Current News

by Joshua Brown, University of Vermont Whales are not just big, they’re a big deal for healthy oceans. When they poop, whales move tons of nutrients from deep water to the surface. Now new research shows that whales also move tons of nutrients thousands of miles—in their urine. In 2010, scientists revealed that whales, feeding at depth and pooping at the surface, provide a critical resource for plankton growth and ocean productivity. Today, a new UVM-led study shows that whales also carry huge quantities of nutrients horizontally, across whole ocean basins, from rich, cold waters where they feed to warm shores near the equator where they mate and give birth.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation is taking action to help Vermonters stay warm this winter through the Wood Warms program, which provides free firewood from timber harvests on state lands to those in need. So far this winter, FPR has donated 80 cords of wood to local community wood banks, and an additional 200 cords will be donated from forest management projects that will begin in the next two years. The wood for the program came from two sustainable timber harvests in Mt. Mansfield and Camel’s Hump State Forests and is being delivered to community wood banks in Jericho, Morrisville, and Craftsbury.

Vermont Business Magazine From March 10 to March 16, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recognizes Flood Safety Awareness Week. With recent major flood events and spring flood season underway, DEC wants to remind Vermonters about the benefits of floodplain protection and how to protect yourself if your property is at risk of flooding. Most streams fill with spring rains and snowmelt every year or two. As they spill over onto floodplains, small frequent floods offer many benefits from clean water to wildlife habitat. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board is inviting public comment on proposed changes to Vermont’s deer, moose and turkey hunting regulations, as well as the rules for transporting wild game meat from out of state.  Public hearings will be held on March 17, 18, and 20 as well as May 6 and 8.  Public comment may also be provided online. The proposed deer hunting changes, recommended by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s biologists, are the most extensive of the four.  They come five years after state biologists last updated Vermont’s deer regulations.  Deer is Vermont’s most popular game species with about 60,000 resident hunters and 7,500 out-of-state hunters heading into the white-tail woods each fall, and just over a fifth successfully harvesting deer.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont House of Representatives today voted to pass the $162.7 million Budget Adjustment Act (H.141), which has already passed the Senate. It will now go to Governor Scott for his review. The governor said at his press conference today that he would veto the legislation as written, principally because of the continued funding for the hotel/motel program used to provide shelter for unhoused Vermonters. The governor has offered a separate plan that would provide money directly to municipalities to help mitigate the homeless situation as they see fit. The BAA makes mid-year adjustments to the current fiscal year budget. The Legislative proposal is $1.8 million, while the governor countered with $2.1 million for local grants.

The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM), in partnership with the Coraggio Group, has now launched the Strategic Planning Stakeholder Survey as the next step in developing Vermont’s first-ever Destination Management Strategic Plan. This survey is designed to gather data on various aspects of the visitor economy in Vermont, including current and future challenges, opportunities, and priorities to support visitation around the state. Your perspective is crucial in ensuring that the strategic plan is comprehensive, inclusive, and reflective of our community's needs and aspirations.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont) is joined by Reps. Scanlon (PA-05) and Watson Coleman (NJ-12) to introduce the Stop Comstock Act in response to clear Republican intent to misuse the antiquated and unconstitutional statute, the Comstock Act, to prohibit the mailing of medication abortion and other materials used in abortion procedures. The bill would repeal the portions of the Comstock Act that anti-choice extremists intend to misuse to enact a nationwide abortion ban. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn) introduced the Senate companion bill. The House bill is cosponsored by 110 other House Democrats and 23 Senate Democrats.   

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott’s office today announced a range of appointments made in the last two quarters of 2024. Beginning April 1, appointments will be announced on a quarterly basis. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. 

Vermont Business Magazine Responding to the persistent and unprecedented housing shortage throughout New England, and recognizing the need for growth and diversity, the Brushwood Home Manufacturing Company recently launched a line of high-performance, panelized modular homes designed for rapid deployment. Born from Alger Brook Design Build’s reputation of custom home excellence in Vermont and New Hampshire, the Brushwood Home Manufacturing Company transforms high-performance homebuilding through innovative panel construction. Based in Thetford Center, Vermont, Brushwood Homes currently offers three pre-designed home models, each one featuring meticulously selected fixtures and finishes, superior insulation, and advanced mechanical systems. Every all-electric Brushwood Home is designed to maximize both comfort and energy efficiency, and eliminate the complexity of home construction and ownership. 

Vermont Business Magazine The final numbers have been tallied from Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York's inaugural Whiskey, Wine, & Wishes gala, revealing that the March 8th event raised nearly $300,000 to support wishes for children with critical illnesses. The prohibition-era themed celebration at Saratoga's historic Canfield Casino included $268,000 in monetary contributions and $40,000 in in-kind donations. The sold-out event came just days after the organization announced the completion of its merger, unifying Make-A-Wish Vermont and Make-A-Wish Northeast New York into a single regional chapter.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Tuesday asked for unanimous consent on the Senate floor to pass his Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act. The bicameral legislation introduced earlier today would expand access to dental, hearing and vision care for the 68 million American seniors on Medicare. Sanders' remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below. Mr. President: My office, and I suspect all Senate offices are getting a whole lot of calls from senior citizens who are experiencing a great deal of fear and anxiety as to all the confusion and chaos that's going on in Washington. 

Vermont Business Magazine An early learning center providing high-quality childcare and play-based learning for infants, toddlers and preschoolers is slated to open its doors to new and existing employees of University of Vermont Health Network in June. The center’s opening is the latest in a years-long push by the health system, which is investing heavily in resources critical to the recruitment and retention of health care workers amid a highly competitive nationwide job market.