Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The VDH announced today that there were nine new cases of COVID-19, with four people in the hospital and one in the ICU. COVID deaths are holding at 256, with only one fatality in three weeks. Health Commissioner Dr Mark Levine is urging those not vaccinated to get their shot. He cited the increase in cases associated with the Delta variant, first identified in India, as an important reason to get vaccinated. This variant – which accounts for about 10% of cases in the U.S. and more than 90% of new cases in the United Kingdom – is showing traits of being far more contagious and potentially more dangerous than the more common strains circulating. Three cases of this variant have been identified in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges System today announced the appointment of two new members of the Board of Trustees, Shirley Jefferson and Susan Zeller, and the re-appointment of Shawn Tester, CEO of Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital by Governor Phil Scott.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that Diane Snelling, who has served as chair of the NRB since 2016, will be leaving to pursue other opportunities, and thanked her for her years of service to the people of Vermont. Snelling previously represented Chittenden County in the State Senate from 2002 to 2016, before she was appointed by then-Governor Peter Shumlin to lead the NRB. Governor Scott reappointed her to the post in 2017, 2019 and again earlier this year.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) will participate in a roundtable discussion Friday at 2 pm at the University of Vermont focused on hunger and Vermont’s local food system. Leahy chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and has the most seniority on the Senate Agriculture Committee. The discussion will be convened by the UVM/ARS Food Systems Research Center. Following that, Leahy will be joined by UVM President Suresh Garimella to announce federal support for the Food Systems Research Center.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University is proud to partner with Whatcom Community College to support the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Air Force initiative for AFJROTC Cyber Academies. Norwich will host one of the five virtual summer Cyber Academies for 20 Air Force JROTC cadets. The camp is made possible through a $106,000 National Science Foundation grant.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation reminds passengers that federal mask requirements remain in place across all transportation networks, including buses, trains, and commercial aircraft. While State restrictions have been lifted, it is important to note that Vermont’s transportation systems are bound by federal rules and requirements.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Wednesday joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) in re-introducing the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act to update the long-neglected social security program and aid older adults and people with disabilities who are trapped in poverty. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides vital income assistance to nearly 8 million elderly and disabled Americans with low-incomes and limited resources, including over 1 million disabled children.

Vermont Business Magazine State and federal environmental agencies have selected six projects through a competitive grant process to receive funding to restore common loons affected by the tank barge Bouchard B-120 oil spill in April 2003. The work is funded by a $13.3 million natural resource damages settlement from Bouchard Transportation Co, Inc and others with $7.3 million designated for common loon restoration planning and implementation. This includes $446,393 for the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.

Vermont Business Magazine Three mass vaccination sites operated by the University of Vermont Health Network, in coordination with the State of Vermont and community partners, will close by the end of June after delivering more than 115,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Vermonters. The focus will then shift to walk-in vaccinations available at locations including primary care practices at the three UVM Health Network hospital affiliates in Vermont, as well as at UVM Medical Center’s three pharmacies.

Vermont Business Magazine Over 200 business minded community members gathered to support the 2021 cohort at Demo Night, LaunchVT’s annual celebration of entrepreneurship. The event was the first to be held in person at the Reef, a beautiful new venue at Hula. Two businesses walked away with cash awards and all seven will receive professional services from local businesses worth over $100,000.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced today that he is seeking applications for an opening on the State Board of Education. The new member will be appointed by the governor to fill the remainder of an unexpired term until February 2022 and will be eligible for reappointment.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Representative Yvette D Clarke (D-NY) today introduced legislation creating a national renewable energy standard that aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and public health, and drive the deployment of clean energy resources around the country. The bill would require energy producers in the United States to meet ambitious goals for renewable energy generation.