Current News

The Vermont State Police is investigating after a referral of a missing-persons case from federal authorities led to the discovery of human remains in the Orleans County town of Jay. Members of VSP’s Search and Rescue Team and North County Search Dogs located the remains late Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 29, 2025. The location was secured, and the state police’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations responded to examine the scene and collect evidence. The human remains were transported Thursday to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington to confirm identity and perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. The identity of the deceased individual is unavailable at this time. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in applauding the Senate’s passage of their bipartisan legislation to repeal Donald Trump’s global tariffs. The measure passed on a 51-47 vote this afternoon. The Senators introduced a similar measure in April, which narrowly failed. The resolution, along with the similar resolutions to repeal the tariffs on products Americans buy from Canada and Brazil, next heads to the House.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has announced the keynote presentations for the 2025 Vermont Manufacturing Summit, taking place November 19–20, 2025, at Hotel Champlain in Burlington. Bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, and experts from across Vermont, New England, and Canada, this year’s Summit will focus on collaboration, innovation, and opportunity, addressing the challenges and possibilities shaping the future of manufacturing. Over two days, attendees will explore strategies for strengthening supply chains, navigating regulatory changes, advancing workforce development, and embracing sustainable and technological innovation.

Vermont Business Magazine At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) outlined how President Trump’s global trade war has wreaked havoc on the United States’ agricultural market and created hardships for farmers across the country. Senator Welch also emphasized how the historic drought and President Trump’s tariffs, have hurt Vermont dairy farmers.  

Vermont Business Magazine Solaflect Energy today announces it is helping drive sustainability on and off the golf course, teaming up with the Eastman Charitable Foundation (ECF). Located in New Hampshire's Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region, ECF is installing an off-grid Solaflect Apollo EV charger at the Eastman Golf Links in Grantham. Solaflect's sun-tracking units will offer a clean, reliable charging option for the growing number of EV drivers in the 3,000+ resident Eastman community, and those who frequent the golf course or the associated facilities.

by Julie Moore & Kerrick Johnson Vermont faces a housing crisis that threatens our economic future and the ability of working families to remain in our state. The cost of housing has skyrocketed with median home prices in Vermont more than doubling in the last 10 years, putting both homeownership and rentals out of reach for many. Vermont needs 30,000 new homes by 2030, requiring 8,000 units per year for the next four years. At current rates, we’ll struggle to hit even 25% of that goal. In response, Governor Scott recently issued a Housing Executive Order (EO) that directs a set of measured yet impactful steps to accelerate housing development timelines and reduce costs. The Governor's EO doesn't eliminate regulatory review or ignore legitimate concerns. It balances the need for affordability with environmental objectives for housing projects in areas identified for development. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.09 per gallon, down 1 cent per gallon from last week, down 8 cents/g from a month ago and down 5 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.73/g while the highest was $3.39/g, a difference of 66.0 cents per gallon. Prices were lowest in Bennington ($2.89/g) and Rutland ($2.96/g) counties and highest in Essex ($3.17/g), Lamoille ($3.17/g) and Grand Isle ($3.21/g). The national average price of gasoline is down 4 cents per gallon in the last week, down 12 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 10 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine ISO New England today announced the retirement of Bob Ludlow, vice president, chief financial and compliance officer. Kelly Reyngold will succeed Ludlow as vice president and chief financial officer on Jan. 1, 2026. Reyngold joined the ISO in 2002 as a staff accountant before progressing through roles of increasing responsibility, including controller and, most recently, director of accounting. In her previous roles, she oversaw treasury management, the preparation of financial statements, stakeholder communication regarding the company’s annual budget, and administration of the Billing Policy, among other duties.

Vermont Business Magazine Cleantech Industry Resources (CIR), the leader in standardized energy project development, is pleased to announce that Bram Kleppner has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Business Development. In this role, Kleppner will drive customer acquisition, strengthen long-term relationships, and identify new strategic opportunities where CIR’s development, engineering, and construction capabilities can add value across and beyond the energy sector. Kleppner brings a wealth of experience from leadership positions across business, non-profit, and public service. He served as CEO of Danforth Pewter for over a decade, guiding the company through consistent growth, and previously spent over 10 years at Ben & Jerry’s, including managing international business development. 

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) today announced a planned transition in how it delivers pediatric care, ensuring children and families in our community continue to receive high-quality, compassionate services in the most appropriate setting. This shift, the hospital said in a statement, "will allow us to realign resources, support our staff, and ensure high-quality pediatric care remains available at RRMC. Additionally, the redesign will further enhance RRMC’s commitment to gynecological, obstetric and newborn care." Most young patients today receive the care they need safely through emergency visits, outpatient clinics, or short observation stays. In response to this, RRMC will be transitioning away from operating inpatient pediatric beds and focus its resources on providing improved pediatric care in appropriate settings as community needs continue to evolve.

Vermont Chamber of Commerce Today, we joined community and education leaders at the ribbon cutting of the new Burlington Aviation Education Center at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, a cutting-edge facility that marks a major investment in Vermont’s future workforce. Years ago, the Vermont Chamber worked collaboratively to help secure $10 million championed by Senator Patrick Leahy. Located at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, the renovated facility now houses aviation, automotive, and engineering programs that will connect students directly with the jobs of tomorrow.

Vermont Business Magazine In remarks from the Senate floor this week, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, questioned the legality of the President’s recent military actions in the Caribbean Sea and demanded that Congress assert its constitutional obligation to determine where and why the United States goes to war.