Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined 11 other attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for unlawfully conditioning hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding on states’ agreement to discriminate against transgender people. Under a new HHS policy, recipients of federal health, education, and research funding must certify compliance with a presidential executive order that seeks to deny the existence of transgender people and impose rigid, unscientific definitions of sex. Attorney General Clark and the coalition argue that HHS has no authority to impose these conditions and is illegally using federal funding to coerce states into discriminating against their residents, in violation of state laws protecting transgender people from discrimination. They are asking the court to step in and strike down the unlawful funding conditions. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) and Let’s Grow Kids Action Network (LGKAN) today released their joint child care policy priorities for 2026. The organizations say long-term public investment is driving progress and growth statewide, but that child care demand still exceeds availability, programs need more qualified educators, and costs remain too high for many families. As part of their 2026 Child Care Agenda, VTAEYC and LGKAN are asking state lawmakers to focus on four key areas: protecting the child care funding that is delivering results; strengthening the early childhood educator (ECE) workforce; fixing the state’s fingerprint and background check system delays that worsen staffing shortages at child care programs; and continuing to expand access and lower costs for families. 

Vermont Business Magazine After a dozen years of publishing Vermont Sports Magazine, Addison Press Inc. has sold the publication and its digital properties to Adirondack Sports & Fitness, LLC of Clifton Park, New York. Adirondack Sports & Fitness, owned by Darryl and Mona Caron, publishes Upstate Sports (formerly Adirondack Sports) magazine monthly, and hosts two large outdoor recreational sports and travel shows – the Summer Expo in March and Winter Expo in October – in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The company has been around for 26 years.

Vermont Business Magazine Movement, music, storytelling, and more are among the arts activities available soon to Vermont’s youngest and oldest through programs supported by grants from the Vermont Arts Council. “Learning in and through the arts is vital to living fulfilled, whole lives for Vermonters of all ages. Arts education experiences help us understand and enrich our lives, each other, and our communities. We’re proud to support innovative programs across Vermont that nurture artistic growth and strengthen social bonds,” said Vermont Arts Council Executive Director Susan Evans McClure. Since 2021, the Council has led a Creative Aging initiative to address the needs of older Vermonters through meaningful arts learning experiences. This year, 25 organizations received a total of $100,000 in funding through the program. Grants of up to $6,000 will support skill-based instruction alongside opportunities for social engagement and community building in and through the arts for older adults.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Directors of Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS) announced today the appointment of Anne Bilodeau as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1. Bilodeau has been with HCRS since 2019, and has served as Chief Operating Officer for the past four years. In this role, she has played a central part in advancing the agency’s mission and strengthening its operations, positioning her well to assume this leadership role. As CEO, Bilodeau will provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the non-profit organization, working closely with the Board of Directors to set vision and direction, ensuring strong financial stewardship, and foster a positive organizational culture in support of HCRS’ mental health, substance use, and developmental services.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR), the Central Vermont Prevention Coalition (CVPC), and the Tufts University HOPE National Resource Center are proud to announce a new statewide collaboration to expand access to the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) framework across Vermont. Through the Collective Learning Institute of Vermont (CLI-VT) - VAMHAR’s groundbreaking learning management system - Vermont’s prevention, recovery, mental health, education, and human services workforce can now engage with the HOPE model through flexible, accessible training options that strengthen community wellbeing statewide.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross Northern New England Region is pleased to welcome Dr. Mark Levine, Elise Polli and Ryan Rothstein as new board members to the Vermont Chapter headquartered in Burlington. Red Cross board members represent a cross section of corporate and community leaders and typically serve one to three-year terms, in an advisory capacity.

Vermont State Police At about 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, search teams in Walpole, New Hampshire, located a body in the Connecticut River believed to be that of Phineas Tillman. New Hampshire authorities will conduct a death investigation, including an autopsy to confirm identity and determine cause and manner of death. There are no indications the death is suspicious. 

VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Birnn Chocolates of Vermont as the recipient of the Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The award will be presented on January 27 at the Vermont Economic Conference, the state’s premier economic gathering of business and policy leaders. Founded in 1915, Birnn Chocolates of Vermont represents more than a century of craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and enduring commitment to doing business with integrity. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, the company has grown into a nationally distributed brand while keeping its roots and its production firmly planted in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vermont) has reintroduced the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, bipartisan legislation to expand Medicare coverage of genetic counseling services and improve access for seniors and rural communities nationwide. The legislation would establish Medicare coverage of genetic counseling services furnished by licensed or certified genetic counselors and reimburse providers for their lifesaving work. Genetic counselors are licensed health care professionals who help patients understand inherited health risks and interpret genetic test results. There are nearly 7,000 certified genetic counselors in the United States, and the workforce continues to grow. This guidance can help patients and their doctors make informed care decisions, personalize treatment plans, and support earlier and more accurate disease detection. 

Vermont State Police Vermont state fire investigators are crediting working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms for preventing a fire early Monday from becoming a tragedy for a man and his two young children. At about 5:12 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, the Proctorsville Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a single-family residence on Main Street. Proctorsville fire was assisted at the scene by fire departments from Chester, Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Springfield and Weathersfield. The homeowner and his two young children escaped the home without injury.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased as the winter flu season is in full swing. Other indicators through wastewater analysis show an increase in COVID-19, Norovirus and especially RSV in Vermont and nationally. There were 3 outbreaks last week (2 the week before), with 3 in Long-Term Care Facilities and 0 in schools. Like hospitalizations, outbreaks increased slightly from mid-summer and have stabilized at a relatively low level. There are no recently reported measles cases in Vermont and the rate nationally is low.