The new hire at the Vermont Democratic Party throws a wild haymaker at GOP Chair Paul Dame. Did it land?
VT Podcast: Did VT GOP chair really compare LA riots to 9/11?
Cake kerfluffle highlights wild weekend in Vermont politics
Someone wished Donald Trump a very unhappy birthday Saturday on the State House lawn.
School transformation vote delayed, but election bills pass
With governor out of state, action Delayed on big school transformation bill – for now.
Special Olympics Vermont brings together athletes from across the state for the 2025 Summer Games
The organization brought together some 500 delegates this year for the event.
Vermonters of color are ‘taking up space’ in outdoor recreation
These Vermonters are trying to make the outdoor recreation industry safer and more joyful for people of color.
VT Headlines: Thousands gather across our region for ‘No Kings’ rallies
Protesters gather at Border Patrol office, demand release of detained migrants; Burial for WWII veteran happens in Proctor 81 years after his death; South Burlington School Board to review superintendent policy
VT Dem House Speaker, GOP Chair condemn murder of Minnesota House Speaker
The Democrat Speaker of the House (Krowinski) and the former Essex Junction Republican member of the House and the current chairman of the Vermont Republican Party chairman, rarely see eye to eye on anything touching the world of politics.
But not this weekend. This weekend they stand together against political violence.
Motorcyclist dies in head-on collision, pickup truck driver arrested
Police say Willson was driving a Chevrolet Silverado southbound when she crossed the center line and struck two oncoming motorcycles head-on.
Ratner: The country I want
I am writing this, because as important as it is to oppose the desecration of our democracy currently underway, it is equally important to imagine the world we want.
CLG: Minnesota Democrat and husband killed, another pol and his wife injured after madman posing as cop shoots them in ‘politically motivated attack’
Police find ‘manifesto’ in suspect’s car and make chilling ‘anti-Trump’ discovery; Suspect in lawmaker assassination was a Tim Walz appointee, leads international security firm; Iran launches ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv in revenge for Israeli blitz – as defiant Netanyahu warns ‘more is on the way’
Klar: Supreme Court keeps its powder dry in Second Amendment challenge
AR-15 rifles will return to fight another day.
School transformation deal reached
The Vermont House and Senate agreed Friday on a school funding transformation compromise that gives the House the higher per-pupil spending it sought.
BLOTTER: 115 MPH pursuit, drug seizures, assaults marks busy week for cops
115 MPH in Berlin leads to driving, drug charges; Armed confrontation and assault in Lowell; Cocaine arrests in Rutland; Prohibited firearm possession in Richford; Retail theft in Rutland
Join us for the Vermont Podcast at 2:30PM
Join Paul & Guy at 230 PM today on YouTube, Facebook and X with your real-time comments as we discuss:
– Vermont has most No Kings rallies in Vermont, but Trump supporters gather too
– Anti-independent school House stalls progress on education funding reform
– Govt. funding for news media grows in Vermont, even as Congress mulls defending Public Radio
VT Headlines: 44th annual Father’s Day fishing derby returns this weekend
New Burlington high school project bounced back from early set back; Meet some teens in Swanton helping kids get connected to their community; New Burlington high school project bounced back from early set back
Roper: “There is no affordable, equitable way” to meet GWSA target
Members of Scott Administration call out Climate Council for “misleading” the public.
Klar: Patriots, gather at the Vermont Statehouse tomorrow!
Celebrate our flag and nation, and the rule of law!
McGuinness: Vermont AG dodges federal laws at “policy” forum
Attorney General Charity Clark gaslighted individuals challenging her failure to uphold federal laws regarding Title IX, parental rights, and immigration during a community forum held in Essex on Monday, June 2, to discuss The Impact of Federal Actions on Vermont.
Soulia: Are Bernie Sanders and Becca Balint discriminating against federal workers?
The federal enforcement actions in Los Angeles, while politically contentious, appear to fall within existing legal frameworks. The heated reactions from Vermont’s congressional delegation reflect growing national divisions over immigration policy, but have also sparked debate over the treatment of federal employees and the responsibilities of lawmakers.
Do Canadian wildfires cause rain and flooding in Vermont?
Believe it or not: yes, they do – but not in the way you might think.
Scott signs child digital safety bill
Says 2027 start date leaves time for court challenges
VT defendant tries to hire actors, provide scripts to “would-be” witnesses in major bank fraud trial
Alison Gu, 49, who had Vermont homes in Dorset and Winhall, was sentenced in December 2018 to 3 years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and making a false statement on a passport application.
CLG: Breaking: Israel strikes Iran
U.S. authorizes partial evacuation of Middle East embassies; Toxic chemical leak at Ohio explosives plant prompts no-fly zone, mass evacuations
Independent school tuition hangs up education funding talks
Can the Vermont House and Senate agree this week on tuition for independent schools?
Fly infestation keeps Waterford families indoors
The outbreak appeared shortly after a foul, burning odor was reported on May 16. Resident Priscilla Foster likened the smell to “rotting flesh” and said flies filled the area two days later.
Letters: Thayer wants Balint resignation
I demand Becca Balint to resign her seat in Congress immediately, and for Governor Phil Scott to organize a Special election in sixty (60) days for an open special election process to replacement her.
VT Headlines: Strafford native Noah Kahan to star in new documentary about successful music career
St. Albans sees promising results from street crimes unit; Plainfield’s longtime dam faces removal amid flooding concerns
MacDonald: Is Vermont the worst state for election integrity? Almost!
Only California and Hawaii are worse.
Balint slams Republicans in defense of trans kids
Balint calls gender reassignment treatments “necessary to keep [children] alive”
McGuinness: Democrats disguise partisan messaging as public policy discussion
If pants literally caught fire when people lied, there would be no back-ends to wipe among the elected officials who participated in this “policy” forum.
Quebec father enlists son in smuggling effort
A Quebec father who attempted to use his 18-year-old son to help smuggle him illegally into the United States near the Haskell Library and Opera House in Derby Line netted both of them short jail terms and trips back home.
Scott signs eight bills, vetoes homeless housing legislation
Supporters of H.91 say it provides a framework of permanent, comprehensive continuity of care for homeless Vermonters.
Corrected post: two summer events both celebrate life
Corrected version of post published earlier this month: Vermonters in June will rally on behalf of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on abortion, and in August in remembrance of a beloved infant who passed away in 2019 due to a non-accidental overdose of an over-the-counter medication while in daycare.
Letter: Disrespecting flag not winning you friends
No argument justifies defiling the flag that will proudly drape my coffin.
VT Headlines: ICE mum on whereabouts of Newport detainees
Big money raised for fur babies in need of home. Training for tourism workforce. Across the river, parental rights and school choice. Fireworks and tariffs.
Tourism down, political tension blamed
Henry looked at me over his muffin. “It would take a lot more than death to get my woodchuck family to leave Vermont, Ellie.”
Klar: Marxist hate derangement on the ropes?
Fortunately, the hate cult is waning in the face of truth.
MacDonald: Gender health care IS conversion therapy
Girls are being offered double mastectomies before their first kiss. How is that conversion therapy?
Pro-Trumpers to attend No Kings rally
Supporters of Trump say they plan to attend, and will wave signs depicting the iconic ‘Fight Fight Fight’ photo of Trump moments after he was shot in Butler, PA.
Tour de Slate fights addiction
The numbers don’t lie—Vermont is in the middle of an addiction crisis. These are not just statistics. Every number is a cry for help.
CLG: 700 Marines will deploy to Los Angeles after Hegseth warned CA to control riots
Federal judge rejects Newsom’s emergency motion to block Trump’s troop deployment; LA officials implement mandatory curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time; Over 80 arrested during chaotic NYC anti-ICE protest as thousands flood the streets
Suspected girlfriend killer gets 12 years in federal
Moffitt is well known to police. One month before his arrest, Moffitt sold 100 bags of suspected fentanyl/heroin to an informant in Bennington, court records show.
Banzhaf: Deter LA rioters, sue each for all the damages
Civil lawsuits can supplement LA cops, Natl Guard, and exhortations
Vermont sues Trump for allowing ‘machine gun’ conversion kit
In July 2024, the Northern District of Texas applied Cargill v. Garland to a device called a “forced-reset trigger” (FRT) and concluded that FRTs also cannot be classified as a “machinegun.”
Celebrate Flag Day, Army & Trump birthdays on State House lawn
The American Flag is 248 years old, adopted on June 14, 1777. President Trump’s birthday is June 14, 1946, he will be 79 years young. The United States Army was born 250 years ago on June 14, 1775. “That is a lot to celebrate,” Thayer said.
Collective bargaining bill vetoed
“I’m concerned that despite unions testifying this was a priority for their organization, employees who would be impacted by this bill were not consulted or asked to testify,” Scott said.
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.
In Goshen, two generations of poet laureates converge
Ruth Stone House endures as a haven for writers and artists.
VT Headlines: Watching the Strawberry Moon
The union in one of Vermont’s largest school districts wants a new superintendent.
Three Rutland County students head to national SkillsUSA competition
Three Rutland area students are headed to Georgia this month to represent the area in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.
Middle school suicide survivors raise awareness
I walk today for my own struggles,” Audrey said. “I have tried to take my own life until I realized how bad it hurts to lose someone to suicide.” Her younger cousin, Noah Stone, took his own life after being bullied.
Gassett: Sanders, Welch and Balint silent and complicit in Biden scandal
They are trying hard to sell their victim mentality mindset with gas-lighting, spin and Trump-hating to whomever will believe their distortions and lies.
Roper: A final plea for property tax relief
It’s time for taxpayers’ budgets to come first!
Livingston: Just enough to keep you quiet
I’m not asking anyone to burn it down. I’m just saying this: look closely. Ask more. Believe less. Because if the system has to constantly manage your perception of freedom, it was never freedom to begin with.
Massachusetts woman arrested for attempted murder after Waterbury stabbing
At 11:24 AM on June 9, state troopers responded to a report of a stabbing at the Best Western on Blush Hill Road.
If you value independent journalism…
Independent journalism must have independent-minded, committed readers.
Baker: Balint deflects rather than confront mistake
That apology seems utterly lacking in sincerity.
‘Foundation’ trouble for both high, low spending school districts
In order for districts to adopt the new foundation formula, some will need to make dramatic cuts (over $10,000 per student) and others will see massive tax increases (up to $6,000 per student).
Soulia: $2 million later, Vermont scraps wildlife crossing
Was there a smarter path?
CLG: LA immigration riots spreading, blocking traffic
IDF ordered to stop Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg; Colombia presidential candidate shot in head at rally; New Russia sanctions bill ‘on hold’ over Trump’s stance; U.S. issues security alert for Kiev
Soros-backed group plans 30 VT ‘No Kings’ protests
The 30 ‘No Kings’ demonstrations in low-population Vermont are the most per-capita in the nation.
BREAKING: Hospital cleared for fatal overdose by doctor’s adult son
Dr. David N. Krag as executor of the estate of Peter M. Krag had sued the UVM Medical Center claiming the medical care provided by Dr. Halle G. Sobel was substandard and led to the death of the well-known local jazz musician from Shelburne five years ago.
VT Headlines: Bennington Battle Monument closed for repairs
Possum-sized robot on SoBu sports field. Unpaid leave, homeless housing legislation.
Alavi: Vermont bill confuses anti-semitism with anti-Zionism
The introduction of bill H.310, saying that standing against Apartheid Israel is antisemitic is deliberately confusing antizionism with antisemitism.
Lentzner: Midnight scribbles and the school reform bill
I’m worried that the Vermont Legislature is pulling all-nighter after all-nighter, and in a year when they look back, they will regret the very urgency compelling them forward.
Roper: Climate Action Plan 2.0: Still not a plan!
Climate Council remains an expensive, incompetent, very bad joke.
Podcast: Buzz over Balint butt-wipe comment
What was Becca Balint thinking? Thoughtless faux pad or revealing moment. Guy and Paul discuss.
Nighttime bank job, arson, hitting people with a truck
Security footage showed a male suspect forcing entry through two sets of doors and stealing from the coin area. With assistance from U.S. Border Patrol and the Richford Fire Department, troopers secured the building.
Serial bank robber sentenced
Blatt handed the teller a note demanding money, stating that he wanted $100 bills with “No dye packs,” “No bait money,” and “Fast.”
VT AG backs ban on conversion therapy for minors
The legal brief, submitted this week to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, defends Michigan’s 2023 law prohibiting licensed health professionals from attempting to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
VT Headlines: New travel ban creates chaos and confusion for VT groups
Vermont Attorney General settles with private parking company after they ‘trick consumers’ into paying fines; Today’s severe threat features heavy rain, flood risk; Arlington graduate to speak at CCV graduation
CORRECTION: Pedestrian dies weeks after hit by car – DUI suspected
Diane E. Clementine, 77, died June 2 at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she had been receiving treatment since the May 8 crash in which a vehicle veered off the road and struck her.
BREAKING: Charity donation uncertain after ICE agent hoax case abandoned
Unclear if $500 donation was sent to Vergennes charity after no felony charge pursued in bogus claim about ICE agent
Swanton, Springfield MA men face child-related charges
Authorities said the investigation began after a mandated reporter contacted officials with concerns about inappropriate conduct involving a child.
St. J cop cleared of assault
Johnson, a decorated veteran and use-of-force instructor, described the past year as the most difficult of his life, even more so than his military tours in Iraq.
Vermonters saved lives, led troops under fire at Normandy Beach
Albert Sponheimer, of East Rygate, was there that day, and was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic work as a medic…. He saved countless lives while exposing himself to heavy enemy fire on the shores of Omaha Beach.
Son of immigrant Coester says, ‘Vermont first’
My father, at ten years old, met brave, kind, and generous American soldiers at the end of World War II during the U.S. occupation of West Germany.
Balint ‘wipe our a–es’ comment explodes on social media, national TV
VDC estimates our clip has been viewed 2.5 million times on X alone and millions more on national television.
Supreme Court enforces Essex Jct. zoning outlawing cannabis-duck farm
The case involved landowner Jason Struthers, who raises and sells ducks and duck eggs, and also operates a licensed outdoor cannabis growing operation at his property.
Sex offender busted for knife assault at Burlington homeless camp
Jessup arrived at the encampment appearing angry and possibly under the influence. He accused a resident of stealing from him, then escalated the confrontation by producing a knife and slashing at the person.
No charges for woman who made bogus claim about being accosted by ICE
Vergennes Police said they had issued Grangent a court citation ordering her to appear in Vermont Superior Court in May on a felony count of false swearing and a misdemeanor charge of providing bogus information to Vergennes Police.
NH senator lobbied DHS to remove husband from travel watchlist
All the while, Tulsi Gabbard, and many other Americans, were placed on the Silent Partners’ Quiet Skies list with little to no visibility, awareness, explanation, or oversight.
Soulia: Political theater over policy
Four months in, Vermont’s budget Is balanced—but the real fight might just Be delayed
VT Headlines: Free naloxone vending machines coming
Lawmakers considering bringing the catamount back to Vermont. Many Vermonters report they’re already here.
Dawson: The role of AI in the office
Implications for Vermont’s public agencies and private businesses
Gervais: Vermont’s fiscal mess
Per the Joint Fiscal Office 2025 report, Vermont has the sixth highest per capita spending, at $15,426, yet when we look at results: Johnny can’t read, and our roads are crumbling. Let’s slash bloat and restore sanity
Trump ‘reshoring’ praised in GlobalFoundries $16 billion AI tech expansion
The company plans to expand its existing New York and Vermont operations, including additional investment in silicon photonics, gallium nitride (GaN) for power applications, and 22FDX® technology—key enablers of AI and edge computing performance.
Hansen: STEM immigration from India dispossessing America, again
Tech elites are now replacing another class of American workers; instead of offshoring factories, they are onshoring low-wage Indian immigrants.
No promises of property tax relief during next two years
Whatever Montpelier decides about school funding this month, it won’t affect property taxes next year or the year after.
VT Headlines: free entrance to state parks
June 14-15 entrance to state parks is free. Declining gasoline consumption means fewer transportation $$.
SHORTS: St. J star named two-sport Gatorade Player of the Year/ Balint challenger/ New voter portal
Never before has a Vermont athlete won the Gatorade award for two sports in the same year. Until now…..
Mott: How to give due process its due
Everyone says they want due process, but most of us only want it when it thwarts the ambitions of the other side, not when it constrains our side. But that’s not how due process works.
Letters: Payton on being a doormat, Mazur on the debt crisis
Also, Livingston on the need to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement through the 287(g) program
Nursing homes cited for inadequate staffing
Balint’s remark, apparently intended to underscore the urgent need for immigration reform and workforce development, drew mixed reactions—earning praise from some for its honesty and urgency, while others criticized it as crass or dismissive.
Klar: The battle over lab-grown meat heats up
Texas ban raises stakes for fake-steak makers.
Murray: A call to honor the Stars and Stripes
Let’s make a statement this summer. If you fly one flag, let it be the American flag. Let it fly high above our homes, our farms, and towns. Let it be a symbol of pride—an unwavering commitment to the liberties so many fought and died to preserve.
Dr. Oscar Peterson and the Vermont Civil Defense Division
Dr. Oscar S. Peterson Jr. believed that nuclear radiation played an important role in the future, in its capacity to extend the lives of his patients, as well as its ability to cause irreparable harm. His work specializing in radiation therapy at the University of Vermont led to an invitation to serve as Vermont’s Radiological Consultant to the Civil Defense Division of the Vermont Department of Public Safety.
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.
Tractor trailer crash blocks I-89
Officials have not determined what caused Belaroussi to lose control, and it is unclear whether any charges will be filed. Authorities said he did not require hospitalization.
Path to adjournment expected/ New DUI penalties/ House rep moving to Canada
“Thank You, and So Long – I have received an excellent job offer in Canada, and will begin working July 7th,” Cordes wrote.
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