Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont National Guard will support Vermont Emergency Management prepare for possible flash flooding response this afternoon and evening. A total of approximately 15 Soldiers from the Garrison Support Command’s National Guard Reaction Force will stage high water vehicles to support Vermont Urban Search and Rescue Teams ahead of the storm in areas of likely impact.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) today announced an investigation into Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility (MVRCF) Superintendent Sharon Nykiel. Per standard DOC practice, Superintendent Nykiel was placed on paid administrative leave while the Vermont Department of Human Resources conducts an independent investigation.  The Department launched the investigation following an unspecified allegation of misconduct. Assistant Superintendent Michael Dounetos will oversee daily operations at MVRCF until an Interim Superintendent appointment is made in the coming days. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced the appointment of Jessica Brown, Esq. as Burlington’s next City Attorney. Brown most recently served as the Director of the Center for Justice Reform at Vermont Law and Graduate School, where she is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Law and Constitutional Criminal Procedure. “I am proud to appoint Jessica Brown to serve as Burlington’s next City Attorney.” said Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak. “Jessica is eminently qualified, and will bring sound and supportive leadership, a strong willingness to collaborate, and a deep commitment to equity and justice to the role of City Attorney.” “I am truly honored and humbled to be considered for appointment as the Burlington City Attorney because I fully understand the enormous responsibility of the position.” said Jessica Brown.

by Katie Spring, Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center At the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-), we support dairy farmers and processors through grants, access to technical services, education, and events that promote the development, production, marketing, and distribution of regional dairy products. Our goal: to create resiliency and long-term sustainability for Northeast dairy businesses. Among these grants is the 2023 Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grant, which saw 10 Vermont dairy processors awarded between $25,850 and $1 million. This one-time grant program provided a catalytic infusion to support regional processing capabilities that are vital for the overall dairy sector.  

Vermont Business Magazine Abridge, the leader in generative AI for clinical documentation, announced an enterprise-wide agreement with The University of Vermont Health Network. UVM Health Network, an integrated academic health system serving over 1 million patients in Vermont and northern New York, selected Abridge following a robust vetting process with 50 primary care providers evaluating multiple solutions. Clinicians at UVM Health Network have already been using Abridge’s generative AI solution for 4 months. The enterprise rollout will soon expand to cardiology, endocrinology, and other specialties.

Vermont Business Magazine Breeze Airways, the premium leisure low-cost carrier offering point-to-point service from 58 U.S. destinations including from Burlington International Airport, is today introducing the “Triple Threat” campaign offering 35%* off roundtrip base fares using the promo code ‘TRIPLE’ at checkout on www.flybreeze.com or on the Breeze app, for travel from August 14 through February 4, 2025. The campaign celebrates Breeze’s high scores in Comfort, Service and Value from the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine as the carrier is again named Top 5 U.S. Domestic Airline for the third consecutive year in the magazine’s World’s Best Awards.

VermontBiz At his weekly press conference today, Governor Phil Scott and officials provided an update on the State’s initial response and ongoing recovery efforts resulting from last summer’s catastrophic flooding in Vermont communities.He was joined by state and federal representatives, including Secretary of Natural Resources Julie Moore, who highlighted efforts underway to improve resiliency.

VermontBiz One year after devastating floods swept across the state, the purpose-driven team at Vermont’s Lawson’s Finest Liquids announces the total donation amount raised through Vermont Strong, a collaborative flood relief brewing effort organized by Lawson’s Finest: a total of $46,007 will be given to the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF)! Lawson’s Finest Liquids will also donate $5,000 to NOFA-VT’s Farmer Resilience Grant Program as part of ongoing flood recovery efforts through the brewery’s Social Impact Program (SIP). 

VermontBiz The National Life Group Do Good Fest® is thrilled to add Dunkin’® as a sponsor of its 10th anniversary benefit blowout event.

Dunkin’ will give away $5 gift cards to the first 5,000 people that come through the gates of Do Good Fest featuring multi-platinum artists Fitz and the Tantrums, global pop star and Emmy Award winning Rachel Platten, alternative rock mainstays, Dishwalla, emerging New England favorite, Couch, and Beats for Good high school musician winners by popular vote, The Radiance, on the company’s back lawn on Saturday, July 13. Gates open at 1:30 p.m.

VermontBiz Multiple law-enforcement agencies are seeking the driver of a stolen Ford F-250 who led police on multiple pursuits, nearly causing several crashes, through northwestern Vermont on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.

At about 2 p.m. Tuesday, police located the pickup truck abandoned in Winooski. Members of the public should be aware that the suspect has attempted to steal several vehicles throughout the day, including by force, and should be considered extremely dangerous. People should ensure their vehicles are locked when unattended and be aware of their surroundings when returning to their cars.

VermontBiz  U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led seven Senators in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on the State Department to update its student visa adjudication guidance to ensure that all qualified students have an equal opportunity to continue their academic journey in the United States. The Senators’ letter cites data from the past eight years obtained from an investigation into the State Department’s student visa denials showing students from African countries were denied at significantly higher rates than those from other regions of the world. 

VermontBiz Outdoor enthusiasts in Burlington have a new way to explore the city’s impeccable bike trails thanks to a partnership between Betty’s Bikes, a beloved local used bike and repair shop, and GeerGarage, a leading outdoor gear-sharing platform. This innovative collaboration brings a peer-to-peer rental model to Burlington, offering residents and visitors a cost-effective way to access quality outdoor gear.