Current News

Vermont State Police Search and recovery efforts for missing swimmer Tuan Baldino are resuming today in the Mad River at Warren Falls. The area is closed to the public, and search crews request that people avoid this location. The Vermont State Police will continue to provide updates as the search continues. 

Vermont Business Magazine As democracy faces unprecedented challenges worldwide, Bennington College is taking bold action. This September, the College will launch "Saving Democracy Together," an innovative online and in-person course open to students, alumni, and the public. The program aims to reconnect current political realities with America's founding ideals, just months before a pivotal U.S. presidential election. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter has appointed Matt Musgrave as the association’s Vermont Regional Director. With over a decade of experience in the association business, Musgrave brings a deep understanding of the Vermont construction industry, policy development, and the delivery of value to contractors. Musgrave’s extensive background and expertise in the field make him a valuable addition to the ABC NH/VT team. His experience includes a strong focus on industry-related policy development, particularly in Montpelier, where he has demonstrated a proven ability to influence and shape policy for the betterment of the construction sector.

Vermont Business Magazine The fall semester is just around the corner, yet many students are still unsure about next steps in their education or training journey. A key part of their decision is knowing that they will be able to afford the program they need to further their education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a student’s gateway to accessing federal and Vermont grants, loans, and work-study funds. Filing the FAFSA is a critical step for most students, and this year changes by the US Department of Education to the FAFSA, and its failed rollout, have made it even more challenging to support students who are on the fence about their future. In recognition of VSAC’s award-winning work to reach Vermont students and families, the US Department of Education awarded VSAC with a significant grant to provide extra help to students and families this summer.

Vermont Business Magazine Inc. revealed today that Burlington, Vermont-based Quorum ranks No. 1184 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. Quorum also ranked no. 93 in Advertising & Marketing. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, Patagonia, and many other household-name brands gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has launched the Blue Envelope Program for Vermont drivers on the autism spectrum to make routine traffic stop interactions easier, safer, and less stressful. The DMV modeled the new program on similar programs in other states and worked with the University of Vermont Autism Collaborative to develop the program. The blue envelope alerts law enforcement officers that the driver has autism, and printed instructions on the envelope help the officers to adapt their approach.

Vermont Business Magazine Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), the region’s premier discount retail chain with 153 stores across the Northeast, has announced it will open a new store in the town of St. Albans in late fall 2024. The new location, one of the chain’s northernmost, will be the fourth store in the Green Mountain State and the first in Franklin County. Located at 182 & 200 Highgate Road in St. Albans Town within the Highgate Commons Shopping Center, the leased location will provide 31,000 square feet of shopping space for customers. The store will be located within the space previously vacated by Peebles. Plaza co-tenants include Hannaford supermarket and T.J. Maxx. Currently, the closest OSJL locations are in St. Johnsbury and Rutland.

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) directed Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Plan, Inc. (MVP) to adjust their proposed 2025 premiums for individuals and small businesses, affecting over 70,000 Vermonters. The final approved rates were historically high and reflected concerns that the insurers, which are the only ones covering small groups and individuals in Vermont, could face insolvency if their reserves were not sufficiently funded. To that point, both Blue Cross Vermont and MVP increased their requests before the final GMCB review. The regulators, as they typically do, adjusted down the final requests somewhat and approved a Blue Cross increase in premiums of 22.8% for their small group customers and 19.8% for individuals. MVP was approved for 11.1% for the small group rate and 14.2% for individuals.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Jason Benn, 35, of Derby, Vermont, was arraigned today on one felony count of Luring a Child and one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. Mr. Benn is alleged to have engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a 13-year-old child. That child disclosed the conversations to a third party, who then made a report to law enforcement. VT-ICAC also received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children relating to a suspect uploading a file of child sexual abuse material to Snapchat. Based on the criminal investigation of that tip, Mr. Benn was identified as a suspect. Mr. Benn pleaded not guilty at the arraignment today in Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine For the week ending August 3, the Vermont Department of Health reported that the number of COVID-19 cases in Vermont remains much higher than in the spring, but related deaths have been low. COVID fatalities are at 1,161 since the beginning of the pandemic over four years ago. The weekly report also shows that hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases remain low but have increased somewhat in the last few weeks to about 10 people being treated at a Vermont hospital each week. The number of COVID cases is elevated and there were 236 cases reported last week. Cases had been falling in April and May and were as low as 31 at the beginning of May. Along with the case numbers, wastewater monitoring has shown spikes in virus in Burlington and Montpelier.

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today released the following statement calling on Prasco Laboratories and GlaxoSmithKline to immediately cap the cost of the authorized generic of Flovent – the most commonly prescribed inhaler for children – at $35.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Arts Council announces more than $375,000 in grants to fund public art projects and improve cultural facilities across Vermont. “Investing in our state’s cultural infrastructure and incorporating art into the public places where Vermonters gather provides many cultural, social, and economic benefits to a community. We are proud to support these important projects, which both demonstrate the power of art in humanizing our public places and reaffirm the richness of our cultural heritage,” said Vermont Arts Council Executive Director Susan Evans McClure.