VA Expansion in South Burlington: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs signed a lease for a new outpatient clinic near South Burlington, targeting 36,246 net usable square feet and 251 parking spaces, with construction slated to finish by fall 2028 and first patients expected in spring 2029—aimed at boosting primary care plus mental health and specialty services for about 56,326 area veterans. Community Mental Health Growth: Vermont Care Partners says four more agencies—NKHS, Howard Center, NCSS, and HCRS—have been certified as Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Centers, bringing Vermont’s total to six. Burlington Health Tech Leadership: Assort Health named Sunny Eappen, MD, MBA, as its first Chief Medical Officer to guide AI agents for enterprise health systems, focused on expanding access and using clinical capacity more effectively. Burlington Medical Device Design Win: Pacto Medical’s Slimshot compact prefilled syringe platform earned a Red Dot Design Concept 2026 recognition, with a prototype selected for display in Singapore. Hemp Rule Uncertainty: A new federal hemp definition is raising alarms for Vermont’s hemp businesses, with regulators warning some models could be “on the chopping block” when the intoxicating-compound limits take effect. Local Conservation Milestone: The Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District is marking 80 years of helping protect farms, forests, and waterways through locally led conservation. Food Co-op Push in Newport: Residents are working to convert Green Mountain Natural Foods into a member-owned co-op to keep the downtown grocery and café sustainable while backing local producers. Farmers Market Vendor Crunch: Vermont markets say their biggest challenge is attracting more farm vendors as average sales per market have fallen sharply, reshaping how Vermonters buy local food. Public Health & Food Safety: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños has triggered recalls affecting major retailers, while Vermont health officials also note cyclosporiasis cases may be linked to travel.