Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Mayor Weinberger announced Thursday that he is suspending the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister City Relationship in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Established in 1988, the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister City Program currently serves as an independent non-profit group to promote an exchange of culture between the two cities. Over the past 30 years, the two cities have facilitated exchanges and visits with students, business leaders, and athletes. The City of Burlington has long contributed $2,000 annually to the program’s budget.

Vermont Business Magazine The Campaign to End Qualified Immunity hosted a press conference at the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop on Church Street in Burlington on Wednesday, March 2, demanding that legislators protect the civil rights of all Vermonters by passing S.254. This bill would end qualified immunity, the legal doctrine that shields police officers accused of misconduct from accountability and liability. The doctrine frequently prevents victims of police brutality from having their day in court.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Wednesday evening held a statewide telephone town meeting to hear directly from Vermonters about the challenges they are facing and how the federal government can address the issues that matter most to them. Dr. Tim Lahey, an infectious disease physician at the UVM Medical Center, also joined the discussion to answer questions about the current state of COVID-19 in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s workforce crisis is compounded by a lack of access to child care. The Vermont Adult CTE Association (VACTEA) is working to address both issues by developing a program to support adults to enter careers as skilled, trained, child care providers. The program is designed to onboard individuals who for a variety of reasons could use extra support to begin their careers in Early Childhood Education (ECE).

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine As Vermont COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have all decreased, Governor Scott today said that as of March 14 there no longer will be special COVID guidance for schools. This includes no additional masking recommendations for children and staff in the school building or on the school buses. Schools will follow the general statewide guidance on mitigation measures.

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.