Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The national average price of gasoline today has passed the $3 per gallon mark, according to GasBuddy, the travel and navigation app used by more North American drivers to save money on gas. This is a milestone not seen since David Letterman still hosted Late Night, Pharrell’s hat was introduced to the world, and Kim and Kanye got hitched. Meanwhile, Vermont gasoline prices increased 6 cents since last week to $2.89. Vermont gas prices have been slightly under the US average for several months.

Vermont Business Magazine Citing opposition from environmental groups and the public, Lake Champlain Transportation Company and Vermont Division for Historic Preservation announced on Tuesday the withdrawal of its application for a permit to sink the Adirondack, a retired ferry, in Lake Champlain. Instead of being abandoned underwater to create an artificial reef for scuba divers, the vessel will be scrapped.

Vermont Business Magazine Vaccination registration will open to Vermonters ages 12 to 15 on Thursday morning, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s action late Wednesday authorizing use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for this age group. The Food & Drug Administration authorized this emergency use of the vaccine earlier this week. On Wednesday, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices overwhelmingly recommended, and the CDC approved, this use of the vaccine, based on clinical trial data that found it to be safe and effective. Meanwhile, the VDH is reporting 28 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death for 252 total statewide.

Vermont Business Magazine Taking advantage of the enhanced subsidies available to individuals under ARPA, the Vermont Legislature has “unmerged” the individual and small group markets for 2022. Unmerging the individual and small group markets is expected to lower small group premiums and increase individual premiums from what they otherwise would have been, with the enhanced subsidies offsetting the increased premiums in the individual market. These changes will not impact how individuals, families, and small businesses purchase health insurance plans. For small group, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) is requesting an average annual decrease of 7.8% over 2021 rates, while MVP Health Plan (MVP) is requesting an average annual increase of 5.0% over 2021 rates.

Vermont Business Magazine Thirteen Vermont organizations will receive grants to support the arts, accessibility and innovation from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). In addition, the Vermont Arts Council has been approved for an $807,740 NEA FY2021 partnership agreement to address arts programs, services and activities throughout Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Community Foundation announced that its charitable giving hit an all-time high in 2020. Powered by Vermonters who stepped up to help vulnerable neighbors during the pandemic, the Community Foundation, its fundholders, and charitable partners made $31.9 million in grants, more than 90 percent of which went directly into Vermont communities. This represents a 24 percent increase from 2019 and more than a 70 percent increase from 2018 grantmaking.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that J.A. DeVos & Sons, Inc of North Ferrisburgh was fined $9,000 for delivering gasoline without ensuring proper gasoline vapor recovery. In October 2019, DeVos made a fuel delivery to a gas station in downtown Montpelier. DEC personnel responded later that day to a complaint of gasoline odors inside the neighboring Capitol Plaza Hotel. When contacted about the fuel delivery, the employee indicated that they had failed to use proper vapor recovery methods while filling the gasoline storage tank.

Vermont Business Magazine As part of the state’s increasing efforts to encourage people to get their COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Department has launched a new outreach series featuring Vermonters sharing what getting vaccinated means to them. The new series can be viewed now on the department’s YouTube channel, and will be promoted widely – including on television, streaming services, radio, social media and more. These Vermonters’ words are also being featured in print ads in newspapers across the state.

Vermont Business Magazine The College's 2021 Commencement will take place this coming Thursday, May 13, on the Durick Library Lawn. Saint Michael’s is pleased to be able to celebrate its 114th Commencement in person and with guests. These plans were announced to students on April 14 as a result of changes the State of Vermont has made in its health and safety guidelines. To comply with all State health and safety guidelines, the events will be outdoors and divided into two ceremonies held at the same location, at 10 am for BA degrees and 1 pm for BS and graduate degrees..

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced a settlement with Barre auto dealer Poulin Auto Sales, Inc over complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) concerning Poulin Auto’s business practices, including a deceptive direct mail advertisement. As part of the settlement, Poulin Auto agreed to change certain business practices, pay a civil penalty of $5,000 to the State of Vermont, and provide restitution to consumers totaling $15,000.

Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint "I remember the first time I learned about the Eugenics Survey of Vermont. I was a graduate student in history studying Native American land claims, and my thesis advisor found out that I was a Vermonter. She said, “You have to read Nancy Gallagher’s book, ‘Breeding Better Vermonters: The Eugenics Project in the Green Mountain State’, before you write another word.”

The Vermont State Police is continuing to investigate a shooting incident that took place early April 15, 2021, at a home on West Road in Whiting. As part of the ongoing investigation, state police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the vehicle pictured below. It is believed the vehicle might be connected to the shooting.