Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Chamber celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Champlain Class of 2026 on June 9, welcoming 30 emerging leaders into the program's growing alumni network at a ceremony held at Main Street Landing in Burlington. Now in its 38th year, Leadership Champlain is a cohort-based leadership development program that brings together professionals from across northwest Vermont for a rigorous ten-month journey focused on community engagement, systems thinking, and leadership development. Participants engage with dozens of regional leaders, explore Vermont's most pressing civic and economic challenges, and examine their own leadership values and strengths.

Vermont Business Magazine First recognized on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provides an opportunity for dialogue and action on the issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation – crimes that are often overlooked or unreported. In 2026, government agencies and business across the United States are using this day to raise awareness about imposter scams and providing information about how to recognize and avoid them. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund has surpassed its $1 million fundraising goal and announced its fifth and final round of grants. Launched in May 2025, the Fund raised $1 million in a year through generous contributions from thousands of Vermonters across all 14 counties. In addition, donations were received from 39 states, underscoring Vermont’s leadership in this work nationally. This milestone represents a grassroots effort reflecting Vermonters’ motivation to uphold the right to due process for all persons as it is enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution.

Vermont Business Magazine International students have long been a cornerstone of the U.S. higher education system, contributing not only tuition revenue but also research capacity, workforce development, and global academic exchange. For decades, the United States has ranked among the world’s leading destinations for students seeking degrees abroad, supported by a network of universities, research institutions, and vocational programs. To study in the United States, most foreign nationals must obtain a student visa—typically either an F visa for academic study or an M visa for vocational training. In March 2025, there were 1,568 international students in Vermont. By March 2026, that figure was down to 1,481 students.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $4.29/g, down 7.8 cents per gallon from last week's $4.36/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.70/g while the highest was $4.59/g, a difference of 89.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 9.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.99/g today. 

University of Vermont UVM is committed to working together with Vermont organizations to help our state prosper. How can we strengthen the long-term vitality of Vermont's rural communities? Can AI be a constructive part of Vermont’s future? The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships is excited to explore these questions and more tomorrow at the RISE Summit on June 16. Join us for exciting panel discussions, engaging breakout sessions, and your opportunity to network with forward-thinking minds in rural innovation.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets USDA has announced the enrollment period and payment rates for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program, which will deliver $1.625 billion to producers facing elevated input costs and market disruptions tied to unfair foreign trade practices. Payments will be issued as applications are approved, with tiered rates based on crop type: $650/acre (Tier 1), $225/acre (Tier 2), $65/acre (Tier 3), and $25/acre for beans and peas, with a $250,000 payment cap. Payment rates will be based on the 2025 crop year.

by Erika Tally, Community News Service On July 10, 2023, rivers across much of Vermont surged as days’ worth of heavy rainfall pounded the already saturated ground, and the state experienced its worst flooding event since 1927. Exactly a year later, the waters spilled over their banks again. ​Both events caused over $1 billion in damage, led to widespread evacuations and claimed four lives in total. ​As the effects of climate change continue to intensify summer weather in Vermont, climate experts are analyzing data patterns and prediction models to determine what events residents should be prepared for.

Vermont State Police On Sunday at approximately 10:31 am, Troopers from the St. Johnsbury and Derby Barracks received information regarding the whereabouts of Wesley Kidder (36) and Morgan Clark (28), both of whom had multiple active warrants issued by Caledonia and Orleans counties. At approximately 11:30 am, Troopers located and took both individuals into custody without incident. Kidder was transported to the Northeast Correctional Complex and lodged without bail. Clark was transported to the Northeast Correctional Complex and lodged for lack of $1,500 bail.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will affect traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of June 15, 2026. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.  

by Alison Despathy This past legislative session, Vermonters for a Clean Environment (VCE) participated in the development of a responsible data center bill, H.727. Despite these efforts, Governor Scott's veto of the bill was justified due to the Senate's massive fumble. Most are well aware that data centers are wreaking havoc throughout the country: guzzling power, contaminating water and land, destroying aquifers, causing droughts, increasing electric rates, disrupting neighbors and communities with infrasound and radiofrequency radiation pollution.

Kevin Chu, et al Not someday. Not in some distant future. Now. We are aging, shrinking, and pricing out our own children, workers, and entrepreneurs. Schools face consolidation, taxes are climbing, and employers struggle to fill jobs. We’re too dependent on federal funding to support spending. A severe housing shortage is driving up prices, slowing economic growth, and leaves young people feeling forced out. And still, we act as if staying the course is a viable option. It is not. It only gets worse from here if nothing changes.