Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger announced that the City will offer free COVID-19 testing on Thursday and Friday at the Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center in the New North End. Wastewater monitoring in that part of the City has indicated that Covid-19 may be on the rise, and wastewater detection of the virus can occur as much as 3-7 days before increased prevalence becomes apparent through positive tests.

Vermont Business Magazine Shelburne Farms has announced the launch of a special fundraising challenge to strengthen the Farm’s resiliency for the future, including offsetting lost operating revenue due to COVID-19. If the nonprofit can raise $500,000 in new and increased gifts by December 31, 2020, the Robert W. Wilson Trust will contribute an additional $250,000.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Mayor Weinberger has called the first meeting of the Reparations Task Force, which will take place today, November 11, at 5 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine S&P Global Ratings has affirmed the State of Vermont’s AA+ general obligation and AA- moral obligation bond ratings. The affirmation includes a revised outlook from stable to negative. As noted by S&P, Vermont’s demographics and historic population trends have not been favorable. Additionally, the State’s retirement liabilities have grown, despite ongoing reforms and the General Assembly’s sustained efforts to meet or exceed actuarially determined contribution levels. While the rating has not changed, the negative outlook is an additional wake-up call that we need to address both our demographic changes and pension liabilities.

Vermont Business Magazine As the number of counties eligible for quarantine-free travel has dropped to only two, the cross-state travel map is being temporarily suspended effective immediately. A 14-day quarantine – or 7 days followed by a negative COVID-19 test – is now required following any non-essential out-of-state travel by Vermonters and for all travelers entering Vermont from another state. Also, the Vermont Department of Health reported Wednesday morning that the state has set a one day record with 72 new cases of COVID-19, with 11 in Chittenden and Rutland counties and 19 in Washington County.

Vermont Business Magazine While the world awaits a viable COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. is seeing a significant increase in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which climbed up 40 percent in October. To accelerate the search for COVID-19 solutions, the American Lung Association recently announced a $25 million-dollar COVID-19 Action Initiative. As part of this effort, 12 researchers, including University of Vermont (UVM) Professor of Medicine Daniel Weiss, MD, PhD, have been selected as recipients of the inaugural COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Research Award.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont PBS viewers can now enjoy a free, local livestream on the station’s website, PBS’ website, mobile apps, and streaming devices such as Roku and Apple TV. Viewers can watch Vermont PBS’s livestream if they are within the Vermont PBS broadcast area. Livestreaming is available via computer or devices that support web browsers Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Edge. The livestream is also available on the PBS Video Channel on Roku devices.

Governor Phil Scott It’s been 102 years since the Armistice of 1918 drew the first World War to an end. Each year since, we have used this day to honor our veterans, their families, and their incredible contributions to the American story.

Vermont Business Magazine The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (BME) degree program at the University of Vermont was recently granted ABET accreditation. ABET is the ISO 9001 certified organization that accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. UVM’s BME program is now one of a handful of accredited BME programs co-located on the same campus as a medical school. UVM’s program and the Larner College of Medicine (LCOM) are a quarter mile apart and some of the faculty in Biomedical Engineering have labs in LCOM. ABET recognized this valuable asset in its evaluation, in particular noting the unique opportunities that UVM students have had for coursework, design projects, internships, and research experiences in collaboration with the medical school faculty.

Vermont Business Magazine According to national financial adviser SmartAsset, Vermont ranks 18th among the best states for veterans. Vermont did well in access to health care and had a low poverty rate among veterans. However, housing costs, a common issue in Vermont, was relatively higher here than in most states. Veterans Day is November 11.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported today 46 new cases of COVID-19. Among several measures to combat the rising number of cases in Vermont and across the region and nation, the state will also increase outreach and education to assess and encourage compliance with the public health guidance. The Vermont State Police, Division of Fire Safety and Department of Liquor and Lottery will resume compliance assessments and educational efforts at lodging facilities, bars and restaurants. The Department of Public Safety will also distribute COVID-19 safety cards during traffic stops to help inform drivers of the travel policy and other safety protocols.

Vermont Business Magazine Following the certification of vote totals and winners for federal and statewide offices at today’s 2020 Vermont General Election Canvass, Secretary Condos has announced the official 2020 Vermont General Election results.

Federal and statewide vote totals and winners were certified as official by Secretary Condos, chairing the Statewide Canvassing Committee, alongside Chairs or their designees from Vermont’s three major parties (Democratic, Republican and Progressive).

“This election year was like no other we have ever experienced,” said Secretary Condos. “I want to thank Vermont voters for overwhelmingly embracing the safe, secure voting options available to them, and for demonstrating our Green Mountain resiliency by voting in record numbers safely during a pandemic.”