Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health has reported have COVID-19 hospitalizations remain at a negligible level. They are at a similar level to the levels seen last summer. There were no measles cases after one reported in Vermont in February in Washington County and the national outbreak is over. Meanwhile, RSV, Flu A and Flu B have mostly disappeared. There is still some Norovirus and Rotavirus showing up in samples. There were no outbreaks.

Vermont Business Magazine After thoughtful and analytical deliberations, The Salvation Army Northern New England Division announced today that its thrift stores located at 250 Railroad Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, and 7 Martin Drive, West Lebanon, NH 03784, will close permanently on June 16, 2026. For many years, these stores have been a staple in their communities, providing hundreds of thousands of items of clothing, home goods, furniture, and essential household necessities to residents at low cost to help those who needed it most. Their longstanding presence reflects the deep connection The Salvation Army has shared with both communities for generations.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement agreement with the South, Burlington, Vermont-based construction company ReArch Company Inc, resolving alleged violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule at a job site in New Hampshire. These laws and regulations were designed to protect the public and children from exposure to lead paint and lead dust hazards during renovations of pre-1978 housing. Under the settlement agreement, ReArch has paid a penalty of $18,715. The settlement also certifies that the company is currently and will continue to operate in compliance with the RRP Rule.

Vermont Business Magazine Peter Hyson, M.D., Green and Gold Early Career Professor in the department of Medicine at the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and infectious disease specialist at the UVM Medical Center received a $150,000 Emerging Leader Award from Bay Area Lyme Foundation. The foundation gives this award to accelerate innovative approaches and generate insights that can improve patient care. With approximately 60% of blacklegged ticks in Vermont testing positive for a tickborne disease, Vermonters are at high risk for infection. Dr. Hyson will use the funding to advance research into babesiosis, a tick-borne blood infection caused by microscopic parasites called Babesia that attack and destroy red blood cells.

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center will host “Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories,” a new exhibition of original graphite portraits and narratives that puts human faces and voices at the center of Vermont’s ongoing struggle with substance use disorder. The free, public exhibition opens July 11 and runs through November 1, 2026. An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, 10 Vernon Street, Brattleboro, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Treasurer Pieciak’s pharmacy discount card proposal (H.577) has been signed into law by Governor Scott. Under H.577, Vermont will join ArrayRx—a growing coalition of states pooling their purchasing power to unlock major discounts on prescription drugs. Vermonters, regardless of income or insurance status, will be able to sign up for a free ArrayRx pharmacy discount card offering up to 80% off generic drugs and up to 20% off name-brand medications.  The program requires no additional taxes or fees.

Vermont Business Magazine For millions of Americans, pollen season is no longer just a short spring inconvenience. Tree pollen often starts the cycle in late winter or early spring, grass pollen can follow through spring and summer, and ragweed can carry symptoms into the fall, meaning many residents spend months dealing with sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion and fatigue. The northern New England state of Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire had the least pollen impact. Southwest states were the worst.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont has been named Cell Captive Domicile of the Year and Captive Domicile of the Year at the 2026 U.S. Captive Review Awards in Chicago, Illinois. This is Vermont's first Cell Captive Domicile of the Year Award, while the Captive Domicile of the Year Award marks the state’s third consecutive year receiving the honor, and the twelfth time overall, within the category of domiciles that wrote more than $5 billion in gross premiums. In selecting Vermont, judges praised the state's sustained growth, regulatory leadership, and world-class reputation as a captive insurance domicile.

Vermont Business Magazine In May, Rutland Regional Medical Center celebrated and honored six extraordinary nurses with the DAISY Award during Nurses Week. The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was started in Glen Allen, California by family members of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. As a way of thanking the nurses who cared for Barnes, his family established the DAISY award program to recognize nurses who demonstrate exceptional care and support.

Vermont Business Magazine The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in White River Junction, a 5-star rated health care system, on June 27 is hosting an event for Veterans, their families, and the community. Opportunity to meet with various VA departments to learn about available services and speak with Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to discuss claims and assist in filing.

Vermont State Police Beginning in February 2026, Vermont State Police at the Rutland barracks received a report of $1,000 taken without authorization from Victim #1's Cash App account, by use of Victim #1’s iPhone, and transferred to another account.  After an investigation that included interviews, reviewing bank records and other digital media, it was determined that Adalberto Blake obtained the personal identifying information of Victim #2 (without her knowledge or consent).  With this information, a fictitious Cash App account was created in Victim #2's name.  The transfer was initiated and completed with the unauthorized use of Victim #1’s iPhone. The money was transferred to an account held solely by Adalberto Blake, and numerous purchases were made shortly after receipt of the stolen money. 

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.