The first half of the Friday, October 23 Chronicle Conversations, airing noon – 1 PM on WVMTradio.com (live and podcast), AM 620, FM 101.3 , features comments written in response to the top news stories of the week. There’s also the interview with Chittenden North Senate candidate Ashley Bartley (seen with family, above) from 12:34 – 1 PM.
In recent years Collier has spoken publicly about recovery from alcoholism and about the faith that reshaped his life. He hosts Alive & Sober with Reno C, a conversation series produced with Back to the Bible that addresses sobriety, second chances, and hope in Christ.
Of particular interest to Vermonters is Ngo’s account of why two members of the group, Teresa Youngblut and German national Felix “Ophelia” Bauckholt, were in the Northeast Kingdom when they encountered Maland on January 20, 2025.
It sounds like arithmetic. It isn’t. It’s three different claims wearing one slogan, and the reason the argument never ends is that none of the three ever names a number.
“Now Montpelier’s kings wear suits and come for you / They draw corridors across your back forty / Then tax the land they say you cannot use.”
A Vermont Daily Chronicle report on migrant worker housing violations at the family farm of Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Molly Gray has received national attention following a televised debate exchange between Gray and Republican incumbent Lt. Gov. John Rodgers.
Independent journalists Feldman and Collier discuss on Chronicle Conversations how the attack and its aftermath have been portrayed by Vermont political leaders, activists and media.
She also will participate in a 7 PM panel discussion Monday in Mack Hall with Dr. Ike Wilson, Dr. Deborah Deacon and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Hampton. LTC Chris Cadigan will moderate.
Believe it or not, as Ripley would say.
Amity Shlaes is the author of four New York Times bestsellers, The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression, The Forgotten Man: Graphic, a full length illustrated version of the same book drawn by Paul Rivoche, and Coolidge, a full-length biography of the thirtieth president, which debuted at number three on the Times list and The Greedy Hand: How Taxes Drive Americas Crazy.
Several New England journalism organizations have come together to condemn the Trump administration’s decision to ban Politico, CNN, and MS Now reporters from the White House.
The Times was the brainchild of Henry Jarvis Raymond, who graduated with high honors from UVM in the Class of 1840. The paper kicked off its dodransbicentennial (yes, that is the official term for a 175th) this January with a “Birth of the Times” column that featured the original prospectus published by Raymond and his business partner, George Jones, who functioned as the Times’ publisher. The paper’s celebration continues with a multimedia “New York Times at 175” website.
Inaugural event, on Oct. 1, to focus on coverage of South Burlington ICE raid and protest
When a parody video of Becca Balint hit the internet, the libs were triggered. The Congresswoman got all huffy, and the Progressive AG Charity Clark sent a threatening letter to the video’s creator.
The social media advertisements criticize Vermont lawmakers and their voting records, according to Sibilia. One also urges Vermonters to contact legislators in support of positions backed by AFP.
It’s the first presence in Vermont for the national non-profit news organization, which has a footprint in Colorado, Georgia, and Maine.
Houston slowly spelled out five words: “I M IN HERE.”
The author will be VDC editor Guy Page’s guest today on Chronicle Conversations at 12:30 PM on WVMT AM 620, FM 101.3, and wvmtradio.com. Calls are welcome at 888-414-0303.
Great guests and the latest news, all week long on WVMT’s Chronicle Conversations.
The settlement, which remains subject to court approval, would also require significant changes to Instagram and Facebook for children.
Rep. Rob North describes how the GOP Senate ‘Vermont Promise’ affordability plan would expand tax breaks for senior citizens, lower health care insurance premiums for non-smokers, and streamline permitting for new housing.
Just as vagrants should expect work on their issues in return for free services, should the City of Burlington be required to mend its faux-compassionate ways in exchange for state assistance?
WARNING: Profanity
Lily Tang Williams, candidate for one of New Hampshire’s two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, was a guest today on Chronicle Conversations on WVMT AM 620 and wvmtradio.com.
The parent company of Vermont’s largest daily announced a new endeavor collecting reader data, triggering immediate backlash from news staffers.
Reddit’s social-media page devoted to Vermont’s largest city is afraid of the word “homeless,” judging by its moderator’s censorship.
A freelance writer from the Green Mountain State has crafted an essay for OnlyInYourState.com as a “public service” for wannabe transplants.
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.
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.
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.
Foundation for Government Accountability Data and Analytics Director Hayden Dublois is scheduled to discuss his WSJ column at 12:20 pm today, July 27,on Chronicle Conversations on WVMT AM 620 and wvmtradio.com.
Gov. Phil Scott has signed an executive order directing Vermont state agencies and departments to prioritize local newspapers, radio and television stations when purchasing advertising, in an effort to help local media inform Vermonters about what’s happening under the Golden Dome.
Becca Balint and Charity Clark have hypocritically indicted themselves. Hank Poitras will win his challenge, preserving the political liberties that Americans have long enjoyed despite persistent Democratic efforts to punish “misinformation” while spewing it endlessly themselves.
$991,000 of the $1.1. million contribution to the LGBTQ Victory Fund was spent on behalf of Balint’s primary campaign, helping her defeat Molly Gray. Balint won easily in the general election.
The celebration, organized by the Fair Haven Historical Society, will begin at 11 AM in the town park with remarks from state leaders and journalists about the importance of First Amendment rights. Scheduled speakers include Gov. Phil Scott, Senate Minority Leader Brian Collamore, House Minority Leader William Canfield, and Vermont Press Association Executive Director Michael Donoghue.
Right now the ‘smart money’ – AKA the investors in the bookie website Polymarket.com – give him just a one percent chance, even with Oprah Winfrey and way below seven percenter Kamala Harris. Even comedian Jon Stewart gets 2%.
One 49-second video posted on social media by Poitras apparently got under the skin of U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt.
“This is a law to protect incumbent politicians,” Poitras said.
Sports now history at WEEY
A day after the mayor of Vermont’s largest city proclaimed “the city is back,” a local videographer featured footage of an apparent drug overdose in the park behind City Hall.
“So this one hits pretty close to home, because I am the victim of this assault,” Poitras says in the video.
A potentially deadly tussle between the angry rugby playing college student, armed with a knife, and the 43-year-old retired Marine and martial artist ensued.
Today’s scheduled guests for the inaugural episode are Dave Soulia of FYIVT.com to discuss concerning developments in Vermont’s wetlands map, and former Rep. Bob Frenier to discuss a pending school choice lawsuit and the disparity between school districts.
Today is my last day hosting Hot Off the Press 11 AM on WDEV AM 550. On Monday, I debut “Chronicle Conversations” on WVMT AM 620 at noon Monday-Friday. However, Hot Off the Press will continue full force with a dedicated team of hosts. On this coming Monday you’’ll hear Renee McGuinness of the Vermont Family Alliance interviewed anti-Marxist activist Ed Wheeler. The following Monday Mary Hahn Beerworth of Vermont Right to Life will settle in behind the microphone and interview informed, involved guests. Renee and Mary will trade off Mondays.
Like Biff in a Back to the Future sequel, Becca falls into cow poop, again.
Monday morning, FYIVT published an article examining Vermont’s latest “Tax the Rich-ish” campaign and the economic data behind it. By the end of the day, FYIVT had experienced the largest coordinated login attack recorded in the site’s history.
Ted Kohn, one of the country’s leading Theodore Roosevelt scholars, appears throughout the History Channel’s “Theodore Roosevelt” — newly added to Netflix ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Chair Jen Morway and board member Ellen Howrigan said at the meeting last week they had received phone calls from people upset with the town providing taxpayer funds to a for-profit business.
The quote was parody. The vote was real.
What a dissident Quaker, the Salem Witch Trials, and today’s disinformation debate have in common
But if AI becomes simply the newest tool for satire, parody and political commentary, banning it outright could collide with the First Amendment.
Vermont Public, VT Digger, and Seven Days have done their legislative session wrap-ups. In the year rural Vermonters found their voices, these outlets are mostly disinterested in rural perspectives.
VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame has joined the weekly rotation of hosts on WDEV’s “Vermont Viewpoint” program from 9am to 11am. The station has already given a platform to Vermont Democrat Chair Lachlan Francis for several weeks, and Dame is being added to the weekly rotation for the foreseeable future.
Meta researchers identified Vermont as a unique market — noting that at certain times more teens and young adults in Vermont used Instagram per capita than in any other state.
Donald Batting begin his radio career in Rutland, Vermont, later becoming a legend at WBZ in Boston.
To combat pressures on local media outlets, state leaders awarded taxpayer funding to sixteen media outlets that demonstrated strong “civic journalism.” The awards ranged from $5,000 to $10,000. While intended to address the challenges facing local news, the efforts raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, legality, and questions surrounding which media outlets are winning these awards.
He succeeds Sky Barsch, who joined VTDigger as CEO in April 2023 and announced her departure in January. Barsch’s tenure included reducing the organization’s annual financial losses and completing a new four-year union agreement with newsroom staff. Her last day is June 1.
Several bullet holes confirmed in building located in densely populated residential neighborhood.
Public access television is looking to the state government for additional funding to preserve programming.
Digger, VDC ‘not going to cover Vermont high school basketball game,’ Perchlik says
An anonymous group is spending real money to advertise fictional guided tours of Chittenden County’s very real DHS infrastructure. Seven Days says the tours are coming. The creators aren’t talking.
Anand succeeded interim editor Neal Goswami. His predecessor, Paul Heintz, departed in February, 2025. When Susan Allen starts work in June, she will be the fourth editor-in-chief in 16 months at VTDigger.
I am seeking corrections or the removal of the story and I have filed an ethics complaint with the management of Seven Days. Errors are common and mistakes happen, but not in these amounts. But I’ll leave you with one last thought, would Alison have reported about me if I had gotten a job at McDonalds or a gas station or really anywhere else than at her competition?
Abenaki people who happen to live in Vermont are not fakes, not liars, and not deserving of this public hate campaign.
I now know from personal experience.
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.
Vermont Sen. Andy Perchlik defends the State paying “independent” news media, blames Trump.
Winners of taxpayer-funded awards to Vermont news outlets will be announced.
VTDigger’s challenges reflect broader pressures on Vermont journalism. In August 2025, Vermont Public eliminated 15 positions. Vermont has lost 75% of its newsroom workforce since 2000.
The teachers’ retirement system now has 10,772 retired members and beneficiaries drawing pensions, compared to just 10,526 active teachers contributing to the fund.
Lights, Camera, Safety!
Under VTDigger management’s contract proposal, human journalists can be replaced by Artificial Intelligence to produce the local news you rely on.
Free service gives journalists instant, searchable access to committee hearings—with video verification and shareable SmartClips
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.
You will believe that a car can fly.
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.
Learn more about the new alternative media, Vermont Back Porch, when Hot Off The Press interviews founder Amy Hornblas today at 11:40 AM on WDEV. Call ins welcome at 802-244-1777.
Neurologist Dr. Jessica Lowe brings medical expertise and 230,000 followers to national telemedicine company
Now live at wh.gov/mediabias, the ‘flamethrower on the media’ lays bare those deemed offending journalists and their outlets, and presents what it says are the actual facts they attempted to bury, twist, or invent.
According to an announcement shared with supporters, the platform will serve as a digital gathering space “with room for members to connect with each other, build networks and help us meet our mission.” VSU said the service will prioritize open conversation among “real, human neighbors.”
If you’re nostalgic for a taste of a Thanksgiving from the good old days, you might want to watch “Thanks to Vermont,” a 1955 promotional video for Vermont products.
Helping independent local journalism, or tting its hands?
The restrictions violate Vermont’s Open Meeting Law, the press groups say.
A state-funded “Public Truth-Telling Session” scheduled for Nov. 15 in St. Johnsbury will bar reporters from recording, photographing, or interviewing participants inside the event, according to guidelines released by organizers.
A haunting piece of Vermont history — the story of Ascutney farmer Romaine Tenney — has been brought to life in animation and has earned its creator, Burlington filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne, the 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award from the Vermont Historical Society.
Make Vermont Healthy Again? We discuss healthy options for food stamp purchase and other initiatives with John Klar today on Hot Off The Press.
In the first half hour, I will cover the weekend and Monday morning’s top headlines, and VDC columnist Alison Despathy and I will discuss her latest post warning against the ‘dumbing down’ and energy consumption downsides of AI. In the second half hour, the Media Monday segment, listeners and I will discuss the pros and cons and rights and wrongs of sharing information following fatal accidents.
No guests on Feedback Friday – only callers! Call in at 802-244-1777 from 11:05 AM – noon.
Today’s top story on Vermont Daily Chronicle has its beginning in yet another Vermonter who was inspired by the life of assassinated free speech and conservative leader Charlie Kirk. Reporter Ted Cohen and Hot Off The Press host Guy Page will discuss the Hartford Diner story in the first half of Hot Off the Press.
Ben Kinsley and Kolby LaMarche join Guy Page today for Hot Off The Press on WDEV at 11AM. What’s happening behind the scenes in the Burlington mayor’s office, the business community and on the City Council and Gov. Phil Scott’s recent executive order aimed at boosting housing construction will be the focus of discussion.
One caller disputed a Democrat lawmaker’s assertion that Vermont isn’t attractive to out-of-state people looking to take advantage of Vermont’s generous public offerings.
I give the headlines and the back story and talk to the reporters who write the day’s top stories. And best of all we take YOUR comments and questions. Tune in at 11 AM every weekday on WDEV AM 550 and 96.1 FM, and livestreamed on WDEVradio.COM.
When Vermonters are asked to donate to VTDigger, they’re told they’re supporting independent journalism. But recent IRS filings by its parent, the Vermont Journalism Trust (VJT), reveal a separation agreement with founder Anne Galloway that raises questions about how donor money is used.
“Freedom and democracy are not about political violence,” said Sanders. “It is not about assassinating public officials. It is not about trying to intimidate people who speak out on an issue. Political violence, in fact, is political cowardice. It means that you cannot convince people of the correctness of your ideas, and you have to impose them through force. Every American, no matter what one’s political point of view may be, must condemn all forms of political violence and all forms of intimidation.”
“It’s not about having Fox News as much as it’s not about having someone who doesn’t denigrate our country constantly… Just give me the news and I will make up my own mind after that. I don’t want to hear your opinion, just give me the news.”
This time they really jumped the shark.
It’s likely the battle isn’t over.
According to the organization’s official announcement, the elimination of 15 positions stem directly from a $2 million shortfall caused by a recent federal rescission bill that eliminated key funding for public broadcasting.
I am dismayed but not surprised that hardly any of the the world’s press will report in any detail why Israel killed this man and his team.
If the debate is going to happen, let’s at least base it on facts — not furry blue nostalgia.
