Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Foundation has announced that the Withington Fund has given more than $1 million to recreation and projects that benefit the public in Brattleboro, a milestone reached this year as the fund celebrates its 20th birthday. A permanent resource managed by the Vermont Community Foundation, the fund has distributed more than 30 grants to support the development and refurbishment of parks, trails, and public amenities ranging from basketball courts and playgrounds to a popular skate park and disc golf course. Brattleboro business leader and recreation enthusiast Nelson Withington decided to create the fund at the Vermont Community Foundation before his death at the age of 97 in 2002, so as to keep giving to the town he loved. The donor advised fund, also known as a giving account, opened in 2004. 

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today announced that Vermont will receive $3.1 million over the next four years from Johnson & Johnson to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products that contained talc, which often contained asbestos. Today’s settlement is the result of a four-year, multistate investigation involving 42 other attorneys general. The total nationwide settlement amount is $700 million. “Johnson & Johnson marketed their baby powder and body powder products as safe—when it knew they were not,” said Attorney General Clark. “I will continue to use the authority of my office to hold companies accountable for misleading consumers about the safety of their products.”

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health's weekly COVID-19 report shows that hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases remain very low, fewer than five people are being treated at a Vermont hospital each week, which has been the case since late March. The number of COVID cases is unchanged from last week. There was one death, which was of someone over the age of 79.

Vermont Department of Health Warm weather has arrived in Vermont, and the mountains are lush and green. Swimming, hiking, biking, grilling, sports and even outdoor projects are among the many Vermont summertime activities on our to-do lists! It is easy to prevent illness and injury while enjoying the outdoors if you follow some simple health and safety tips. Vermont has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the U.S. However, most skin cancers can be prevented. Follow these tips to be sun smart when playing and working outdoors, including: Apply a thick layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.

Vermont Business Magazine At a time when the United States pays, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), announced today that the committee will, on Tuesday, June 18, vote to subpoena the President of Novo Nordisk Inc., Doug Langa, to provide testimony about why his company charges up to 10 to 15 times more for Ozempic and Wegovy in the U.S. compared to other countries. On April 24, the HELP Committee launched an investigation into the outrageously high prices of Ozempic and Wegovy in the U.S., prescription drugs that millions of Americans struggling with diabetes and obesity desperately need.

Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems ANNUAL MEETING IS LIFTING OFF! JOIN THE VOYAGE. September 19, 9 a.m. to September 20, noon. JAY PEAK RESORT.

Vermont Business Magazine When John Campbell, a former Vermont state senator and president pro tempore, learned about his prostate cancer diagnosis, he immediately began worrying about how his life would be upended. “Will I have to travel to Boston, New York City or farther for treatment? If so, that’s six weeks of work I’m missing. And I’ll be away from family and friends for that time,” recalls the 70-year-old Montpelier resident. “Instead, I was able to get the care I needed, less than ten minutes from my home.” Just last week, Campbell rang a bell at The University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC), signifying he completed his final radiation treatment from the hospital’s linear accelerator.

Vermont Business Magazine Youth from around the state gathered at the Vermont State House last Wednesday, June 5th to help develop Vermont’s first-ever Civic Health Index, at an event co-hosted by the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office and UP for Learning, a youth advocacy organization. This year, Vermont joins the ranks of over 35 states that have already-completed a state Civic Health Index – a report on indicators related to voting habits, civic participation, and engagement with government. The final report will identify strengths and priorities for improvement in Vermont’s civic health. The Secretary of State’s Office will use it as a roadmap for increasing civic education and engagement across Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Mercy Connections and partners announce the Vermont Pride and Prosperity Network, a collaboration with Pride Center of Vermont, Small Business Administration, and the Office of the Vermont State Treasurer. The group aims to build power and prosperity for LGBTQIA2S+ business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in Vermont through connection, education, and celebration. The Vermont Pride and Prosperity Network is generously supported by the M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank, as it awarded Mercy Connections with a funding commitment of $225,000 over the course of three years.

Vermont Business Magazine In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2024, and because of the prevalence of financial fraud perpetrated against older adults, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont has joined with its partners at the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Diplomatic Security Service to share information and training with the Vermont elder community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners presented information and training at the Charlotte Senior Center on May 15, 2024, the Residences at the Essex on June 6, 2024, and will be presenting at the Shelburne Town Hall on June 24, 2024. 

Vermont Business Magazine Three nurses, two licensed nursing assistants (LNAs) and one licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC), a member of Dartmouth Health, were recently recognized for providing extraordinary patient care with DAISY Awards by the DAISY Foundation, an international organization founded to celebrate nurses. The hospital also awarded some of these outstanding nurses with a PETALS Award, which stands for ‘Professional Extraordinaires That Always Lend Support.’ The DAISY Committee at MAHHC, which scores blinded nominations and selects winners, awarded Kimberly Rich, RN, CAPA, the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. As a clinical supervisor in the surgical services department, Rich supports the staff, provides exceptional care to patients and provides educational opportunities for fellow nurses. Nurses Lily Burke, RN and Ruth Doiron, RN, also received DAISY Awards.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports has announced it is accepting proposals for its 2024 Outdoor Fitness and Sports Access Grants (“OFSAG”) starting today. OFSAG provides funding for the development or continuation of community initiatives that enhance access to sports and fitness activities for all Vermonters, particularly members of historically and/or presently marginalized or underrepresented communities. The grant period, slated from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, offers an opportunity for organizations to propose new—or enhance existing—programming that fosters inclusivity and accessibility in fitness and sports. In keeping with its mission, the Council recognizes the importance of addressing systemic barriers that have historically deterred or excluded certain communities from participating in these activities, and seeks to support initiatives addressing these issues, in part, through this grant program.