Current News

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today released the following statement in observance of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. "In the absence of action by this administration, Congress must punish Russia for its crimes and impose consequences for any country that supports or enables Putin’s invasion. I urge quick action on bipartisan legislation to further sanction Russia."

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today released the following statement following the announcement of a data center moratorium in Denver, Colorado. A few months ago, when I proposed a moratorium on AI data centers, it was perceived as a radical, fringe and Luddite idea. Well, not anymore. Today, the mayor of Denver, Colorado, following the lead of city councils and state officials across the country, announced a data center moratorium for his city. The local officials who are supporting a moratorium are right: data centers will have a profound impact on land and water use, and will drive up electricity costs. Concerns about the very real environmental impact of data centers, however, are not the only reasons to support a moratorium.

Vermont Business Magazine Equity Services, Inc, an independent broker-dealer and registered investment adviser, has announced the successful launch of Fidelity Managed Account Exchange as the new technology foundation for its proprietary advisory platform, ESI Illuminations. Completed in collaboration with Fidelity, the conversion of the advisory platform represents one of the most significant platform transformations in ESI’s history and underscores the firm’s continued investment in technology, advisory capabilities, advisor support and enhanced client value. Founded in 1968, Equity Services, Inc. (ESI) is a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser committed to advisor growth, client confidence, and lasting partnership. Backed by the strength of 175+ year-old mutual company National Life Insurance Company, ESI offers a flexible affiliation model, access to industry-leading solutions, and a strong, independent platform for financial professionals nationwide.

by Mona Abou, Community News Service When genetic testing company 23andMe was hacked in Oct. 2023, roughly 6.9 million users had ancestry-related data breached. The company filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 and recently settled a $30 million class-action lawsuit. In response, Vermont lawmakers are considering a consumer protection bill that would regulate how genetic testing companies collect, use and share Vermonters’ data. An amended version of the bill was voted out of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on Feb. 19.

by Devon Green, VAHHS Last week, the breakneck pace of the session picked up even more speed with the realization that Town Meeting and Crossover are on the horizon. Check out all that went on with hospitals, below: Green Mountain Care Board Bill: The Green Mountain Care Board presented the Senate Health and Welfare Committee with new options for reference-based pricing in S.190. Although VAHHS could not comment on the newly released proposals, VAHHS testified that outsourcing of services should be studied before it is regulated to maintain access to care and that the Green Mountain Care Board should not have audit authority in addition to observer authority because it was duplicative and administratively costly.

Vermont Business Magazine Are you a student in Grades 10-12, and curious about the healthcare field? Do you have a desire to work at improving the lives of others? Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is once again launching their signature summer day program, MedQuest, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT and Mt. Ascutney Hospital & Health Center in Windsor, VT. This unforgettable multi-day experience will give students the chance to explore, connect, and grow, in a real-world medical environment. Students will participate in job shadows with health professionals, team-based activities, hands-on clinical activities, and be mentored by students from the Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine Psychiatric Services at Rutland Regional Medical Center have begun to treat patients suffering from depression with a new medication-free process known as NeuroStar Advanced Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS provides new hope for individuals who have previously had to rely on antidepressants to deliver relief. TMS treatments go directly to the brain, at the source of depression. NeuroStar TMS is a noninvasive, outpatient treatment that revitalizes the dormant synapses in the brain that are underactive and affect mood. The treatment delivers magnetic impulses to this area triggering new synaptic connections and “waking up” the brain so that it functions the way it was meant to.

Vermont Business Magazine The Ronald McDonald House of Burlington has received support through the efforts of a Burlington resident and Vermont’s 2025 Mother of the Year, Kathleen Lynch. Lynch, who is a surgical RN at the University of Vermont Medical Center, selected the Ronald McDonald House as her charity of choice, securing a grant known as the “Golden Rule Grant” through her role as Vermont’s 2025 Mother of the Year. These funds will help the House to advance its mission of keeping families together during a child’s hospitalization. As a Surgical Registered Nurse, Lynch has witnessed firsthand the critical role a family’s presence plays in a child’s healing.

Vermont Business Magazine Lund has announced the return of our annual 'Lund by the Lake' fundraising celebration, set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Champlain at Hula in Burlington on May 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM. This year, we are thrilled to welcome back Evergreen Roofing as our presenting sponsor, a testament to our shared commitment to building a Vermont where every family has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we can continue to make a significant impact on the lives of Vermonters, fostering hope and creating opportunities for families in need. Last year's event was a resounding success, raising over $178,000, thanks to the generosity of over 250 attendees, including donors, staff, and client families.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Rielly Wright-Quesnel, 23, of Colchester, Vermont, was arraigned last week on two misdemeanor counts of voyeurism, one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material, and one felony count of promoting a recording of sexual conduct. The charges against Wright-Quesnel are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC). Wright-Quesnel pleaded not guilty at the arraignment held on February 17, 2026, in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is opening applications for the Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program (MHIR) on February 23 for manufactured home repairs in registered Vermont mobile home parks. Applications will also be opened for the infill of vacant lots in registered parks. Applications for foundation awards and emergency home repairs are already open and will likely remain open for the year. Since its launch in 2023, DHCD, in partnership with Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA) and Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO), has awarded $9.7M for 878 home repair, foundation, and infill projects in mobile home parks across the state.

by Maggie Lenz and Gwynn Zakov Each year during the legislative session, House policy committees have the opportunity to weigh in on the state budget through what's known as the "budget letter" process. Committees submit written recommendations to the House Committee on Appropriations, outlining their funding priorities for agencies, departments, programs, and organizations. It's a process that sounds straightforward on paper, but plays out with considerable variation, and considerable heartbreak, in practice. The process begins with guidance from the Appropriations Committee itself, and this year Chair Robin Scheu's memo to policy committees laid out clear expectations. She expected committees to come prepared, understand the problems before jumping to solutions, test assumptions, and focus testimony time on the information her committee actually needs to make decisions. The memo emphasized that resources are finite and tradeoffs matter, and it's a message that lands differently from committee to committee.