Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of John Morley (R-Orleans) to fill the vacant Orleans District Senate seat. Morley replaces Sam Douglass, who resigned in October. Morley grew up in, and resides in, Orleans County with his wife, Jodi. He has worked for the Village of Orleans for 33 years, managing an electric department, street department, water and wastewater department, fire department, and library. Morley is an active member of the community, serving on many boards, in addition to having served in the Vermont House of Representatives for six years from 2004 until 2010.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as avian influenza, or H5N1 bird flu, in a backyard poultry flock in Orleans County this week.  Samples taken by VAAFM and USDA officials on Monday are being tested to confirm the presence of HPAI by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. The flock of about 300 birds suffered its first mortality Saturday, November 29th and then experienced ongoing losses. The owner contacted VAAFM to report the situation Saturday morning. The remaining flock was quarantined to prevent the spread of disease and was depopulated Wednesday by officials from VAAFM and USDA, with the agreement and understanding of the flock’s owners. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth gave the following opening remarks at the All Legislative Briefing on December 3rd: "Last year, we were facing multiple crises:  our hospitals and our health insurers were showing signs of strain, even in some cases, signs of potential collapse; our property taxes had spiked and then spiked again; we were still dealing with the long-term effects of catastrophic flooding. And all of those crises are still with us this year, in one form or another. But as we gather today, there is a larger emergency looming, a more all-encompassing crisis that we will all of us confront this time out. And as unbelievable as it might have sounded to us a dozen years ago, that crisis is being produced on a daily basis by our own federal government."

Vermont Business Magazine A long-blighted, fire-damaged property in Springfield has taken a dramatic turn toward renewal. On November 18, a brand-new zero-energy modular home was lowered by crane onto its foundation at 316 South Street, signaling a major investment in neighborhood revitalization and first-time homeownership. The project—led by Windham & Windsor Housing Trust—replaces a burned, vacant structure with a high-efficiency home, made permanently affordable through the organization’s Shared Equity program. Funding was provided by the Vermont Housing Conservation Board, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Champlain Housing Trust’s Manufactured Home Loan Program, and Efficiency Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) led eleven Democratic Senators in introducing a resolution condemning President Trump’s pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, the former two-term President of Honduras who was sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined $8 million for drug trafficking and weapons conspiracy charges. The Senators’ resolution emphasizes how President Trump’s pardon of Hernández’s vast crimes weakens the rule of law and severely harms the United States’ credibility in combating global drug trafficking.  

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today issued the following statement warning of the dangers of unchecked executive power and the catastrophic consequences of authoritarian rule: "Authoritarianism is not just the loss of democracy, freedom of expression or civil liberties. It can also mean horrific wars and massive loss of life. When we defend democracy, we are fighting not only for our personal freedoms but to prevent autocratic leaders from dragging us into bloody and unnecessary wars. Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine offers a painful example of what happens when leaders have unchecked power. In February 2022, the Russian dictator ordered an unprovoked attack on Ukraine. No public debate. No support from legitimately elected officials. No objective media reporting. Putin, based on his own whims, simply plunged his country into war. The Russians who dared protest were jailed, opposition media was silenced and an estimated 1 million people fled the country."

Vermont Ski Areas Association Bring Vermont winter home with our first official Ski Vermont poster since 2020. Illustrated by local artist Ellen Tierney, this après-ski scene captures a timeless mountain moment—snow falling, trails glowing, and friends gathered fireside after a day outside. Ski Vermont (Vermont Ski Areas Association) is a private not-for-profit trade association founded in 1969 to help create a legislative, economic and social environment in which the state's ski industry can grow and prosper, addressing issues including environmental integrity, economic and social contributions to the state's welfare, and competitive positioning of the state as a destination for winter tourism.

Vermont Business Magazine Mascoma Bank has announced that Ed Howe has been hired as Senior Vice President & Regional Commercial Banking Manager on its greater Burlington, Vermont team. Ed is primarily responsible for growing the Bank’s commercial and industrial (C&I) lending team and building a portfolio of commercial lending relationships. He has over 20 years of experience in C&I lending. He previously worked with M&T Bank after the institution merged with People’s United Bank and held roles with KeyBank and Chittenden Bank.

Vermont Business Magazine A treasured tradition for more than three decades, the 2025 Shires’ Holiday Inn Tours—coordinated by the Manchester Business Association and The Shires of Southwestern Vermont—returns on Saturday, December 6 and Saturday, December 13, inviting the public to explore some of Southern Vermont’s most charming and historic lodging properties. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday, 17 inns, B&Bs, lodges, and boutique hotels across the region will open their doors for self-guided tours, welcoming guests with festive décor, local treats, and classic holiday warmth. This year, the event carries added significance. Food insecurity in Vermont continues to rise post-COVID, and every ticket sold directly supports local hunger-relief organizations. 

Vermont Business Magazine The newly formed Vermont Journalism Coalition has elected a board of directors and is seeking an executive director. There are 31 member organizations, including VermontBiz.com and most news organizations in Vermont: print, broadcast and digital.

Vermont Business Magazine The Samara Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation is pleased to announce $108,000 in grants to 30 organizations across the state in 2025. These grants include funding for LGBTQ+ centered events, projects, and organizational operating support. The fund also provided 15 scholarships to graduating seniors from across the state totaling $23,250. Led by a group of queer and trans Vermonters, the fund supports transformational grants and scholarships for individuals and organizations working to advance the empowerment, health, and safety of LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive people across Vermont. These grants and scholarships are made possible by generous donors to the Samara Fund's annual campaign and annual distributions from the Samara Fund, the Douglas E. Howe and Frank E. Shivers Memorial Fund, and the Aretinolio Barbarossa Fund.

Vermont Business Magazine A group from Saint Michael’s College is calling on Vermont’s U.S. Senators to help “turn back time” on recent decisions by the federal government targeting funding for programs addressing global public health threats, including HIV/AIDS. On Friday, Dec. 5, the Student Global AIDS Campaign (SGAC) at Saint Michael’s College will rally and visit the offices of U.S. Sen. Peter Welch and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in Burlington. The annual rally’s theme this year is “Turn Back Time,” an homage to the Cher hit that also highlights a timely message related to the recent federal government actions. Students taking part in the rally plan to give each U.S. Senator a clock figurine to remind them of the “Turn Back Time” message. Demonstrators will also wear neon colors and play 80s music to match their slogan.