Immigration lawyers accuse Vermont prisons of impeding their work; More calls for Addison County State’s Attorney Eva Vekos to resign following DUI plea; Vermont introduces AI guidelines for schools; Vermont Gov. Phil Scott applauds Amanda Janoo for running for governor
For years, the state has made itself unusually welcoming to people who are in the country illegally – and less welcome to rural families who have lived here for generations.
Twelve states explicitly allow teacher strikes, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont. In a few states, such as South Carolina, Utah and Wyoming, the legality of strikes is not clearly defined in statutes or case law.
The hospital’s team, NCH Heroes for Hope, brought in $6,164 with 14 participants, surpassing its $5,000 goal. The team placed eighth out of 23 teams at the event, which brings together groups from across the region for a day of skiing and fundraising to support people and families affected by cancer.
Also: Dyer on the Dome of the Rock, and McCormick on H.740
FBI alerted California law enforcement to brace for potential Iranian drone strikes in retaliation for U.S. war; 140 U.S. troops wounded in Iran War, Pentagon confirms; France’s Macron Orders Major Naval Deployment to Middle East
Anyone who receives a suspicious email or phone call claiming to be from a Vermont state agency should not click any links, open attachments, or respond to the message.
He is the second most recognized political figure in the world and yet we know little about him. But a new book changes all that.
Vermont Republicans are committed to moving toward the allowable growth formula in Act 73 that more closely aligns a community’s spending with the with taxes. If that change doesn’t happen, future legislatures may run out of tricks to keep taxes down, and voters may need to send another message to the Democratic Majority in Montpelier.
The Vermont Historical Society is pleased to announce When the Trees Came Back: The Great Battle to Save Vermont’s Forests by Robert Mello. This book explores the long campaign to reverse the deforestation that decimated Vermont’s ancient forests after the arrival of settlers in the mid-1700s.
Arrested after day-long stand-off
As the wanted car fled, it collided with a vehicle traveling south.
Family members were inside the home at the time of the attack, including the dog’s owner, who was able to stop the attack and secure the animal, police said.
The Messenger states that according to a crash report from the State of Vermont, Paradee was traveling north on Duffy Hill Road when a vehicle entering the intersection from Taylor Branch Road allegedly failed to stop and struck the motorcycle.
Man killed by dog in Essex, Vermont; State liaison working to lower health care costs at UVM Medical Center; Legal concerns slow effort to limit Vermont National Guard’s role in foreign wars
An anonymous group is spending real money to advertise fictional guided tours of Chittenden County’s very real DHS infrastructure. Seven Days says the tours are coming. The creators aren’t talking.
The Vermont House Tuesday morning gave preliminary approval to H.545, the vaccine bill rejecting the federal vaccine guidelines proposed by AHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. It also voted against the bill’s proposed [Rep. Greg of Cabot] Burtt amendment, requiring more parental information about child vaccination.
Lawmakers are weighing two bills – H.814 and H.816 – that would create a new set of protections from neurotechnology in Vermont and regulate usage of artificial intelligence in mental health services, respectively.
The discussion centered on S.282, legislation that would introduce several tax changes affecting upper-income taxpayers. The bill’s centerpiece is a 4% “wealth proceeds tax” on investment income, modeled on the federal 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax.
The DQSH is part of an “identity unit” DEI week at Beeman Elementary School in New Haven.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the decision followed discussions between Pentagon officials and the organization’s leadership regarding compliance with Executive Order 14173, signed Jan. 21, 2025. The order, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” directs federal agencies to ensure that programs connected to federal funding or support do not include race- or sex-based preferences or policies the administration considers discriminatory.
May run for Chittenden County State’s Attorney
4:34 p.m. on Vermont Route 279.
Walker was operating with his lights and siren activated near the intersection with Kocher Drive when his cruiser was involved in a collision with a second vehicle.
First Democrat announces run for Vermont governor; Beta Technologies selected for federal pilot program, set to fly in Vermont this year; Special Olympics Vermont Winter Games kick off in Wilmington; Zach Weight announces run for Franklin County State’s Attorney
Vermont’s lawmakers are all back from their Town Meeting break and bracing for Crossover Week, when bills (with a few exceptions) must be voted out of committee in order to proceed to passage this year. Here are just a handful of developments as of this morning.
Six years ago, the month of March felt much gloomier than it does this year.
When “shining a light” is a blinding distraction.
Vermont keeps buying time. The structural problems keep compounding.
According to members of the committee and available footage, a motion was seemingly made and the committee adjourned without addressing it. However, the Chair of the committee denies breaking any rules.
Echoes of dystopia: Sanctuary Districts in DS9 and Burlington’s permanent homeless pods
Only about 12 percent of structures carry flood insurance compared to approximately 60 percent of eligible properties nationwide with National Flood Insurance Program policies.
Six years after our state was locked down and government officials imposed mitigation measures to “slow the spread” and “flatten the curve” of the Covid-19 virus, Vermonters are finally being invited inside the statehouse to share how the restrictions imposed by our local government officials impacted their lives.
This week (March 9 – 13) is Civic Learning Week, an annual nationwide nonpartisan event that brings together students, educators, policymakers, and leaders in the public and private sectors to highlight and promote the movement for civic education.
The driver lost traction on black ice on a curve.
Vermont child care inspectors undercount ‘serious’ violations, audit finds; Ice jam builds in Mad River Valley near Moretown and Waitsfield; Leadership change at Vermont National Guard as some members remain deployed overseas; Vermont Senator Alison Clarkson retiring at end of session
Lots of news to talk about today, Monday March 9, on Hot Off The Press on AM 550, FM 96.1, Wdevradio.com at 11:05 AM. Call us at 802-244-1777.
The move comes as federal lawmakers raise concerns that Vermont’s $2.3 billion program may be vulnerable to the same “industrial-scale” fraud recently uncovered in states like Minnesota.
This week is the last opportunity for new bills to pass between chambers, so this means that time is limited and committees often work long hours with few breaks. However, this excludes “must-pass” bills, like the budgets, which are given extra time.
Vermont is one of only fourteen states that don’t have any requirement for voter ID when voting.
Wall Street braces for huge sell-off as oil hits highest level in four years and gas prices hit $8-a-gallon; Kansas City International Airport is evacuated as passengers flee on to tarmac and flights are grounded; Trump says ending Iran war will be ‘mutual’ decision with Netanyahu; Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba is confirmed as Iran’s next Supreme Leader
The lawsuit, filed in Vermont Superior Court, argues the new law significantly narrows that option and violates the Vermont Constitution by arbitrarily limiting which schools families can choose.
Vermont produces six times less energy than it consumes and depends on trucked-in petroleum for both transportation and home heating.
The Vermont political leadership, at the federal, state, and local levels (except for Governor Phil Scott’s administration), has made numerous announcements about how they wish to control residential rental housing in Vermont. They have made it their mission to stigmatize those who are residential rental landlords with comments such as, “they are gouging their tenants, making huge profits while providing minimum services.”
From planning to policy
Brittney Roberts, also known as Brittney Metivier, 36, of Barre, was arraigned March 5 in Vermont Superior Court on one felony count of fraud or deceit involving a regulated drug.
State fire safety officials revoked occupancy in residence.
Anand succeeded interim editor Neal Goswami. His predecessor, Paul Heintz, departed in February, 2025. When Susan Allen starts work in June, she will be the fourth editor-in-chief in 16 months at VTDigger.
Organizers say the conference is particularly relevant for Vermonters because debates over gender identity policies in schools, health care and government in the Green Mountain State have intensified in recent years.
The amendment is expected to be considered when H.545 returns to the House floor, potentially on Tuesday.
Audit finds widespread inconsistency and delays in oversight of Vermont’s child care facilities; Dorset community fundraiser for Grand Kyiv Ballet of the Ukraine; Annual Spice on Snow music festival returns to Montpelier
Sen. Pete Welch said Noem’s leaving office is overdue.
A mail carrier has been cited on multiple theft and unlawful mischief charges after allegedly discarding mail in a dumpster on a regular basis dating back to October 2025.
The crooks know our seniors are susceptible to fraud.
State and local police busy with DUI, domestic abuse cases this month.
Police say the suspect is believed to have entered apartments in a 55-and-older residential community and taken property belonging to residents.
Deputy sheriff continues to recover from injuries
S.205 would ban centers over 100 megawatts while their energy use and water consumption is studied
Students and experts offer testimony on a bill that would allow for online driver education
Mesh networks like Meshtastic offer Vermont a potential practical backup for communication during storms and outages
Millet was charged following comments authorities allege he made during a phone call to the Veterans Crisis Line, the national suicide prevention hotline for military veterans.
Colchester taxpayers are absorbing double-digit tax hikes to heat, plow, and staff half-empty buildings in rural counties that have lost 40% of their students but flat-out refuse to consolidate.
In Burlington, poll workers and an education non-profit kept watch for federal immigration agents during Town Meeting Day voting.
Winooski police look for driver involved in hit-and-run with pedestrian; Barre school budget fails; why board member says he’s not surprised; Vermont governor kicks off maple season in Canaan; Delegation asks FEMA to explain why it denied aid for Vermont’s 2025 flooding damage
Lawsuit claims Wellpath negligence killed Vermont inmate with untreated diabetes
Driver flees, but caught in Grand Isle
This spring, VHS collections staff are focusing intensely on the items we’ve selected for the “50 for 250” project. One of these objects is a cane that was present at the famous St. Alban’s Raid, the northernmost Confederate action in the Civil War.
Officers reported finding a large amount of cash, a small quantity of crack cocaine and a jar of petroleum jelly inside the vehicle.
Donahue, following a long career in public life in Rutland, notably gained an endorsement from Governor Phil Scott.
A newly leaked memo says over $4000 per household, $2.23/gal “tax” on gasoline.
Politics in Vermont’s largest city not so sweet
Towns take the temperature on support for universal health care; Vermont voters say they can barely take another property tax hike
Meanwhile, residents in Waterbury overwhelmingly approved spending more than $4.3 million on a flood mitigation project aimed at protecting homes, businesses and infrastructure from future disasters.
If you know if your local school budget passed or failed, email results and (if you have them) totals RIGHT NOW to news@vermontdailychronicle.com.
Vermont spends 72% of its child welfare budget on out-of-home placements, the third-highest in the US. It’s spending is fourth-lowest on preventive services at 2% and second-lowest on child protection
Also, Mazur on Arab cooperation against Iran. McCormick on needing 3 more Republican Senators.
The restoration of wild turkeys in Vermont is one of the Fish and Wildlife Department’s most notable wildlife restoration efforts. It began on February 28, 1969, when wild turkeys were live-trapped by the department’s former turkey biologist William Drake in southwestern New York and stocked in Pawlet, Vermont.
The woman had been brought to Copley Hospital by a friend after suffering significant abdominal trauma.
The Barre Auditorium was heating up despite punishingly cold winter conditions outside. The number four seed Mid-Vermont Christian School (MVCS) Eagles took on the number one Richford Falcons in a battle of high soaring offenses and tight clawing defenses.
The contest to pick a challenger to five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins has become a proxy war for the future of the Democratic Party, and Vermont’s own Bernie Sanders is at the center of it.
Wrongful death lawsuit filed by family of man who died following injury in Vermont prison; One person taken to helicopter after rescue from Saxtons River; Vermont fighter pilots deployed to Iran, officials confirm
Windham Elementary School has been closed since 2023, when financial, staffing and legal troubles led the Town to shutter the school and tuition children to nearby Townsend. Town Meeting voters in 2024 opted to sell the asbestos-ridden building to the Town for $1 for possible use as a community center. According to the Commons, the community newspaper for Windham County, school voters will be asked to approve a two percent funding increase.
The bulk of the $950,000 would be spent on the police department to address the lingering asbestos and black mold issue
Vershire officials postponed town meeting to Saturday, April 11 after the town failed to comply with state law that requires town reports to be distributed to the voters of the town at least 10 days before town meeting.
Supreme Court rules that California cannot hide children’s gender transitions from parents; landmark decision protects parental rights nationwide
With an estimated 12 percent increase to property tax rates looming and school budget votes knocking on our doors, a Vermont House committee briefly discussed a bill to freeze property taxes.
Trump promises swift retaliation for drone attack on U.S. embassy and deaths of service members as Americans told to flee 15 countries amid ‘major uptick’ in strikes; Israel strikes Lebanon following Hezbollah attacks, widening Iran conflict; Oil tanker attacked off coast of U.S. ally; Moscow condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran
Among the longest‑serving hospice volunteers in the nation, Charlotte Kenney, Jan Watt and Lil Venner have each devoted more than 45 years to UVM Health – Home Health & Hospice because, they say, helping patients and their families make the most of the time they have left of this earth is a privilege, rooted in grace and connection.
Ground rules are out for hearing; Trustees plan to keep decision a secret
The Vermont Environmental Justice Network is among more than 140 organizations supporting comments filed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry opposing a proposed fluoride assessment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Petraeus had one caution: leadership succession. Unless one emerges that is counter to current leadership, Iran will remain a threat.
Shut out of tourney play because they wouldn’t play against a team with a male player, Mid-Vermont Christian was reinstated after a court settlement and is now vying for the state championship.
Eight states bucked the national trend. Vermont recorded a 5% increase in traffic fatalities, joining Hawaii (+25%), Wyoming (+12%), Kansas (+10%), New Mexico (+8%), Idaho (+7%), Louisiana (+5%) and Colorado (+3%).
In the case of the Vermont Air National Guard and the 15th fighter wing, they were mobilized for Operation Absolute Resolve, and then were tasked to take their F-35As across the Atlantic, instead of going home, in order to be prepared for this operation,” Cain said.
Protest in BTV over Iran strike/ Faith leaders rally in South Burlington for immigrant support/ Vermonters rally outside ICE facility in Williston as part of nationwide protest
Vermont’s drug trafficking problem is getting worse. The two-sided debate over what to do about it shows that both parties are right — and both ignoring the pieces that don’t fit their argument.
If the Legislature seizes on the JFO report to enact a broadbased sales tax on services, the state’s next budget could hit $10,000,000,000 – its first-ever 11 figure budget.
Increased ICE presence has caused a ripple effect across the entire state, according to Winooski Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria.
Paper ballots make voting easier but take away the ability to “change each other’s minds,” expert says.
During a recent budget hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Vermont officials cited a specific example of what multilingual access can cost: approximately $18,000 to translate one statewide policy into 13 languages and produce an American Sign Language (ASL) video version.
Vermont’s two newest Supreme Court justices hit the ground running Wednesday — their first day for hearing appeals since they were confirmed by the Vermont Senate this month.
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