Current News

by Rep Gina Galfetti (R-Barre Town) Has anyone else wondered why the Global Warming Solutions Act never solved anything? Indeed, from day one the Act was doomed to fail. Climate change is indeed very real; however, initiatives proposed in the GWSA were never going to have any measurable effect on the problem of carbon emissions, and when it was combined with the Clean Heat Standard and the EV mandate, the Majority appears to have had an agenda that missed the mark. The fact of the matter is the quickest way to reduce carbon emissions and save low- and middle-income folks money would be to invest in weatherization programs. Vermont has some of the oldest housing stock in the nation, and weatherizing homes is the fastest way to reduce emissions significantly while at the same time reducing both fossil fuel reliance and lowering electric bills.

Vermont Business Magazine RunVermont, the Vermont-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting running as a lifelong activity by producing exceptional events and programs that engage our community and celebrate the athletic spirit, announces the 37th running of the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, with Relays presented by Darn Tough Vermont, on Sunday, May 24, 2026, continuing its long-standing tradition as a cornerstone of Memorial Day Weekend in Burlington. The race will begin at 7:15 a.m. at Waterfront Park, drawing around 5,000 registrants, 20,000 spectators, and 800 volunteers.

Vermont Business Magazine Beacon Bank, formerly Berkshire Bank, is presenting the 2026 Women in Leadership Luncheon in partnership with the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce in Manchester on May 13 at noon. The signature event is expected to welcome more than 200 attendees from across southwestern Vermont, featuring a co-keynote presentation by Emily Bush of the Vermont Women’s Fund and Rhoni Basden of Vermont Works for Women. It will also include three awards recognizing local women for their leadership and impact: Young Woman in Leadership, Woman of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement.

Vermont Business Magazine Sparrow Plein Air Festival returns to Middlebury June 12–14, transforming the town into a vibrant open-air studio where artists and visitors can experience the creative process in real time. In partnership with Better Middlebury Partnership, painters will work across downtown streets, riverbanks, gardens, and historic sites, capturing Vermont’s landscape en plein air—directly from life. The festival is free and open to the public, inviting visitors to explore the town, watch artists at work, and engage with demonstrations and programming throughout the weekend.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday April 30, over 120 Brandon community members gathered at Otter Valley Union Middle & High School for a free dinner with live music and forums to share their experience of living or working in Brandon and what they’d like to see for the community’s future. Community members participated in six forums on topics including housing and jobs, education, community resources, infrastructure and public safety, recreation, and more. Earlier in the day, around 35 students at Otter Valley shared suggestions for a wide variety of actions the community could take that would make Brandon a better place for them today and in the future.

Vermont Business Magazine Oliver Parini, a Vermont-based commercial and editorial photographer, has launched Distant Dawn, an online photography gallery in Weybridge. The gallery works with photographers who haven't pursued the traditional fine-art gallery path, connecting them with a larger audience of people online who are looking to own approachable, authentic art for their homes. The gallery, which launched May 4, features twelve photographers from across the world, including three from Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Nut Free Chocolates is meeting the demand of a new generation of snackers who crave daily sweet treats and clean ingredients. ​The Vermont-based chocolate company’s launch of its new Caramel Cups, an everyday indulgence made with real chocolate and smooth caramel, is part of the brand’s commitment to ingredient-conscious shoppers. New research confirms a shift in snacking expectations: Gen Z and the parents of Gen Alpha expect real ingredients and clean formulations. ​Vermont Nut Free Chocolates' new Caramel Cups meet that standard directly: no artificial colors or flavors, no vegetable oil substitutes, 100% nut-free, school safe, and Kosher Dairy Certified. ​

Vermont Business Magazine Few landmarks are regarded for their quintessential New England riverscapes and nostalgia as the local flour factory affectionately known as the grist mill. They came in all shapes and sizes using an endless array of hydro-power methods at pennies per pound. Today, the penny is so devalued, it has been discontinued. But the love for the Old Mill has never faded, generation to generation. Think Hardy Boys - The Secret of the Old Mill, the third book in the beloved series under the author ship of Franklin W. Dixon. Rutland county and the Okemo Mountain region is today home to arguably the most legendary, one-of-a- kind and completely original grist mill complexes in the nation. The Kingsley Grist Mill National Historic Site in North Clarendonis the only Mill ever designed and built by the master covered bridge prodigy Nichols Montgomery Powers.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont initial weekly unemployment claims decreased by more than 400 last week after a seasonal spike last week. For the week ending May 2, 2026, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that there were 355 new claims, down 404 from the previous week and down 25 from last year at this time. New claims had leveled off at under 400 after the holiday season. The end of the winter tourism season typically brings a flurry of layoffs. Meanwhile, total claims this week were 3,737, down 95 from the week before and up 62 from last year at this time. Nationally, stocks generally were up by the end of the week on a strong jobs report after recent wild swings depending on news from the Middle East. The future of oil prices remains uncertain but gasoline prices reached four-year highs of over $4.50 this week.

Vermont Business Magazine A federal court order is invalidating President Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on products purchased by American consumers and businesses. U.S. Court of International Trade on Thursday granted summary judgment to a coalition of 24 states, including Vermont, striking down those tariffs. For more than a year, President Trump has unlawfully attempted to impose tariffs on essential goods purchased by American consumers and businesses. Initially, the President invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—but the Supreme Court ruled those tariffs were unlawful. The President then attempted to use a different law that has never been used before—Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—and imposed 10 percent tariffs on most products worldwide, supposedly in response to trade deficits.

Vermont Business Magazine National Nurses Week kicked off on Wednesday, marking a week-long, annual recognition of the dedication and contributions of nurses. Essential to the profession is the education pipeline that trains and prepares nurses with the skills and knowledge they need to enter the field. Each year, Vermont State University graduates hundreds of nurses who go on to make a measurable difference in the lives of their patients and communities. Over 80% of those graduates license to practice right here in Vermont.

by Mike Donoghue A Massachusetts man, wanted for a murder charge in his home state from last month, was arrested in North Springfield, Vermont, by federal, state and local law enforcement officials from two states on Thursday. The U.S. Marshals Service in Vermont and Massachusetts said Daniel Medina, 22, who has a documented history of firearm related offenses, was apprehended about 3 p.m.