Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont today announced that Beth Roberts is president and CEO following a two-month transition period with outgoing President and CEO Don George. Roberts joins Blue Cross VT from Beth Israel Lahey Health Performance Network, a clinically integrated network of physicians, clinicians, and hospitals. Her experience in this role, and over thirty years working in health care, has given her a strong understanding of the challenges facing providers and insurers. Roberts’ expertise in bringing people together and leading through complex challenges will be a key differentiator as she collaborates with Vermont health care providers, employers, regulators and legislators to make quality health care more affordable.

by Maggie Lenz and Gwynn Zakov S.220, a bill that would temporarily cap how much school districts can increase their budgets, got a full walkthrough in Senate Finance late last week. It was introduced by Sen. Phil Baruth (D/P, Chittenden Central), who serves as Senate President Pro Tempore. He first floated the idea in his opening day address. If enacted, it would cap education spending growth for every school district in fiscal years 2028 and 2029. Each district would be assigned an “allowable growth percentage” based on how its per pupil spending compares to the highest-spending district in the state. Lower-spending districts could grow more. Higher-spending ones would be capped at 3 percent. The cap is strict. Districts would not be allowed to adopt budgets above their assigned level.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $2.99 per gallon, down 2.2 cents per gallon from last week's $3.01/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.65/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 64.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.73/g today.

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS Legislative Update The first week of the session normally has a back-to-school vibe, where everyone is getting their feet under them. Not this year. The legislature is already diving in on federal issues, rural health transformation, and—most importantly—affordability. At VAHHS, we’re hitting the ground running as well.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program will open for applications on January 15th, offering critical support for farmers, ranchers, and producer-based businesses looking to grow through value-added products. With approximately $25 million available nationwide, VAPG helps producers develop new products, expand marketing opportunities, and increase income by enhancing the value and reach of their goods.

The Vermont State Police is continuing its investigation into last week’s non-fatal shooting by Ludlow Police Chief Jeffrey Warfle of a man in Ludlow. On Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, detectives interviewed Chief Warfle, who is fully cooperating with the investigation. The man who was shot, 18-year-old Jamie Gomez, remains hospitalized at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Vermont Business Magazine Burton has unveiled 'From Burton to the World', a limited-edition collection of snowboards, apparel and accessories that feature iconic quotes by late Burton founder, Jake Burton Carpenter. Professional snowboarders sponsored by Burton will debut the collection as they compete in Aspen, Colorado and Laax, Switzerland this month, with global availability beginning February 3rd on Burton.com and at select flagship stores and retail partners worldwide.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Chamber is pleased to announce Alex Halpern, president of Freeman French Freeman, as chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The Chamber also announced that Tatiana Davydov, NBT Bank; Patrick Gallivan, Vermont State Dental Society; Ara Hagan, Hagan Marketing; Paul Jarvis, Bilodeau Wells; Matt McMahon, MMR; and David Seaver, Northfield Savings Bank have joined the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) has added nine new musicians and staff members in 2025, filling a range of artistic and administrative roles, from Principal Viola to Senior Director of Philanthropy. These appointments reflect the VSO’s continued investment in artistic excellence, organizational strength, and service to communities across Vermont.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont initial weekly unemployment claims fell last week following the usual volatile labor activity at the end of holiday season. For the week ending January 3, 2026, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that there were 531 new claims, down 383 from the previous week and down 30 from last year at this time. Total claims were 4,311, up 306 from the week before and are up 28 from last year at this time. Claims, which tend to be lowest in the summer, were 181 at the end of September 2024 and 186 last September. Claims tend to rise and fall around the holidays with temporary work hires and layoffs. The US DOL reported this week that hiring was slower than expected, with 50,000 new jobs, as the US jobless rate in December fell two-tenths to 4.4%. The Vermont jobless rate for November was 2.6%.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, this week joined U.S. Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) in reintroducing the COLAs Don’t Count Act, bicameral legislation to allow households utilizing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—known as 3Squares in Vermont—to deduct annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) from their income when calculating eligibility for the food assistance program. Railroad retirement and veterans’ benefit COLAs and state supplementation program payments would similarly be exempt.  

Vermont Business Magazine Middle and high school educators in New England and New York State interested in honing their personal finance teaching skills, or newcomers to the field, can attend a free, online, asynchronous graduate course offered by the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College. Scholarships are available to Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island educators. The 20 scholarships are generously sponsored by the Rauch Foundation, which supports and promotes financial preparedness of rising generations of students by supporting schools in the delivery of financial literacy programs.