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Vermont Business MagazineA dozen states, including Vermont, Puerto Rico, at least 80 mayors and more than 100 businesses will submit a plan to the United Nations showing how they will collectively reduce their global warming pollution in reaction to President Trump's decision to withdraw from theParisclimate agreement, the 2015 landmark international accord aimed at combating global warming.

The USClimate Alliance, which will keep its membership rolls open, also serves as a network for members to share best practices for addressing climate change.

by Chris McKayI'm proud to say that I work at Northern Power Systems where we design and build wind turbines right here in Barre, Vermont.There are dozens of people down in the factory floor building wind turbines and getting them ready to ship around the US and the world.We work to make a living and make a difference.

Vermont Business MagazineKeurig Green Mountain, Inc, a leader in specialty coffee and innovative single serve brewing systems, has launched its twelfth annual Sustainability Report. The report’s theme of “Brewing Transformation™” showcases Keurig’s efforts in local communities and across the globe in three main focus areas: environmental responsibility, strong supply chains, and thriving people and communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Today S8, the ethics bill establishing an ethics commission and implementing some important ethical reforms was signed into law by Governor Phil ScottVermont Secretary of State Jim Condos has called the new ethics law a good start, saying “before this law was enacted, Vermont was one of the last states without any ethics laws and an ethics commission. Restoring the public’s trust in government is critical, and this is the first step in a comprehensive ethics reform process I’ve been advocating for since 2011.”

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement after receiving reports on thealleged shooter at a congressional baseball practice Wednesday morning. According to national reports, a man with a rifle opened fire on members of the Republican congressional baseball team as it practiced early Wednesday morning. Five were wounded, including Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise, none fatally. The shooter, identified as James Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, IL, was reportedly killed by police.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced grants to Vermont organizations. Seven organizations will each receive $135,000 through the Art Works program. One organization will be awarded $50,000 through an Our Town grant, and the Vermont Arts Council will receive funding through a Partnership agreement. Art Works is the NEA’s largest category and focuses on funding the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and strengthening of communities through the arts.

Story by Joyce Marcel. Photos by Randolph T HolhutIn a quiet independent living facility in Montpelier, this missionary and daughter of missionaries, this southern belle, this pastor’s wife, this mother of four and grandmother of seven, this gifted writer and this woman of faith is still sending ripples around the world.At 84, children’s and young adult author Katherine Paterson is entitled to step back, rest on her vast accomplishments and bask in the admiration of her multitude of fans. Instead, she’s still following her curiosity. She has a new book coming out in October called “My Brigadista Year,” about a young Cuban girl who joins Fidel Castro’s nationwide literacy campaign in 1961.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Commissioner of Labor, Lindsay Kurrle, announced the appointment of long-time Department of Labor employee David Lahr as the new Workforce Development Division Director. Lahr first joined state government over 30 years ago, and has been working in various leadership capacities in workforce development since then. A Norwich University Adult Degree Graduate, Lahr has served for the last five years as the Assistant Director of the Workforce Development Division. During his time at the Department of Labor, Lahr was integral in two very large Workforce Development reorganizations that not only successfully mitigated federal cuts to the Division, but also produced the footprint the Department uses today to deliver training and assistance services to all Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued statements Tuesday Attorney General Jeff Sessions testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Russian meddling in the United States election. Leahy's statement was made before Sessions testified and Sanders' came after. Neither sit on the Intelligence Committee. They both believe the attorney general has not been forthcoming about his and other administration officials' interactions with Russia before President Trump took office.

Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Historical Society (VHS) reopened the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier with a celebration of the new installation of the Paul Sample mural, “Salute to Vermont.” The mural, which was installed in the remodeled entryway of the museum, had been donated to the Historical Society by National Life in fall 2016.

Vermont Business Magazine Saint Michael’s Playhouse Producing Artistic DirectorChuck Tobin has announced the June 20 opening of the Playhouse’s 70th summer theater season withthe Tony® Award-winning Million Dollar Quartet, the high-voltage musical inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. Million Dollar Quartet, directed by Keith Andrews (The Playhouse’s Spamalot, Young Frankenstein, Drowsy Chaperone, Sister Act) brings you inside the Sun Records recording studio with these four iconic legends.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Works Management Company LLC, a new investment firm planning to invest millions of dollars in Vermont companies, has announced two major appointments to its team. South Hero attorney Mark Naud will become the Executive Director of the firm’s Vermont Innovation Commons, a planned purpose-built co-living/working space in downtown Burlington. Elisabeth (Liz) Robert, the CEO of Terry Bicycles and the former CEO of Vermont Teddy Bear, has joined the firm’s Board of Directors.