The crisis has regulators scrambling.
Klar: Renewables threaten the US power grid
Corrected version: Senate passes S.258, Fish & Wildlife bill
The Senate passed an amended bill that, although less restrictive than the original version, could be “the end of hunting as we know it in Vermont,” one senator said. The Senate retained the ban on baiting coyotes and hunting them with dogs.
Breaking: Bray proposes softer version of S.258
Changes to S.258 on Senate floor now.
Guv appoints Education secretary
Vermont’s new Secretary of Education comes from Broward County, Florida.
Senate passes flavored tobacco ban, youth crime tweaks,
The Senate banned flavored tobacco, approved a flood safety bill, and adjusted youth criminal justice laws.
Burlington Police Chief: “Court inexplicably released” attempted murder suspect
“This is beyond bewildering, and beyond frustrating for the men and women of patrol who responded to a bar-closing shooting in the heart of our downtown, for the detectives who spent their weekend investigating and assembling a case for arraignment, and, most of all, for the victim who had a firearm pointed at his chest at close range and was shot in the arm,” BPD Chief Murad said.
Shorts: One celebrity doctor reprimanded, another gets big State job/ Bernie, AOC housing Green New Deal
An expert in pandemic-related mental health problems will lead Vermont’s Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living.
VT Headlines: Students home on Eclipse Day
Schools say it’s safer for students to be home on Eclipse Day.
An ostrich approach to mental health truth
Office of Public Guardian with its head in the sand
Man with 1600 police interactions has one more
Drunk, spitting on and headbutting cops after (again) refusing to leave, police say.
H.289 ‘shoved down our throats,’ lawmaker says on floor
A Northeast Kingdom legislator tells her colleagues on the floor just what she thinks about their plan to get Vermont to 100% zero carbon emissions for electricity.
The path to 100% zero carbon emissions the Legislature is ignoring
Both the Legislature and the governor have a plan to get to 100% zero emissions from power generation by 2030. One will cost $110 million over 10 years – and the other is far more expensive.
School district promoting political activism with public funds
It calls students to organize “civil resistance” and “establish and maintain a Racial Justice Student Alliance,” in the “Racial Justice: PBL Challenge” class.
Smith: Inequitable, un-environmental illusion
The unrealism of the Renewable Energy Standard grows.
Banyai pepper sprayed by constable, jailed on ‘protected persons’ assault charge
Banyai was a passenger in a car stopped for speeding by the town constable. An altercation ensued.
VT Headlines: Judges consider suspending prosecutor’s law license
What to do with a prosecutor who (police say) drove drunk to a crime scene then wrote an angry, embarrassing letter about the cops she works with?
FBI Albany, Vermont State Police announce $40,000 reward in Brianna Maitland case
No tip is too small, the FBI said of the 20-year-old cold case.
‘State of Lake Fisheries’ March 23/ Priest named state’s attorney/ Flood kitchens to Gaza/ Pharmacy cyberattack over
Priest named state’s attorney. How’s the fishing in Lake Champlain? Kitchens that helped Barre-Montpelier flood victims go to Gaza. Etc.
Money problems, attempts to leave preceded JetBlue’s departure from Burlington
‘It was a constant battle’ to keep JetBlue in the Green Mountain State — a conflict that started long before the airline pulled out in 2023.
Maynard: Will it liberate?
A critical look at the new bondage promoted by Critical Race Theory.
In downtown Burlington, two attempted murders
Two attempted murders in Burlington: one by car, another by gunfire. Suspects are in custody.
Taking away parents’ right-to-know goes to Senate floor today
If the Senate says so this afternoon, parents will be one step closer to being in the dark about what books their children are reading.
Senators consider education board power shift, government meeting in private, illegal drug law overhaul
How much of the Truth & Reparations process be shielded from public view?
VT Headlines: Obama picks Cat March Madness upset
Former president and hoop junkie Barack Obama picks the UVM men’s team to upset Duke Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Doctor challenges Senate incumbent
A Democratic candidate for Congress in 2022 has set his sights on running for a state senate seat in the district where Sen. Ginny Lyons now holds a seat. His platform: changes in Vermont’s health care system.
Page: Aral Sea catastrophe a warning for geoengineering
A cautionary tale against climate engineering.
Hammond Cove Shooting Range will open April 1
The range operates under rules set by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Shelburne Post Office hit by car again
The crash forced the post office to close its doors for the day as maintenance workers swiftly boarded up the damaged front section on Monday.
Revamped bill aims to stem sexual violence on campus
The bill went nowhere last year but was passed out of committee at Friday’s crossover deadline.
Former Gov. Douglas agrees it’s time to GET REAL
“It seems to me this legislative session it has not been just a drift, it’s been a very dramatic shift,” Gov. Douglas said.
LaMarche: Paternalist policy puzzle
We should examine the twisted ways this legislature has “shielded” children from danger.
Stack: The Vermont Taxpayer Wakes Up!
John and Jane Doe Taxpayer have exited the “complicit” phase and are now entering a more aware/active and, yes, skeptical “show me” phase.
Except in Burlington, no interest in temporary shelters
Apart from Burlington, use of the proferred temporary shelters was low – but that doesn’t mean the transition out of ‘homeless hotels’ was easy for everyone.
Bank robbery suspect arrested
It was unclear why Blatt, 32, was free in the community. Since 2010, Blatt has amassed at least 20 adult criminal convictions, mostly felonies.
FBI, state police talk on 20th anniversary of Brianna Maitland disappearance
State police and feds outline ‘new resources’ to be used on the 20-year-old missing person case.
VT Headlines: WDEV general manager out
Steve Cormier, a longtime star in the Vermont broadcasting world and a key transitional leader between owners at community radio station WDEV, is no longer general manager, VTDigger reports.
Evslin: Remembering Tim Hayward, my best friend
Over the last 50 years, Tim Hayward was the greatest force for good and effective government in Vermont that you never heard of.
CLG: Meet the group threatening Americans’ freedom you’ve probably never heard of
Canadian law endorsed by Trudeau government could impose house arrest for offenses they ‘will commit’; Ex-Parliamentarian sentenced to year in prison in Belgium over group chat ‘Hate Speech’
Keelan: State of the Union, or a major opportunity squandered
The President’s speech quickly devolved into a rant blaming and bashing his opponents.
Despathy: Homeschool civics at the State House
These homeschoolers give me hope for the future and I believe they will continue to stay informed.
Windsor County GOP endorses Trump With 54-0 vote
The county committee voted: “We, hereby formally Endorse and Support the presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee, Donald J. Trump, for President of the United States!”
Video: Trees are the ‘quintessential renewable natural resource”
“We owe a debt of gratitude to those that sustain our forest economy: the landowners, the foresters, the loggers, the sawmill workers, and the craftspeople.”
Dr. Dynasaur for adults faces crossover this week
Money bills – like Dr. Dynasaur for adults up to 26 – face Crossover this week.
House considers new sales taxes to pay for education
Seeking tax relief for property owners, the House tax committee is looking to the Cloud and short-term-rentals.
Baseball myths explored/ Former GOP advisor passes/ Women learn the trades
It is becoming more widely known that Doubleday had no connection to baseball, but why, and for what purposes, did baseball’s boosters construct an origin story with him at the epicenter?
Suspected Decker Towers drug dealer indicted
Drugs, child porn, and convenience store trespass.
Roper: House passes racist, homophobic flavored tobacco ban
One of only two Black Reps accuses colleagues of “dehumanizing Black and LGBTQ adults.”
Correction: Underage Vermonters buying alcohol online
Vermont’s legal online sales of beer and wine is being used for the purchase of alcohol by minors.
VT Headlines: Mud-season winter hard on loggers
Skidders and other logging vehicles don’t like mud. This winter, there’s been a lot of it.
Bill to save Salisbury fish hatchery moves to Senate floor
The Senate has approved another year of funding for the Salisbury fish hatchery.
Senate moves to toughen bail, conditions of release
A Senate committee has approved tougher conditions of release and more latitude for judges to impose bail.
Dear Sen. Baruth – Republicans fought climate change when you didn’t
‘Fess up – you’ve been too picky about your flavor of carbon-free electricity.
Speaker’s Act 250 & housing bill has three-year delay
The Act 250 exemption for urban housing development won’t take effect until at least 2027 – and then under tight regulatory control.
Bean: the Legislature is coming for your Zyns
They’ve never tried them, they barely know what they are, but the Legislature is coming for your Zyns.
Fifth bank robbery in two weeks
A masked bandit got away after perpetrating the fifth bank robbery in Northwestern Vermont in two weeks.
Roper: Rearranging one deck chair on the sinking Clean Heat Standard
S.5 requires a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels – now Senators Bray, White, Watson, McCormack and MacDonald say, ‘Meh. Who cares?’
Brave Christian school holds fundraiser/ No juvy in Newbury/ Top cop in Newport/ Sex offender release
Army vet named top cop in Newport. Embattled Christian school holds fundraiser. Sex offender release scheduled. School budget revote April 15. A rabbi addresses the New Anti-Semitism.
VT Headlines: Beanbag shooting trial starts soon
State troopers face trial for shooting a suspect with a beanbag round, right before he fell from a roof.
Senators squabble over future of S.151
Senior senators squabble over health care bill that includes minor consent for vax.
Castleton University alum serves up community at local restaurants
Andrew Breting graduated from Castleton University in 2017, but his love of the Castleton community inspired him to open multiple restaurants in the area.
No credit card? No problem, under Vermont Senate bill requiring accepting cash payments
Washington district constituents approached their senator after they were turned away from a business because they only carried cash.
Vermont Legal Aid and parents’ Black hole
Vermont residents can and should expect more from publicly funded organizations than the Blacks received.
Warner: Old Glory or Pride flag – which is MORE inclusive?
Not everyone is LGBTQ or supportive of its ideas. But we’re all Americans blessed with the freedom of speech the flag represents.
Hunting bill send to appropriations, Tobacco ban vote postponed
The controversial Fish & Wildlife bill was passed out of a policy committee and now is in the Senate’s money committee. And a flavored tobacco ban may or may not have the votes to pass in the House.
Cohen: Dems get blown out in Burlington
It was voter repudiation of the way Democrats have run – or not – the crime-and-drug-infested city.
Windsor County Republicans file lawsuit
Republicans suing Republicans in spat over county chair position.
Broken baseball bat, knife found at scene of double homicide
Cirill Brown pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and a felony charge of burglary.
State seeks to suspend state’s attorney charged with DUI
Vekos had issued an email to law enforcement in Addison County saying she did not feel safe round them and would no longer meet with them.
St. Marthe: ‘All blacks should vote Democrat’ undermines diversity
The narrative of encouraging minorities to abort their babies while simultaneously supporting migrants bringing their babies across the border is contradictory and perplexing.
VT Headlines: Burlington ODs down, city asks why
A patchwork of responses by the City of Burlington are being given credit for reducing the overdose rate this year.
Thicket Adventure offers plus-sized options for outdoors enthusiasts
VT clothing brand Thicket Adventure recently hit its Kickstarter goal of $30,000 after only four days.
UVM’s Royall Tyler Theatre turns 50
Governor Scott Declares March 14 ‘Royall Tyler Theatre Day.’
Klar: The biggest climate lie is about cows
If regenerative animal husbandry is eliminated, the chemical spigot will open fully wide to produce “meat alternatives”, destroying our bodies and our planet.
Roper: Senate President Pro Tem’s disgraceful anti-small-“d”-democratic rant
Baruth tells senators to ignore voters and dictates to media how to report.
Wilson: What I learned at the Vermont State House
“A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by a majority.”
VDC TV Episode 2: Hillsdale College student testifies in Senate against reducing vax consent age to 12
The likelihood of sex abuse is high when parents are shut out of knowing about their child’s STD vaccination record.
Some non-citizens could receive VSAC grants under bill passed by Senate
Tuesday the Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill that would allow some non-citizens to access VSAC advancement grants.
Doctor pleads innocent to child sex/ State trooper gets another theft charge
Snowmobiler dies in Town of Washington. Doctor pleads innocent to child sex charge. Former state trooper gets another theft charge. Woman sentenced for Covid-era paycheck protection fraud.
Danville murder-for-hire defendant pleads guilty
Gumrukcu asked Eratay before the summer of 2017 to help find a hitman, the plea agreement said. Gumrukcu wired about $300,000 to two bank accounts controlled by Eratay.
Balsamic: Sun’s energy-saving policy causes solar eclipse
Just because there are no green stars doesn’t mean they can’t go green.
GOAT? Shiffrin ties record with World Cup title #8
Returning from injury, Vermont’s Mikaela Shiffrin tied the record for most World Cup season titles for slalom racing.
Huff: It’s time to G.E.T. R.E.A.L. about Vermont’s future
We cannot afford the crushing tax burden the majority is placing on our household incomes. State spending is out of control.
LaMarche: Joan Shannon’s political autopsy
The Progressives data, voter outreach, and organizing were simply too great – and cheaper.
Racial equity office worries Act 250 bill’s wording is exclusionary
The bill requires board applicants have “a record and reputation for excellent character and integrity,” off-putting language for someone not from a traditional Vermont background, an equity official says.
BREAKING: S.258, hunting/fishing/trapping bill, OKed by Senate committee
S.258 is strongly supported by anti-hunting and fishing organizations, but passage on the Senate floor is not certain.
Senate takes on “magic” mushrooms, parental consent for library books, STD vax
Bills would keep parents from knowing which library books their kids check out and their STD vaccination status.
URGENT! Tell YOUR House member to Vote NO on cannabis concentrate bill
Sponsored post: Vote No on bill to remove caps on THC concentrates in legal sales of cannabis.
Two more suspects sought in drug murder
The murder victim, a member of a well-known local family, was associated with drug traffickers. Her bullet-riddled body was found stuffed in a metal can on the Missisquoi River.
PUC seeks comments tonight on McNeil, BED plan
Concerned about Burlington’s McNeil power plant? The state energy court is holding a hearing tonight.
VT Headlines, & a must-read from Bari Weiss
The heirs of Cincinnatus are farming, and fighting, in Israel.
UVM doctor cited for sex crime with child
The Underhill man will face charges in a Washington County courthouse today.
Letters: Party unity, anti-hunting bill
The calls for party unity are readily made when the dissenters are the MAGA conservative elements of the party. Not so much when the objections are coming from the more liberal Republicans.
Bananas: Biden gives epic State of the Onion address
After the one-sided applause died down, he addressed the crowd and got off to a good start by stating “If I was smart I would go home right now”.
Bensman: An immigration crisis beyond imagining
In 2023 there were three million apprehensions of illegal immigrants, a daily average of 8,219. Entering 2024, apprehensions were up to 12,000-15,000 per day.
CLG: Biden botches name of migrant-murdered ‘Lincoln’ Riley in Trump-bashing State of the Union speech
Ukraine seizes apartment of 80-year-old Russia supporter; Polish Foreign Minister Says Sending NATO Troops Into Ukraine ‘Not Unthinkable’; Biden to have U.S. military build a port in Gaza
Some cliff tops and overlooks closed to protect nesting Peregrines
Also, be alert for frogs and salamanders while driving.
Bears are becoming active earlier in the spring
Vermonters need to take steps now to prevent bear conflicts.
Klar: Fur trapping to save the planet!
A recent study concludes that explosive repopulation of Arctic terrain by beavers is thawing large areas of tundra and releasing climate-destroying methane.
House bills on school construction $$, bullying, soliciting children, class sizes, licensing illegal immigrants race to Crossover deadline
The Legislature knows replacing crumbling old schools over the next two decades will cost $6 billion. Where will that money come from?
Vermonters ‘should do everything they can’ to stop Trump, Scott says
Gov. Scott said he’s open to voting for Democrat Joe Biden. Again.
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