VA Health Access: The Department of Veterans Affairs signed a lease for a new outpatient clinic in South Burlington, aiming to expand primary care plus mental health and specialty services for about 56,326 Burlington-area veterans, with first services targeted for spring 2029. Community Mental Health Expansion: Vermont Care Partners says four more agencies have been certified as Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Centers (CCBHCs)—bringing Vermont’s total to six and boosting coordinated, close-to-home services. AI in Care Delivery: Assort Health named a new Chief Medical Officer, Sunny Eappen, to help health systems use AI agents to reduce admin bottlenecks and better deploy clinical capacity. Food Safety Alert: USDA issued a public health alert for certain meat and poultry products containing FDA-regulated jalapeños that may be contaminated with Salmonella, including items sold in Vermont. Rabies Watch: Vermont and federal partners are ramping up wildlife rabies vaccination along the northern border after rising cases, with vaccine baits dropped near the outbreak area. Local Care Support: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region launched an online auction tied to its Golf Day fundraiser to support home health and hospice services for thousands in Bennington, Franklin, and Rutland counties. Diabetes Fundraiser: SLAM T1D’s 15th annual Summer Classic in Essex is raising money for type 1 diabetes programs across Vermont and beyond. Hemp Policy Uncertainty: A new federal hemp definition is worrying Vermont’s hemp industry, with regulators warning some product models could be affected. Public Health Research: UVM-linked reporting highlights a cyclosporiasis outbreak that may be influencing local lettuce buying, as cases are tied to travel. Veteran Suicide Awareness: A Vermont native is part of a 22-mile walk in Missouri raising awareness and funding for mental health support for veterans and first responders.