Vail Resorts, which owns three mountains in Vermont, is being sued in federal court for allegedly colluding with a ski-industry trade association and a research firm to fix prices for multi-mountain season passes and lift tickets.
Vermont ski conglomerate sued for ticket price-fixing
Official who resigned under cloud seeks re-election
Lavoie resigned under pressure of possible impeachment in August 2023.
Soulia: Burlington is still trapped in the same public-safety loop
Burlington spent hours this week arguing over “Burlington Forward,” a Democratic-backed public-safety resolution aimed at open drug use, homelessness, threatening behavior, theft, encampments and disorder in public spaces. Democratic councilors moved it to committee over the objections of the mayor and Progressive councilors.
Roper: Republicans, remember to vote Tuesday – in the Democrat Primary
Time to avenge Jack McMullen.
Scott admits ‘not much’ notice for Mayor Emma, but says Burlingtonians ‘begging us’ for cops
“We heard from many, many Burlingtonians that were feeling unsafe, again, begging us to come in and do something about it,” Scott said.
BREAKING: Sheriff candidate placed on paid leave
An independent investigation is being undertaken about his exaggeration about possible crimes.
Reddit Burlington accused of censoring the word “Homeless”
Reddit’s social-media page devoted to Vermont’s largest city is afraid of the word “homeless,” judging by its moderator’s censorship.
Scott picks AI Taskforce to ‘do our homework’
“As a result of this new technology, I believe we need to do our homework to understand how it can help us while also addressing some of the challenges that come with it,” said Governor Phil Scott. “And to do that, I’ve appointed members who represent almost every county in the state in some of the sectors we believe will be most impacted.”
VT Headlines: Manhunt underway near state park in Brattleboro
Fairlee man accused of threatening multiple people with knife; Vermont Governor pushes public safety in Burlington ahead of meeting with U.S., Canadian officials; Local group wins bid for former Montpelier Federal Building
Statewide and State Senate primaries are dominated by the Democratic Party
In the Democratic race for Governor, Amanda Janoo of Burlington and Aly Richards of Montpelier are facing off to challenge incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott. Janoo is the current frontrunner of the race with 52% undecided, according to recent polling. Richards’ campaign has drawn scrutiny over her campaign finance with strong ties to nonprofit organizations and receiving Super PAC funding.
Treasurer’s campaign donors connected to $8.4 million state-backed housing loan
The contributions came several months after the loan was approved in February through the treasurer’s 10% for Vermont program, which uses the state’s cash deposits to make secure loans to critical state priorities such as housing, climate action and social equity.
Vermont’s last second-home tax came in $6 million light. The new promises are seventy times bigger.
The state’s own report says it can’t yet count the houses, models a rate less than half what the biggest promise requires, and warns the whole category could be erased before it ever takes effect.
Klar: Have MAHA voters been betrayed?
Glyphosate, PFAS, and food dyes.
Teenager busted for voyeurism
18-year-old man with cellphone spied on another person of same age several times, police say.
Drugs, guns, money recovered in NEK drug raid
Pierre was ordered jailed for lack of $75,000 bail.
Rats are spreading typhus in L.A. There’s an anti-rat poison bill in Vermont Legislature
Los Angeles is becoming overrun with rats and is experiencing a growing rate of typhus disease due in part to restrictions on rat poison, City Journal reports. Two bills restricting the use of certain types of rat poison were introduced in the Vermont Legislature last session.
UVM grad’s death boat salvaging dealt setback
The U.S. Navy has rejected a request to use its assets salvaging a fishing boat that sank with a UVM grad on board. Jada Samitt, 22, was working as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries observer aboard a dragger that sank in January off Gloucester, Massachusetts.
VT Headlines: Burlington mayor defends public safety record, calls for meeting with governor
Vermont’s GOP primary for U.S. House pits 2 different personalities against each other; Swanton first responders to be honored for saving man’s life; BTV community mourns teen death, finds ways to make biking safer
The show must NOT go on
According to police, Grenier told investigators he staged the threats so he could step away from directing the production by citing concerns for his personal safety, rather than revealing what he described as ongoing difficulties with the cast and crew.
Bear population now 9,000, double state goal
“We implore Vermonters to redouble their efforts at proactive coexistence with our bears,” said Comeau. “Keeping trash secured where bears cannot get it, protecting backyard chickens with an electric fence, keeping birdfeeders down until there is consistent snow on the ground and following bear-aware composting guidelines.”
Barton Celebrates returns Aug. 15 with walking tour, live music and free food
The village of Barton will host the third annual Barton Celebrates! on Saturday, Aug. 15, a daylong history and resilience event at the Barton Public Library. All food, music and events are free and open to all.
Chefs and servers on the Champlain Valley Dinner Train keep service on track
As passengers enjoy scenic views, the kitchen staff navigate tight quarters and a bumpy ride to serve up gourmet meals.
Don’t move here if you hate high taxes, the cold, snow, and cheese
A freelance writer from the Green Mountain State has crafted an essay for OnlyInYourState.com as a “public service” for wannabe transplants.
Rooted in the land: Vermont artists hone their craft with foraged materials
Ginkgo leaves, charred grapevines and secret clay deposits are just some of the materials repurposed by three local artists.
Pro angler cheated in recent Lake Champlain fishing derby, loses $10,000 in winnings
A contestant in the Major League Fishing tournament last month on Lake Champlain was caught without a fishing license, MLF officials revealed late Wednesday.
Windsor County Democrats distance from sheriff’s candidate
Follows state police investigation of Officer Joshua Lake
Shotgun fired over Fed-Ex truck
FedEx driver Yazid Najim, 26, of Bethel, who reported that someone had discharged a firearm at his truck.
Juvy treatment, detention center planned for SoBu
The project is the state’s latest effort to fill the need created by the 2019 closure of the Woodside secure treatment facility in Essex Junction.
From the U.N. to Vermont
How much did the U.N. and other international organizations affect Vermont policy and legislation on the granular level? It’s probably impossible to say for sure – but the information is an effort to ‘connect the dots’.
VT Headlines: Body pulled from Winooski River, death investigation underway
Mother located for toddler found alone in St. Albans; Vermonters celebrate National Night Out with first responders; Super PAC weighs in on Vermont’s democratic gubernatorial primary
One year after Medicaid funding cuts, Planned Parenthood affiliates look ahead
Health centers across New England expand services related to menopause care, vasectomy and colposcopy.
Who’s really bringing Burlington Backward?, police group asks
“[Progressive] City Councilors keep saying what’s being done isn’t working but they don’t want to go backwards. Backward to what? When Burlington was safer, cleaner, and thriving?”
Blotter: Man accused of pointing rifle at elderly EMS volunteers making mental health call
Troopers from the St. Johnsbury Barracks were dispatched at about 12:22 PM Tuesday, Aug. 4, to a residence on Clarks Cross Road in Topsham. Police said two EMS members told investigators that Thomas Powley, 45, pointed a long gun directly at them while they were at the home.
Inmate attacked guard with sharpened toothbrush, and woman hit sleeping man with baseball bat, cops say
Two themes ran through the past seven days. The first was violence among people who already knew each other — a shooting in Newbury, a bat attack in Plainfield, domestic assault arrests in half a dozen towns. The second was resolution, as courts in Bennington, Rutland and Addison closed long-running felony files.
He bravely took on Pat Leahy
RIP Nat Frothingham
Bennington Democrat is running to give rural voices representation
Three candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination in the August 11 primary election for the Bennington County Senate district. Amy Moore is running to give rural voices representation in the district and as a working Vermonter, bring some diversity to the district’s representation. She is running in the primary against incumbent Democrats, Sen. Rob Plunkett and Sen. Seth Bongartz.
Vics IDd, details released about Newbury shooting
The Vermont State Police are asking for the public’s help as detectives continue investigating a shooting that left one man wounded and a woman assaulted Sunday afternoon in Newbury.
Balint postpones check photo-op, cites minor medical issue
Balint’s office had described the event as a celebration of funding “she secured” for the town and planned to make the congresswoman available for questions from reporters following the presentation. The event was closed to the public and open only to credentialed media.
VT Headlines: Fake threats created by musical director sabotage ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ production, police say
Pro-Aly Richards super PAC launches big ad buy late in Democratic governor primary; Attorney general’s office takes over Addison County criminal cases; No injuries after traffic light crashes onto busy road in Colchester; Vermont kicks off Covered Bridge Week with Maple Monday events
Vermont Homeland Security Unit tracks large crowds for potential threats
A federally-funded Vermont public safety agency is asking municipalities across the state to report large public gatherings (2,500 or more) so they can be tracked.
Prosecutors issue alert letter citing Windsor Sheriff candidate’s exaggeration
The Windham County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office issued a letter on Monday questioning the credibility of Bellows Falls Police Officer Joshua Lake, a candidate for Windsor County Sheriff.
Abenaki chief says Canadian tribes’ criticism tied to land claims, resources
“The real question is, ‘Why are the Canadian Tribes attacking Vermont Tribes now?’ It is easy to understand why; it is potential money and resources,” he said.
Why lithium batteries catch fire—and how to reduce the risk
Recent incidents can make lithium-ion batteries look like random time bombs. The mechanism is better understood than that, though not entirely reassuring: a battery can sustain internal damage long before any visible sign of failure appears.
Three men busted in Texas-to-Vermont drug conspiracy
Troy “Breeze” McIlwain, 37, of St. Albans, David “Cane” Lauderbach, 42, of Milton and Angel Louis Concepcion, 37, of McKinney, Texas are charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl between August 12, 2025 and May of this year, records show.
What eight years of Chittenden County court data show — and don’t show — about the State’s Attorney race
On Tuesday, August 11, the question is really this: has State’s Attorney Sarah George’s approach to prosecuting crime earned more time to prove itself — or has the county seen enough of it?
Vermont Green wins 2026 USL2 Championship
NY police investigate woman’s death in Jay, seek security footage; Vermont keeps a list of where large crowds gather. The feds get a copy; Vermont governor candidates speak on ‘political action committee’
Burlington imposes 10-minute rule on trespass in City Hall – press included
A new Burlington City Hall Code of Conduct and Trespass Policy limits stays in many public areas to 10 minutes, unless present for explicitly-approved business.
E-bike battery explosion displaces 12 in Winooski
Fire officials say this kind of incident is becoming more common as e-bikes grow in popularity. Winooski Fire Department Lieutenant Adam Lind offered some practical safety advice for e-bike owners, recommending that people store and charge their batteries outside the home, or keep them disconnected from the bike itself when not in use, to reduce the risk of a fire spreading inside a living space.
Two teenagers for TPUSA get love, resistance, and censorship from Vermont
TPUSA had a booth at the Barre Heritage Festival during the last week of July. They got lots of love and engagement, as well as the occasional middle finger from those who disapprove of the famous youth-focused pro-free speech and pro-free market organization.
Officials: No basis for claims by candidate for Windsor sheriff
When asked if a Walpole Police officer had made false statements about the incidents, Lake said he was losing cell phone service. He promised to call back, but Vermont News First still had not heard from him more than 4 hours later.
Shooting victim seriously injured/ Scooter rescue/ sinkhole/ Cops at Fenway!
Vermont State Police are investigating a shooting that left a man seriously injured Sunday afternoon on Jefferson Hill Road in Newbury.
Americans of Indian descent loom large in best-funded Chittenden Senate campaign
The leading fundraiser in the August 11 contested Democrat primary for the three seats in the Chittenden Central Vermont Senate district has raised a significant portion of his campaign treasury from Americans of Indian descent living out of state.
Roper: Prop 3: Heads unions win, tails you lose
Proposed Constitutional Amendment is another con job.
Eshelman: Who will be today’s Robespierre?
Consider, today, that the American and French revolutions shared several core ideas and tactics. Both rebellions, being born in the Age of Enlightenment, pushed back against perceived tyrannies. However, they unfolded differently… severely so.
Becca, Bernie, and Peter back benefits expansion for DACA and noncitizens
The Vermont delegation is behind LIFT the BAR. Nobody has priced it.
Weed costs twice as much in Vermont as it does in Massachusetts. What gives?
Vermont’s cannabis market has prioritized artisan growers, while Massachusetts has allowed large-scale operations.
Vermont Stands Up seeks submissions for Autumn Film Festival
Vermont Stands Up is ready to begin accepting submissions from content creators for its film festival to be held at the Main Street Landing Film House in Burlington on Saturday, October 3rd.
August 2nd: The day the Declaration was actually signed — and what it meant for Vermont
The ideas in that parchment didn’t stay contained to the thirteen colonies — and Vermont’s settlers, led by figures like Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, took the Declaration’s logic and ran further with it than Congress ever intended.
Candidate for Lt. Governor runs as a convener
South Burlington resident Esther Charlestin says she wants to use the office to bring Vermonters together, arguing that the lieutenant governor’s greatest strength is the ability to bring people together across political and geographic divides to address the state’s challenges.
Supremes deny State’s Attorney Vekos license reinstatement
The rejection comes one day after Vermont News FIrst broke the story about the only licensed lawyer left in the Addison County office is departing next Friday.
Whoops! Sample ballot with wrong GOP Senate candidates posted on town website
In response to an inquiry from the Vermont Daily Chronicle, Wesley Dunn of the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office said the issue was limited to the sample ballot posted online and did not affect the official absentee ballots sent to voters.
VT Headlines: BTV man charged with hate-motivated assault of woman wearing hijab in S. Burlington
Heavy rain compromises Vt. apartment building roof, a dozen displaced; Vermont health officials confirm five cyclosporiasis cases, say none linked to recalled lettuce; Residents in a Washington County school district to vote on new school closure procedure; 18th Festival of Fools along Church St. this weekend
Vermont singer protests Trump using his song
White House strikes a sour note with Green Mountain State performer
Brown and Despathy: Outsourcing responsibility
This situation highlights examples of Vermont’s dilemma with unelected bodies and the State’s ongoing efforts to centralize and control. As decades of poor policy have compounded, it is imperative to evaluate the current situation and assess potential solutions. The same bodies created to address our problems have exacerbated Vermont’s affordability challenges.
Dominos robbed at gunpoint
Police responded at about 7:07 PM on July 30 to Domino’s Pizza at 250 Railroad St. for a report of an armed robbery. Investigators said the suspect, later identified as Jennifer T. Ricker, 34, of St. Johnsbury, displayed a firearm before taking money from the cash register and fleeing the scene.
Claims he stole backpack with 1,200 packets of fentanyl
Rutland City Police arrested Victor J. Contreras, 26, on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl after he stashed the backpack near the Rutland Regional Medical Center, federal court records show.
Letters: Vermont needs a common-sense Republican majority
Also, the danger Trump poses to continued Republican success at the polls.
Marijuana becomes America’s most-used daily addictive substance, federal survey finds
Alcohol still most consumed overall
Green: Blueberries, apples, and oranges
At last February’s legislative breakfast held at the municipal offices in Stowe, Rep. Dave Yacovone (D-Lamoille) put forth the bold proposal—as his solution to a question (which I don’t remember now) someone in the audience asked—to levy a tax on everyone in Vermont who makes over $500K a year.
A new article in The Atlantic features Burlington as a city that said yes to drugs — and wouldn’t reconsider
Other cities reversed course. The magazine casts Burlington as the holdout. Six days before it published, the council’s Democratic majority moved to change that.
Cops say fraudster transferred 18K from couple’s bank accounts
Police said a total of $18,002.46 was transferred into an account controlled by Smith.
Pro-union, civil rights constitutional amendments on November ballot
Two proposed amendments to the Vermont Constitution that many Vermonters know little about on Tuesday, July 28 were formally approved to appear on the November general election ballot.
Today in VT history: huge VT-run drug smuggling ring caught
Whale researchers on the St. Lawrence River in Canada spotted something unusual: hundreds of barrels floating downstream.
Information sought after pit bull kills miniature poodle
Zucker saw the unleashed pit bull run towards him and called to the owners to leash their dog.
Vermont GOP plan promises tax relief, better roads, more housing, and bail reform
Vermont Republicans Wednesday unveiled Vermont Promise, a comprehensive legislative agenda focused on making Vermont more affordable, strengthening the economy, and reforming bail laws, Sen. Scott Beck said in a statement.
VT Headlines: ACLU files claims against ICE over South Burlington arrests
Possible sinkhole forms in Wilmington, Vermont due to rising water levels; Vermont Republicans hope to make legislative gains as Democrats seek to stay in the majority; Burlington beaches closed until Thursday after sewer overflow; Search & Rescue teams monitoring conditions in VT, NY
Planet Hank: Brattleboro’s Home Depot blunder
New Planet Hank video recalls local opposition to a Connecticut River big box store.
Klar: What President Trump’s executive order boosting regenerative agriculture gets right
On June 25, President Trump issued an executive order broadly supporting regenerative agriculture. It’s a meaningful step in the right direction.
Florida preacher takes over former VT college
The future owner of the former Green Mountain College campus in Poultney is holding an open house this week, reports Seven Days. Tommie Zito plans to use it for a global evangelical school called Z University.
Incumbent Senator runs for reelection in Addison County Republican Primary
Incumbent Sen. Steven Heffernan, who won his seat in the Senate in 2024 after defeating longtime Democratic Sen. Chris Bray, is seeking a second term.
Sex offender who fled police caught after 5-agency manhunt
A man with multiple violations of the state’s sex offender registry was caught after pursuit by five law enforcement agencies.
Industry, enviros agree: Finch Paper closing not just bad for loggers
Without buyers for the wood forest management generates, good forest management activities become economically difficult, or impossible, to carry out. And without sustainable management, we believe Vermont will lose the forest benefits we care about, and — worst case — significant acreages of forest.
Feds ban Chinese ‘kill switch’ solar inverters
Without certified inverters, fully built solar farms will sit dark and unable to feed electricity to the grid.
5th Annual Coming Together Summit Friday – looking for flashmob singers!
At the Essex Fairgrounds, summit celebrates and informs people in recovery. Flash mob singers needed!
VT Headlines: Heavy rain floods Bennington streets
Man facing charges in connection to Dorset Street ICE protest enters plea in court; Vermont’s revenue remain steady, state economist cites AI as major risk; Plea deal in the works for man accused in 2022 Burlington City Hall Park shooting; Driver injured after hydroplaning crash on I-89 in Middlesex
Newspaper editor, Right to Life leader guests on Chronicle Conversations today
Journal Opinion Editor Alex Nuti De Biasi will discuss these stories and changes in the Vermont community newspaper industry on today’s edition of Chronicle Conversations at 12:30 PM on WVMT AM 620, FM 101.3, and livestreaming/podcast at Wvmtradio.com.
Mayor miffed Guv didn’t tell her about VSP patrols. State’s top cop says talks were ‘chief to chief’
The additional patrols are expected to begin today and continue to cover the city’s hosting next month of the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) – and perhaps beyond.
Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment to avoid Senate testimony
Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said he will invoke his Fifth Amendment right to protect against self-incrimination in a hearing about his role as a public health official during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Camp Farnsworth helps Girl Scouts fend off loneliness
A 2026 Girl Scout report reveals the challenges of girlhood and what can be done about it.
Drug addicts ‘shopping’ for dealers fuels Vermont’s high shoplifting rate, police say
“Many incidents now follow a pattern: the suspect arrives with a shopping list, sometimes written, sometimes on a phone, of specific household items, food or groceries requested by a local ‘plug’ (drug dealer). The person takes those items in exchange for drugs or to resell for cash,” Berlin Police say.
Breaking: Homeland Security, Burlington cops bust four at three drug houses
Brown has sustained 27 years of drug trafficking involvements, a federal prosecutor said in court papers.
Almost two years after drunk teen dies in crash, adult couple charged with enabling
Investigators determined that John-Henry and Kristin Hubert had enabled Piersiak to consume alcohol before the crash.
Page, Red Flags Press: Democratic Socialism? Deja vu, all over again
The pitch is appealing: more democracy, more equality, none of the gulags or secret police. But socialists themselves have been making that exact claim for more than a century—about societies we now recognize as textbook authoritarian disasters.
Roper: Democratic Socialists: The privileged, white, loser party?
Pollster Nate Silver breaks down who makes up the DSA.
VT Headlines: Florida evangelist speaks out about vision for former Green Mountain College campus
2 face charges after gun drawn in McDonald’s parking lot; Flash flood threat today for parts of New York, Vermont; Audit reveals Brattleboro hospital’s multiyear budget deficit has risen to at least $30 million; Vermont business leaders call for the ‘abundance agenda’
Direct descendent of Ethan Allen visits namesake tower in Burlington
The July 25 event, sponsored by the Vermont Society Sons of the American Revolution, included visits to the Ethan Allen Tower, the Ethan Allen Homestead, and Allen’s burial monument in Greenmount Cemetery.
Addison Senate candidate cites service, bipartisan commitment in contested GOP primary
Republican primaries are rare in Vermont. But in Addison County, three candidates – Andrea Treadway, Andrew Klein, and incumbent Steve Heffernan- are competing for the GOP nomination for the two Senate seats.
Bernie defends support of Maine Senate candidate who quit the race
Within weeks of campaigning alongside his Vermont booster, Platner withdrew from the Senate campaign amid a slew of accusations highlighting alleged inappropriate behavior with women.
Magwire: new column on Biblical womanhood
Womanhood isn’t confined to a handful of passages or biblical heroines. It’s a thread woven throughout the entire story of Scripture.
Keelan: Jean Freebern “know(s) when to walk away”
The present cohort of Vermont volunteers/trustees is aging, and the pool of volunteers/trustees behind them is not growing; contemporaneously, the number of nonprofits keeps proliferating.
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