Supporters say it’s needed to reduce the increase in homicides in downtown Burlington and elsewhere. Critics say it violates a landmark 1987 state law pre-empting municipal gun control.
Burlington gun ban goes to Senate floor this afternoon
Guy Page
Guy Page is the editor and publisher of the Vermont Daily Chronicle.
Milton cop shot in ambush, gunman takes his own life
Independent photojournalist Wayne Savage, who was at the scene, told Vermont News First that he estimated shortly before 8 p.m. that more than 100 police vehicles had responded from Chittenden and Franklin Counties, along with the ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI and others.
Border czar Tom Homan asks angry media, ‘where were you?’
“Maybe we gotta hold off on some of the deportation operation we’re doing. But it’s not gonna stop us from seeking these people now, arresting them and take them off the street to United States while we’re waiting for the courts to decide.”
Farm workers mistaken for border crossers prompted call to Border Patrol
Border Patrol was called after people with backpacks emerged from the woodline. In fact, they were farm workers.
Burlington man accused of repeated sexual abuse of minors over several years
Detective Joanna Morse of CUSI, along with a DCF Family Services Worker, led the investigation, which revealed probable cause that McCoy engaged in repeated sexual acts with multiple young victims over several years.
BREAKING: Feds raid biggest dairy farm in Vermont, arrest migrant workers
Border Patrol saw three migrant workers walking down the driveway on the premises of the farm. The agents then pursued the migrants through the milking parlor.
More about Mohsen Mahdawi – and two corrections
Mohsen Mahdawi was a member, but not co-president, of CSJP, and was an early, active leader in pro-Palestine, anti-Israeli military activities at Columbia.
Private donors save DOGE’d Vermont history program
Multiple private donors, including Marilyn Blackwell and George Burrill, stepped forward with generous contributions to underwrite the program through October.
When will Legislature adjourn?
Legislative leadership reaffirmed their aim to adjourn by the end of May, despite rumors that the session could go into June.
Lawsuit: Columbia student group cooperated with Hamas right after October 7 attack
It is possible, even likely these officials are unaware of SJP’s alleged participation with Hamas of spreading pro-Hamas propaganda immediately following the attack, according to a March, 2025 lawsuit filed by victims of the attack that killed more than 1,000 Israelis and an estimated 45 Americans.
On Good Friday, final vote set for ‘muzzle bill’ shielding abortion, transgender services
“I also speak as a reminder that some cannot speak for themselves and that not all decisions are in our jurisdiction,” Rep. Tom Charlton explained his no vote.
Killer of transgender man gets no more jail time due to deputy’s error
Both the prosecution and defense decried the deputy’s actions.
Trump asked by Italian press if he steps on ants
The president commented on recent report that he had waved off an Israeli strike on Iran, saying it was not his first choice, but he appeared to leave open the possibility of a strike if negotiations did not go well.
$850,000K for syringe services/ Miss VT honored
The next discarded syringe you see in a park or in the street may have been paid for by Vermont taxpayers in the name of infectious disease and overdose protection.
Has Mohsen Mahdawi done anything worthy of arrest and deportation? You decide….
Are we living in a terrifying new age of federal fascist authoritarianism? Or is the federal government appropriately enforcing the law?
POTUS Press Pool: Mom of murdered Rachel Morin urges press to tell the truth
The murdered woman’s mother told the press: “Please tell the truth. Tell the truth. Tell how violent it really is. It’s more than politics. It’s about national security. It’s about protecting Americans. It’s about protecting the children.”
DOGE could cut into VT public radio, TV budget – but not right away
According to a February 2025 article on Vermont Public, losing this 10% could mean cuts to local journalism or educational programs, with rural stations hit hardest.
Palestinian activist arrested by DHS in Colchester vowed revenge on Israel when he was 10 years old
‘ I was ten years old. And I still remember when we put him in the grave, I held him and I shook him,” Mahdawi said of his friend shot by an Israeli soldier. “I said, “Hemida, wake up, wake up.” He didn’t wake up, and I told him, “I promise, I promise, I will revenge.”
With Republican help, school reform bill advances to Senate
in hopes of a better bill out of the Senate, a handful of Republicans helped the defection-plagued Democrat House leadership pass the controversial educational reform bill.
POTUS Press Pool: El Salvador president won’t return suspected gang member
Video, quotes from the White House press pool today.
Friday at Four: Reaction to Lt. Gov. John Rodgers trashing Trump
Paul Bean says Vermont Republican Lt. Gov. John Rodgers speech felt like a betrayal. Guy Page says Rodgers never said he was pro-Trump. More viewers than ever weigh in with their opinions.
Drop tariffs on Canada, solons tell Trump
The resolution was signed by all 30 senators except. Sen. Russ Ingalls (R-Essex) and Rutland County Republican senators Dave Weeks and Terry Williams.
Autopsies confirm murder-suicide in Eden
David Buchanon fatally shot Karol before turning the gun on himself, police say.
Davis: Decreased Dollars From D.C.
The Vermont House Appropriations Committee got more granular on the one-third of the state’s budget that comes from federal funding, which is a source of vulnerability and concern.
“Reckoning” coming for Covid lockdowns and mandates, CHD prez predicts
“I don’t think that those people [legislators and concerned Vermonters] know the vaccines that they got as children or maybe as adolescents, or covid shots that they got in the last few years, never tested for impact on fertility, never tested for mutagenicity, never tested for carcinogenicity, I don’t think those people know that and I think they need to know that,” Holland said.
Infertility doctor wins disability firing lawsuit, owed $1.1 million
When she was terminated, Porter was on long-term disability, but had returned to part-time work, the lawsuit said.
Cabot recalls cases of butter due to fecal contamination
The butter comes in cardboard packages containing two 4-ounce sticks.
Maverick Republican John McClaughry’s unexpected path: A review of “The Anarchist and the Republican”
The Anarchist and the Republican both championed the decentralization of power.
Veteran income tax exemption held up over homeless needs, cop and firefighter inclusion, House leader says
“I don’t believe there are many that do not support legislation to exempt military retirement, but we also have over 150 homeless vets, vets that cannot access health care, and those that workforce training and placement support,” Krowinski’s aide told a veterans’ advocate.
“Vermont Parents rally against ‘Toxic Indoctrination’ in schools
Yesterday’s event aimed to spotlight the role of parental voices in shaping Vermont’s public education system amid ongoing debates over funding, curriculum, and governance.
Christian school suit over trans player argued in federal court
“The government cannot punish religious schools—and the families they serve—by permanently kicking them out of the state-sponsored sports because the state disagrees with their religious beliefs,” said ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of U.S. Litigation David Cortman.
VT Senate leader apologizes for Trump behavior towards Canada
“I’d like to do something a little unusual, which is begin with an apology. And that is an apology to Canada and to Canadians and to Trudeau, a political figure that I value,” Baruth said.
Another Planned Parenthood clinic closes
Planned Parenthood announced Tuesday that it will permanently close its St. Johnsbury health center on June 3, citing ongoing financial challenges and low patient demand
Tariffs on Canada won’t raise Vermont gas, heating oil prices, lawmakers hear
‘A lot of the stuff we import has its origin in North America,” Tierney said. “Not affected.”
Busy Wednesday AM at State House: Tariff hearing, Speaker speaks on school reform, Parents rally at noon
Tariffs, school reform, and Parents Rights’ at the State House this morning.
Defense Dept. chatline used to call in fake shooting threats to 12 VT schools
An anonymous user had utilized the Department of Defense Self Helpline chat function to make threats against several middle and high schools across Vermont.
Vermont Republican Lieutenant Governor bashes Trump administration
“As a Republican who supports women’s rights, LBGTQ community, local farmers and loggers, our manufacturers and other great Vermont businesses, the free press, United States Constitution and the rule of law, I am appalled with what the Trump administration is doing to our state and our country,” said John Rodgers to the crowd of around one thousand protesters gathered in Montpelier.
VT Headlines: Elementary school to close
Ripton Elementary School students will be bused to Salisbury.
With feds ready to pull $$, state doubles down on DEI
Legal precedent from court cases across the nation further establishes that Vermont is positioning itself unfavorably if its pro-DEI stance were put to the scrutiny of courts.
Turkish pro-Hamas detainee has 13 lawyers for VT hearing
Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, who is in America on a student visa, is currently detained at the Southern Louisiana Correctional Facility in Basile, Louisiana in a case that has drawn international attention for Free Speech reasons.
Barre barn fire kills almost 200 animals
Over 100 adult pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens plus 70-80 piglets were lost in the fire.
Committees grapple with bad weather fund for farms, rodent control, school reform and more
Collective bargaining for farm workers and good cause firing of employees are on the House Committee on General and Housing agenda.
State sticks with DEI despite Trump ban
“Nothing about this directive requires a change to our diversity, equity and inclusion practices, and we’re not going to change,” Clark and Saunders said.
Rodgers knocks Trump tariffs
“Vermonters cannot afford another $3800 a year to subsidize the President’s games,” Rodgers said.
Senate seeks hospital rate review transparency
The bill would require the Green Mountain Care Board to make public all materials in the record of a rate review proceeding.
Happening NOW: Pro-Hamas detainee court hearing in Burlington
Backed by ACLU lawyers, Rumeysa Ozturk is be the subject of a federal hearing in Burlington right now.
MAGA meets ‘Hands Off!’ on sidewalk at rally
The young man told VDC he had previously wandered through the crowd where he heard someone say “I hope he dies” and another person say “I hope they hang him.”
House leaders’ refusal to exempt military pensions stalls tax reform bill
Momentum ground to a halt on March 25 when Rep. Jed Lipsky (I-Stowe) proposed a floor amendment to add a military pension tax exemption to the package.
‘Tariff-iying’: Vermont economy could lose $1 bil to tariffs
Vermont’s typically steady economic boat won’t have as much federal money to keep her afloat if a stormy recession hits. Also, ‘Medicaid cuts’ talk explained.
Breaking: Parents’ Rights rally moved to Room 11 in State House
Wednesday, Noon – 1 PM in Room 11 of the Vermont State House.
Suspect in chef stabbing arrested
The former employee of Cafe Provence had been ordered to stay away from the Center Street restaurant, but he showed up about 4:30 p.m. Saturday and used a knife to attack the owner/chef multiple times in the head.
Inmate found dead in Newport once sued state for getting guard pregnant
Ingerson, who has a lengthy criminal record including at least nine felony convictions, was most recently sentenced in U.S. District Court in Rutland in January to two years in prison for a federal charge of possession of a Savage 20-gauge shotgun at his residence on June 7, 2023.
Scott vetoes latest budget adjustment bill
I’m hopeful the Legislature will stop sending me bills they know I will veto and instead send me a clean budget adjustment bill without controversial policy, so we can move forward with the many challenges we face,” Scott said.
Pushing back against proposed Amazon distribution center
Some neighbors and not-neighbors oppose the project for environmental, quality of life, anti-corporate, and anti-growth reasons.
Vermonter busted in Virgin Islands for death threats against Grand Isle prosecutor
Hoyte has a long history of making other threats to now retired Judge A. Gregory Rainville, former Attorney General T.J. Donovan and members of the Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office, records show.
Vermont swiftwater rescue headed to Kentucky floods
The Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation is going to the Indivisible rally, invited or not.
Contact Vermont House & Senate members
Names, districts and email addresses of every Vermont legislator.
Vermont Foodbank seeks $5 million amid lost fed $$, reduced donations
Carrie Stahler emphasized the importance of ongoing base support due to reduced donations and federal resources, particularly highlighting previous support through S. 310 for food security in disaster planning.
Detained pro-Hamas Turkish student routed through Vermont
Gov. Phil Scott’s “We should be ashamed” statement is at odds with a Homeland Security spokesperson’s claim that the arrest is “common sense security.”
Migrant Justice claims 2-3 ICE arrests per week, longer detention
The detainees are not gang members, as Vermont’s migrant population is not gang-connected, she said. Most of the detainees were arrested for failure to make court dates or otherwise comply with federal law and regulations.
Senate Clean Heat ‘soft repeal’ lacks votes, returned to committee
Senate Republicans showed they now have the swing to back a potential veto by Gov. Phil Scott of too-aggressive carbon reduction legislation.
Out-of-state drug dealer suspect charged with murder-for-hire/ Online child sex victim
A Hartford, CT man is charged with offering a confidential informant $10K to kill someone who had disrespected and stolen from him.
Government’s job to pick tax winners and losers, legislator says
Barre Rep. Wazazek: “The market picks winners and losers. And it’s the job of the Government to right size that. So yes we are picking winners and losers, because the market is already starting that dynamic for us, and it’s our job to make sure the right people are winning.”
New Yorkers, citizens of India charged in illegal entry into Vermont
Surveillance cameras later captured several individuals running toward the stopped vehicle in a gas station parking lot.
Clean Heat Standard repeal on Senate floor this AM
The Senate also is expected to focus heavily on finalizing its stance on the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Adjustment Act (BAA), a contentious issue following Governor Phil Scott’s veto of an earlier version last week.
Breaking: House to vote this morning on new homeless housing program
A new program to replace the state’s current emergency housing programs is up for a vote in the House this morning.
If Congress cuts funding, 10 Vermont legislators take the wheel
If federal cuts exceed 1% of the current budget, the Joint Fiscal Committee will execute a spending reduction and transfer plan.
Pickup truck strikes school bus with passengers
The 31-year-old driver of the pickup truck was traveling north when he experienced a suspected medical event.
Harrison: Guv checkmates Legislature
House passes stormwater revision, ’26 budget, yield bill, and housing and data privacy bills.
Friday at Four: Scott breaks homeless hotel logjam (or tries to)
Sometimes the Breaking News is the best.
Failure to continue Trump tax cuts would cost average VT family $2000+, AFP says
‘My warning to everybody who is thinking about letting these tax cuts fade into history: if you hit households who are already struggling to make ends meet with an unexpected loss of household income, you are going to be in for a whirlwind of a surprise when 2026 comes around,” Roper said.
Children Health Defense prez, National Guard general coming to State House
The president of a medical freedom advocacy group is coming to the State House next month. So is the leader of the Vermont National Guard.
No adjournment without school reform, Scott tells House
The Burlington charter change banning guns in bars, S.131, got an initial run-through in Senate Government Operations today
Secretary of State condemns Trump order for voter ID
“I think it’s something that Vermont could consider,” Sen. Brian Collamore (R-Rutland) said. “Certainly other states are.”
With Sen. Vyhovsky in Europe, vote on Clean Heat repeal delayed
Tanya is a left-wing State Senator in Vermont, a strong advocate for Ukraine, for democracy and for workers’ struggles,” wrote The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign on X in announcing Vyhovsky’s visit.
Marcotte: When Vermont accepted “not one red cent!” of federal disaster $$
I know some will say times are different, the challenges are greater. But is it just that we are different?
Vermont Gas pipeline, completed in 2017, applies for permit
A public hearing will be held Thursday for a Certificate of Public Good permit for a natural gas pipeline completed in 2017.
Homeless have died at higher rate in hotel/motel program, Scott official says
“If we saw this many deaths in any other program, there would be a desire for change,” Samuelson said.
Senate, amid fire scare, passes Medicaid for midwives, Office of New Americans
The Senate approved Medicaid coverage for doula (midwives) and provided a refund for the fee to take a driver’s test, under certain conditions. These bills and others now go to the House.
Real-life ‘Homeward Bound’ trio looking for one, new home
Reed the cat was unhappy until reunited with his two traveling companions.
Four Massachusetts ‘youthful offenders’ arrested after police raid in Montpelier
Two of the youthful offenders were 15 years of age, one was 17 years of age, and one was 18 years of age.
Big bail set for NEK, out-of-state drug dealer suspects
The arrests stem from a six-month-long investigation led by Officer Daniel Renaudette into drug trafficking activity along the VT Route 122 corridor.
ACLU defends First Amendment rights of Hamas activist – lively discussion ensues
“People that are gonna be watching this and hearing about this, could be taken as supporting a terrorist organization,” Rep. Zachary Harvey warned.
Serial offender Reynolds won’t stand trial
Court documents indicate that his attorney is currently working on securing him a placement at the Brattleboro Retreat, a short-term mental health facility.
Bill muzzling medical ‘truth’ passes Senate, now in House
What’s medically true would be decided by the Vermont Attorney General.
In Committee: School reform, budgets, geoengineering, masks in schools
Quick, brief overview of bills and topics under review this week by Vermont Legislature committees.
Bernie Sanders tries to leave ABC interview after question about AOC running for Schumer seat
SANDERS: No, you want to do nonsense. Do nonsense.
In Bennington, Town Meeting voters rejected non-citizen, non-adult voting
The eponymous county seat of politically blue Bennington County last November voted just as enthusiastically against Pres. Trump and for Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Becca Balint as the rest of the state.
FAF: Parro’s and the First Amendment/ Guy’s encounter in the State House/ Clean Heat ‘repeal’ goes to Senate floor next week
We talk about how the First Amendment and the Second Amendment protect each other. And about Guy’s confrontation by an angry legislator.
Legislator confronts, accuses editor after transgender youth committee meeting
No ideology – not Mari Cordes’, not mine, not Donald Trump’s, not Bernie Sanders’ – is so sacred that it may be allowed to suppress anyone’s right to speak and be heard.
Elementary school student brought 9 mm handgun, 67 rounds to school
The student announced it on social media, and his SM friends told adults at school.
Transgender advocates to testify Thursday at State House
Outright Vermont, in collaboration with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, developed the “Full Spectrum Educator’s Guide to Implementing LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Ed,” which is currently being implemented widely in Vermont public schools through the Vermont Agency of Education.
Clean Heat repeal tacked onto ‘legally unsound’ bill, up for committee review today
“S.65 is legally unsound because it contains internally conflicting standards and creates a regulatory morass likely to result in litigation,” says the Public Utilities Commission.
Goldendomevt.com now summarizes ALL State House floor, committee meetings
Every floor and committee meeting of the Vermont Legislature now has an AI-generated transcript, video, and summary. Bookmark THAT, news junkies!
Senate Crossover survivors include brake noise violation, medical debt relief, ‘synthetic’ campaign ad ban
The Senate will also consider J.R.S. 15, a joint resolution supporting Vermont’s transgender and non-binary community and declaring the state’s commitment to fighting discrimination and treating all citizens with respect and dignity, up for its third reading.
How VDC is growing, by the numbers
Thank you to every reader and/or viewer who has shared our posts! That’s what in the old-fashioned business world we used to call ‘word of mouth advertising,’ the very best kind.
SHORTS: UVM trustees pick Tromp as next president
Sole UVM prez finalist another former ASU leader. Traffic fatalities down. Barn repair $$ from State of Vermont.
Correction: Judiciary Committee members sponsor ban on gas-operated semi-automatic firearms
In fact, the AR-15 (which stands for Armalite Rifle, not Assault Rifle as often assumed), is a gas-operated firearm.
13 bills survive House Crossover on Friday
Like the baby turtles that have trundled across treacherous sands at least half the way down the beach to the surf without getting eaten, it’s a promising start.
NotTheBee: Transsurrection at the Vermont capitol
Again, Republicans are the weirdo culture warriors. not the people in their underwear storming the Capitol.
