Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Amy Trela, 48, of Winooski, Vermont, and Alicia Russell, 29, of Essex, Vermont, were both arraigned today as co-defendants, each charged with one count of felony Medicaid Fraud. The charges brought against Ms. Trela and Ms. Russell are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU), which found that the defendants falsely certified Medicaid timesheets, defrauding Vermont Medicaid of over $62,000 in public health care funds since 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine On the one-year anniversary of the Vermont floods, Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) took to the Senate Floor to call for increased supplemental disaster funding for Vermont communities impacted by catastrophic flooding. Sen. Welch highlighted legislation to help communities impacted by natural disasters, including his recently introduced Rural Recovery Act, which provides communities with funding for emergency recovery technical assistance after a presidentially declared disaster. Senator Welch’s remarks came as areas across Vermont received more torrential rain and flooding as the remnants of Hurricane Beryl hit the state.   

Vermont Business Magazine As another round of major flooding coursed through Vermont this week, the Vermont Community Foundation renewed its commitment to join with people of the state and beyond to respond and build long-term flood resilience. The flooding that began Wednesday, on the one-year anniversary of the catastrophic July 2023 floods, damaged homes, roads, and forced evacuations in a state still feeling the impact of last year’s disaster. But then and now, the generosity of friends, neighbors, and people who care can make a difference. The VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund, created by the Vermont Community Foundation immediately after the July 2023 floods, is again poised to respond and accept donations from people who want to help. To date, the fund has raised nearly $14 million and granted or allocated funds to support efforts in more than 100 communities across Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine As flooding continues to affect our communities today, we are reminded of the devastating floods that struck Vermont one year ago. The Department of Mental Health (DMH) recognizes the significant impact such events have on our collective well-being and acknowledges the heightened emotional strain that this recurrence may cause. The experience of living through another flood on the anniversary of last year's disaster can be deeply retraumatizing. It is natural for feelings of anxiety, fear, and helplessness to resurface. The sights, sounds, and even the anticipation of the flooding can trigger memories and emotions tied to past trauma, making it imperative for us to come together as a community to support one another. 

Commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurrle It’s hard to believe exactly one year later we are in another flooding situation. Many of our communities that suffered from last summer’s flooding were hit again overnight damaging homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Please know that myself and the rest of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) are thinking of you. At ACCD we are on standby to support recovery efforts once the State of Vermont moves into the response phase. We will continue to keep you updated via this Severe Storm Newsletter. Read on to learn about reporting storm damage and available mental health services.

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) has canceled of the Health Care Community Meeting scheduled for tonight in St. Johnsbury at Catamount Arts at 6pm. This decision comes in response to the severe flooding that occurred last night. The well-being of community members is our top priority. Local flooding caused significant disruption, making it unsafe for community members to travel. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Vermont Business Magazine ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property and real estate data, today released its Midyear 2024 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows there were a total of 177,431 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions — in the first six months of 2024. That figure is down 4.4 percent from the same time period a year ago but up 7.8 percent from the same time period two years ago. States that saw the greatest increases in foreclosure activity compared to a year ago in the first half of 2024 included South Dakota (up 93 percent); North Dakota (up 86 percent); Kentucky (up 73 percent); Massachusetts (up 46 percent); and Idaho (up 30 percent). Vermont had 89 foreclosures, or 0.03% of housing units and up 25.3% from the same time last year.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers worked with Urban Search and Rescue Teams to evacuate 19 people from locations in Barre, Northfield and Moretown last night. These rescues are in addition to the dozens of evacuations by Urban Search and Rescue Teams across Vermont. One team staged in Berlin supported the rescue of 6 people from Barre and conducted welfare checks in multiple areas, including Richmond and Middlesex. The other team staged in Berlin supported the rescue of 11 people, two dogs and four cats in Barre, Northfield and Moretown.

Vermont Business Magazine Yesterday, Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) was joined by Reps. Jayapal and Tonko to introduce the Small Dollar Donor Protection Act (SDDPA). Online small dollar donations are increasingly prevalent in campaigns. In the first quarter of 2024, more than 1.2 million individuals made 5 million donations to House and Senate campaigns and about two-thirds of those donations were less than $20. This bill aims to ensure small dollar support is accurately portrayed by political campaigns and that the donations are not solicited fraudulently or under false pretenses. The Small Dollar Donor Protection Act (SDDPA) creates a reporting mechanism to keep campaigns honest about their level of grassroots support. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.47 per gallon, up 3 cents/g since last week, down 2 cents/g from last month and down 11 cents/g from last year. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.17/g in Bennington while the highest was $3.65/g, in Londonderry. The national average price of gasoline is up 5 cents/g in the last week, averaging $3.53/g today. The national average is up 9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 2 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine From July 7-21, 2023, heavy rain across Vermont drove rivers to near record levels causing historic and catastrophic flooding. In Montpelier, the Winooski River crested at 21 feet, reaching a height not seen since the 1920s and leading to the rescue of over 100 people from flooded cars and homes. One year later, families, businesses, and communities continue to rebuild with the help of federal assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. So far, $25,987,190.49 has been approved for Individual Assistance and $50,580,607.19 has been obligated for Public Assistance. The state has also prioritized mitigation efforts, a program with $1,141,512.00 designated to support rebuilding stronger in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont—4802 Vermont Homecare United—the union representing Vermont’s more than 5,000 home care workers, has officially voted to ratify a new agreement with the State of Vermont regarding the minimum hourly rate paid. The two-year agreement went into effect on July 1, 2024, and includes a 5% increase to the minimum base rate each year as well as a retention bonus based on time worked. Homecare providers are dedicated professionals who provide a wide range of support services that allow a person to live safely in their home and engage in the community. Clients range from Veterans to aging adults, those managing chronic health issues or serious illness or injury, and those with special needs or disabilities.