Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for August was 2.2 percent. This reflects an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. There were only marginal changes in the major metrics. However, the increase in the number of unemployed outpaced both employment and the labor force. Vermont still has the second lowest jobless rate in the nation, behind South Dakota (2.0%). Nevada is highest at 5.5%. The United States rate in August was 4.2 percent, a decrease of one-tenth.

VermontBiz is proud to announce the winners of its Rising Stars recognition award. The list is comprised of 40 winners under the age of 40. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and involvement in their communities. “We are thrilled by the response to this initiative to recognize these up-and-coming leaders nominated by the Vermont business community. This is our 15th year,” said VermontBiz Publisher. “We received over 180 outstanding nominations this year. The total number of honorees over the past 14 years now totals 681."

The Vermont State Police on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect in the killings of three people last weekend in Pawlet. Brian Crossman Jr., 23, of Granville, New York, faces three counts of aggravated murder arising from the fatal shootings of his father, 46-year-old Brian Crossman Sr.; his stepmother, 41-year-old Erica (Pawlusiak) Crossman; and his 13-year-old stepbrother, Colin Taft. Evidence shows the killings occurred early Sunday morning, Sept. 15, inside the family home on Vermont Route 133 that Crossman Sr. shared with his wife and stepson. After the issuance of the Vermont arrest warrant, the New York State Police located Crossman Jr. and took him into custody. He is being detained without bail pending an appearance before a New York judge and the initiation of proceedings for his extradition to Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Dental Society (VSDS), University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Peter Welch are partnering to bring an innovative Dental Oral Health Education Center to Vermont in 2027. This new dental clinic and education program would bring UDM students to Vermont to complete their final years of training – strengthening the dental care provider pipeline and expanding access to much-needed care across the state. The first class of students will arrive in May 2027 and there eventually be 64 students in the program in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Yesterday at Noah Kahan’s Benefit Concert in Essex, Ben & Jerry’s scooped a very limited-edition flavor: Northern Latte-tude. And today only, the limited-edition flavor will be scooped in Burlington and Waterbury Scoop Shops. Created in partnership between Kahan and Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Gurus, the flavor is a maple latte ice cream with graham cracker cookie dough & graham cracker pieces. Northern Latte-tude is inspired by Kahan, his Vermont roots and popular song, Northern Attitude. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested information from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the international deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in conflict settings, such as Gaza. The Senators urged the Department to proactively and publicly engage in setting international norms about the ethical deployment of AI technology. The Senators also commended the Department’s support of initiatives that address the use of AI in international conflicts, including the United States International Cyberspace & Digital Policy Strategy, the U.S.-led Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy, and the recently released Risk Management Profile for Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters affected by severe storm, flooding, landslides and mudslides from July 9-11, 2024, have until October 21, 2024, to apply for FEMA assistance. This October 21, 2024, deadline is for residents of Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans, and Washington counties. If you were affected by the severe weather, you should apply as soon as possible. FEMA may be able to help with temporary housing, home repairs, privately-owned roads and bridges, and other disaster-related needs – and the faster you apply, the sooner you can get aid.

by Vermont Auditor of Accounts Doug Hoffer This summer’s extreme weather and flooding events have been unfortunate harbingers of the “new normal” of climate change. Thank you to all the first responders and community members who helped keep people safe and have since pitched in with the clean-up process. And to all those directly impacted by the floods: I have been keeping you in my thoughts and wish you the speediest recovery. The growing frequency and power of extreme weather events makes it clear – Vermont needs to do more to proactively ready our communities to reduce the danger to Vermonters’ lives and property.

Vermont Business Magazine It’s that time of year again. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets invites you to Vermont Day at the Big E, this coming Saturday, September 21st. This exciting event takes place annually at the Vermont Building on the Avenue of States at the Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts. During Vermont Day, you’ll find 27 Vermont vendors set up to serve you inside and outside of the historic Vermont Building. 

Vermont State Police The Vermont State Police and the Morristown Police Department have arrested a suspect on a murder charge arising from the September 1993 killing of 42-year-old Cheryl Peters. A Vermont grand jury convened in Lamoille County and returned an indictment for first-degree murder against Peters’ estranged husband, Carroll Peters, 70, of Morrisville. According to the findings of VSP’s 31-year investigation, Carroll Peters fatally shot Cheryl Peters in the head at her Morrisville home. Her body was discovered in the house on Sept. 2, 1993. 

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today applauded the Biden-Harris Administration’s investment of over $228 million to build out high-speed affordable internet in Vermont. This funding is allocated through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. It has been officially obligated to Vermont following the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) approval of Vermont’s Internet for All plan to deliver broadband to underserved communities. The BEAD program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senator Welch helped pass as a member of the House of Representatives. The State of Vermont will be selecting the recipients of grant funds through a competitive process over the next year, with funds expected to flow by late 2025. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Public Service Department (PSD) announces the 2024 Mobile Wireless Drive Test: Public Input Survey. This survey allows Vermonters to highlight areas they know where Mobile Wireless Coverage is limited or unavailable, as they are the people who live, work, and drive in these areas every day! The survey includes the ability to enter a specific address or highlight a roadway with limited or unavailable service. The data collected from this survey will assist the Department in mapping the route for the upcoming 2024 Mobile Wireless Drive Test.