Current News

VermontBiz It is with great excitement that VermontBiz celebrates the remarkable achievements of all the individuals chosen as the second year of 91 Influencers here in Vermont. This prestigious honor highlights their unwavering dedication, innovation, and impact in their field and within the community, as they also inspire and lead those around them.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 26 states to stop the Trump Administration’s continued efforts to use federal funds—specifically, billions of dollars in federal counterterrorism and other funds—to coerce states into complying with the Administration’s political and policy priorities. The coalition’s lawsuit filed today challenges decisions by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to impose unlawful conditions on billions of dollars in federal funds that Congress appropriated for states to use in preparing for and responding to natural disasters and emergencies, including acts of terrorism. The conditions challenged in the lawsuit would require the states to change the way they conduct elections, including by transmitting lists of all registered voters to DHS, and to assist DHS in enforcing federal immigration law.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bancorp, the parent company of Community National Bank in Derby, reported consolidated earnings for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, of $4.7 million or $0.84 per share, an increase of $628,008 or 15.47% compared to $4.1 million or $0.72 per share reported for the second quarter of 2025. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2026, were $9.1 million, or $1.62 per share, also a significant increase of $1.5 million or 19.40% compared to $7.6 million or $1.34 per share in the same period in 2025.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today signed Executive Order 06-26, “Local Media Considerations in State Marketing and Advertising Purchasing,” which was developed in partnership with the Vermont Journalism Coalition and the Vermont Association of Broadcasters.  The State of Vermont invests in advertising and paid media campaigns to make sure Vermonters are aware of programs and services, deliver messages about health and safety, promote use of state assets like State Parks, generate revenue through lottery and liquor proceeds, and more. Under Executive Order 06-26, the governor has directed state entities to ensure these paid media purchases include local media and broadcast outlets whenever feasible and in the best interest of the state. 

Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department The 86-year-old male is identified as George L. Mitchell of Montreal, PQ. Preliminary findings by the Office of The Chief Medical Examiner have determined the manner of Mr. Mitchell’s death to be accident, with drowning to be the immediate cause of death. At approximately 1504hrs on 7/14/2026, the Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Office responded to the western shore of North Hero for a report of an 86-year-old male overdue swimmer. Grand Isle County Mutual Aid marine assets were dispatched to assist as well as emergency medical services. The first deputy to arrive on scene was able to locate the male in the water, swam out to him, and brought him ashore. The male was unresponsive and resuscitative efforts were made.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $4.19 per gallon, up 15 cents per gallon from last week's $3.97/g, up 5 cents/g from last month and up $1.10/g from this time last year. The lowest price in the state this week was $3.90/g. The conflict in Iran caused oil prices to reach $100 a barrel today as the US and Iran renewed strikes. The lowest price gas in Vermont has shifted back to the southern counties as prices have risen. Prices are lowest in Bennington ($4.08/g) and Windham ($4.12/g) counties and highest in Lamoille ($4.27/g), Essex ($4.26/g) and Franklin ($4.25/g), according to AAA. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped 15 cents from last week to $4.09

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, July 22, union and community members attend a press conference demanding that Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHC) stop outsourcing union jobs to a private company, Medisund, based out of Florida that services Vermonters using call centers in India. Last Monday, management at Community Health Centers announced it would lay off two-thirds of the billing department at CHC, along with two HIM representatives. This comes after management signed a contract in June 2025 with Medusind - a contract that the union estimates is worth millions of dollars over the three year term.

Vermont Business Magazine As North America struggles with unprecedented wildfires amid scorching heat and high energy costs, nine citizen lobbyists from Vermont will be pressing Congress for passage of energy permitting reforms and a bill that will allow forest service employees to more effectively prevent costly, deadly wildfires. Among nearly 900 Citizens' Climate Lobby volunteers from all 50 states expected to attend next week's 16th annual CCL Summer Conference & Lobby Day in Washington, six Vermonters, two University of Vermont students, and one recent UVM graduate will join in urging senators and representatives to continue bipartisan efforts to pass laws that confront the impacts of climate extremes.

by Indi Rose, Community News Service When people think about land stewardship, they may imagine efforts to conserve vast swaths of Vermont’s wilderness. But herbalists at Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary in Orange argue that all land is sacred, including the weeds in your yard. For nearly 40 years, legendary herbalists have embodied that ethos as they protect 600 acres of land, and teach the next generation how to do the same.  “What I hope people take away,” said Emily Ruff, the sanctuary’s executive director, “is a knowing and understanding that they are part of nature. We are not separate from nature.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Vermont is thrilled to announce that four organizations have received funding for conservation projects through the Vermont Biodiversity Protection Fund (VBPF). In this third round of VBPF grants, TNC Vermont awarded $387,250, leveraging over $3 million in funding from other sources and protecting 2,163 acres in Athens, Marlboro, Fairfield, Fletcher, Bakersfield, and Thetford. These projects were chosen for their habitat connectivity, biodiversity value, freshwater benefits, and community importance. The grants build upon the first two rounds of VBPF, bringing the total awarded to nearly $1.4 million. All of the conserved land will be open to the public.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold two public hearings on proposed changes to Vermont’s bear hunting regulation. The changes proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Board would eliminate the consecutive "early" and "late" seasons to create one bear season extending from September 1 through the last day of the regulated deer seasons. The proposed rule would require the purchase of a bear tag to take a bear during the bear season.  The bear hounding season would extend from September 1 for Vermont residents and September 15 for nonresidents, through the second Sunday after the start of regular November deer season.  The proposed changes would allow a second bear tag in annually specified Wildlife Management Units and prohibit the intentional taking of a sow bear accompanied by a cub or cubs.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Public Safety and the State Police Advisory Commission today are releasing the latest semiannual detailed summary of internal investigations involving members of the Vermont State Police. The release of these synopses provides greater transparency, public awareness, and oversight to the activities of the Vermont State Police, while balancing requirements regarding internal investigations and the need to have internal investigations completed before public dissemination. A report attached to this statement contains synopses of the four investigations that came before SPAC from July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025. All the investigations arose as the result of a concern raised internally by members of the Vermont State Police.