Reasonable but mistaken, individualization, and lack of reflection
Banzhaf: Three major legal issues in the Minneapolis killing
First negotiated Medicare drug prices went into effect Jan. 1
Earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced its first set of Medicare-negotiated “maximum fair prices” for 10 selected drugs, with negotiated prices ranging from 38% to 79% below their list prices. A drug’s list price is the manufacturer’s sticker price, though it is rarely what insurers or patients actually pay and is mainly used as a starting point for negotiations.
Feds freeze all childcare aide to MN after fraud allegations
Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill announced the action Monday, saying the freeze is part of a broader effort to halt what he described as widespread abuse of federal childcare funding.
Klar: Supreme Court weighs First Amendment rights of pregnancy centers
Planned Parenthood and other abortion service providers have long benefited from public funding of life-ending procedures for pregnant women seeking to terminate their pregnancies. After Roe v Wade was overturned, panic in blue states went into hyperdrive, not just to support abortions but to attack those who offer mothers an alternative. Privately funded pregnancy centers help women who wish to keep their babies by providing diapers, baby bottles, instruction, and moral support.
Elon calls Bernie a ‘taker’
“The goal of AI and robotics must be to improve life for all people, not just to make you and your fellow oligarchs even richer.”
Sanctuary state refuses ICE detainer, releases illegal alien accused of causing multi-car pile-up involving a school bus
Juan Hernandez-Santos has a criminal history of multiple DUIs, possession of a controlled substance, and two prior removals from the U.S.
Former homeless Mainer suspected in stabbing murder of Rob Reiner
The couple’s 32-year-old son and screenwriter Nick Reiner is the prime person of interest in the deadly stabbing, sources told the New York Post.
Winooski school superintendent, detained by Border Patrol in July, testifies to Congress
“Their stories represent the chaotic and broken system President Trump has created,” the senator added.
House committee opens investigation into Minnesota welfare fraud
Congress has begun an investigation into a large-scale fraud scheme that led to hundreds of millions of dollars being stolen from Minnesota’s social welfare programs under Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.
Vermonter Kyle Dezotell wins national soccer title at Tufts
Two assistant coaches have deep Vermont ties.
JD Vance says he is ‘fascinated’ by Bernie Sanders
In a recent NBC News interview covering topics from his personal life to potential 2028 ambitions and rising antisemitism, Vice President JD Vance shared his respect for three progressive political figures: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D).
Republicans divided over how to address rising health care costs
While House Republicans will drop the text of a health care policy bill as soon as Monday, individual Republican senators have introduced a hodge-podge of ideas via separate bills.
Trump ends Vermont “Housing First” policy
Inside the multi-state fight against Federal funding caps
‘Heartbroken’ Marjorie Taylor Green resigns, calls Trump ‘hateful’
In a lengthy statement and 10-minute video, she branded the president “hateful” over his decision to retract his endorsement of her, a move which saw him dismiss Greene as a “ranting lunatic.”
Sen. Sanders: “Trump dislikes Muslims, except those who are billionaire autocrats”
Sanders’ remarks were in relation to concerns about U.S.-Saudi relations, alleged human rights abuses, and Trump’s business ties to the Gulf kingdom.
Vermonters take on Children’s Health Defense National conference in Austin, Texas
My biggest takeaway was that people with autism are genuinely no different than any of us and that they are fully aware and capable of understanding things but their speech and motor skills have been severely damaged by vaccines and other poor medical practices
Vermont’s congressional delegation rejects shutdown-ending deal, cites extreme spike in health care costs
“I’m voting no on the continuing resolution that would double healthcare premiums for 20 million Americans, kick 15 million people off Medicaid & allow 50,000 Americans to die unnecessarily every year”
Vermont Food Banks brace for impact
The lapse in federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known locally as 3SquaresVT, has triggered delays in November benefits for more than 64,000 residents, exacerbating pressures on the state’s food banks.
Democrats want open borders; most Americans don’t
Who said this? “If you don’t have any borders, you don’t have a nation.” The speaker went on, “Trump did a better job. I don’t like Trump, but we should have a secure border. It ain’t that hard to do. Biden didn’t do it.” It was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, in characteristic candor. If, as Milton Friedman argued, you can’t have open borders and a generous welfare state, Sanders, as a self-described socialist, prefers the welfare state.
Trump says he’ll pay SNAP benefits
“I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” Trump said. “Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible.”
Roper: The solution to the SNAP & LIHEAP crisis: Demand Sanders & Welch vote to open the Government!
Why aren’t Vermont state politicians calling on our federal delegation to end the crisis?
Bernie-backed candidate gives firearms training to Antifa
Reddit posts reviewed by The Robinson Report show Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, was a member of Maine’s Socialist Rifle Association and taught firearms courses.
Soulia: Are Vermont farms’ tile drains about to become expensive Federal pollution pipes?
A pair of environmental nonprofits are threatening to sue one of Vermont’s largest dairies for allegedly polluting Dead Creek, a tributary of Lake Champlain — but the dispute could reach far beyond a single Addison County farm. If the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) and Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) prevail, their interpretation of the Clean Water Act could redefine how nearly every Vermont farm manages its land and water.
Politico Chat leaker Gavin Wax: “Douglass obviously has the most to lose”
Reports have emerged Wax’s potential motives in turning on his own party stem from losing the Young Republican National Federation chairmanship to Peter Giunta in 2024, allegedly using the chat logs to extort members and undermine Giunta’s pro-Trump faction.
Speaker Johnson: The real leaders of the Democrat Party? AOC and Bernie Sanders
“CNN hosts the first socialist town hall, where Bernie Sanders and AOC said the quiet parts out loud,” said Johnson. They don’t know what they want to end the shutdown…”
Roper: Sanders and Welch votes to keep the government closed threaten food and heat benefits
Partisan agenda could leave low-income Vermonters cold and hungry.
VT Dems accuse Guv Scott of side-stepping his responsibility
“While our congressional delegation is in Washington fighting to protect tens of thousands of Vermonters from losing access to healthcare, Governor Scott is offering no solutions,” says Vermont Democratic Party Executive Director May Hanlon in a written statement posted to Facebook.
DOE axes $5.2 Million in Vermont grants
Inside the national purge hitting BETA and UVM
Sanders, Balint Welch blame GOP for government shutdown
All three members of Vermont’s congressional delegation blame Republicans for the ongoing Federal government shutdown, citing cuts in subsidized healthcare coverage and other government programs they say Americans depend on.
Nearly 5,000 Vermont Federal employees begin working without pay—essential programs face cuts next
As of October 1, 2025, the federal government is shut down. For Vermont, this presents a two-stage problem: a manageable short-term disruption that could quickly become a severe long-term crisis.
Ellis: Government shutdown blues
Or…I talk to a Senate insider about how a shutdown works, why it happens and the political stakes for the rest of us.
FDA confirms abortion pill review
This comes in response to 22 state attorneys general who asked the FDA to review the drug. These officials cited concerns over new studies showing much higher rates of adverse events than the studies which were used to justify the drug’s initial approval.
AFP: 10 reasons to let Biden’s Covid credits expire
President Biden’s credits are one of many examples of how Washington has tried to control health care with one-size-fits-all mandates, higher costs, and fewer choices.
Sanders, Balint blame Trump for Kimmel cancellation
“I don’t often agree with Ted Cruz, but he’s right about this,” wrote Sen. Sanders on X Saturday in respobnse to a statement made by Ted Cruz to the Washington Post.
Bernie Sanders condemns the assassination of Charlie Kirk
“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.”
FBI recovers rifle, publishes photos of ‘person of interest’
The FBI also reported it has found a rifle believed to be the murder weapon.
Vermonters who knew Charlie Kirk remember the man, his message, his work
Aaron Warner, who attended Kirk’s visit to a Williston church, recalled that his event security team said that “Charlie Kirk has received death threats on more than one occasion. Having familiarized myself with Charlie it seems those opposed to him are threatened by his message more than the man himself.”
Soulia: Violent censorship and what real fascism looks like
The tools of fascism — demonization, scapegoating, and the silencing of dissent through violence — are appearing with alarming regularity.
Vermont a part of labor and industry pushback against proposed home care changes
The rollbacks would undo an Obama-era change, reverting regulations to those drafted in 1975. The impact would include removing overtime protections as well as the $7.25 federal minimum wage requirement for home health workers. The agency says the move would improve costs for home health care providers and stimulate growth in the struggling industry.
Will Trump invoke Insurrection Act for Chicago?
Trump “stands ready to help and assist any community that wishes to be liberated from these criminal elements that are such a dire threat to the freedom and tranquility of the American people,” Miller said.
Vermont among 20 states suing Feds over Victims of Crime Act grant restrictions
The Justice Department has declared that states will not be able to access Victims of Crime Act funding unless they agree to support the administration’s immigration enforcement.
Bernie a leader in the “loon wing” of Dems, says Sen. Kennedy
The former Democrat says Sanders, AOC, Mamdani are threatening to tear apart or take over the Democratic Party, promoting “neo-Socialism.” “To be a member of their club, you have to have contempt for America.”
Roper: More bad news for “Make Big Oil Pay”
South Carolina Judge latest to dismiss lawsuit similar to Vermont’s.
Compass Vermont: VT gives Trump admin 5 years of data on SNAP recipients
The deputy commissioner at DCF noted that Vermont faced the risk of “unspecified sanctions,” which could include withholding of federal funds that cover half of the state’s SNAP program costs.
Ellis: Future Democrats
These women are the future of the country
Soulia: Pulled NEA handbook promotes Palestinian Nackba, downplays Holocaust
Vermont educators were teaching the historical record—while their union’s national leadership was busy diluting it.
Americans for Prosperity targets Vermont lawmakers in new accountability campaign
Campaign spotlights housing, taxes, and energy mandates
Will the new Medicaid rules on work increase Vermont’s workforce?
For a state already grappling with a shallow labor pool and an aging population, the new rules are poised to create more barriers than bridges to employment.
Tariff income tops $100 billion for 1st time ever
Other key economic metrics strong, White House claims
Bernie and Becca endorse Zohran Mamdani for NYC Mayor
The “grassroots” label for Mamdani’s campaign has been challenged by reports of $37 million in donations from George Soros-backed groups, including the Working Families Party. This funding, detailed by the New York Post, does not align with Sanders’ claim of fighting the oligarchy.
Vermont among states suing Trump administration over education funding freeze
These states are calling this freeze unconstitutional, unlawful and an arbitrary decision.
Soulia: Trump, Biden, and the DOJ
Is this payback or just doing their job?
Vermont among 20 states suing to keep Medicaid data away from ICE
The coalition is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over HHS’s June decision to provide ICE access to Medicaid data, which the agency wants “to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them.”
Klar: The birthright backlash begins
New Hampshire ruling kicks the issue back to the Supremes.
Attorney General Clark blocks ‘machine gun conversion’ devices in Vermont
The action comes after Clark and attorneys general from 15 other jurisdictions sued the Trump Administration and gun component manufacturer Rare Breed Triggers over plans to return and distribute thousands of FRTs—devices the AG says increase a firearm’s rate of fire and have been linked to violent crimes and mass shootings.
Becca Balint calls for the Epstein files to be released
In a post on X late Thursday, Rep. Balint accused the Trump administration of attempting to bury the issue, sharing vintage photos of Trump alongside Epstein and others, including Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate now serving a prison sentence.
DOJ, FBI: No Epstein client list, he killed himself
This systematic review revealed no incriminating “client list.” There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions.
Idaho quadruple killer studied Vermonster Ted Bundy
Killer Bryan Kohberger reportedly researched Burlington, Vermont native Ted Bundy’s killing style
Deal: Balint “vigilante” comment incites sedition
Balint owes the family of slain Vermonter and Border Patrol agent David Maland an apology.
Klar: Supreme Court keeps its powder dry in Second Amendment challenge
AR-15 rifles will return to fight another day.
Banzhaf: Deter LA rioters, sue each for all the damages
Civil lawsuits can supplement LA cops, Natl Guard, and exhortations
Bernie Sanders partners with ‘No Kings’ protests
Earlier this year, Sanders joined Vermont officials Becca Balint and Peter Welch on a virtual call urging renewed activism.
Law enforcement agencies in 40 states partner with ICE program – but not Vermont
Florida law enforcement tops in U.S. in ICE participation. Even its universities are involved. Vermont is at the other extreme.
Soulia: Same law, different outrage: The politics of deportation
Immigration enforcement is one of the most divisive issues in American politics, but when it comes to deportation numbers, the facts are clear: President Barack Obama deported more illegal aliens than any president in U.S. history.
BREAKING: State of Vermont cited by Department of Homeland Security as ‘sanctuary jurisdiction defying federal immigration law’
The entire state of Vermont and the cities of Burlington, Montpelier, and Winooski have been labeled as ‘Sanctuary Jurisdictions’ by the department of Homeland Security, and now face federal funding cuts under Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown.
Klar: The vindication of Dr. Bhattacharya
Banished by the medical establishment for resisting Covid policies, he now runs the agency that made them
SCOTUS restores Rep. Laurel Libby’s floor privileges, enjoins Maine Dems’ censure of her
Late last month, Rep. Libby filed an emergency petition to the United States Supreme Court, asking for their intervention in her lawsuit against Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) over the fallout from her party-line censure earlier this year that stripped her of her rights to speak on the floor or vote in the legislature.
Klar: Native Americans take on Wokism
The public battle over the name “Massapequa Chiefs”
Thayer: Trump ’47 makes progress on education, energy, tax/tariff
Trump is doing everything that he and his Vice President JD Vance campaigned on to win back the White House from the disastrous former President, Joe Biden. He is knocking down Biden’s policies and getting rid of the deep state and lack of due diligence from the five prior Presidents.
Roper: Bernie and the privileged political class
A teachable moment (for others, not Bernie, who will never learn).
Breaking: Trump DOJ sues Vermont over climate Superfund law
The feds claim that these proposed measures conflict with the Clean Air Act and are unconstitutional, asserting that such litigation hinders energy production, raises energy costs for Americans, and weakens national security against foreign threats.
DEI doesn’t violate Civil Rights Act, AG claims
They also claim that the Administration is misinterpreting Title VI, which is U.S. law stating that no one should ever be judged or treated differently in any way for a job or service based on factors such as skin color, race, and so forth.
JD Vance wanted to chug a beer with the troops, but…..
The VP held up a classic German painted stein with a metal lid, preparing to give a toast. He joked that he should chug the beer. “That would go viral, and not in a good way, my friends.”
MPI: Perfect storm led to anti-DEI Maine lawmaker’s censure and lawsuit
Rep. Libby’s censure removed her ability to vote or speak on the floor of the Maine House of Representatives. All for pointing out a transgender student athlete.
Food Stamp fights
Should SNAP food benefits be used to buy restaurant meals?
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.
Bossange: The political coup has been completed
With a President seemingly above the law, what’s next?
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.
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.”
Klar: Supreme Court defers to President Trump’s deportations
Executive power respected above patchwork of liberal lower court judges.
POTUS Press Pool: El Salvador president won’t return suspected gang member
Video, quotes from the White House press pool today.
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.
New questions emerge in Congress about Democrat fundraising platform ActBlue
Concerns have been raised that Democrats might be using the platform to circumvent campaign finance laws, incl. VT Dem candidates.
VT conservatives push for renewal of Trump’s tax cuts amid Left’s opposition
The groups face an uphill battle to convince Democrats, who hold most of the congressional seats in the New England region.
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.”
Sen. Welch, Heritage Foundation, others respond to the disbanding of US Department of Education
Since the Department’s adoption in 1979, overall spending per student when accounting for inflation has more than doubled, without positive results.
Soulia: Welch says No to tougher Fentanyl laws
The state is actively fighting fentanyl deaths, yet Welch voted against a bill designed to stop the source of the problem—traffickers distributing the fentanyl.
Musk calls out Indivisible, other Dem-backed groups protesting Tesla
Vermont Dems push back against Musk in the courts and on the street.
DHS ends collective bargaining for TSA’s Transportation Security Officers
Enhancing safety, efficiency and organizational agility
Trump speaks and Bernie answers
Sanders: “Notwithstanding some of their rhetoric, this is a government that could care less about the working families of this country.”
Breaking: Vance calls Vermont beautiful, barely notices protesters
“We had a great time during our weekend in Vermont. We barely noticed the protesters and almost everyone we met was kind and generous. And Vermont is beautiful. This headline about being moved to an ‘undisclosed location’ is that we moved our hotel.”
VP Vance enjoyed his visit to the Mad River Valley, may return
Despite the vociferous protests, the vice-president enjoyed his ski vacation and would like to return.
Bossange: The real goal of DOGE
The President, Musk and their MAGA advisors need to realize the rest of us are on to their game. It’s time they feel the sledgehammer of our resistance.
Sugarbush snow report criticizing Trump admin sparks controversy before removal
The resort’s snow report quickly pivoted to a sharp rebuke of what she described as the administration’s “attack” on National Forest lands, climate science agencies, and public funding programs that support adaptive skiers, veterans, and international workers.
BREAKING: Vice President JD Vance skiing in Vermont this weekend at Sugarbush with his family
Trump’s first vice-president, Mike Pence, also was fond of vacations in Vermont.
Phil Scott to meet President Trump today
Governor Phil Scott will attend the National Governors Association Winter meeting in Washington, D.C. this week, where he is expected to meet President Trump.
Update: Vermonter suspected of providing two guns in Border Patrol Agent slaying arrested in Maryland
The case has so many twists and turns that scorecards are helpful in trying to keep all the players straight.
Bossange: Trump’s own MAGA Deep State
After a month in office, it is clear that the President and his MAGA leadership team and a new group of “elites,” are quickly establishing their own Deep State.
Ziz cult lived aboard tugboat in San Francisco Bay
The tugboat residents, known as the Zizians, became a problem for others and were described as “shabby” and “feral humans”.
Green & Sheets: Trump ‘the Great Architect’
At this point in history, America does not need a statesman. And we certainly do not need a politician. Frankly, we do not need a peacemaker.
