Burlington mayor echoes Minneapolis mayor, Gov. Tim Walz – call in 802-244-1777
Hot News to Discuss on Feedback Friday on Hot Off The Press
Guy Page
Guy Page is the editor and publisher of the Vermont Daily Chronicle.
Former Rutland woman charged with exploitation
Former Rutland woman arrested for child porn exploitation.
House OKs farm/forest emergency fund
House agrees with Senate on permanent emergency fund for farms, forestry.
AI threatens journalism jobs? Vax, energy legislation… and more on today’s Hot Off The Press 11:05
Listen to every episode of Hot Off The Press. Call in at 802-244-1777.
Digger staff worries AI could take their jobs
Under VTDigger management’s contract proposal, human journalists can be replaced by Artificial Intelligence to produce the local news you rely on.
House accepts St. Albans rep resignation, bills introduced
The St. Albans Republican and founder of the House Futures Caucus has resigned due to family commitments.
Man dressed as cop threatens woman, real police say
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.
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.”
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.
‘You’ve outdone me today, Rob!’
North made quite a splash when he wore a green sequined coat into the Vermont State House today.
Gun rights, Act 250, Queen City politics today on Hot Off The Press
Listen to every episode of Hot Off The Press.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ludlow police chief shot 18-year-old at motel
Lopez pulled lunged at the chief, police say, then dropped a knife after being shot.
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.”
Feedback Friday on WDEV 11:05 AM today:
Dairy in decline. Legislature reconvenes next week. Drug crime: who benefits? Cell tower radiation. VT ramifications of MN childcare fraud….& whatever you want to discuss! Call 802-244-1777 at 11:05 AM today.
Burlington transients arrested for Montpelier Tractor Supply burglary
Both suspected burglars were jailed for lack of bail.
Police shoot man in Ludlow
Ludlow police shot man at Fox Run Inn.
Reporter dies following dementia/ mental health clinic defrauds Medicaid
Wellington joined The Caledonian-Record in 1996 and covered municipal government, courts and public safety, earning a reputation for persistence and fairness.
VT gas prices dropping
The lowest price for gasoline in Vermont is $2.59 in Wilmington – at a they-even-wash-your-windows full service station.
Director of state-funded non-profit busted for embezzlement
About 40% of CVEDC’s annual budget comes from state funding.
Another Florida sex crime suspect arrested/ DUI, domestic busts
Lucas was arrested after troopers found he had an active $100,000 extraditable warrant from Florida for multiple charges including obscene communication using a computer to solicit a child.
UPDATE: state offices closed, 5035 homes without power due to ice storm
The National Weather Service is predicting up to 0.6 inches of ice to accumulate across portions of Vermont, with the highest totals ranging from the Northeast Kingdom to Springfield, in central Vermont, and along the spine of the Green Mountains.
VDC to publish DUI’s: here’s why
Only when serious injury, death, or some other drastic event occurs does a DUI typically merit news coverage.
Bess: Crime victim says Vermont taxes, criminal justice ‘getting worse and worse’
One afternoon coming home from work, I had to lay on the horn to back into my own driveway as some chick was tweaking, blocking access to my driveway.
MA woman dies in freeway crash
The car was traveling north when it swerved to avoid a tractor-trailer that was changing lanes
Sheldon crash claims life of 21-year-old driver
High speed. No seatbelts. A young life gone.
Elderly woman dies in fire
The Ryegate resident lived alone.
Christian school challenges Act 73
The new law excludes the private Christian school in Quechee and all religious approved independent schools in Vermont from town tuition funding and other public benefits.
Hot Off The Press today: Feedback Friday
Whether you’re working at home or shopping or in the car or just hanging out, I hope you will have your say, hang out with us for an hour, listen and call in with your comment or question – 802-244-1777.
Library computer theft, hit-and-run, DUI#3, package theft
‘Small time’ crime harming people and their property happened over the holidays.
Mom of slain young woman wants to close gaps in mental health defense against violent crime
“As it stands today, Vermont has created a loophole that allows violent offenders to sit in legal limbo for years,” Rodgers said in a statement ahead of the event. “That is not justice for victims, and it’s not public safety.”
Suspect in Burlington shooting fresh out of federal prison
Federal Judge Christina Reiss ordered Washington, also known as Marcpose Payne, to be on three years of supervised release conditions once he was discharged from prison to ensure a smooth re-entry into society.
Young Vermonters nominated to attend service academies
Their nominations have been submitted to the academies, which will make final admissions decisions.
Police hunt mother of drowned infant
Investigators concluded that while under the influence of narcotics, Arnold left her infant unattended in a bathtub that was filling with water.
Radioactive shrimp sold in VT recalled
Check out the label on your Market 32 shrimp.
Jury convicts man of threat with machete, escape in police cruiser after moonshine binge
Following Way’s arrest, authorities said he managed to escape custody and drive off in a sheriff’s patrol vehicle,
Accused Florida sex crime perp held on $500,000 bail
Florida authorities allege Browne faces multiple felony charges, including sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation, video voyeurism and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Vermont Secretary of State targets human trafficking at massage parlors
enforcement options have been limited because only individual license holders — not the massage establishments themselves — are currently regulated.
Lowell voters deadlocked over solar project
Never think your vote doesn’t matter…the original tally was 87-86, but one ballot – a Yes – was spoiled because it was signed by the voter.
Bennington man part of national roundup by FBI
FBI Director Kash Patel said this was an important roundup of dangerous individuals.
$32K in property stolen from marijuana shop
Charged with Grand Larceny from Green Mountain Craft Cannabis.
Keelan: A little boy’s wish
Originally published on Christmas Eve, 2005, and published every Christmas Eve since, this column was awarded 3rd Place in the 2021 New England Better Newspaper Competition, sponsored by NENPA.
Meth dealer accepted EBT cards as payment
Our tax dollars were going straight to drug dealers.
Fairfax shooting suspect arrested
The shooting stemmed from a domestic situation involving individuals who all knew one another.
Looking back on 2025, forward to 2026
You are the best. You are priceless. Your generosity ensures that no shadowy owner or NGO or pre-eminent donor calls the shots about what’s news and what’s not.
Real-life grinches steal cars, valuables
The incidents occurred at several residences off Greenbush Road, where suspects allegedly searched vehicles for valuables and took items from cars that were left unlocked.
Selecting the PERFECT Christmas Tree, by An Anonymous Husband
He will lug them one by one to the window, wishing for her early approval, but it will take many trips back and forth and frozen fingers before she relents and reluctantly settles for a Fraser fir.
Burlington safe injection site to launch without supervised drug use
“The City has determined that supervised consumption isn’t part of the first phase of this project,” BBF wrote.
Felony sex assault on minor
Police say Botala inappropriately touched a minor female, someone he knew, under the age of 16 in August.
Two shot in Fairfax this morning
The call about a shooting at an apartment house came in at 1:20 AM.
Drought suffering, big school – small school, Elon vs. Bernie etc. on Feedback Friday
Whether you’re working at home or shopping or in the car or just hanging out, I hope you will have your say, hang out with us for an hour, listen and call in with your comment or question – 802-244-1777.
Former newspaper publisher indicted for Ponzi fraud
Prosecutors allege the funds were diverted to cover personal expenses, including alimony and rent, to finance the purchase of the Eagle Times, and to pay political consultants.
Drought-stricken retired Marine Vietnam veteran still hauling water, no help coming
He is forced to break ice and carry heavy buckets along an icy driveway to flush toilets and meet basic needs, all while managing on a fixed income. I reside in his home and have witnessed his unwavering resolve, but this situation is unsustainable and life-threatening in freezing conditions.
Woman, 21, dies in crash caused by wrong-way driver
Police say a young Northfield woman died Wednesday in an I-89 collision between Richmond and Bolton.
Corrected: Barre attempted murder
Suspect charged with attempted murder, not murder as originally published.
Homeless parolee arrested for Barre pickaxe attempted murder
When officers arrived, they found a 55-year-old male victim who had been struck multiple times in the head with a pick-axe hatchet.
AG complains feds cut EV charger $$ without explanation
What the Attorney General does not explain is why federal officials might be less than enthusiastic about writing those checks. A few possibilities come to mind.
HOTP Tuesday: Gun rights activists sue over waiting period, Memorial Auditorium block redo to cost million$$
Pushing back in federal court against Vermont gun control laws.
Brown, Australia shootings: how long?
Ella Cook was also the vice-president of the Brown University College Republicans. So why did this young man – described anyway as a young man by police – shoot and kill Ella Cook? Why did he kill at least one other person, and wound eight others?
Milton-made ‘Brataroo’ leaps canyon in latest Gymkhana video
You will believe that a car can fly.
Breaking: Burlington acupuncturist held in federal child porn case, for now
Federal court records indicate Lane “engaged in an extended and highly sexualized conversation” with a 13-year-old girl.
Hot Off The Press Monday at 11:05 AM
No guests are scheduled, and the phone lines are open. Call in 11:05 – noon at 802-244-1777.
Ever-rising taxes endanger downtown restaurants, owner warns
Restaurant owners in Burlington and Barre worry about downtown economic conditions.
Unaffordable electricity topic of Dec. 16 online event
Sponsored by Better Not Bigger Vermont.
Violent crime suspect held on $250,000 bail
According to Pennsylvania State Police, Robbie John Morgan, 33, a convicted felon and fugitive from South Carolina, had threatened a neighbor with a semi-automatic 40cal pistol.
“Philly Whiteboy” drug dealer threatens state judge
Burlington has been fighting the escalating drug pipeline with Philadelphia for a number of years.
Man dies after trailer detaches from truck
The Rutland man died after the trailer section disconnected from the truck and struck his oncoming SUV.
Parent petition wants sex offender off school property
Families in the Plainfield–Marshfield region are voicing alarm over repeated sightings of a registered sex offender on local school property, a situation that has prompted residents to launch a petition aimed at state lawmakers.
Liberty Food Fest in Bellows Falls this weekend
The event in the Opera House will feature vendors, demonstrations, and a full lineup of speakers and films Friday and Saturday.
Scott: State’s Attorney, Redistricting Task Force members may need to go
A State’s Attorney with an on-duty DUI history and an alleged insensitivity problem should resign, Scott and Democrats agree. But who would take her place?
Ex-Winooski High soccer coach denies lewd conduct, luring a player
Kane H. Smart, 44, of South Burlington is the husband to Sally Adams, chief deputy state’s attorney in Chittenden County and works fulltime as an enforcement and litigation attorney with the Agency of Natural Resources in Montpelier.
RSVP now for GOP Christmas Party
Dinner, speakers at Dec. 15 event in Colchester.
