Current News

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group has announced a strategic partnership with Homethrive, a leading caregiving support solution. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates there are 63 million caregivers in the U.S.1 This collaboration aims to provide meaningful relief and resources to families and individuals across a spectrum of caregiving situations, including elder care, disabilities, neurodivergence, and chronic conditions. As part of the partnership, Homethrive’s services will be automatically included with all new eligible 2025 National Life Group FlexLife Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policies at no additional cost to policyholders. 

Vermont Business Magazine Ledyard Bank, with a branch in Norwich, Vermont, is supporting the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund with a $20,000 donation made through the purchase of tax credits awarded to them by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). New Hampshire is currently facing a housing crisis, with an estimated need for nearly 60,000 new housing units by 2030. Of those, only 40,000 are projected to be available for purchase. 

Vermont Business Magazine With cooler weather settling in and the holidays draw near, Manchester retailers invite shoppers to get a head start on their holiday gift lists during the annual Shop Early & Save Weekend, happening November 7–9, 2025. This annual event encourages visitors and locals alike to shop early, save big, and reclaim their December — freeing up more time to relax, celebrate, and make memories with family and friends instead of stressing over last-minute shopping. Nestled in the heart of Southern Vermont, Manchester offers a charming mix of boutique shops, Vermont-made products, art and artisan galleries, and designer outlets, ensuring something special for everyone on your list—from cozy winter wear and handcrafted jewelry to gourmet foods and home décor. Throughout the weekend, participating retailers will feature special discounts of up to 60%, “buy more, save more” deals, spin-to-win experiences, and other exclusive in-store offers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department issued 180 moose hunting permits this year, resulting in 68 moose harvested between the October 1-7 archery season and the October 18-23 regular season.  Moose hunting was only allowed in Wildlife Management Unit E, in northeastern Vermont. Moose management goals were informed by years of monitoring data and extensive research on moose and winter ticks from the northeastern U.S. and Canada. Vermont research has shown that chronic high winter tick loads have caused the health of moose in northeastern Vermont to be very poor.  Survival of adult moose remains relatively good, but birth rates are very low, and many calves do not survive their first winter.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking hunters for help gathering biological data on the state’s deer population.  Hunters who get a deer during the November 15-30 regular deer season are asked to provide an incisor tooth from their deer. Tooth envelopes are available at all deer reporting stations. Biologists are collecting middle incisor teeth from all regular season bucks to evaluate regional differences in ages and antler characteristics as well as to help estimate population size, growth rate, health, and mortality rates.  Each tooth will be cross sectioned to accurately determine the deer’s age, and the results will be posted on the Fish and Wildlife website next spring. 

Vermont State Police Beginning in August 2025, Vermont State Police and DCF (Residential Licensing & Special Investigations) investigated a report of a foster parent (identified as Eugene Jennings) committing sexual acts upon multiple foster children while under his care.  The investigation determined that Eugene Jennings committed sexual assault upon a 14-year-old male in July or August of 2025, Lewd / Lascivious Conduct upon a 15-year-old male in August of 2025, and Lewd / Lascivious Conduct upon a male who was between 15-17 in 2023-2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Preservation Trust of Vermont, Vermont Council on Rural Development, and the Vermont Community Foundation have announced the second cohort of communities selected for the Village Trust Initiative (VTI). Now in its second year, VTI is a partnership supporting rural communities undertaking transformational revitalization projects in their historic villages. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.09 per gallon, unchanged from last week, 7 cents/g lower than last month and 3 cents/g lower than a year ago. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.65/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 64.0 cents per gallon. Prices were lowest in Bennington ($2.89/g) and Rutland ($2.96/g) counties and highest in Essex ($3.25/g), Lamoille ($3.18/g) and Grand Isle ($3.20/g). The national average price of gasoline has risen 5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.08/g today.

Vermont State Police On Aug. 11, 2025, the Vermont State Police in Royalton was contacted by the Tunbridge Fire Department regarding a possible embezzlement within the volunteer department. Investigation by the state police including a review of department financial records revealed that during a 10-year period from 2014 through 2025, $186,000 had been embezzled from the department. VSP’s investigation identified the suspect in the embezzlement as Jacqueline Higgins, who was hired by the Tunbridge Fire Department as a bookkeeper in 1994.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is urging bicyclists, pedestrians, and all road users to stay safe during the earlier dark evenings after the end of Daylight Savings Time. Bicyclists and pedestrians should take extra precautions when biking or walking on roadways just before, during, and after dark when motorists may not be able to see them well or from a distance. Bright and/or reflective clothing is strongly recommended for pedestrians and bicyclists, and the use of a light that meets specific safety criteria when biking after dark is Vermont state law. 

Vermont Business Magazine Around 2:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, will take to the Senate floor and urge his colleagues to pass his resolution to extend funding for Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits by three years. The Senator’s legislation would also extend the ongoing Open Enrollment season to May 1, 2026.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced the hiring of Sue Minter as a Climate Superfund Specialist. Minter served as the State’s Chief Recovery Officer following Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. She is well-acquainted with the statewide impacts of climate disasters and confronted the impacts of climate change as the Executive Director of Capstone Community Action in Barre, which was ground zero for the extreme flooding of 2023 and 2024.