Current News

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Eighteen Vermont businesses have been awarded a total of $679,095 through the 2025 Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Business Enhancement Grant. These businesses come from all across Vermont and represent working lands sectors from dairy to maple to fine woodworking to produce. “These investments support the people and businesses behind the local food and wood products we use every day,” said Danielle Fitzko, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. “From farms to forests, this work reflects the heart of Vermont’s identity and adds to the strength and resilience of our working landscape.”

by Maggie Lenz and Nick Charyk The Senate Education Committee wrapped up its work (for now) on the education bill, H.454, on Friday evening. The bill passed out of committee on a 6-0 vote, but not without some hand wringing and hesitation. Senators openly acknowledged that the bill might not have all its ducks in a row, particularly when it came to the complicated pupil weighting system at its core. There were lingering questions, uneasy glances, and a general air of uncertainty. But finally, with what felt like a candid and collective shrug, the committee sent the bill along to Senate Finance, the chamber’s designated home for number crunching, with the hope that they could finish the math.

by Noah Diedrich, Community News Service A bill that would require political candidates in Vermont to disclose their use of generative AI in campaign advertisements passed into the House in late March. The proposal is moving along, though not without questions about its effect on free speech and news media. The bill, S.23, looks to regulate the use of “synthetic media” — an image, video or audio recording that creates a realistic yet false representation of a candidate — in political ads during Vermont’s election cycles. Failure to comply would result in a fine based on the severity of the violation. The measure now sits in the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, which has been hearing testimony from media experts and affected parties over the past few weeks. While most witnesses support the bill, some questioned its potential ramifications for free speech. 

by Sam Hartnett, Community News Service Farmers would get financial help when extreme weather hurts their business under a bill unanimously passed by the Senate agriculture and appropriations committees. S.60 aims to set up a fund to provide grants to farmers when floods, fires, freezes and more damage crops, harm livestock or otherwise hurt bottom lines. Legislators were considering a starting pool of $7.5 million for the 2026 fiscal year, though the version of the bill on the Senate floor leaves the price tag to be determined. The idea for the fund began after organizations representing farmers came together in the wake of extreme weather events in 2023, including a devastating late spring freeze and catastrophic flooding in the summer.

Vermont State Police On May 3, 2025, at approximately 1354 hours, Troopers from the St. Johnsbury Barracks responded to a reported rollover crash on Inerstate 91 S near MM83.4 in Thetford. Troopers arrived on scene and determined a 2004 Pontiac GTO was travelling south on Interstate 91 S in the area of MM83.4 when it failed to maintain its lane, resulting in the vehicle striking a guardrail. Passenger Alyssa Tetreault (27) was pronounced deceased on scene by EMS. The operator, Joseph Hamilton (40), suffered suspected major injuries and was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for treatment. Two juveniles were also transported to DHMC as a precaution.

by Scott Waterman, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets What does the dairy industry mean to Vermont?  The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is pleased to introduce a new report, commissioned by the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council that helps answer that question. The report, entitled “Vermont Dairy Delivers”, identifies the annual economic impact of Vermont’s dairy industry as $5.4 billion dollars, growing from $2.6 billion ten years ago. This is just one data point among many in the new report, showing how dairy has evolved and sustained itself, through the hard work of our state’s dairy farmers, the producers and processors that provide and create great nutritious dairy products, and the thousands of employees keeping our working lands productive and vital.

Vermont Business Magazine The 35th Annual Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) Conference, “All Together Now”, will be held May 8th at VBSR Champion Member Hula in Burlington. Vermont business and nonprofit leaders, policymakers, students, and inspired individuals will convene for a full-day event that will include a keynote conversation, as well as seven sessions on timely topics, and ample opportunities for networking and meeting exhibitors. Attendees will emerge inspired, connected with forward-thinking leaders, and replenished with new awareness, resources, and action steps to drive change. 

Vermont Business Magazine Six Bennington College faculty members have been named 2025 Whiting fellows by the Marion and Jasper Whiting Foundation, which provides funding for travel that will deepen and expand their teaching and curriculum development. These competitive awards support educators at New England colleges and universities in pursuing research that broadens the mind and enriches instruction. Bennington’s cohort represents a wide range of disciplines and creative inquiry. This year’s recipients from Bennington College are: Joseph Alpar, Music; Alex Creighton, Literature; Michael Dumanis, Literature/Poetry; Sarah Harris, Spanish; Farhad Mirza, Visual Arts; and Darcy Otto, Computer Science. 

Vermont Business Magazine RunVermont announces the 36th running of the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay on Sunday, May 25, following the tradition of hosting the event over Memorial Day Weekend. More than 5,000 runners, 20,000 spectators, and 800 volunteers will gather on race day as part of the largest single-day sporting event in Vermont. The race consists of a two-loop 13.1-mile course for a total of 26.2 miles that includes some of the best spots in Burlington, such as the Church Street Marketplace and Burlington Bike Path. The start and finish lines are located at Waterfront Park on Lake Street.  

Vermont Business Magazine Lost Lantern, an award-winning independent bottler known for highlighting innovative and noteworthy whiskies from distilleries across the United States, is delighted to announce the launch of the Lost Lantern Discovery Club, a subscription-based monthly whiskey club designed to help whiskey lovers discover emerging stars and hidden gems in American whiskey. Every month, Discovery Club members will receive a new, never-before-released Lost Lantern bottling from a rising star or lesser-known distillery that is breaking new ground in the whiskey world. Members will experience firsthand the innovation and diversity shaping American whiskey today. These bottles will be exclusive to Discovery Club members and will not be released any other way.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Brewers Festival will return for the 32nd year at Waterfront Park in Burlington on July 18-19. Tickets for this highly anticipated event will go on sale at 11 a.m. May 2. New additions this year include milestone celebrations and at-par ticket pricing aimed to welcome Canadian visitors. With three sessions spread across two days, and an expected attendance of more than 6,000 enthusiasts, this year’s festival promises the chance to sample an array of beers from 36 breweries per session. This will include Vermont icons and exciting newcomers. 

Vermont Business Magazine Spruce Peak–the elevated, luxury slopeside community and ultimate year-round destination in Stowe, Vermont–in partnership with The Lodge at Spruce Peak and media partner Yankee Magazine, announces the return of its annual, three-day culinary event, A Taste of New England, set to take place August 14 through 16, 2025. Featuring New England's most celebrated chefs, guests can gather over unforgettable dinners, imbibe over world-class wines from featured winery Domaine Bousquet, indulge in Vermont-based fare, enjoy an exclusive, collaborative dining experience and more. New this year, A Taste of New England will host an intimate, indoor dining experience called "A Taste of Vermont," featuring local chefs from throughout the state.