Current News

Vermont Business Magazine As COVID-19 cases see a summer uptick across the country, the University of Vermont Health Network is urging everyone to continue following mitigation efforts to help keep our family, friends and neighbors safe and healthy. Parents should also consider vaccinating children now, before school resumes, to ensure protection. In Vermont and northern New York, COVID case rates remain relatively low despite the increased transmissibility of the BA.5 variant, but experts say people can still take specific actions to protect against a surge in COVID cases.

by Peg Bolgioni, Marketing & Communications Manager, Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center Twenty high school students from southern Vermont are spending three full days immersed in job shadows, team activities, clinical skill-building, and mentoring at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, Vermont. They participated in Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center’s MedQuest Program to gain a deeper, richer understanding about health careers available to them in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Sheehan Fisher, PhD, is an associate professor and clinical psychologist at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, and the next guest on Medical Matters Weekly at 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 11. The show is produced by Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) with cooperation from Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV). Viewers can view on facebook.com/svmedicalcenter and facebook.com/CATTVBennington. The show is also available to view or download as a podcast on svhealthcare.org/medicalmatters.

Vermont Business Magazine Join the Vermont Department of Labor for an in-person Job Fair on Tuesday, August 9th, 2-5pm, Veterans Memorial Park, 1 High Street, Ludlow. VDOL's Southeast Region includes Windham and Windsor counties. This is a free event open to the public.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Secretary of State Jim Condos encouraged Vermont voters to have a voting plan for the Tuesday, August 9th Statewide Primary Election. Studies have shown that making a specific plan, including determining how and when a voter will get to the polls, makes it much more likely that a person will follow through. All Vermont polls must open by 10am, and must close at 7pm. Voters should check mvp.vermont.gov or directly with their Town or City Clerk to verify their polling place location and opening time.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is encouraging members to conserve electricity today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday) from 5-10 pm each evening as high temperatures continue to blanket New England. “When VEC can reduce the cost to buy and transmit electricity when there is peak demand across the regional grid, it helps control electricity rates for all co-op members over the long term,” said Jake Brown, VEC Energy Services Planner.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont gasoline prices fell another 6 cents last week to an average of $4.41 per gallon today, according to GasBuddy. Prices have fallen 36 cents in the last month but are a $1.34/g higher than one year ago. Prices are falling nationally faster than in Vermont. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 15.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.01/g today.

Donors needed now to prevent a seasonal blood shortage

Vermont Business Magazine Did you know about 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood? But, only about 3% does. By making an appointment to help save lives with the American Red Cross in August, donors can pump up the blood supply and keep it from falling to shortage levels. Platelet donors are especially needed now.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Vermont is opening up its working farms and businesses to visitors this summer. This comes as Governor Phil Scott declares August as Agritourism Month in Vermont. The combination of these two industries is important to Vermont’s working landscape and the state’s economy. There will be dozens of on-farm activities in every corner of the Green Mountains this summer, giving the public the opportunity to engage in authentic experiences and see how Vermont’s food is grown, raised, and produced.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate voted 51-50 to pass the Inflation Reduction Act: "This reconciliation bill goes nowhere near far enough in addressing the problems facing struggling working families. But it is a step forward and I was happy to support it."

Senator Patrick Leahy “The Senate’s historic vote today represents a stark choice between two divergent views. The first, that we must do all we can to help American families, our seniors, and our economy. The second, that we should ignore the soaring costs of healthcare – and of particular prescription drugs – and the existential threats of climate change. The choice could not be clearer, and yet it is mired in partisan politics. Today the Senate advanced a once-in-a-generation bill to meaningfully address the real threats of climate change. It addresses the exorbitant price of prescription drugs. And, despite claims to the contrary, it is poised to reduce the deficit.