Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont is launching a national initiative to support the critical role of local news media around the country and aid colleges in their efforts to help solve the crisis facing local news. The new Center for Community News is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and UVM College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) donors. The $400,000 initiative builds on the successful Community News model in Vermont, which brings students together with professional editors to provide news reporting at no cost to local news outlets. The mission of the Center for Community News (CCN) is to inspire and enable collaborations between local media outlets and students.

Vermont Business Magazine State and local officials gathered with newly certified tradespeople today at the first graduation ceremony of VHV’s four-year apprenticeship program. VHV (formerly Vermont Heating and Ventilating, Company) launched its comprehensive apprentice training program in 2017 with support from the Vermont Training Program (VTP). In 2017, VHV was awarded an $81,290 Vermont Training Program (VTP) grant to offset costs associated with establishing the apprenticeship program including up to 50% of hourly wages for employees to engage in on-the-job training and support for staff to become certified instructors of the accredited program.

Vermont Business Magazine Darn Tough Vermont, the fastest growing American manufacturer of performance outdoor and lifestyle socks, has announced the launch of its Knit to Give Collection. The program will launch an online exclusive new sock style every quarter with all profits going to support neighbors in need via the Vermont Foodbank. Knit to Give will feature styles created with overstock yarn, which is excess material from the knitting mills in Northfield and Waterbury, Vermont. Utilizing overstock yarn allows Darn Tough to give new life to these materials, taking a sustainable leap and turning socks into meals for the local community. Along with these quarterly releases, Darn Tough will continue its ongoing support of the Vermont Foodbank on Giving Tuesday each November.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law School today announced that on July 1 it will become Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS). It will add three master’s degree programs and expand in Burlington. This is part of a major restructuring and long-term growth plan that will see the school double down on its public interest mission and transition to a graduate institution housing two schools – law and graduate. The new vision is bolstered by an anonymous $8 million donation to the school. The creation of a new graduate school on par with the existing law school and resulting name change are part of a new strategic plan developed by faculty and staff and approved by the board of trustees, and reflects the growing interest from students for cross-disciplinary approaches to social justice and an all-in commitment to public interest law and policy.

Vermont State Police Members from the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit returned to 1113 Cabot Road in Marshfield to conduct an origin and cause investigation following a fire that took place at the residence on June 20, 2022.  Based on the result of the scene examination investigators determined that the fire began in a dryer located in the downstairs bathroom. Investigators believe that the victim, Will Livendale, was trying to extinguish the fire when he was overcome by smoke. The fire quickly spread into other areas of the structure causing extensive damage throughout the home.