Sanders says the feds shouldn’t let Biogen get away with charging $56K for a new Alzheimer’s drug.
BS cries BS on $56K pricetag for new Alzheimer’s drug
Condos starts ‘myth vs. fact’ website page to ‘inoculate’ voters
Trying to staunch “misinformation”, the Vermont Secretary of State’s office has launched a webpage dedicated to election facts vs. myths.
Scott appoints diversity, equity, and inclusion activist to fill House vacancy
Governor Scott appoints member of Essex-Westford Equity Committee to fill House vacancy.
Scott, Levine can’t give unvaxxed death info
Neither Gov. Phil Scott, Finance Commissioner Mike Pieciak, nor Health Commissioner Mark Levine could tell how many unvaxxed Vermonters died in December, the second-most deadly month in the “pandemic of the unvaccinated.”
Cows dying from eating broadband debris
Cows are dying from eating broadband wire. The Artificial Intelligence Commissioner founder is trying to give it new life. And racial equity in landownership will get another look in House committees this week.
Evslin: when Zoom freezes over, free way to find out whose fault it is
Computer nerd Tom Evslin has written a program to determine why your Zoom is freezing.
Dame: trying to stop the Democratic Gerrymander
Why did House Democrats ask a tri-partisan Reapportionment Board its opinion if they were going to ignore it and take the party line?
Derby Line shooting suspect charged with attempted homicide
Alfred Charest has an active extraditable warrant for his arrest from the state of New Hampshire and will face a charge in Vermont of being a fugitive from justice.
A 30% tax attack in Charlotte
Charlotte town residents could see a 30% increase in taxes.
Another farm-raised unknown runs for lieutenant governor
A young woman and UVM graduate raised on a Vermont dairy farm is running for lieutenant governor. And her name isn’t Molly Gray.
Barre City legislators deny voters’ will on City Hall Park flag charter change
Little did Barre City voters know, when they voted almost 2-1 on a City Hall Park flag-flying ordinance, that their own legislators would quietly eliminate it months later.
Letter: Old-fashioned treatments the best
The old-fashioned cold remedies have worked well for Jacqueline Brook of Putney.
The Peril of the Federal Billions
No-one – except John McClaughry – is asking what we will do when the flood of federal money ends.
Covid summit meets Friday, Saturday
National leaders in the field of law, ethics, and medicine will meet this weekend for the Vermont Covid Summit.
Water Cooler: Monday, Jan. 10
A worker shortage means fuel truck drivers will need to work longer hours.
‘Environmental justice’ bill would create another unelected board
Congress Candidate Ram pushes ‘environmental justice’ bill at noon today.
Housing challenge facing Legislature: $300K home now costs $400K
Vermont officials are ready to spend big on creating new housing. Problem: a house that once cost $300K now costs about $400K, thanks to labor, supplies, land, etc.
Vermont Covid-19 hospitalizations up slightly in past week
Almost a third of Vermont’s ICU beds are empty today.
School contact tracing, PCR testing out; at-home testing in
Omicron is too quick for contact tracing and PCR tests. So the Agency of Ed is moving to at-home antigen testing instead. But will there be enough tests?
Hansen: Learning from the pandemic
Meg Hansen discusses with Bill Sayre how Covid-19 should be treated early.
Watercooler National: Canadian provinces could make vaccination mandatory/ Judge gives FDA 8 months to produce Pfizer data
Canadian provinces are likely to introduce mandatory vaccination policies in the coming months.
Letter: Condos’ defense of election integrity at odds with facts
Secretary of State Condos says voter integrity measures are meant to reduce the vote. Rather, they are prudent and fair efforts to ensure free and fair elections.
Merrill Lynch to pay $4.5 mil in Jay Peak settlement
Merrill Lynch will pay $4 million to settle claims brought on behalf of the receivership estate for Jay Peak, and $500,000 in lieu of penalty.
Hey Bernie – top 1% pays 40% of all fed taxes!
When Bernie Sanders says the rich don’t pay their fair share, you’ve got to wonder if he’s actually looked at the data.
Water Cooler: running in Antarctica / vigils & poli-speech on Jan. 6 / high school goes remote
If you think it’s cold in Burlington in January……just try running in Antarctica.
GOP bill: no ‘safe spaces’ discrimination at government meetings
A Senate bill would end the practice of excluding participation at government meetings on the basis of race.
Teens and legal cannabis – what to expect, how to plan
How can parents and other adults help at-risk youth deal with the added pressures of legal marijauna? Online event next Thursday.
Letter: Progressives/Socialists in legislature introduce child tax credit for parents earning $400K
The VT tax code is being changed to include non-taxable welfare payments to taxpayers with children.
Condos decries ‘insurrection,’ says 2020 was most secure election ever
Condos decries the Jan. 6 ‘insurrection’ and bemoans the fact that in many states, candidates doubting the legitimacy of the 2020 election are running for Secretary of State.
Governor Scott partnering with NIH to deliver rapid tests to Vermont households
500,000 rapid tests will be delivered to Vermont homes.
Bills introduced this year, last year eliminate vax religious exemption for minors
A bill striking the religious exemption from school vaccinations was introduced last January and is still pending review by the House Judiciary Committee.
Vax hesitant Vermonters most concerned about side-effects
Concern about side effects, vaccine safety, and distrust of both the vaccines and the government are among the reasons why Vermonters won’t take the jab.
Vermont at high risk of gerrymandering: national report
It will come as no surprise to people following the Democrat-controlled House Gov’t Ops dismantling of Legislative Apportionment Board recommendations that Vermont is at high risk for electoral district gerrymandering.
Vermont Daily Water Cooler for Thu, Jan 06
No Vermonters were arrested in the Jan. 6 incident at the Capitol building. Police seeking missing teen. State looking, again, for options for housing troubled youth. These headlines and others from Vermont’s media.
Ignoring popular recommendation, House committee rushing two-person House districts
Using the distraction of Covid, Vermont Democrats are ignoring a popular plan to eliminate two-seat House districts in favor of the partisan-favoring status quo.
Donahue: Proposal 5 threatens health care provider conscience protection
Proposal 5 would protect any abortion, for any reason, until the moment of birth. Doctors and nurses whose consciences forbid them from taking the life of the unborn would have no protection.
Krowinski priorities: spend fed $$, fight climate change, enshrine abortion in Constitution, dismantle systemic racism “in every policy area”
Krowinski believes VT needs to focus on climate change, racism, and Covid recovery.
Statewide mask mandate bill proposed
A group of lawmakers who last year wanted Gov. Scott to impose a mask mandate in high transmission areas now have introduced a bill to accomplish the same goal.
Naked man punches Burlington cop in face
Charlie Root, 43, was naked from the waist down Tuesday afternoon when he punched a Burlington police officer twice in the face.
Rutland man indicted for drug trafficking, unlawful gun possession
A Rutland man has been using drugs to coerce women to perform commercial sex acts, and has ‘pistol-whipped’ multiple people, police say.
Balint promises big spending of federal $$, suing cops, unlimited abortion, Town Meeting changes
Sueing police and getting unlimited abortion into the state Constitution are part of Senate leader Becca Balint’s 2022 legislative agenda.
Right to Life informs about Prop 5 in Morrisville Jan. 12
The proposed amendment to the Vermont Constitution would enshrine unlimited access to all abortions.
Watercooler National: Biden and China are partners in new Wuhan Lab/ YouTube removes viral Joe Rogan interview with Dr. Robert Malone
The Chinese government and Joe Biden’s US Agency for International Development are funders and supporters of new research on coronaviruses.
Water Cooler: field hospital for unvaxxed suggested
Vax ‘resisters’ seeking treatments should have to go to a field hospital, a Mountain Times letter writer says.
Less than 7% of VT inpatient beds in use for Covid
No Omicron tsunami has swamped Vermont’s 17 hospitals yet. A third of the state’s inpatient and ICU beds are unoccupied. Covid-19 accounts for 7% of inpatient beds, 14% of ICU beds.
Medellin, 34, charged with heroin dealing
Kassandra Medellin, 34, of Newport has been charged with selling heroin.
Pathetic start to the 2022 session
The decision to go remote for “just” two weeks puts the Vermont Legislature off to a pathetic start.
‘A Living Angel’
Tinsley the German Shepherd is the first bone-a-fido hero of the New Year.
Water Cooler: Homeless huddle in hotels, pods proposed / Kimball of Woodstock running for LG / Bust in fatal bike crash
There’s a new candidate for Vermont lieutenant governor – a centrist Democrat little known outside the State House but well-regarded inside it.
Keelan: Don’t be a cop in Vermont
Just what Vermont’s critical police shortage needs: a new law that would make it much easier for crooks to sue the cops who apprehend them.
House, Senate agree to Zoom for next two weeks
A majority of Vermont House members decided today to Zoom through the first two weeks of the Omicron Legislature.
New bills would make hard drug possession a misdemeanor, establish Health Care Freedom of Conscience Act
The Chair of the House Judiciary Committee wants a misdemeanor ‘personal use’ defense for people caught with hard drugs.
‘Sustainable logging’ in Braintree
The localvore ethic is being practiced in the forestry industry by a former environmental studies teacher.
Inmate dies after returning from medical appointment – autopsy planned
An inmate at a state prison in Newport died of unknown causes Jan. 1. Police say the cause of death was apparently not suspicious, but autopsy and toxicology tests are pending.
School masking not so black and white
While there is some evidence to suggest that masking in schools is an effective mitigation measure, it is not backed by the most rigorous research.
Climate Council would double electricity usage – rolling blackouts feared
A cold snap could result in rolling blackouts if the Vermont Climate Council gets its way.
Family shooting suspect turns himself in
In the last hour of 2021, the suspect’s brother asked what a gun was doing in his bathroom. A fight broke out. Shots were fired.
Mask Mandate Scoreboard: Shelburne flips to “yes”
92 towns and cities are saying no to a public places mask mandate. 20 have said yes. At least another 11 reportedly have taken no action at all.
Jeffries: the next Covid casualty?
We’ve already lost so much. Could loss of more gun rights be next?
Burlington Y requires vax AND masks
The YMCA of Burlington now requires everyone who enters to wear a mask and show proof of vaccination.
Legislature opens in person tomorrow, will meet remotely for two weeks
The Legislature – including Rep. Vicki Strong, she hopes – will meet in person tomorrow, then go to remote meeting for two weeks.
VT teacher shortage eases
Those vacant Vermont teaching positions are slowly but steadily getting filled.
Water Cooler: if hit the covered bridge, it’ll cost you / Scott: no return to 2020 lockdown / Minimum wage up / Nursing crisis discussed
Lyndon’s tired of drivers crashing into its covered bridges.
National marijuana legalization founders pushing legal prostitution in VT
The founders of the influential legal-pot Marijuana Policy Project are directing the political and IT efforts of a national prostitution legalization group funding Vermont organizations.
Watercooler National: Deaths up 40% among people ages 18-64; Twitter bans Dr. Robert Malone, Marjorie Taylor-Greene
Indiana life insurance CEO says deaths are up 40% among people ages 18-64, and most of the claims for deaths being filed are not classified as Covid-19 deaths.
Mother and son shot in Holland
Mother and son in car found victim of gunshot wounds.
Letter: Democrats are advocating a federal takeover of elections
With Build Back Better in limbo, Democrats have a renewed focus to take control of state elections.
Strong: Faith not Fear
A Vermont legislator in the thick of the battle for vaccine and mask mandate freedom is also a pastor’s wife. And she has a word for Vermonters facing an uncertain 2022..
Knights of Columbus bring Nativity to State House lawn
Gather this Sunday, January 2 on the State House lawn to celebrate the Nativity and pray for Vermont.
Levine underplays heart disease accounts, says vaccine ‘extraordinarily safe’
Despite the evidence, Health Commissioner Mark Levine calls the vaccine extraordinarily safe. And doesn’t respond directly to concerns about people losing jobs because they won’t get vaccinated.
Water Cooler: take home tests hard to find / Rutland county town considers “Declaration of Inclusion” / WWII homefront was worse
As bad as 2020-21 were, the four years on the home front of WWII were worse, its veterans recall.
#3 read story of `21: Covid kills more vaxxed Vermonters than unvaxxed for third straight month (November 30)
In November, for the third month in a row, Covid-19 killed more fully vaccinated Vermont residents than unvaccinated.
#2 read story of ’21: Brattleboro first-grader vaccinated against parents’ will (Nov. 24)
School officials admit a Brattleboro first-grader was vaccinated for Covid-19 against his parents’ will.
#1 Read Story of ’21: 76% of September Covid-19 deaths are vax breakthroughs (Sept. 30)
This news story went viral: more than three-quarters of Vermont Covid-19 fatalities in September were vaccine ‘breakthrough’ cases.
Evslin: changing crops will solve VT farming woes
Changing crops is Vermont’s only hope.
Warren Buffet ignores Sanders’ call to support strike
Sanders writes a letter to Warren Bufffet demanding he stand with striking steelworkers.
2020 largest decrease ever in US crude oil production
While Texas led both in crude oil production and bankruptcies, New Mexico became second-largest oil producer in the U.S.
Water Cooler: Legislature to open remotely / Car heists up in Burlington / Gray picks staff for Congress run / More violence in Burlington / Killington masks up
The Vermont Legislature will meet remotely for the first two weeks – at least.
Sexton urges GOP expulsion rule change
An Essex Junction man and challenger for both governor and GOP Party chair wants the Vermont Republican Party to remove party affiliation from any elected officials who fail to follow the state party platform.
Top News `21: Teachers tells students parents are wrong about race, NEK students say (July 12)
About 75 people gathered Thursday evening July 8 in Orleans to learn more about how Critical Race Theory (CRT) is being taught in our schools. What they heard from middle school and high school students surprised many.
Newport man attacks, injures Burlington police officer
Newport man David Perry attacked and assaulted a Burlington police officer, seriously injuring the officer’s leg.
South Burlington man robs gas station at knife-point
South Burlington man Ian Gardner used a knife to force a Simon’s employee to open the cash register, police say.
Letter: Participate as humans and not political parties
Political collectives of special interest are depriving humanity of its just priority.
Top News ’21: Essex student and CRT critic fired from lifeguard job (June 17)
It takes a village to attack a teenager.
Alex Katsnelson was fired by the Village of Essex Junction from his position as a lifeguard at the Maple Street pool due to his public opposition to Critical Race Theory as taught at Essex High School.
Top News `21: Brattleboro cops resign, PD down to two shifts (June 3)
In this June 3 news story, a slew of resignations in the past year had left the remaining Brattleboro cops exhausted, the town’s police chief told selectboard members. As a result, patrol coverage dropped from three shifts to two.
State gives free antigen kits for students K-12
Free antigen tests for students K-12 . Registration required. Testing NOT required for returning to school.
Rally for Life Jan. 22 in Montpelier
The annual Vermont Rally for Life will gather in Montpelier Saturday, January 22 – the 49th anniversary of Roe V. Wade.
New Vermonter says: “So happy to find a news source reporting on the truth”
A new reader thanks all the Chroniclers.
Fireovid: Say no to gender fluidity and comprehensive sex ed in schools
Gender fluidity is a religion because it affirms that individuals have an identity which transcends physical reality.
Water Cooler: Jay Peak refunding Canadians / VT highway deaths highest in 10 years / ‘Safe injection sites’ / Covid treatments scarce in VT
Covid treatments (as opposed to vaccines) are hard to come by in Vermont, Commissioner Mark Levine explains.
Hansen: Do as you’re told and don’t question
Debate about mask mandates was intense during a recent WDEV radio program.
Update: Rolling flight cancellations continue
Fear of the Omicron variant is what’s to blame for those added nights in an airport.
Dame: Top 5 GOP Moments of 2021
Paul Dame says encouraging moments from 2021 show the VT GOP has momentum.
Hunters take more than 15,000 deer
A smaller deer herd and challenging hunting conditions resulted in a lower than usual harvest this year.
Top News ’21: Levine unaware CDC report of 8 vaccine-related VT deaths (May 26)
Health Commissioner Mark Levine said in a late May press conference he was unaware the CDC website shows eight Vermonters have died as a Covid-19 vaccinations.
Top News ’21: New Digger editor knocks communities “full of white people” (March 31)
Journalist Auditi Guha bashed communities “full of white people” as “boring” on Twitter on March 15, just two days before VT announced her hiring as a senior editor at VTDigger.
Top News of `21: Liz Cady wins Essex school board seat (April 15)
Tuesday, April 13, School choice supporter and BLM organization critic Liz Cady won a three-year seat, beating six-year incumbent and self-described racial and climate justice activist Liz Subin.
Weekly Media Briefing slides for Dec. 28 Gov. Phil Scott Press Conference
Every Tuesday morning Gov. Scott’s press office sends Covid-19 Data Modeling to the media before his noontime press conference. Now see it for yourself.
Water Cooler: Olympic skier Schiffrin tests positive
Vermont’s most famous current Olympic skier has tested positive for Covid-19.
Watercooler: ICE flies minors into PA airport
A 49-year-old New York Times editor dies of heart attack a day after getting booster and writing, “Okay Omicron, hit me with your wet snot.”
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