danbury’s Candlewood Lake fireworks return June 27 with free admission and live music.

Music & Community: Connecticut jam-band Goose continued its Madison Square Garden set after a 51-year-old man fell to his death during Saturday night’s show; the band called the tragedy “heartbroken” and extended condolences as NYPD investigated. Pop Culture: Olivia Rodrigo’s new album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, boosted by heavy physical sales. Local Arts/Arts Education: Waterbury’s Bank Street topped a downtown-revival survey, a reminder that Connecticut’s arts scene depends on the health of its main corridors. Public Safety (Local Governance): Lyme authorized targeted state police traffic enforcement, citing crash data and specific high-incident roads. Sports (CT Spotlight): UConn women’s basketball legend Geno Auriemma is set to reunite with former stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd in the WNBA, with Auriemma calling a July 7 ESPN game. Health Watch: Calls to poison centers for teen Benadryl (diphenhydramine) use more than doubled, tied to a social media challenge.

Madison Square Garden Tragedy: Connecticut jam-rock band Goose’s Madison Square Garden show turned deadly when a 51-year-old man fell from an elevated seating area and died after being taken to Bellevue Hospital; police say the victim was with his wife and the band posted condolences as the investigation continues. Connecticut Arts & Ideas: A Yale-linked dance project is set for a June 26–27 world premiere in New Haven, with choreographer Alexis Robbins turning her Rhode Island family’s obscure 1999 album into “The Mercy Velvet Project” for the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. CT Culture & Community: Bridgeport’s Greater Bridgeport Pride Festival marked its 16th year with an art show, performances, a Pride march, and an after-party, spotlighting ongoing support through the Bridgeport Pride Center. CT Tech Spotlight: Connecticut is pushing a quantum computing push with $121 million in regional funding aimed at building expertise and industry.

WNBA Milestone: Angel Reese set a WNBA record by reaching 1,000 career rebounds in 79 games during the Atlanta Dream’s 113-96 win over the Indiana Fever. Community & Pride: Greater Bridgeport Pride Festival filled downtown streets with an art show, performances, a Pride march, and a day-long celebration of visibility and inclusion. Connecticut Arts & Culture: Netflix is saying goodbye to “Gilmore Girls” on June 30, ending the show’s long run that’s tied to the fictional Connecticut town of Stars Hollow. Local Music Scene: Wilton’s Goose declared its love for Brooklyn’s Geese while promoting its new album “Big Modern!” and discussing the buzz around the near-namesakes. Theater Spotlight: Bucks County Playhouse producing director Alexander Fraser is stepping down after leading the theater through major growth, with “South Pacific” marking his final opening. Sports & CT Connections: A Connecticut man died after a wrong-way crash in Millbury, and a recording-studio owner nearby described hearing the impact.

Health & Food Trend: “Dirty soda” is making the rounds as a cute coffee-shop mocktail, but reports warn it can pack 55–70 grams of sugar and act more like dessert than a drink. Streaming & Pop Culture: Netflix is saying goodbye to Gilmore Girls on June 30, shrinking Stars Hollow’s screen time for Connecticut fans. Local Business/Tech: Stamford marketing firm Gadgetlesstech rolled out a four-part AI Ranking System aimed at helping Connecticut service businesses show up in Google AI Overviews and assistants like ChatGPT. Sports & Entertainment: Goose returned to Madison Square Garden with Knicks-themed energy and debuted new material from BIG MODERN! Community & Arts in CT: Norwalk’s “Wheels” buses are getting wrapped in poems by middle school students as part of a citywide youth-literacy push. WNBA in Connecticut: The Connecticut Sun fell to the Toronto Tempo 101–97, with Marina Mabrey’s late surge turning the game.

WNBA in Connecticut: Marina Mabrey poured in 37 points as Toronto Tempo rallied past the Connecticut Sun 101-97, tying the WNBA single-game record with nine 3-pointers; the win came with Sun injuries piling up, including Brittney Sykes’ plantar fascia issue. Local Public Art: New Haven’s Fair Haven: The World’s Oyster mural is turning a once-misunderstood wall into a neighborhood landmark, celebrating the area’s oyster history and working-class identity. Music & Film (CT): Hartford metal band Boundaries released “May this pain never leave,” with a performance video shot at The Webster Underground. Art Around Town: Diane Boston’s woven watercolor paintings open at Spring Street Gallery on Block Island June 20, exploring how coastal water and development shape landscapes. Community & Learning: New Haven Public Schools marked the first BioCity Academy cohort graduation, sending students to UConn, Wesleyan, Yale, and more. Health & Food Trend: “Dirty soda” warnings are spreading nationwide as doctors flag extreme sugar loads and blood-sugar spikes.

Local Arts: Watercolorist Diane Boston brings woven paintings to Spring Street Gallery on Block Island, opening June 20 and running through July 2, blending architecture and environmental themes with a craft-like process of cutting and weaving layered watercolor strips. WNBA at Mohegan Sun: Toronto Tempo guard Brittney Sykes (plantar fascia) and rookie Kiki Rice (ankle sprain) are out for the foreseeable future as the shorthanded Tempo visit the Connecticut Sun Friday, with Connecticut trying to snap a six-game skid. Juneteenth in Norwalk: The African American Association of Norwalk hosts its second annual Juneteenth Celebration Weekend with music, food, rides, and family activities June 19–21 at Veterans Memorial Park. Advocacy & Safety: Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence will honor Janel Grant with an Advocacy in Action Award for her work pushing NDA reform after her allegations in the Vince McMahon case. Sports & Community: Oxford’s Unified Basketball Team heads to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota after winning Connecticut’s Unified Level 1 state title. Arts & Culture Calendar: Make Music Day returns with free live music on Father’s Day, June 21.

Connecticut Arts & Community Spotlight: Liberty Bank, a 201-year-old mutual bank headquartered in Middletown, launched a new AI Center of Excellence with Flare AI—aimed at secure, compliant AI across its personal, commercial, and digital operations. Local Arts & Events: Jentel’s public “Jentel Presents” and studio tour returns June 30 at Jentel Artist Residency in Banner, with artists-in-residence sharing artwork, writing, and music. Indigenous Performance in CT: “Skeleton Canoe,” an Indigenous-forward multimedia puppet show by Ty Defoe (ASU professor of practice), plays June 20–21 at the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven. Sports Culture (CT angle): The Connecticut Sun host the Toronto Tempo Friday night as both teams look to snap losing streaks, with Toronto’s Brittney Sykes ruled out for the matchup. Reading & Youth Culture: Connecticut State Library’s Kym Powe and Library of Congress editor Hannah Freece discuss summer YA picks on “Where We Live,” including the book “Tell Me A Story.”

Public Art in Naugatuck: Residents can help paint a youth-inspired mural at 30 Church Street during Community Paint Day on July 4, turning five students’ drawings into a downtown centerpiece. Library Arts Spotlight: Naugatuck’s Whittemore Library is hosting recycled-media artwork by local educator Eva Siefert, built from discarded materials like frozen pizza cardboard and wallpaper. Community Music Event: Bethlehem’s Caroline Ferriday Preserve hosts the Blue Yodels on June 25, an outdoor acoustic set mixing country, bluegrass, rockabilly, and classic standards. Health Trend Watch: “Dirty soda” drinks are drawing medical backlash for extreme sugar loads and treating what’s essentially dessert as a beverage. Sports & Culture in CT: UConn coach Dan Hurley floated the idea of a Huskies game on the White House lawn after the UFC Freedom 250 event. WNBA Expansion: The league is moving to a 50-game schedule next season, signaling more visibility for Connecticut’s own teams and players.

Public Health: “Dirty soda” is getting attention for being basically dessert-in-a-cup, with reports of 55–70 grams of sugar per serving and doctors warning about blood-sugar spikes and long-term risk. Arts & Community: Yale student DJ Zoya Haq is bringing music storytelling to WYBC with “The Cosmic Hour,” using songs to connect to personal oral histories. Local Arts Events: Sylvan Gallery marks its 25th anniversary with a Wiscasset Art Walk on June 25, featuring new works and live guitar. Sports (CT spotlight): The Washington Mystics beat the Connecticut Sun 88-81 in Uncasville, with Sonia Citron leading Washington despite Sun’s struggles. Education & Culture Access: CT school staff can tap the CSDE’s 5th Annual PK-12 School Staff Appreciation Digital Backpack Program for summer discounts, including museum and event offers. Safety in the Arts Neighborhood: Lifeguards rescued an elderly driver after a crash into a New Canaan community pool, with the pool expected to reopen after cleanup.

Connecticut Arts & Community: Roxbury’s Minor Memorial Library is hosting “Around the Town,” an oil-painting exhibit by Jean O’Reilly, with an opening reception June 27 and runs through Aug. 8. Local Music & Libraries: Southbury Public Library welcomes the Jim Scianna Duet (songs from the Duke Ellington songbook) June 23, plus Burnham Library’s “Panoply,” paintings by Carol O’Toole, opening June 28. Scholarships & Student Arts: Friends of Pomperaug Music, Inc. awarded music scholarships to six Pomperaug High School seniors at its awards night. Tennis & Cultural Recognition: Woodbury’s Peter Francesconi was inducted into the USTA New England Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Statewide Spotlight: Connecticut State Troubadour Charlie Widmer and bluegrass band On the Trail will tour Germany as cultural envoys. Sports as Culture: The WNBA announced a league-record 50-game schedule next season, expanding opportunities for fans and players.

WNBA Spotlight: The Indiana Fever kept rolling, beating the Toronto Tempo 113-91 with a franchise record for points in regulation; Kelsey Mitchell scored 27, Caitlin Clark added 21 points and 14 assists, and Sophie Cunningham hit a season-high 24 off the bench. Injury Update: Tempo guard Brittney Sykes left early with an apparent foot injury after a non-contact fall, with Toronto awaiting evaluation. CT Arts & Community: The Inn at Mystic is staging a July 5 “Fire & Freedom Festival” with a veteran torch relay, reenactments, live entertainment, and family activities tied to America’s 250th. Local Culture: A Berlin Girl Scout earned a $1,000 scholarship for a Gold Award project teaching dancers injury prevention and wellness. Streaming Watch: “Gilmore Girls” is leaving Netflix later this month, giving Connecticut fans a last chance to binge Stars Hollow. Health & Food Trend: “Dirty soda” warnings are spreading as doctors flag extreme sugar loads and treat the drinks like occasional desserts, not everyday beverages.

Streaming & Pop Culture: “Gilmore Girls” (all seven seasons) is leaving Netflix in the U.S. on June 30, with fans urged to binge before the Stars Hollow goodbye—though the series remains available on Disney+ and Hulu. Interactive Entertainment: Level99 has set its Disney Springs opening for June 29, with tickets on sale June 22; the two-story venue brings 60+ physical and mental games, including Axe Run and Ninja Swing. Music & Touring: Instrumental rock band Polyphia announced UK dates for December 11–16 (plus a wider European run), with tickets going on general sale June 19. CT Arts & Community Spotlight: UConn researchers report that TikTok videos of women embracing gray hair and laugh lines can boost confidence about aging. Local News (Non-arts but CT-relevant): Middletown animal control and firefighters rescued a baby raccoon from a storm drain after it “sounded like a dog.” Food Trend Warning: “Dirty soda” drinks are under fire for sugar-heavy, dessert-like nutrition that doctors say can drive health risks.

Local Music & Community: Hartford’s Fourth of July Bonanza in Bushnell Park lands with Living Colour bassist Doug Wimbish curating the lineup, bringing a homegrown Connecticut thread to a major holiday concert. Sports & Culture: The PWHL’s Las Vegas expansion officially hires Kim Weiss as coach, a Connecticut-linked hockey story that signals the league’s rapid growth. Screen & Storytelling: “Gilmore Girls” (Seasons 1–7) is leaving Netflix in the U.S. June 30—bad news for fans who associate the show’s Stars Hollow with Connecticut. Education & Arts Pipeline: Plainville High’s Class of 2026 celebrates graduation despite storms, while valedictorian Emma Muldoon heads to UConn for diagnostic genetics—plus a reminder that arts and performance (like band and ballet) keep showing up in these student profiles. Public Health Watch: “Dirty soda” is under fire for extreme sugar loads and health risks, a trend that’s now hitting mainstream menus. Policy & Privacy: Hawaiʻi’s consumer protection office joins a coalition opposing a federal data privacy bill that could limit stronger state protections.