Rutland hospital named to Best Maternity Ward list. Pot dealers sue for free speech. Soccer Cats return #1 in nation.
VT Headlines: VT supermarket sells $26.2 million lotto ticket
Klar: Telling the truth about Communist tyranny
Legislation designed to rescue American students from the ideology of far-left academia.
Human Rights, Reconciliation Boards seek more public money
The Commission was set up in 1987 to advocate for various human rights protections such as providing representation for renters while in court for housing disputes.
Keep Vermont Safe: Green Mountain mayhem
Church Street juveniles with knives; Domestic/Sexual assault in Newport; Sexual Assault in Mendon; Salisbury man calls 911 a total of 56 times for no reason
Bryce: King Coal powers on
Thanks to soaring electricity demand in China and India, coal consumption will hit another new record this year: 8.8 billion tons.
CLG: NJ residents say they’re suffering alarming symptoms after encounters with drones
Ex-CIA officer gives chilling drone theory; Russian chemical defense chief killed in blast in Moscow; Madison female school shooter, 15, named after killing two
Roper: Climate Council doubles down on Clean Heat/Gas & Diesel carbon taxes
Time to repeal this unelected, worse than useless committee.
Despathy: Unelected Climate Council committee backs slower rollout of CHS
Despite all of the proposed Clean Heat Standard’s issues that have bubbled to the surface, some members of Vermont’s Climate Council refuse to let go.
Post-election, Welch seeks end to ‘outdated’ Electoral College
Welch also would restrict deporting Palestinians, impose Supreme Court term limits, and shut down offshore oil and gas rigs
$2500 bail for firearms threat in Bridport
Threatening with a gun. Cracking the town office safe. Smashing into a storefront with a truck.
2024: a Year of Striving and Hope
We at VDC tried hard in 2024 to make that hope for balanced, responsive state government a reality. We will continue the work in 2025.
Wrenner: $88 M state computer boondoggle goes full speed ahead
Total expected cost through 2031, for a system that is not guaranteed to work as expected: $88 M.
St. J. Police shooter was delusional and using crack cocaine
Pleads not guilty to upgraded charge; Habitual offender charge added
Burlington rejects anti-Israel referendum (again)
Those who opposed the measure again cited that it would divide their community.
VT Headlines: Scott has Covid
Once again, Covid will be making Gov. Phil Scott work from home.
NH GOP guv will help Trump deport illegals
Ayotte has been politely supportive, which we should not mistake for a road to Damascus conversion. But on deportation, she appears to be on board.
House Republicans to introduce Clean Heat Standard repeal
Higley speculated “the reason House Republicans might want to introduce a bill to repeal Act 18 is to ensure they are out ahead of the curve and that they can point to that directly opposed to the CHS.”
Bernie Sanders says Musk is right on military spending
Sanders wants to help Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency, which is co-led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
More dogs than ever need homes: Passion 4 Paws is trying to help
Robin Shover founded the Shelburne-based non-profit in 2014 and has since rescued over 3,000 dogs.
Lt. Gov.-elect Rodgers: ‘I want to be a bridge’
John Rodgers on his political rebound, switching parties and priorities.
Vermont electors cast all 3 votes for Harris
This year, Donald Trump picked up his highest percentage of Vermont votes yet. it was still less than a third of the total votes cast.
Parents challenge gender ideology instructional materials at Mary Hogan Elementary School
It was apparent that two worldviews are butting heads.
Cats win! Cats win!
The Catamounts saved it for late once again winning in overtime after tying the game deep in regulation.
Woman cited after intercourse in public in broad daylight
The video provided was taken during broad daylight, in the open, in the occupied Bradford Park parking lot open to the general public.
Cashier assaulted, supermarket robbed
The suspect made a small purchase and waited for the cashier to open the cash drawer before forcibly taking the money.
Boyfriend shot, woman robbed at gunpoint in Burlington
A female victim who reported that two men robbed her at gunpoint, threatened to shoot her and stole her purse which contained her phone, wallet and a gun.
Parents object to transgender-themed books in kindergarten
The books in question are sometimes both graphic and targeting young audiences.
Landlords warn ‘just cause’ eviction will raise Vermont rents even higher
The draft report recommends legislation to approve just cause eviction, rent control (AKA ‘stablization), a rental registry, tenant right to counsel, and more funding for housing supports.
Smith: Why I elect not to vote
As a former liberal, conservative, and libertarian and, for years, I am happy to say that I have now freed myself from politics and voting.
Harrison: Next Legislature will look very different
The House Republicans plan to introduce legislation to repeal Act 18, the Clean Heat Standard.
Keelan: A little boy’s wish
Originally published on Christmas Eve, 2005, and published every Christmas Eve since. It was awarded 3rd Place in the 2021 New England Better Newspaper Competition, sponsored by NENPA
CLG: Biden regime spent $267 million on ‘disinformation’ research
Biden Education Department spent over $1 billion on DEI grants; U.S. pays $20 billion into Ukraine loan fund; Israel preparing to strike Iranian nuclear sites
Dog abandoned in apartment lost half his weight
The owner shut off all utilities and left him to die, cold and alone.
Half-dozen people may have helped alleged cop shooter hide from manhunt
State police made no mention in its press release today about anybody else at the residence, but Vermont News First has learned that a half dozen people were also found inside. All denied that Mason was there, but police found otherwise.
UVM men’s soccer to play for national championship tonight
Monday Night Football, move over! UVM defeated #3 Denver on Friday on penalty kicks to advance to the College Cup Final.
VT Headlines: Bernie look-alike crowned
The winner got $17 – a significant choice for the cash award.
Three opioid related overdoses in less than a 24 period in Hartford VT
100+ Vermonters a month die from opioid related fatality
Vermont man running FAA urged to support states’ rights to shoot down drones
“Currently, Federal Aviation Administration regulations limit state and local governments to disable or neutralize drones that pose eminent danger to the communities we represent,” a state senator wrote to Whitaker.
Fernandez: Syria’s regime change: “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss”?
Flooding from their base in the northern Idlib province, HTS, or Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is now Syria’s ruling para-military presence.
$21.8M housing project to create 40 units in Newport area
The $21.8 million project includes converting Newport City’s historic Sacred Heart Convent into 26 mixed-income rental units the high school into 24 condos.
Champlain College research on machine learning & data science gets noticed
Mentored by their professor, two Champlain College students gain international recognition for groundbreaking research that helps secure privacy in big data.
Guv reshuffles administration leadership team
Governor Phil Scott Wednesday announced new appointments within the administration and on his senior policy team.
Taxpayers subsidize Vermonters’ highest-in-the-nation health insurance rates
“This year, many Vermonters will be eligible for better coverage plans at lower premium costs due to increased federal subsidies,” the Health Department stated in an email presser sent out Monday.
VT Humane: File charges over slaughterhouse cruelty
The most recent animal cruelty reports, .documented by a federal inspector at the Vermont Packinghouse in N. Springfield, VT, should result in criminal charges.
Albee: The consumer and the Vermont story
Understanding the history of the U.S. and World Trade
VT Headlines: UVM advises foreign students to return before Trump takes office
‘Alex Cross’ offer James Patterson gives bonus to Vermont booksellers.
Page: Montpelier, swallow your pride and really help drug addicts and the homeless
When growing in-migration and substance abuse collides with decades of elite-driven anti-housing policies, the poorest and the most needy suffer.
Roper: Ideologically driven electrification mandates make VT unaffordable too
Don’t force businesses to install EV charging stations their customers don’t want/need.
Soulia: The massive tax burden hiding in plain sight
How much are you really paying?
VSP poke holes in Derby Line driver’s shooting claim
A 23-year-old Derby Line man faces felony charges after claiming he drove off Route 5 to escape gunfire, though police found no corroborating evidence.
Longtime Milton Town Clerk and Treasurer is dead
John Cushing was known for his public service
Pedestrians in critical condition following SoBu collision
McMahon and Brissette were walking across the crosswalk on I 189 from Route 7.
‘No confidence’ vote for police chief prompts hire of private detective
According to the contract with the town, the investigator has been asked to investigate employee concerns based on town policies and procedures.
Vermont population trends: Incoming from blue states, outgoing to red states
VT had the third highest population increase via migration in the nation. Only SC and ND experienced greater population increases due to migration.
‘Vermont’s most promising jobs’ announced
List includes promising jobs projected to pay a median wage above $30/hour and to have at least 300 openings in the state between 2022-2032.
Police execute search warrants across Chittenden County
Alleged prostitution and physical altercation in Burlington; Police execute search warrants across Chittenden County; Fight breaks out on Church and Main
Thurston: Unreliable renewables
The Global Warming Solutions Act, the Clean Heat Standard, and the 100% Renewable Electricity laws are taking us into a cul-de-sac of energy poverty.
Feds propose ‘threatened’ status for monarch
Wakeboard sports ban meeting today.
VT Headlines: Handy’s sell low-income apartment building on Church St.
A Church St. apartment building panned as a frequent crime scene but praised as very affordable housing has a new owner.
Will Legislature raise other taxes to keep property tax low? Bill Sayre, VDC discuss
The Democrat House leadership promise to keep property taxes low raises at least three big questions.
Vermont to have highest health insurance premiums in the nation
A study shows Vermont will have the highest rate increase and highest average health care premium.
VT Headlines: Christmas tourtiere bakers shut down by Vermont Dept. of Health
Carmen Beaudoin Bombardier has been making batches of her mother-in-law’s tourtière recipe to sell since the early 1980s, starting with the holiday bazaar at Christ the King School in Burlington. A share of the proceeds go to the school.
Burlington minister delivered eulogy over John Brown’s body
The life and times of Joshua Young, the deaf abolitionist minister of Vermont
Cruising Vermont’s wine bars
A look Into Vermont’s vibrant wine culture.
Analysis: Vermont 4th worst state for substance abuse
A storage company analyzed the rates of substance abuse across the country by using data from the CDC, SAMHSA and the United States Census Bureau.
Dissenting Dems could pave way for Sibilia as next House Speaker
A procedural vote to restrict caucus leadership positions to Democrats only passed by a decidedly non-unanimous 60-18 vote.
Girls in Montpelier sexually harrassed by street people
As with many of Vermont’s urban centers, Montpelier is struggling with problems caused by street people.
Donna’s Christmas Village brings joy to Newport visitors
What began as a small collection has grown into a sprawling display of nearly 200 pieces, including houses, figurines, and festive scenes, assembled with painstaking attention to detail.
Klar: Questionable environmental policy on trial?
Texas lawsuit alleges mega-funds manipulated energy markets for illegal gain.
VT Headlines: Human Rights Commission wants more $$
Construction company housed workers in unsafe quarters, town officials say.
Vermont schools, non-profits recite Land Acknowledgment
At the start of their public meetings, the Vermont Truth and Reconciliations Commission recites the “Land Acknowledgement” to honor native peoples, human life, and “mother earth.”
Phony ‘fire inspector’ at WalMart wanted by police
Claiming to be a fire inspector, he reportedly accessed restricted areas of the store.
Roper: More bad news for unworkable Heat Standard
PUC recommends not adopting obligations; cites lack of data, and harm to low-income Vermonters.
Riding along with Meals on Wheels
The Greater Randolph Senior Center delivers about 45 meals per day to homebound people 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities.
No consensus but continuing talks for psychedelic therapy in Vermont
The state advisory group plans to keep monitoring research and policy around psilocybin nationwide.
Klar: A rebuttal to letter attacking Liberty Food Festival
Jenevra Wetmore of Strafford wrote that this year’s December 12-14th Liberty Food Fest in Bellows Falls should be banned from the Opera House.
Instagram page “Burlington looks like s–t” depicts Queen City homeless/drug epidemic
Generally, folks are upset but not surprised. Some are ready to take this media to the City Council.
Harvey’s Lake: Home of Jacques Cousteau’s first dive
The place where the great marine explorer first learned to work underwater is not where you’d expect.
PUC “strongly recommends” against Clean Heat Standard
The CHS requires the PUC must first focus on low/middle-income Vermonters who cannot afford the implementation of the CHS and they must rely on the willingness of fuel-dealers to help them meet that obligation
Joe Gervais named new Chairman of Bennington County Republican Committee
Gervais succeeds Carol duPont of Manchester, who is retiring after an impressive 13-year tenure as chairwoman.
Shepard: Presidential Medal of Freedom given to abortion advocate
Better a medal like this goes to Vermont’s Mary Beerworth.
Smuggling boosted NH revenues by nearly $1 billion over 15 years
New Hampshire is the No. 3 state in the country for outbound cigarette smuggling, resulting in a revenue windfall, concludes report.
Burlington Council ponders lawsuits, snitchline to combat graffiti
A controversial clause gives the self-perceived victim of the graffiti – whether an individual or a group of people – the right to sue for damages in court.
FYIVT: Examining ethical standards in abortion and euthanasia
Animals in the womb get better pain management than fetuses undergoing abortion.
CLG: Jihadists claim to take over power in Syria
Russian-Syrian airstrikes kill dozens of terrorists; Biden regime announces $988M in aid to Ukraine on same day Trump meets with Zelensky in Paris
Bryce: China runs the table
On Tuesday, Beijing banned exports of antimony, gallium, and germanium to the US. China now dominates supplies of nearly two dozen strategic elements.
Woodstock petitioners want answers on why Chief Swanson remains on leave
Citizens question how Municipal Manager Eric Duffy has handled the paid administrative leave he ordered for Police Chief Joseph Swanson in October.
VT Headlines: Burlington council grapples with graffiti, hate speech lawsuit ordinance
Better reporting and enforcement of graffiti AND a controversial provision to sue for ‘hate speech’ are on the City Council agenda tonight.
Unique circumstances in fatal self-inflicted gunshot
The two men would dry-fire their handguns at each other.
Spider brain research leads VT neuroscientists to groundbreaking Alzheimer’s discovery
The scientists’ report outlines possible underlying causes for neurodegeneration that may offer a promising new avenue for treatment.
Winooski officials eye old National Guard armory for new housing site
Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner emphasized three goals city leaders are looking at: affordability, multi-bedroom units and putting units up for sale.
CORRECTION/UPDATE: Burlington cop oversight board called “dynamic shift of power” to “unelected board”
“That is a dynamic shift in power to take an unelected board and give it the authority over the mayor who is an elected person,” Neri said.
Klar: VT parents appeal to SCOTUS to defend rights of parental consent
This comes after Vermont courts ruled schools can vaccinate kids against parents’ wishes.
FYIVT: The government usurpation of charity
How policies displace responsibility
Woman and her dog die in Swanton fire
Sanders outraged over pending disposal of Montpelier federal building.
VT Headlines: In Barre, a church for addicts
Hallelujah for Seven Days’ feature story on a Barre church ministering directly to drug addicts.
Why Vermont declared war on Germany months before Pearl Harbor
Our Brave Little State knew the war was coming.
McLeod: Thoughts on Deer Season
At dusk in November, lights will flicker on and in the hills, dales, and deep woods throughout VT as hunters gather for our 16-day unofficial holiday.
Vermont State Historic Site attendance hits 22 year high
Eight sites bring in a record $512,053
Bird Feeding Season and F&W gift licenses
“Winter bird feeding is a great way to observe and learn about our year-round bird residents such as black capped chickadees, nuthatches and blue jays. “
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