Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Champlain College Online (CCO) and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) have signed an agreement that establishes direct transfer pathways for associate degree graduates into CCO's online bachelor's degree programs. The agreement allows eligible students to carry their associate degree toward a four-year degree and pay a reduced “community college alumni” tuition rate. Under the agreement, a TCSG associate degree is accepted as a block of 60 credits toward an eligible CCO program pathway. Beyond that block, students may request up to 30 additional transfer credits where CCO offers comparable required or elective courses, for a total of up to 90 transferable credits. Coursework completed with a grade of “C” or higher transfers based on course category or course equivalents.

Vermont Business Magazine Wide-ranging, employee-driven wellbeing initiatives at University of Vermont Health – UVM Medical Center have earned the academic medical national recognition from the country’s leading nursing certification and accreditation organization and a place among an elite group of hospitals across the globe. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Well-being Excellence Credential, Silver Level Designation is a global recognition that highlights an organization-wide approach to supporting the health, resilience, and professional fulfillment of health care workers. The credential, which is held by just 10 hospitals worldwide, highlights UVM Medical Center’s employee-driven approach to health care worker wellbeing, resilience, and professional development.

Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging As we move through another Vermont summer, I'm reminded that healthy aging is about so much more than healthcare; it's about staying connected, continuing to learn, finding purpose, and supporting one another along the way. Every day at SVCOA, we're fortunate to see the strength of our communities and the incredible difference that connection can make in the lives of older Vermonters. This season, I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities available through SVCOA. Whether you're learning about your Medicare options through our monthly New to Medicare class, visiting one of our welcoming Mindful Moments Memory Cafés, attending our new initiative with our partners at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, Tea, Treats & Truths About Aging, or building healthier habits through our Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less online program, each offers a chance to gain knowledge, build relationships, and invest in your well-being.

Vermont Business Magazine A federal judge ruled last Friday in the favor of a coalition of 24 states, including Vermont, declaring the Trump Administration illegally misused its regulatory authority to unlawfully revoke billions of dollars in federal funding that Congress had set aside for crucial state programs and services. Attorney General Charity Clark and a coalition of attorneys general filed the lawsuit in June of 2025, challenging the unprecedented attack on billions of dollars in critical federal funding for states and other grantees using a clause buried in federal regulations. In the decision, the court found that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations did not give federal agencies unfettered authority to terminate funding based on agency priorities that were only identified after the grant was awarded.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General's Office announced today that two defendants were sentenced in separate cases involving possession of child sexual abuse material. Adam Gagnon, 28, of Orwell, Vermont, was sentenced Monday in Vermont Superior Court, Addison Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to three felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The Court, Judge Allison Arms presiding, sentenced Mr. Gagnon to three to 15 years in prison, all suspended, with a 10-year term of probation. Joshua Pierce, 35, of Northfield, Vermont, was sentenced Monday in Vermont Superior Court, Washington Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.  The Court, Judge Michael Harris presiding, sentenced Mr. Pierce to one year to five years in prison, all suspended, with an eight-year term of probation.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) Monday joined U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and 37 Senators in calling for stronger accountability measures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers following tragic killings involving immigration officials last week in Maine and Texas. The fatal shootings of Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas occurred six days apart. In their letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, 39 Senators urged DHS to fulfill its previous commitments to deploy and expand the usage of body-worn cameras, strengthen officer identification requirements, and review enforcement protocols. The measures suggested by the Senators are intended to help prevent future deadly encounters involving ICE enforcement officers.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Member of the Senate Finance Committee, today released the following statement on the Trump Administration imposing new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods: “These new tariff threats against Canada are an extreme escalation of President Trump’s reckless and irresponsible trade war. The White House’s endless attacks on our Canadian neighbors—Vermont’s closest partner in trade—have caused undeniable harm to our state’s economy, and the aftershocks of today’s announcement will do lasting damage."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of retired Major General Greg Knight as a Special Advisor to the Governor, a temporary position focused on advancing several high-priority initiatives related to public safety, veterans, emergency preparedness, civic engagement, and intergovernmental affairs. Knight, who retired from the Vermont National Guard after more than four decades of military service, will provide strategic advice, coordinate projects, and work with state agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to help advance several of the Administration’s priorities.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont has recognized the ongoing flood exposure facing the state with the passing of July 10, a now-infamous date for Vermont. In the weeks that followed July 10, 2023, the Vermont Bond Bank collaborated with partners to develop the idea that would become the Municipal Climate Recovery Fund. To date, the program has lent more than $33 million to 27 municipalities to assist in recovery. The Vermont Bond Bank has now added to this track record of assistance with the release of the "Town Highway Disaster Reserve Benchmarks," a financial planning tool and online database that help municipalities estimate how much to set aside to withstand the cost of extreme weather to local roads and bridges.

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles On July 17, 2026, at approximately 5:45 a.m. the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles responded to a commercial motor vehicle crash involving a single vehicle on Vermont Route 22A in Benson. A 2019 Mack truck operated by Karina M. Lava, 44, of New Hampton, NY, and owned by Lava Express Trucking Inc. in Cleveland, OH, left the roadway on VT 22A. The trailer, a 2026 Utility, followed along the ditch embankment on the west side of the roadway, while the truck drove off the east side of the roadway, pulling the empty trailer back up onto the roadway and blocking both lanes of travel. 

Vermont Business Magazine Common Good Vermont is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 Nonprofit Management Certificate Program, a leading professional development experience tailored for Vermont’s nonprofit leaders, changemakers, and aspiring executives. Back for its seventh year as an independent, fully virtual program, the NPM Certificate dives deep into the essentials of nonprofit management—equipping participants with the tools, strategies, and connections needed to lead effectively in today’s ever-evolving nonprofit landscape.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) led Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act and Agricultural Worker Justice Act, a pair of bills to support workers in the agricultural industry and uplift small, family farms across the United States. The Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act aims to create a level playing field for farmers and consumers by weakening the hold consolidated interests have on the agricultural economy. The Agricultural Worker Justice Act would require major food companies to provide decent wages and safe working conditions to do business with the federal government.