Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont is launching a national initiative to support the critical role of local news media around the country and aid colleges in their efforts to help solve the crisis facing local news. The new Center for Community News is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and UVM College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) donors. The $400,000 initiative builds on the successful Community News model in Vermont, which brings students together with professional editors to provide news reporting at no cost to local news outlets. The mission of the Center for Community News (CCN) is to inspire and enable collaborations between local media outlets and students.

Vermont Business Magazine Switchback Brewing Company has released Zaboo, a brand new 5.9% hazy IPA, available in 16oz can 4-packs and in 12oz can 12-packs and on draft at local bars and restaurants. New England’s first 100% employee-owned brewery, adds Zaboo to its line-up of 100% naturally conditioned beers. Zaboo Hazy IPA features a zestful and effervescent blend of hops, hand selected to amplify aroma. Vibrant notes of juicy stone fruit, honeydew melon, orange, peach, and pear create a fun expressive flavor.

Vermont Business Magazine State and local officials gathered with newly certified tradespeople today at the first graduation ceremony of VHV’s four-year apprenticeship program. VHV (formerly Vermont Heating and Ventilating, Company) launched its comprehensive apprentice training program in 2017 with support from the Vermont Training Program (VTP). In 2017, VHV was awarded an $81,290 Vermont Training Program (VTP) grant to offset costs associated with establishing the apprenticeship program including up to 50% of hourly wages for employees to engage in on-the-job training and support for staff to become certified instructors of the accredited program.

by Joshua Defibaugh, UVM's Office of Research On the campaign trail in 2020, President Joe Biden promised to fully fund the federal government’s $38 billion obligation to pay for special education for students with disabilities. In its first two years of office, the Biden-Harris administration took steps toward fulfilling this promise by increasing education federal funding by 15.6%. While increasing federal funding for special education may seem like a positive direction, a research team led by University of Vermont professor Tammy Kolbe suggests that federal support for special education is not going where it’s most needed.

Vermont Business Magazine Darn Tough Vermont, the fastest growing American manufacturer of performance outdoor and lifestyle socks, has announced the launch of its Knit to Give Collection. The program will launch an online exclusive new sock style every quarter with all profits going to support neighbors in need via the Vermont Foodbank. Knit to Give will feature styles created with overstock yarn, which is excess material from the knitting mills in Northfield and Waterbury, Vermont. Utilizing overstock yarn allows Darn Tough to give new life to these materials, taking a sustainable leap and turning socks into meals for the local community. Along with these quarterly releases, Darn Tough will continue its ongoing support of the Vermont Foodbank on Giving Tuesday each November.

Vermont Business Magazine At his weekly media briefing, Governor Phil Scott in Swanton highlighted initiatives and investments passed this year to help train, retain and recruit more workers to address Vermont’s workforce shortage. Through Act 183 (S.11), millions of dollars is available for workforce recruitment and training. This includes: $3M for Regional Workforce Expansion and Work-Based Learning and Training; $10M to address healthcare workforce shortages; and $3M for the New Relocating Worker Program.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law School today announced that on July 1 it will become Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS). It will add three master’s degree programs and expand in Burlington. This is part of a major restructuring and long-term growth plan that will see the school double down on its public interest mission and transition to a graduate institution housing two schools – law and graduate. The new vision is bolstered by an anonymous $8 million donation to the school. The creation of a new graduate school on par with the existing law school and resulting name change are part of a new strategic plan developed by faculty and staff and approved by the board of trustees, and reflects the growing interest from students for cross-disciplinary approaches to social justice and an all-in commitment to public interest law and policy.

Vermont Business Magazine US Citizenship and Immigration Services Deputy Director Jennifer Higgins will administer the Oath of Allegiance and provide congratulatory remarks to the country’s newest Americans during a special naturalization ceremony Wednesday that marks the grand opening of the agency’s new Burlington Field Office in Vermont. USCIS representatives, invited guests, and members of the local community will celebrate the grand opening by participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, touring the new facility, and holding a dedication of space recognition in memory of Medal of Honor recipient John Longeran. The naturalization ceremony will take place immediately following the ribbon-cutting festivities.

Vermont State Police Members from the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit returned to 1113 Cabot Road in Marshfield to conduct an origin and cause investigation following a fire that took place at the residence on June 20, 2022. Based on the result of the scene examination investigators determined that the fire began in a dryer located in the downstairs bathroom. Investigators believe that the victim, Will Livendale, was trying to extinguish the fire when he was overcome by smoke. The fire quickly spread into other areas of the structure causing extensive damage throughout the home.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) is pleased to announce the launch of the Vermont Child Psychiatry Access Program (VT-CPAP) in response to the rise in need for youth mental healthcare following the COVID-19 pandemic. VT-CPAP is a telephone consultation service that supports primary care providers (PCPs) to address and treat pediatric mental health concerns within their practice. Consultations will assist with diagnosis, medication management, psychotherapy recommendations, and community-based referrals. Registering for the program is free for any PCP in the state serving individuals 21 and under.

Vermont Business Magazine Ten immigrant farmworkers stood in front of the U.S. Federal Building today to announce the filing of a joint petition to stop their deportations. Backed by supporters, the “Migrant Justice 10” called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to apply federal guidelines that benefit non-citizens with a history of advocacy for labor and housing rights, and to close their deportation cases, allowing them to remain in the US.

Vermont Business Magazine HealthInfoNet (Maine), The Rhode Island Quality Institute (RIQI), and VITL (Vermont) today announced an innovative collaboration aimed at advancing interstate interoperability to improve population health and patient care in and across each of the New England communities they serve. In partnering together, the organizations aim to accomplish three primary objectives: (1) improved interoperability, (2) expanded innovation and deployment of health information services for their communities, and (3) increased operational efficiencies.