Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Building on its strong foundation of animal law and policy course offerings, Vermont Law and Graduate School’s (VLGS) Animal Law and Policy Institute is proud to announce the launch of an online and residential Animal Law LLM degree program. This degree program is designed for law graduates from around the world to advance their careers in animal law advocacy and scholarship. Full-time LLM students can complete the program in 12 months, but students have up to five years to obtain their degree. 

Vermont Business Magazine Lawson’s Finest Liquids announces today that Adeline Druart, former president of Vermont Creamery, will join the brewery’s executive leadership as chief executive officer. Sean and Karen Lawson, who founded Lawson’s Finest Liquids in 2008 and have grown the presence of the Vermont brewery’s iconic flagship brews including Sip of Sunshine to distribution in nine states across the Northeast, will maintain positions as stewards of the brand.

Vermont Business Magazine Russell Goodrich, RN, a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), was the April recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). Nominated by a patient’s daughter, Goodrich was recognized for the grace and professionalism he showed the patient and family.  

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group Foundation President Beth Rusnock spread the good June 8 with a presentation of $57,550 to Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region (CISDR) President and CEO Adam Powell to support youth mental health. The funds come from a $40,000 National Life Group Foundation grant as well as money raised in a fundraiser by BUILD, a National Life community chartered to commit to the increase of Black agents and leaders in the insurance industry. 

The Vermont State Police is investigating a crash between an SUV and a motorcycle Monday afternoon, June 12, 2023, in Dorset in which the operator of the motorcycle suffered fatal injuries. The motorcyclist is identified as Richard Treat Williams, 71, of Manchester Center, Vermont. The crash occurred at about 4:53 p.m. Monday on Vermont Route 30 just north of Morse Hill Road when a southbound 2008 Honda Element driven by Ryan M. Koss, 35, of Pownal, Vermont, attempted to turn left into a parking lot. Initial investigation indicates the Element stopped, signaled a left turn, and then turned into the path of a northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle operated by Williams. 

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) on Monday was named to the House Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee is at the forefront of some of the most pressing issues of our time, including protecting Constitutional freedoms and civil liberties, oversight of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, legal and regulatory reform, antitrust laws, terrorism and crime, gun violence prevention and immigration reform.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports Volunteer Liz Mead, a resident of Chittenden, was recognized by the Kraft Family, Patriots Foundation and Gillette, along with 25 other volunteers, as a 2023 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winner on Thursday, June 8. Twenty-six volunteers were recognized for their contributions at an awards ceremony and luncheon at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. In total, $275,000 in donations were distributed to the nonprofits represented by each volunteer. Twenty-five organizations each received $10,000 and the Brian Dagle Foundation received this year’s grand prize of $25,000.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is coming to a location near you to hear input on the current state of internet service; barriers Vermonters have accessing, affording, or using it; and what can be done to improve it. You can find more information about these sessions and additional sessions that will be added on the VCBB website. Everyone is welcome at these free events. $20 gas cards will be provided at the conclusion of the events to compensate participants for their travel expenses. Snacks will also be provided.

Vermont Business Magazine As the Champlain Valley Fair approaches (August 25 to September 3), the stage is set for a local partnership aiming to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones. NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, the Champlain Valley Fair’s presenting sponsor, recognized the valuable opportunity to raise awareness for a community partner. Its search led to the Cancer Patient Support Foundation (CPSF), an organization that extends emergency financial assistance to people receiving treatment for cancer. CPSF serves Vermont and parts of Northern New York.

Vermont Business Magazine Today represents a major win for the future protection of Vermont’s forests, water, wildlife, and community resilience, according to the VNRC. Governor Scott allowed H.126, an act related to community resilience and biodiversity protection, to become law following strong votes in both the Vermont House and Senate. This process will determine the tools, programs, and mechanisms needed to advance to conservation of 30% of our land by 2030 and 50% by 2050.  

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (Nasdaq: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling, and resource management services company, announced the signing of an asset purchase agreement on June 9, 2023, to acquire the assets of Consolidated Waste Services, LLC and its affiliates (dba “Twin Bridges”) for a purchase price of approximately $219 million in cash. The proposed acquisition, which is expected to generate annualized revenues of approximately $70 million, includes two collection operations, one transfer station, one material recovery facility (MRF), one office building that can support future growth, and several satellite properties.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott signed five bills into law, including the largest Transportation Bill in state history, and let the conservation bill, H.126, become law without his signature. He had vetoed a similar bill last year. This bill, he said, still has "unclear" language but is one which the Agency of Natural Resources can work with.