Current News

Senator Bernie Sanders On July 10, exactly one year after the worst Vermont flooding in nearly a century, a number of Vermont communities were, once again, hit by floods. Some of the hardest hit towns were Barre, Barton, Hardwick, Johnson, Lyndon, Middlesex, Moretown, Plainfield, Richmond, Sheffield, St. Johnsbury, Waterbury, Peacham, and Barnet. What makes this year’s flooding so awful is not just the significant damage done to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. But the reality that many of the people recently impacted were the same exact people who had to deal with the floods of a year ago. These folks spent a year struggling to get back on their feet – and now they have to start all over again.

Vermont Business Magazine While speaking from the Senate Floor this evening on the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) announced he would not attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress on Wednesday. In his statement, Senator Welch explained that while he welcomes a constructive discussion on how to end the conflict and achieve lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, he is not interested in participating in a political stunt. He urged Congress to refocus its efforts on ending the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

Vermont Business Magazine Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont) released the following statement announcing she will not attend Netanyahu’s address to Congress and instead join families of the hostages taken in the October 7 attack for counter programming: “Netanyahu should not be welcomed here in the US Congress. He should be spending every waking moment working to bring the hostages home, securing a ceasefire, and ending this catastrophic war. His reckless decisions and deadly offensive since the horrifying attacks on October 7 have killed thousands of Palestinians and brought famine to over a million people in a devastated Gaza. His address before Congress will not further the goals of peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, but rather will serve as a distraction from the Prime Minister's failure of leadership. 

Vermont Business Magazine Nineteen percent of Vermont State University (VTSU)’s first-year students in Fall 2023 identified as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Multicultural students make up a significant proportion of these students, including international and exchange students, refugees, immigrants, and domestic students with multilingual heritage. Amongst the multicultural students, the number of students who are fluent multilinguals, meaning they regularly use two or more languages in their day-to-day lives, increases from 87 in Fall 2023 to 166 this coming fall. Vermont State University has taken steps to support these students in their educational pursuits to ensure they are able to succeed.

Vermont Business Magazine The scholarship program at New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) has awarded five $5,000 prizes to selected applicants who have shown scholastic excellence and are interested in advancing their education in any field of study. “The volume and quality of applications we received was a strong reflection of our member’s exceptional academic achievements and community engagement,” said Sarah Ricker, community relationship manager at NEFCU. “We were impressed with the over 100 students who are on a path for knowledge and strengthening their financial future.”   

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is advising people not to consume any “Diamond Shruumz” brand products. The FDA and CDC are investigating two deaths and more than 70 cases of illness associated with eating Diamond Shruumz-brand mushroom-based “microdose” or hallucinogenic products – including chocolates, gummies and cones. There are currently no confirmed reports of illness or death in Vermont. Despite a nationwide recall in June, the FDA reports that some products may still be available for sale online, at smoke/vape shops, gas stations and convenience stores, and at retailers that sell hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC).

Vermont Business Magazine Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), a senior and longtime member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y), and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the bicameral Lake Champlain Basin Program Reauthorization Act – legislation that would reauthorize the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) for ten years at $55 million to support interstate conservation and the health of the Lake Champlain Basin. The bill would establish the Patrick Leahy LCBP Foundation to formally administer the program to promote climate resilience and mitigation through ecosystem restoration. U.S. Representative Becca Balint introduced companion legislation in the House. 

Vermont Business Magazine AM Best, the global rating agency for the insurance industry, has affirmed the rating of the Union Mutual of Vermont Companies of “A” (Excellent) with a Stable Outlook. The Union Mutual of Vermont Companies consist of Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, New England Guaranty Insurance Company, Inc. as well as its mutual affiliate, Community Mutual Insurance Company. According to the report from AM Best, affirmation of the rating indicates consistent profitable operating performance, and reflects Union Mutual’s balance sheet strength -- which AM Best assesses as very strong -- as well as adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At-Large) this week called on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to quickly approve Vermont Governor Phil Scott’s request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation for the State of Vermont, including for Orange, Washington, Caledonia, Orleans, Essex, Lamoille, Chittenden, and Addison counties. The lawmakers also urged USDA to approve any additional requests for support forthcoming from the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Snapshots of Wren’s Nest Forest Preschool students illustrate the wonder of childhood discovery in nature. A young girl on a forest trail collects autumn leaves into a bouquet. Students gather to investigate a pond’s intricate ecosystem; a fallen tree inspires inquiry. Willowell also runs schools and programming for older children and adults: Pond Brook Middle School, the Walden Project outdoor, public high school run through Vergennes Union High School, plus summer camps, after-school programs, artists’ residencies and more. 

Agency of Natural Resources As our communities continue the hard work of digging out, assessing the damage, and rebuilding after the most recent flooding, the Agency of Natural Resources encourages communities, homeowners, and businesses to leverage available resources and information to help them recover. Vermonters, businesses, and communities impacted by the July 2024 flood should report damage to Vermont 211. Find resources, guidance and referral information at vermont.gov/Flood. Volunteer to help or donate to the Vermont Flood Response & Recovery Fund to support all those impacted.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine For the week ending July 13, the Vermont Department of Health reported that there has not been any COVID-19 related death since mid-June. COVID fatalities remain at 1,157 since the beginning of the pandemic over four years ago. The weekly report also shows that hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases remain low and have decreased in the last week to about five people being treated at a Vermont hospital each week. The number of COVID cases is elevated and has more than doubled in the last month, with a weekly total now of 102.