Tune in to Hot Off The Press Today at 11:05 AM on WDEV AM 550, FM 96.1, and wdevradio.com – it’s Feedback Friday, with no guests scheduled except YOU the caller. Call 802-244-1777 to comment or ask questions about whatever’s on your mind. Here are a few stories to get the juices flowing:

Mayor Emma silent on re-election, not on Minneapolis

Ted Cohen reports on controversial statements by Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak – and he’s got the video to back it up.

Klar, Murray named to Vermont Farm Service Agency

Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and, in support of the Trump Administration’s Farmers First commitment, members of the FSA state committee are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders and keeping producers informed about current FSA programs.   

WE INTERVIEWED JOHN KLAR YESTERDAY AND HE SAID THERE WOULD BE BIG NEWS TODAY….. WHICH LEADS TO OUR NEXT STORY…

House OKs farm/forest emergency fund

House agrees with Senate on permanent emergency fund for farms, forestry. One funding source: federal government. 

SHOULD TAXPAYERS BE SUPPORTING FARMERS SUFFERING FROM EXTREME WEATHER?

Vermont lawmakers push ‘accountability’ model in H.594 to rein in $2.7M monthly motel costs and homelessness crisis

The most discussed feature of H.594 is the Return Home Program, where the state would fund travel and relocation for unhoused individuals who wish to return to a state where they maintain legal residence.

BILL AS INTRODUCED STRESSES PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FRUGALITY – BUT WILL IT LAST?

Roy: The Vermont taxpayer squeeze continues

Our current legislature seems to have no problem in “raising revenue” by taxing Vermonters more each year to match spending increases. With a $9B budget, Vermont does not have a revenue problem. We have a COST problem. We have a SPENDING Problem.

Roper: New England’s energy policies Are unaffordable, unreliable, unrealistic – and Vermont is leading the pack

But a new study shows it doesn’t have to be this way!

EXHIBIT A – SEN. BECCA WHITE’S NEW CLEAN FUELS BILL ASSESSING FEES ON GAS AND DIESEL JUST AS COSTS ARE COMING DOWN NATIONWIDE

VT Headlines: Welch joins Trump for signing of milk bill

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.

WHAT ROLE SHOULD AI PLAY IN THE NEWSROOM?

FYIVT Golden Dome: Evening roundup

Energy Policy: Nuclear Returns to the Conversation; Telecommunications: Local Control Versus Statewide Infrastructure; Insurance Regulation: Technical Changes With Structural Importance; Transportation: Revenue Signals Raise Long-Term Questions; Human Services: Governance Updates Move Forward

VDC WITH HELP FROM FYIVT BEEFS UP STATE HOUSE COVERAGE

Chittenden County school district under federal investigation for allowing biological boys to play girls’ sports

A Vermont school district is under federal investigation amid allegations that its policies discriminate against girls by allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports. “These policies jeopardize both the safety and the equal opportunities of women in educational programs and activities,” OCR said in a statement announcing the investigations.

DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DIRECT TRANSGENDER SPORTS POLICY IN VERMONT SCHOOLS?

State floats conservation plan for lemmings, orchids, sturgeon

The adorable Southern bog lemming, delicate small whorled pogonia orchid, mysterious lake sturgeon and humble wood turtle may not seem to have much in common.  But, all four are classified as “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” (SGCN) in a newly-drafted update to Vermont’s Wildlife Action Plan, which is now available for public comment.

LEMMINGS IN VERMONT – WHO KNEW?