During the pandemic, Vermont has ensured every child has access to free meals daily As a result of Covid-19 and waivers granted at the federal level, for the first time ever, all Vermont schools are currently providing universal school meals to their students and will through the end of the 2020/21 school year. Universal meals…

Dept. of Justice funding will expand reach in rural communities Senator Patrick Leahy announced on Oct. 30 Vermont’s DREAM program will receive a three-year, $1.25 million grant from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to support peer mentoring for elementary-aged youths in rural communities whose lives have been affected by the opioid epidemic. This is the…

No out-of-state travel; spectators limited for indoor events; social events discouraged Due to rising Covid-19 case counts throughout the Northeast, and the decisions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire officials to suspend ice rink activities due to numerous outbreaks, the state of Vermont has announced updated policies to reduce risk. Vermont-based youth and adult recreational sports…

As of the end of data collection for the 2020 Census, 99.9% of housing units and addresses were accounted for in Vermont, according to the U.S. Census Bureau at an operational press briefing last week. Vermont had lagged behind in early efforts. The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The…

Eligible Vermonters can sign up for coverage or change their health insurance plans with Vermont Health Connect from Nov. 1 - Dec. 15, 2020. The Office of the Health Care Advocate’s (HCA) helpline is available to provide free  advice to Vermonters trying to figure out their  options for health coverage for 2021. Contact the HCA…

The calendar is filled with stunning photos of Vermont wildlife, including white-tailed deer, moose, a bald eagle, gray tree frog, spruce grouse, swallowtail butterfly, pumpkinseed, peregrine falcon, woodcock, bobcat, and scenic Lake Willoughby.  It includes photos by many well-known Vermont photographers including Roger Irwin, Tony Smith, Tyler Pockette, Daniel Berna, Kurt Budliger, Ian Clark, Chris…

Vermont aims to understand how Covid-19 has affected the use and need for telecommunications services for telehealth, telework, and remote learning across the state The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed and exacerbated gaps  in Vermont’s broadband infrastructure that have left too many Vermonters vulnerable during the public health emergency.  “This status quo is simply unacceptable,” said…

On Oct. 21, Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos encouraged Vermont voters to make their early voting plan, and to return their voted ballot using the safe, secure early voting option of their choice. “While voting during the Covid-19 health crisis may feel different from how many of us are used to voting, we have…

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced on Oct. 14 that a record number of ballots have been cast early in the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election as compared to ballots cast early in prior elections. As of the end of the day on Oct. 13, 110,016 Vermonters have voted early in the 2020 General…

Saturday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday Oct. 28—The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, along with several local, state and federal conservation partners, will be celebrating World Fish Migration Day on Saturday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday, Oct. 28 with in-person and online activities. World Fish Migration Day is a global day of recognition to raise awareness about…

Governor aims to prevent influx from high risk areas Following the decision by the State of New Hampshire to close indoor skating facilities for two weeks, Governor Phil Scott Oct. 16 issued an executive order prohibiting Vermont’s skating rinks from accepting new reservations for use beginning that Oct. 16, at 5 p.m., through midnight on…

The state has announced $240,000 in additional relief funding was made available through two new Coronavirus Agriculture Assistance Programs that launched this past Friday, Oct. 16. Farmers Market Relief The Farmers Market Relief program will provide up to $2,000 to markets that suffered economic harm as a result of the global pandemic. Markets must have…

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less on Oct. 8. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.…

Qualifying businesses can now receive up to $300,000 Governor Phil Scott announced Tuesday, Oct. 20, an expansion of the state’s Economic Recovery Grants, utilizing an additional $76 million in funds from the $1.25 billion the state received from the Federal CARES Act. These funds are in addition to the $152 million in economic relief already…

Agency dollars assist Vermont fruit, vegetable, and value-added producers and increase consumer access to locally produced food The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) last week  announced grants totaling $299,350 for seven projects to benefit Vermont fruit, vegetable, and value-added producers and increase consumer access to locally produced food. These grants, funded through…