VTDigger

Vermont group listens and learns at U.N. biodiversity summit in Colombia

People seated beneath a banner reading "Hagamos Paz con la Naturaleza" at a COP event venue.

“Even though we’re planning on a state level, we’re part of a global ecosystem,” said UVM senior lecturer Walter Poleman, one of four representatives observing the summit on behalf of the Vermont Biodiversity Alliance, a newly formed group.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont group listens and learns at U.N. biodiversity summit in Colombia.

Former Stowe man denies federal charges linked to double slaying 

A multi-story building with numerous windows is situated along a sidewalk with adjacent trees and a fenced green space in front. Several vehicles are parked nearby. The sky is cloudy.

Theodore Bland entered not guilty pleas Monday to federal firearms and drug charges related to the fatal shooting last year of two Massachusetts men in Vermont.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Former Stowe man denies federal charges linked to double slaying .

Man charged in fatal Waterbury shooting pleads not guilty

A police SUV and a large green truck are on a muddy road with parked cars and onlookers nearby under a cloudy sky.

Police in an affidavit said Fabrice Rumama, 20, of Springfield, Mass., shot and killed a man and injured another over a drug debt.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Man charged in fatal Waterbury shooting pleads not guilty.

Court appeal coming for Essex Junction weed and ducks case

A group of ducks of various colors gathered on a grassy area, with blue planters and stacked wooden boards in the background.

A judge in August sided with the cannabis and duck farmer, but his neighbors are pursuing an appeal of that decision.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Court appeal coming for Essex Junction weed and ducks case.

Julia Russell: An expanded child tax credit would benefit thousands of Vermonters

Letters to the editor.

Reforming the tax code will be a big debate in Congress next year. Their first agenda item should be expanding the CTC to all families experiencing poverty.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Julia Russell: An expanded child tax credit would benefit thousands of Vermonters.

WATCH: VTDigger’s U.S. House debate with Becca Balint and Mark Coester

Two people outdoors: a woman in glasses and a yellow shirt on the left, and a bearded man in sunglasses and a light blue shirt on the right. Urban setting with buildings and trees in the background.

Incumbent Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., and her Republican/Libertarian challenger, Mark Coester, will face off in the online forum on VTDigger’s website.

Read the story on VTDigger here: WATCH: VTDigger’s U.S. House debate with Becca Balint and Mark Coester.

Bill Schubart: Preventing toxic stress in our communities

Columns: opinion pieces by regular contributors.

We are coming to understand that our minds and our bodies function as one organism.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Bill Schubart: Preventing toxic stress in our communities.

Sharon voters reject retail cannabis

A person tends to plants under grow lights in an indoor garden, surrounded by equipment and wiring.

The rejection comes on the eve of a decision by the state’s Cannabis Control Board to stop issuing new retail and cultivator licenses effective Oct. 25.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Sharon voters reject retail cannabis.

Then Again: The Long, Fast Trail

A speedy hiker’s end-to-end exploits generate headlines—and controversy.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Then Again: The Long, Fast Trail.

Young Writers Project: ‘Yin and yang’

Green leaves partially submerged in water with ripples and reflections on the surface.

This week’s Young Writers Project entry is “Yin and Yang,” by Quinn Brubaker, 13, of Shelburne. Artwork is “Spring Pool,” by Amelia Van Driesche, 18, of Burlington.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Young Writers Project: ‘Yin and yang’.

Rudyard Kipling’s historic Vermont home aims to weather changing times

A large house surrounded by trees and autumn foliage under a cloudy sky.

The nonprofit Landmark Trust USA is working to protect the late English writer’s Dummerston hideaway — where he penned “The Jungle Book” and “Captains Courageous” — from increasingly punishing precipitation.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Rudyard Kipling’s historic Vermont home aims to weather changing times.

Man charged in fatal Waterbury shooting

A police SUV and a large green truck are on a muddy road with parked cars and onlookers nearby under a cloudy sky.

Fabrice Rumama, 20, of Springfield, Mass., was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Shawn Spiker, 34, of Croydon, N.H.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Man charged in fatal Waterbury shooting.

Burlington mayor, councilors at odds with police chief over police oversight ballot item 

Two police SUVs are parked in front of the Burlington Police Department building, which has American and state flags flying above it.

The measure, on the November ballot, marks a rare compromise between Progressives and Democrats, but Chief Jon Murad says it’s unnecessary.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Burlington mayor, councilors at odds with police chief over police oversight ballot item .

Less than 10% of Vermonters have been vaccinated for Covid-19 so far this year

A man is getting a vaccine from another man.

The figures are slightly better than this time last year, the health department said, but still far below the state’s initial Covid vaccination rate. Here’s what you need to know about getting the vaccine.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Less than 10% of Vermonters have been vaccinated for Covid-19 so far this year.

Vermonter reportedly shot, abducted in the Philippines 

A police officer holding a weapon stands in front of a building with a metal roof and two parked motorcycles.

The Associated Press reported that police in the coastal town of Sibuco identified the kidnapping victim as Elliot Onil Eastman of Vermont and said his suspected abductors fled with him in a boat.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermonter reportedly shot, abducted in the Philippines .

Mail-in ballots are still a thing to get used to, even the third time around

A ballot drop box with a sign reading "Insert Ballot Here" is positioned outside against a brick wall.

We answer the whys, what ifs and hows of handling your ballot in Vermont with the Nov. 5 general election less than three weeks away.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Mail-in ballots are still a thing to get used to, even the third time around.

Senators appeal lawsuit over interim education secretary to Vermont Supreme Court

A person with long blonde hair and glasses speaks into a microphone at an outdoor event. A blurred person and green foliage are visible in the background.

Gov. Phil Scott appointed Zoie Saunders as interim secretary of education immediately after the Vermont Senate rejected her permanent appointment.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Senators appeal lawsuit over interim education secretary to Vermont Supreme Court.

Don Stevens: My family’s experience of Vermont’s eugenics survey

Letters to the editor.

The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is to tell the stories of the families affected by the eugenics survey regardless of their race, social class or medical condition.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Don Stevens: My family’s experience of Vermont’s eugenics survey.

Dentists log miles to improve smiles

A mobile dental clinic truck labeled "Lamoille Health Family Dentistry" parked outside, with two people entering via steps.

“This is an easier way to get to those medically underserved communities, to get to those that have transportation issues, etcetera,” Lamoille Health president and CEO Stuart May, said.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Dentists log miles to improve smiles.

Gov. Phil Scott’s shelter plan met with relief and skepticism

Industrial building with a green exterior and a tan roof. Red dumpsters are in front, and a cell tower stands nearby. Clear blue sky above.

“We still need an even quicker solution to house people in the immediate term,” said the director of a Washington County shelter provider.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Gov. Phil Scott’s shelter plan met with relief and skepticism.

Union Mutual ceding control to Massachusetts insurance companies

Union Mutual employs just under 100 people, and is the third largest insurance company in Montpelier, after National Life and Vermont Mutual. The affiliation is the latest of three recent local affiliations or mergers.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Union Mutual ceding control to Massachusetts insurance companies.

New UVM program offers ‘boot camp’ for Vermont town officials 

A man with gray hair speaks into a microphone. He is wearing a dark suit and is seated in front of a wooden background.

The first round of participants include new and mid-career managers, assistant managers, a treasurer and a selectboard member.

Read the story on VTDigger here: New UVM program offers ‘boot camp’ for Vermont town officials .

Vermont’s population ticked upward in 2023 — but only slightly

Bar chart comparing Vermont population in 2020 and 2023 across age groups, showing increases in ages 0-17, 25-39, 65-79, and decreases in ages 40-54, 55-64, 80+.

The state’s population grew older too. An uptick in 25- to 55-year-olds was offset by its older population growing even older while births declined.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont’s population ticked upward in 2023 — but only slightly.

As Vermont’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission lays out its plans, it faces renewed criticism from Abenaki leaders

A person with a braid and a feather in their hair watches a group of people sitting in a circle on a set of steps.

“Vermonters with the best intentions are supporting theft and cultural appropriation, and furthering colonization,” leaders from Odanak and W8linak First Nations said.

Read the story on VTDigger here: As Vermont’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission lays out its plans, it faces renewed criticism from Abenaki leaders.

VTDigger to host congressional debates next week, including U.S. Senate event with Vermont Public

Four people in separate images, including three men and one woman, participating in public speaking events, with backgrounds featuring banners and flags.

The debates will feature U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Gerald Malloy, U.S. Rep. Becca Balint and Republican/Libertarian nominee for U.S. House Mark Coester.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger to host congressional debates next week, including U.S. Senate event with Vermont Public.

Dartmouth Health’s air and ground transport to expand with $6.7 million donation

Three men watch a small helicopter taking off from a grassy area surrounded by trees and hills.

The donation came earlier this year from the estate of Les Haynes, of the Lakes Region, who “credited DHART with saving his life on several occasions."

Read the story on VTDigger here: Dartmouth Health’s air and ground transport to expand with $6.7 million donation.

Vermont Conversation: Front Porch Forum co-founder Michael Wood-Lewis insists that social media can build community

"A critical part of our model is that each member-submitted posting is reviewed by our professional staff before publication (which) is absolutely not how any other social media works.”

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont Conversation: Front Porch Forum co-founder Michael Wood-Lewis insists that social media can build community.

Frank Landry: Doctors need more time with patients, not less

Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members.

Increasing panel sizes and diminishing time with patients is no solution to a physician shortage.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Frank Landry: Doctors need more time with patients, not less.

Amazon to pay $400,000 in settlement over Vermont ban on tobacco product sales

A person blows smoke out of their mouth while vaping.

The online retail giant failed to effectively prevent vendors from shipping tobacco products to Vermonters, Attorney General Charity Clark said in a press release.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Amazon to pay $400,000 in settlement over Vermont ban on tobacco product sales.

Doctor sues Vermont’s former prison health care provider alleging fraud

Southern State Correctional Facility

Dr. George Zazzali alleges his name was forged on a policy and procedures document, and that he was fired after expressing concerns regarding the quality of Vitalcore’s health care.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Doctor sues Vermont’s former prison health care provider alleging fraud.

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