Today is Feedback Friday on VDC’s Hot Off The Press at 11:05 AM on WDEV AM 550, FM 96.1, and wdevradio.com livestreamed. As usual on Feedback Friday, there are no guests scheduled.
Whether you’re at work or in the car or at home, 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.
Probably the biggest Vermont news this week is that the Legislature’s back in session. If you have questions, comments or advice on what our legislators should, or shouldn’t, be doing, give us a call.
To get the thoughts and conversation going, here are a few stories in the VDC this week. To see all VDC news and commentary go to www.vermontdailychronicle.com.
Vermont ranks third in nation in 2025 Health Rankings Report
on January 8, 2026 • ( 5 Comments )
But It’s not all good news. Depression is up and excessive drinking remains prevalent. Feedback Friday question: What can Vermont do to get healthier?
Also, a bill has been introduced in the Legislature to make Vermont join a state coalition providing a low-cost prescription drug card. See Compass Vermont story in today’s VDC.
on January 8, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )
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. Feedback Friday question: what’s the solution to drug criminals taking over Vermont homes and using them as bases of operation?
VT Headlines: Burlington mayor, legislators renew pressure for ban on guns in bars
on January 8, 2026 • ( 8 Comments )
Also, Vermont Health officials reaffirm existing childhood vaccine schedule in light of federal changes.
Scott threatens veto if Act 73 doesn’t move forward
on January 8, 2026 • ( 7 Comments )
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.
Election Integrity Network-Vermont calls for voter ID law
on January 8, 2026 • ( 22 Comments )
Vermont now mails over half a million absentee ballots to every person on the voter checklist (unless formally challenged) for general elections without request, creating a large pool of unclaimed, unwanted, and misdirected “live” absentee ballots that can be abused to impact the outcome of local elections.
Feedback Friday question: Does Vermont need voter identification at the polls?
Banzhaf: Three major legal issues in the Minneapolis killing
on January 8, 2026 • ( 9 Comments )
Reasonable but mistaken, individualization, and lack of reflection.
Feedback Friday question: What do you think about the federal government presence in Minneapolis?
Lawmaker who visited Israel fears for her safety
on January 8, 2026 • ( 10 Comments )
Anti-Israel coalition asks for resignations, ethics probe.
Feedback Friday question: Do anti-Israel and/or pro-Israel advocacy groups have too much sway in Montpelier?
on January 8, 2026 • ( 3 Comments )
Employers must register through the Vermont Saves portal, provide employee census information, and facilitate payroll deductions at their own cost.
Feedback Friday question: Is this a case of “I’m the government, and I’m here to help you?” Or is it actually a program that helps small businesses provide retirement plans?
To save the state money, lawmaker commutes 90 miles every night
on January 7, 2026 • ( 11 Comments )
“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.”
Feedback Friday question: What can legislators do, individually and together, to reduce state spending? What can YOU do?
It’s Feedback Friday. I want to know what you think? Call 802-244-1777.
Listen to every episode of the Vermont Daily Chronicle’s Hot Off The Press call-in radio show Thursday at 11:05 AM on WDEV AM 550, FM 96.1, and livestreamed on WDEVradio.com. And if you missed it – listen to our podcast.
Latest Episodes
Hot Off The Press – January 8th, 2026
Hot Off The Press – January 7th, 2026
Hot Off The Press – January 6th, 2026
Kolby LaMarche of Burlington Daily News. Bill Moore, VDC State House reporter.
Hot Off The Press – January 5th, 2026
Hot Off The Press – January 2nd, 2026
January 02, 2026 – Feedback Friday.
Hot Off The Press – December 31st, 2025
Hot Off The Press – December 30th, 2025
Hot Off The Press – December 29th, 2025
Hot Off The Press – December 26th, 2025
Feedback Friday! Dave Soulia of FYIVT.com calls in to discuss his two-part series, “What happens when Vermont ignores reality.”
Hot Off The Press – December 23rd, 2025
Hot Off The Press – December 22th, 2025
Hot Off The Press – December 19th, 2025
Feedback Friday!
Hot Off The Press – December 18th, 2025
Hot Off The Press – December 17th, 2025
Alison Despathy reports on how how a proposed Lowell solar project is facing local pushback, in part because it would pay a mere $2000/year in-lieu-of property taxes, while homeowners are strapped with far higher taxes on less valuable properties.
Hot Off The Press – December 16th, 2025
Kolby LaMarche covers Burlington’s plan to renovate Memorial Auditorium, and gun rights guru Chris Bradley provides federal court status of fighting Vermont’s 72-hour-waiting period law.
Hot Off The Press – December 15th, 2025
Dave Soulia of FYIVT.com talks about legacy media and jingoist Jingle Bells.
Hot Off The Press – December 12th, 2025
Feedback Friday- we talk about AI and U.S. war on drugs in Venezuela.
Hot Off The Press -December 11th, 2025
Hank Poytras of Planet Hank discusses a multiple sex offender arrested naked in his mother’s car in a public parking lot – and then released on citation.
Hot Off The Press – December 10th, 2025
Bail reform options – and the lack of them – with guest Vince Illuzzi, Essex County state’s attorney and former state senator.
Hot Off The Press – December 9th, 2025
– Burlington Daily News Editor Kolbyl LaMarche on Burlington’s downtown woes, and FYIVT.com editor Dave Soulia on the housing shortage and the push in Montpelier to take away wood stoves.
Hot Off The Press – December 8th, 2025
Callers and host catch up on the hot news from the weekend – particularly the portent of a small school district voting overwhelmingly to keep their high school open.
Hot Off The Press – December 1st, 2025 – December 1 is Return to Work Day for state employees, and due date for Property Tax Letter. Callers and host Guy Page discuss.
HOT OFF THE PRESS – NOVEMBER 28TH, 2025. Feedback Friday!