Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today delivered an opening statement at the committee's oversight hearing on the Trump administration’s decision to fire Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Susan Monarez and oust senior scientists. On July 31, Dr. Monarez was sworn in as our nation’s first Senate-confirmed Director of the CDC. At her swearing-in ceremony, Secretary Kennedy said: “Dr. Monarez is a public health expert with unimpeachable scientific credentials. I have full confidence in her ability to restore the CDC's role as the most trusted authority in public health and to strengthen our nation's readiness to confront infectious diseases and biosecurity threats.” That was what Secretary Kennedy said on July 31.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont CUD Association (VCUDA) is thanking Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) Deputy Director Robert Fish for his leadership in helping Vermont on its way to achieving its bold broadband goals. Fish is moving on from the VCBB in October 2025. He joined the Vermont Department of Public Service in 2019, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been a tireless supporter of Vermont’s broadband strategy and of communications union districts. He was the VCBB’s second employee, hired in 2021 shortly after the board was formed and its Executive Director Christine Hallquist was appointed by Governor Phil Scott. Deputy Director Fish played a pivotal role in the early leadership of the VCBB, expanding staff capacity from two to twelve. Fish helped to manage more than $280 million in broadband funding, including securing several million dollars in funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission.

Vermont Business Magazine As the Trump administration continues to attack and undermine Head Start, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today introduced the Head Start for America’s Children Act after addressing more than 500 Head Start educators and administrators at the National Head Start Association conference. This sweeping legislation would expand Head Start to ensure that more than 11 million young children from working class families can access high-quality early education and comprehensive services, while also ensuring Head Start educators earn the wages they deserve. 

Vermont Business Magazine The US Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) yesterday filed a motion for summary judgment in its challenge to the State of Vermont’s “climate superfund” law, which imposes what will likely be billions of dollars in liability on foreign and domestic energy companies for their alleged past contributions to climate change. The complaint was filed in May, along with a complaint against the State of New York for its similar statute, to advance President Trump’s executive order to protect American energy from state overreach. Vermont's Climate Superfund Act requires the largest fossil fuel companies to pay for a share of climate change costs proportional to their emissions from 1995-2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) today announced Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) Superintendent Michaela Merrill returned to her role of Superintendent following a Department of Human Resources (DHR) investigation that concluded an allegation of misconduct to be unfounded. Per department and state policy, any and all allegations of misconduct must be immediately and automatically referred to DHR for review. DHR initiated the investigation at SSCF on July 17, 2025. Superintendent Merrill joined the Department in April 2003 and assumed the role of Superintendent in December 2023.  

Vermont Business Magazine Cathedral Square has received a $25,000 gift from Charlotte Congregational Church to support their Housing Incentive Program (HIP). This donation will help fund Cathedral Square's innovative initiative designed to support residents transitioning from homelessness to stable, long-term affordable housing. HIP launched in December 2024 to address Vermont's homelessness crisis by providing comprehensive support to individuals and families during the critical transition period after securing housing. The program offers embedded support services, wellness programs, community programs, monetary incentives, emergency funds, and a resident advisory group to ensure participants receive the critical support they need to stay housed during this vulnerable time.

Vermont Business Magazine Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, KOOL 105, and the Vermont Lake Monsters have teamed up again to present the 4th annual Ta-Kum-Ta Softball-a-thon at Delta Dental Diamond at Centennial Field on September 20th. This all-day event includes hourly softball games through friendly competition, all to support local families impacted by childhood cancer. The day is for the whole family, as there will be lawn games, face painting, and a Touch-A-Truck from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., along with food and non-alcoholic drinks for purchase from East Coast Ice, Shelburne Tap House, Urban Coffee Retreat, and pizza from the ballpark. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the new Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion federal initiative to modernize rural health care infrastructure across the nation. The Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) announced today that the state, working across agencies and in alliance with providers and community partners, will submit an application for funding. This initiative will provide long-term investments in health care facilities, technology, and workforce development—not direct service funding—giving Vermont the tools to create a stronger, more sustainable health system. The Rural Health Transformation Program has the potential to bring in at least $500 million to Vermont over the next five years, AHS stated.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont has named Richard L. Page, M.D., Dean of the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, as its inaugural Chief Medical Affairs Officer. In an increasingly complex environment around medicine and medical education, this role will help the university strengthen its strategic and material responsiveness to its land-grant mission and the well-being of the state. Dr. Page will continue to serve as Dean of Larner, with oversight of more than 1,000 faculty members and nearly $100 million in research awards. In this capacity, he will report to Linda Schadler, UVM interim Provost and Senior Vice President. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Page will report to UVM President Marlene Tromp and serve as a member of the President’s Leadership Council. 

Vermont Business Magazine A Paramedic Training Program serving organizations and communities across University of Vermont Health Network and supported by state and federal funding is working to address a longstanding challenge for rural health care by expanding access to education for aspiring paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and reliable access to advanced first responder care for communities throughout Vermont and northern New York. Expanding access to high-quality, affordable first responder education is crucial as health care organizations look to address a crisis of paramedic and EMS shortages across rural communities nationwide.

VermontBiz Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, joined U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10) and Alma Adams (D-NC-12) in reintroducing the bicameral Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act, legislation to help new farmers and ranchers address early financial challenges. The legislation directs the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to develop a multi-year loan pilot program to address financing challenges for beginning farmers and ranchers who often face immediate financial hurdles during their first years of operation. 

“Supporting aspiring and beginner farmers is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our food systems and the health and welfare of our communities. Start-up funds are vital to building a business in any industry, and farming is no exception. Yet for many beginning farmers—especially first-generation and farmers of color—financial barriers can make it difficult to break ground on their farm,” said Senator Welch. “Our bicameral bill will make it easier for beginning farmers in Vermont, North Carolina, Washington, and across the country to start and maintain farming operations.” 

VermontBiz Governor Philip Scott has proclaimed September Vermont Loves Shelter Animals Month, a critical effort as the state commits to maintain its no-kill* achievement. The proclamation underlines Vermont’s commitment to ending the unnecessary killing of dogs and cats in the state’s shelters and working towards a time when there are no more homeless pets. 

With this proclamation, Vermont joins 17 other states in an effort to unify and mobilize the public to help get dogs and cats out of shelters and into loving homes. Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s and make the country no-kill, welcomes this affirmation of the state's continued pet lifesaving efforts.