“We can confirm that the person identified in media reports completed an online degree in 2019 in strategic studies and defense analysis,” a Norwich spokesperson told VDC yesterday.
Las Vegas bombing suspect graduated from Vermont’s Norwich University
Special interests keep pushing the War on Carbon, Senate may have cold feet
Rather than take voters’ cue to slow down on expensive energy policy, EAN urges the Legislature to stay the course with the fossil-fuel to electricity transition at home and on the roads. But even leading climate hawks in the Senate aren’t so sure.
Beware the Wampahoofus
Vermont’s cryptid with particularly slanted views
VT Headlines: Drought means bare patches on iconic Brattleboro ski hill
Warm temps and low water at a nearby pond make for tough sledding in Brattleboro.
A Colchester community reflects on its first year as a village
It’s been a year since the Westbury mobile home park in Colchester became the Village of Westbury, the first village established in Vermont in nearly a century.
Roper: What’s to show for 25 years of Democrat/Progressive control
Let that be your New Year resolution: Hold your representatives in Montpelier accountable for what they are doing in your name and, ostensibly, on your behalf.
School Board to principals: Recite Pledge of Allegiance every day
The Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District Board (SVUESD) voted shortly before Christmas to have the Pledge of Allegiance recited every day.
Former school board lobbyist should not chair Senate Education, CFV warns
“This is an inherent conflict of interest to have a person employed, or even recently employed, by a lobbying organization leading a policy-making committee,” Kinsley said.
St. Albans man charged with animal cruelty in dog neglect case
For the Love of Dogs Vermont rescued the canine, who had lost about 77 pounds and was left w/o food, water, electricity, or heat for an extended period.
Klar: A New Year’s resolution (of political differences)
New Year’s 2025 celebrations augur the second inauguration of Donald J. Trump as president of the United States.
Low disposable income makes Vermont 5th worst state for work
Despite the highest workplace safety and a 37.8 hour work week on avg., Vermont ranks low due to a 48.46 happiness index and $15,263 average disposable income.
GOP State Senate leader: We won’t forget Vermonters
The new legislature needs to continue to focus on the difficult work of passing systemic change. VT voices deserve to be remembered and acted upon.
Keelan: VT nonprofits a new source of State revenue?
The Vermont nonprofit sector is one of the largest sectors of the State’s economy, measured by revenue generated and employees, yet is primarily unregulated.
Bossange: America’s lost political parties
If this past election proved anything, it confirmed the death of the national GOP, the unraveling of the Democrats, and the emergence of a new MAGA Party.
CLG: New Year’s ‘terror attack’ kills 10 people, injures 35 in New Orleans
Ukraine ends transit of Russian gas to EU; Canadian Teen Recovers From Severe H5N1 Bird Flu Infection; Fog Causing Mystery Illness Is Documented By Social Media
Furlough for dangerous inmate put on hold after public outcry
Breer has as a criminal history includes arrests for sexual assault, kidnapping, aggravated domestic assault and numerous violations of probation and parole.
VT Headlines: New Year’s baby named after Star Wars character
The couple from Wilder have named two of their children after Princess Leia’s parents.
Two die in New Year’s Day fire/ Colchester fire fatality ID’d/ Child struck by school bus, driver cited/ Christmas Day burglary suspect on the lam
A 77-year-old school bus driver has been cited for grossly negligent operation after the Waterbury school bus he was driving struck a 12-year-old.
Woman fights back, stops abduction
The adult woman defended herself and struck the man in the face, possibly causing cuts.
Vermont targeted as ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’ by pro-Trump legal group
The first shot across the bow in the Sanctuary State legal war has been fired.
VT Headlines: Ice jam shuts down Route 5 in St. Johnsbury with flooding
VSP interviews St. Johnsbury PD captain in connection with ongoing investigation into Dec. 13 shooting; Snow, rain to impact Vermont on New Year’s Day
Man with 1,850 police encounters refuses to leave hospital, assaults guards
“He has harmed huge numbers of people; he routinely endangers himself and others; and Burlington’s officers deal with him more than any other person. He has exhausted outlets of charity, treatment, or relief, and burned bridges with entities that seek to help the disadvantaged,” Murad said.
Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy grew to $2.1 billion in 2023
Green Mountain State maintains #2 ranking for outdoor recreation as part of GDP.
Homeless squatters arrested for burglary, resisting arrest
The squatters defecated and urinated and started an indoor fire inside the unoccupied house, police say.
Jesse: What we need from a new Essex-Westford school superintendent
They will have to focus on student academic achievement by setting specific measurable goals and focusing district resources on meeting those goals.
Gov. Phil Scott announces appointments to the newly-created land Land Use Review Board
This new Board is a reorganization of the Natural Resources Board, the organization responsible for the administration of Act 250, Vermont’s land use and development law.
Fatal crash/ trio of shoplifting suspects arrested/ Arson & insurance fraud/ Stolen Christmas card
A Manchester woman is dead after her car struck an oncoming car on Rte. 7 in Sunderland.
GOP lawmaker backs Dem Speaker
“Many of us returning this biennium may share feelings of frustration from the last term. Yet, during those moments, I found myself in conversations with the Speaker, candidly expressing my concerns…..”
As euthanasia booms in Canada, Vermont elections have weeded out assisted suicide proponents
Vermont’s “End of Life Choices” law means that doctors may prescribe lethal doses of medication to terminally ill patients if that’s what they choose.
2024 Healthcare: More sickness causing costs to rise?
In a nutshell, Vermont is getting sicker and older and our current health care system is going broke.
Celebrate in style at the best reception and event venues in Vermont
Vermont is home to many estates, hotels, and events places that offer picturesque settings to set the right mood for any occasion.
Police say homeless Barre man beats, robs elderly man
Police said they jailed Carlos Manuel Perez, 33, for lack of $3,500 bail at the state prison in St. Johnsbury following the arrest on Saturday.
Mennonite mudders, hero cop, dead toddler stories draw most reader interest in 2024
The two biggest ‘talkers’ were both about courageous sacrifice in response to tragedy.
VT Headlines: Joan Shannon will not seek reelection to Burlington City Council
Vernon police seize fentanyl, cocaine in traffic stop, two arrested; Wakefield police seek help finding missing 14-year-old; Buprenorphine initiative in Burl.
Soulia: Equal pay, unequal costs
How Vermont legislators spent your money on H.861
Swenson: From Montpelier to Austin
Lessons Vermont needs to learn from Texas. Vermont deserves better, and it’s time for its leaders to deliver.
Klar: Who will be VT’s new Lt. Governor?
Because John Rodgers unseated incumbent Lt. Gov. Dave Zuckerman with less than 50% of the popular vote, the VT Legislature will select who gets the job.
CLG: Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States, has died at 100 years old
Democratic Lawyers Call for Congress to Block Trump From Taking Office; Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human case in U.S., CDC says
Bennett: Jimmy Carter and the Marsh Rabbit
If a marsh rabbit can care about politics, the one in this story was surely a Republican.
Suspect in vicious beating/robbery released to mother
Abdirahman Mohammed, 22, is accused with four others of attacking a couple in downtown Burlington back in April.
Happy New Year, Legislature – now fix ‘catch and release’
You can call it the ‘Michael Reynolds Law,’ after the Burlington-area transient with more than 1600 police interactions since 2012 and still going strong this month with reported abusive, disruptive, threatening behavior.
Keelan: Is Zuckerman the reincarnation of Bernie?
The Lieutenant Governor’s traveling around the State to warn us of the crisis of book banning was irrelevant, and it fell on deaf ears.
A bone-chilling record
Vermont’s coldest day: December 30, 1933
Bird Flu confirmed in backyard flock in Franklin County
Officials alert animal owners of need for continued vigilance to protect bird flocks and cattle in Vermont
VT Headlines: Abandoned rottweiler recovering
EV infrastructure challenges; Church Street difficulties; Cats catching bird flu and how to keep them safe.
Clean Heat Standard snafus dominate state energy news in 2024
Get cozy, throw another log on that wood-stove before it gets regulated into oblivion, and let’s revisit some of the most important energy stories of 2024.
Klar: Biden renews technology-sharing treaty with China
All the while, Chinese drones threaten US national security.
Young-people’s rate of non-fatal overdoses increasing
Among these overdoses, cannabis, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and stimulants account for the most increase.
Queen City drug dens go viral
New social media clips show drug dens in Burlington as staffing challenges getting worse.
It’s cold. New England’s burning oil and coal to keep the lights on
Thanks to Vermont’s large, hard-working, decentralized network of heating oil fuel dealers, and the renewable-preferring state government’s opposition to extending natural gas lines, heating fuels like oil, propane and kerosene provide about 59% of the Green Mountain State’s heat. More populous southern New England is far less energy-diverse.
Lawyer: Moffitt strikes deal to avoid murder trial in Bennington
Moffitt has been linked to a very dangerous gang known as The Bloods, and with a one of its chapters known as “Murda, Money and Sex in Jersey City, N.J.”
Man, dog die in Christmas morning fire
The Colchester Fire Department, along with assistance from multiple neighboring fire departments, battled the intense flames and heavy smoke to extinguish the fire.
Klar: Will Donald Trump end birthright citizenship?
Birthright Citizenship hurts the nation: A constitutional examination of what makes an American.
Guv to read Hannukah story to children after Menorah lighting this evening
Latkes, sufganiyot, and games of dreidel will be available in the State House while the Governor reads a Hanukkah story to children in his State House Office.
Arnn: Drain the swamp
The following is adapted from remarks delivered on November 19, 2024, at a Hillsdale College reception in San Diego, California.
Vermont has the 2nd-most grocery stores per capita
The report notes that VT has 3.3 stores per 10,000 residents, while NY has the most with 4.3. At the bottom are UT, AZ, and NV all tied at 1.1 stores.
Suspected fentanyl dealer arrested for ramming ambulance
At 1 AM on Christmas Eve, ambulance workers approached the car, full of people, on the side of the road.
2024 in Education: Costs rise, performance declines
In 2024, the Green Mountain State saw education costs, aka property taxes, rise more than 13%. All while academic performance continued to decline.
Kinsley: No victory on property taxes this year
What we have is a distribution of resources problem. The resources we have are not making it to the right places to improve (or even maintain) student outcomes.
ST J pays disputed $25K reward to cop shooting informant
After offering a reward leading to arrest, the selectboard learned the FBI recommends offering rewards leading to the conviction of the apprehended suspect.
VT Headlines: Inclusive police recruiting
Holiday lights, trees, and traditions.
Who else covers Vermont news like VDC does?
If VDC is the warts-and-all mirror in which state policy makers can see how they appear to many Vermonters, then our Sustaining Subscribers are the people who raise the mirror to their faces.
Scammers steal cigarettes with fake CC#
After a few weeks, the purchases are disputed by the actual card owner and the transaction is cancelled by the credit card company.
Serial ‘catch and release’ disruptor keeps Burlington cops busy this month
Violent behavior, insistent and repeated trespassing, and mental health incidents are a recurring theme.
Elderly NJ couple dies in Addison County crash/ Tow truck struck in Georgia
The Impala was headed south on Route 22A when it veered out of its lane for reason unknown, collided with a telephone pole, and flipped over.
VT Headlines: Drive carefully, everyone!
Bakersfield family receives car for Christmas.
Grant: Slam the backdoor on China but keep American global business, allies in AI
The battle against China in AI is crucial. The U.S. has a narrow lead but cannot become complacent.
Letters: A little girl’s will to live
Running into turbulent seas the boat sunk and a 11 year old girl wearing a life jacket was the only survivor latching onto a tire tube.
Balint: Legislate away loneliness
Editor’s note: The holidays are a particularly lonely time of year for many people. Rep. Balint’s bill addresses a real problem.
Tree farm dream continues at Murray Hill
Bob Murray and his wife, Carlie, bought the 60-acre plot of land and planted their first tree in 1976.
New South Burlington city curator ‘exhibits’ belief in art, community
Sarah Jayne Kennelly creates showcases in South Burlington’s Public Art Gallery.
Kept from school as a girl, new district officer Saja Almogalli fights for Winooski students
Winooski is the only majority-minority school district in Vermont, and its students come from more than two dozen countries.
Bumps in the not-so-Silent Night
M.R. James and the tradition of Christmas ghost stories
Vermont police step up to help St. J brothers in blue
It’s what brothers do.Multiple Vermont municipal police departments, county sheriffs, and the Department of Motor Vehicles have agreed to send law enforcement personnel to Caledonia County this week to cover many of the work shifts for beleaguered St. Johnsbury officers.
CLG: Ukraine uses U.S. ATACMS to strike chemical plant in southern Russia
Interactive map reveals disturbing pattern in drone sightings across the U.S.; Pentagon Reveals It Actually Has 2,000 Troops in Syria, Not 900
Soulia: VT’s spending problem
Can our State break free from Federal dependency?
Soulia: The hidden cost of global healthcare
How U.S. overpayments prop up cheaper systems
Newport awarded $112K to launch downtown vendor cart program
The funds will support construction of custom vending carts and finance a marketing campaign targeting cross-border shoppers.
Brownington man gets 15 years in fatal shooting following abuse order
Michael Chadwick of Brownington pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Lamoille County Superior Court for the 2022 shooting death of Mark Benjamin, 42.
Swanton teen charged with assault after basketball game
Transient man with three warrants cited, released.
Homelessness State of Emergency needed, current and former lawmakers say
Supporters say a declared State of Emergency would reduce regulatory barriers, such as bypassing zoning requirements, which will allowed for a quicker ability to use state, city and privately owned property to open and maintain shelters.
VT Headlines: Plane headed for VT lands on NY thruway
Shiffrin tumble a learning experience for other skiers. Boiling maple sap! Vermont helps rebuild Notre Dame.
Gamechanger! Tom Evslin’s new tech delivers transcripts of Legislature’s committee meetings
VDC and many other news organizations, advocacy groups, and interested citizens now have a clear, searchable, timely transcript of legislative committee meetings, courtesy of One of Vermont’s most accomplished high tech wizards.
Page: From Reformation to redistribution
How the Protestant Reformation influenced the rise of Socialism
Wood: Daniel Penny and Luigi Mangione – was their violence justified?
Democracy is many things. One of those things is delicate. May we never live in a society where we believe that either violence or despair are the only options.
P.L.A.Y. and Cabot Creamery team up for Seriously Sharp Squeaker dog toy
Inspired by Cabot’s iconic Vermont Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese, this eco-friendly toy embodies the quality and community spirit both brands are known for.
BLOTTER: Break-in, assault, John Deere theft in Franklin Co.
A series of thefts and break-ins in Franklin Co.
Sugarbush to open new chair to summit of Lincoln Peak
On Saturday, December 21, Sugarbush Resort will debut its newest upgrade, the Heaven’s Gate Quad, providing a more spacious ride to the summit of Lincoln Peak.
Scott names new energy & telecom commissioner, others
The acting commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation and deputy commissioner of the Department of Liquor and Lottery were also named.
Dread your commute? These folks suggest trying a trail instead
“Our whole mission is trails that go somewhere,” one org director said. “The whole point is that you could use it to commute.”
Philadelphia men arrested for fentanyl trafficking
The raid was the culmination of a months’ long investigation into the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine base in the Chittenden County area.
VT Headlines: VSP search for missing man underwater
News quiz: What is UVM advising its foreign students to do before Donald Trump takes office?; Eric Edson sentenced on federal charges; Dronespotting
Slighted customer charged with threatening snow plow operator with death by drone
The suspect was a customer of snowplow operator who, short-staffed, was not able to plow his driveway.
Roper: Hoodwinked by the Public Education Blob again!
The Legislature passed the buck to the Commission to come up with solutions, and the commission, having wasted half a year, passed the buck right back. (Sad trombone slide.)
New pregnancy resource center says thanks to supporters
Despite the chaos in the world and in their lives, one thing never changes: God’s love for these parents and their children.
Bill passed by Congress funds central Vermont flood control
Funding will support flood control, water infrastructure, and the Town of Vernon.
Bucknam: Repeal DEI requirements lawyer licensure
If this kind of vicious hatred towards Jews in Canada were directed at Blacks or LGBTQ folks, the Vermont Bar would surely have a serious discussion.
Senate and House Republicans to propose changes to Global Warming Solutions Act
“We will also move to remove the private right to sue Vermont in Act 153 if it falls short of carbon reduction goals,” Beck and McCoy said.
Wounded St. Johnsbury Police captain returns home
St. Johnsbury Police Capt. D. Jason Gray, who officials say was struck by two shotgun blasts during a domestic abuse call, returned home to a hero’s welcome
Indoor dust storm strikes State House
When turned on, the new HVAC system released plumes of dust into the indoor air.
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