Current News

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, May 14, lawmakers and citizens came together in the State House lobby to support the families of deployed Vermont National Guard members. Donations of over 2,600 diapers, thousands of wipes, and over $450 in individual monetary donations were collected throughout the day. Generous donations of $1,000 from Veterans Guardian, $1,000 from Veteran Benefits Guide, and $500 from American Legion, also contributed to the effort to support the households with infants and toddlers of affected Vermont Guard families. Running through the Vermont Family Readiness Program with support of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and in coordination with the Vermont National Guard and Veteran Affairs Caucus, the event was focused on supporting families in Vermont communities who are navigating the challenges of deployment.

Vermont Business Magazine The “Keep Vermont Affordable” Coalition released a list of 25 Vermont small businesses today that are calling on state lawmakers to reject a proposed increase to the state’s beverage container handling fee, warning that it would add nearly $2 million in new costs across the state. The businesses said increasing the fee paid within Vermont’s redemption program would ultimately raise costs for local retailers, restaurants and working families already facing higher prices for groceries, utilities, housing, education and health care.

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Police Department (BPD) has released body-worn camera (BWC) footage from officers assigned to the March 11, 2026, federal immigration enforcement incident in South Burlington.  Media outlets and members of the public can access the BWC footage via the BPD’s YouTube Channel. The BWC footage was being temporarily held due to the City’s active use-of-force review pertaining to the incident, which is nearing completion.

Vermont Business Magazine In honor of National Police Week, the Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced several bipartisan bills co-sponsored by Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) that support law enforcement and promote community safety. This includes the Carla Walker Act, sponsored by Sen. Welch and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), which would dedicate existing federal grant funds to support forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) DNA analysis and help solve previously unsolvable cold cases.  

Public Assets Institute Before the Covid pandemic, the numbers of Vermont men and women working remotely were roughly the same. This is according to the U.S. Census, which asked how workers usually got to work the week prior to answering the survey. During the pandemic, the number of both men and women working from home tripled. But after Covid’s peak, as telework declined a gender disparity emerged. From 2021 to 2024, more men than women returned to the office—6,700 compared with 3,100. Still, many more workers continued to work from home than did so before the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police arrested four people on charges of criminal trespass and resisting arrest Thursday morning, May 14, 2026, after they declined to leave a private office building in Williston. NBC5 confirmed that the office park is on Industrial Avenue, which had been the site of ICE protests earlier this year.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $4.55 per gallon, up 3 cents per gallon from last week, up 46 cents/g from last month and up $1.49/g from this time last year, according to AAA. The lowest price in the state this week was $4.25/g. Prices are lowest in Addison ($4.46/g) and Bennington ($4.50/g) counties and highest in Essex ($4.68/g), Orange ($4.61/g), and Grand Isle ($4.59/g), according to AAA. The national average price of gasoline has fallen cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.53/g today. 

Vermont Business Magazine For 40 years, Kittell Branagan & Sargent has helped Vermont businesses navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re managing growth, addressing tax challenges, or planning for what’s next, our team brings practical insight built on decades of experience across the state. This year, we’re proud to be celebrating 40 years of serving Vermont businesses. Over the past four decades, the KBS team has provided trusted accounting, advisory, and audit support to individuals and businesses throughout the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Kevin Geno of Rutland to fill the assistant judge vacancy in Rutland County following David Wolk’s resignation. Geno has served in law enforcement since 1976, first with the Rutland City Police Department and, most recently, with the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department following his retirement as commander of the Rutland City Police Department.

by Morgan Kelly, Dartmouth A Dartmouth study shows that annual rainfall in much of the world has consolidated over the past four decades into heavier storms with longer dry periods in between. The findings are the first to show that a year’s worth of rainfall packed into bigger and wetter storms means less water for aquifers and ecosystems, even if total precipitation increases. Because soil can absorb only so much water at once, what is not soaked up collects on the surface where it’s more readily evaporated.

Vermont Business Magazine 24 Southern Vermont Emerging Leaders were recognized on May 12th during the 9th annual Southern Vermont Economy Summit. The recognition event, conducted by the Southern Vermont Young Professionals and the Shires Young Professionals, celebrates young people from the Bennington and Windham regions. Individuals are nominated each year based on their work as community leaders and volunteers, and for their professional accomplishments and commitment to serving the region. The celebration was sponsored by the Vermont Community Foundation and Vermont State University Road to Success.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Parks Forever, the only non-profit foundation for Vermont’s 55 state parks, has announced the success of its first-in-the-nation, privately funded pilot program that provided over 30,000 free day-use visits to Vermont State Parks in 2025. This program, for eligible Vermonters with lower income, will continue in 2026. In partnership with Vermont State Parks, the Department for Children and Families’ Economic Services Division, and the Department of Health’s WIC Program, this initiative will run again from the end of May through October and is available to families and individuals receiving services through the Economic Services Division and WIC.