Current News

AccuWeather Global Weather Center This past weekend's record warmth may seem like a distant memory by this upcoming weekend as forecasters are monitoring the potential for a major storm to develop and deliver widespread wintry precipitation -- and perhaps the biggest snowstorm of the season for some metropolitan areas. According to AccuWeather, Vermont could get up to a foot of snow across the state. It also could be very windy, again, on the leading edge of the storm. The storm is expected to arrive by Saturday afternoon and last until at least early Sunday.

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont Public Utility Commission issued a preliminary report addressing the question of how to deliver energy efficiency for all fuels. The report compares the success of the long-established, statewide efficiency programs for regulated fuels (electricity and natural gas) with the uncoordinated, inadequately funded efficiency approaches for unregulated fuels (fuel oil, propane, diesel, and gasoline).

PUC recommends that Vermont lawmakers begin to identify new program and funding options for those sectors that have not traditionally been subject to energy efficiency programs.

Compared to electricity, the transportation and heating sectors burn more energy, emit the most greenhouse gases, and cost Vermonters more of their energy budget.

Vermont Business Magazine After extensive investigation, modifications, and ongoing coordination with an advisory group of employees, the UVM Medical Center has begun working toward a phased re-opening of its operating rooms at the Fanny Allen campus in Colchester the week of January 27. While testing and monitoring did not determine a root cause of the two incidents that caused employees to seek medical attention late last year, input gathered from internal and external air quality consultants, the state of Vermont and an outside occupational health expert have confirmed that the area is safe for use.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Jennifer Harlow to become Orleans County sheriff, following Kirk Martin’s resignation last month. Harlow will be the only female sheriff in Vermont at the time of her appointment. Harlow has lived in Orleans County for the last 16 years. Since 2004, she has worked in the Newport Police Department, where she focused on preventing and investigating crimes against children, school safety, the opioid crisis, domestic violence and domestic violence related homicides. Additionally, she is a certified instructor for the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is staring at $4.5 billion in government employee retirement obligations because of historic underfunding of pension and healthcare plans and because of too-little commitment by state leaders to rectify the growing problem. For the first time, the state now has a negative net worth. Today, Lisa Ventriss, President of Vermont Business Roundtable and Mark Crow, President of Tenth Crow Creative and Chair of the Pension Reform and Health Benefits Task Force, announced the release of its latest policy paper entitled, “Policy Options for Vermont State Employee and Teacher Pension and Health Care Retirement Systems.”

Center for Research on Vermont Vermont’s deer hunting season this year was the fourth highest since 2000. Fire safety violations lead to rental safety concerns. Alzheimer’s Disease rising. State leads in species richness. Social Security scams common. Fentanyl top opiod killer.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Public Radio has received a $118,000 gift to support live performances on VPR Classical. The gift was made in memory of long-time VPR listeners and supporters Ray and Patricia Harwick by Ray’s daughter, Joslyn G Ewart of King of Prussia, PA; and Ray’s son and daughter-in-law, Nevon and Heather Harwick, of Albuquerque, NM. The Harwicks were long-time residents of Vermont and Wake Robin in Shelburne.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan announced that his office has facilitated the settlement of a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Migrant Justice against the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The case involved allegations that DMV provided information from driver’s privilege card applications to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) based upon stereotypes related to national origin and immigration status. The settlement announced today enhances access to driver’s privilege cards and limits ICE’s access to information obtained by DMV. The settlement will help all Vermont residents gain access to driver’s privilege cards.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development today announced the launch of the Regional Marketing and Recruitment Grant Program. As passed by the Legislature in Act 80, the $80,000 in grant funding will support the efforts and activities of regional organizations to attract more visitors, potential residents and businesses to Vermont, helping to enhance and extend existing state marketing and recruitment initiatives.

“Combatting Vermont’s demographic crisis is going to take the work of many, bringing new ideas and fresh perspectives from every corner of the state,” said Governor Phil Scott. “These regional grants will foster strong partnerships between local groups and connect them to broader efforts to bring more people and businesses to our state.”

by Suresh V Garimella, President, University of Vermont Against the back wall of my UVM office sits an antique wooden desk. Its surface is bare of books and paper because it serves no mere utilitarian purpose. As the desk that once belonged to Vermont Senator Justin Morrill, author of the Morrill Act of 1862 establishing the country’s first land grant universities, it’s an inspirational symbol for me—a daily reminder of UVM’s status as one of the nation’s first land grants and of the solemn responsibilities that come with that designation.