Current News

Record-Number Applicants Highlight Excellence of Vermont’s Educators

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Agency of Education announced four finalists for the 2023 Vermont Teacher of the Year. Drawn from a record number of applicants, the finalists span elementary and secondary grades across a range of disciplines from art to physical education. The 2023 Vermont Teacher of the Year will be selected from the finalists and announced early next school year.

“This year’s record number of applicants underscores the commitment and excellence of Vermont’s teachers,” said Secretary of Education Dan French. “After the challenges of the past school year, it is wonderful to celebrate the great work of so many remarkable candidates.”

This year’s finalists include:

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont fell 4 cents this week to $4.93 per gallon, as gas in general has come down the last two weeks, when they peaked at $5/g, if only slightly. Gas prices were $4.71 a month ago and $2.99 a year ago. The US price today is $4.84, down 10 cents for the week.

​Vermont Natural Resources Council Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) released a deeply troubling decision that sides with coal companies and their allies, and takes away the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s power to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The Court significantly restricted EPA’s authority to take action under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to address climate change by ruling Congress must authorize specific programs to address carbon emissions from power plants, despite the fact that the CAA grants broad authority to EPA to address dangerous sources of air pollution.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Lottery officials announced today that a $366.7 million Powerball jackpot ticket had been sold at the Middlebury Short Stop, a retailer within the Jolley chain. This is Vermont’s first Powerball Jackpot winner. The winner has not yet stepped forward. Winners of large jackpots often take a lump-sum payment instead of the 29-year annuity. This would reduce the amount to $208.5 million. The Vermont income tax on $208.5 million would equate to over $18 million. The required 6 percent withholding, which Vermont gets regardless of the person's residence, is $12.5 million. The store will get the maximum $30,000 bonus.

​Vermont Business Magazine Heat-related illnesses in Vermont become much more common when temperatures warm to the mid-80s and above, especially on sunny and humid days. Temperatures Friday could reach 90. With summer kicking into high gear and the thermometer moving up, the Department of Health has unveiled a new interactive map where Vermonters can find nearby places to cool off during hot weather. Warm temperatures, and especially extreme heat and humidity, can quickly lead to sometimes serious heat-related illness and even death. Muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, headache, or dizziness may all indicate onset of heat illness.

Office of Senator Patrick Leahy Thursday morning, Senator Leahy underwent surgery surgery to repair a broken hip that he suffered as a result from a fall at his house in McLean, Virginia, Wednesday night. Having been born blind in one eye, the Senator has had a lifelong struggle with reduced depth perception. He has taken some remarkable dingers over the years but this one finally caught up with him.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported June 28 that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are still considered "Low." Total cases for the week were up slightly, while hospitalizations declined. Levels in June remain near their lowest since a surge in cases that began last August. Deaths attributed to COVID-19 stand at 683. There have been 11 deaths in June attributed to COVID so far after 32 in May. May saw an increase in fatalities from April and March. June is on pace to have the fewest COVID fatalities since last July (2).

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) joined Representative Peter Welch in South Burlington yesterday to announce a $4 million award from the federal government that will support the development of over 300 affordable apartments across Vermont over a three-year period. The source is the Capital Magnet Fund, a program of the US Treasury. It is intended to create and preserve affordable housing for low-income families and revitalize distressed communities by attracting private capital. This year the program awarded $336.4 million in funding to nonprofits and financial institutions. The program is highly competitive, receiving requests for nearly three times the available funding each year. VHFA is one of only 59 organizations nationwide to receive an award this cycle.

Vermont Business Magazine As skyrocketing flight delays, cancellations, and outrageously high prices and hidden fees are leaving passengers and crew members frustrated, broke, and stranded, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Tuesday sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging immediate action to protect the rights of airline passengers and workers. Given all of the generous taxpayer support that has been provided to the airline industry, all of us have a responsibility to make sure that passengers and crew members are treated with respect, not contempt.

Vermont Business Magazine Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the formation of the New England Prescription Opioid (NEPO) Strike Force, a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for three federal districts, as well as law enforcement partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the FBI. The mission of the NEPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the New England region, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute individuals involved in the illegal distribution of prescription opioids and other prescribed controlled substances. The NEPO Strike Force will primarily target criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals, focusing upon both health care fraud and drug diversion offenses, as relevant based upon the facts of the particular case.

Vermont Business Magazine Following a formal announcement by The State of Vermont, beverages categorized as Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktails will be transitioning to Vermont’s private sector on July 1, 2022. This marks a significant legal change from previous policy, whereby RTDs could only be distributed and sold by the 80 802-agency liquor outlets located throughout the state. Starting next month, traditional class 1 and 2 licensed establishments will be able to stock and sell RTDs without requiring any changes to their licenses.

by Steph Yu The US Supreme Court’s decision last Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade has devastating effects on anyone who can get pregnant. Plain and simple, this ruling is a clear effort to assert control over women’s bodies and therefore our agency, our autonomy, and our freedom. Vermont has codified the right to reproductive health care in statute and will vote on a constitutional amendment to reinforce that in November. The governor issued a statement on Friday in support of that right and the amendment. But none of that means that Vermonters are shielded from the consequences of this decision.