Opponents of the latest version of the SAFER (Secure And Fair Enforcement Regulation) banking legislation, long sought by the marijuana industry, say it could lead to higher THC levels and money laundering by cartels.
Vermont AG pushes marijuana banking, critics warn of drug cartel money laundering
Roper: Face it, Vermont’s public schools are terrible
Taxpayers and students are being ripped off, and no one is being held accountable.
Soulia: Pulled NEA handbook promotes Palestinian Nackba, downplays Holocaust
Vermont educators were teaching the historical record—while their union’s national leadership was busy diluting it.
Not even the weak Loonie can explain the downturn in Canadian tourism
A weak Canadian dollar has always meant a quieter season of Canadian visitation. But the latest figures reveal a downturn so bad that only the COVID-19 pandemic was worse.
CLG: New York man uses AI to build bombs he planned to detonate in Manhattan
Elite police unit to monitor social media for anti-migrant posts; U.S. State Department accuses EU of ‘Orwellian censorship’; 99 Ukrainian drones shot down overnight – Moscow
56 state employees earn more than $200K
Doctors, judges and a race car driver lead the pack among the best paid state workers.
Quebec skipper hits Hogback Reef
A Quebec man navigating Lake Champlain struck a known reef near Sunset Island on Friday afternoon, prompting a multi-agency rescue response and the safe recovery of all four people aboard the damaged vessel.
Lyndon woman accused of embezzling $4K from Jiffy Mart
After an investigation, police determined that the funds were unaccounted for and linked to fraudulent documentation.
Livingston: Vermonters don’t dance in the streets
We walk them. We build them. We shovel them. We drive through them in battered pickups with a plow blade strapped to the front and a tired dog in the back. But we don’t dance in them. Not like they do in the cities we never asked to become.
Bossange: Are YOU okay with the Trump dictatorship?
“Many Trump supporters are unwilling to see through all the white noise coming from their selected media sources. They have found solace and comfort with a narrow window of information, which for many of us, is easier to understand.”
Musical chairs for Chittenden County police chiefs
Former suburban Chittenden County Chief will lead law enforcement on a Montana Indian reservation.
The Vermont Podcast interviews Rep. Zak Harvey (Rutland-3)
We discussed Harvey’s transition from Wall Street to State Street, a move driven by his deep connection and love for Vermont. He shared insights into the @VTGOP’s efforts to build momentum in a state where they have often been the underdogs. Harvey’s analysis of the political landscape was both candid and forward-looking, touching on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the party.
VT Headlines: Woman at South Burlington prison reportedly commits three assaults
Hotel and event space proposed for Malletts Bay draws controversy; Cuts to federal agency could pose election security risk; Agritourism brings second income to Vermont farmers
The Buff Ledge UFO
Close encounter over Lake Champlain
Japan trade deal good for Vermont, VTGOP says while criticizing Dems’ tariff outlook
“Vermont’s top export category is semiconductor manufacturing, and this deal secures new sources of funding and investment for plants like the one in Essex Junction,” Dame said.
Americans for Prosperity targets Vermont lawmakers in new accountability campaign
Campaign spotlights housing, taxes, and energy mandates
A day fishing becomes international incident on Vermont’s Canadian border
The incident has sparked outrage in Quebec and raised questions here in Vermont, not just about jurisdiction, but about the nature of reality itself.
‘Family man’ gets 5-year prison term for 22 pounds of heroin in Highgate
U.S. Border Patrol Agents arrested Freddy J. Rodriguez, 40, of West Warwick, R.I. with 10 kilograms of heroin on Sept. 19, 2023 as he prepared a nighttime load in a kayak to head north from Highgate on Lake Champlain to meet another vessel coming south from Canada.
No farms, steeples, mountains or Red, White & Blue allowed in Vermont 250 logo
The listening session report makes clear that while the survey showed respondents favoring Vermont’s geography, farms, forests, and history, the handful of attendees at the closed-door listening sessions voiced concern that such imagery was “overused” or “not inclusive.”
VT Headlines: Big layoffs at Howard Center
Federal cuts mean fewer social services jobs. Crash landing at Burlington airport. Sneak peak at Burlington Square.
State funds free meals all summer for all children
”It’s amazing how easy it is to feed my kids for free all summer long,” a social media influencer for the free summer meals program said.
Beerworth: Aborting Planned Parenthood’s funding is long overdue
PP of VT worked to pass legislation that forces our schools to provide condoms to middle school students as young as 12. When those condoms fail, kids can head to Planned Parenthood clinics without involving parents.
Brookfield overdose leads to death-resulting drug charge
After acquiring the fentanyl from Wright, Cutler returned home and died shortly afterward.
Letters: Anderson on why Vermont should join Canada
Also: Mittica on the possible treason of Barack Obama, and the consequences.
Grants will help flood-hit towns build homes above flood plain
Most of a $68 million state and federal grant package announced yesterday will help flood-stricken communities build housing outside of flood-prone areas.
Roper: New Hampshire eliminates vehicle inspection mandate
How about Vermont, and what other useless programs can we scrap?
Will the new Medicaid rules on work increase Vermont’s workforce?
For a state already grappling with a shallow labor pool and an aging population, the new rules are poised to create more barriers than bridges to employment.
Williston man faces criminal charges for having sex with his dog
Videos on bestiality websites showing Proulx having sex with a dog believed to be a large pit bull, court records note.
Nurse with Down’s Syndrome child named Vermont Mother of the Year
Kathleen Lynch, RN, senior staff nurse at the University of Vermont Medical Center, was recognized for her decades of service in healthcare, her advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome, and her inspirational role as a mentor and mother.
South Burlington school superintendent quits
A school board member who also resigned said, I also must protest the significant weight the board majority has placed on narratives about the superintendent promoted by the SBEA. ‘
Former AIG exec charged with sex assault at Stowe resort
McElroy pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Lamoille County Superior Court earlier this year, with proceedings ongoing but no trial date publicly announced as of now.
Vermont’s rise in raccoon rabies crosses the border into Quebec
The state has faced an increase in cases since 2022. The last time Vermont saw a rise in rabies-positive raccoons, the primary species carrying the virus, was between 2015 and 2016.
VT Headlines: Superintendent ‘interrogated’ returning from Nicaragua
Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas spoke out about Chavarria’s detainment, calling it “unconscionable” and “a terrifying reminder of this administration’s agenda of denying due process.”
Online petition opposes rainbow colors on Vermont 250 logo
“Special interest groups certainly don’t have anything to do with the anniversary of the Revolutionary War battles fought by Vermont forefathers,” the petition claims.
Sanders to Trump on the Epstein Case: “Be transparent”
Sanders’ video not only focuses on the Epstein files but also focuses on his critique on what he says are President Trump’s broader policy failures.
Dawson: Recent break-ins emphasize value of elevated security for Vermont’s small businesses
Recent break-ins and burglaries have underscored the value of security and proactive safety measures for businesses across the Green Mountain State.
Vermont’s former Catholic Bishop drank with frat boys
Bishop Robert Joyce in the 1970s enjoyed a weekly “aperitif” at UVM fraternity house
UVM to build ‘IceCore’ supercomputer 100 times faster than present system
Named IceCore, the new, high-performance computing cluster is 100 times faster than existing UVM systems.
Judge lets Mahdawi travel the U.S., speak at political events
While awaiting the outcome of his court case fighting deportation, Mahdawi is free to travel and speak.
VT Headlines: TSA ends long-standing shoe removal rule
Bernie Sanders warns 45,000 Vermonters could lose health insurance under the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’; Proposed South Burlington city policy cracks down on loud vehicles with updated noise ordinance
Wounded man sentenced to federal prison after brother is killed by drug dealer
Larry L. Lanpher Jr., who also was critically wounded when his brother was killed in the Leicester shooting on June 4, 2023, was sentenced for conspiracy to knowingly and intentionally distribute both crack and powder cocaine between January 2023 and August 2023 in Vermont and elsewhere.
Mechanics are criminally liable for their work – but not judges or lawmakers
For now, the Law remains unequal.
Chen: “Green is Gold,” Chinese consul says after Vermont visit
In China we have a saying: “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Both Vermont and China are pushing hard for green growth, and that gives us so much room to dream big together.
Judge says no delay in considering death penalty in Border Patrol murder case
The gun-toting woman that is accused as part of the fatal shooting of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent in the Northeast Kingdom in January will not get a six-month extension for her defense team to try to block consideration of the death penalty in her case.
Keelan: The Democratic Party and how it has changed
I can only imagine what Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden are thinking when they witness the direction the Democratic Party has taken in 2025–to the left of socialism.
Cohen: Vermont news legend Steve Terry dead
The passing of a journalistic giant.
Tariff income tops $100 billion for 1st time ever
Other key economic metrics strong, White House claims
How Vermont’s SNAP Program spends $155M each year
SNAP was created in 1964 to fight hunger by increasing access to calories. But critics argue it has not kept pace with nutrition science. Research shows SNAP participants often consume more calories than non-recipients, but their diets are higher in carbohydrates, sugar, and sodium—raising concerns about diet quality and long-term health outcomes.
VT Headlines: Disabled goat gifted wheelchair
Dam repairs may cause power rates to increase; Cambridge nature preserve plans major expansion; Wilmington closes fundraising gap on veterans’ memorial
Pickup truck catches fire from ‘burnouts’
The fire began after an unknown person performed a “burnout” in a blue 2010 Dodge Dakota, causing one of the tires to ignite.
Soulia: How Vermont’s 250th anniversary logo was chosen—and what’s missing
Without clear and consistent records of its meetings, Vermonters are left with few details about how significant decisions, such as selecting the anniversary logo, were made. As the 2026 celebrations approach, maintaining transparency and ensuring that future meetings are fully documented will be key to building public confidence in the commission’s work.
Schubart: Vermont hospital chief ‘power grab’
Has Sunil Eappen, the president of the system they govern, so cowed his board of trustees that they’re unable to fulfill their legal obligation to hold his administration accountable?
Newport felon “patrolling” international border with illegal guns sentenced to federal prison
The incident came as Vermont Superior Court Judge Justin Jiron had ordered Myott released back to the community instead of admitting him to an inpatient psychiatric care facility for a mental health evaluation, records show.
Addison County farmhand denies aggravated assault on co-worker with broken bottle
Jose Armando Lopez Moreno, 22, of Panton was ordered held for lack of $5,000 bail. He also denied a misdemeanor count of simple assault by striking the victim in the head with a bottle.
Marcos Diaz Lopez, 23, also of Panton had to be airlifted to the UVM Medical Center in Burlington following the incident on Jersey Street in Panton about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, police said.
No defense: Vermont runs out of funds for Federal public defenders
The federal judiciary has run out of money to pay for defense lawyers assigned to represent criminal defendants in Vermont.
CLG: DNI Gabbard releases ‘overwhelming evidence’ of Obama coup plot against Trump
Israel bombs Gaza’s only Catholic church sheltering elderly and children; Trump suffering from chronic condition after lower leg swelling sparks concern, White House reveals; Two worshippers shot dead as gunman brings carnage to church after wounding cop at Kentucky’s Blue Grass Airport; Trump sues Wall Street Journal for 10B after lewd Epstein letter report
Montpelier police responded to 45 incidents before clearing homeless encampment in Montpelier
City officials in Montpelier cleared a homeless encampment near the downtown transit center this week, citing mounting safety concerns and violations of local ordinances that prohibit overnight camping in public parks. The action comes just weeks after Vermont’s pandemic-era motel voucher program officially ended, displacing hundreds of vulnerable Vermonters — and sparking renewed debate about homelessness, governance, and community responsibility.
Roper: How to spot “fake news” in local journalism
This week the online news outlet VT Digger hosted an event in Brookfield titled, “In Facts We Trust: Local Journalism in the ‘Fake News’ Era.” They described it thus, “In an era of misinformation, how do we know the news we’re seeing is accurate? Let’s talk about it together.” VT Digger, are you joking?
VT Headlines: Bakes for Breast Cancer back in Vermont
Vermont State Police investigate stabbing in Panton; Essex town leaders vote against building an Amazon facility in Saxon Hill Industrial Park; Couple offering Arlington Inn for sale, upgraded the property during their tenure
Town constable is arrested for aggravated animal cruelty
Matthew Hill, 47, dragged a live screaming pig behind an ATV along Paronto Road near his residence, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department confirmed Tuesday evening.
Klar: Are weight loss drugs worth the costs and risks?
The jury is still out as long-term studies await…
Klar: Exciting MAHA event with Russell Brand
A launch of the amazing MAHA initiative, called MAHA Action, will be celebrated on July 21 at the Ned nightclub in Washington, DC.
To fight knotweed, Mad River Valley towns let goats pig out
According to Curt Lindberg, chair of the Waitsfield Conservation Commission, the project spans a cumulative 260 worksites across the region.
Drug traffickers exploiting VT’s “harm reduction” strategy to flood market with heroin and fentanyl
Vermont pours millions into treatment programs to combat the opioid epidemic while lawmakers lock away 15% of opioid settlement funds from a tool that could stem the tide: drug trafficking enforcement
Driver threatened with machete in morning commute on Williston Road
A police report was filed shortly after the incident. Authorities are now seeking any information the public may have regarding the event.
Bellows Falls woman rescued from Fall Mountain, NH after suffering from heat-related illness
Rebeka Arias, 33, of Bellows Falls, was hiking to a popular overlook on July 15 when she became lost. At approximately 5 p.m., a third party notified conservation officers that Arias was feeling faint and nauseous. Shortly after making a call to a family member for help, her phone battery died.
Bernie and Becca endorse Zohran Mamdani for NYC Mayor
The “grassroots” label for Mamdani’s campaign has been challenged by reports of $37 million in donations from George Soros-backed groups, including the Working Families Party. This funding, detailed by the New York Post, does not align with Sanders’ claim of fighting the oligarchy.
The data broker surveillance economy and the path forward
The Privacy Paradox – Part 2
The data broker industry represents a massive and growing surveillance economy, valued at $270.40 billion in 2024 and expected to reach $473.35 billion by 2032.
Because It’s Friday: Vermont’s lingering mysteries continue to bewilder and bemuse
A trio of videos on Vermont’s spooky critters, ghastly tales, and haunting mysteries.
Satel and Huddle: Medical school has gotten too political
Over the past decade, we’ve grown ever more concerned about dubious strains of social-justice advocacy infiltrating medicine. Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, doctors’ pursuit of social reform coalesced, almost overnight, into a mission.
VT Headlines: Unoccupied truck crashes into Burke Mountain Hotel
Since the historic floods of 2023, few Vermont residents have buyout money in hand; Advocates say they helped prevent 3 ICE detainees from being flown out of Vermont; More than a dozen ‘Good Trouble’ protests happening in Vermont, Northern New York
BLOTTER: Suspect arrested in July 4 Lake Willoughby assault case
Lyndonville police seek person in connection with Memorial Drive retail theft; Woman arrested on domestic assault charge in St. Johnsbury; Driver arrested on Interstate 91 for second DUI offense in Lyndon
Despathy: The failure of Vermont leaders in opposing trans-exploitation
Part 4 in 4-part series, ‘Mutilation or Healthcare?’
The privacy paradox – Part 1
How America banned TikTok for data collection while leaving data brokers untouched
Vermont among states suing Trump administration over education funding freeze
These states are calling this freeze unconstitutional, unlawful and an arbitrary decision.
Soulia: Trump, Biden, and the DOJ
Is this payback or just doing their job?
Roper: A third party or a Constitutional Convention?
Whither goes Elon next?
Vermont’s continuing hunger gap
Why food demand in Vermont remained high post-COVID as funding vanished
The art of herding geese — and why Vermont does it every year at Dead Creek
When Canada geese molt their flying feathers in the summer, scientists see a key window to study and track them.
Shelburne Farms tour offers a nitty-gritty closeup of cheddar-making
Watching the cheddar cheese–making process is the centerpoint of Shelburne Farms’ “Sun to Cheese” tour, which opened May 10 and runs into October.
Orleans County Fairgrounds to host first NEK Equine Expo August 2-3
The two-day expo will feature educational clinics, interactive demonstrations and performances from top-tier experts including veterinarians, farriers and trainers. Attendees can browse vendors offering tack, apparel, specialized services and products for equine enthusiasts.
VT Headlines: Welch calls on Homeland Security Secretary Noem to resign
EB-5 scandal fallout racks up another $1 million in fees; Sutton residents assess damage after violent summer storm; Vermonters invited to share experiences of exclusion, harm
Following Lafayette’s footsteps
The Lafayette Trail is an organization (Sponsored by the The William G. Pomeroy Foundation) that commemorates Lafayette’s grand tour. 2024 marked the 200th anniversary of his visit, and over the course of his return, he stopped by a number of locations in Vermont.
Page: When the undocumented go missing
Every year, thousands of people disappear while attempting to cross borders or while living without legal documentation in the United States. These disappearances represent more than statistics—they are families torn apart, communities left searching for answers, and lives lost to a system that often fails to protect the most vulnerable.
Ruffaner: DEI isn’t dead—it’s just changing its name
Across campuses and corporations, DEI is retreating into rebranded titles and euphemistic jargon, but its ideology remains intact.
Roper: Unions looking to exploit coming mega-school districts
This move from local to regional control is supposed to be more streamlined and efficient. But let’s think about this…
Soulia: Life after deaf for old dogs?
Can dogs hear beyond deafness? A Vermont farmer-coder thinks so—and he’s asking for your help.
Despathy: A mother’s plea for her daughter
Part 3 in 4-part series, ‘Mutilation or Healthcare?’
Thousands of Haitian asylum-seekers may be headed for Vermont
Montreal expects over 21,000 Haitians to seek asylum from U.S. – officials anticipate some heading to Vermont
POW: “Traditions” may mask violation of wild animals’ rights
These outdated trapping and hunting policies do not reflect the majority of the people. Protect Our Wildlife focuses on securing stronger protections for individual wild animals, recognizing that they feel happiness, pain, fear, sadness, and so much more.
Nova Scotia, the almost-Fourteenth Colony
The forgotten potential fourteenth colony and its relation to the Fourteenth Star
VT Headlines: Air quality alerts issued for VT today due to wildfire smoke
Vermont Supreme Court resolves case between attorney general and state auditor; Burlington City Council discusses ‘City Circle’ safety program to combat repeat offenders; Education program hopes to boost Vermont’s medical workforce
Vermont among 20 states suing to keep Medicaid data away from ICE
The coalition is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over HHS’s June decision to provide ICE access to Medicaid data, which the agency wants “to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them.”
Vermont rated the 5th worst State for religious liberty
The annual report, Religious Liberty in the States, measures legal safeguards for religious liberty in the US. The report says the Sunshine State protects 75% of the legal safeguards that it measures and uses to compare states.
Orleans County Conservation District secures $600,000 for local projects
This year, over 40 community members and 11 partner organizations participated in Local Working Groups to identify the top three funding priorities. Each priority will receive $200,000 through separate Local Fund Pools.
Livingston: The illusion of the Third Path
America doesn’t need a third political party.
It needs a controlled demolition.
Leaving the dog in a hot car can lead to a $2000 fine
With the summer heat on the rise, the Berlin Police Department is urging the public to avoid leaving pets—particularly dogs—unattended in parked vehicles, warning that the practice is not only dangerous but may also lead to criminal charges under Vermont law.
Klar: The birthright backlash begins
New Hampshire ruling kicks the issue back to the Supremes.
New cottage food law keeps Vermont products in home kitchens
A food-start up bill exempts home based food producers from requiring state food safety permits if they keep their sales under $30,000.
Despathy: Community Health Centers are hub of experimentation
This ‘healthcare’ business may be a welcome revenue stream for health clinics often struggling and seeking financial assistance. ‘Gender affirming care’ is quite possibly a golden ticket as the number of youth and young adults seeking ‘treatment’ has increased.
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