Breeze Airways, the airline industry’s only ‘NLCC’, or ‘Nice Low-Cost Carrier,’ reported an operating profit for March, a major milestone for the fast-growing startup airline. Today, Breeze is also currently offering a two-day-only promotion with 40 percent* off all roundtrip base fares when the code ‘UNIQUE’ is used at checkout on the Breeze app or at flybreeze.com. The promotion is available until Wednesday, April 10 at 11:59pm PT for travel from April 28 to June 13, 2024. Breeze flies from Burlington BTV to Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Raleigh/Durham.  ..read more

Governor Phil Scott today reiterated his strong support for Vermont’s Tech Hub V-GaN by devoting resources to transform the Green Mountain State into a world leader in Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors. GaN is the future of semiconductors. GaN chips are more efficient, lighter, smaller, and more durable than silicon. They have many applications, including electronics, healthcare, sustainable energy, and defense. A recent CHIPS Act investment in GaN and GlobalFoundries reinforces why this region was designated a Tech Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce. GlobalFoundries’ Fab 9 plant in Ess ..read more

Today, Goddard College's Board of Trustees announced that despite decades of dedicated efforts to sustain the institution, they have ultimately arrived at the heart-wrenching decision to close the College’s doors. Facing financial insolvency, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to close the Plainfield institution at the end of the current semester, citing a significant and persistent decline in enrollment since the 1970s as the determining factor that made the decision unavoidable. Established in 1938, Goddard College has been a beacon of educational experimentation, renowned for its ..read more

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that COVID-19 cases fell again from 58 to 44 to now 32, their lowest level since last summer. In addition, hospitalizations remain at a low level, and fatalities have eased back. There were 3 fatalities in this report. The pandemic death total now stands at 1,144 as of March 30, 2024 (the most recent data available). Total reported deaths in January were 28, which is the highest monthly total in a year, but only 16 in February and 10 so far reported in March. The VDH reported last week that COVI ..read more

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today released a draft legislative proposal to address the Long COVID crisis that is negatively impacting the health of some 22 million Americans. Before formally introducing this legislation in the Senate, the HELP Committee wants to hear from the Long COVID community to get their views on how this proposal can be improved and strengthened to effectively deal with this public health emergency. The committee is particularly interested in hearing from Long COVID patients and the ..read more

In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, Citizens today announced $15,000 in financial empowerment grants to support three Vermont nonprofit organizations as part of the bank’s Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money program. Through funding and volunteerism, Citizens will support local financial literacy partners that provide training to empower communities to achieve financial wellness and build brighter futures. This years’ funding recipients in Vermont, include: Champlain Housing Trust; Vermont Works for Women Inc; United Way of Northwest Vermont Inc ..read more

Warmer weather and chirping chicks mark the springtime return of wild birds and backyard flocks. As coops and nests are made ready, state health and agriculture officials are reminding people to know how to keep themselves and our feathered friends healthy. Domesticated birds kept for producing eggs or meat can carry harmful bacteria, including ..read more

As the historic eclipse darkened the skies over New England Monday, Green Mountain Power (GMP) turned to its growing network of stored energy in batteries to replace solar production and meet grid needs. It was seamless, carbon free, and cost-saving for all GMP customers. Customers participating in GMP’s groundbreaking Frequency Regulation pilot program shared stored energy from their home batteries to help regional grid operator, ISO-New England (ISO-NE), maintain a steady flow of energy across the region as the solar production dipped. GMP’s entire network of stored energy then flowed, to of ..read more

House Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement regarding the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry decision to not recommend articles of impeachment for Sheriff John Grismore: “I thank the members of the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry, who for months have worked diligently and impartially on these important matters. While the Committee is not recommending articles of impeachment for Sheriff Grismore, they made it clear that Mr. Grismore remaining in office is a detriment to the citizens of Franklin County. The Committee heard from many individuals, and while the repor ..read more

“The FY25 state budget, as passed by the Vermont House of Representatives earlier today, continues the State’s commitment to the successful transformation of the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS), and affirms the prioritization of the students, faculty, staff and communities that find higher and continuing education, workforce development, employment opportunities, and community vibrancy at our institutions. Funding in the House-passed budget includes $10 million in essential bridge appropriations as recommended by the Select Committee on the Future of Public Higher Education . With these d ..read more