Former Trump Chief of Staff to speak at Norwich 

Kelly is a retired four-star Marine general who later served as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and White House chief of staff. Since leaving government service in 2019, he has worked as an advisor, mentor, and educator with organizations including the Department of Defense, Marine Corps War College, National Defense University, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Keelan: 50 years ago, Lincoln retreat Hildene bought from Christian Scientist Church

The Town of Manchester, Vermont, Municipal leaders were bewildered by what they read on the front page of the Wall Street Journal’s July 29, 1976, edition. It was unwelcome news. They were still contemplating the fate of the 412-acre, 24-room Georgian Revival ancestral home of Robert Todd Lincoln (1843-1926).   A year had passed since Abraham Lincoln’s great-granddaughter, Mary (Peg) Lincoln Beckwith’s Hildene home became vacant after an illness took her life at a Rutland hospital.

Despathy: Shields up, rights down: VT vaccine overhaul

person getting vaccinated

These are several of the currently unanswered questions related to H.545, which have raised constitutionality concerns as well as consumer protection issues for Vermonters. A lawsuit has been filed against a key supporter for H.545, the American Academy of Pediatrics. The lawsuit alleges “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), against the American Academy of Pediatrics for its central role in an enterprise that has defrauded American families about the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule for several decades.” 

Thurston: Cold snap reveals need for natural gas pipeline 

Gas was prioritized for home heating, forcing power plants to burn expensive oil instead and to import Liquified Natural Gas from foreign countries in container ships at 3-5 times the normal, unconstrained cost of Marcellus Shale gas. Wholesale electricity prices (called LMPs) spiked dramatically, with peaks over $660/MWh on January 27 and averages far higher than normal during the event. For comparison, the most recently reported average annual wholesale cost of ISO-NE electricity was $40/MWh for 2024. 

LG candidate Gray wants state-paid universal food benefits

Should all Vermonters receive food assistance benefits? This idea was voiced Thursday in the House Committee on Human Services by Molly Gray, the executive director of the Vermont Afghan Alliance, former Vermont Lieutenant Governor, and 2026 Democratic candidate for Vermont Lieutenant Governor. Gray was joined by Drukhshan Farhad, the Program Officer of the Vermont Afghan Alliance, for testimony on updates to noncitizen eligibility of 3SquaresVT, which is Vermont’s version of SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). 

Tax dollars for ICE protestors

Should Vermont tax dollars be used to quell civil unrest in Burlington? During discussion of the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday, Senate Pro Tempore, Philip Baruth (D/P-Chittenden Central) proposed policy language to expand H.790 to allow the allocation of up to around $39 million of taxpayer funds to reimburse anticipated public safety costs in some of Vermont’s most populous municipalities in the event of increased federal immigration enforcement operations. 

Herron: Recognizing ALL of the Declaration

As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, the Declaration of Independence will take center stage with celebrations all over the country. Many Americans still recognize parts of the document, such as All men are Created Equal, and Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. However, what about the first paragraph? Can the same be said about the terms “one People” and “the Laws of Nature and of Natures God?”

VT Headlines: Vermont Treasurer announces $30M for second round of housing investments

Murder suspect gets 10 years for Vermont drug operation; Calais, Worcester residents will vote next week on whether to close their small elementary schools; Vermont woman appears in court after leading police on high-speed chase; Northeast Kingdom snowmobile club decries trail vandalism; Anonymous $1 million donation will go to financial aid at St. Michael’s; Amid outcry, Montpelier council scraps proposal to gain veto power over citizen petitions

Soulia: H.767: A moratorium on mandates Vermonters can’t afford

The bill targets the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Clean Heat Standard, the Renewable Energy Standard, Act 59 (the 30×30 and 50×50 conservation goals), and Act 181 (the Land Use Review Board and future land use mapping overhaul). If passed, all five would be frozen in place for eight years while a comprehensive study evaluates their cumulative impacts on housing, energy costs, and property rights.

CLG: Epstein Files having global impact

DOJ Epstein Files Reveal Michael Wolff’s Political Collaboration With Jeffrey Epstein to Undermine Trump; Top Israeli general secretly visits Pentagon; U.S., Israel deny involvement in mysterious blasts that killed 6, wounded over a dozen across Iran; Trump administration on alert as deadly virus with no cure sparks Covid-era quarantines