Current News

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont President Suresh Garimella and Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger today marked the university’s 100,000^th coronavirus test since the start of the fall semester by thanking students for their adherence to testing protocols, and health and safety measures. UVM administers more than 10,000 student tests per week, a testing volume that is five times higher than the average for colleges and universities partnering with the Broad Institute. The positivity rate has remained low, with the past week’s figure being less than 0.01 percent. UVM has reported 27 total positive test results for COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine Due to rising COVID-19 case counts throughout the Northeast, and the decisions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire officials to suspend ice rink activities due to numerous outbreaks, the State of Vermont has announced updated policies to reduce risk. Vermont-based youth and adult recreational sports are now restricted to in-state activities only, with strict limits on the number of spectators permitted in attendance at indoor sports events. Effective immediately, Vermont-based sports teams may only participate in sporting events in Vermont, and these events may only occur among Vermont-based teams. This means youth and adult recreational sports teams, programs and athletes may only practice, scrimmage or participate in ‘pick-up’ games or formal competitions within Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center and Vaccine Testing Center at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine have been selected to take part in a Phase 3 trial for a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. Volunteer subjects are sought from higher risk groups, including older Vermonters and those with pre-existing conditions, not from younger and healthier people who tend to be asymptomatic when they contract the virus. About a third of the volunteers will be given a placebo.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general and several cities and city agencies in calling on the Trump Administration to stop the implementation of a proposed rule that would strip workers of key protections provided under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The proposed rule — issued by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the US Department of Labor (DOL) — would make it easier for employers to change the classification of workers from “employees” to “independent contractors,” removing these workers from federal minimum wage and overtime pay requirements.

Vermont Business Magazine After nearly 14 years as host of Vermont Edition, Jane Lindholm will move into a new role at VPR in February, expanding But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids, as well as producing special news projects for the station. VPR will conduct a national search for a new host of "Vermont Edition."

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges System today announced their FREE upcoming virtual Job and Internship Fair to be held November 9-December 31, 2020. Employers recruiting for internships, full- or part-time jobs, seasonal jobs, continuing education, community engagement and volunteer opportunities, or who are willing to do informational interviews with students should register by Friday, October 30.

Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday, October 26 social activists and co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, endorsed Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray.

In their co-endorsement, Cohen and Greenfield said, "Molly knows, as we do, that we need statewide leadership that understands the importance of local, resilient food systems and bold climate action. Molly also knows, as we do, that socially responsible Vermont businesses can be leaders in fighting for social change and the public good. We're proud to endorse Molly Gray from Lieutenant Governor. Her deep Vermont roots, coupled with her career of service to Vermont and working to promote human rights, make her the bold leader we need in this moment as we work to transform the future of the Green Mountain State."

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement criticizing the Republican-controlled Senate’s confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Monday: “Tonight’s vote to confirm Amy Coney Barrett as a Supreme Court justice is a disgrace, not only because of what she will do when she gets on the bench, but because of the entire process, which was pushed through with extraordinary hypocrisy by Senate Republicans in the last days of a president’s term."

Vermont Business Magazine The Born to Run Foundation will present its 10th prosthesis donation, a running blade, to amputee David Hiler of Brattleboro, Vermont, on Thursday, November 5, at 3:00pm at the outdoor waterfront Bier Garten at Whetstone Station Restaurant and Brewery in Brattleboro. At the event, Hiler and The Born to Run Foundation will announce the creation of a special-label craft brew, RUN, that will support the Foundation’s mission of providing athletic prostheses to amputees to help them lead active lives.

Vermont Business Magazine The Upper Valley MedTech Collaborative held a Pitch Night on October 22, 2020 featuring six medical technology companies located in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire. These companies have all developed new technologies for medical device or diagnostic healthcare solutions. The event was moderated by Daniella Reichstetter, executive director of the Tuck School of Business Center for Entrepreneurship at Dartmouth College. Judging the competition was Jenny Barba, BioVentures Investors, Ross Jaffe, Versant Ventures, and Laura Rippy, Green D Ventures.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) is hosting a fundraising campaign and online auction to raise money for its telehealth program. The campaign is being held in lieu of Seasons of Life Fashion Show, Dinner & Live Auction, CVHHH’s largest annual fundraiser and event, which was canceled because of COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine For the second year in a row, Vermont Electric Co-op has received a prestigious wellness award from the insurance company Cigna. VEC was one of two companies in Cigna’s national book of business with fewer than 500 employees to receive the annual Cigna Well-Being Award. In making the award, Cigna – VEC’s health insurance partner – found that VEC demonstrates a strong commitment to improving the well-being of employees through a workplace wellness program. The company said VEC’s program was led by “a robust wellness committee with good representation, leadership support and engagement.”