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Tuesday, March 10, 2020:

Captive Insurance Mission Capsizes

A state-sponsored trade mission to Mexico to showcase Vermont's captive insurance industry was postponed Tuesday after major speakers pulled out.

The delegation of government, regulatory and industry representatives was set to promote the industry to Mexican multinational corporations later this month. It was state's first foray into Latin America, which the industry sees as an emerging market, said Ian Davis, director of financial services in the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and was planned in partnership with the Vermont Captive Insurance Association.

“As the captive market in the region continues to grow, we want to make sure those companies know Vermont is open for business," association president Rich Smith said when the mission was announced in August.

But two of the major industry sponsors of the international roadshow — AIG and Marsh — dropped out as large corporations move to restrict employee travel over coronavirus concerns, Davis said. A major industry conference in California was canceled last week.

"A lot of effort goes into something like this. It's frankly pretty disappointing," Davis said.

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Sanders Cancels Cleveland Rally

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) planned to address the results of Tuesday’s primary elections during an evening rally in Cleveland. But his campaign announced late that afternoon that it would cancel the event “out of concern for public health and safety,” citing the threat of coronavirus.

“We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak,” Sanders spokesperson Mike Casca said in a written statement.

Sanders’ rallies typically draw thousands of supporters, often in close quarters. It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday whether the candidate would continue to hold such gatherings in other locations.

“All future Bernie 2020 events will be evaluated on a case by case basis,” Casca said in the statement.

Soon after Sanders canceled his rally, Democratic rival Joe Biden called off his own election night event, which was also scheduled for Cleveland.

“We will continue to consult with public health officials and public health guidance and make announcements about future events in the coming days,” Biden spokesperson Kate Bedingfield said in a statement.

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Ben & Jerry's Postpones Free Cone Day

Fans of "Vermont's Finest" ice cream will have to wait for gratis Cherry Garcia: Ben & Jerry's is postponing its Free Cone Day over fears of the coronavirus, the company announced on Tuesday.

The event typically takes place in April.

Some scoop shops around the world had already delayed Free Cone Day "due to precautions put in place by local Governments around large public gatherings, considering the increasing presence of COVID-19," the ice cream-maker said in a statement on its website. "To stand in solidarity with ice cream lovers everywhere, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Free Cone Day."

Ben & Jerry's hopes to reschedule the global event later this year. And fear not, dairy fans: Scoop shops remain open for regular business.