Rutland mayor race widens, as new candidates announce write-in campaigns; Vermont school budgets appear to be totaling lower than predicted; Vermont House advances data protections for people who use genetic testing sites; Addison County BIPOC+ will celebrate a ‘Golden’ Lunar New Year
Understanding what actually happened requires looking beyond headlines to examine the mechanisms, money, and competing pressures shaping this decision.
A group of Vermont state representatives has introduced H.550, a bill designed to establish comprehensive standards for the intake, classification, and housing of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals within the Department of Corrections (DOC).
Now Democrats copy his misleading accusations that Republicans were the root of the problem.
The Vermont African American Heritage Trail was created by the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing. Explore museums, cultural sites, exhibits, films, and tours that illuminate African American history in Vermont.
The following testimony from Retta Dunlap, Woodbury, VT was submitted to Senate Natural Resources Committee.
Documented arrests in Vermont show that ICE operations here have involved individuals with serious criminal histories.
Working families are priced out of existence
Vermonters expect their elected officials to represent them diligently, especially when Congress is in session. Yet too often, it appears our senior senator, Bernie Sanders, is focused elsewhere.
School apologizes, says practice has been stopped
Vermont’s wellness lifestyle provides a really unique opportunity for mental health professionals to build a career in integrative mental health. Building a career in integrative mental health in Vermont requires a mental health skill set that can be integrated into the community’s wellness lifestyle.
Vermont to deploy resources to Massachusetts after 2026 blizzard; Raj Bhakta says he’s walking away from Poultney, Green Mountain College; Lamoille County parent says teacher used spray bottle to discipline students
In June, 10-year-old Grayson Carey of Colchester landed the record-setting fish while competing in the Lake Champlain International Father’s Day Derby with his father and grandfather. The Freshwater Drum, also known as “sheepshead,” weighed 28.5 pounds and measured 37 ½ inches long with a 29-inch girth. It beat the previous state record set in 2016 by three pounds.
Taggart, a resident of Castleton, is part of what remains of the rapidly shrinking generation of Americans who served during World War II. He will celebrate his 100th birthday on July 4.
Abenaki people who happen to live in Vermont are not fakes, not liars, and not deserving of this public hate campaign.
A Vermont education advocacy group is raising concerns about the state’s school governance reform law, saying it increases consolidation, reduces school choice, and fails to address high costs and stagnant student performance.
A great power like the United States has two enduring imperatives:
• Maintain dominance in its own hemisphere (“Monroe Doctrine”).
• Prevent any peer competitor from achieving regional hegemony elsewhere.
How much of my $150 month electric bill is going toward fighting global warming?
ADF clients dismiss appeal after state officials rescind decision to revoke their licenses
Our elections system is currently designed to maximize cheating.
Balint urges Vermonters in Mexico to heed State Dept. guidance; Castleton police rescue missing hiker; Hundreds show out for Winter Jam at Champlain College; Local business owners hit hard by tariffs forcing change in their operations
In the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, Committee Chair Senator Seth Bongartz (D-Bennington) introduced a new plan to revise Vermont’s education system. The main goal of the system, said Bongartz, is to increase governance efficiency and enable a higher quality educational delivery, in a way that moderates the growth rate of state spending on education.
The ICAIE also notes that the greatest number of illegal border crossers coming from Canada to the U.S. were apprehended by U.S. immigration officials in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Swanton Sector in Vermont and upstate New York, which The Center Square has reported for years. It also notes that the majority of illicit drugs seized at the U.S.-Canada border were by U.S. authorities in the CBP Buffalo, Detroit and Swanton sectors coming from Canada, The Center Square has also reported for years.
A federal court jury convicted Dominique “Wop” Troupe, 39, of Bay Road on four felony drug, gun and robbery charges following a six-day trial in Rutland in May 2024. Troupe helped plan the robbery in Swanton four years ago and reportedly had told the two gunmen he recruited for the case that nobody was supposed to be injured, prosecutors have said. The armed robbery for the drugs went sideways. Elijah Oliver, 22, of Haverhill, Mass. died from two gunshots inside the residence at 45 First St. in Swanton about 4:35 a.m. Feb. 2, 2022, Vermont State Police said.
At Friday’s meeting of the Senate Natural Resources & Energy Committee, lawmakers received an update on the ongoing development of Act 181 “Tier 3” areas under Vermont’s evolving land-use framework — a category that could shape where and how Act 250 applies in certain parts of the state.
Driver armed with a flamethrower rams LADWP substation in possible ‘terrorism-related event’; U.S. drones take to the skies as Trump’s fleet descends on the Middle East; Muslim states condemn U.S. envoy over remarks on Israel’s ‘biblical rights’; Israel’s Gaza ‘ceasefire’ death toll tops 600; American tourists left stranded in beautiful Mexico hotspot as cartels torch cars and wreak havoc in ‘code red’ attack
When the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife issued permits for fishing tournaments on the reservoir for the 2026 season—without notifying the city that relies on it for drinking water—Barre officials were caught off guard. When they protested, state officials reportedly offered a creative solution: tournament participants could technically “parachute in” to avoid trespassing on city land.
The question on everyone’s mind: what happens next? Currently unable to procure a sponsorship necessary from any of their teachers at Spaulding High School to create an official Club America chapter, Fewer and Kastner will continue to operate the club as a TPUSA Activism Hub, and plan to hold future club meetings of a smaller scale.
Efficiency Vermont, the wholly owned division of the 40-year-old Winooski, Vermont nonprofit, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, has done a remarkable job over the past 25 years. Let us accept this and repurpose its funding from Vermont’s electric rate-payers.
Vermont’s long-term obligations for retiree health care benefits remain a major financial burden, even as the state has begun setting aside more money to address them.
It would be easy to label these debates as hunters and trappers versus those who oppose hunting and trapping. But that false assessment would trivialize and misdirect the debate as well as ignore the findings of a major values survey that shines a bright light as to just why these controversial wildlife practices are so protected by FWD.
Also, Watson on VT’s self-serving bureaucracy and Baker on making VTNG require war declaration to deploy
The couple objected to participating in certain aspects of the training, citing their personal beliefs. Their license was subsequently revoked, prompting legal action.
Join us on February 20 (if you can)!
Today is Feedback Friday on Hot Off The Press on WDEV AM 550, FM 96.1, and wdevradio.com. Call in 802-244-1777 11:05 – noon. All subjects welcome.
St. Albans Town lawmaker named; Bradford Republican to run for House; Dam safety bill likely to be voted out of House Environment; AI data center impact bill
Vt. man pleads not guilty to murder in deadly quarry assault; Vermont seeks to join 5 states in drug-purchasing consortium
Something for everyone
Williston Police Chief Patrick T. Foley, a familiar face in the community, said Wednesday that he plans to retire on July 10.
Lenz passionately explained that antisemitism in Vermont is ongoing and blatant.
It’s anti-children, anti-education, and anti-taxpayer.
Empty school bus catches fire at rest area off I-89; East Montpelier man dies in snowmobile crash; Gov. Phil Scott says he will not meet with President Trump without Democrats; Vermont athletes balance military service with biathlon training
Most believe the unusual name is derived from “tickeneket,” the Algonquin word for “place of little beavers.”
Twelve Vermont schools have been newly identified among the state’s lowest-performing and added to the Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) list, according to the latest accountability report released by the Vermont Agency of Education.
A risk with so many of Rutland’s big-name politicians running on a write-in ballot on March 3 was laid out by Ray LaMoria, a retired Rutland police detective, on Facebook in response to Allaire’s decision. “I’m concerned that there (are) so many good candidates including yourself for Mayor that it is going to split the vote and provide the opportunity (for) someone who shouldn’t be mayor (to) get elected. Too bad you guys couldn’t coalesce around one candidate with the same values for this one-year position.” A reported 13 candidates will also be on the ballot for five open Board of Aldermen seats.
At issue is approximately $11.1 million in General Assistance (GA) emergency housing funds originally appropriated in State Fiscal Year 2025 and carried forward into FY2026. According to testimony and internal communications reviewed by the House Human Services Committee, DCF expected at least a $5.5 million underspend in the GA emergency housing line.
A Vermont House Committee heard testimony on Wednesday about the Scott administration’s efforts on tourism and marketing the Vermont brand. Heather Pelham, the Commissioner of the Department of Tourism and Marketing, testified in front of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development about the department’s successes and new programs that they’ve developed.
Full list of hundreds of celebrities and politicians in Pam Bondi’s Epstein files letter; Trump’s Board of Peace rallies ‘thousands’ of troops for Gaza deployment; Tucker Carlson ‘detained’ in Israel: Journalist ‘dragged into interrogation room’ after interview with Trump’s ambassador; Israel approves major land grab in West Bank; Kiev on the brink of catastrophe – mayor
In 1935, the Vermont legislature designated Old First Church as Vermont’s Colonial Shrine. The church stands at the heart of Bennington’s historic district and occupies land central to the founding of Vermont. Constructed in 1805, the church has long served as a place of worship, civic gathering, and remembrance, and is a central institution in the Revolutionary-era history and early leadership of the state. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Today, it continues to welcome visitors from across the nation and around the world who come to engage with Vermont’s rich cultural and civic heritage.
Vermonters to hold rally to urge Peter Welch to change vote on Fix Our Forests Act; Immigration judge dismisses deportation case against Mohsen Mahdawi; Burlington work on tax charter change to resume
Prop 4 states equal treatment under the law cannot be denied on account of a person’s, “race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin.”
Vermont State Police have identified the victim of a fatal Valentine’s Day shooting during what was initially reported as an apparent domestic dispute in the town of Corinth in Orange County.
History is not a children’s morality tale. It is a record of power, conflict, negotiation, and survival.
Although framed as a transportation-related revenue concept, the proposal enters a wider national conversation about how governments handle the economics of app-based delivery services and low-margin convenience markets.
How Jesse Jackson influenced Bernie Sanders’ progressive prominence; Water main break leaves many across St. Johnsbury without running water; Thousands of Vermonters could lose food assistance as new work requirements take effect next month; VTSU Johnson campus to house seniors and families in dorm conversion; Hotel in Lincoln damaged in early-morning fire
Bill from Morrisville chimed in on Thomas Jefferson’s support for Congressman Matthew Lyon, who was charged by the Adams administration for publishing allegedly seditious statements, convicted and fined $1500 and jailed in Vergennes.
Later a distinguished Vermont attorney, in 1946 Nate Boone rode in the back of the bus to a segregrated training area for black Marine boots: Montford Point.
The proposed legislation would create a nearly 40% wage differential between employees at covered national chains and those working at restaurants that don’t meet the 60-location threshold.
State wants input on threatened/endangered wildlife plan; Bob Dylan Wannabe Contest March 28
Public investment preceded years of permit violations
I now know from personal experience.
The Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department said local, state and federal investigators raided the home of Kevin Manning, 42, of Lake Drive on Friday evening and seized stolen property.
A year after border agent’s killing, 7 Zizians fight criminal charges in 3 states/ Did you feel Sunday night’s earthquake?/ Montpelier Restaurant Week encourages local community to dine out
Ogden’s multifaceted approach suggests that success in elite skiing doesn’t require single-minded focus on the sport alone, but rather the integration of diverse skills and interests.
An open letter to Vermont legislators and citizens
A nearly identical law in California has already been struck down by a federal court as unconstitutional and the federal government is actively working to preempt state-level AI rules.
State policies and regulations considered in Archbridge’s index include “child-to-staff ratio requirements by age, maximum group sizes by age, required annual training hours for staff, and minimum educational requirements for center directors and lead teachers.”
Electric buses are proving unreliable this winter for Vermont’s Green Mountain Transit, as it needs to be over 41 degrees for the buses to charge, but due to a battery recall the buses are a fire hazard and can’t be charged in a garage. Spokesman for energy workers advocacy group Power the Future Larry Behrens told the Center Square: “Taxpayers were sold an $8 million ‘solution’ that can’t operate in cold weather when the home for these buses is in New England.”
Lawmaker introduces transportation bill to incentivise gas stations to install electric vehicle chargers to foster community building and socializing.
Vermont lawmakers are moving forward with a mid-year adjustment to the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget, adding tens of millions in updated spending and revenue changes while reserving nearly $75 million for next year amid uncertainty around federal funding and property tax pressures.
The Tunbridge man received an invasive medical procedure to remove his left testicle.
More than 9 in 10 restaurant operators cite labor, insurance, energy, and payment processing fees as significant challenges to profitability.
The House Committee on Judiciary on Thursday discussed pretrial supervision as a way to reduce criminal court backlogs, recidivism, and catch and release policies.
Should students have voting power on Vermont’s school boards?; Burlington mayor to outline police and fire tax increase; Records: Palmer left first police job after poor performance, policy violations; Vermont is getting less help from the feds to keep elections secure
Because of this policy change, an estimated 14,322 additional Vermonters will become newly eligible for Medicare Savings Programs—allowing each of them to keep $2,435 more per year in their pockets and enjoy additional cost-saving benefits.
Reflecting at his Wednesday press conference on recent votes in towns like Calais and Worcester, where voters this week decided by about 2-1 to keep the small local schools open, Scott noted that the results were “not surprising,” despite the “unfortunate” reality of the schools’ situations. He specifically pointed to Calais, which is not anticipating having a kindergarten class next year due to low enrollment, calling it “indicative of the future” for many small Vermont towns.
Green River Hydro gets 40-Year lifeline
The one-week camp programs are held at Lake Bomoseen in Castleton and Buck Lake in Woodbury. Campers participate in hands-on learning about fish and wildlife conservation, ecology, forestry, orienteering, safe firearm and archery techniques, swimming, canoeing, fishing and more. Natural resource professionals come to the camp to share information on their programs and take campers out for field activities.
According to court documents, Francisco Antonio Luna Rosado, 27, an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, and Jesus Hernandez Ortiz, 37, of Puerto Rico, are charged with one count of conspiracy to illegally bring aliens to the United States and 12 counts of illegally bringing aliens to the United States for the purpose of private financial gain related to a Sept. 17, 2023, smuggling event. Luna Rosado is also charged with two counts of transactional money laundering for engaging in monetary transactions involving property derived from smuggling activities.
First published February 16, 2016. Note the similar problems and proposed solutions, 10 years later.
Direct hydro for Vermont data farms: reliable, renewable, local
Health officials confirm first measles case of 2026 in Washington County; Scott hopes to use state money to help Northeast Kingdom towns flooded last year; Did misinformation lead to a spike in Beta’s stock price?; Agreement reached on Green River Dam after years of conflict
Burlington wants another $1.1M for delayed overdose center.
Also, Manley on the lack of explicit content in Bad Bunny performance, and Connelly on the disinviting of non-GOP governors from NGA White House meeting.
The SAVE Act passed by the narrowest of margins in the House of Representatives, where only one Democrat (Rep. Henry Cuellar – TX), voted in favor of the bill. But it also needs to be passed by the Senate, where the vote will again be very close. Sen. John Fetterman (PA) is the only Democrat who said that he will vote for it. However, the two TDS-infested Republican Senators – Murkowski (AL) and Collins (ME) say that they will vote against it.
Advocates for substance abuse recovery, and Vermonters in recovery themselves, traveled to Montpelier and met with legislators to promote pro-recovery legislation and funding for Vermont’s recovery residences. “Recovery Residences” are a step above regulated rehabilitation treatment facilities which stabilize individuals, usually for around two weeks. On the other hand, stays at recovery residences last six to eighteen months, and they boast a high success rate.
The Vermont Biodiversity Protection Fund will support the protection of 1,460 acres of critical habitat across the state
Smugglers’ Notch has been owned and operated for the past 29 years by William “Bill” Stritzler. Under the new ownership structure, the Stritzler family will retain an ownership stake, and Stritzler’s daughter, Lisa Howe, will serve as an advisor on the future of the mountain.
Speakers warned that Act 181 is moving faster than the maps and rules needed to implement it clearly and fairly, creating uncertainty for towns, housing projects, and working landowners across Vermont. The coalition is urging legislative leaders to take up H.730 to extend timelines and prevent further misalignment.
Rights are surprisingly fragile things. Declared “unalienable” in the Declaration and billed as constitutional in state and the federal constitutions, their power is largely dependent on the character of the people. When the people are virtuous, our rights are secure. But if we are bull-headed, then we tend to smash them in some fit of pique.
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.
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.
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
