Current News

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today celebrated the advancement of the Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions (CLEAR) Path Act, bipartisan legislation introduced alongside Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), which would mitigate foreign influence on U.S. policymaking by prohibiting former Senate-confirmed government employees from lobbying on behalf of countries of concern. The bill advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support.

Vermont State Police Through continued investigation, the Vermont State Police identified two suspects in the Dec. 3, 2025, home-invasion armed robbery in Highgate. The suspects were identified as 41-year-old Eric Smith and his 31-year-old girlfriend, Sabrena Murray, both of Swanton. At about 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, Smith and Murray were located and arrested at a home in Swanton. VSP’s Tactical Services Unit, Bomb Squad, Crisis Negotiation Unit and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Programs took part in the arrest. Smith and Murray surrendered without incident and were jailed pending arraignment. Smith’s bail was set at $10,000 bail, and Murray’s was set at $2,500.

Vermont Business Magazine The adorable Southern bog lemming, delicate small whorled pogonia orchid, mysterious lake sturgeon and humble wood turtle may not seem to have much in common. But all four are classified as “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” (SGCN) in a newly drafted update to Vermont’s Wildlife Action Plan, which is now available for public comment. To qualify for special biodiversity conservation funding from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, every state is required to have a Wildlife Action Plan. The plans are written by each state’s fish and wildlife agency—in Vermont, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department—and revised every decade. Vermont is now in the final stages of updating its Wildlife Action Plan for the next 10 years, following an extensive review and drafting process in partnership with top wildlife experts from around the Northeast.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) released a new report Tuesday that outlines a clear path to reducing Vermont’s reliance on harmful pesticides, which will improve protections for public health, clean water, and wildlife. The report, A Roadmap for Reducing Pesticide Use in Vermont, finds that pesticide use remains widespread across the state, despite mounting evidence of serious risks to human health, pollinators, aquatic ecosystems, and drinking water. Monitoring data collected by state agencies show pesticide contamination in Vermont rivers and streams at levels that exceed federal regulatory benchmarks, yet current oversight and data collection remain limited.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) will present this year’s VCV Environmental Rising Star Awards to Representative Chloe Tomlinson (P/D-Winooski) and Representative Dara Torre (D-Moretown). The VCV Environmental Rising Star Award is presented bi-annually to newer legislators who have stepped up to be effective champions of VCV priority issues in their first or second legislative session, and who have a bright future of environmental leadership. Tomlinson was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 2024, representing Winooski, in the Chittenden-21 district. She is clerk of the House Committee on Transportation and on the leadership team for the Climate Solutions Caucus. During her first year in the Vermont House, Tomlinson sponsored H.426, known as the CURTS).

Vermont Business Magazine Dairy farmers, processors, and stakeholders are invited to the second Northeast Dairy Innovation Summit, to be held on March 10-11 in Albany, NY.  Hosted by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), the Summit offers workshops on Dairy Farm Innovation and Modernization, Processing Modernization and Expansion, Dairy Workforce Development and other topics.  This year’s theme of Dynamic Dairy: Opportunities at Every Scale will highlight a range of opportunities for dairy farms and processors of all sizes. From forage and robotics to sensory training and dairy marketing, we’ll dig into the systems and factors driving innovation and growth on the farm and in the processing plant.

Vermont Business Magazine Each year, the transition from classroom to career brings a familiar set of challenges for college students, including how to present themselves professionally, how to prepare for interviews, and how to navigate early career expectations. For hundreds of Norwich University students, those challenges are addressed through an initiative that combines community generosity with practical career preparation. Now in its third year, the Dressing for Success event, an initiative of Norwich University’s Women Kicking Glass committee, continues to provide students with donated business attire at no cost. The event is designed to help students prepare for internship and job interviews, professional networking opportunities, and other career-related social and professional settings.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s new deer hunting regulation effective this year includes 16 additional days of archery hunting opportunity to help manage deer in eight targeted areas. High deer numbers in these areas are damaging property and native vegetation.  Most are developed areas where deer cannot be effectively managed with firearms. Archery deer hunting in these expanded archery zones begins September 15, and only antlerless deer may be taken in these areas until the regular archery deer season begins on October 1. Like in the regular archery season, an archery license is required, and all archery season regulations apply.

Vermont Business Magazine With peace in her heart and her loved ones by her side, Stephanie Jill Mapes, age 65, peacefully put her angel wings on and sailed into her new life on January 6, 2026. She leaves her husband Scott Michael Mapes, son Scott Lennon Mapes and his fiancé Cosette Giroux, soon to be in-laws Jason and Siersha Giroux, Sister Diane Miller, her beloved guardian cat Skunk, Lennon's Godparents David and Diane Bahrenburg, many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends. While a student at University of Delaware, she was drawn to one class: Economics and The Law. This led her to Vermont Law School where she met Scott. Eventually, she became the first female president at Paul, Frank & Collins where she stayed for her entire 35-year career. 

Vermont Business Magazine The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Vermont, which represents more than 800 small businesses in the state, is urging lawmakers to reject a new mandate on the smallest businesses. The Vermont Treasurer is proposing to expand mandatory participation in Vermont Saves to businesses with fewer than five employees. Vermont has approximately 10,500 small businesses with 1-4 employee, per the U.S. Census Statistics of U.S. Businesses. They employ an average of 1.6 people per business. According to a Vermont Public report on the legislation that created Vermont Saves, participation was not intended to be mandatory for employers with fewer than five employees.

Vermont Business Magazine January is the National Safety Awareness Month and ski areas across Vermont are engaging skiers and riders with a variety of safety education events and activities. Ranging from safety-themed arts and crafts and morning coffee with ski-patrol to in-person presentations from Ski Vermont’s partner The Snow Angel Foundation, the focus is on reminding skiers and riders that safety is a collaborative effort. As community hubs, Vermont ski areas are focusing on safety through community involvement. Using the Triangle of Safety, Your Responsibility Code, and partnerships with organizations like the Snow Angel Foundation and High Fives Foundations, ski areas around the state are strengthening Vermont’s collaborative culture on the slopes. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) released the following statement of support after Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem:  “Kristi Noem has proven to be an unqualified leader in charge of what has become a rogue army of ICE agents. Americans have been stunned by the cruelty and callousness of agents under her leadership, and she has been unaccountable to members of Congress who have rightly demanded answers on behalf of our constituents. Over the past year, Secretary Noem has endangered our communities, disregarded due process, and undermined the legal immigration system. Now, with her botched handling of the Renee Nicole Good shooting investigation, she has further eroded public trust by lying to Americans and telling us that we can’t believe our own eyes."