AGP Executive Report

Insurance & Leadership: The Hartford named A. Morris “Mo” Tooker as its next CEO, with a March 1, 2027 transition and board changes starting Oct. 1. Energy & Grid: Connecticut lawmakers and regulators are weighing the next wave of power—while a new push for nuclear is colliding with climate and execution concerns. Solar Policy: States are moving to allow balcony and plug-in solar, but safety and standards still lag behind the “no-permit” promise. Consumer Protection/Healthcare Costs: Connecticut’s AG urged eligible consumers to claim compensation tied to inflated generic drug prices as multistate settlement distribution plans advance. Business & Compliance: Connecticut’s new AI and data privacy rules take effect Oct. 1, raising new compliance demands for employers and vendors. Logistics & Industry: A new wave of warehouse construction trends and grid-capacity projects is reshaping how goods move and how power gets delivered. College Sports Regulation: The U.S. Senate passed a bill to rein in NIL and transfers, setting national guardrails that will affect schools and employers tied to athletics. Local Economy & Development: Bridgeport’s East End is weighing whether an MLK Corridor title could unlock lending and grant momentum for neighborhood investment.

Energy & Grid Modernization: Connecticut’s Eversource and Dartmouth Engineering won a U.S. DOE SPARK award to deploy dynamic line rating across about 4,000 miles, aiming to boost reliability and capacity. Utilities & Competition: Connecticut AG William Tong co-led a push at FERC to reject the NextEra–Dominion merger, warning it could raise costs and reduce competition as data centers expand. Construction & Compliance: New crane and hoisting rules take effect Oct. 1, ending an arboriculture exemption and requiring crane operators to be licensed and cranes registered. Food Service & Operations: A Trump push for more “scratch-cooked” school meals runs into practical barriers in older Connecticut kitchens, where space and funding make the switch hard. Agriculture & Invasive Species: Spotted lanternflies are now reported in all eight CT counties, threatening grapes and fruit trees while remaining mostly a nuisance elsewhere. Local Business & Real Estate: Horvath & Tremblay completed the sale of three Connecticut retail properties totaling $7.25M, including a Goddard School pad site in Fountain Square. Consumer Data & Enforcement: Connecticut is part of a multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach tied to its debt collector. Workforce Policy: Connecticut’s Omnibus Workforce Bill compliance checklist highlights major Oct. 1 wage transparency changes for employers.

AI & Privacy in CT: Connecticut’s new AI and data privacy laws start rolling out Oct. 1, including new rules tied to surveillance pricing, geolocation data, and facial recognition—plus what businesses need to know before compliance deadlines hit. School Air Quality: UConn is partnering with districts to distribute student-built air purifiers to help address aging HVAC systems and ongoing air-quality concerns in nearly 1,000 schools. Consumer Protection & Health Costs: Connecticut is among states pushing consumers to file claims tied to multistate settlements over inflated generic drug prices, after a federal court granted preliminary approval of the distribution plan. Energy & Environment: Governor Lamont and DEEP are reacting to a Trump administration rollback of federal fuel economy standards, warning it will mean higher gas costs and more pollution in Connecticut. Logistics & Manufacturing: GXO is launching a 10-year strategic logistics relationship with Columbia Sportswear, taking over the company’s European distribution center in Cambrai, France. Batteries & Safety: Packaging and Crating Technologies (PACT) will bring lithium-ion battery fire safety products to The Battery Show North America in Detroit. Business & Compliance: U.S. prosecutors say a North Windham company paid more than $3M to resolve PPP fraud claims. Policy Watch: The Senate passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, aiming to rein in NIL and transfers and give the NCAA limited authority.

College Sports Policy: The Senate is nearing a vote on a sweeping bill to rein in athlete payments and transfers, giving the NCAA new authority and aiming to curb runaway costs and constant litigation. Connecticut Energy & Courts: Avangrid is asking a Connecticut court to restore approval for a Metro-North corridor power line replacement after an agency reversal. Retail Pricing & Privacy: Walmart CEO John Furner says the company won’t use personal data to set prices as it rolls out digital shelf labels; the FTC’s personalized pricing proposal is also drawing heavy pushback from both industry and consumer groups. AI Regulation in CT: New state AI and data privacy rules take effect Oct. 1, while major AI firms urge federal regulation to avoid a patchwork of state laws. Data Breach Settlements: A coalition of 44 state attorneys general reached a settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 breach tied to a debt collector, including injunctive relief and about $2.3M in payments. Local Business & Development: A zoning application has been filed for an indoor Padel club in Bristol, repurposing part of the former Bristol Brass site. Community & Industry Moves: SOLENVIA Caregivers names Justin Brady VP of franchise operations as it expands in Fairfield County; Ingleside and Meadowood announce top leadership transitions. Weather & Infrastructure: A September nor’easter hit parts of New England with wind and rain but left minimal long-term impacts in western Connecticut, while the Army Corps reports hurricane barrier operations in the region.

Storm & Resilience: A powerful nor’easter battered New England with flooding, downed trees, and widespread outages, including heavy impacts along the coast from New Jersey to Connecticut. Clean Energy Policy: Connecticut is moving ahead with no-permit plug-in balcony solar, but residents may find the specific 1,200-watt kits they want aren’t widely available yet. AI & Consumer Privacy: Connecticut’s new AI and data privacy rules—plus expanded protections around facial recognition and surveillance pricing—start rolling out Oct. 1, setting up a major compliance test for businesses. Manufacturing & Finance: Quantum Cyber filed updated SEC materials tied to its Bridgeport manufacturing acquisition, including audited financial statements and pro forma figures. Life Sciences: Arvinas dosed the first patient in its Phase 1/2 trial of ARV-6723, a new immuno-oncology PROTAC targeting HPK1. Logistics & Defense: GXO named Dan Davis president of Aerospace & Defense to push growth in mission-critical supply chains. Food Safety for Small Industry: UConn extension highlighted why small poultry processors need HACCP planning as a practical business requirement, not just paperwork. Workforce & Visas: USCIS reported 356 H-2B worker approvals tied to Connecticut worksites for fiscal 2026 through June 30, 2026.

Connecticut Immigration & Labor: USCIS reported 356 H-2B worker approvals tied to Connecticut worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 98.9% approval rate—slightly below the national 99.2%. Storm Disruption: A nor’easter battered the Northeast with heavy rain, coastal flooding, and widespread outages, including more than 13,000 Connecticut customers without power at peak reporting. State Finance: Gov. Ned Lamont and Treasurer Erick Russell praised S&P Global Ratings for lifting Connecticut’s credit outlook from stable to positive, citing improved fiscal stability and debt paydown. Energy & Home Power: A homeowner question on mini-splits sparked a practical takeaway: solar usually works best by offsetting overall usage rather than isolating one circuit. Clean Energy Policy: Alberta added a fee to new solar panels to fund end-of-life recycling, aiming to keep panels out of landfills. Food Safety: FDA/CDC warned against an imported Ecuador black clam product linked to a hepatitis A outbreak, with distribution reportedly reaching Connecticut. Local Business/Marketing: Groton-based Stratedia says it’s expanding visibility as customers increasingly seek AI-aware discovery, not just Google rankings. Public Safety Tech: Noise-camera systems are spreading nationwide, adding a new enforcement tool beyond license plate readers.

Nor’easter Disrupts CT and New England: A powerful nor’easter is battering the East Coast with heavy rain, coastal flooding, and strong winds, knocking out power for tens of thousands in Connecticut and beyond and forcing major travel disruptions, including hundreds of flight cancellations and delays; Connecticut also activated its Emergency Operations Center. Home Energy & Costs: A California homeowner story highlights how some residents are turning to home batteries like a Powerwall 3 to dodge peak electricity rates when solar installs hit roof constraints. CT Transportation Safety Debate: Vernon residents are pushing back on proposed centerline rumble strips on Route 527, arguing the noise will be constant despite CDOT’s safety case. Local Real Estate Investment: Hartford’s Asylum Hill sees a $15.1M multifamily purchase adding 180 units, reflecting continued out-of-state investor interest. Food Safety Alert: FDA/CDC warn against eating an imported Ecuador black clam product tied to a hepatitis A outbreak, with distribution reported in Connecticut and neighboring states. Workforce & Immigration: Connecticut employers in the “Other Services” sector filed 17 H-1B petitions in 2025, with most approved.

Storm Disruptions: A powerful nor’easter battered the East Coast, knocking out power for tens of thousands across New England and disrupting travel, with Amtrak canceling Boston–New York service and hundreds of flights delayed or canceled. Energy & Grid Watch: Connecticut utilities reported thousands of outages as crews worked through rough conditions, underscoring how quickly weather can hit operations and logistics. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Connecticut joined an eight-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s $1.4B buyouts to cancel offshore wind leases, a direct hit to regional clean-energy pipelines. AI/Privacy & Surveillance: New Hampshire’s stricter rules on license plate readers are being cited as a model as other states, including Connecticut, consider limits on camera networks. Workforce & Immigration: Connecticut employers filed 17 H-1B petitions in 2025 in the Other Services (except Public Administration) category, with most approved. Local Real Estate: Brooklyn investors bought three Asylum Hill apartment buildings in Hartford for $15.1M, adding 180 units to the market.

Nor’easter & Infrastructure: A powerful nor’easter is battering the Northeast, knocking out power for more than 70,000 residents, including about 6,045 in Connecticut, as heavy rain and vicious winds raise flooding and grid-failure concerns. Energy Policy & Offshore Wind: Connecticut joined an eight-state lawsuit challenging Trump administration buyouts that would pay developers $1.4 billion to abandon offshore wind leases, with the money tied to reinvestment in oil and gas. Workplace Safety: CTDOT says a state worker was killed on I-95 in Fairfield while doing maintenance; officials report a driver faces manslaughter charges. Consumer & Health: Connecticut consumers may soon file for money back tied to a multistate generic drug price-fixing settlement approved by a federal judge, with a $96.5 million distribution plan. Local Solar Planning: A Granby community survey on the Broadleaf Solar project shows a near split (41% support, 41% oppose) while most residents prioritize protecting Salmon Brook and water quality. Business Support: Eastern Connecticut State University is launching a tuition-free Liberty Bank Academy for Small Business starting Oct. 13.

PFAS Compliance Push: Connecticut’s new PFAS labeling and reporting law kicks in with DEEP oversight, setting up a 2028 sales ban phase for covered consumer products. Consumer Protection: Connecticut consumers can file claims tied to a $96.5M generic drug price-fixing settlement approved by a federal judge in the District of Connecticut. Data Security Accountability: A multistate settlement with Labcorp over a patient-data breach adds $2.3M in penalties and stronger vendor safeguards, with Connecticut in the coalition. Energy & Utilities: Connecticut and neighboring states warned insurers that aerial imagery can’t justify non-renewals based on cosmetic roof issues alone, pushing for clearer underwriting standards. Local Business & Workforce: Eastern Connecticut State University is launching a tuition-free Liberty Bank Academy for Small Business in Willimantic, offering training and a chance at a $5,000 line of credit. Community & Industry Growth: ConnCORP CEO Erik Clemons will step down as the organization expands job training and a major Dixwell redevelopment effort. Transportation & Logistics: Avelo adds new nonstop routes from McKinney, signaling continued growth in regional air service.

AI Regulation Push: A bipartisan coalition led by Michigan AG Dana Nessel and other state attorneys general is urging Congress to regulate artificial intelligence now, warning unchecked systems could threaten financial stability, critical infrastructure, and national security. Connecticut Energy Costs: Diesel prices in Connecticut hit record highs near $6.48 a gallon, and fuel distributors warn shortages and more increases could follow this fall and winter. Banking Deal in Stamford: Santander won Federal Reserve approval to acquire Webster Financial, clearing a major step for the Stamford-based bank deal. InsurBanc Leadership: InsurBanc in Farmington named Lou Garcia president and CEO, tapping decades of financial-services leadership to serve independent insurance agencies. UConn Capital Spending: The UConn Board of Trustees approved major construction and HVAC funding for the Gampel Pavilion and addressed public safety staffing benefits. Local Planning Watch: In Norwalk, consultants say a reservation system for Manresa Wilds parking could limit added traffic to about two vehicles per minute at peak. Defense Tech Update: Quantum Cyber sharpened its strategy for GPS-denied autonomous warfare and highlighted its manufacturing footprint. WNBA—CT Sun Farewell: The Connecticut Sun closed its Mohegan Sun era with a 95-81 win over Toronto, setting up a playoff field now set for Sept. 27. Aerospace Manufacturing: Pratt & Whitney says its GTF Advantage engine has entered service on an Airbus A321XLR for United, aiming for better thrust and durability. Food & Health: A new study links higher whole-grain intake with lower cardiometabolic risk and less weight gain.

AI & Privacy: Connecticut’s Police Officer Standards and Training Council is pushing new rules for surveillance tech, including automated license plate readers and camera networks, as lawmakers update the state’s Oct. 1 digital privacy law. Consumer & Health Data: Connecticut’s AG is part of a multistate push securing about $2.3M in reforms and payments after the Labcorp/AMCA patient data breach. Energy & Industry: Connecticut and regional partners selected 102.4 MW of new solar projects to boost grid reliability and cut ratepayer costs. Housing & Construction: Bridgeport’s Yale Street Commons affordable complex is set for a $19.5M gut-and-upgrade, with residents protected from rent increases. Legal & Business Climate: State antitrust and consumer protection enforcement is accelerating, raising compliance pressure for companies operating across multiple states. Public Safety & Regulation: Senators are pressing for federal AI rules after concerns about Flock’s nationwide AI camera network and lawmakers’ worries about privacy and due process. Local Economy: Litchfield County gas prices dipped, with regular hitting $4.15 in the week ending Sept. 19. Kratom Watch: Mississippi investigations into two Ole Miss student deaths renewed scrutiny of kratom’s safety and legality.

AI Regulation Push: Connecticut AG William Tong joined a bipartisan S.O.S. letter urging Congress to regulate unchecked AI, warning it threatens the financial system, critical infrastructure, and national security. Education & Workforce: U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney visited Stonington High School’s pre-apprenticeship trades program, highlighting efforts to feed the construction workforce pipeline. School Infrastructure: North Kingstown is planning major repairs after three tennis courts were deemed unsafe due to cracking and weather-related degradation, with early estimates at $400,000–$500,000. Agriculture Policy: A CT panel is recommending changes to the farmland valuation process after backlash to a tax-driven revaluation that boosted some land values sharply. Consumer & Food Safety: Wakefern recalled select Wholesome Pantry organic unsweetened applesauce jars after FDA testing found elevated patulin mold toxin levels. Retail & Logistics: Amazon rolled out new Amazon Supply Chain Services options letting merchants add fast, free Prime delivery to their websites and cut fulfillment fees. Public Health: Spotted lanternfly expansion in New England is raising new concerns for farmers and homeowners.

CTDOT Infrastructure: CTDOT is developing plans to upgrade I-95 illumination and guiderail in Greenwich and Stamford, with design due in Dec. 2027 and construction targeted for summer 2028, using 90% federal funds. Traffic Safety & Accessibility: CTDOT will replace traffic signal equipment at 17 intersections across multiple towns, with design by May 2028 and construction starting in spring 2029, and added pedestrian accessibility features. Local Public Works: CTDOT will hold an in-person meeting Nov. 17 in Bloomfield on replacing a Route 178 bridge structure to improve drainage and reduce flooding. Energy & Rates: State Sen. Jeff Gordon is pressing PURA for more in-person hearings in northeast Connecticut over Eversource’s proposed electric distribution rate increases. Agriculture & Taxes: A Lamont working group released final recommendations to prevent sharp farmland tax hikes tied to Public Act 490 valuation updates. Housing Market: West Hartford’s new luxury apartments are leasing quickly as rents hit record highs, underscoring pressure for more housing supply. Gun Policy & Courts: Glock and the National Shooting Sports Foundation sued to block Connecticut’s “convertible pistols” ban, setting up a new federal legal fight. Consumer Data & Pricing: Seattle passed a first-in-the-nation ban on using personal data for grocery “surveillance pricing,” joining Connecticut and other states moving against the practice. Health & Food Safety: CDC is investigating 37 hepatitis A cases potentially linked to imported frozen clams.

Media & Antitrust: Connecticut accepted a multi-state settlement clearing the way for the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger it had opposed, with AG William Tong saying the state was outnumbered on demands to divest CNN and CBS News and that the deal’s editorial independence board is meant to protect journalism. Defense & Manufacturing: The U.S. Army awarded Sikorsky a $234.46M contract modification for 16 UH-60M Black Hawks, with work in Stratford and delivery planning tied to the next procurement phase. Logistics & Workforce Tech: GXO announced global pilots of a Labor Management System aimed at standardizing workforce planning and boosting productivity across its sites. Energy Policy: Connecticut is among states suing to block Trump administration offshore wind lease buybacks that swap canceled wind projects for fossil fuel investments, arguing the deals are unlawful. Food & Consumer Safety: Wakefern recalled Wholesome Pantry organic unsweetened apple sauce over elevated patulin mold-toxin levels. Public Health: Newtown reported positive West Nile virus results from mosquito testing. Local Business & Growth: Peakline Partners acquired Stamford-based Kalon Capital to expand its equipment finance platform. Environment & Infrastructure: A report says Long Island Sound water quality improved after billions in wastewater upgrades, though climate and sewer overflows remain concerns.

Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Connecticut and other states sued the Trump administration over offshore wind lease cancellations, alleging federal deals would pay developers about $1.4B to abandon projects and redirect money to fossil fuel investments. Food & Consumer Protection: A tuna recall tied to scombroid poisoning risk was issued for products distributed in Connecticut, while Seattle moved toward banning personalized “surveillance pricing” for groceries. Public Works & Local Access: DEEP and Waterford announced completion of upgrades to the Niantic River State Boat Launch overflow parking, adding trailer and ADA spaces. Environment & Water Quality: A new Long Island Sound report shows steady improvement in water quality, though overflows and climate pressures remain. Workplace Accountability: WFSB’s I-Team reported Central Connecticut State University president Zulma Toro is under investigation after complaints of bullying and fear. Housing Stability: A court fight over HUD funding changes was temporarily lifted, raising concerns that thousands in Connecticut could lose housing. Drugs Pricing Relief: Connecticut consumers are being urged to file claims tied to a multistate settlement over alleged generic drug price-fixing. Energy Costs: Officials warned heating costs are expected to rise this winter, with LIHEAP support still crucial for many households.