Current News

by Kate Kampner, Community News Service Imagine a commute without the worry of traffic jams, potholes or detours, a path to town that’s nearby, maintained and linked to routes just like it all over the state. That’s the Cross Vermont Trail Association’s vision — to create a web of trails for bikers and walkers to have easy access and safe travels between north-central Vermont towns. “The goal of the work we do is to have trails that connect, that go where people want to go,” Executive Director Greg Western said, explaining how the organization joins existing trails with connector paths like jigsaw pieces. Groups like Cross Vermont are increasingly tailoring their work to people outside the usual biking and hiking crowd who want an alternative to roadways: commuters.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.10 per gallon, down 1 cent per gallon from last week. Prices are down 1 cent/g from last month and down20 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.69/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 60.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline were unchanged from last week, averaging $3.04/g today. The national average is down 22 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1 bird flu, in a non-commercial backyard (non-poultry) flock in Franklin County last week. Samples taken by VAAFM and USDA officials Thursday, December 19th were tested and confirmed for HPAI by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. This is the fourth instance of HPAI in a domestic flock in Vermont since spring of 2022 and emphasizes the ongoing need for vigilance as the disease continues to be an ongoing risk to domestic birds. The small flock of 24 birds suffered its first mortality Wednesday, December 18th and then experienced ongoing losses.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) recently introduced the Global Climate Resilience Act, legislation that would create a program to bolster the United States’ ability to provide climate finance and debt relief to countries in the Global South. This new program would enhance the United States’ ability to negotiate debt reductions with countries in the Global South that agree to undertake climate resilience initiatives. The legislation also directs the United States to use its influence with international financial institutions to promote debt reduction for nations at risk of climate change. 

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermont), and Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont), on Saturday, December 28 at 3:00 p.m., will recognize twenty young Vermonters who are being nominated to be members of the Class of 2029 at the United States Service Academies. At the annual reception held at the Vermont State House, students from across Vermont will receive nomination certificates signed by members of the Vermont Congressional Delegation. Prior to the ceremony, Sanders, Welch, and Balint will host the nominees and current Service Academy students from Vermont for a roundtable discussion.

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Ski Hill was one of the first ski areas in Vermont to offer lift service. Over 23 years before Stratton Mountain opened, busloads of Connecticut and New York skiers traveled to Brattleboro. Thousands of winter sports enthusiasts lined up each weekend, waiting to get whisked up the 1,100-foot rope tow. Today, Stratton is helping to preserve the soul of skiing by investing in the success of the Brattleboro Ski Hill.

Vermont Business Magazine Start off the new year on the right foot with Vermont State Parks’ First Day Hikes. On January 1, 2025, everyone is invited to join free, guided hikes taking place at state parks, state forests, and other public lands across Vermont. Hikes are led by knowledgeable guides eager to share their love of Vermont’s outdoors. Hikes will take place at locations across Vermont including Allis State Park, Bomoseen State Park, Brighton State Park, Button Bay State Park, Mount Mansfield State Forest, Groton State Forest, Willoughby State Forest, and more. For hike descriptions and registration information, visit the 2025 First Day Hikes page and see list below.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine The St. Johnsbury community, which is still trying to heal after the serious wounding of one of its beloved veteran police officers, is getting a special Christmas present this week. Multiple Vermont municipal police departments, county sheriffs, and the Department of Motor Vehicles have agreed to send law enforcement personnel to Caledonia County this week to cover many of the work shifts for beleaguered St. Johnsbury officers. Among them are the Windsor and Springfield Police Departments and the Windsor County Sheriff's Department. The three agencies have stepped up to provide coverage on Christmas Day to allow some St. Johnsbury officers to spend the holiday with their families at home. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas released the December Vermont 2024 Candidates and Campaign Finance. This report continues the Secretary of State’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency for campaign finance reporting during the 2024 campaign season. This is the final reporting period of the current election cycle and reflects candidate filings as of the filing deadline on December 15.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) recently to introduce the bipartisan Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act, legislation designed to lower drug prices by accelerating the roll-out of generic drugs that get FDA approval for certain indications. “In Vermont and across the country, hardworking families are burdened with astronomical health care costs—including for lifesaving prescription drugs. So-called ‘skinny labeling’ has helped level speed generics to market, bringing down costs in the process.  It’s no surprise Big Pharma has a big problem with it,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan bill will protect skinny labeling and help patients pay less at the pharmacy counter.” 

by Mike Del Trecco, VAHHS CEO During the the time of the year when so many of us celebrate holidays and a new year, our hospitals have reached out to their communities and their coworkers to make the season brighter. Below is just a sampling of wonderful work they're doing. It warms my heart. Happy holidays to you, your organizations and your families.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Buildings and General Services announced today the date of the annual State House Menorah lighting on Thursday, December 26 at 4:30 p.m. The event will take place on the State House lawn and is open to the general public. The Governor welcomes Vermonters to the State House to light the State House menorah for the second night of Hanukkah.