FEMA denies Vermont’s appeal for aid in 2025 flooding; Smugglers’ Notch Resort to be sold to Bear Den Partners; ‘Challenging to track’: Officials consider solutions to spiraling IT deficit; Lake Champlain poised to freeze over for first time since 2019
Today on Hot Off The Press at 11:05 AM on WDEV, we’ll be talking about cutting spending in Vermont State Government. Not just me talking – I want a conversation with you. I know you care about this. About your tax bills. About out of control spending. I will be attending the governor’s press conference at noon today and I want your questions. Your ideas. Please call in at 802-244-1777.
In a news release, BPD said it responded to the burglary on Feb. 4. Among the items stolen was a large amount of loose change. BPD received a tip that Thomasina Howard was at Hannaford emptying a large amount of coins from a backpack into a coin exchange machine. When police arrived, they found she had exchanged nearly $450.
Both men were cited for sexual assault and released.
Six people have been arrested in Windsor County on various criminal charges involving multiple kidnapping counts, aggravated assault and heroin trafficking as part of a brutal abduction that crossed state lines and included burning the victim repeatedly with a heated knife and using hydrogen peroxide to waterboard her, court records show.
How often do you volunteer, and should you be sued for it? The Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Tuesday for S.151, a bill introduced in 2025 by Senator Allison Clarkson (D-Windsor) that aims to protect volunteers from frivolous lawsuits and increase volunteerism.
FIFA president added to Ukraine’s state-linked ‘kill list’; Zelensky hints at staying in power; Iran floats nuclear enrichment compromise; Former FBI assistant director questions whether Nancy Guthrie case is ‘kidnapping’; Verizon must face FCC probe for turning over GOP lawmaker phone records; Daughter of GOP Minnesota governor candidate found stabbed to death in her apartment – his focus was on fraud in state
We must do better in Montpelier and be laser-focused on the affordability crisis Vermonters sent us here to address, not set tax dollars on fire trying to light the way for foolhardy initiatives.
BEAD, a $42.45 billion federal grant program authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, sets the goal of connecting every American to high-speed internet by funding partnerships within states to build infrastructure.
There are 702 entries in the DOJ Epstein files when ‘Dean Kamen’ is searched.
Data center restrictions/ Arrest warrant for court no-shows/ Chronic student absenteeism/ Eliminating “women’s” sports
FEMA denies Vermont’s appeal for federal funding in response to July 2025 flooding; Proposed repeal of Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission stokes pushback in Montpelier; Caffeinated coffee and tea tied to lower dementia risk
The Wheelers on selective compassion. Casey on Rutland Police removing cancer patient.
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.
Frustrated residents say state’s focus on treatment has failed to stop supply of drugs devastating communities, where dealers are using short-term rentals as drug houses.
A campaign is underway to bring mountain lions to Vermont, led by the nonprofit Mighty Earth. As the state agency that would be responsible for these cats if Mighty Earth succeeds, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking mountain lion advocates to slow down.
The land that you think is “your land” might well become “my land” in the State’s eyes. The time is NOW for you to find out how the State’s Act 181 may impact your use of your own land.
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.
According to WCAX, family members said Howard Doyle came to the home of his son’s girlfriend on Sunday to help smooth over tensions.
Why is the department keeping Springfield taxpayers in the dark about such a dangerous and serious case?
Troopers repeatedly warned the demonstrators that they were trespassing and issued a dispersal order. When the group continued to occupy the building’s atrium, police began making arrests.
Rescuers reached the hikers at about 11:20 p.m. and found both suffering from hypothermia.
A juvenile passenger in the Dodge and a 66-year-old passenger in the Cadillac were airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with severe injuries.
Hospitals are taking big steps towards cutting operational costs to save nearly $400,000,000 over the next few years.
Covered bridges are valuable cultural heritages worthy of state $$ – or not?
In Morristown, an industrial park proposal gets a rocky reception; Vermont State Police investigating suspicious death in Hancock; Orleans County town fights industrial solar project
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.”
Phil Scott still most popular Gov./ Remove fishing shanties
“As I understand it, a hotel employee quickly alerted a neighbor, triggering a town-wide phone tree. By midday, residents at risk had relocated to pre-established safe houses, and procedures were in place to meet children near their schools.”
Vermont Democrats have introduced yet another sweeping elections bill — and once again, it comes with a familiar progressive feature: more lawsuits, more enforcement power, and more ways for municipalities to get dragged into court.
Two Chittenden County communities – Hinesburg and Shelburne — have new permanent police chiefs.
Well, Rep. Laura Sibilia (I-Dover), the Ranking Member on James’ committee and perhaps the biggest booster of the Clean Heat Standard, spilled the beans, let the cat out of the bag, dropped the dime on the real agenda in an interview for Climate Dispatch.
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.
The student was 14 when the sexual assaults began.
Across the political spectrum, Americans agree on very little. But there is one reform that draws rare, overwhelming consensus: term limits for members of Congress.
Moon rocks from VHS’s object collection are now on display at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier!
The driver of the delivery truck, which was parked outside the post office, was treated and released after reporting moderate ill effects from exposure to an unknown liquid.
The move came as Palmer is under fire on several fronts recently, including in Vermont Superior Court, where he denied seven criminal charges last week.
Sanders website as of Feb. 5 had no press release on the Feb. 2 meeting. Xie is China’s top government representative in the U.S.
The centerpiece of the expansion is a professional baking school, only the second company-owned hybrid location of its kind.
Vigil planned in Saint Albans for detained UVM medical worker; Scott dismisses idea of nationalizing running of elections; Seven Vt conservation projects will protect 1,460 acres of land
Vermont is committed by law to having 50% of total land area conserved by 2050, thanks to a bill introduced and shepherded into law several years ago by House Environment Chair Amy Sheldon. The law closely follows a U.N. based 50 x 50 initiative.
H.777 would gut Vermont’s ski schools — and highlights the hypocrisy of the Left.
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).
Open letter to Rutland and other municipalities looking to adopt resolutions or policies prohibiting or limiting federal ICE Enforcement activities.
The bill creates a five-tier continuum of care ranging from high-barrier shelters with mandatory case management to permanent supportive housing, including repurposed hotels and motels.
Camron Guthrie, a retired Vermont Air National Guard pilot, joined their sisters pleading for their mother’s return.
How toxic is it?? It’s been a very bad week for Vermont’s climate warriors.
How post-national governance is quietly redefining borders, sovereignty, and political legitimacy
Knowing that 20 lawmakers and Lt. Gov. John Rodgers support (in concept anyway) a three year property tax freeze, VDC asked Gov. Phil Scott at his press conference what he thinks. Answer: eh, not so much. But he likes the idea of a spending cap.
Officials call for Sheriff Ryan Palmer to step down; Will Vermonters be able to get their cars inspected every other year?; New Brattleboro action plan improves public safety downtown; Health care costs are breaking Vermont schools
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Medical Association have recommended against gender transition surgeries for youths, becoming the first major medical associations in the U.S. to narrow its guidance on pediatric gender care.
Sportsmen may soon have a new system of land posting to learn before deer season this fall.
Vermont Sen. Andy Perchlik defends the State paying “independent” news media, blames Trump.
All of the hullabaloo about new federal vaccine guidelines miss the fact that they don’t restrict states from adopting their own guidelines.
We need strong incentives or disincentives to change the status quo. We need to make the school systems feel a little more financial pressure from the taxpayers.
Body cam footage shows events leading up to fatal shooting James Crary; Rutland City prepares for rare write-in election after mayor resigned; Vermont nurses raise alarms about proposed federal loan limits; Family displaced after attic fire in Rutland City
“Voting should be based on the character, integrity, and capabilities of the nominees, and the integrity and independence of our judicial branch, rather than the chaotic time we happen to be living in,” Gov. Scott said.
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.
“I’m certainly open to any kind of property tax freeze,” Rodgers said.
Prosecutors said the quick resolution was driven by concerns that Dudas, because of his age, could have sought youthful offender status, potentially moving the case to family court.
Nine current or former students from the University of Vermont are set to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will take place in Northern Italy with competition starting Thursday, February 5 and running through February 22.
Supreme Court rejects Town appeal
Adams was found unresponsive inside the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Vermont State Police and multiple partner agencies established an incident command post at the beach and launched a coordinated ice rescue operation.
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?”
Bills of note in committees this week, ranging from taxes to Legislative health benefits.
Several Democrat senators said the Trump administration’s immigration policy is so harmful that Vermont should signal its opposition by rejecting the nomination of the prosecutor who argued the DOJ position in last year’s civil detention lawsuits of two anti-Israel activists.
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
Don’t Undermine Memphremagog’s Purity Inc., known as DUMP, had requested the Jurisdictional Opinion, which the commission coordinator agreed with, stating that NEWSVT’s leachate pretreatment system would require an amended permit if the company sought to convert the experimental system to a permanent installation.
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.
The bill proposes to exempt from the homestead property tax long-term residents who are 65 years of age or older. It would phase in the exemption over a four-year period, with eligible persons fully exempt from the homestead property tax beginning fiscal year 2030.
Mountain safety often exists in a grey area where speed, visibility, and spatial awareness intersect.
Jada Samitt, 22, was working as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries observer aboard a dragger that sank off Gloucester, Massachusetts on Friday.
Plans to run for Vermont Senate
The Council’s deliberations occurred against a backdrop of deteriorating roadway safety conditions as speed-related fatalities increased 50% between 2023 and 2024.
“I started the chapter in December of last year,” Fewer said. “I was always a fan of watching Charlie Kirk debating people. I knew Vermont was one of — if not the most — liberal states in the U.S., and there really wasn’t anything like TPUSA around.”
About two hours later, the host contacted police again to report that the renter had returned to reclaim property. Officers responded and took the woman into custody.
Recent UVM grad on board missing fishing vessel; Vermont woman shares her father’s work desegregating Boston schools; Partial government shutdown over immigration underway. How long will it last?
A new book from J. Kevin Graffagnino, coming in February
Senator’s proposal would transform one-time purchase surcharge into yearly assessment
Two domestic violence cases and multiple DUI cases from around Vermont this weekend.
Such was Bernie’s devotion to Reich that he even built his own orgone orgasm device, a five-foot-long prayer mat made of copper wire with spikes on it that he slept on to channel the “energy”into his body, Chiasson claims.
To grow or not to grow, that is the question that the Senate Agriculture Committee is taking on with its newest bill that challenges a ruling of the Vermont Supreme Court that opened the door to allow towns to regulate agriculture, even gardens and backyard chickens.
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
The 2024 Vermont Senate rushed a proposed amendment to the Vermont Constitution guaranteeing equal protection for ‘race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin,” a parents’ rights advocate told a Senate committee Thursday.
Federal authorities say they are investigating a report about a bogus letter purportedly written by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to at least one Vermont gun store claiming the U.S. Government was temporarily suspending the Second Amendment right to have guns.
Be sure to send the message you intend to send with your vote.
The apathy rate of Burlington voters is high, just like the city’s crime rate.
“It creates a situation where the very people telling us to drive less are also making it more expensive to have things brought to our doors,” Dodge said.
Jackson was traveling north on the trail when she failed to negotiate a left-hand turn, went off the right side of the trail and struck a group of trees.
Drescher’s judgment—the ability to confront hard facts, resist political pressure, and act deliberately—is precisely what we should seek in a justice on Vermont’s highest court.
The Public Utility Commission ultimately concluded the CHS is theoretically workable but not well suited to Vermont.
During the pursuit in New Hampshire, the fleeing suspect intentionally struck police, causing a collision involving two New Hampshire State Police cruisers and a Littleton Police Department cruiser.
Winners of taxpayer-funded awards to Vermont news outlets will be announced.
The prosecutor who represented the Trump administration in immigration cases receives No vote from key Senate committee.
Woman sentenced in fatal shooting outside downtown Burlington bar; Ex-prosecutor not recommended for Vermont’s high court; Human Rights Commission calls for new civil rights laws in Vermont
Senator says we need to be discussing return on investment, and YEAH!
Vermont has experienced what demographers call “negative natural change”—more deaths than births—every year since 2016, and new housing is blocked by regulations from the days of rotary phones.
I have very high property taxes. I don’t like to pay property taxes, but I can afford them. And I know that many owners are income sensitized. So, I would like to dig into that premise a little bit more because we throw it around a lot.”
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