Current News

Vermont Business Magazine As a mile-wide wedge tornado spun across the plains near Lubbock, Texas, a group from Vermont State University (VTSU) Lyndon watched in awe—not just of nature’s power, but of the science they were helping to document—then snapped into action, launching weather balloons, collecting data, and documenting the storm’s development. The students, part of the prestigious Storm Forecasting and Observation Program hosted by SUNY Oswego, were charged with applying their atmospheric sciences education to real-time weather forecasting. From May 28 to June 8, twelve students from three universities tracked severe weather across Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. They observed five tornadoes, including the dramatic Lubbock event, along with wall clouds, dust devils, dust storms, golf ball-sized hail, mammatus clouds, and spectacular lightning displays.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources’ (ANR) Climate Action Office (CAO) has released the latest Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast (GHG Inventory), the state’s official measure for evaluating progress towards the emissions reduction requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act. The most recent data available shows 2022 emissions (most recent available) are at their lowest level on record, outside the COVID-19 pandemic drop in 2020. There would still need to be a steep drop in emissions by the next goal in 2024 emissions. 

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will affect traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of July 21, 2025. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.

Vermont Business Magazine Following the anniversaries of intense flooding to much of Vermont including Plainfield, another storm event in the NEK has caused significant damage. With this stark reminder of repeated flooding events as the backdrop, all Plainfield community members are invited to gather at the Haybarn Theater at The Creative Campus at Goddard on Monday July 28th, for a free community dinner and the opportunity to be an active participant in sharing and developing ideas for the future vitality, quality of life, and prosperity of Plainfield. 

by Art Woolf, Campaign for Vermont Prosperity The legislature passed its long-awaited bill to reform the way Vermont finances pre-K to 12 education. What it neglected to consider is what to do about the quality of the state’s education system. Ask any legislator, or your neighbor, or yourself, how good Vermont’s schools are, and you’ll find near unanimous agreement that our schools are at the least very good, and most likely excellent. Ask me, and I’ll say they are below average. Why? Because I go where the data take me.

Vermont Business Magazine Rep. Becca Balint's amendment to include a $10,000,000 Department of Defense contract with a Vermont small business, MVP Robotics, in the appropriations bill passed Friday. MVP Robotics is headquartered in Bradford and employs 23 people across Vermont and New Hampshire. The passage of Rep. Balint’s amendment will bring major growth to an emerging technology company. MVP Robotics dual use technology was developed for sports teams and military training. 

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today welcomed the announcement that Vermont would receive $6.5 million in funding for afterschool programs through the 21st Century Learning Centers program, as a result of his demands that the Trump administration release illegally and unconstitutionally withheld federal funds for public education. Newly released funding supports nearly 100 afterschool and summer programs in Vermont that serve 11,000 students.

Vermont Business Magazine Following continued investigation, the Vermont State Police has arrested Jose Armando Lopez Moreno, 22, of Panton on a charge of first-degree aggravated assault. He was taken into custody and brought to the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Middlebury for an arraignment scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2025. The victim is identified as Marcos Diaz Lopez, 23, of Panton. He remains hospitalized and is listed in critical but stable condition. 

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University announced today that General Thomas A. Bussiere, an alumnus and the Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, has been nominated by the White House to serve as the Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Bussiere would become the second highest ranking officer in the U.S. Air Force. His nomination reflects a lifetime of selfless service. A 1985 distinguished graduated of the Air Force ROTC program at Norwich, Bussiere has led combat missions, overseen the Air Force’s nuclear deterrence program, and continues to inspire the next generation of leaders. Prior to attending Norwich University, the Vermonter went to high school at St. Johnsbury Academy.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for June was 2.6%. This reflects no change from the prior month’s revised estimate. The Labor Force and Employed were both down, offset by a decrease in Unemployed from May. The civilian labor force participation rate was 64.9% in June, a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. Vermont has the third lowest jobless rate, behind South (1.8%) and North Dakota (2.5%). Nevada has the highest rate again, tied with California, at 5.4%. Washington DC has the overall highest rate at 5.9%. The national rate is 4.1%.

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity today announced that David Mullin, who has served as Executive Director and more recently as CEO of the organization for over 25 years, will retire in February 2026. Under his leadership, the affiliate has dramatically increased the number of homes built and families served each year with over 121 families now living in homes built by GMHFH locally. The Affiliate also expanded its home building service area to include Franklin, and Lamoille Counties.

Vermont Business Magazine Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States last week, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) in issuing the following statement in response to the Israeli Higher Planning Council’s directive on June 18 to reject all zoning and building permits in Masafer Yatta that are not compliant with Israeli military training needs.