Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Regular weekly unemployment claims continue to grow to their highest levels this year and remain at a very high level, as claimants were required to refile based on their annual eligibility. However, initial claims are more than 7,000 fewer than the same time last year. On April 10, 2020, the Labor Department reported 2,252 new weekly filings, an increase of 491. This week's filings, which are a recent high, are still 7,410 fewer than the same time last year. Nationally, claims unexpectedly fell below 600,000 to their lowest pandemic level. However, these remain historically high numbers.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell again and at 2.9 percent in March is back under 3 percent for the first time since just before the pandemic hit in early 2020. The Vermont Department of Labor released the report Friday morning. The rate reflects a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate of 3.0 percent. It was revised down from 3.1 percent. Vermont now is tied for the lowest rate in the nation with three Western states.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Democratic Party announced today that Maine-native Claire Cummings has been hired as the Party’s next Executive Director. In this role, Cummings will oversee the Party’s effort to fundraise, recruit and support Democratic candidates, and build a year-round grassroots organizing operation that keeps Vermont blue in 2022 and beyond.

Vermont Business Magazine Starting in October, callers in Vermont, and most other states, must use the area code in making any call. This will mean in Vermont that you will need to dial 802 even for local calls. This is part of an upgrade to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Vermont Business Magazine State officials announced Thursday that Vermont will follow the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and extend the pause on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for an additional week. The federal pause is in place to allow the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices the time it needs to gather more data about reported side effects. The committee will meet again next week. Approximately 5,800 Vermont appointments were impacted by the newly extended pause (April 13 through April 23).

Vermont Business Magazine The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter and University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, joined by the Vermont Medical Society, Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, Vermont Psychiatric Association, Vermont American Academy of Emergency Physicians and the Physician Assistant Academy of Vermont denounce the large number of legislative proposals throughout the nation that will harm transgender and gender diverse youth. Every individual is entitled to high quality evidence-based medical care regardless of gender or sexual orientation. These proposals drive discrimination, reinforce stigma and create barriers to care.

Vermont Business Magazine Top 25 bearded Vermonters to vie for Best Beard title this Saturday, April 17Saturday, April 17, from 7-8:30 pm, Make-A-Wish Vermont is hosting the final, in-person, culmination of their contest and fundraiser to find the Best Beard in Vermont. This outdoor, drive-in/tailgate style event will feature some of the best beards from across the state, along with Wish Kids, prizes, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine With summer on the horizon, Prohibition Pig Restaurant and Brewery is excited to debut its latest brewing masterpiece, Swine Cooler, a cool, vibrantly spirited hard seltzer that is destined to be consumed on boats, beaches and rivers across Vermont. Swine Cooler was first made available on tap at the Pro Pig Restaurant and Brewery, and due to its popularity, the 5% ABV hard seltzer is now available in three refreshing flavors statewide in 4-pack 16oz cans for $10.99 suggested retail.

Vermont Business Magazine A new pillow company is prioritizing consumers’ sleep unlike ever before, retailing what they claim to be “the best thing you could ever take to bed with you.” After launching officially on March 19, Vermont Pillow Company sells pillows that don’t bunch, clump or prick, made from a top-quality luxury down alternative that honors the fresh air of the Green Mountain State.

Vermont Business Magazine The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation mission revolves around the belief that self-identity driven by internally composed core values answers the question “Who am I?” and stimulates a sense of ownership and responsibility for subsequent behavior. Core Values Matter. This is the central focus of the Decisions Program; EXPOSING people to Ryan’s core principles, INSPIRING them to explore and compose their own set of core values, and ACTING on the core principles they have composed. We have developed programs that explore and promote these principles in two targeted sectors, education and athletics, with workshops typically taught in-person.

Vermont Business Magazine Four New England facilities have reported publicly on their use of certain chemicals, creating a safer environment for the public, as a result of investigations and enforcement actions taken by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All four facilities quickly corrected their non-reporting when notified of their oversight. The St Albans Creamery was among them.