AGP Executive Report

PGA Tour in Connecticut: Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland are headed to a Monday playoff at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell after both finished Sunday tied at 21-under; Scheffler forced the extra hole with a clutch par putt on No. 18, but storms and fading light stopped play, setting the sudden-death showdown for 9 a.m. ET on Golf Channel. WNBA: The Minnesota Lynx beat the Dallas Wings 85-77, with Cheryl Reeve tying the WNBA coaching wins record as Natasha Howard posted 21 points and 14 rebounds; the Wings next visit the Connecticut Sun. Connecticut politics/health: U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes said she was hospitalized for 48 hours after a blood clot scare, but she’s now home and “feeling fine.” Housing pressure: A report on Bronx rents highlights residents weighing moves to Connecticut as costs climb. National policy: A Social Security outlook warns Connecticut retirees could face one of the steepest average benefit cuts if the trust fund runs out in late 2032.

PGA Tour in Connecticut: Viktor Hovland seized a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler heading into Sunday’s final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, after a 6-under 64 that included a key birdie on 18. Local sports culture: Norwegian World Cup fans in the Northeast brought a “home crowd” vibe to the tournament, cheering Hovland alongside their viral Viking-row celebrations. Connecticut politics/economy: Sen. Chris Murphy says a phased push to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour could help Democrats win back working-class voters, framing it as a unifying issue. Consumer protection: A Hartford man says a “virtual vehicle vendor” scam left him with a $22,000 loan for a truck that never arrived, after a credit union wired money to a fake dealership. Public safety: Fairfield BOE residency investigations are facing lawsuits alleging aggressive tactics, including surveillance of homes and students. Health/tech: Yale School of Medicine discusses how AI is changing routine mammogram workflows. Road safety: Two people died and two others were seriously hurt in a late-night Chaplin crash involving two vehicles.

WNBA Drama in CT’s Orbit: Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts defended suspended forward Alyssa Thomas after the league hit her with a one-game ban for a throat-area incident involving Caitlin Clark, calling the “cheap shot” claims “ridiculous” and criticizing how the WNBA handled the process. Local Sports Buzz: At the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Viktor Hovland grabbed a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler heading into Sunday after a 64; First Tee Connecticut also held its breakfast and scholarship awards during the event. Connecticut Courts & Religion: A legal team says a Greater Hartford-area district backed off discipline after Liberty Counsel argued teachers and students must be allowed religious expression during non-instructional time. Community & Health Policy: A new maternal mental health report highlights Connecticut’s HB 7214 creating an advisory committee to improve perinatal mental health services and make hospitals more “doula-friendly.” Music & Culture: Ann Wilson announced a new Tripsitter album, “Consecrated Ground,” with a tour stop in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Connecticut Politics & Privacy: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Michael Cloud say the ATF has canceled a contract that bought Americans’ commercial location data from Penlink, after bipartisan scrutiny over ad-tech tracking. Long Island Sound & Local Infrastructure: DEEP christened its new Long Island Sound research vessel, touting decades of water-quality gains, while Old Lyme’s uncertain sewer participation remains a flashpoint for future nitrogen reductions. Travelers Championship (Cromwell): Scottie Scheffler surged with a 10-under 60 Friday and heads into the weekend with a two-shot lead over Viktor Hovland at TPC River Highlands; Saturday’s third-round live updates and tee times are set. WNBA (Connecticut): The Connecticut Sun’s game results and schedule updates continue as the team navigates injuries and turnovers, with fans also tracking league-wide suspensions and standout performances. Community & Safety: Islamic centers in Vernon and Bridgeport report repeated anti-Muslim phone calls and slurs; police are investigating. Sports & Local Interest: First Tee Connecticut handed out scholarships during Travelers weekend, backing youth access to golf across the state. Public Life: A 96-year-old Shelton woman went viral after a retirement home warned her to stop partying and serving alcohol.

Connecticut Politics & Labor: The Connecticut AFL-CIO endorsed Gov. Ned Lamont for a third term and backed a slate of Democratic candidates, including New Haven’s Gary Winfield and other incumbents, ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. WNBA (Connecticut Sun): Leila Lacan and Olivia Nelson-Ododa each scored 12 as the Connecticut Sun beat the Washington Mystics 68-57, snapping a rough stretch with back-to-back wins; coach Rachid Meziane missed the game due to illness. PGA Tour (CT): At the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Scottie Scheffler shot a 10-under 60 to take a two-shot lead heading into the weekend, while Akshay Bhatia posted an 8-under 62 and Viktor Hovland fired a 61 to climb into contention. Cannabis & Community: Connecticut’s Social Equity Council is set to distribute tens of millions from cannabis proceeds to neighborhoods hit hardest by the War on Drugs, with groups in places like Norwalk applying for funding. Tech & Kids Online Safety: Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Maria Cantwell warned House lawmakers against advancing a House version of the Kids Online Safety Act, saying it could unravel bipartisan work and face heavy tech lobbying.

WNBA Discipline: The league suspended Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas for one game after she made contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat, a non-basketball act upgraded to Flagrant Foul 2; the Fever renewed calls for player safety as Thomas serves the ban Saturday when Mercury visits Toronto. Connecticut Sports & Community: East Hartford Public Schools plans a new STEM academy at East Hartford Middle School starting fall 2027, targeting 150–200 students in grades 5–8 with labs for robotics, aerospace, AI and biotech. PGA Tour in CT: The Travelers Championship heads into Friday with a crowded leaderboard after record-low scoring in Round 1 at TPC River Highlands, the last limited-field signature event before the FedEx Cup playoffs. Local Business & Tech: AP Fund for Journalism is expanding “Metrics for News” to 10 local newsrooms, aiming to track how audiences engage and help outlets grow. Connecticut Economy/Retirement: A new report says retirees may outlive savings in 41 states, with the average 65-year-old facing a $109,000 shortfall.

WNBA & Sports: Marina Mabrey poured in 53 points to tie the WNBA single-game scoring record as Toronto Tempo routed the Los Angeles Sparks 125-97, while Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas was suspended one game for a fist-to-Caitlin Clark throat incident. Connecticut Courts: The Connecticut Supreme Court let the Middletown Fair Rent Commission intervene in a landlord-tenant eviction case, backing the local body’s right to enforce its own orders. Connecticut Media: Connecticut Public named Lauren Komrosky its new President and CEO, effective June 29. Connecticut Public Health & Housing: A UVM study links historic redlining in Hartford neighborhoods to higher lead contamination in soil, and more than 350,000 CT children are set to get extra summer food benefits. Connecticut Economy & Community: Grants totaling $11.8M will expand green space in Chaplin, and Mansfield and Coventry received housing modernization funding. Travelers Championship: Eric Cole shot a 7-under 63 to take a one-shot lead at TPC River Highlands.

AI Workforce Push: Gina Raimondo and Eric Holcomb launched RAISE US, a $500M-plus effort (aiming for $1B) to help states and employers retrain workers for an AI-driven economy, with early partnerships including Connecticut. Election Law Fight: A federal judge blocked a Trump order aimed at restricting mail voting in states that challenged it, saying the president lacks constitutional power over election rules. Connecticut Cleanup Watch: DEEP updated residents on the long-running Olin “Six Lakes” cleanup in Hamden, with officials saying more site characterization is still needed. Public Health: Warmer weather is bringing a booming tick season, with Lyme risk rising—health experts urge precautions outdoors. Sports Spotlight (CT): The Travelers Championship is underway at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, with PGA Tour changes also in the spotlight as Xander Schauffele reacts to the new two-tier system. Local Business/Community: T-Mobile wrapped up its Hometown Grants program, funding 500 projects nationwide, including community development work in small towns.

Antitrust & Drug Prices: A federal judge in Connecticut dismissed Pfizer from a multi-state lawsuit accusing drugmakers of fixing prices for generic drugs, saying states failed to show Pfizer directly conspired or that its Greenstone unit acted as its agent. UConn Leadership: Pamir Alpay was appointed provost and EVP for academic affairs at UConn, with university leaders citing his role in reorganizing Academic Affairs and advancing AI and QuantumCT work. Higher Ed & Workforce: Eastern Connecticut State University announced three new undergraduate certificate programs for fall—Geospatial Technology, Victim Services & Advocacy, and Emergency Services & Public Safety. Public Safety: Connecticut State Police arrested an Enfield man accused of firing at a vehicle on Route 9 in New Britain while children were inside. Reproductive Rights: Connecticut leaders marked the Dobbs anniversary by backing expanded fertility-care coverage for LGBTQ+ families. Local Business: Plaza Azteca’s last Connecticut location in Newington will close after 15 years. Sports (CT ties): The Travelers Championship tees off Thursday at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell.

PGA Tour Shake-Up in CT: The PGA Tour unveiled a two-tier system starting in 2028, with promotion/relegation and a revamped postseason, and the changes are already being debated ahead of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. Local Sports Spotlight: Tiger Woods made his first public appearance since rehab at the Travelers news conference, and Brittney Griner set the WNBA career blocks record (878th) as the Connecticut Sun routed the Chicago Sky. Housing & Policy: Connecticut lawmakers backed a federal housing bill aimed at boosting construction to tackle affordability, while local planning boards also weighed new housing and zoning changes tied to state deadlines. Public Safety & Health: Connecticut police charged a man in the homicide of a 26-year-old woman found dead in Burlington, and tick experts warned of a potentially heavy Lyme season as warmer weather ramps up. Community & Local Life: Woodbury’s Shade Tree & Sidewalk Committee mapped its “Trees to Please” planting and pruning plans, and Seymour announced a July 2 “Red, White, & Boom!” event to celebrate the reopening of Legion Pool Park.

PGA Tour in Cromwell: Tiger Woods made his first public appearance since his March DUI arrest, introducing PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp at TPC River Highlands as the Travelers Championship kicks off this week. NBA Draft, UConn pipeline: UConn stars Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. went in the first round—Reed to the Spurs (No. 26) and Karaban to the Kings (No. 29)—continuing UConn’s strong draft run. Local sports spotlight: Wheeler’s track program is turning heads in Eastern Connecticut, with coach Katie McGuire earning ECC girls outdoor coach of the year honors. Public safety: Connecticut is seeing new spread of lone star and Asian longhorned ticks in multiple southern areas, raising concerns about serious tick-borne illnesses. Justice system: A Connecticut woman was arrested for the alleged murder of a newborn found in a dumpster nearly a decade ago, and a separate case saw a homicide ruling in a Connecticut home death. Housing policy: The U.S. House passed a bipartisan affordable housing bill aimed at speeding construction, sending it to President Trump.

Connecticut Crime: The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death of 26-year-old Janina Brooke Murphy, found last March in Burlington, a homicide, citing a blunt force injury to the head; Connecticut State Police say the case is still under active investigation with no arrests. CT Economy: Connecticut’s unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in May, up from 4.9% in April, and remains above the national rate for the fifth straight month, according to the Department of Labor’s May report. Education & Equity: A new report says CT schools are among the most segregated in the U.S., adding pressure on districts and policymakers as they tackle disparities. Local Culture: Mystic Museum of Art is previewing a major summer exhibition, “Luxe, CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways,” tracing Connecticut’s textile and fashion legacy from historic velvet to today’s designers. Sports: Tiger Woods made his first public appearance since his DUI arrest, speaking at a PGA Tour press conference in Connecticut.

WNBA Milestone: Connecticut Sun center Brittney Griner broke the WNBA all-time career blocks record with her 878th block in a 92-63 win over the Chicago Sky at Mohegan Sun Arena. Local Politics: Ruth Fortune qualified for the Democratic primary ballot in Connecticut’s 1st District via petition, setting up a four-way primary challenge to longtime Rep. John B. Larson. Public Safety: Burlington authorities identified two of three people found dead in a foreclosed home after a new owner discovered skeletal remains; investigators said there’s no sign of foul play. Sports—Connecticut: The Sun’s record night came as the team snapped a long skid, while the Sky struggled offensively in the lopsided loss. Connecticut Business/Health: Hartford HealthCare expanded its partnership with K Health into virtual specialty care, starting with endocrinology. National/Global: A Philippines school shooting renewed calls for safer schools worldwide.

MSG Tragedy: Connecticut resident Paul Kueker, 51, died after falling from an upper level during a Goose concert at Madison Square Garden; police said no foul play is suspected, and the band later held a moment of silence and shared mental-health resources. Healthcare Expansion: Stamford Health unveiled a $275 million Bennett Medical Center campus redevelopment adding a new Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center, plus behavioral health and inpatient rehab capacity. Cannabis Oversight: State Rep. Juan Candelaria faced renewed scrutiny over ethics and disclosure tied to his cannabis job while voting on industry bills; he says his financial filings were properly reported. Tribal Cannabis Deal: Gov. Ned Lamont and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe announced Connecticut’s first tribal cannabis compact, setting terms for cooperation in the adult-use market. Public Safety: A head-on crash in New Hampshire’s Coos County killed a 25-year-old woman and injured five family members, including three children. Local Giving: CT Children’s Medical Center received a second $1 million donation from a foundation board member to support pediatric care and expansion plans. Business & Growth: Formula Drift confirmed a three-year Connecticut run at Stafford Motor Speedway.

Wrong-Way Crash: Connecticut man died after fleeing a Massachusetts traffic stop and crashing head-on in Millbury, police say, with traffic diverted while the scene cleared early Saturday. Homebuyer Horror in CT: A Burlington man who bought a foreclosed house “as is” at auction found three sets of skeletal remains inside, prompting state troopers and an ongoing medical examiner investigation. Public Health Warning: Calls to poison centers involving Benadryl’s diphenhydramine among teens have more than doubled this year, tied to a social media challenge; officials also cited recent Connecticut child deaths. Local Revitalization: A survey ranks Waterbury’s Bank Street as the top Connecticut downtown corridor residents most want revived, with New Britain and Torrington next. Sports—CT Connections: Rory McIlroy skipped next week’s Travelers Championship outside Hartford after a rough U.S. Open; and Connecticut fans are celebrating Cape Verde’s World Cup run after a draw against Uruguay, with supporters gathering in Bridgeport. Traffic Safety: Lyme approved bringing in Connecticut State Police for targeted speed enforcement, with plans to post advance alerts.

Connecticut Quantum Push: Connecticut is moving to kickstart a quantum computing sector with a $121 million regional effort aimed at building expertise and spurring new economic growth. Higher Ed Trust: AAC&U unveiled a “Trust Agenda” urging colleges to rebuild public confidence through community engagement, less red tape, and a sharper focus on student success. CT Transportation Debate: A new proposal from Easton developer Stephen Shapiro to build a Bridgeport-to-Long Island bridge-and-tunnel is drawing skepticism from experts and state transit officials, who say it hasn’t been properly vetted. Public Safety in the Region: A 51-year-old man died after falling at Madison Square Garden during a Goose concert; separately, New Canaan lifeguards helped rescue a driver who crashed a car into a pool. Local Crime Shock: State police are investigating after skeletal remains of three people were found in a Burlington, Conn., home bought at foreclosure. Retail Labor Tension: Apple is permanently closing three stores, including Apple Trumbull in Connecticut, amid union backlash. Sports & Culture: Goose’s Connecticut roots are in the spotlight again after the MSG tragedy, while Taylor Swift wedding rumors in nearby Rhode Island continue to swirl despite being unconfirmed.