Good morning, and here are some headlines from the Vermont Daily Chronicle –
Two days before Vermont Republicans vote for their next state party chair, incumbent Paul Dame is pushing back against a mailed postcard that questions both his fundraising record and his salary of more than $60,000. Dame called the piece “poorly designed” and “divisive,” and said it’s the wrong message to send so close to Saturday’s leadership vote. He also publicly named the down-ticket candidates he’s supporting, saying the party needs unity heading into 2026.
In education news, the state’s new Act 73 — the 2025 Education Reform law — is already facing a legal challenge. The law tightened eligibility rules for Vermont’s long-standing town tuitioning program, and as of July 1 bars all religious schools from receiving public tuition dollars. Mid Vermont Christian School and several affected families have filed suit, arguing the exclusions violate their rights and unfairly shut them out of the program.
Vermont’s housing shortage continues to stir debate. In a recent interview, economist Art Woolf said the state’s “appalling” housing costs stem largely from excessive regulation. Woolf argued that relying on state-funded affordable housing programs won’t solve the issue for middle-income Vermonters. He says the real answer is removing barriers that limit new housing construction.
Turning to crime — a Tunbridge woman is facing charges after investigators say she embezzled $186,000 from the local fire department over a decade. State police say a review of the department’s financial records revealed the losses occurred between 2014 and 2025.
Also this week, three suspected fentanyl traffickers from Connecticut — along with a St. Johnsbury man — were arrested after police stopped a stolen vehicle traveling northbound on I-91. Police say the group is believed to be linked to fentanyl distribution in the region.
And finally, a big day for some young leaders: the Secretary of State has announced the seven finalists for Vermont’s first-ever Kid Governor program. Each fifth-grade candidate created a campaign focused on an important issue facing Vermont and a three-point plan for how kids can make a difference in their own communities. The winner will be chosen later this fall.