Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Snow Angel Foundation will bring its national winter safety education tour to Vermont in January and February, partnering with schools, ski areas, and industry leaders to promote awareness, preparedness, and shared responsibility in mountain environments. January’s designation as National Ski Area Safety Awareness Month underscores the Foundation’s mission: improving safety through education while preserving the joy, freedom, and benefits of skiing and snowboarding. Vermont’s deeply rooted ski culture—spanning local hills, youth programs, and iconic resorts—makes it a natural focal point for these conversations.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office Monday announced that Sidney Rivers, 25, of Eureka, California, was arraigned on one count of felony sexual assault and two counts of felony caregiver sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult. The charges were filed by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) following an investigation into an allegation that Rivers sexually assaulted a resident while employed at the Brattleboro Retreat. The investigation was conducted jointly by MFRAU and the Brattleboro Police Department. Rivers pleaded not guilty at Monday’s arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Jamie Prim, 55, of Middlebury, Vermont, was arraigned on Friday, January 2, 2026, on two counts of felony sexual assault of a child and one count of felony lewd or lascivious conduct with child. The charges brought against Mr. Prim were the result of an investigation conducted by the Middlebury Police Department. 

Vermont Business Magazine In advance of the 2026 legislative session, the Agency of Education has published findings from its statewide planning retreat and 10 reports that update the General Assembly on key education initiates and decisions needed to support the goals of Act 73. Each report is informed by stakeholder engagement, grounded in research, and aligned with the Agency’s reorganization and commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Vermont’s education system. Together, the reports address key policy questions and advance a shared vision for building the best education system in America.

by Olga Peters, Vermont Business Magazine Heaven’s Bench perches atop Darling Hill on the grounds of the Wildflower Inn. The Lyndonville landmark is a weathered wooden bench surrounded by 360-degree views of mountains, communities and working lands. To Abby Long, executive director of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative — a nonprofit organization that works to improve quality of life in the NEK through economic and community development — the iconic spot represents the interconnectedness and “special sauce" that is the Northeast Kingdom.

by Michael Donoghue Governor Phil Scott today has named Christina Nolan of Burlington and Michael Drescher of Hinesburg to the Vermont Supreme Court. Christina Nolan, 46, a native Vermonter, has focused on complex civil litigation, government enforcement actions, false claims act, white collar, felony criminal defense, and internal investigations throughout her career. Having previously served as a state and federal prosecutor, Nolan has tried more than a dozen cases to juries and appeared several times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Since January 2002 he has served as an assistant United States attorney, including as first assistant United States attorney (the number two position in the office), and following the resignation of United States Attorney Nikolas Kerest, Drescher has led the office, managing a team of approximately 50 attorneys, investigators, and other legal professionals.

Vermont Business Magazine IMA Financial Group, Inc, a Denver-based insurance brokerage specializing in risk management, employee benefits and wealth management, announced today a strategic partnership with Brattleboro, Vermont-based The Richards Group, a family-owned independent insurance brokerage and advisory firm serving New England. Financial terms were not disclosed. Effective December 31, 2025, the partnership unites The Richards Group's 160 employees and 28,000 clients across Vermont, New Hampshire and beyond, with IMA's national platform and specialty capabilities.

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont Health’s board of trustees today announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen Leffler as the health system’s Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Leffler steps into the role formally after leading the organization through critical early phases of strategic realignment during his tenure as Interim CEO since October. Dr. Leffler assumed interim leadership from Dr. Sunny Eappen, who stepped down as CEO earlier this fall. Since then, Dr. Leffler has sought to stabilize the health system and restore more operational decision-making closer to the point of care, while advancing the efficiencies promised by centralization of business services. Dr. Leffler will also continue to serve as University of Vermont Medical Center’s President. 

Vermont Economic Development Authority A partnership with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is creating an amazing financing opportunity for loggers. Loggers purchasing qualifying low-impact equipment are now eligible for a 2.5%-3.0% interest rate from VEDA. Also, in the interest of protecting your information and keeping you informed, VEDA has created an Avoid Fraud and Protect Your Data web page. On it you will find what kind of communications you can expect from VEDA, resources for protecting your data, and what to do if you receive a suspicious request. This web page will also be used to alert you should scammers use VEDA’s name to target victims.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Molly Gray, joined by her husband Mike, son Jack and dozens of supporters, formally announced her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor at Nomad Coffee in Burlington’s South End. Gray previously said she intended to do so. Gray currently serves as Executive Director for the Vermont Afghan Alliance, a non-profit helping Afghan refugees resettle in Vermont, and previously served as Vermont’s 82nd Lieutenant Governor.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.01 per gallon, down 3.8 cents per gallon from last week's $3.05/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.67/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 62.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.74/g today. 

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The application to vend in the Vermont Building at the 2026 Big E fair opens soon! The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets invites Vermont businesses to apply to this exciting opportunity. The Vermont Building is one of six public market style buildings on the Avenue of the States at the Big E, a 17-day fair and exposition that takes place each September in West Springfield, MA. During this event, which brings in approximately 1.6 million people each year, the Vermont Building hosts a variety of Vermont food and retail businesses that showcase the best of what our state has to offer. The 2026 Big E fair will take place September 18th-October 4th.