Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Ben & Jerry's latest innovative flavors are so good, fans will reach the bottom of the pint in a blink of an eye. The new PB S'more, a riff on the classic campfire dessert, and Impretzively Fudged, a flawless showcase of chocolate and pretzel, are the perfect salty and sweet pair inspired by chocolate bark. Just in time for National Peanut Butter Day, PB S'more features what are perhaps Ben & Jerry's biggest chunks to date. Extra-large pieces of chocolate peanut butter cups are the star in this pint. Its base is a toasted marshmallow ice cream, combined with graham cracker pieces and a marshmallow swirl, to capture the s'more experience. At Ben & Jerry's, you can never have enough marshmallow.

Vermont Business Magazine On December 15, Jericho residents Gail and Tim McKenna continued their tradition of generosity with a contribution of $2,222.50 to Howard Center from their CATCH 22 Flag Football fundraiser. This year marks their ninth consecutive year of supporting Howard Center, with their donation amount reflecting significant numbers in their lives. Their ongoing commitment enables Howard Center to provide essential services in mental health, substance use, and developmental support for individuals and families within the community.

Vermont Business Magazine Max Murray (Kennebunkport, ME) from the University of Vermont soccer team announced today he has signed a name, image and likeness (NIL) partnership with Folino's Pizza. The Vermont-based company has locations in Burlington, Shelburne, Williston. Murray will appear in photos and videos and promote the restaurant on his social media accounts. The partnership was brokered by Pliable, a marketing company that helps high school, college and professional athletes build their athlete brand. Murray, 21, recently announced he will return for his fifth year to play for the Catamounts. He has 13 goals and 6 assists during his past two seasons, in which the team has appeared in the NCAA tournament twice, including an appearance in the quarterfinals in 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine Waterfowl hunters who did not remove their hunting blinds from the waters of the state earlier must do so before February 15 on Lake Champlain or May 15 on inland waters according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. State law requires removal of the blinds before these deadlines to protect natural areas and to prevent boating accidents after the ice melts. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the House gave final approval to H.839, the FY24 Budget Adjustment Act. This is an annual bill, passed midway through the fiscal year, that rebalances accounts and ensures that our state always maintains a balanced budget. The BAA totals $132.5 million of which $56.6 is from the General Fund. Today’s final vote followed yesterday’s 112-24 roll-call vote. From here, the bill moves to the Senate.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) announced today that Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato and Merck CEO Robert Davis have reconsidered their positions and have agreed to join Bristol Myers Squibb CEO Chris Boerner at a hearing the committee will be holding on the outrageously high price of prescription drugs in the United States. The hearing is now scheduled for Thursday, February 8 at 10:00 a.m. ET. At a press conference yesterday, Sanders had announced that the HELP Committee would be voting to subpoena the CEOs of Merck and Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday, January 31 after they declined an invitation from a majority of the HELP Committee.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation (VDHP) and the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation today announced grants totaling $319,090 to 19 municipalities and non-profit organizations in six counties to facilitate the restoration and rehabilitation of Vermont landmarks and important historic buildings and structures. These grants will help to leverage more than $1.5 million in additional efforts. Grants awarded this year will support work on historic Vermont landmarks, including the Rockingham Meetinghouse, Middlebury Congregational Church, and the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington. 

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Police say they arrested the Addison County State's Attorney for suspicion of driving while under the influence Thursday evening after she showed up at the scene of an untimely death in Bridport, officials said. State police had asked prosecutor Eva Vekos if she wanted to have a walk through the crime scene on Swinton Road where a 44 -year-old man was found dead on Wednesday morning, officials said.  State Police Crime Scene Search Team members were wrapping up their site work about 36 hours after the initial call and police normally ask the local prosecutor if they want to observe the scene of an untimely death in case there are decisions to be made, including criminal charges. Vekos, 54, of Middlebury arrived about 8:50 Thursday night and troopers detected the odor of intoxicants and saw indicators of impairment such as slurred speech, Patrol Sgt. Eden Neary reported. Vekos refused to undergo standardized field sobriety tests at the scene and was placed under arrest for DUI – refusal, Neary said. 

Vermont State Police The Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington on Friday completed its physical examination of the body of Stephen Nuciolo Sr, 44, who was found deceased Wednesday morning inside his home in Bridport. The cause and manner of his death are listed as pending further investigation. The Vermont State Police Crime Scene Search Team processed the Swinton Road home overnight, and police have subsequently released the scene. Following an examination Thursday, Jan. 25, the medical examiner informed the state police that the death appears suspicious.

Vermont Business Magazine The following statement can be attributed to Frank Knaack, executive director of the Housing & Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, regarding the vote by the House today on the Budget Adjustment Act to include funds to continue to house all cohorts currently housed under the General Assistance Emergency Housing program. "With today's vote in the House, Vermont is one step closer to ensuring that people currently housed through its general assistance emergency housing program can maintain safe and secure housing."

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center Are you prepared for an unannounced OSHA inspection? Find out what you need to know with our upcoming webinar, OSHA Compliance 101: What to Expect During an OSHA Inspection, on February 21. Learn about inspection processes, rights and responsibilities, preparation strategies, navigating inspections, understanding violations and penalties, and post-inspection steps. Benefit from expert guidance, actionable tactics, and networking opportunities. Empower your workplace with knowledge and turn compliance into a competitive edge.

Vermont Business Magazine A new report from the American Lung Association urges Vermont lawmakers to focus on funding tobacco prevention programs as well as ending the sale of flavored tobacco products to reduce the burden of tobacco use in the state. The 2024 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives. Vermont received a less that perfect report card, with two F grades, one B grade and two A grades for policies to improve statewide efforts to prevent and reduce tobacco use.