Current News

Vermont Business Magazine It can't be all about how much the sun shines. New York is worst and Vermont 37th, right between California and Texas. In a continued effort to help consumers better understand aging skin, RoC Skincare, an anti-aging pioneer, has partnered with independent research firm, Sperling's Best Places, to release the second annual Wrinkle Ranking. The 2015 RoC Wrinkle Ranking determines the U.S. states where the residents' skin are most at risk from damage caused by lifestyle, occupational and environment factors.

Vermont Business Magazine Comfort Colors in Northfield will be closing by the end of October, according to a story on WCAX.com. Comfort Colors (previously known as Barry T Chouinard) was bought by Montreal-based Gildan Activewear Inc (GIL; TSX and NYSE) for $100 million last February. At the time, it stated that no changes were planned. But WCAX reported that all 60 emplloyees at the plant would lose their jobs as Gildan is consolidating the upscale t-shirt and sweat shirt company's operations at other plants. Gildan has several brands beyond its own, including Gold Toe socks.

Vermont Business Magazine Johnson State College has hired two new full-time faculty members: social psychologist Leslie Johnson and longtime actor, artist and writer Isaac Littlejohn Eddy. Johnson is teaching undergraduate psychology courses in the Behavioral Sciences Department. Eddy is teaching acting classes as a visiting assistant professor in JSC’s Department of Fine & Performing Arts.

Johnson most recently served as an assistant professor of psychology at Finlandia University in Michigan. She holds both a Ph.D. and an M.A. in general/experimental psychology from the University of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Attorney General William H Sorrell and a number of supporting states and interested parties have asked the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City to affirm a decision by the US District Court for the District of Vermont upholding Act 120, Vermont’s law requiring the labeling of foods produced with genetic engineering (GE or GMO). In a brief filed last week, the state contends that the Grocery Manufacturers Association is not entitled to an order enjoining enforcement of the law, which does not go into effect for nearly a year.

Vermont Business Magazine Democrat Matt Dunne announced this morning that he has joined the race to become Vermont's next governor, in an email entitled: "I am running for Governor." Dunne was expected to announce that he would seek Vermont's highest office once again. He ran a strong race for the Democratic nomination against a strong field in 2010, which Peter Shumlin won in a very tight contest over Doug Racine. Dunne, 45, is a Google executive who lives in Hartland. He was born in Connecticut and graduated from Brown University. While there are several prominent politicians for both parties considered as potential candidates, including Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott and last-time runner up Scott Milne for the Republicans, and for the Democrats Transportation Secretary Sue Minter, the only declared candidates had been Democratic Speaker Shap Smith and Republican Bruce Lisman, who announced yesterday.

by Marissa Parisi, Hunger Free Vermont All of us working in the school nutrition and food security field were blind-sided by a study published last week by University of Vermont (UVM) researchers claiming that children were throwing out more fresh fruits and vegetables from their school lunches after an increase in nutrition requirements were implemented in the fall of 2012. The study was conducted in two Vermont schools during a critical transition time when schools were required by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make changes to nutrition guidelines to improve children’s long-term health. Before this change, schools could heap servings of french fries or tater tots on children’s trays and claim it as a vegetable serving every day of the week. However, the new guidelines require a larger variety of fresh fruits and vegetables be served to children along with wholegrain-rich breads and pasta, lean proteins, and low-fat milk.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General William H Sorrell and the Department of Public Service won a victory yesterday in a ruling by a three-judge Licensing Board of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The ruling grants the State of Vermont a hearing on several of its challenges related to Entergy’s planned use of the Vermont Yankee decommissioning trust fund. “We remain steadfast that Entergy must use the decommissioning fund appropriately,” said Attorney General Sorrell. “We are glad that the Licensing Board has agreed to let our challenges proceed.”

Vermont Business Magazine Saying that the Vermont Department of Labor has failed to effectively implement numerous measures, Vermont State Auditor Doug Hoffer on Monday released the findings of an audit concerning worker misclassification. The audit report identifies deficiencies in program management at VDOL and details the actions needed to better detect and prevent misclassification of actual employees as "contractors." The auditor also maintains that the Department of Buildings and General Services and the Agency of Transportation (VTrans) have not adequately fulfilled their responsibilities.

Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday, August 25, 2015, the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports presented the Second Annual Michael Feulner Award to University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center in recognition of having the most employees participate in the Vermont Corporate Cup Challenge and State Agency Race on May 14, 2015. UVM Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center had over 320 employees registered for this year’s race.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Commission on Women (VCW) is a non-partisan state agency advancing rights and opportunities for women and girls. Sixteen volunteer commissioners and representatives from organizations concerned with women’s issues guide VCW’s public education, coalition building, and advocacy efforts. Commissioners are appointed by various appointing authorities to serve four-year terms.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) said today he will introduce legislation to stop soaring increases in pharmaceutical prices. Americans, who already pay the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world, saw prices jump 12.6 percent last year, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That increase was more than double the rise in overall medical costs.

“Americans should not have to live in fear that they will go bankrupt if they get sick. People should not have to go without the medication they need just because their elected officials aren’t willing to challenge the drug and health care industry lobby,” Sanders said. The pharmaceutical industry spent nearly $230 million lobbying Congress last year, some $65 million more than any other industry.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Another big shoe has dropped in the race for Vermont governor and it certainly will not be the last. Vermont-native Bruce Lisman today announced his candidacy for Governor of the State of Vermont, pledging to lead the state toward a brighter future and work to make Vermont an even better place to live, work and raise a family. Lisman, who will be running as a Republican candidate for Governor, is well-known for working to achieve non-partisan solutions to Vermont’s challenges. He founded and funded Campaign for Vermont.