Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Union Mutual announced it has raised over $147,000 in support of the Kelly Brush Foundation. The achievement was part of the Company’s participation in the 20th Annual Kelly Brush Ride, held in Middlebury, Vermont on September 6th, 2025. Union Mutual employees, their families, friends, and agency partners joined hundreds of riders for the event, with all funds raised directly through charitable donations made in support of the Team Union Mutual riders. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is reminding hunters of a regulation designed to help keep Vermont deer healthy by banning the use of any deer lure containing deer urine or other deer bodily fluids. The infectious agent of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal disease of deer, is a mutant protein or “prion” that can be passed in urine.  Prions can bind to soils and remain infectious for many years.  Nearly all urine-based lures are produced in captive deer facilities, where CWD is most likely to occur.  There is no accepted way to test live animals, and infected animals can spread CWD for years before showing any symptoms. No amount of testing or special certification program can eliminate the risk of spreading CWD through urine lures. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Wednesday announced a major environmental restoration project involving the use of an aluminum compound to control phosphorus pollution and decrease toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms on Lake Carmi. The project started the week of September 22, 2025. Lake Carmi is the fourth largest natural lake that is entirely within Vermont. In 2018, it was designated the state’s only Lake in Crisis due to the long-term presence of toxic algal blooms. These blooms are caused by excess phosphorus, which runs off into the lake from a range of sources (such as shoreland development, agriculture, streambank and road erosion, and wastewater).

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to block new restrictions on federal funding that supports survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Rhode Island, challenges a rule barring states from using Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne JAG), and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant funds to provide services to undocumented immigrants, or other individuals who cannot prove their status. Attorney General Clark and the coalition argue that the new policy is unconstitutional and are asking the court to stop the rule from taking effect in their states.

Vermont Business Magazine Federal employees in Vermont who may be deemed “non-essential” and furloughed due to the temporary federal government shutdown may file for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits beginning the first day of the shutdown. Federal workers impacted by a shutdown have up to two weeks from the start of the shutdown to file an unemployment claim. Individuals can apply for UI by calling the UI Claims Center at 1-877-214-3330 (Monday – Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm / Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm). Please note that calling later in the week will not affect eligibility for benefits.  

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters receiving food assistance benefits through 3SquaresVT, the Vermont name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should continue using the program, Treasurer Pieciak and local food security leaders announced today at Capstone Community Action. As federal changes to the program take effect October 1, 3SquaresVT remains Vermont’s best tool to fight hunger and ensure families can put food on the table. Despite the federal government shutdown, all eligible Vermonters will receive their October 3SquaresVt benefits without delay. With cuts placing added pressure and demand on food banks and local service providers, officials asked Vermonters to help feed their neighbors by making a donation to the Vermont Foodbank and trusted local service providers like Capstone.   

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott’s office today announced a range of appointments made in the third quarter of 2025. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website at https://governor.vermont.gov/boards-commissions to apply.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Robert Vaillancourt, 76, of Bethel, Vermont, was arraigned yesterday on four counts of felony Medicaid Fraud. The charges brought against Vaillancourt by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) stem from an investigation into his work as a licensed psychologist. The investigation began after a referral was received from the Department of Vermont Health Access due to concerns with Vaillancourt’s overall therapeutic and billing practices. The investigation found that Vaillancourt had submitted claims for payment to Vermont Medicaid for psychotherapy sessions he had not provided, defrauding Vermont Medicaid of over $600,000 in public health care funds.

Saint Michael's College Dear Purple Knight Community - Please keep former Saint Michael’s College President John “Jack” Neuhauser and his family in your thoughts and prayers today. We learned this morning that Jack passed away overnight. Jack served as the 16th President of the College from 2007 until his retirement in 2018. He led the College through the 2008 recession and later oversaw multiple significant projects and improvements to the College, including the construction of the Dion Family Student Center, Aubin Residence Hall, and the Pomerleau Alumni Center. Jack was also deeply committed to strengthening the College’s connection to its Edmundite founders, to expanding research and internship opportunities for students, and to reducing the College’s carbon footprint. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Blue Advantage announced its decision today to not offer Medicare Advantage plans in 2026. The Medicare Advantage market in Vermont has been severely affected by payers choosing to leave the Medicare Advantage market and high utilization of medical care by Vermont Blue Advantage members. These combined forces make the Vermont Medicare Advantage market unsustainable for Vermont Blue Advantage to be able to offer reasonably priced and affordable products to serve as an alternative to traditional Medicare coverage.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark released Vermont’s revenue results for August 2025 today. The Transportation Fund and Education Fund exceeded their respective monthly consensus cash flow target, as adopted by the Emergency Board at its July 2025 meeting, while the General Fund fell short of its target for the month as the vital Personal Income Tax was off by more than 10%. The PI has been reliably near or above targets for several years. Still the General Fund is ahead of targets early this fiscal year (FY26 began July 1, 2025). While Corporate receipts have been strong, the tourism-related Meals & Rooms, which has a higher target, and Interest are running below projections. 

Vermont Business Magazine New financial aid initiatives at Saint Michael’s College aim to make the cost of attendance more affordable for students – including those from Vermont. The college has announced several new programs to make a St. Mike’s education more accessible to all students. They include: Free Tuition Vermont – Vermont residents whose household income is $100,000 or less will have their tuition fully covered after the allocation of Pell and VSAC grants. Students are required to fill out the FAFSA first to be eligible for tuition coverage and then must apply for other state grants through Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). To continue receiving full tuition in subsequent years, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. UVM Match – Vermont residents whose household income is above $100,000 will pay the same tuition and fees as students who attend the University of Vermont