Current News

by James Rea, UVM On June 17, hundreds of innovators and leaders from all sectors and all corners of the region will come to the University of Vermont’s annual RISE Summit to explore the theme “Research as a Public Good.” RISE stands for Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, all of which will be on display as participants discuss the ways in which university-community partnerships can be harnessed to advance the well-being of our communities.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, joined a forum hosted by the Energy Action Network (EAN) and the EAN Climate Workforce Coalition on how Congressional policy and budget decisions may impact Vermont’s energy transformation and climate action initiatives, including Vermont’s climate workforce. Republicans’ reconciliation bill will repeal clean energy programs established through the historic Inflation Reduction Act and raise energy costs for American households and businesses. It will eliminate jobs in manufacturing, clean technologies, and budding industries, and has already sown economic uncertainty throughout the energy sector.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Cody Laduc, 22, of Orwell, Vermont, was arraigned on one felony count of felony Lewd or Lascivious Conduct with a Child and one felony count of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct. The charges brought against Laduc were the result of criminal investigations conducted by the Vermont State Police. Laduc pleaded not guilty at the arraignment today in Vermont Superior Court, Addison Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Robert Katims presiding, ordered conditions of release that limit his access to minor females under the age of 16.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Daniel Ciofreddi, 39, of Middlebury, Vermont, was arraigned on one felony count of Promoting Child Sexual Abuse Material, one felony count of Luring a Child, and one misdemeanor count of Dispensing Cannabis to a person under the age of 21. The charges brought against Ciofreddi are the result of an investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security. Ciofreddi pleaded not guilty at the arraignment today in Vermont Superior Court, Addison Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Robert Katims presiding, ordered conditions of release that limit his access to social media and minor females under the age of 16. 

Vermont Agency of Transportation On June 2, 2025, at approximately 5:20 p.m., inspectors from the Motor Vehicle Enforcement and Safety Division responded to a single-vehicle crash involving a commercial motor vehicle. Upon arrival it was found that the commercial vehicle was traveling northbound on I-89 North in Bolton in the area of MM 70 when the commercial vehicle left the roadway and crossed the median into the southbound lane. The commercial vehicle traveled a short distance north in the southbound lane and then crossed over the median again, overturned, and ultimately came to rest across both northbound lanes of travel.    

Vermont Business Magazine When Nikki Juvan’s husband, Trent Campbell, suffered his first diagnosed stroke in 2018, the family assumed it would also be his last. Campbell, an award-winning photojournalist, and Juvan, a kindergarten teacher, also knew their lives were about to change. Campbell spent a month in inpatient care at University of Vermont Medical Center and inpatient rehabilitation at Fanny Allen. He returned home with physical limitations – like needing a walker to get around – but also information and a plan. After his care team discovered evidence Campbell had suffered a stroke prior to 2018 – the result of uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and other factors – Campbell focused on changing his habits to reduce his risk of another stroke.

Vermont Business Magazine Summer is here, and with it, the promise of long days, warm weather, and ample sunshine. Embracing all that summer has to offer without increasing your risk of skin cancer is crucial. University of Vermont Cancer Center is reminding people to practice sun safety – that is, protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which cause sunburns, skin cancer and premature aging. Sun safety is easy and essential in the summer — especially in Vermont, where skin cancer rates are among the highest in the U.S.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center's Nursing Excellence Team recently presented the Carol P. Welsh, RN, Nursing Education Scholarship to Andrea Borchlewicz, MSN, RNC-MNN, CLC, RNCOP; Benjamin Mahoney, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, CARN-AP; and Elizabeth Oshinaike, BSN, RN. Each recipient was presented with their respective award during a surprise visit and presentation by Kelly Watson, Chief Nursing Officer, and Carole “Gert” Mayes, Manager of Nursing Excellence for Rutland Regional, along with other hospital leaders.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today signed four pieces of legislation into law, including H.488, the Transportation bill. When signing H.488, Scott issued the following statement: “This year’s transportation bill supports the maintenance and repair of our road and bridge infrastructure, makes important traffic and safety improvements, and continues to invest in programs and projects that reduce the transportation sector’s impact on our environment. I want to thank the House and Senate Transportation Committees, as well as my team at the Agency of Transportation, for their work on H.488.”

Vermont Business Magazine ICE Mortgage Technology today released its June 2025 Mortgage Monitor report. The analysis of mortgage, real estate and public records data shows U.S. mortgage holders carried a record $17.6 trillion in home equity entering the second quarter of 2025, with $11.5 trillion considered “tappable” — that is, available for borrowing while maintaining at least a 20% equity cushion. Vermont has the highest percentage of home equity in the US. Despite subdued withdrawal rates in recent years, early 2025 data points to shifting borrower behavior. First-quarter second lien equity withdrawals rose 22% year over year to nearly $25 billion in the US — the largest first quarter volume in 17 years — suggesting increased interest in home equity access amid improving loan affordability.

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, May 31, 2025, 244 members of Bennington College’s Class of 2025 gathered, along with their family members and friends, faculty, staff, and leadership, in Greenwall Auditorium on campus to receive their degrees. Graduates hailed from thirty-two states and twenty-eight countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam, and ranged in age from 20 to 61.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced her intention to appoint Samantha McGinnis as the next Director of the Church Street Marketplace. Mayoral appointments will be brought forward to the City Council for approval at that meeting on June 2. McGinnis currently serves as the Assistant Director of Downtown Projects & Programs in the Department of Business and Workforce Development. Throughout her six years with the City of Burlington, McGinnis has led efforts to activate the Church Street Marketplace and City Hall Park, with 100+ free annual public programs and events, including the launch of the Winter Market in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.