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Governor Shapiro Announces $448 Million in Broadband Grants to Expand High-Speed Internet in Pennsylvania

Governor Shapiro Announces $448 Million in Broadband Grants to Expand High-Speed Internet in Pennsylvania

Governor Josh Shapiro, alongside state and local officials, announced the allocation of over $448 million in grants to expand high-speed internet access across 50 counties in Pennsylvania. This funding is part of the first round of awards from Pennsylvania's $711 million federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration earlier this year. Specifically, Centre and Mifflin counties will receive $29 million for projects aimed at connecting approximately 3,000 homes and businesses. The initiative seeks to address the digital divide, particularly in rural areas where a significant portion of residents lack reliable and affordable internet access. Since 2022, state efforts have already reduced the number of households without high-speed internet by about 60%, from 330,000 to 133,000. The Shapiro administration has also launched pa.gov/connectpa, a website where residents can track when their area is expected to be connected...

GlobalFoundries Offers Military Internship Program in Vermont to Transition Veterans into Semiconductor Manufacturing

GlobalFoundries Offers Military Internship Program in Vermont to Transition Veterans into Semiconductor Manufacturing

GlobalFoundries Offers Military Internship Program in Vermont to Transition Veterans into Semiconductor Manufacturing

Vermont Agency of Education Outlines 2026-2027 Implementation Plan for Statewide PreK-Career Navigation System

Vermont Agency of Education Outlines 2026-2027 Implementation Plan for Statewide PreK-Career Navigation System

The Vermont Agency of Education has released its Implementation Plan for 2026-2027, focusing on the development of a comprehensive statewide PreK–career navigation system. This system aims to create a cohesive educational progression for all students by integrating curriculum, career exploration, personalized learning, advising, flexible pathways, Career & Technical Education (CTE), work-based learning, and postsecondary opportunities. Key initiatives within the plan include redesigning Vermont’s accountability system, strengthening IDEA General Supervision & Policy Foundations, and expanding access to CTE programs. Additionally, the plan introduces new statewide graduation requirements, establishes the Vermont Seal of Global Leadership, and seeks to improve student attendance and school climate. Efforts will also be made to refine statewide measures for early learning and primary transitions, and to deepen literacy instruction through evidence-based methods.

Norwich University to Host Military Writers' Symposium and Day of Cyber

Norwich University to Host Military Writers' Symposium and Day of Cyber

Norwich University in Vermont is set to host two significant events from October 5-7: the Military Writers' Symposium and a Day of Cyber. The Military Writers' Symposium, scheduled for October 5-6, will delve into the intricate relationship between warfare, cinema, and the public's understanding of conflict. This event will gather military experts, scholars, journalists, and veterans to discuss how war is depicted on screen and the influence these portrayals have on perceptions of military service and conflict. Highlights include a presentation titled 'Beyond the Headlines: Documenting the Human Face of War' with award-winning war correspondent Lara Logan and photojournalist Dimitri Beliakov, and a panel discussion featuring Dr. Ike Wilson, Dr. Deborah Deacon, Ms. Lara Logan, and Lt Col Dan Hampton. The symposium will also feature a panel, 'The Reality Behind the Reel: Veterans Confront Hollywood's Version of War,' where U.S. Navy veteran Jennifer Marshall will offer insights into the portrayal of military...

Vermont Researchers Analyze Governor Scott's COVID-19 Communication Strategies and Incarceration System Impact

Vermont Researchers Analyze Governor Scott's COVID-19 Communication Strategies and Incarceration System Impact

A research group at Saint Michael's College, as part of the University of Vermont's federally funded Science of Online Corpora, Knowledge, and Stories (SOCKS) project, is examining Vermont's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The multidisciplinary team, including Sociology Professor Candas Pinar, Computer Science Professor Bradford Demarest, and Political Science and Public Health Professor Patricia Siplon, is focusing on Governor Phil Scott's press conferences from March 2020 onwards. They are analyzing his speeches and answers to reporters' questions to understand the effectiveness of his communication strategies, particularly how he leveraged 'social capital' to encourage adherence to health guidelines. Additionally, a sub-group led by Professor Siplon and student Damascene Niyongere '27 is investigating the impact of COVID-19 on Vermont's correctional facilities, where they found higher transmission rates and negative mental health effects due to prolonged isolation, suggesting a disparity in the appli...

Vermont Leveraging AI to Enhance Government Operations and Cybersecurity

Vermont Leveraging AI to Enhance Government Operations and Cybersecurity

Vermont is actively implementing artificial intelligence (AI) across various government functions, transitioning from an ethical framework development phase to an enablement phase. The state appointed Josiah Raiche as its first director of AI in 2022, later elevating him to chief data and AI officer in 2024, integrating AI governance with its broader data strategy. A key application involves training developers to use AI tools to identify and harden vulnerabilities across approximately 1,100 state applications, starting with cybersecurity. These AI tools can scan source-code segments, model attack paths, generate Python checks, identify vulnerabilities, and support remediation. Additionally, AI is being used to automate routine tasks, such as ballot proofing for the Secretary of State's office, significantly reducing manual effort and improving efficiency under tight deadlines.

Vermont State Government Seeks Agriculture Marketing Specialist to Promote Agritourism and Local Brand

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is actively recruiting an Agriculture Marketing Specialist II for a limited-service position. This role is central to supporting and promoting Vermont's agricultural sector and brand. The specialist will manage grant programs such as the Trade Show Assistance and Fairs and Field Days, and work with various partners to bolster Vermont's agritourism. A significant part of the job involves managing the Vermont Building at the Big E fair in West Springfield, MA, which includes vendor relations, communications, and on-site management during the 17-day event. The position requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage shifting priorities, with experience across various media channels, especially digital, being important. This is a non-tenured position established for specially funded projects or programs.

Vermont Utility Leverages Home Battery Systems to Create Virtual Power Plant, Reducing Reliance on Traditional Facilities

Vermont Utility Leverages Home Battery Systems to Create Virtual Power Plant, Reducing Reliance on Traditional Facilities

A U.S. state is utilizing thousands of household batteries to form a coordinated electricity resource, effectively creating a virtual power plant. This initiative aims to supply power during periods of high demand and decrease dependence on conventional peaker plants. In Vermont, Green Mountain Power's home battery program involves over 5,500 customers, whose systems are interconnected via software and can be collectively activated when the grid requires additional electricity. The utility's virtual power plant now boasts approximately 110 megawatts of capacity, making it Vermont's largest energy source by capacity. This program provides households with backup power while enabling the utility to deploy stored electricity during peak demand times. During an extreme heat event in early July, Green Mountain Power deployed about 90 megawatts of stored energy from both residential and utility-scale batteries, which the utility estimates saved customers around $6 million during one peak hour by avoiding more exp...

Vermont Medicaid Implements New Eligibility Rules Affecting Nearly 50,000 Vermonters

Vermont Medicaid Implements New Eligibility Rules Affecting Nearly 50,000 Vermonters

Vermont Medicaid is implementing new eligibility rules, set to affect nearly 50,000 Vermonters. The first phase of changes began on October 1, preventing certain immigrants, primarily adult refugees and asylum seekers, from receiving Medicaid. This initial change is estimated to impact approximately 235 individuals, with exceptions for lawful permanent residents, specific immigrant groups, pregnant individuals, and those under 21. A more extensive second round of changes will commence in January, targeting a broader group of Medicaid recipients aged 19 to 64. These individuals will need to demonstrate monthly earnings of at least $580 or attest to 80 hours of work, education, or community service per month, and will be required to renew their eligibility every six months instead of annually. The Department of Vermont Health Access is working to help Vermonters understand these new requirements.

Vermont Poll Reveals Strong Support for Second-Home Tax Amidst Undefined Terms

Vermont Poll Reveals Strong Support for Second-Home Tax Amidst Undefined Terms

A recent poll commissioned by Vermont Public indicates that 57% of Vermonters support a new yearly tax on second homes, with 28% opposing and 15% unsure. This finding is corroborated by a University of New Hampshire’s Green Mountain State Poll, which reported 78% support for taxing properties that are not primary residences. However, both surveys did not define what constitutes a 'second home' or inquire whether respondents owned such properties. The term 'second home' can encompass various types of properties, including vacation houses, inherited family camps, or houses rented to local families. Vermont's Act 170 of 2026, signed by Governor Phil Scott, has created a separate tax category for second homes and short-term rentals, but the specific tax rate has not yet been set. This new framework is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2029, contingent on lawmakers finalizing major components of the school overhaul, including a new school funding formula. If a rate is not established by this date, the legisla...

Basin Harbor Introduces 'PAW-SH' Pet Package for Lakeside Retreats in Vermont

Basin Harbor Introduces 'PAW-SH' Pet Package for Lakeside Retreats in Vermont

Basin Harbor Introduces 'PAW-SH' Pet Package for Lakeside Retreats in Vermont

Burlington Businesses Urge Governor Scott for State Intervention on Public Safety Issues

Burlington Businesses Urge Governor Scott for State Intervention on Public Safety Issues

Burlington business owners, represented by the Church Street Market Commission, have formally appealed to Governor Phil Scott for state assistance in addressing public safety concerns in the city's downtown area. This plea follows previous requests from Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and the Burlington City Council, which Governor Scott had reportedly dismissed. The commission's letter emphasizes the economic significance of Burlington, noting that Chittenden County contributes a quarter of Vermont's total tax income and that Burlington is the state's primary tourist destination. They argue that a crisis in Burlington directly impacts the entire state. The letter describes downtown Burlington as being in a 'state of emergency' due to issues such as open drug use, untreated mental health problems, and low-level crimes like shoplifting, many of which are linked to the homeless population. The business owners are seeking specific interventions, including state help in finding a location for a 100-bed homeless she...