Current News

by Ed Neuert, UVM More UVM students and recent alumni have received Fulbright U.S. Student Awards this year than ever before, with 11 set to teach English as a second language in seven countries, and three pursuing graduate study or independent research in New Zealand, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the United Kingdom. This academic year also saw a record number of applicants for the program from UVM, and a new high level for the number of semi-finalists. Considered one of the most prestigious scholarships in the United States, the Fulbright Program was founded just after the conclusion of World War II, the brainchild of U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. Since 1946, thousands of American college graduates have received support for travel expenses, tuition, books, and living expenses for yearlong teaching assistantships or research projects.

Vermont Business Magazine Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT), a statewide nonprofit organization for girls in 3rd-8th grade, will be culminating its spring season with a joyful 5K event at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction on Saturday, May 30th, 2026 that will celebrate the accomplishments of over 1,300 participants from northern Vermont GOTR and Heart & Sole teams this spring season. Girls will be accompanied by over 400 volunteer coaches, approximately 500 running buddies, over 100 volunteers, countless spectators and other supporters in the GOTRVT community, cheering them on through the finish line. This event is supported by GOTRVT’s 23-year statewide sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and is presented by 15+ year partner, M&T Bank. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Best of Vermont Summer Festival returns August 22–23, 2026, bringing two full days of music, food, artisans, family fun, and Vermont‑made excellence to Okemo Field in Ludlow. Running from 11 AM to 5 PM each day, the festival showcases the very best of Vermont’s summer spirit — from handcrafted goods and local flavors to live entertainment and community activities. This year’s festival features an energized musical lineup spanning folk, rock, Americana, jam, and interactive dance programming.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Manchester Business Association are proud to announce the return of the annual B2B Golf Classic on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at The Golf Club at The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont. Now entering its eighth event, the B2B Golf Classic has become one of the region’s biggest business networking and fundraising events, bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and organizations from across Southwestern Vermont and the broader tri-state region for a day of connection, collaboration, and friendly competition.

Vermont Business Magazine The Colchester Historical Society, in partnership with the Vermont Italian Cultural Association (VICA), announced a public celebration to dedicate a new historic marker honoring the legacy and contributions of Italian immigrant families who settled here and built a thriving farming community. The commemoration follows an 18-month effort led by Colchester resident John Devino, with support from the town of Colchester, to recognize the contributions of these families. The dedication ceremony will take place Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m. across the street from the former Brigante’s fruit and vegetable stand at 682 Malletts Bay Avenue.

Vermont Business Magazine As America approaches its 250th anniversary, WhistlePig Whiskey, the pioneer of the ultra-premium rye category, is introducing two new offerings and calling on Americans to recognize Rye as the country’s official whiskey. At the center of the initiative is a nationwide petition, co-signed and endorsed by Max Miller of Tasting History, inviting Americans to declare Rye as America’s official whiskey, while honoring the grain that shaped the nation’s earliest whiskey traditions. Known for bringing history to life through food and drink, Miller helps connect audiences to Rye’s important role in early American culture and distilling. From now through July 4, fans and patriots alike can sign the petition at WhistlePig’s website. Hit 1,776 signatures and WhistlePig will take it straight to Congress.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University celebrated its Class of 2026 with a weekend of commencement celebrations at four of its residential campuses: Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, and Randolph, with Williston campus students participating in the Randolph ceremony. Commencement was held on the Castleton and Randolph campuses on Saturday, May 16, and on the Lyndon and Johnson campuses on Sunday, May 17. The university’s spring graduates were joined by friends and family as they received their diplomas, recognizing years of dedicated study and learning. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor released the April 2026 seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate, which was unchanged at 2.6%. This was the result of the Labor Force and Number of Employed both falling significantly. The civilian labor force participation rate was 62.7 percent in April, a decrease of two-tenths of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. The comparable United States rate in April was 4.3 percent, no change from the revised March estimate. Vermont has the fourth lowest jobless rate in the nation.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) have announced the release of the annual Vermont Inspiration Guide, the state’s official travel publication. The Vermont Chamber produces the Inspiration Guide in partnership with VDTM each year. Print copies of the 2026/27 edition are now in distribution, reaching travelers across Vermont’s core drive markets and beyond to amplify Vermont businesses and inspire travel. Vermont’s visitor economy generates $4.2 billion in annual economic impact and employs 9% of the Vermont workforce.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Emily St. Peter, 48, of Rutland, Vermont, has pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of Medicaid Fraud after falsely billing Medicaid for caregiver services that she did not provide. St. Peter entered her plea on May 21, 2026, in Vermont Superior Court, Rutland Criminal Division. The Court, Judge David Fenster presiding, ordered St. Peter to complete two years of supervised probation, repay $4,555.67 in restitution, and complete 30 hours of community service.

Vermont Business Magazine As the 2026 election season ramps up, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas reminded voters today that a live list of candidates running for office is available online. To get on the ballot, candidates running for elected offices at the local, state, and federal levels need to file their “Consent of Candidate” form and a petition with signatures of registered voters. Statewide candidates must collect 500 signatures; state senate candidates must collect 100; state representative candidates must collect 50; county candidates (sheriff, high bailiff, state’s attorney, probate judge, assistant judge) must collect 100.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Speaker Jill Krowinski and Representative Matt Walker, Chair, House Committee on Transportation made the following joint statement on S.326, an act relating to miscellaneous amendments to laws relating to motor vehicles: “The House Transportation Committee spent months listening to Vermonters, gathering testimony, and crafting legislation that puts affordability, accountability, and safety front and center. We are asking the DMV to update the annual inspection manual to prioritize safety issues and provide relief from minor maintenance requirements. We are tightening accountability on trucks illegally passing through Smugglers' Notch and on snowmobiles using VAST trails without a permit and clarifying the illegality of individuals intentionally altering a Vermont license-plate."