Vermont has a habit of passing grand, high-minded laws before anyone’s sure how they’ll actually work. It’s like breaking ground on a massive construction project before you’ve even drawn up the blueprints. The result isn’t progress — it’s chaos.
Soulia: Montpelier should measure twice, legislate once
BREAKING: Connecticut man denies mail and wire fraud to steal nearly $475,000 from Vermont State Treasurer
Lindsay conspired with others, known and unknown to the grand jury, to develop a scheme to obtain money and property from the Vermont Unclaimed Property website, the indictment said.
Bernie-backed candidate gives firearms training to Antifa
Reddit posts reviewed by The Robinson Report show Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, was a member of Maine’s Socialist Rifle Association and taught firearms courses.
CLG: Trump says he will inform Congress of plans to strike land-based cartel targets in Venezuela
Trump announces military strike kills narcoterrorists, destroys drug submarine; White House growing increasingly frustrated with Israel; Putin-Trump summit ‘not completely off the table’
House leaders say state will fully fund federal food, heating benefits hit by shutdown
epresentatives Kornheiser and Scheu serve on the Vermont Emergency Board, a panel that includes two senators and the governor. Lawmakers are coordinating with Governor Phil Scott and his administration to schedule an Emergency Board meeting next week to approve temporary state funding for the federal programs.
Body found near Middlebury College organic farm
No positive ID on the body.
Letters: Senators should resign/ Burlington bike lane disaster
Other senators should resign. And that Burlington bike lane? Carbon-emissions nightmare.
Former sheriff sentenced on sex, assault charges
He also must complete individual sex offender treatment, a separate domestic violence counseling program, and substance abuse and alcohol counseling.
VT Headlines: Wheels for Warmth starts today
Waterbury shelter will reopen under new management; Swanton’s hydro facility to receive needs assessment; Wheels for Warmth collecting tires starting Thursday
Parents’ advocate asks school board about staff-to-student emails promoting transgenderism
Jarrod Vaillancourt said he was inspired to approach the school board again after reading a commentary in VDC by SPEAKVT president Marie Tiemann.
Long before Gaza: Vermont passed key educational mandates—but omitted the Holocaust. Why?
A Paradox in Policy and Politics: While all of Vermont’s New England neighbors have passed Holocaust education mandates, Vermont lawmakers have actively chosen to become the regional outlier.
SNAP benefits will pause November 1 if shutdown continues
If you are expecting to receive your November 1 benefit, unless the federal government reopens and authorizes November benefits, it will not be issued due to a lack of federal funds, state officials said.
Ben and Jerry’s fans not so “Jolley” about Stewart’s ice cream takeover
38 newly rebranded Stewart’s Shops, customers will have to decide between forgoing ice cream or giving the New York newcomer a try.
Roper: The lynching of Sam Douglass
This was not justice.
Search and rescue squad joins effort to find college student
To date, MPD has conducted numerous aerial searches using unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, coupled with focused ground searches.
It’s official: Douglass resigns
The abrupt loss of his full-time income, as well as the part-time income earned as a state senator, has left the Douglass family with little means of support, just weeks after their first child was born.
Canoeist drowns in Lake Champlain
The body found floating two miles from the site of the capsizing is believed to be a 71-year-old Montpelier man.
VT Headlines: Tax exemption proposal moves forward in Burlington
Police cruiser hit by box truck on I-89 in South Burlington; Driver killed in suspected DUI crash in Brandon; Prosecutors say man acted out of anger in Berlin shooting, while defense says he was protecting daughter
Feds: Suspected attempted strangler is an illegal immigrant
Federal authorities say a Mexican, who was charged in state court with attempted murder and aggravated domestic assault in a strangulation case involving a woman in Addison County in September, is an illegal immigrant and should never have been in the United States.
Soulia: Inside Vermont’s eco-litigation loop
In Vermont, the line between environmental policymaking and courtroom strategy has nearly disappeared. The same advocacy network that helped write the state’s climate and water rules now sues the agencies and farms that follow them—an endless loop of petitions, corrective orders, and consent decrees that leaves little room for either legislators or citizens.
College prof murderer moving towards parole/ More legislators endorse Dame
Judge: sentencing a minor to a prison forever is cruel and unusual punishment.
Vermont asks builders to copy Fairlee’s model—but a $500K tax bomb says otherwise
Beneath the story of Fairlee’s $170K “miracle” units lies sweat equity, family loans, and a navigation of state and federal bureaucracy that, by the developer’s own account, were nearly ruinous.
Field to Fork: Processing your deer
VTF&W website helps with learning how to process
HOTP Today: Illegal immigrant faces murder charge. Lawsuit opposes Burlington citizen-only voting
Removed twice, he returned during three years ago, authorities say.
Manley: No Kings: What else did they accomplish?
The people who participated in the “No Kings” rally demonstrated that they wish to Make America Great Again.
Letters: Zuckerman says to fix the property tax and leave schools alone!
Also, the importance of the Silent Majority in opposing extremism.
Bossange: A reckoning with evildoers
There are three people who are orchestrating the Trump presidency and implementing the Heritage Foundation’s agenda. It is evil, and needs to be stopped.
Bernie urged to retract support for Maine candidate with Nazi tattoo
latner recently disclosed that he has a skull-and-crossbones ‘totenkopf’ tattoo associated with Nazi symbolism, which he, while serving in the U.S. Marines, got while drunk on leave in Croatia in 2007.
Winooski sanctuary school volunteers watch on street corners
“We had a lot of volunteers in the streets, down Main Street and Weaver Street, positioning themselves at different blocks to have an additional presence,” Chavarria said. “People were watching on corners, making sure kids were OK.”
193 repeat offenders found for Backlog Court
Retired Judge Martin A. Maley will be the primary person presiding to help resolve many of the nuisance cases. He is coming out of semi-retirement to help lead the 90-day pilot project.
VT Headlines: UVM Health Network to phase out executive positions
Fire breaks out at Camp Ethan Allen National Guard base in Jericho; Vermont towns try to balance open government and the threat of political violence; South Burlington drafts new advisories for e-bikes
2A Tuesday, Backlog Court on today’s Hot Off The Press
Call in 802-244-1777 to join the conversation today on Hot Off The Press.
Body of missing VT man pulled from river
Burglaries in Derby, Shrewsbury. Berlin police cope with a spate of retail theft.
Tiemann: Investigate, inform and advocate
Parents can’t exercise their rights if schools never inform them about what is being taught or how their child is being treated.
Feds plan to prosecute self-proclaimed “Philly Whiteboy”
Charged with crack cocaine at Burlington City Hall Park
Beerworth: Governor Scott knows how political pressure works
Maybe it is past time for the Governor to take a good, long look in the mirror before casting stones.
Dem announces run for Douglass senate seat, Scott fills House vacancy
Douglass describes how both he and his wife Brianna, parents to a newborn, were fired from their jobs after the Politico story leading to his resignation was published.
Keelan: What the Constitution means to me—flashback to 1987
250 years ago in Philadelphia, those who met had to process issues that were of far greater substance than what our present Congress so helplessly contends with today. What was present then and is missing today is the willingness and courage to adopt compromising positions. By failing to carry out its role, the three-legged table has lost its integrity and been damaged. And so has the country.
Bean: I am leaving the Party of Weenies and Cowards
I do not think there is a state in America that hates young men more than Vermont.
Manley: No Kings at 5 Corners
Chuck Schumer, leader of the US Senate Minority, recently said “Rise Up, faithful Democrats!” on a nationally televised broadcast. Rise up against what, and do what, I wonder?
VT Headlines: Former Colchester fire chief Sandy Ladd honored at funeral
Vermont farms impacted by drought could see federal help; State allocates almost $8 million to low-income broadband program; Rutland commander retires after 27 years with Vermont State Police
Compass Vermont: The shutdown’s real cost to Vermont
To protect Vermonters from the federal crisis, the state may be forced to sacrifice its own strategic plans for housing and property tax relief.
Harrison: Preparations for the Legislature
It’s the time of year when we begin to get ready for the next season. Golf clubs and kayaks get cleaned and put away for next year. The list includes an appointment at Charlie Dorr’s to change over to snow tires, taking down the garden hoses at the house and much more. And while the State House is mostly quiet these days, some are preparing for the new legislative session, which begins January 6.
Soulia: Are Vermont farms’ tile drains about to become expensive Federal pollution pipes?
A pair of environmental nonprofits are threatening to sue one of Vermont’s largest dairies for allegedly polluting Dead Creek, a tributary of Lake Champlain — but the dispute could reach far beyond a single Addison County farm. If the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) and Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) prevail, their interpretation of the Clean Water Act could redefine how nearly every Vermont farm manages its land and water.
Northfield’s Trans-Video to be acquired by Comcast
From a milk truck on a mountain to a new era
Homes for bats on Halloween
Holy wildlife housing,next week is Bat Week!
Trooper injured when cruiser hits deer
Lights flashing enroute to a domestic sexual assault in Jay, Trooper Lynch’s cruiser struck a deer.
Politico Chat leaker Gavin Wax: “Douglass obviously has the most to lose”
Reports have emerged Wax’s potential motives in turning on his own party stem from losing the Young Republican National Federation chairmanship to Peter Giunta in 2024, allegedly using the chat logs to extort members and undermine Giunta’s pro-Trump faction.
Facing threats to his family, Sam Douglass resigns
We just had a baby. Our first. We struggled with fertility for years and we were lucky. I was on paternity leave as of last week and I was just returning to legislative work when this story broke. So, we’re still trying to put our house back together and catch up on sleep. Yet, I have received some of the most horrific hate one could imagine.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall: Who’s the next sinner we blackball?
Politics is about power, and Douglass has it right now. My advice to the 27-year-old state senator from Orleans County: Don’t give it up.
Speaker Johnson: The real leaders of the Democrat Party? AOC and Bernie Sanders
“CNN hosts the first socialist town hall, where Bernie Sanders and AOC said the quiet parts out loud,” said Johnson. They don’t know what they want to end the shutdown…”
Some VT student English skills improve, status quo in other subjects
State officials said results were mostly consistent with the previous year.
Roper: Sanders and Welch votes to keep the government closed threaten food and heat benefits
Partisan agenda could leave low-income Vermonters cold and hungry.
VT Headlines: Electrical fire completely destroys van in Essex Junction
Police investigate fatal motorcycle crash in Southern Vermont; Vermont joins lawsuit against Trump for cutting $7 billion in solar funds; Vermont’s fiscal leaders worry feds won’t repay the state when government reopens
Hazlett: The hue and cry over State Senator Douglass
30-something active Republican asks: “Why would I run, when young Vermonters like Senator Douglass aren’t allowed to make a mistake?”
Soulia: Vishing, the voice scam that’s harder to detect
What makes these calls convincing is the use of real data — names, addresses, or partial account numbers — pulled from earlier data breaches or public records. Caller ID spoofing adds another layer of deception by displaying a familiar or official-looking number.
Hooper: The Ballad of Not-So-Sorry-Sam
Celebration of violence is wrong. Every. Single. Time. Vermont Governor Scott, without hesitation, said, Sam Douglass, you’re finished; along with all of his party leadership. Please comply with this directive, former Senator Douglass, without passing another moment.
Farmer in path of I-91 burned down barn and killed himself
A haunting piece of Vermont history — the story of Ascutney farmer Romaine Tenney — has been brought to life in animation and has earned its creator, Burlington filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne, the 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award from the Vermont Historical Society.
The tragic end of Elliot Eastman
A Vermont YouTuber’s fatal move to the Philippines
Caught with 40 bags of drugs – cited, released, unconcerned
Despite allegedly being found in possession of 40 bags of hard drugs, the couple was clearly only mildly concerned.
VT Headlines: Over $3 million in tax incentives to go to Vermont redevelopment projects
Vermont DCF pulls license for Rutland Town child care center; As Montpelier City Council mulls multi-million infrastructure project, a familiar consultant rises above the fray; ICE looking to fill 100 jobs at Williston facility, could offer up to $50,000 as a sign-on bonus
Sanders blames Trump and Johnson for shutdown
“This is not a time for credit. This is a time to think about American policy,” said Sanders, claiming “The entire infrastructure of Gaza… have been destroyed under Trump,” and criticizing $22 billion given to Netanyahu’s government for policies that “have been starving children.”
Affidavit alleges YR chat turned over under duress
Developing news on the Politico story…
Steidler: Senator Sanders’ doom campaign on AI and jobs
Simply put, there is no real-world evidence to back up the Senator’s claims. It also appears he is using fear about AI to jump-start his socialist economic agenda.
Backcountry bailouts
Whether it’s frozen boots or broken tibias, Waterbury Backcountry Rescue Team (WRBT) is prepared to respond to any kind of backcountry crisis.
Coester: GOP knee-jerk reaction ‘appalling’
Be aware: the youth will not look kindly on any of the “alleged” leaders who threw Sam under the bus in the blink of an eye.
Soulia: How Vermont let its courts collapse while chasing climate glory
That’s not a crisis of resources—it’s a crisis of judgment.
Air Force doctor gives UVM $16 million in wife’s name for nursing scholarships
The Nancy Wicks Bemis, RN Endowment will provide scholarship assistance for undergraduate and graduate nursing students with financial need who demonstrate potential to become future leaders in the profession. Priority will be given to students who are Vermont residents.
Klar: Blue states rebelling against Kennedy and the CDC are gambling with lives
Contrary to the fear-mongering by state and federal officials, Covid is not killing millions of Americans, as vaccine worshippers seem to imagine: current CDC surveillance data review a Covid death rate of zero people per 100,000 Americans as of the week that ended September 6, 2025. Such deaths have not risen above .3 per 100,000 people since the week of February 17, 2024.
GOP executive committee retracts Chair Paul Dame’s statement about Sam Douglass
“The VTGOP Executive Committee unanimously supports this statement and issues a full, complete retraction of the previously issued statement by Chairman Paul Dame,” the executive committee said.
Douglass: “I apologize so deeply”
“I completely denounce and fully condemn the vile and disgusting comments included in the POLITICO article and I have cut all ties with those involved,” Douglas said.
VT Headlines: Sgt. Kyle Kapitanski terminated from Shelburne Police Department
State shuts down Rutland child care center after finding multiple violations; Pedestrian killed in Highgate crash; Northeast dairy farmers can now apply for modernization grants; Vermont school district says cellphone bans are showing positive results
Deal: Economic freedom drives political liberty
Governor Scott is the only thing standing between Vermont and a continued moral and fiscal bankruptcy that would end any remaining semblance of independence. He is also the only proven unifier known for decades. What every citizen should do, anyone who sees the picture painted above for what it is – in reality, and not ideology – is write the Governor and ask him to run again.
Why a minor tremor is Vermont’s wake-up call
The true danger for Vermont lies not in the probability of an earthquake, but in the catastrophic consequences a moderate one could have on the state’s beloved historic brick buildings.
Iowa’s guv bans buying junk food with food stamps. Could Phil Scott?
Make Vermont Healthy Again? We discuss healthy options for food stamp purchase and other initiatives with John Klar today on Hot Off The Press.
Burlington airport won’t run Noem video blaming Dems for government shutdown
“We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel. And our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government,” Noem said.
CT drug debt enforcer convicted of murder in state court
Two hours of deliberation were all the Orleans County jury needed to sentence Cedano for the 2019 crime.
Wildlife Day draws visitors from around the state
Wildlife Day at the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center took place this year on Oct. 4 in Addison.
Vermont AG halts Angi’s ‘Certified Pro’ deception
The $100,000 penalty, when viewed against the backdrop of multi-million dollar settlements, raises an important question: Was this a significant punishment or just the cost of doing business?
Letters: Vaillancourt on gender gaslighting/ Boar’s Head listeria
Boar’s Head crisis/ Parental attempts to regain their rights
Gervais drops run for GOP state chair, endorses Ingalls
“After speaking with Russ, it is clear that we have a fearless advocate with the vision needed to lead our Party into 2026 and beyond,” Gervais said.
Scott, GOP leaders call for GOP senator to resign following social media comments
“We are in agreement with Gov. Phil Scott. Sen. Sam Douglass’ statements as reported by Politico are unacceptable and deeply disturbing. They cannot be excused and are inconsistent with Vermont values and what Vermont Republicans stand for,” GOP House and Senate leaders said.
37 Vermont-bound cats in horrific crash/ dust explosion/ cop attacker sentenced
Thirty two cats are currently accounted for, and the Furrkids staff is attempting to recover the 5 missing cats.
VT Headlines: Montpelier man charged with attempted murder after multiple alleged assaults
Police look for suspect in Orleans store break-in; Actor Luis Guzmán Reflects on living in Vermont, service and staying grounded; Tractor-trailer crash causes delays on Route 2 in Colchester
Suspected lawnmower thief jailed after 30 release violations
A man cited October 3 in connection with a lawnmower theft in Highgate was arrested again last week after allegedly violating court conditions 30 times tied to numerous prior charges and probation cases. This time, he was jailed on $2000 bail.
Housing, food co-op get state/fed grant $$
The Caledonia Food Cooperative would be on the site of a former drug store on Railroad Street, the commercial district of Caledonia County’s largest town.
Burlington cops and DEA bust 2 out-of-staters for intent to sell crack cocaine charges
Found hiding in a shower fully clothed with multiple large chunks of crack cocaine.
Ingalls: No substitute for GOP victory
The Vermont Republican Party has the policies Vermonters want to rally around, and we need to make sure our messaging matches the moment.
Elon Musk’s brother rumored to have been in Vermont
“The Gulfstream G600 private jet with the registration number N831FR is owned by Kimbal Musk,” said the results. Gulfstream G-600 Private jets aren’t cheap. Brand new, they sell at the base price of $45 Million.
VT Headlines: Over 100 protest ICE surveillance plans at Williston intelligence hub
Two in hospital after head-on collision in Rutland County; Comic book and pop culture fans gather for Rail City Fan Fest; Pittsford celebrates Vermont’s sheep history
Roper: Mike Pieciak is planning a negative campaign against Donald Tru– Er, Phil Scott
They want to know if Vermonters will buy a bunch of negative attacks on Phil Scott linking our governor to President Trump.
Breaking: Three hats in ring for VT GOP chair
The new candidate is a real estate exec and radio station owner.
HOTP today: AI concerns, covering the worst of all news
In the first half hour, I will cover the weekend and Monday morning’s top headlines, and VDC columnist Alison Despathy and I will discuss her latest post warning against the ‘dumbing down’ and energy consumption downsides of AI. In the second half hour, the Media Monday segment, listeners and I will discuss the pros and cons and rights and wrongs of sharing information following fatal accidents.
Trump: Dawn of a new Middle East
Excerpts from President Donald Trump’s speech today at the Israeli Knesset.
Deal: On its 250th birthday, remembering how the U.S. Navy was born
When the seas grow contested, commerce falters, and ordinary citizens feel it first — at the store, the gas pump, and the paycheck.
UVM announces crackdown on fraudulent maple syrup
Vermont’s Extension Maple Program has been awarded a grant from the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships to prevent farmers from misrepresenting the grade of their maple syrup.
Activists join Vermont Stands Up/ Simmonds gets new owner/ Goat cheese market growing
Simmonds is expected to generate $350 million in revenue for the calendar year ending December. The Company employs about 900 people.
Erick Erickson guest speaker at GOP awards night
The ‘Bernie Sanders state’ could have a Republican-controlled Legislature next year, Erickson noted.
$149 million tech center goes to voters November 4
The new center would expand CVCC’s construction trades, electrical, plumbing, and heating programs, with potential additions like business, cybersecurity & IT, diesel mechanics, digital media arts, and human and natural resources programs.
Customs & Immigration training building tagged with threatening messages
The USCIS Training Facility at 237 Harvest Lane serves as a pivotal center for training and education related to U.S. immigration and citizenship services.
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