Current News

Vermont Business Magazine This morning, President Trump directed the FBI to arrest trial court judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee. She is being charged with obstructing law enforcement, a federal crime. Let’s be clear. Trump‘s arrest of Judge Dugan in Milwaukee has nothing to do with immigration. It has everything to do with his moving this country toward authoritarianism. He is illegally usurping Congressional powers. He is suing media that he dislikes. He is attacking universities whose policies he disagrees with. He is intimidating major law firms who have opposed him. He is ignoring a 9-0 Supreme Court decision to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back from El Salvador, where he was illegally sent. He is threatening to impeach judges who rule against him.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont weekly unemployment claims for the week ending April 19, 2025, rose and are at their highest level since the end of February. A spike at the beginning of March carried them over 600. New claims this week were 496, up 64 claims from the week before and are 42 more from last year. The end of the winter tourism season tends to increase claims. Claims, which are lowest in the summer, were 181 at the end of September 2024. Vermont total unemployment insurance claims were 3,689 (up 75 for the week and up 394 from this time last year). 

Burlington Business Association Based on tax filings, economic activity is down about 10%. This reflects what we have been hearing from our BBA members, with some reporting even softer sales numbers. When compared to the same period last Fiscal Year (Jul. to Feb.) The city raised the taxes on these sales. In an effort to raise revenue and with the assumption that sales numbers would stay the same or grow. The result is the city is getting about 19% more tax revenue even though sales are lower.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) today announced the death of Gene Peterson, a sentenced individual receiving palliative care at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in New Hampshire. Gene Peterson, 67, of Readsboro, Vermont, was lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility on June 2, 2021. On April 20, 2025, Mr. Peterson was transported to Springfield Hospital to receive medical care. He was subsequently transferred to DHMC and transitioned to comfort care measures on April 23. Mr. Peterson was pronounced deceased at DHMC on April 24. 

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s threat to withhold federal funding from state and local agencies that refuse to abandon lawful programs and policies that promote equal access to education in K-12 classrooms across the nation. On April 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education informed state and local agencies that they must accept the Trump Administration’s new and legally incoherent interpretation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts — or else risk immediate and catastrophic loss of federal education funds. 

Vermont Business Magazine Promoting health and wellness in the communities University of Vermont Health Network serves does not begin or end in the hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics and community-based health centers that serve a region of more than 1 million people in Vermont and northern New York. Each year to celebrate Earth Day, health system employees in Vermont have planted trees at their homes and in their communities to support and celebrate a healthy and vibrant environment. The trees and shrubs from Intervale Center are native species to the region and integrate seamlessly into each community’s natural habitat.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The sale of Burke Mountain Resort was approved Thursday, April 24, 2025, by Judge Darrin Gayles in an order from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Gayles approved the sale of Burke to Bear Den Partners LLC for $11.5 million. The prospective new owners expect to close in early May. The sale was the most notable lingering case involving Ariel Quiros, William Stenger, and other entities associated with securities fraud at Jay Peak and Burke Mountain Resort. Quiros was owner of both resorts. The case stems from a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement action against Ariel Quiros, William Stenger, and their affiliates for alleged securities fraud brought in April 2016. The court appointed a receiver, Michael I. Goldberg, to manage and dispose of assets within the receivership estate, which includes Burke Mountain Resort.

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: NBTB), with NBT Bank branches in Vermont, reported net income and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $36.7 million, or $0.77 per diluted common share, compared to $33.8 million, or $0.71 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2024, and $36.0 million, or $0.76 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2024. Operating diluted earnings per share(1), a non-GAAP measure, was $0.80 for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $0.68 for the first quarter of 2024 and $0.77 for the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine Get a jumpstart on your spring cleaning while protecting your family and the environment by disposing of unused, unwanted and expired medications safely and easily this Saturday, April 26, at more than 30 locations throughout the state. The event is part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, organized each spring and fall by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health, alongside state and local law enforcement. Vermonters can get rid of leftover prescription and over-the-counter drugs responsibly by bringing them to a community drop-off site between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Find a drop-off site near you by visiting dea.gov/takebackday.

Vermont Business Magazine Presented this year by beloved New England plant shop, Jordan’s Jungle, Bloom Flower & Home Market will return to Burlington this spring for a highly anticipated weekend-long pop-up event on April 26–27, 2025, at Hula, located at 50 Lakeside Avenue. Bloom will feature over 85 small and independent businesses from Vermont and across seven other states. The event brings together plant shops, florists, makers, artisans, home décor retailers, and local artists for a lively celebration of spring and community. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Buildings and General Services will be auctioning a large assortment of State vehicles and equipment to the public beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This in-person physical auction of State vehicles and equipment is expected to be very well attended. A major collection of State vehicles and equipment will be auctioned off to the highest bidder including dump trucks, plow trucks, pick-up trucks, vans, fleet passenger vehicles, boats, ATVs, snow machines, trailers, mowers and trimmers, golf carts, tools, tires, miscellaneous parts and more. In addition to the auction, there will be a sales booth set up from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM for the surplus “airport sharps." The “airport sharps” include a selection of hand tools, hunting knives, pocketknives, pocket tools, and cork screws. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the new Catalyzing Regional Dairy Workforce Grant program. This $800,000 grant program will expand dairy workforce development programming in the Northeast. This funding will enhance and expand existing dairy workforce programs, benefiting both current and prospective employees of dairy farms and processors. Eligible programs include federally and state-registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships, and other training initiatives. Key areas of focus include expanding current programs to reach more participants and underserved communities, adding new programs to increase impact, and providing financial support to participants to encourage greater involvement.