Firefighters battle several blazes along train tracks in Northeast Kingdom; Lake Monsters return to Centennial Field for opening day; Vt. Fish and Wildlife asks hunters to share turkey hunting data
VT Headlines: Incarcerated man alleges Springfield prison superintendent ignored report of sexual abuse by officer
Eye gouger gets 7-15 years in prison
The victim’s eyes were swollen shut and gushing blood, family members reported.
Case dismissed! AG failed to produce records sought by state trooper on trial
Vermont Attorney’s General’s office was involved in misconduct by failing to turn over documents to the defense until the eve of the trial, a judge ruled.
Keelan: Let’s face it, we don’t care
Do we care what it takes to get us an EV or a kilowatt of electricity? Vermont has been in denial. The cost is too great for this to continue.
Flag kerfuffle ruffles village
An man who moved from Idaho to a tiny Orange County village is getting local pushback for his plan to beautify utility poles with American flags.
Bananas Goes To Bilderberg!
Sixty-nine dude! That’s how many of these awesome meetings of the uber elite have taken place in the last sixty-nine years and they finally had the good sense to invite yours truly – or not- I’m not supposed to say.
Mott: Not just Red States risk deep-sixing democracy
When a pro-choice leader announced “our autonomy over our bodies is not up for discussion,” it sent a clear signal: If you are pro-life in Vermont, your judgments do not matter. That’s a big mistake.
Krowinski sends budget without ‘homeless hotel’ $$ to Scott, blames him for failing to plan
It’s not the Legislature’s fault that the homeless hotel program is ending without a transition plan. Just ask the Speaker of the House.
VT Headlines: Demolition begins on former Burlington High School
Berlin tries to curb impacts of influx of unhoused individuals; Washington County sheriff’s deputy accused of leaving scene of accident; Police chase car across Burlington airport property
Attorney General orders State Police to cite two state troopers over ‘bean bag’ incident
Two state troopers have been cited for simple assault for their efforts to stop a severely disturbed man with non-lethal bean bag rounds.
Thayer: Truths, absolutes and facts about CO2
Did you know that fossil fuels are 100% organic? Made from the Earth and by the Earth.
McClaughry: the Representative and Senator interest group fared well this session
One interest group fared extraordinarily well during the just-completed legislative session. That’s the interest group comprised of Representatives and Senators.
Roper: The weird irony of school mascot controversies
Increasingly and oddly in these days of supposed inclusivity, Mascots of Color need not apply. And if one already has the job, prepare to be eliminated.
Vermont’s Summer Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 10
“Vermont’s Free Fishing Day gives resident and nonresident anglers the opportunity to go fishing without a license for the day in Vermont lakes and streams,” said Commissioner Christopher Herrick.
Springfield, MA men busted in Barre on fentanyl trafficking charges
Josue Cordero, 32, and Carlos Inostroza, 30, both of Springfield, MA were taken into custody and lodged in lieu of $25,000 bail each.
State of Texas erects razor wire to stop illegal immigrants after feds lift Title 42
Texas soldiers helped install miles of additional razor wire along the border and continue to maintain a strong presence behind the barriers.
Deml, Levine: Deaths in prison show Vermont’s hidden healthcare crisis
Even as total inmate population declines,Vermont’s correctional system continues to grapple with the aftershocks of the pandemic.
Derby’s Dandelion Run celebrates spring
As is tradition, the event also celebrated the “Last One Back to the Barn,” a title given to the runner who demonstrates grit and determination.
Graham: NH Dem Rep Tells Voter to ‘Shut Up’ Over Parents Rights Bill
NH State Rep. Tommy Hoyt attacks parents, Catholic priest, and more to a constituent in confirmed email.
Video: Strange bedfellows in $8.5 billion budget veto battle
In addition to the budget, bills that (Cutler said) could be vetoed include underage voting in Brattleboro. ranked choice voting, the legislative pay hike, universal school meals, and a gun control bill.
Signing contracts an issue with Brattleboro underage voting bill
The proposed Brattleboro charter change explicitly gives teenagers the right to do on behalf of the Town something state law otherwise prohibits them: the right to enter into contracts.
Galfetti: Mighty Phil Scott had struck out
Folks in the State House cried and cheered with the override of Scott Veto. But what they did not do was listen to their constituents.
VT Headlines: Williston police identify suspect accused of planting smoke bombs in movie theater
UVMMC patient survives six-story fall; Child airlifted to hospital after crash in Belvidere; Charter change in Brattleboro heads to Governor’s desk
To help grads remember, UVM commencement speaker spells out V-E-R-M-O-N-T
The director of the U.S. National Science Foundation used an acrostic to help his fellow UVM grads remember his commencement speech.
Night of terror at Killington campsite
A Mendon man with an axe threatened to kill four out-of-state campers in Killington, police say.
Bill to ban TikTok could lead to ‘sweeping surveillance and censorship’ in U.S., critics say
The Underbelly of Woke Capitalism; FBI obtained Americans’ bank records without subpoena; FBI Audit Reveals 8,000 Unjustified Searches of Americans’ Communications
Letters: Biden or his handlers make life worse for everyone / VT GOP silence complicit with evil
Are there any moderate Democrat leaders who understand Biden’s failures and will join Republicans and fix them?
Bucknam: Cure for public school racism is Black Power
The racist ideology of “The White Man’s Burden” has permeated our public schools, universities and other establishment institutions and is mortally wounding the future for Black American children.
Colchester man charged with dealing coke and pandemic loan fraud
According to the indictment, Hollins applied for eight EIDL loans in mid-2020 in his own name, in the names of two businesses he founded, in the names of two relatives and in the names of three persons whose identities Jones allegedly stole.
McGuinness: Correction on VTDigger’s journalistic integrity
Correction: It is incorrect for us to state that VT Digger failed to publish VFA’s commentaries: VFA failed to send them to VT Digger.
Two state troopers to face criminal charges
The Vermont Attorney’s Office is planning to file criminal charges against two veteran state troopers for the use of a bean bag round in an effort to deescalate an out-of-control suspect.
NEA, abortion rights groups, Krowinski win big this year in Vermont Legislature
With another session of the Vermont Legislature over, Ledbetter, Calvin Cutler and Katharine Huntley of WCAX, and I will focus on what happened and what’s next – and maybe play the Winners and Losers game.
Sense of urgency moves restorative justice, abortion/transgender shield bills to head of the line
An attitude of ‘We need this NOW’ motivated lawmakers to pass legislation regarding abortion provider protections, criminal case referrals, and the easing of public meeting restrictions – and then make sure it became law quickly.
Franklin County man arrested for ‘burning with intent to intimidate’ in Charlottesville, VA
An Enosburg Falls man has been charged with carrying a lit tiki torch with intent to intimidate – a crime in Virginia.
VT Headlines: Vermont fire departments look to hire volunteers, career firefighters
State reps detail constituent input on legislative bills; Route 7 in Ferrisburgh shut down after crash; Legal battle continues over what landowner can do with blighted Burlington property
As summer travel approaches, VT, NY and Canada police gather at border to promote seat belt use
As the Memorial Day weekend looms, law enforcement agencies urge everyone to buckle up hitting the road.
Police seek smoke bomber at Williston movie theater
The smoke bombing resulted in an evacuation of the building and nearby businesses.
Restoring Our Faith Summit II set for Oct. 10
The Restoring Our Faith Summit is born from the idea that the global pandemic throttled our country into a state of fear, resulting in cultural breakdown.
Breaking News: Substitute teacher arrested for sexual assault on teenage girl
A 13 year-old-girl was sexually assaulted by a teacher at Lowell Graded School, police say.
Jeffrey Epstein’s New Hampshire connections
Across the Connecticut River, Jeffrey Epstein’s connections run deep in the Granite State, GraniteGrok reports.
‘April Stools Day’ has debut scooping in South Burlington
Animal waste is a major culprit in the development of blue-green algae, a type of cyanobacteria that plagues Lake Champlain and other Vermont waterways, largely due to soil runoff into rivers, streams.
Legislature adds $1200/household spending this year, Scott warns
“We share the same goals. We both support making historic investments in shared priorities. But we must do it in a way Vermonters can afford,” Gov. Phil Scott said.
Rep. Peterson: why I voted against $130 mil childcare bill
Mostly the childcare bill just costs too much. But it also intrudes Big Government into a sphere of life best handled by small business and families.
Lawmaker on ‘unbiased’ impeachment probe urged sheriff to drop out of race
One of the lawmakers charged with making an unbiased investigation of Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore’s alleged offenses had previously urged him to drop out of the race.
VT Headlines: Longtime Vermont This Week moderator Stewart Ledbetter to step down
Fire forces evacuations at Williston movie theater; UVM faculty, staff seek apology for administration’s handling of federal antisemitism investigation
School board to hold forums on principal fired for BLM comments
The embattled Mount Ascutney School Board is considering holding public forums to address lingering public dissatisfaction over the BLM-related firing of Principal Tiffany Riley and the subsequent $650,000 settlement the school district paid her.
Constitutional amendment would enshrine gender identity rights
Gender identity would be a protected constitutional right under an amendment proposed on the last day of the 2023 legislative session.
Rutland drug ringleader “P-Nut” sentenced to 140 months
A juvenile was used as a courier in “P-Nut” Ruiz’s drug operation.
Burlington shoplifter who threatened employees with knife sentenced
After gathering $1200 of merchandise, Kingsbury threatened employees with a knife.
Trudell: Who elected you to drive our fuel prices up so high?
You did not explicitly say you would do these things when you ran your political campaigns. We Vermonters were not marching in the streets demanding that you do these things to us.
State: towns unwilling to host youth detention facility
“When they start hitting staff with frying plans, they’re violent, and that’s the problem,” Sears said. “Right now we don’t have anything at the top of the system to hold those violent youths.”
‘Childcare affordability’ bill will increase costs for some families
In the 11th hour, the House agreed to the Senate’s funding structure, with a payroll tax of 0.44%, with at least 75% of the tax required to be paid by employers.
Historian/columnist George Will invokes Vermont presidential election history
“My idea is as the Ethan Allen Institute goes, so goes Vermont. And then as Vermont goes, so goes the nation,” Will said.
Vermont’s soaring solar spree is trickier than you think
As the state pushes toward its solar goals, what environmental questions must be examined?
State bans TikTok on state-owned devices
Digital services secretary Shawn Nailor cited U.S. intelligence agencies assessments “about the potential for Chinese intelligence and security services to use Chinese information technology firms as routine and systemic espionage platforms against the United States and allies.”
VT Headlines: Communities begin preparing for a drastic influx of homeless Vermonters
Shelburne garbage truck catches fire; Housing crunch magnified by older Vermonters looking to downsize; UVM faculty union alleges unfair labor practice over switch to new educational software
Vermonters in UVM freshman class up 8% – but still less than one in five
About 40% of UVM students will pay no tuition this fall, and Vermont resident enrollment is up.
CLG: DOJ just Biden their time
Migrant influx further taxes broken housing systems; Terrorist watchlist members caught in migrant influx; Dominion Voting Systems pressed on role in Tucker Carlson firing
State judge wavers on jailing ‘youthful offender,’ so feds charge him with armed robbery
Vermont’s ongoing lack of a secure holding facility for youthful offenders almost meant freedom for an 18-year-old alleged arm robber and drug criminal from Brooklyn – until the feds stepped in.
New trapping, coyote hunting regs get public hearings
The coyote-hunting regs would limit to 100 the number of coyote hunters using dogs. They also would limit each hunter to four dogs or fewer, and require the dogs to wear tracking/control collars.
House panel picked for Franklin County impeachment probe
A House panel to investigate possible impeachment proceedings on a Franklin County’s state’s attorney and sheriff has been selected.
Vermont desperately needs a Taxpayer Bill of Rights
To cover all this drunken sailor activity by the supermajority, the Democrats and Progressives are just asking you to, as always, “pay just a little bit more.”
Bill meant to help unions organize might ban DEI training mandates
A bill intended to be union-friendly “exemplifies how trying to regulate speech is a double-edged sword that creates unintended consequences,” an advocacy group says.
VT Headlines: Who pulled trigger on Sierra, Fuentes?
One man is dead, another in critical condition from gunshot wounds suffered Friday night in Brookfield. Whodunit?
Prisoner who died in local jail OD’d on drugs he concealed
The cause of Jones’s death was acute mixed drug intoxication including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, and the manner of death was an accident.
Warner: Biden laptop revelations leave big questions unanswered
Having double-minded men and women administering two-standards of justices is nothing new in American politics.
Corrections disbands inmate work crews, prison industries
Department officials attribute the decline in work crew sentences to the success of criminal justice reforms, including Justice Reinvestment I and II initiatives.
Overseas vote-by-email bill clears VT House, Senate
A bill approved by both the Vermont House and the Senate would allow registered voters living outside the United States to cast absentee ballots via email to a secure portal established by the Vermont Secretary of State.
Wilson: I apologize for the acts of many legislators
Ensuring a sustainable, realistic budget wisely appropriated for the good of all must be a primary goal. This did not happen this session.
Unexplained ‘excess deaths’ rise in VT during pandemic
A Burlington scientist asks the Vermont Dept. of Health to bring more clarity to the high rate of age 15-54 heart disease deaths by correlating with their vaccination status.
Former CNN producer and VT man may be nearing civil settlement in child sex abuse case
A former senior producer for CNN television admitted luring a Nevada woman and her adopted pre-teen daughter to Windsor County to have sadomasochistic sex with the girl.
Evslin: Why artificial intelligence will lead to job growth
And why job loss from AI is still a problem.
Teens die in motorcycle, side-by-side crashes
On opposite sides of the state, teenagers lost control of their vehicles, resulting in crashes and death.
Brookfield shooting victims had fentanyl arrest records
In August 2019, both Sierra and Fuentes were arrested along with a third Springfield MA resident, Luis Martinez, on charges of trafficking fentanyl into the state.
VT Headlines: Wildlife officials work to combat rabies outbreak in Chittenden County
New mental health treatment facility opens, and others are in early stages; Missing Bennington man found dead
Bossange: Need for 40,000 new homes a myth
The real danger here is that the “24,000 job vacancy” myth feeds the “40,000 new homes needed” myth, creating a false sense of urgency.
Roper: Unrepresentative, under-qualified legislature gives itself a massive pay raise
The Vermont House and Senate often disagree on what priorities should be or the best way to pay for a program, but on this point they heartily agree: they themselves deserve a lot more money.
Hango: Failure to exempt veterans’ pensions drives skilled workers out of state
The Legislature just budgeted tens of millions of dollars to create new state jobs. Too bad it couldn’t have kept more retired military instate by exempting their pensions from taxes.
McGuinness: VTDigger falls short on investigative journalism integrity
VTDigger has presented a biased perspective on gender-affirming industry ‘shield laws,’ H.89 and S.37, into law on May 10th by Governor Scott.
Adjourned! Guv, House & Senate leaders praise accomplishments of 2023 Legislature
Gov. Scott, Speaker Krowinski, and President Pro Tem Baruth weigh in with a trio of public statements.
Legislature to vote today on $8.53 billion budget
Before the hoped for adjournment today, lawmakers must vote on a proposed $8.53 billion budget.
Proposed labor law would make Vermont one of few states to ban captive-audience meetings
Vermont lawmakers are seeking to give workers increased protections when it comes to collective bargaining and union organizing through a bill that has passed in the Senate with a number of changes since it was introduced.
Video: Tourists, don’t do this when you visit Vermont
Vermonters will help visitors if they’re in distress. Just don’t expect them to be all warm and fuzzy. Oh, and creemees.
Fleeing state police cruiser, drunk driver hits, kills motorcylist: police
An Enosburg man was charged with his fourth DUI after he allegedly fled police pursuit in his pickup truck, which crossed the center line and struck an oncoming motorcylist, killing the driver.
Warner: In New Hampshire, Donald Trump breaks CNN…again
I decided to watch the Louder With (Steven) Crowder coverage and play along to the drinking game with a nice Temperanillo and cigar.
VT Headlines: Colchester teenager arrested for stabbing 19-year-old
Burlington fire crews knock out flames at homeless encampment; Vt. agencies to drop rabies vaccine amid Chittenden County outbreak; Vt. holds state auction
Biden Laptop, Part Two: Corruption timelines, and details of Biden family crime
Marco Polo describes the Biden “mob” family as essentially four packs. Throughout the years they have had multiple brushes with the law, engaged in obvious nepotism, and shown disdain for law enforcement.
House overrides Scott veto of S.5
The House overrode Gov. Scott’s veto of S.5, despite warnings of unfairly penalizing rural Vermonters and supporting the natural gas industry.
Biden corruption, bribery, foreign influence
The White House and FBI oppose investigation and transparency involving corruption allegations against Biden family.
House joins Senate in giving Legislature a big raise, benefits hike
Six Democrats and every Republican voted against S.39. Roll call provided.
VT Headlines: What changes will people see as COVID public health emergency ends?
Vt. regulators to crack down on synthetic cannabis; Corrections commissioner denies records appeal, keeps ID of out-of-state prison bidder secret
Letters: End of emergency housing means hundreds will die / Fed court could impact S.5 / Dem hypocrisy on fossil fuel
10% to 30% of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness will die as a result.
Teen arrested for Murder 1 attempt in Burlington
Drugs, gunfire and breaking through an apartment wall led to a Burlington arrest for an April 29 shooting.
Vermont – founded by a militia – just banned militias
Vermont wouldn’t be Vermont without Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys militia.
Funding door closes on homeless hotels
The State’s pandemic-era ‘homeless hotel’ program will end July 1, barring any last-minute deal if the governor vetoes the budget.
Drag devotional at Vermont State House
Justin Marsh, a/k/a Emoji Nightmare, reads “Just Add Glitter” to the Vermont House of Representatives this morning.
Dog shooting in Fairfield
A dog on the loose was shot May 9. Game wardens are investigating.
Roper: “Only cost pennies” Clean Heat Standard talking point is observably false
Vermont already has a two-cent excise tax on heating oil, kerosene and dyed diesel. It raises about $5 million per year. So, a per gallon surcharge on home heating fuels would have to raise about sixty times that amount to pay for the Clean Heat Standard mandates, or $1.20 per gallon. That’s just math, folks!
With House veto override set for Thursday, S.5 poll shows Vermonters opposed
A poll conducted last week shows Vermonters oppose S.5 – especially if it increases home heating fuel prices.
Outnumbered but unrestrained, GOP lawmakers bash legislative pay hike
“The senator that presented the sheriff’s bill initially stated there’s no other group in the state of Vermont that can give themselves raises the way that the Caledonia Sheriff did. And lo and behold, we’re doing it to ourselves,” Rep. Mark Higley said.
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