Current News

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. 

Vermont Business Magazine As the year comes to a close, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking annual reports on surface water withdrawals. Under Act 135 of 2022, any person withdrawing surface water must file an annual report with DEC by January 15, 2026. The purpose of Act 135 is to collect baseline data on the use of surface waters such as rivers, streams, brooks, creeks, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Anyone who withdraws 10,000 gallons or more of surface water within 24 hours – or 150,000 gallons or more over 30 days – is required to fill out an online form to register and report their withdrawal.

Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships On Monday, November 10, we’ll celebrate our second birthday with cake and friends. Reflecting back, we’re grateful for the partnerships that have come together with Leahy Institute support to do good things for our state. With $4 million deployed across 29 community-based research projects, UVM is lending its expertise, working together with local leaders and organizations, and improving the vitality of our rural places. Looking forward, we are intent on supporting deep, reciprocal partnerships and on making lasting impacts in Vermont communities with our partners.