Current News

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.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark today released Vermont’s revenue results for February 2026. The General and Transportation Funds both missed their monthly targets, and the Education Fund exceeded its monthly target. Cumulatively, the total year-to-date is slightly below expectations. The State’s General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were a combined $196.26 million, representing collections -$5.86 million, or 2.9%, below the $202.12 million monthly target from the consensus forecast.

by Alexa Gaskill, Community News Service As a child, Jake Shattuck would walk through the woods to his grandparents’ farm in East Montpelier, seeing the sweet steam of boiling maple syrup settle over the sugarhouse. Inside the farm store, large wheels of cheese were stacked for sale. His grandmother would sit in a chair near the counter, offering samples as Shattuck and his sister stopped in for a slice before running back outside. “This is home. I grew up right here,” Shattuck, now 54, said. Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks was founded in the 1960s by Shattuck’s grandfather, Harry Morse Sr., and later carried on by his uncle, Harry “Burr” Morse Jr., who was often called the “the godfather of maple syrup.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Virtual Tours, a leading provider of 3D scanning and virtual tour solutions, has surpassed 2,000,000 square feet of scanned space, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth and impact across Vermont and the Northeast. Founded in 2020, Vermont Virtual Tours has become a trusted partner for organizations seeking accurate, immersive digital representations of their physical spaces. Using advanced lidar camera technology, the company creates high-resolution digital twins that support marketing, design, planning, and facility management.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott signed bill S.60 on Thursday, "an act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions." He noted that there is a technical problem with the bill that he said the Legislature will iron out at a later date.

Vermont State Police A Burlington police officer is facing charges arising from a shooting that occurred Aug. 10, 2025, in Burlington. The Vermont State Police investigated the early morning shooting, in which no one was injured, and forwarded the case to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office for review. Following that review, the attorney general directed VSP to cite Officer Jeffrey Baur on two counts of reckless endangerment. Baur reported to the VSP barracks in Williston on Thursday, March 26, 2026, where he was processed and released. He is due to appear for arraignment at 0830 hrs. 03/27/2026 in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Burlington.