Investigators said Thallon was dressed and acted as if he were a law enforcement officer and aggressively approached Wheeler while keeping his hand over a firearm on his person.
Man dressed as cop threatens woman, real police say
House GOP backs incarceration, repeal of Climate Superfund, staying the course on Act 73
“There’s a lot of people in the [State House] building that don’t like to arrest and incarcerate people,” Burditt said. “There’s a lot of people in the building who would just as soon close prisons, because they don’t look at them as being compassionate.”
VT Headlines: Vermont, Connecticut National Guard deploying to train Ukrainian soldiers
Confirmation process begins for Vermont Supreme Court nominees; Extended city attorney vacancy leads to overspending in Rutland; Waterbury Dam flood gates repaired as work continues; Vermont DMV launches online commercial permitting system
UFO study bill introduced
The bill, among dozens introduced this week, create the Vermont Airspace Safety and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force to evaluate reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena.
Blotter: Body found in Connecticut River believed to be missing Grafton man
New Hampshire authorities will conduct a death investigation.
Hundreds of drivers pass stopped Vermont school buses daily — New camera program aims to end the free-for-all
A new initiative in Bennington County signals a major shift in how Vermont enforces school bus passing laws, but the full legal framework won’t be in place until August 2026.
Soulia: Five years in, VT’s Climate Council is still narrowing its focus
At two public meetings held a week apart, Council members and staff from the Climate Action Office walked through Vermont’s updated Climate Action Plan, introduced a list of “Top 10 Priority Actions,” and discussed next steps — even as the state has already missed its first statutory emissions benchmark and faces mounting costs to reach the next.
$1,000 or $30,000? The stark divide over Vermont’s 2024 Building Energy rules and their impact on the housing crisis
Vermont’s 2020 energy standards focused on basic quality and efficiency. In contrast, the 2024 standards are designed to support the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act.
Sanders introduces bill to ban presidents from self-naming federal buildings
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), joined by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), introduced legislation Tuesday Jan. 13 to prohibit sitting presidents from naming or renaming federal buildings, land, or other assets after themselves.
Keelan: Amnesty for embezzlers and fraudsters
The proposed legislation would, for those involved, remove the risk of prison time if they come forward within a predetermined period and admit and cease their illegal activity.
McEnany: No, Treasurer Pieciak, VT doesn’t need leaders like Tim Walz
The following is an open letter from Barre resident Larry McEnany to Treasurer Michael Pieciak.
‘You’ve outdone me today, Rob!’
North made quite a splash when he wore a green sequined coat into the Vermont State House today.
Soulia: From $500M to $1.4 BILLION
The Global Warming Solutions Act money pit deepens!
VT Headlines: Lawsuit claims Burlington underrepresents Republicans on voter registration board
BTV airport joins anti-human trafficking program; Judge denies bail in deadly vehicle chase despite report blaming Rutland police; Vermont National Guard members to deploy to Germany for training mission
Gun rights, Act 250, Queen City politics today on Hot Off The Press
Listen to every episode of Hot Off The Press.
Lawmaker to challenge controversial Act 250 ‘Road Rule’
Rep. Greg Burtt (R-Cabot) said he is developing a bill to repeal the so-called “Road Rule” included in Act 181, the sweeping Act 250 reform package passed by the Legislature’s 2024 Democratic supermajority. The provision places any development on a private road 800 feet or longer automatically under Act 250 jurisdiction, regardless of project size or environmental impact. It takes effect July 1 – hence Burtt’s effort to introduce a bill to rid Act 250 of what he believes is an onerous provision.
Senator proposes new carbon tax on gas, diesel
New legislation (S.171) sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Rebecca White (D-Windsor), would create a Clean Fuels Program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels.
Out-of-state owners dominate Stowe’s vacation rentals—Now the Town is fighting back
Registry data reveals a significant disconnect between the perception of local hosts supplementing income and the reality of ownership patterns.
UVM’s North Country hospitals bargain amid NYC 15,000+ nurse walkout
A significant source of friction in negotiations stems from wage comparisons with nurses at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington—the network’s flagship facility.
Shorts: Norwich names alum as Commandant of Cadets
Also: Report: last school merger saved some $$ but VT still has #2 per-pupil spending AND $3000 scholarship applications accepted
NGO wants state funding to transport immigrants to health care clinics
A nonprofit that helps immigrants, regardless of legal status, get to health care appointments is asking Vermont lawmakers for $167,000 in state funding after losing support from the University of Vermont Extension Service.
Roper: And what’s the plan for restoring “economic momentum?”
Vermont Futures Project: right diagnosis, (mostly) wrong solutions.
Working smoke, CO2 alarms save dad and two young children
The fire could have turned deadly if not for the alarms.
In Committee: budget adjustment, crime victim notification, PCBs in schools, underused state buildings, climate plans & more
The House Committee on Health Care is set to review immunization recommendations (H.545).
Video game reveals people value feeding their neighbors—even at a cost to themselves
UVM researchers designed a game to test agricultural policy but found something unexpected.
Soulia: VT taxpayers spent $500M on climate policies. The planet didn’t notice.
Two bills sit before the Vermont Senate that would undo the state’s unfolding climate policy disaster. S.110 would repeal the Global Warming Solutions Act’s citizen-suit provision and convert its mandates back to goals. S.68 would repeal the Affordable Heat Act.
State Treasurer accuses feds of ‘murdering’ Minneapolis activist
“She’s not going home to live her life because our government murdered her,” Pieciak told a large crowd in front of the federal building on Elwood Avenue.
Man arrested for threatening federal agents
Police said the threats involved serious harm to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents.
As Brattleboro moves to close homeless encampments, opponent claims ‘hobophobia”
After years of coping with rampant drug use, vandalism, littering, unsanitary conditions, crime and panhandling that downtown business owners say drives away customers, the town selectboard on January 6 resolved – almost – to remove encampments – a policy first proposed three years ago.
Breaking: Waterbury man to serve 16 years for killing lover
Killer will remain on state probation after for life after prison
MacDonald: Burlington still trying to ban guns in bars
For years, the City of Burlington has pursued its ‘salesman’s foot in the door’ strategy to begin broader gun bans in the city. Gun-banning Bolsheviks will try anything to get that ball rolling. Get one local, isolated ban, and then work on it until you have made it almost impossible to exercise your right to self-defense.
Beck: GOP Senate leader concerned about ICE due process infractions
Continued action by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials has raised important questions about constitutional due process. The Fifth Amendment is clear: “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law”. Senate Republicans believe that any discussion on this issue must begin with a commitment to due process for all individuals, including non-citizens.
Bernie asked by high schoolers: how can we ever buy a home?
As for solutions ….. Sanders called for a more progressive tax system and a significant increase in the construction of affordable housing. In other words, Sanders said Vermont should solve the problem by increasing taxes on the income (and likely other assets) of the upper middle class and wealthy, allowing for the reduction or at least stabilization of property taxes , and building more affordable housing.
U.S. out of dozens of U.N. ‘intergovernmental’ groups
Notable among the many proscribed organizations is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Downed power lines involved in three-car crash
A second vehicle was unable to stop before striking the downed pole and power lines knocked down by the first vehicle.
VT Headlines: Power outages possible in Vermont late Friday due to weather
Barre Vigil Honors Minneapolis Woman Killed by Federal Agent Jan. 6; Rep. Casey Toof to resign from Vermont House of Representatives; Montpelier mayor not running for re-election, Marc Gwinn running for seat
Notorious repeat offender Breer denied release by Parole Board
Harley Breer Jr., 56, who public safety officials consider “one of the most dangerous criminals in the state,” was denied release from prison by the Vermont Parole Board on Thursday. His adult criminal record, which began when he was 18, includes 25 felony arrests with 14 convictions, parole board records show. Breer also has 47 misdemeanor arrests with 11 convictions, they noted.
Semi-auto firearm ban among 50 new bills introduced into Senate
The Vermont Senate opened the 2026 legislative session with a significant influx of new legislation on January 6. Lawmakers introduced a wide array of proposals ranging from sweeping public safety reforms and climate initiatives to critical updates in health care governance and technology regulation.
Feedback Friday 802-244-1777 about: School funding, Voter ID, Minneapolis, Drug dealers taking over VT homes, anti-Israel demands & more
Probably the biggest Vermont news this week is the return of the Legislature. If you have questions, comments or advice on what our legislators should, or shouldn’t, be doing, give us a call at 802-244-1777.
‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ millions for rural health must go to new programs
Vermont has been awarded more than $195 million in federal funding to support rural health system innovation, though state officials cautioned lawmakers the money cannot be used to replace or stabilize existing programs.
Hospital paid too little attention to deaf patients, feds find
The U.S. Attorney for Vermont said Brattleboro Memorial Hospital failed to effectively communicate with patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A settlement has been reached.
Beta’s $7.5B IPO could pump millions back into State coffers and startups
As Beta Technology’s wealth converts to cash over the coming year, money will flow back to the state through multiple distinct channels—including three Vermont-based investment funds with substantial local ownership and hundreds of millions in potential capital gains taxes.
Free prescription drug discount card proposed as health coverage subsidies expire
State Treasurer and legislative leaders push program that could save hundreds of dollars monthly—but critical details about insurance deductibles and pharmacy participation remain unclear
White House: Walz is wrong – immigration policies are saving lives
Editor’s note: the White House released this commentary January 8.
Soulia: VT’s new land-use map rewrites Rutland County, town by town
When Pittsford pushed back on the Rutland Regional Planning Commission’s draft Future Land Use (FLU) map, it sounded like a local fight: one town objecting to being painted dark-green “Rural Conservation” on a new set of regional maps.
Podcast: VDC’s Hot Off The Press
Listen to every episode of Hot Off The Press.
Oversight board finds one case against state cops unfounded, seven founded
Who investigates the state cops? Internal investigators and the State Police Advisory Commission.
Vermont ranks third in nation in 2025 Health Rankings Report
It’s not all good news. Depression is up and excessive drinking remains prevalent.
Letters: Smith & Smith on immigration
It is inappropriate for a non-partisan school board to express solidarity on a purely political stance established by another district.
Montpelier man held without bail after Hartland drug raid
Alexander’s felony warrant for aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, and criminal threatening stems from taking over a Washington County home in 2025 and threatening residents, authorities said.
VT Headlines: Burlington mayor, legislators renew pressure for ban on guns in bars
Vermont Health officials reaffirm existing childhood vaccine schedule in light of federal changes; U.S. House approves funding for Trudeau Institute, Lake Champlain patrol boat; Burlington Telecom announces new president; Waitsfield will move ahead with flood plain reconnection study
Scott threatens veto if Act 73 doesn’t move forward
Scott’s speech was long on the need for change at the school district level, but did not dwell significantly on potential areas to reduce in-school staffing and curricular costs.
Election Integrity Network-Vermont calls for voter ID law
Vermont now mails over half a million absentee ballots to every person on the voter checklist (unless formally challenged) for general elections without request, creating a large pool of unclaimed, unwanted, and misdirected “live” absentee ballots that can be abused to impact the outcome of local elections.
Banzhaf: Three major legal issues in the Minneapolis killing
Reasonable but mistaken, individualization, and lack of reflection
Lawmaker who visited Israel fears for her safety
Anti-Israel coalition asks for resignations, ethics probe
Treasurer’s rule change set to bring thousands of Vermont micro-businesses under mandatory retirement program
Employers must register through the Vermont Saves portal, provide employee census information, and facilitate payroll deductions at their own cost.
To save the state money, lawmaker commutes 90 miles every night
“Any money I don’t spend on myself helps the budget, even if it’s a small piece. We should all do our part in some way.”
Wanted rape suspect surrenders
Deputies searched for Etheze for several months before he surrendered to authorities on Wednesday
Wrong way driving continues with collision with police cruiser
Most of the recent wrong-way driving episodes reported by police occurred at night. Online sources say that the combination of darkness and impairment often are contributing factors.
Rising housing, healthcare, education costs front and center at State House
As Vermont works toward a goal of 40,000 new housing units by 2030, lawmakers this year face a central question: will recently enacted tax reforms and infrastructure tools finally translate into shovels in the ground?
VT Headlines: Bus rolls over in Newbury, Vermont with students on board; 1 adult passenger injured
Security to heighten at Vermont’s statehouse after spike in threats to lawmakers; 5,200 enrolled in Vermont Saves, says treasurer; Rutland City Police Department responds to multiple snow-related crashes
18 states impose SNAP bans on soda and candy as Vermont boosts healthy food incentives
While a large portion of the country is moving toward restricting choices, Vermont has chosen a distinct path.
Roper: Freeze taxes? Cap spending? How ‘bout both!
This is the kind of bipartisanship we’re talking about!
Legislature says goodbye, hello to members
Brian Pearl, a Grand Isle County resident and father, has been concerned about inadequate public and private school security ever since last August, when a Minnesota person shot through school windows from outside, killing two school children and injuring 18. His solution: install bullet-proof glass, or window shutters that can be deployed at a moment’s notice.
CLG: Trump threatens occupation of Venezuela
Maduro attorney once represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange; CIA ‘carries out drone strike’ on Venezuelan drug port in first U.S. land attack inside the country; FBI disrupts alleged ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve attack plot targeting NC grocery store, fast food restaurant; House GOP bill could trigger self-deportation for Somali refugees amid Minnesota fraud probe
Spear and Sullivan: A unified path toward affordability and economic resilience
Vermont can no longer admire the problem. It must act, guided by data, employers, and long-term planning.
McGuinness: Transgender persons would be state trust fund recipients, choose prison cell placement under H.576 and H.550
Two bills sponsored by Vermont Democrat and Progressive legislators continue to push the Transgender Ideology Agenda at the potential expense of Vermont taxpayers and female prison inmates. H.576 intends to establish an “Affirming Health Care Trust Fund,” while H.550 intends to allow transgender incarcerated persons to choose their prison and their cellmate based upon their gender identity.
Soulia: Should Montpelier control your land?
Act 181 does not change who owns the land. It does change who draws the lines that matter — and who has the final say when those lines do not match what towns and landowners thought their future would look like.
I-89 road rage incident leads to aggravated assault charge
Police say the road rager pointed a gun at another driver.
Property tax freeze “hard thing to do,” Dem leader says
As reported yesterday by VDC, Galfetti has proposed equal cuts across every state agency in order to give voters zero increase in property taxes while the State of Vermont implements systemic education funding reform.
VT Headlines: New leadership at UVM Health
State’s attorney says all 2022 Burlington gunfire cases resolved – except one; New report shows a 25% nationwide drop in deaths of on-duty law enforcement officers in 2025
Blakeman: Punishing landlords won’t solve housing crisis
As Vermont enters another legislative session, lawmakers are once again proposing housing legislation they believe will protect tenants from eviction and homelessness. While the intent may be laudable, the reality on the ground is far messier — and the consequences are increasingly harmful not only to landlords, but also to responsible tenants and to Vermont’s already strained housing supply.
GoldenDomeVT expands searchable, AI-linked SmartTranscripts for 2026 Vermont legislative committees
Free service gives journalists instant, searchable access to committee hearings—with video verification and shareable SmartClips
Study ranks Vermont second-safest state for truck drivers in the U.S.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Texas-based Barber Law Firm, examined data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine where truck drivers face the lowest risks on the road.
50 new House bills to be introduced today
New bills of interest include transferring federal Medicaid funding from the Agency of Education to the Agency of Human Services.
Michael Drescher, Christina Nolan named to Vt. Supreme Court
Former U.S. Attorney Christina E. Nolan, 46, of Burlington and current First Assistant Michael P. Drescher, 60, of Hinesburg will need to be confirmed by the Vermont Senate.
Illegal Venezuelan immigrant who led 4 others over border into NEK is jailed
An illegal immigrant from Venezuela, who federal officials claim led four other undocumented aliens over the international border into Vermont during Christmas week, will remain in custody while his federal criminal case is resolved in court in Burlington.
Turning Point Vermont event postponed
Organizers need to finalize details about speakers.
Two former federal prosecutors named to Vermont Supreme Court
Two former prosecutors in the tough federal criminal justice system have been nominated to sit on the Vermont Supreme Court.
Abdiaziz “Drill” Abdhikadir sentenced in 2022 Burlington killing
Under the terms of the plea deal, Abdihkadir pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of obstruction of justice.
VT Headlines: Molly Gray announces run for Vermont lieutenant governor
Structure fire put out in Chester Sunday; Authorities seeking info on reported Grand Isle theft; Corinth studio offers a window into an artist’s life; UVM men’s hockey snaps home game losing streak
Freeze property taxes for three years, legislator proposes
Galfetti said those costs would be spread evenly across all General Fund budget items, rather than targeting specific programs.
Drug-related fatal crashes double alcohol-related crashes, VT police say
Vermont police say that the likelihood of DUI crashes is twice as likely when the driver is under the influence of drugs, compared to alcohol.
Galfetti: It’s cold outside
Governor Scott proposed a sweeping education reform bill, and many of us went out on a limb to give it a shot. What has happened thus far is that the special committee comprised of a mix of legislators and non-legislators that was tasked with drawing new districts over the summer refused to do their assigned task, with Democrat members that are in the majority refusing to do it.
Ellis: It’s about the oil
We voted for this. And until the Democrats or someone else can articulate a better vision for the country, this is what we have.
Planning grants awarded to 47 communities
Newport City was awarded nearly $30,000 to explore thermal energy networks that could lower housing and energy costs using existing sewer infrastructure and Lake Memphremagog’s ambient temperatures.
Suspect stashed stolen guns in church
Investigators said Aviles admitted possessing the stolen firearms, which were recovered earlier in December from a local church.
Update to update: Barre Turning Point USA postponed
Instead of a school club, the group has formed what it calls a Turning Point USA “activism hub,” which operates independently of Spaulding High School.
Bernie: Maduro raid shows ‘contempt for Constitution’
“This brazen violation of international law gives a green light to any nation on earth that may wish to attack another country to seize their resources or change their governments.”
Deal: Extraditing narco-dictators nothing new
If you met everyday Americans in Burlington, St. Johnsbury, or Rutland, and asked about the purpose of military power in making them safer and more secure, you may receive a different and less self-aggrandizing answer than some of their elected representatives.
Maduro and wife extradited from Venezuela, indicted in New York City
Venezuela is not among Vermont’s top 10 export nations. Mexico and Canada are the two leading export nations in North America, accounting for 38% of all exports. As for imports, almost certainly Venezuela’s large export to Vermont is illegal drugs, notably cocaine.
Repeat deportee with lengthy rap sheet claims death threat at Haskell Library
An illegal immigrant, who has been deported twice previously due to rejected claims that his life was in jeopardy from a Canadian street gang, has been busted again in Derby Line, federal court records show.
Priestley: Artificial intelligence doesn’t wait. States can’t either.
On the White House executive order targeting state AI laws.
Repeat border crosser arrested near Williston restaurant
An illegal immigrant from Mexico, found unlawfully in the United States for a third time in just over a year, has been arrested in Vermont by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of an unrelated criminal investigation, records show.
Tiemann: Progress in protecting parents’ rights
But back in Vermont, state policy allows schools to keep two separate records on your child, one of which parents cannot see!
Ludlow police chief shot 18-year-old at motel
Lopez pulled lunged at the chief, police say, then dropped a knife after being shot.
VT Headlines: YouTube carpenter brings joy to millions from Vermont workshop
Road reopens in Montpelier after water freezes over during main break; Burlington opens cold weather shelter in preparation for negative temps; Only Cannoli partners with King Street Laundry to offer free lunch
Bernie swears in Mamdani
You know, all of us have heard how “Zoram Mamdani’s opponents have called the agenda he campaigned on radical — communistic — and absolutely unachievable. Really? That’s not what we believe.”
The Daily Signal’s 23 books to read in 2026
As you set your 2026 goals, reading lists, and New Year’s resolutions, The Daily Signal is proud to offer you some of our favorite reads from 2025.
The Paradox: How Vermont cut overdose deaths while drug trafficking thrives
While fewer Vermonters are dying from overdoses, supply of illicit drugs remains robust, high prices incentivize trafficking, and the infrastructure supplying Vermont’s drug market has hardened.
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