By Guy Page
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.
The hour-long program begins at 11:05 AM today, and every weekday, on WDEV AM 550, FM 96.1, and on wdevradio.com. Listeners are invited to call in their questions and comments at 802-244-1777.
On, September 16, we reported on a Franklin County dad who, inspired by Kirk’s courage, highlighted the intensive LGBTQ messaging on hallway posters in outside a Berkshire public school kindergarten room. On September 18, VDC reported on a Franklin County mom pushing back against a high school for their new bathroom blurring gender lines.
On VDC today, you can read Ted Cohen’s story about a new blog – Green Mountain Revival – reporting on a Windsor County diner owner who said on the diner Facebook page of people who dislike her mixing politics with food, “May every one of you filthy Rebs die screaming in a fire.”
The blog author, Ben Cross (a pseudonym, he told me) writes on GMR that reading posts celebrating Kirk’s death was “a turning point for me:”
“For years, I stayed quiet. I believed that if I focused on my family, worked hard, and lived my values, that would be enough. I figured Vermont was still small enough, still neighborly enough, that common sense and decency would hold things together.
“Then came the day I read the posts celebrating the murder of Charlie Kirk. That was the turning point for me. It wasn’t just political disagreement anymore — it was hate, celebrated out in the open, even in our small towns. It was a sign of how far gone our culture had become when neighbors could cheer for the death of someone simply because of his beliefs.
“As a husband and father, I couldn’t ignore it. I couldn’t look at my children and accept a future where faith is mocked, family is dismissed, and violence is laughed at as long as it’s aimed at the “right” people. That was the moment I knew silence was no longer an option.”
Ed. note: “”The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins.” – Soren Kierkegaard.
Planet Hank Poytras covers Brattleboro crime
In the second half of today’s show, Hank Poytras – host of the growing Planet Hank channel and its Brattleboro News crime reporting – will talk about why he takes to the streets of Windham County’s drug-infested county seat to shoot live video of police encounters with local miscreants. Here’s an example:
Latest Episodes of Hot Off The Press
If you missed Hot Off The Press, the VDC news and call-in radio show on WDEV Monday – Friday from 11:05 AM – noon, listen here on the Podcast Page of WDEVradio.com.
October 07, 2025. Kolby LaMarche of the Burlington Daily News dishes on campaign finance regs in the Queen City, where a race for City Council costs about $35K and mayor $100K. Ben Kinsley of the Campaign for Vermont talks about Gov. Phil Scott’s executive order to fast-track housing starts.
October 06, 2025. Lincoln Earle-Centers of Braver Angels on being Red in a Blue State. Steve Thurston on Vermont renewable power policy.
