Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, Securities Division (DFR) announced that the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has entered a final judgment imposing approximately $25.6 million in restitution and an equal civil monetary penalty against Safeguard Metals LLC and its owner, Jeffrey Ikahn, for operating a fraudulent scheme targeting elderly and retirement-aged individuals. According to the court findings, the defendants solicited approximately $68 million, the majority of which was retirement savings, from at least 450 persons for the purpose of purchasing precious metals, primarily consisting of silver coins.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekend, Ben & Jerry's is inviting you to a Party for Protest Rights, featuring American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International USA, and Slow Factory. The Party is a celebration of people power designed to equip young and aspiring activists with the knowledge and tools they need to exercise their rights to free speech and to protest. At a time when the First Amendment and human rights are under attack, it's critical we support our communities in protecting and exercising these rights.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) has rescinded the September 22, 2025, order that required all Town Forest Fire Wardens to cease issuing burn permits. This order has now been lifted statewide. Recent rainfall has helped reduce wildfire danger across Vermont. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that much of the state remains in extreme or severe drought. As of Friday morning all regions of the state have a danger forecast of LOW.

Vermont Law and Graduate School will host Community Day and Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 25, from 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. on its South Royalton campus. This annual event strengthens connections between VLGS and the surrounding community through a day of shared experiences, from music and campus tours to family-friendly activities and meaningful conversation. Neighbors, families, and local businesses are invited to celebrate South Royalton’s spirit of connection.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine A Connecticut man pleaded not guilty in federal court in Burlington on Thursday to defrauding the office of the Vermont State Treasurer out of nearly $475,000. Cirt F. Lindsay, 42, of Bridgeport is charged with using both mail and wire fraud to steal $467,067 from the Unclaimed Property Division for the State Treasurer’s Office, according to the federal indictment. The indictment said Lindsay conspired with others to trick the office into forwarding him a check for $467,067 that was intended for a former Essex Junction man now living in Florida. By August 2022 Lindsay and others had spent all but $5,300, the indictment said.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, leaders in the Vermont House of Representatives announced plans to fully fund SNAP (3SquaresVT) and LIHEAP benefits in Vermont to stem the impact of the federal government shutdown impacting Vermonters. Without state action, over 65,000 Vermonters would lose access to these critical programs, which provide essential support for food security and heating fuel assistance to working families, low-income households, and older Vermonters. Governor Scott said at his press conference Wednesday in Burlington that Congress seems more willing to fund LIHEAP than SNAP. In addition, the cost of SNAP in Vermont is $13 million a month. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his short-term action plan to address some of the challenges facing Burlington. This plan, which was developed in coordination with community members, business leaders, service providers and partners at the state and local level, outline additional actions to hold individuals accountable and connect them with services they need, help revitalize the downtown Burlington area, and more. This plan augments the collaboration announced previously with the Judiciary, state’s Attorney, and Defender General.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.10 per gallon, down 4 cents per gallon from last week, down 8 cents/g from a month ago and down 7 cents/g from a year ago. Oil prices increased more than 5% on Thursday after the Trump administration imposed additional sanctions on Russia’s two largest crude oil companies. The national average price of gasoline rose 2 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.07/g, after briefly dipping below $3 to $2.98/g Monday. The national average is down 10 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to AAA.

Vermont Business Magazine The onset of fall sends Vermont’s bats into motion, which makes it an important time for conservation-minded Vermonters to learn about, and help conserve, our nine native bat species. If you have noticed bats roosting in your attic, barn or office over the summer, fall and spring are the perfect times to safely evict these uninvited guests from your property.  Bats migrate between winter and summer roosts during the fall and spring and do not have vulnerable young at these times.  You can learn how to safely evict bats from your building at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s best management practices page. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is one of the most rural states in the country, and Vermonters have a proud heritage of living close to the land.  Hunting is highly regulated and provides a way to connect with the land, connect with nature and connect with a healthy, sustainable food source that is rooted in Vermont. Making the most of the meals provided by deer taken in hunting seasons starts with processing them quickly and correctly which is why the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has three online videos demonstrating how to process deer.  

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s regulated land and water trapping seasons open on October 25, 2025, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Traps can be set on land for species such as fox, coyote and raccoon through December 2025, and in the water or under ice for species such as beaver, muskrat and otter through March 2026.  These species have healthy populations in Vermont that can sustain regulated trapping for fur and food each year. In December 2023, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board adopted amended regulations that require trappers to use traps that reduce harm to captured animals and to follow safety measures to minimize conflicts with pets and other outdoors users.

Vermont State Police Search efforts continue Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, for missing Middlebury College student Lia Smith. Thursday morning, a comprehensive search began of multiple locations in and around Middlebury. Participating agencies in the search include the Middlebury Police Department, the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team, game wardens with the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, representatives from various Addison County law-enforcement agencies, North Country Search Dogs, New Hope Search and Rescue, and members of the public including the Middlebury College community. Lia, a 21-year-old from Woodside, California, has not been located. She is last known to have been seen on campus Friday night, Oct 17, and was reported missing Sunday, Oct. 19.