Current News

by Roxy Vanderhoff, Community News Service Under a new bill, Vermont school boards would give votes to those who know the schools the best. The experts in question? Teenagers. Students and representatives alike took to the statehouse Jan. 30 to discuss H.640, a bill created by high schoolers to have student representation on school boards. The bill was first envisioned at last summer’s Global Issues & Youth Action Institute, part of the long-running Governor’s Institutes of Vermont program.

Vermont Business Magazine The restoration of a historic synagogue in Burlington’s Old North End has led to the launch of a new Vermont-based design and manufacturing business focused on rethinking one of the most overlooked elements in commercial interiors: exit signage. Entrepreneur and designer Kitter Spater completed the renovation of the 19th-century synagogue in November 2025, transforming the long-vacant building into a mixed-use property with a vintage clothing market on the upper floors and residential apartments below. The project emphasized preserving architectural character while adapting the space for modern use.

Vermont Business Magazine What began as a small gathering of passionate homebrewers has grown into one of the region’s most unique craft beverage celebrations. The Southern Vermont HomeBrew Festival, founded in 2015, will mark its 10th year on Saturday, May 2, 2026, bringing together talented homebrewers from across Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, and beyond for an afternoon of tasting, music, and outdoor festival energy. The festival showcases the creativity and innovation of the homebrewing community, featuring more than 30 regional homebrewers pouring over 125 unique beverages available exclusively at the event. Attendees can enjoy unlimited sampling of beer, cider, wine, and mead while exploring a wide variety of styles, including NEIPAs, sours, pastry stouts, porters, pilsners, fruited meads, hard ciders, and more. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation is dedicating a Roadside Historic Site Marker to Corporal Leonard A. Lord, the first Vermonter killed in action during the Great War. The Roadside Marker is set just outside Riverside Cemetery in Swanton, where Lord was reinterred in 1921. The tribute will be unveiled at 1:00 p.m. on April 12th at 176 North River Street in Swanton. Vermont & Massachusetts Army National Guard members, Cemetery Commissioner John Kaczkowski, Town Administrator Brian Savage, and Vermont State Historic Preservation Officer Laura V. Trieschmann, will provide remarks about Cpl. Lord and his legacy. All are welcome, though parking at the cemetery will be limited.

Vermont Business Magazine Ben & Jerry's newest flavor is here: Honey Graham Latte, featuring Coffee Caramel Ice Cream with Honey Graham Cracker Swirls and Crunchy Cinnamon Swirls. Honey Graham Latte is a creation combining the cozy comfort of a coffee break, a cinnamon-kissed caffeinated buzz, and the nostalgia of honey graham crackers - resulting in something new and unique that brings home a latte fun for Ben & Jerry's fans. The flavor is available NOW at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops nationwide, while supplies last. Honey Graham Latte will appear in select grocery stores as a Limited Batch pint starting this April. (No foolin'!)

Vermont Business Magazine Community College of Vermont (CCV)-Winooski student Isabel Frei has received two scholarships from the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Isabel was named a 2026 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,750 scholarship; she was also selected as a member of the 2026 All-USA Academic Team, which comes with a $3,000 scholarship. New Century Transfer Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,300 students from nearly 1,400 colleges nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Transfer Scholar is selected from each state.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on March 27, 2026, Brendan Sullivan, 29, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a 15- year term of imprisonment to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, and ordered to pay $20,000 of restitution to victims of his offenses. Sullivan previously pleaded guilty to using a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice a child and possession of child sexual abuse materials. According to court records, Sullivan was previously convicted in federal court for possession of child sexual abuse materials.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, House Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement following the bipartisan House vote of 97-40 on H.951, an act relating to making appropriations for the support of the government: “Today, after months of deliberation and collaboration, the House of Representatives passed Vermont's state budget on a strong bi-partisan vote. The House Appropriations Committee unanimously recommended the proposed $9.334 billion FY27 budget, which makes impactful one-time and ongoing investments that meet crucial needs for Vermonters in all corners of the state."

Vermont Business Magazine On March 24, 2026, Governor Phil Scott signed into law H.649, the State of Vermont’s annual captive insurance bill, reaffirming Vermont’s commitment to licensed captive insurance companies by enhancing regulatory clarity, strengthening oversight, and supporting continued innovation across the sector. The bill is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University (VTSU) and the local Kingdom East School District (KESD) announced a new partnership today, representing a significant and positive step forward in the university’s commitment to vibrancy and enhanced community collaborations at all of its rural campuses. The goal is to ensure the vitality, sustainability, and public value of Lyndon for future generations of Vermonters. This agreement is among dozens being considered by the Vermont State Colleges as they work to right-size campuses – which are estimated to be at least 30% overbuilt based on a 2022 analysis – to meet the needs of todays’ learners and to position these beautiful places as community assets as well as centers of learning. Since 2017, the Lyndon Campus has seen a 60% decline in residential student enrollment.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) today announced the death of Jose Luis Gonzalez, a state detainee hospitalized at the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC). Jose Luis Gonzalez, 51, of Connecticut, was detained in November 2025. On February 27, Mr. Gonzalez was hospitalized at Rutland Regional Medical Center and subsequently transferred to UVMMC on March 1. On March 27, medical staff at UVMMC declared him deceased.  Mr. Gonzalez’s death does not appear suspicious at this time.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont initial weekly unemployment claims fell sharply last week after they had more than doubled at the end of February and then settled back down. For the week ending March 21, 2026, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that there were 330 new claims, down 131 from the previous week and up 36 from last year at this time. New claims had leveled off at under 400 after the holiday season and, other than that one spike, are now near their lowest this year. Meanwhile, total claims were 4,128, down 196 from the week before and are up 224 from last year at this time. Meanwhile, US labor and inflation reports suggest the Fed might raise interest rates at its next meeting.