Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has released the Vermont Master Angler Program 2025 Report with 1,222 entries and 90 Master Angler Award recipients. Vermont’s wealth of waters and abundant fish populations provide many opportunities to experience outstanding fishing.  The Vermont Master Angler Program recognizes the achievements of anglers who catch trophy-sized fish from Vermont waters and celebrates the clean water and healthy habitats that allow these fish to survive and grow to exceptional sizes.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) today announced the death of Shawn Sears, a sentenced person incarcerated at Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility (TCCF) in Mississippi. Shawn Sears, 56, of Whiting, Vermont, began his current incarcerative sentence in 2019. Mr. Sears was residing at TCCF, a correctional facility operated by CoreCivic, prior to his death. There are 147 men in Vermont DOC custody held at TCCF. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the EPA announced $27,456,000 in funding to protect Vermont from exposure to lead in drinking water. This investment will go directly to states through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and is part of EPA’s commitment to Making America Healthy Again. This funding will go toward finding and replacing lead pipes (also known as lead service lines) that deliver water to homes. Communities can use these funds for identifying lead pipes, planning removal projects, and funding replacement of these lead service lines. Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that is especially harmful to children. 

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today announced the delivery of $260,000 in federal funding, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), to modernize and enhance the family travel experience at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV). This federal funding is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Senator Welch supported as a member of the House of Representatives. These two awards mark the first time Vermont has ever received funding through the bill’s Airport Terminal Program (ATP). 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Speaker Jill Krowinski and House Minority Leader, Representative Pattie McCoy, made the following joint statement on the rise of hateful, threatening rhetoric in Vermont politics: “Here in Vermont, we’re not insulated from the dramatic, toxic shift in political discourse happening across the country. The tone of debate and disagreement now often devolves into assuming the worst of the other person or party. All too often, we see this lead to demonizing comments, personal attacks, attempts to humiliate, the erosion of trust and the questioning of the other side's motives and moral character. This undermines debate and democracy in the State House and in our communities." 

Vermont Business Magazine United Way of Northwest Vermont is distributing $715,500 in 2026 to 28 local organizations. Funding will address community priorities including housing and food security, transportation, supporting families, mental health, substance misuse prevention and recovery, and financial security.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced $261,621 in grant funding to improve safety, access and transportation in three Vermont downtowns. DHCD made the investments through the Downtown Transportation Fund (DTF). Projects focus on pedestrian, bicycle, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access and safety improvements.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First A federal judge in Burlington has ruled federal prosecutors failed to prove a Windham County man, who cut down about 300 trees, did it in an area designated for protection as part of the Green Mountain National Forest. Raymond Otto Tarbell, 67, of Townshend went on criminal trial in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Kevin Doyle in Burlington a year ago after waiving his right to a jury trial. After the three-day trial and much subsequent legal sparring and document filing by lawyers, Doyle issued a 24-page ruling this month indicating the government failed to show the trees were within the boundaries of government land in Stratton.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) recognizes National Foster Care Month by honoring foster and kinship families across the state. These families open their homes and hearts to children during difficult times, helping them feel safe, supported, and cared for.  About 700 children and youth are in DCF custody. They are supported by foster and kinship families in communities across Vermont. These caregivers care for children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. Many continue to offer guidance after youth turn 18.

Vermont Business Magazine Cigna Healthcare has selected NBT Bank, with branches in northwestern Vermont, as a recipient of its 2025 gold level Healthy Workforce Designation for demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the health and vitality of its employees through a workplace well-being program. NBT is committed to supporting employees’ overall health and well-being by providing tools and resources that educate, engage and empower them, including an employee assistance program and financial wellness support. The company also fosters connection and inclusion through initiatives like Wellness Champions, NBT Communities and the Inclusion Roundtable, helping create a more engaged and supportive workplace.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Robert Charbonneau, 52, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of attempted luring of a child. Mr. Charbonneau’s conviction is the result of an investigation conducted by the Hartford Police Department in cooperation with the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC). The Court, Judge Robert W. Katims presiding, sentenced the defendant to zero to five years to serve, all suspended, with 12 years of probation.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $9.5 million in new Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant funding to address PFAS and emerging contaminants in Vermont communities that need it most. This new funding is part of a comprehensive, lifecycle-based strategy to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that underscores EPA’s commitment to Making America Healthy Again by ensuring clean water for all. In Vermont, $9,457,000 is available for communities, drinking water systems, and private well owners to help with testing, planning, and infrastructure projects addressing PFAS and other emerging contaminants included on EPA’s Contaminant Candidate Lists.