Current News

by Yoram Samets, Co-Founder & Rachel Feldman, Community Organizer, Shalom Alliance In moments of crisis, history judges leaders not by their rhetoric, but by their response. Today, Vermont lawmakers are facing a defining moment—a moral crossroads where their decisions will profoundly impact the safety and well-being of Jewish people in Vermont. As the war in Israel and Gaza continues and antisemitic violence surges worldwide under the guise of “Free, Free Palestine,” Jewish communities worldwide, including Vermont, are seeking safety and solidarity. Vermont has the opportunity, and indeed the responsibility, to act, because it is not a matter of if this behavior escalates into violence in Vermont. It’s a matter of when.

VermontBiz U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) traveled to Ottawa, Canada late last week to meet with Canadian dignitaries, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Minister of National Defense David McGuinty, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, the Business Council of Canada, and other leading Canadian companies and business groups. The Senators underscored bipartisan support for a U.S.-Canada partnership and reiterated their commitment to a strong trading relationship between the United States and Canada.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak issued a statement regarding harmful and divisive actions by multiple parties following the May 19 City Council meeting and the adoption of Resolution 8.1 related to Support of Local Businesses and a Vibrant, Welcoming, Safe Downtown, which she has not yet signed. On Thursday, May 29, the Mayor’s Office is hosting our fifth Public Forum on Community Safety – we will have a panel discussion on homelessness and mental health, and we will discuss concerns related to the downtown.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations remain low and falling statewide, after a spike during the winter. Wastewater testing indicates that virus levels, which had increased at the Montpelier facility recently, also fell after they had spiked in January. The Vermont pandemic death total stands at 1,292 as of May 17, 2025, with 1 reported death from the previous week (the most recent data available from the CDC). WHO also reported that COVID-19 deaths keep declining. The VDH is no longer reporting COVID fatalities and cases in Vermont. 

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS As we head into the last week of May, I’ve heard a lot of “I’ve never seen anything like this before” both in and outside of the health care space, including: 340B Protections and Prescription Drug Price Cap: The House passed an amended version of H.266 that includes a price cap on prescription drugs administered in an outpatient setting in addition to 340B protections. And, S.126, the health care reform bill that includes reference-based pricing and a 2.5% reduction in operating costs for hospitals, is going to conference committee. The main difference between the bills is the prioritization of global hospital budgets.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Natural Resources Council has announced the latest grant recipients for the Small Grants for Smart Growth program. Grantee selections are made by VNRC and a grant selection committee on a rolling basis. The Committee chose the Bridport Housing Task Force, the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region, and the South Burlington Energy Committee to be awarded a combined $6,750 in the most recent round of funding.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation announces the installation of 15 new Roadside Historic Sites Markers for 2025. These iconic green and gold markers allow places and people to come alive, sharing glimpses into the history of our Brave Little State. To date, there are 335 markers placed throughout Vermont.  

VermontBiz Average gasoline prices in Burlington are unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.15/g today, according to GasBuddy's survey of 100 stations in Burlington. Prices in Burlington are 1 cent per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 45.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 3.2 cents in the last week and stands at $3.476 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Burlington was priced at $3.01/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.19/g, a difference of 18.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.80/g while the highest was $3.19/g, a difference of 39.0 cents per gallon.

VermontBiz The Vermont Language Justice Project (VLJP) creates and disseminates public service videos in 21 languages to help people with language access needs make informed decisions and navigate daily life in Vermont and throughout the United States. 

VLJP is thrilled to announce that we have launched a multilingual app: iFY (Information for You), available for free for iPhone/iOS (https://tinyurl.com/iFYiphone) and Android (https://tinyurl.com/iFYandroid). iFY allows refugees, im/migrants, and people who speak languages other than English to easily access public service videos in their languages.

Vermont Agency of Transportation Beginning Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 5:00 AM, US Route 4 eastbound from the Interstate 89 Exit 1 southbound off-ramp to the Interstate 89 Exit 1 northbound off-ramp will be closed to all traffic. Westbound US Route 4 travel will be open; however, WB travel will be unable to turn left onto the Interstate 89 Northbound on-ramp. Starting at the same time, the Interstate 89 northbound Exit 1 off-ramp will be closed to all traffic. These closures are to allow VTrans to make repairs to the pavement on US Route 4.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is recognizing and thanking the dedicated Emergency Medical Services professionals who protect and serve Vermont’s communities. National EMS Week (May 18-24) honors the paramedics, emergency medical technicians, dispatchers, and all clinicians who are the front lines of emergency healthcare. This year’s EMS Week theme, “We Care For Everyone,” recognizes EMS workers for their invaluable contribution to Vermonters’ safety and honors the long-standing commitment of EMS professionals to public health and safety. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phill Scott recently proclaimed the month of May 2025 as Foster Care Month and noted that “Vermont renews our commitment to ensure bright futures for the more than 800 children and youth in foster care.” The Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) is taking time to acknowledge the critical importance of foster caregivers statewide and thank them for their contributions to the well-being of Vermont’s children and families. “By celebrating National Foster Care Month, we are able to highlight the unique role of kin caregivers and express our gratitude to all foster caregivers who devote themselves to the service of our most vulnerable Vermonters” said DCF Family Services Division Deputy Commissioner, Aryka Radke.