Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Women-owned, American-made, and essential in supporting breastfeeding, Mamava, the lactation suite category creator, has announced that, with lactation pods recently placed in Montana and West Virginia, they will be available in all 50 states. This milestone marks a major achievement for Mamava, a company born to transform the culture of breastfeeding in the US by creating infrastructure that makes breastfeeding an authentic and easier choice.

by Mark Peluso, Chief Health Officer and College Physician, Middlebury College I am writing to inform you that early results from yesterday’s testing included two new positive cases of COVID-19 on our campus. These are the first positive results among students since arrival week testing in August. Of the 506 tests taken yesterday (Monday), two were positive, 495 were negative, and nine individuals will be retested due to insufficient samples. We will post the latest results on the COVID-19 Reporting Dashboard by noon each day that we receive results.

by Don Turner As I wrote before the election, this was a very unique cycle in Vermont. The implications were even more far-reaching than I could have predicted. Here are a few top takeaways for Vermont policymakers.

Vermont Business Magazine Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cause of cancer deaths, and it’s estimated that 570 Vermont residents will be diagnosed with this disease in 2020 alone. The 2020 “State of Lung Cancer” report examines the toll of lung cancer throughout the nation and outlines steps every state can take to better protect its residents from lung cancer. While the report found that more Americans are surviving the disease, it also found that in Vermont, an astounding 19.7% of lung cancer cases receive no treatment, and only 18.7% of cases receive surgery as a first course of treatment.

by Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos As Vermonters we should be proud. The November General Election saw Vermonters voting in record numbers, exercising our civic duty both safely and securely during circumstances that are anything but ordinary. Much of the conversation nationally is focused on the results of the election. I think it’s equally important to discuss the hard work done by local election officials administering our democratic process.

Vermont Business Magazine Commissioner of Finance & Management, Adam Greshin, has announced a public forum for comment on FY 2022 State budget development. Pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 306(d) the governor is required to enable public participation in the development of goals and in the general prioritization of spending and revenue initiatives.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Health's diabetes education program has been accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES), a professional organization whose vision is “to drive optimal outcomes through the integration of diabetes clinical management, education, prevention and support.” This recognition of Community Health’s quality diabetes education program coincides with American Diabetes Month, an annual spotlight on the risks faced by those with diabetes, and a time to learn about resources and education for paths to wellness and how to live with diabetes.

Vermont Business Magazine Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel has joined the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity to support people experiencing homelessness by donating 145 pairs of warm winter boots. When the pandemic began earlier this year, much of Chittenden County’s homeless population was moved from traditional homeless shelters, where social distancing is nearly impossible, to the Holiday Inn Emergency Shelter managed by CVOEO

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Elder Protection Initiative (EPI) and the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) announced the release of a help guide for older Vermonters experiencing abuse or exploitation. The guide, “Finding Help: Abuse, Exploitation and Neglect in Later Life,” explains the different kinds of elder abuse and exploitation that can occur. It also describes the different kinds of nonprofit programs and services available in Vermont to support older individuals experiencing abuse/exploitation. Lastly, it provides a how-to on reporting elder abuse/exploitation for government investigation and response.

Vermont Business Magazine The Born to Run Foundation made its 10th prosthesis donation, a running blade, to amputee David Hiler of Brattleboro, Vermont, at the outdoor waterfront Bier Garten at Whetstone Station Restaurant and Brewery in Brattleboro on Thursday, November 5. At the event, Hiler also announced the creation of a special-label craft brew, RUN, that will support the Foundation’s mission of providing specialized athletic prostheses to amputees to help them lead active lives.

by John McClaughry This turbulent election season is now over, at least for Vermont. It’s a good time to peruse a menu of election law reforms that the next legislature should seriously consider.

We should universally require that registering to vote be a solemn civic act. Every new voter should appear before a clerk or justice and take the Freeman’s Oath, promising to act as a citizen “to conduce to the best good of the [State of Vermont], as established by the Constitution, without fear or favor of any person.” Repeal the repugnant Motor Voter law, where a driver casually checks a box on a form to become a voter.

Only registered voters should be eligible to run for election to an office. No showboating 15 year olds, green card foreigners, or persons illegally in our country.

Vermont Business Magazine March of Dimes, the nation's leader in the fight for the health of all moms and babies, has issued its new 2020 Report Card amid the coronavirus pandemic and calls for racial justice, shining a spotlight on factors that contribute to maternal and infant health. The U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth and it's even more dire for women and babies of color. The Report Card shows that for the fifth year in a row, the U.S. preterm birth rate increased to 10.2% of births, earning the nation a "C-" grade compared to last year's "C" grade. Four states earned the highest grad, a "B+" (New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, Washington).