Current News

by Chris Graff It’s been 64 years since Vermonters have ousted an incumbent governor, which has led to the belief it’s impossible. This year, however, the ingredients may be in place to do so. Phil Scott is the nation’s most popular governor and after winning re-election in 2024 with an astounding 73 percent of the vote he would appear to be unbeatable. At the end of the day, though, he has an “R” next to his name; he is a Republican in the most Democratic state in the nation. Scott has worked hard to ensure he is not linked to the national Republicans or to the Trump administration. But this year is unlike any other.

by Elise Shanbacker, et al While Vermont’s visible challenges with drug trafficking maybe happening on streets and in parks, what’s happening inside residential apartment buildings is also putting citizens and their neighbors at risk, largely out of sight. These illegal enterprises are surprisingly often operating under tacit protections from State law and the resulting risks are exacerbated by a lengthy court process that takes months to resolve. And this is putting vulnerable Vermonters in harm’s way. A piece of legislation, H.772, addresses some of these issues. Known at the State House as the “landlord-tenant bill,” it is working its way through the Legislature and gained passage by a 120-21 rollcall vote in the House a couple of weeks ago. The Senate is now taking up the bill.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s commercial real estate sector is shaped by national volatility, high construction costs and shifting tenant behavior. While some segments remain resilient—particularly industrial and smaller spaces—others continue to struggle under the weight of oversupply, elevated interest rates, and economic uncertainty. Office space, especially in larger buildings, continues to show considerably high vacancy rates. Interviews with several leading Vermont developers and brokers reveal a market that is neither booming nor collapsing, but rather navigating a prolonged period of hesitation.

Vermont Business Magazine Shelburne Museum welcomes the public to kick off its 2026 season with Community Day, a free, all-ages celebration on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring new exhibitions, hands-on activities, live music, and opportunities for connection, Community Day invites visitors to experience the museum as a vibrant gathering place rooted in creativity and community. Throughout the day, visitors can explore the museum’s beloved galleries, historic buildings, and gardens while enjoying curator-led tours, artmaking sessions, games, and performances.

Vermont Business Magazine Seventh Generation, a leader in bio-based cleaning products, today unveiled a new brand campaign, entitled Don't Do Extra. This launch, brought to life with the help of actress, singer, podcaster and television host Keke Palmer, underscores Seventh Generation's commitment to delivering the clean you need, without any extra ingredients like dyes and artificial fragrances. Each asset showcases how Seventh Generation's bio-based dish liquid delivers an effortless, lasting clean consumers can trust, so they can get back to enjoying life lived extra, from the gym to the pool and everything in between.

Vermont Business Magazine “I wish the world were more like the trail,” one hiker told 20-year-old theater kid turned thru-hiker, Tess “Storyteller” Rowan, in an interview last summer. In June 2025, Tess thru-hiked the oldest long-distance hiking trail in America while creating an audio theater documentary titled Field Notes: A Long Trail Odyssey. On Earth Day, April 22nd, Field Notes: A Long Trail Odyssey celebrates the sounds and stories of Vermont's Long Trail.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on April 17, 2026, Jared Marcus Hutchins, 22, of Manchester, New Hampshire, was charged with Enticement of a Minor and Travel With Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor. Hutchins was arrested yesterday in Montpelier, Vermont. His initial appearance in court was scheduled for Friday afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller. According to court records, Hutchins began communicating via social media with the 13-year-old victim in late December of 2025.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont initial weekly unemployment claims increased for the second straight week last week. For the week ending April 11, 2026, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that there were 480 new claims, up 118 from the previous week and up 48 from last year at this time. New claims had leveled off at under 400 after the holiday season, other than one spike in February. Meanwhile, total claims were 3,693, down 135 from the week before and are up 79 from last year at this time.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, April 16, tourism and hospitality industry leaders gathered at the State House to engage with legislators and administration officials to highlight the collective contributions of the visitor economy to Vermont. Tourism Economy Day, convened by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Ski Vermont, brought businesses together to advocate for a strong Vermont visitor economy. Industry leaders shared perspectives during a joint legislative hearing with the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs, offering real world insight into the opportunities and challenges facing Vermont’s tourism economy.

The Vermont State Police has released material connected to the March 11, 2026, federal police action on Dorset Street in South Burlington, to which state troopers were later called to assist with public safety. Today’s release includes a complete after-action report, about 60 hours of video footage from troopers’ body-worn cameras, and a statement from Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison. In Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison's statement (see below), she said, "I determined that the allegations of excessive force by members of the Vermont State Police were not supported." She said neither her office nor the State Police were informed of action by federal agents beforehand, despite prior requests to federal immigration officials to alert the state if there were to be such an action. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Speaker Jill Krowinski made the following statement on the House passage of H.955, an act relating to next steps in transforming Vermont’s education system. The bill passed on a 79-62 vote. The vote, as is, would be well-short of the vote needed to override a promised veto from Governor Scott. It has now moved to the Senate. 

Vermont Futures Project Vermont is one of six states (plus D.C.) to have a progressive tax system, based on research by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). The index factors in property tax, income tax, and sales tax. The ITEP Tax Inequality Index measures the effects of each state’s tax system on income inequality by assessing the impact state tax policy has on the post-tax incomes of taxpayers at different income levels.