“You can’t impose bail unless they’re a flight risk or have no community ties. And that’s hard to prove,” Zaleski told the Caledonia County Republican Committee.
State bail laws ‘make me want to tear my hair out,’ departing prosecutor says
Roper: State will deduct 5% of some workers’ wages unless they opt out of VT Saves
Employees can opt-out of the program but have to actively do so after being forcibly enrolled.
VT Headlines: State college dental program scrapped
Hundreds now on the street as hotel voucher program ends.
Idaho quadruple killer studied Vermonster Ted Bundy
Killer Bryan Kohberger reportedly researched Burlington, Vermont native Ted Bundy’s killing style
ER metal detector flags thousands of weapons
The changes were sparked by a close call in April 2024, when an emergency department triage nurse encountered a patient with a four-inch switchblade.
Senior China diplomat visits Vermont, meets state leaders
Notable Vermont companies doing business in China include snowboard maker Burton. China’s winter sports industry has boomed following its hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Breaking: Senate passes Big Beautiful Bill
The OBBB now returns to the House, where the lower chamber will consider Senate changes to the bill it passed on May 22.
Keelan: Public schools’ uncertainty
The crisis facing Vermont’s education had its genesis, not 30 years ago but 50-plus years ago.
The untold history of genetic modification
The artificial split between “genetically modified” and “natural” foods obscures reality: all domesticated species result from human-directed genetic change. The choice isn’t between “natural” and “artificial” foods, but between different methods of genetic modification.
Klar: Genetically engineered trees, coming soon to a grove near you
Controversial GE chestnut tree under review for USDA approval.
Blotter: OnStar stops stolen pickup truck
Suddenly, the engine in the stolen pickup truck turned off.
Green: Grateful for progress seen in Dobbs, removal of Iran nuclear threat
The darkness and chilling long winter of the pro-death culture is retreating.
One last win for Attorney for the Defense as gavel falls on 40-year career
“I had a strong desire to be a rock star,” Benning said, recalling failed attempts to land a music deal after college.
Breaking: Shelburne Police Chief Mike Thomas dies
Thomas had fought a couple of courageous battles with cancer off-and-on for several years, but succumbed on Monday evening, officials said. Thomas had spent two dozen years in law enforcement, including three years as police chief in Shelburne.
Marlene Tromp starts as UVM President
Tromp comes to UVM after serving six years as president of Boise State University. The UVM Board of Trustees announced her selection on March 20, 2025, following a search that examined over 100 candidates.
Cohen: Vermont synagogue in crisis – no answers
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue officials have a new cover story for ousting Aaron Philmus.
Judge’s nephew admits helping lawyer’s son in slaying of two drug dealers
Bland faces a possible death penalty if convicted.
Montpelier parade, festivities July 3
The fun begins at 3pm with the July 3rd Food Truck Festival and FamilyFest on the State House Lawn. The Montpelier Mile Road Race begins at 6 PM and kicks-off the Community Parade.
Two men from India charged in VT with medical fraud
Charged Medicare for medical equipment it never provided. Sold misbranded drugs to Americans.
What’s really in the One Big Beautiful Bill?
$45 billion for adult alien detention capacity and family residential centers. $2.5 billion for surface water storage. A 10% transfer tax on silencers. Funding prohibited for “specified gender transition procedures.”
Sanders compares Republicans to ‘Stalinist party’
Sanders pointed to potential repercussions for those who disagree with Trump, noting, “In five minutes, they will be announcing a primary to your election.”
VT Headlines: New VT laws for July 1 affect library books, bake sales and job ads
Grand Isle bake shop becomes an unexpected destination on Route 2 in Vermont; The Skinny Pancake, Einstein’s Tap House team to bring free Grateful Dead series to Burlington
Soulia: New tuition rules take effect July 1
Families have until Monday to lock in funding for independent schools
High court dismisses cannabis merger fraud suit/ Welch listens about floods/ Bernie’s Covid $$ recovery
Just weeks after the merger, Lynn discovered at a board meeting that Slang needed to borrow $18 million simply “to survive,” with “onerous” loan terms.
Burlington sex crime arrest, Montpelier sex crime conviction
The AG announced that Grace Gamble (charged as Peter Gamble), 29, of Montpelier was given a suspended sentence in Vermont court after pleading guilty.
Honduran fugitive wanted for trafficking weapons detained on immigrant charge
An illegal immigrant listed as a wanted international fugitive for a weapons trafficking charge in Honduras has been ordered jailed in Vermont by a federal judge. Yubert Yasiel Lopez-Lopez, 31, of Burlington appears to have been living in Vermont for at least two years despite having been ordered removed from the United States four times over the past 11 years, federal court records show.
CLG: Multiple dead as snipers ambush firefighters and police in Coeur d’Alene, ID, after ‘blaze set as bait’
Africa peace deal brokered by Trump tied to U.S. resource push; Kash Patel claims he has proof former FBI bosses buried evidence that China interfered in 2020 election; Iranian nuclear scientist and his family killed in Israeli attack;
A Paul Bean original song: “The Ballad Of Butt Wipe Becca”
Introducing a Paul Bean Original Tune: “The Ballad of Butt Wipe Becca”
Rep. Balint’s statement on floor of Congress prompts discussion, satire on The Vermont Podcast
Political satire song lampoons Vermont congresswoman who says on the floor of the U.S. House that ICE agents are ‘vigilantes’ who ‘kidnap’ their immigrant targets.
Pro-lifers rally to defund Planned Parenthood Saturday morning
The demonstration follows a landmark ruling this week by the U.S. Supreme Court that upholds South Carolina’s decision to exclude abortion providers from its Medicaid program.
Breaking: U.S. Supreme Court rules against ‘universal injunctions’
The landmark decision came in a case involving challenges to President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order No. 14160, which sought to redefine American citizenship based on parents’ immigration status.
Swanton Sector Border Patrol reports 300+ apprehensions from 45 nations
Fire displaces 10; Sledgehammer assault in St. J; Child beating
Roper: Climate action plan demands spend, spend, spend!
But no clue where the money will come from?
New historical marker recognizes early same-sex couple
“Sylvia Drake and Charity Bryant lived together in Weybridge from 1807 until Charity’s death in 1851 as one of the most well-documented same-sex couples in early America,” according to a Middlebury College website.
VT Headlines: Lafayette, strawberries make triumphal return
The Marquis de Lafayette toured Vermont 200 years ago.
Migrant Justice leader linked to earlier smuggling case, feds say
The Border Patrol asked about his citizenship and De La Cruz began speaking rapidly and in a low voice that the agent could not understand. De La Cruz was asked to slow his speech, but he didn’t comply and the agent believed he was being evasive.
Deal: Balint “vigilante” comment incites sedition
Balint owes the family of slain Vermonter and Border Patrol agent David Maland an apology.
Cohen: Top Vermont lawyer goes nat’l defending “socialism s—“
“If we don’t plow the streets and fix the roads, the people aren’t going to put up with this socialism s—.” – John Franco, ex-aide to socialist Bernie Sanders
The surprising shifts climate change is bringing to Vermont farms
Vermonters turn climate uncertainty into new opportunity.
Sanders, Welch urge Hegseth to save VT veterans support program
Sens. Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch wrote a letter to the Department of Defense on Wednesday, urging Secretary Pete Hegseth to restore funding for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BYR) programs — a nationwide network of support services that includes Vermont’s Veterans and Family Outreach Program.
Coester announces 2026 bid for Congress
Pledges to “finish what we started”
White House responds to Balint’s comparing ICE agents to “vigilantes”
Balint’s remarks, delivered Wednesday during debate over immigration enforcement policy, sparked immediate backlash from the White House, with a statement calling Balint’s comments “deeply irresponsible and dangerous.”
Cohen: when Iran held a Vermont educator hostage
Former Burlington school superintendent was one of Iran’s U.S. hostages in 1979
Ex-Burlington Police Chief Murad appears to be out of the running for SB Police post
Baker said the city received 14 applications to replace Chief Shawn Burke, who resigned, effective in March, to take a two-year post as the interim police chief in Burlington.
Klar: New York bill limiting cows sparks farmer revolt
Big city sponsors face off against rural dairies.
Soulia: Why Constitutions define the law — not public opinion
Many people seem genuinely shocked when the law is enforced as written. But that kind of surprise often stems from not understanding the rules in the first place. And in the United States, those rules are defined by constitutions — at both the federal and state level.
Mexican consulate at Christ Church in Montpelier once again
Overshadowed by the recent detention of two migrant workers in Vermont, the annual mobile Mexican Consulate event at Christ Church in Montpelier brought at least 132 people from around Vermont to the capital city on Saturday, June 21. Notably fewer people attended compared to last year, when over 200 attended.
VT Headlines: Family of missing Fair Haven woman continues search for answers
Westminster’s Compass School closes its doors after 25 years; Chittenden County hotel projects continue in order to meet growing number of Vermont visitors; Morgan receives $37,000 grant for invasive species prevention at Seymour Lake
VDC joins Rob Roper on WDEV
See clips on our discussion of explosive events since Trump’s inauguration, Balint’s butt-wiping comment, and how we’ve gone from a little blog to making national headlines.
Drug arrest in Berkshire shooting/ Waterbury embezzlement
Investigators later determined that Ravelin had acquired a loan intended for Fisk’s business and diverted the funds to personal accounts from the end of 2020 through 2024.
Maine-iac drives Volvo onto footbridge, charged with DUI
Shorey drove his Volvo down a walking trail and attempted to cross a narrow wooden footbridge. The structure collapsed under the vehicle’s weight.
Breaking: Ex-Burlington Police Chief Murad finalist for SB Chief post
There is a possibility that South Burlington and Burlington will trade police chiefs.
South African man drowns near Basin Harbor in Vergennes
Emergency crews were called to the scene around 9:25 p.m. on June 24 after Kemp reportedly went underwater while swimming offshore from the Basin Harbor Club and did not resurface.
White supremacist arrested on warrant
Palermo reportedly had ties to the Brother of the White Warrior prison gang and Nazi and neo-Nazi tattoos or symbols on his body.
Roper: Did Republicans get played on Education Reform?
Republicans may have just been tricked into setting themselves up for defeat in 2026.
Highly celebrated tax relief for veterans coupled with benefits for those without a tax ID number
The long-awaited bill comes coupled with provisions that would allow eligible residents to receive public benefits if they lack a tax identification number.
Vermont non-profit tied to Chinese Communist Party-backed groups
The ISC office in China operates under the supervision of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), an entity linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and designated by both the Trump and Biden administrations as a CCP foreign influence operation.
VT Headlines: Plaintiff in landmark civil unions case dead at 79
The Baker case resulted in a Vermont Supreme Court decision opening the door to first civil unions, then gay marriage.
Gov. Scott to hold signing ceremony for bill easing taxes on families, retirees, veterans
The signing ceremony is scheduled for noon at the State House and will be attended by legislators, advocates, and Vermont military retirees.
Defendant who tried to hire actors for her trial pleads to have her $1.6 million fraud case tossed
Shelkrot indicated the recruited actors had been falsely told they were part of a movie and had been provided scripts for their “testimony.”
$14 mil in fed dollars tabbed for Bennington, Bolton, Rutland and Rochester – and beyond
Among other recipients, Bolton Valley Water and Community Development Co. will also receive $3 million to modernize wastewater facilities and construct new roadways to support housing and economic growth in Chittenden County.
Rare bear pair and baby bunny pix shared by Vermont Fish & Wildlife
Leave the bunnies be – and the bears too, of course.
Driver hits pedestrian, says she was fleeing armed man
A Burlington woman said she struck with her car a man pursuing her with a gun. He’s in critical condition.
Vermont Guard Soldiers prove lethality along NATO allies at Immediate Response 25
As the sun set on the final day, U.S. and Hellenic troops executed a second live-fire exercise, using U.S. Humvees and Hellenic tanks under the cover of total darkness. Working together in nighttime conditions added a new level of challenge and helped soldiers improve their coordination, communication, and trust.
Vermont rabbi quits under fire
Amid heightening tensions with his bosses for his Pro-Israel politics, Ohavi Zedek Synagogue cleric resigns immediately
CLG: Qatar says it successfully intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at US bases
Active shooter drives truck into church and opens fire on congregation in Michigan; Dow jumps 300 points as oil drops following a restrained retaliation by Iran to U.S. attacks; Suicide bomber ‘kills 22 and injures 63’ in attack on church full of worshipers in Syria
VT Headlines: South Burlington School Board to discuss superintendent’s policy noncompliance
Vermont baseball team executes ‘rough terrain evacuation’ at team bonding event; Scientists expect beech leaf disease to spread throughout Vermont this summer
Soulia: Ellis Island to ICE
The real history of U.S. Immigration Enforcement
Man held without bail after armed confrontation in Lowell
Patrick DeBonville, 30, of Island Pond was ordered held without bail by Judge Rory Thibault after pleading not guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful mischief, reckless endangerment, and illegal firearm possession by a violent felon.
Care home manager arraigned for abusing person with dementia
The alleged abuse took place in April while Agasi was employed as the house manager at Our House Too, a residential care home in Rutland.
Rosato: Defending parent of child holding F-Trump sign
The protesters were appalled by Trump and Mr. Livingston was appalled by the sign. BOTH have the right to express it.
VT pols vote to ban cellphones at school
Vermont lawmakers voted Monday to ban smartphones and other electronic devices used by students during the school day. The goal is to improve academic performance as well as battle a disturbing rise in the rates of depression and anxiety among young people in the state.
Klar: Burlington renames Church Street to Canada Street in anti-trump snub
Woke Vermonters attempt to entice Canadians with a feeble overture meant to whitewash years of poor, Marxist management that increased crime and decreased economic vitality.
Sanders, Welch, Balint say U.S. bombing Iran ‘unconstitutional’
Only Congress has the right to take the U.S. to war, said Sanders, Welch and Balint.
Shooting, two dead bodies, assault on elderly man over weekend
Tina Daigle of Hardwick was discovered deceased Thursday, June 19, at a roadside pull-off along Route 14.
VT hospital network hires 18 new doctors, providers
Health system committed to improving, preserving access to high-quality care
‘Zizian’ Cult leader indicted, linked to VT Border Patrol Agent murder
The Zizians, a group of young, highly educated computer scientists with radical vegan and transgender ideologies, gained national attention after a deadly shootout on January 20, 2025, near the Vermont-Canadian border.
Fernandez: Israel attacks Iran
A regional war could break out if Iran responds by targeting American allies and assets, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Iran could also close the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil flows.
Health insurance hike ‘down’ to 13.7%
Insurer says it’s not going bankrupt, but says recovery will take time.
In Montpelier, the pit and the jellyfish
What do a pit and a jellyfish have in common? Find out by reading ‘The Big Pit on State Street.’
Soulia: Becca Balint falls for clickbait article, falsely alarms Vermonters and veterans
Rep. Becca Balint took to Facebook recently and warned that VA doctors can now refuse care to Democrats — a claim that must have caused fear and concern to her Vermont constituents and veterans. But the troubling part isn’t just the claim itself: it’s that a sitting member of Congress, with access to primary documents and official statements, fell for a debunked narrative without pausing to verify the facts.
Gunman gets 6½ years for kidnapping Good Samaritan
Barry C. Perez, 39, formerly of Hartford, Conn., also learned he will be on supervised release for five years once he is discharged from federal prison. Chief Federal Judge Christina Reiss also ordered Perez to make $44,626 in restitution for damage to a box truck, which officials said he had stolen and crashed just before the Good Samaritan stopped to help.
VT Headlines: Cooling centers open as heat wave hits
Porta-potty urine recycled. VT art finds permanent, public home. Local hospital closes birthing center.
Woman found dead on roadside/ Intruder at Vermont Yankee
The suspected intruder, a heavy-set man with scruffy facial hair and medium-length hair, was seen inside a grey side-by-side with orange and black markings.
Klar: Immigration by the numbers
Border-crossings plummet, public approval rockets.
Judge rejects Gu’s latest legal move
Gu, who owned homes in Dorset and Winhall, maintains that all her defense lawyers before, during and after trial, including on appeals were lacking in some way, court records show. She wants her three criminal convictions overturned and to strike a $107,117 restitution order to the Bank of Bennington, one of the five financial institutions she and a co-defendant targeted in the case.
Letter: Hatred in the mouth of babes
No matter what your politics are, dragging children into the mud of adult hatred should never be normalized.
Slaves in Africa today still waiting for their Juneteenth
Reflecting on the ongoing enslavement of Black Africans in Mauritania while the nation celebrates Juneteenth.
Education reform roadmap has landmarks, offramps
As various studies and reports come back in, there will also likely be adjustments, potential detours and even offramps along the way.
Couple pleads guilty to robbing banks, cannabis dispensary
Federal authorities say Christopher Boisvert, 34, admitted in federal court in Burlington earlier this month to armed bank robbery, and Meghan Cox, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
VT Headlines: 5 years after plastic bag ban, use down 91%
Migrant Justice to protest in St. Albans today. Homeless woman (partly) blames criminal boyfriend. Pot farmers concerned about long-term future.
A week with Vermont Green: Inside the plan to build a destination for women’s soccer
Two wins and two sellouts marked this year’s women’s exhibition matches as a permanent team is in the works.
VT share of Big Pharma deal $22 mil
Vermont tax revenue down, summer school meals up.
Illegal Chinese jammers used in Vermont bank robberies, DHS says
Despite the ban, Chinese firms continue to smuggle these devices into the country. Ironically, China also prohibits civilian use of signal jammers under its own domestic law.
Study: NH, VT among states least likely to have psychopaths
In fact, if (that’s a big “if”) we’re reading this study’s charts correctly, Vermont has — by far — the lowest mean level of the “Dark Factor of Personality.”
Bananas: With any luck you’re just stupid
Recent studies by professional stupidity testers reveal what many of us have suspected for quite some time – American’s are getting stupider.
McClaughry: One big school system
Originally released Tuesday, January 1, 2002: What does it mean for a state to have One Big School System? For the answer to that, look at the only state that actually has one, Hawaii.
Donahue: The passing of the education bill, and the truth behind it
Contrary to discussions or opinions, it does not save money.
GOP Senate, House leaders: Tax relief, finally
The conversation in Montpelier has shifted from deciding which taxes to increase on already overburdened Vermonters, to deciding where we can actually provide tax relief and reduce costs.
Vermont Right to Life picnic on State House lawn
Celebrating third anniversary of the Supreme Court Dobbs decision.
Recent Comments