Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced a national settlement in principle with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, for their role in the opioid crisis, that will increase the amounts of funds paid by the Sacklers from $4.325 billion under the original bankruptcy plan to at least $5.5 billion. The settlement is subject to court approval. The Sacklers must pay $1 billion above the original bankruptcy plan, as well as an additional $175 million which was previously conditioned on certain approvals, but which now must be paid on the bankruptcy effective date. The payments are spread over 18 years.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued an executive order expressing support for the Ukrainian people and outlining steps the state is taking in response to the Russian invasion of peaceful Ukraine. Along with support for the Ukrainian people, the governor will ask the Legislature, when they return to session next week, that the General Assembly appropriate $643,077, one dollar for every Vermonter, for humanitarian efforts needed to support the people of Ukraine.

Vermont Business Magazine Gasoline prices in Vermont are up 13 cents since last week and 30 cents more than last month, according to GasBuddy, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to spike international oil prices. In Vermont, the average price of gasoline is $3.74 a gallon. The highest price is $3.99/g at several locations across the state. The lowest price is $3.29 in Rutland.

Vermont Business Magazine M&T Bank Chairman and CEO René Jones on Tuesday released his letter to shareholders, an annual tradition featuring candid insights on the banking industry and the communities in which M&T operates. He also reiterated M&T's commitment to acquiring People's United Bank. The acquisition was to have closed on February 21 but has been delayed as the parties await regulatory approval by the Federal Reserve. The closing is now scheduled for June 1. The $7.6 billion deal was announced in February 2021. People's has branches across Vermont.

​Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation’s Insight Hub, its research-driven arm focused on providing insight to inform charitable giving, has published a brief on how charitable individuals can use their giving to expand the leadership pool in Vermont, including more women, people of color, LGBTQ+ candidates, and others who are under-represented. The Insight Hub offers webinars, events, briefs, and peer-to-peer experiences that help philanthropists understand where their giving can make a difference.

​Vermont State Police During the ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting of Vincent Keithan on Tuesday in St Johnsbury, the Vermont State Police identified a Jeep Wrangler that was in the area at the time of the incident and sought to speak with the occupants. VSP alerted police agencies throughout the region to be on the lookout for that vehicle. At about 5 p.m. Tuesday, the New York State Police located the Jeep headed south on the Taconic State Parkway near State Route 199 in the town of Milan in Columbia County. NYSP troopers initiated a traffic stop, but the operator of the Jeep failed to comply and led police on a short pursuit. Troopers used spike strips to end the pursuit, and the driver and passenger ran from the Jeep into the woods. NYSP located the men a short time later.

​Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold public hearings on deer and moose management for 2022 on March 21, 23, 24, and 29. The hearings will include results of Vermont’s 2021 deer seasons and prospects for deer hunting next fall as well as an opportunity for people to provide their observations and opinions about the current status of the deer herd.

​Vermont Business Magazine Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced that President Biden has appointed Dr. David Cash to become EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 1. Dr. Cash will lead the implementation of the Biden-Harris environmental agenda in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and in 10 Tribal Nations. Dr. Cash’s appointment began on February 7, 2022.

8-Week online course aims to help writers tackle the complex challenges at the intersection of food, environment, and equity

Vermont Business Magazine Sterling College is now accepting applications for a new online course on the art of food and environmental writing, with tuition-free fellowships funded by Penguin Random House and other donors. It’s the first offering in the College’s “Writing the Wrongs” program, a curriculum examining the ways that storytelling can advance or thwart efforts toward sustainability and justice.

by Jane Stromberg When considering going solar for your home or business, it is helpful to think about all the elements involved to make an informed decision about your energy future. Vermonters across our resilient, green state are embracing solar energy for the increased energy independence, financial payoff, and decreased carbon emissions—something that benefits us all. Not to mention, when folks invest in locally produced and distributed energy in Vermont, it stays in Vermont. According to the latest Energy Action Network report, Vermonters have spent an average of almost $2 billion a year over the last decade on imported fossil fuels, with 75% of those dollars draining out of state. In 2018 alone, 1.4 billion drained out of our state economy.

by Rob Roper The Executive Director of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association testified before the House Energy & Technology Committee that if the “Clean Heat Standard” currently being contemplated becomes law, he expects it to drive ten to fifty Vermont home heating fuel dealers (oil, propane, natural gas, and kerosene) out of business. This would cost multiple hundreds of people their jobs and leave tens if not hundreds of thousands of Vermonters scrambling to find new heating fuel suppliers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Arlington Common, a hub for community, wellness and creativity, is opening ‘Co-working at the Watkins House’, a flexible workspace membership open to all community members at the Watkins House. The space features a variety of workspaces, kitchen facilities and conference spaces. The co-working space is open from 8am-10pm Monday through Friday, 9am-10pm on Saturdays, and 9am-5pm on Sundays.