Big Pharma will pay out $6.6 billion in two cash settlements to participating states, including Vermont.
Two Big Pharma opioid settlements last week mean big cash payment for Vermont
Shelburne offers 10K bonus for new cops
With help from federal recovery funds, small towns like Shelburne are offering big bucks for the dwindling supply of police officers.
Roper: despite record high fuel costs, Legislature to continue climate taxation
The Vermont Climate Council is coming up with another ‘climate plan’ that will make heating fuel and gasoline even more expensive. But the Council isn’t the real culprit.
Vermonters trained to survive active shooters
Beginning today, state and federal law enforcement will be training Vermonters around the state how to survive an active shooter threat.
Nine-year-old dies two weeks after Pfizer shot
CDC VAERS data shows a nine-year-old with no pre-existing conditions died two weeks after vaccination.
Kidnappings in Springfield, West Lebanon
Two kidnapping last month – one definitely drug-related.
Drunk boater injures child, drunk driver near-miss head-on collision with state trooper / another fatal motorcycle crash
A child was injured after a drunk boater struck an inflatable trampoline on Lake Hortonia.
Water Cooler: Vermont economy slowdown predicted / Leahy backs Gray
Hot headlines from Vermont media.
Northfield home invasion victim urges troubled veterans find help
After a man with a knife invaded his Northfield home Tuesday night, Dept. of Labor chief Michael Harrington wants veterans to know that mental health treatment is available.
Pro-life leader explains support for Nolan
A longtime Vermont pro-life leader explains why she supports Christina Nolan for senator.
Krauss: why I adore Gabbard, Ali, Paglia and Mom
The shock of a feminist woman like Camille Paglia defending traditional masculine traits is both ironic and appreciated.
Legal sports betting could net state $10 mil, study claims
Legalization of sports betting could raise $10 million in state revenue – but consumers could be harmed, a state study says.
Keelan: Looking back from column #500 – and looking ahead
On more than a few occasions, I have been asked if it is difficult to write a column or find material about which to write. Yes and no.
‘Rocket’ calls for recall of Hartford Town Manager for police hire delay, comments about middle-aged white men
A Hartford selectboard member named Rocket wants to recall the Town Manager.
Road rage triggers assault
Road rage in Billtown, assault while driving in Westford.
Satire from the Babylon Bee: Top alternative words to use when you can’t say ‘groomer’
Now that Big Tech social media platforms are cracking down on the use of the word ‘groomer,’ the Babylon Bee offers helpful alternatives.
Kelly: “No” on Article 22 keeps gender fluidity out of the courts and away from the lawyers
Tinkering with the Constitution by adding vague, undefined terms invites unelected judges to interpret the vague undefined terms, a former Vermont prosecutor says.
VT Grassroots presents Celebrate America! Church, Health & Politics in the Public Square August 5-7 [sponsored content]
VT Grassroots presents Celebrate America! Church, Health & Politics in the Public Square, with special guest Rep. Vicki Strong and Dr. Carol Swain, Rev. Christopher Thoma, Dr. Peter Breggin, and more.
Best Buy laptop thieves face no jail time, small fine if caught
Two men seen robbing a Best Buy store in West Lebanon would not face any jail time if caught, prosecuted and convicted.
Water Cooler: Firefighters rescue cat stuck between walls
Cat stuck behind a wall meows pathetically. Fire Department to the rescue! Sweetwaters closing. Those headlines and others….
NY man drowns in Green River Reservoir
This morning, the body of a 22-year-old New York man was recovered from the Green River Reservoir in Hyde Park.
Wear Red, White & Blue to Barre GOP dinner August 5 [sponsored content]
Washington County Republican Committee “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” dinner August 5 at Fairways and Greens in Barre.
Former Dem judges declare invasion, run for reelection as GOP in Texas border communities
Invasion on the southern border.
Flemming: St. Albans debate shows BLM flag rift about more than skin color
When two black people on a St. Albans ‘inclusion’ committee disagreed on whether to endorse a BLM sign, the more conservative black person was not only outvoted, but was eventually tossed off the committee.
Letters: Inflation boosts monthly house payments $500 / Real Republicans betrayed
Another crippling casualty of Bidenflation: mortgage payments.
House Dems block attempted ban on strategic oil sales to China
A May, 2022 University of Chicago poll finds that most Americans say the U.S. government is corrupt and almost a third say it may soon be necessary to take up arms against it.
Morrison named top cop for Vermont
A former Colchester and Burlington police chief has been named Commissioner of Public Safety.
Vermont labor commissioner defends family against knife-wielding home invader
Vermont’s Commissioner of Labor and his family Tuesday night were victims of an armed home invader who later committed suicide.
Pride flag thefts, vandalism
Nine incidents involving vandalism or theft of LGBTQ+ Pride flags have taken place since July 11 in Isle La Motte.
Six reasons why Sarah George could lose
The college students aren’t on campus yet, she faces an uprising from fellow state’s attorneys, and Chittenden county’s firefighters are tired of wearing combat gear on rescue calls.
Watercooler: Balint benefits from LGBTQ PAC $$
LGBTQ PACs have been giving generously to the Congressional campaign of Sen. Becca Balint.
Mermel, Malloy, Redic & Tynio get A’s from NRA
The National Rifle Association’s PAC has given A’s to some Vermont Republican candidates, and less-flattering marks to others.
Lawmakers, abortion providers attack pregnancy centers’ right to message
Vermont’s abortion-free crisis pregnancy centers are once again under fire from pro-legal abortion media, legislators, and abortion providers.
Evslin: Idiotic NY law required release of man who attacked Rep. Lee Zeldin
Rep. Lee Zeldin predicted – correctly – that the man who assaulted him would be released without bail under an idiotic New York law.
Balint huge lead over Gray, poll shows; GOP races closer, more undecided
The latest poll shows Becca Balint pulverizing Molly Gray in the Democratic primary for Congress two weeks hence. The GOP races are close, with many undecided voters.
Warner: Groomers, Part 2 – power structures
To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.
Abortion up to birth not will of the majority, Article 22 opponents say
Saturday’s anti-Article 22 rally saw hot weather, warm encouragement to talk to neighbors and vote, and cool maple creemees afterwards.
Water Cooler: man throws live rounds on hot McGriddle / 12 hour shifts at prisons / pride flag burning in Isle La Motte
A man was arrested for holding a live ammunition cook-off on the grill of a South Burlington fast food restaurant. This headline and others from VT media.
Dame: Fact, fiction and Democrats’ war on the word “recession”
Just because you call a dog’s tail a leg, doesn’t mean it is one, the first Republican president said.
Firefighters, state’s attorneys want Kenney
With firefighters and even sitting state’s attorneys endorsing opponent Ted Kenney, and her Soros’-backed compatriots getting thrown out by voters nationwide, are Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George’s days numbered?
New contract gives Burlington cops more $$, civilian oversight
The Burlington police union last night agreed to more government shekels AND government shackles.
Groton woman cited for spraying bear hunters with bear spray
Mr. Spear alleged that Ms. Nanni blocked the road, instigated an altercation, and used bear spray on him and his companions.
Homeowner dies in house fire
A 52-year-old woman died in a house fire in Marlboro, despite efforts by a family member to save her.
GOP candidates in Bellows Falls Saturday, Barre August 5
Now’s the time to meet Republican candidates for statewide office: Saturday in Bellows Falls, next Friday in Barre.
Orlando: asking the real question about legal abortion
Pro-abortion legal theorist Judith Javis Thomson said in 1971 the abortion debate comes down to the question: Can one person kill another person because that second person’s existence is going to be burden to the first person for the next nine or fewer months?
Warner: Groomers, Part 1
A former social worker with sex abuse victims who was himself a victim of ‘grooming’ describes what the term means and how it is perpetrated today.
Bruce Whitcomb Judd
The children of Bruce Judd of Barre, who died a year ago today, honor his memory.
Utility asks members to conserve electricity, don’t charge cars in evening
With just a few thousand EVs on the road, one Vermont utility is already requesting members not recharge them during peak hours on hot days.
Roper: Don’t use the cars we’re forcing you to buy!
There are only about 5000 electric vehicles on Vermont roads today, and the grid can’t handle charging them all during a week of high but not unprecedented summer heat.
McClaughry: SCOTUS EPA ruling victory for Rule of Law
The U.S. Supreme Court is unlikely to be persuaded by an Bernie-inspired executive action about a “national climate emergency.”
Water Cooler: Vermont needs smaller cars, trains, bikes
Hot headlines from a hot Vermont weekend.
More mayhem in Burlington
Two more people are dead by gunfire in Burlington’s Old North End.
‘Person of interest in July 7 Burlington murder released July 3 after arrest
Despite a lengthy arrest record and a history of flight from custody, the ‘person of interest’ in the July 7 Hussein Mubarak murder was cited and released July 3 after being arrested for possession of a stolen gun.
Scott endorses LG candidate Benning
Gov. Phil Scott has endorsed the lieutenant governor candidate with the most State House experience and centrist political and policy views.
Thayer: Dems blind to growing cost of living
We need to cut regulations that have caused our housing crunch.
Polio confirmed
Monkeypox, polio, and and Biden admin award to Soros group to help border crossers make headlines across the country.
Protest outside Barre pregnancy services clinic
A Barre pregnancy clinic providing alternatives to abortions was the subject of a sidewalk protest Saturday afternoon.
Shoreham dairy farmer went from 40 cows to 950 milkers
“I never saw myself milking this many cows, but with the boys and the way things are, it’s a good thing we are,” Loren Wood said.
Flemming: Longmore’s comments on St. Albans ‘equity’ board not ‘obstructionist,’ but constructive
Keith Longmore’s comments on the St. Albans Belonging, Equity and Inclusion committee show he wanted to help – even though he disagreed with the majority’s conclusions.
Moot: Responsibly-sited wind projects?
No wind developer or owner has taken any responsibility for the damage caused. Instead, they deny there are any problems.
Montpelier Council advances prostitution repeal, despite residents’ unanimous opposition
After a lengthy string of Montpelier residents spoke against repealing the city’s anti-prostitution ordinance, the City Council voted to advance the repeal anyway.
VT Secretary of Digital Services cited for disorderly conduct in parking dispute
The State of Vermont’s chief digital information officer got into a parking dispute on State Street in Montpelier, resulting in a citation for disorderly conduct.
Water Cooler: Check your Powerball ticket! / Flying spiders / strange sea creatures / Movie theater reopens
There’s a $366 million winner out there – somewhere.
Understaffed adult prisons, no juvenile facility plague Vermont incarceration system
There aren’t enough staff for Vermont’s adult prisons. There is no permanent facility for juvenile offenders.
Organized retail theft grows as pandemic created online marketplace for stolen goods
A bill to make it easier to charge repeat retail thieves with a felony didn’t get out of the 2022 Vermont Legislature.
Legislature funded one year of free breakfast, lunch for all public and independent school students
Students at all public and independent schools will eat free breakfast and lunch this coming school year, thanks to a bill passed this year by the Legislature. The $29 million to pay for it will come out of the Education Fund.
Well-dressed thieves hit VT country clubs
A pair of thieves dressed in golf attire are stealing credit cards from country clubs and using them to buy gift cards.
CT fentanyl dealer gets five years in federal slammer
A West Hartford, Connecticut man with a violent drug crime record was sentenced to five years for drug dealing in Rutland.
Babylon Bee: Biden races to sniff one last girl before losing smell to Covid
“The President has taken every precaution possible to ensure that his dearly beloved olfactory nerve remains healthy,” said White House physician Dr. Elliot Reed.
Brattleboro homicides autopsied
A 23-year-old woman died of a gunshot to the head Tuesday morning, an autopsy found.
Water Cooler: Rutland PD hires three officers / Woman named Dartmouth prez
The venerable downtown office building of the Hardwick Gazette may soon have a new life as a community center. This headline and others from Vermont media today.
Flemming: VT business climate ranks low
If you believe CNBC, Vermont ranks 31st in business climate among the 50 states. But if you believe the Tax Foundation instead…..
Truck Garden
TRUCK GARDEN in West Newbury really puts the rust in rustic.
Block grant $$ for S. Burlington housing, other projects statewide
Gov. Scott announced more federal funding for building housing and community gathering spaces.
Couple arrested in Springfield drug raid
Two alleged fentanyl dealers were arrested yesterday morning in a Springfield drug raid.
Lunged at cops with knife, shot dead
A man wanted for questioning in Tuesday’s killing of a Massachusetts woman in Brattleboro was shot dead by three Vermont police officers after he lunged at them with a knife later that night.
Condos: Election fraud “insidious lie….driving a wedge between Americans”
“Despite the complete lack of evidence, this lie has gripped certain groups in the electorate and is at the center of the divisiveness driving a wedge between Americans,” Secretary of State Jim Condos said.
Letter: College chum says VT needs Joe Benning
We need a steady hand on the gavel in the Senate, someone who knows and loves this chamber, Paul Cook of Barre says.
Mermel TV ad compares Senate opponent Nolan to ‘woke’ Sarah George
Myers Mermel compares GOP Senate opponent and former U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan to Chittenden County prosecutor Sarah George.
90% oppose unrestricted abortion, ‘Defeat Article 22’ organizers say
The results demonstrate that Vermont’s proposed “reproductive autonomy” constitutional amendment — which would block any restrictions up to the moment of birth — goes contrary to broad public sentiment, according to Vermonters for Good Government.
U.S. Forest Service rushing private development on Silver Lake
The U.S. Forest Service is rushing through a private development to build a network of privately-owned huts along Silver Lake.
I know Mark Coester
Unlike many of his critics, Mark Coester would never denigrate the Constitution as the oppressive tool of rich, white, male, musket-toting, slave-owners.
Mom ‘deprogrammed’ daughter from school ‘gender ideology cult’ – Karlyn Borysenko
A black mom from Nevada will discuss her efforts to rescue her daughter from “the gender cult ideology her school had indoctrinated her into.”
Five state troopers resigned amid internal investigation in 2021
Alleged wrongdoing by state troopers included excessive use of force, possession of fraudulent Covid-19 cards, negligent use of firearms, and sexual harrassment.
Water Cooler: Swastika spray-painted on Ben & Jerry’s shop
Someone painted a swastika on a shop owned by iconic ice-cream makers who back the boycott-divest-sanction movement against the State of Israel.
Plaintiff in mandate lawsuit runs for Vermont House, decries noblesse oblige
The hills are alive with those who may not have our best interest in mind.
Man wanted in death of MA woman killed by police
An investigation into the death of a young woman in Brattleboro resulted in the death by police gunfire of a Massachusetts man.
Record # of bears invade homes
Since the Legislature banned food scraps in trash and garbage disposals in 2020, hungry bears are invading Vermont homes at record levels.
Burlington man questioned in fatal shooting of Mubarak
The July 7 murder of a New American from Burlington has resulted in another Burlington man being held for questioning by police.
Prostitution repeal on Montpelier City Council agenda tonight
Legalizing prostitution leaves trafficked people little recourse than to continue working the streets or running classified ads, a critic of Montpelier’s proposed repeal of its prostitution ordinance says.
New carbon taxes on Climate Council agenda
Unelected climate czars push carbon taxes, again.
Vermont man in Greenwood Mall in Indiana – unarmed
The sights and smells came flooding back and the happy people and their families all seemed suspended in my mind in a soon-to-be tragic tableau.
Water Cooler: Remains of WWII Vermont soldier recovered
The remains of a Hinesburg man and U.S. Army soldier killed in the bloody, dense Hurtgen Forest of Germany have been recovered, NBC5 reports.
State’s Attorney Sarah George “scapegoated” for public safety woes, she claims
IT’S THE PANDEMIC’S FAULT – Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George and her office have been “scapegoated” over public concern about the rise in crime, she claimed.
Drag Queen Story Hour comes to Waterbury
Drag queens will hold a story hour for children at a Waterbury bookstore.
Licata seeks Burlington seat in State House
“The traditional Democrat Party is dead. It’s gone. Progressivism has subsumed it,” said Independent candidate for the Vermont House Tom Licata of Burlington.
Rosenthal: When Antifa-connected mob attacked Charles Murray at Middlebury College, I was there
An Irasburg man recalls how Vermont Antifa activists brought him to Middlebury College to participate in an attack on speaker Charles Murray in 2017.
Candidate for Congress Ericka Redic shares story of recovery
Ericka Redic’s story of recovery is a message of hope and how the lessons along the way led her to conservatism.
Electric aircraft builder gets 75-year lease at Burlington airport
A cutting-edge electric aircraft builder employing hundreds of people now has a 75-year lease at the Burlington International Airport.
Coester answers Benning about Jan. 6, Pepe the Frog
The driver of a logging truck deplored by Lt. Gov. candidate Joe Benning responds to his campaign statements.










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