Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), alongside seven Democratic members of the committee, launched an investigation into Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s decision to gut the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replace its non-partisan scientific experts with ideologues who have a history of undermining vaccines.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations remain under 5 cases statewide, after a spike last winter. Overall COVID trends are declining in Vermont and across the US. The Vermont COVID-19 pandemic death total stands at 1,301 as of July 19, 2025, with 1 reported death from the previous week (the most recent data available from the CDC). WHO also reported that global COVID-19 deaths keep declining. The VDH is no longer reporting COVID fatalities and cases in Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine Grants are now available to support dynamic and innovative youth programs in Bennington, North Bennington, Pownal, Shaftsbury, and Woodford through the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth at the Vermont Community Foundation. The Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth awards grants for creative and effective initiatives that empower and support Bennington-area teenagers. In 2024 and 2025, Vermont Community Foundation staff engaged directly with Bennington-area youth to better understand their current needs and interests. The 2025 grant priorities are grounded in these conversations and shaped by the voices of young people in the region. 

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: NBTB) reported net income and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025. Net income for the second quarter of 2025 was $22.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted common share, compared to $32.7 million, or $0.69 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2024, and $36.7 million, or $0.77 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2025. The Company completed the acquisition of Evans Bancorp, Inc. (“Evans”) on May 2, 2025, adding 200 employees and 18 banking locations in Western New York, $1.67 billion in loans and $1.86 billion in deposits. In connection with the transaction, the Company issued 5.1 million shares of common stock, with a value of $221.8 million as of the closing date. The comparisons to the first quarter of 2025 and to the second quarter of 2024 are significantly impacted by the Evans acquisition.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s only educational pipeline for training respiratory therapists – a critical health care career that is in high demand nationwide – will be supported by University of Vermont Health Network for a third straight year, after the health system and Vermont State University (VTSU) finalized an agreement extending their previous two-year partnership. The agreement, approved earlier this year, extends a cost-sharing partnership between the health system and university through June 30, 2026 and allows up to 25 students to enroll in the school’s respiratory therapy (RT) program in the school’s Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH) has received a $5,000 grant from NorthCountry Federal Credit Union (NCFCU). The funds will be used to expand hospice and outpatient palliative care services to Central Vermonters who are seeking compassionate end-of-life care and support at home. CVHHH’s hospice program provides individualized care, comfort, and support for Central Vermonters nearing the end of life. Patients receive care at home from an interdisciplinary team of providers that prioritize comfort and dignity. The Palliative Care Consultative Service (PCCS) program was launched in 2023 to support Central Vermonters facing serious illness with one-on-one care and emotional support. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), will hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon with nursing home leaders and providers from across the country to raise the alarm about the disastrous impact of nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act in President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ “Just a few weeks ago, President Trump signed into law a bill that provides the largest tax break to billionaires in American history and the largest cut to Medicaid in American history,” Sanders said. “At a time when Medicaid provides the funding for nearly 60% of seniors who live in nursing homes and is the primary source of funding for home health care in America, this bill will be a disaster for elderly Americans throughout the country.”

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross) has selected Rutland Regional Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee/Hip Replacement and Spine Surgery. This designation is part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community. Rutland Regional Medical Center is currently the sole Blue Distinction® Center+ for Knee/Hip Replacement and Spine Surgery in the state of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is celebrating the state’s high breastfeeding rates and showcasing programs and events to support new families who want to learn more about breastfeeding as part of World Breastfeeding Week 2025 beginning Aug. 1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 93% of Vermont infants born in 2021 had been breastfed, compared to a national average of 84%. At 12 months of age, about 57% of Vermont babies are breastfed, exceeding the national average of about 40%. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and encourages parents to continue until two years or beyond.

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and the Vermont Dairy Industry Association, in cooperation with the New England Green Pastures program, chose this farm for its overall excellence in dairying, including its quality milk production; outstanding pasture, crop and herd management; and sustainable environmental practices, among other criteria. Owner Peter Rainville grew up on a dairy farm, developing a love for farming and a strong work ethic at an early age. He farmed first with his parents and brother in the town of Georgia, six miles up the road. In 2000, Rainville and his growing family moved to his current location and bought what was known as Homestead Farm from his aunt and uncle. He renamed it Four Girls Dairy after daughters Sarah, Marie, Hannah and Ashley.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group has been named on the 2025 Ward’s 50, an annual list of the country’s 50 best life and health insurance performers, based on financial health. 2025 marks the fifth consecutive year in which National Life has been named as an industry leader for its extraordinary financial performance. In the 35 years the list has been produced, National Life has appeared on it 17 times. 

Vermont State Police On the above date and time, Vermont State Police responded to a report of a motorcycle versus vehicle crash on VT Route 30, in the town of Wells. Operator #1 was identified as Ricky Chandler (40). Chandler was operating a 1994 Kawasaki Motorcycle traveling north on VT Route 30. Operator #2 was identified as Joy Brewster (58). Brewster was operating a 2023 Jeep Gladiator that was turning onto VT Route 30 from South St. Vehicle #1 collided with Vehicle #2, causing significant injury to Chandler. He was transported to Glen Falls Hospital then Albany Medical Center. Vermont State Police were later notified Chandler died of his injuries sustained in the crash.