Current News

Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding the US Department of Justice’s request for a stay in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, Attorney General Charity Clark issued the following statement Friday evening: “This afternoon, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that access to mifepristone remain status quo nationwide until Wednesday, April 19. This means that, until the Court provides more clarity by then, Vermonters’ access to mifepristone remains unchanged and health care providers may continue treating their patients with mifepristone."

Vermont Business Magazine The Local, a wine and beer shop located in Middlesex, will host Master Sommelier David Keck of Cambridge, VT based Stella14 Wines on Monday, May 1 at 5:30pm. At this ticket-only tasting event, Keck will guide attendees through the story of the wines that inspired the creation of Stella14’s Birches, a dry sparkling red wine. Keck is one of only 273 Master Sommeliers in the world.

Vermont Business Magazine “Brewing up adventure” isn’t just a motto for Whetstone Beer Co, it’s a way of life. Partners David Hiler, and Tim and Amy Brady were brought together by not just a love of beer, but also a love of adventure. Their years of exploring the beauty of Vermont State Parks has led them to launch the Pints for Parks project, a partnership benefitting Vermont State Parks through Vermont Parks Forever. Pints for Parks kicks off on May 6, at Jamaica State Park. Pints for Parks is a collaboration between Whetstone Beer Co. and Vermont State Parks, where twice per year Whetstone will focus on a different State Park to create a unique, limited-edition beer celebrating that specific park. In addition, Whetstone will donate proceeds from all Pints for Parks beer to VT State Parks’ partner charity, Vermont Parks Forever.

Vermont Business Magazine The Champlain Valley Fair has announced NorthCountry Federal Credit Union will be the presenting sponsor of “The Ten Best Days of Summer” beginning this year. With NorthCountry Federal Credit Union becoming the presenting sponsor of the Champlain Valley Fair, they took the opportunity to rework our logo to better intertwine our two brands while also giving tribute to our deep agricultural roots in the community.

Vermont Business Magazine The front side of the Okemo Valley Regional Visitor Center Information Kiosk in Ludlow was recently unveiled with a ribbon cutting ceremony with some of the sponsors. It features a map of Okemo Valley within the state of Vermont, Okemo Valley Magazine, and the new Okemo Valley app. The updated back of the Okemo Valley Regional Visitor Center Kiosk includes regional events, the Vermont Scenic Route 100 Byway, and the Discovery Map for the region.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported April 12, 2023, that COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations decreased significantly from the previous week. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Hospitalizations fell by 6 to 17 last week (the lowest since last fall was 22 at the end of March). Total cases fell to 139 (from 265). There were 5 COVID-related deaths in the last week for a pandemic total of 948 as of April 8 (this is the most recent update). VDH reported 15 COVID-related deaths in March, the fewest since the summer of 2021. Of the total deaths to date, 753 have been of Vermonters 70 or older. There have been 3 deaths of Vermonters under 30 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of two Vermont Superior Court Judges: Robert Katims of Hinesburg and H. Dickson Corbett of East Thetford.

“As I have often said, appointed judges is one of the most important responsibilities for any governor, and it’s critical to identify individuals who are fair, impartial, experienced and committed to the important role they play in our system,” said Governor Scott. “I’m confident Bob and Dickson possess these qualities and more and will serve Vermonters well on the Superior Court bench.”

About Robert Katims

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) today announced that Vermont State University (VTSU) President Parwinder Grewal has tendered his resignation and is stepping down effective immediately for personal reasons. Former Vermont Agency of Human Services Secretary Michael (Mike) Smith will assume the role of interim president beginning next week. The announcement comes after much consideration about how best to lead the upcoming launch of Vermont State University set for July 1. Grewal had faced significant pushback for his proposals to go to essentially a digital-only library system, which would have eliminated nearly all the books and several staff, and reduce some of the athletic programs, as the state college system attempts to overcome financial deficits.

Vermont Business Magazine KORE Power, Inc will supply American-built battery energy storage systems to Cordelio Power (Toronto) for the repowering of Cordelio’s 20 MW/44 MWh McHenry (Illinois) standalone storage facility in the PJM Interconnection. Repowering with KORE’s deep-rack battery systems will increase the power, safety and flexibility of the facility. KORE Power, a leading manufacturer of lithium-ion cells and energy storage solutions, will build the NMC deep-rack solutions for Cordelio at its facility in Waterbury. This is the latest in a number of recent agreements which will deploy KORE Power products in energy storage applications across the globe.

Vermont Business Magazine Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB), the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, has announced that the bank has been recognized by Forbes as one of the “World’s Best Banks” based largely on service and trust metrics. Of the 75 US based banks to make the list, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is one of only three banks headquartered in Northern New England.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, today announced that the committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, April 20 at 10 a.m. ET to consider the nomination of Julie Su to serve as Secretary for the US Department of Labor. “I am confident Julie Su will be an excellent Secretary of Labor,” said Chairman Sanders. “I look forward to working with her to protect workers’ rights and build the trade union movement in this country.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) today announced the initiation of an investigation into an allegation of misconduct at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield. Per standard DOC practice, SSCF Superintendent Mike Lyon was placed on paid administrative leave while the Vermont Department of Human Resources conducts an independent investigation. SSCF Living Unit Supervisor Monique Sullivan will serve as Acting Superintendent until further notice. These actions resulted after a specific allegation of misconduct was submitted to DOC leadership. The alleged misconduct is not related to any deaths of incarcerated individuals at the facility.