VTDigger

Rep. Daisy Berbeco: Protecting human rights means defending access to health care in Vermont

We are responding to a national narrative with a different story, one where dignity, autonomy and truth still matter.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Rep. Daisy Berbeco: Protecting human rights means defending access to health care in Vermont.

New York appeals court holds up detained Tufts student’s return to Vermont for hearing

People holding signs at a protest, with banners stating "Apartheid Free Community" and "Free Speech.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called for its own hearing next week, putting a halt, at least for now, to an order by a federal judge in Vermont to transfer Rümeysa Öztürk to a Vermont facility by May 1.

Read the story on VTDigger here: New York appeals court holds up detained Tufts student’s return to Vermont for hearing.

Woman charged with manslaughter in shooting death of 45-year-old Barre man

Donna Robinson, 43, also of Barre, is being held without bail after allegedly shooting Franklin Driscoll to death last week.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Woman charged with manslaughter in shooting death of 45-year-old Barre man.

How a high-profile Vermont murder case fell apart

A man with a ponytail, wearing a white shirt, sits in a courtroom flanked by two other people.

The murder trial against Seth Brunell ended in a surprise plea deal after a sheriff’s deputy had an unsanctioned conversation with the defendant. It was not the first mistake in the case.

Read the story on VTDigger here: How a high-profile Vermont murder case fell apart.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott appoints Brandon Thrailkill as Caledonia County Sheriff

Thrailkill’s appointment follows the March death of the previous Caledonia County Sheriff from a rare form of cancer.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott appoints Brandon Thrailkill as Caledonia County Sheriff.

Affordable apartments open in Colchester as housing leaders fear federal cuts

Red brick building with two levels of covered porches, white columns, and black railings, set against a clear blue sky and a green lawn.

State housing leaders are celebrating the opening of 65 new units but worry that federal cuts may be coming to the systems that support affordable housing.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Affordable apartments open in Colchester as housing leaders fear federal cuts.

Frustration stews at Williston senior community over state’s mobile home park rules

An older man stands on a driveway in front of a white manufactured home with blue shutters and an attached garage; a car is parked beside the house.

It looks like a mobile home park. The state says it isn’t. The folks in this Williston neighborhood are frustrated they can’t access the help that classification would afford them.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Frustration stews at Williston senior community over state’s mobile home park rules.

Landmark College selects interim leader as new president

A man in a blue shirt smiles against a cloudy sky, next to an aerial view of a forested campus with buildings and morning mist.

“I really want Landmark College to be seen as an anchor institution in Windham County, and so it's important that we plan for the future,” the college president said.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Landmark College selects interim leader as new president.

Brattleboro rejected a $25M municipal budget as too high. Now comes a $426,732 aftershock.

A group of people, including adults and children, gather on a sidewalk holding signs and standing near chalk writing during a public protest or demonstration.

Leaders have learned their original spending plan underestimated contracted costs, with its new higher total requiring a half-million dollars in cuts just to return to the 12% tax hike defeated at March Town Meeting.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Brattleboro rejected a $25M municipal budget as too high. Now comes a $426,732 aftershock..

Mirna Valerio: I love Vermont for its mountains — and its commitment to child care

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Access to affordable child care is something that concerns all Vermonters, even those who do not have children.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Mirna Valerio: I love Vermont for its mountains — and its commitment to child care.

Young Writers Project: ‘Chasing onward’

A child in a striped shirt stands with hands behind back, looking at an aquarium tank filled with coral and fish.

This week’s Young Writers Project entry is “Chasing onward,” by Quinn Brubaker, 13, of Shelburne. Artwork is “Wonder,” by Emma Herzmann from the YWP Media Library.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Young Writers Project: ‘Chasing onward’.

Benjamin Greenwood: Vermont’s drug crisis doesn’t stop at the city line

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Addiction here is not some distant statistic; it's an unrelenting force that has a corrupting grip on neighbors, classmates and loved ones.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Benjamin Greenwood: Vermont’s drug crisis doesn’t stop at the city line.

Once drug dependent and desperate, this Vermonter had a problem. Now he’s part of the solution.

A man in a navy blue polo shirt stands in front of a colorful mural featuring large birds and buildings.

“Not selling dope, selling hope,” says Justin Johnston, a Brattleboro police arrestee turned assistance team staffer who’s helping others escape the hard knocks of substance use and the streets.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Once drug dependent and desperate, this Vermonter had a problem. Now he’s part of the solution..

Despite funding freeze, demand for EV chargers remains at mountain resorts

Several electric vehicle charging stations stand unused in a snowy parking lot with parked cars, hills, and a ski slope visible in the background.

The Trump administration paused access to more than $16 million sent to Vermont through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Despite funding freeze, demand for EV chargers remains at mountain resorts.

Feds threaten states’ transportation funding over noncompliance with immigration enforcement

Three city buses are parked on a street. The front bus displays "Out of Service" on its destination sign. Trees are visible in the background.

Vermont’s largest public transit agency is now, as a result, weighing new training for its bus drivers on how to interact with federal agents.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Feds threaten states’ transportation funding over noncompliance with immigration enforcement.

Final Reading: Students pan school consolidation and urge lawmakers to hear their voices on education reform

A young woman speaks at a meeting or hearing, with several people seated behind her and a large portrait and video conference screen in the background.

A diverse group of students testified before the House and Senate education committees Friday, singing the praises of their small schools and urging the state to preserve DEI programming.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Final Reading: Students pan school consolidation and urge lawmakers to hear their voices on education reform.

Trump administration reverses course on international student visa crackdown 

Stone building with multiple windows and a white section on the left. Grass field in front with picnic tables, trees, and a concrete walkway. Overcast sky.

At least one Middlebury College student’s status was affected, according to an announcement last week. University spokespersons declined to comment on whether the status is being restored.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Trump administration reverses course on international student visa crackdown .

Woodstock demotes police chief to patrol officer

A man in a suit sits at a table, resting his chin on his hand and appearing deep in thought, while two other people are in the foreground.

The decision by the village trustees appears to set the stage for a protracted legal battle. Swanson’s fight to be reinstated as police chief would now move to the courthouse.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Woodstock demotes police chief to patrol officer.

 ‘Time to do something different’: Johnson’s library to roll across town, out of the floodplain, on Saturday

A red brick building on wheeled supports and wooden beams, elevated off the ground, is in the process of relocation.

Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library is poised to celebrate its own flood recovery milestone one week later.

Read the story on VTDigger here:  ‘Time to do something different’: Johnson’s library to roll across town, out of the floodplain, on Saturday.

Morristown dental clinic avoids eviction

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

Susan Bartlett, Lamoille Health board member and interim CEO, said the organization’s failure to make its lease payments on the Morrisville dentistry was due to a lack of cash on hand, but the situation was stabilizing.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Morristown dental clinic avoids eviction.

Richard T. Cassidy

A man with short hair in a suit, standing in front of shelves filled with legal books.

He served his community, state, and nation with dedicated enthusiasm.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Richard T. Cassidy.

Commissioner Jennifer Morrison: Public safety in Vermont requires rebalancing priorities

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Together, let’s create a Vermont where every corner of our state reflects the security, respect and opportunity we all deserve.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Commissioner Jennifer Morrison: Public safety in Vermont requires rebalancing priorities.

Sen. Anne Watson: A response to Sec. Moore’s commentary on the Global Warming Solutions Act

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If Gov. Scott wasn’t willing to act based on the directive of current state law, it’s difficult to trust that a new law would compel him to do so.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Sen. Anne Watson: A response to Sec. Moore’s commentary on the Global Warming Solutions Act.

Northfield residents turn out to support police chief who has allegedly faced racism, harassment

A police officer in uniform shakes hands with a smiling woman holding papers and a book, while three other people stand and watch in the background of a community room.

Some residents said racism and retention issues are problems many predominantly white towns face when they hire people of color, particularly Black people, and urged Northfield officials to do better.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Northfield residents turn out to support police chief who has allegedly faced racism, harassment.

‘A voice that deserved to be heard’: judge recalls victim and sentences her killer to 42½ years

Two people seated indoors, both facing downward and appearing focused, with one wearing glasses and the other in a dress shirt and tie.

Joseph Ferlazzo, of New Hampshire, was arrested and charged in 2021 in the fatal shooting of Emily Ferlazzo in a camper van while they were vacationing in Bolton, Vermont, for their first wedding anniversary.

Read the story on VTDigger here: ‘A voice that deserved to be heard’: judge recalls victim and sentences her killer to 42½ years.

Final Reading: Should Vermont ban cellphones from schools?

Several plastic baskets, each containing multiple smartphones, are arranged on a surface. Some baskets have number labels attached.

At least 14 states have passed laws that restrict students’ use of smartphones in schools. Vermont lawmakers are debating whether to follow suit.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Final Reading: Should Vermont ban cellphones from schools?.

State employees union president accuses department of retaliation, secretly filming her during meeting

A woman in glasses speaks at a podium with microphones from various news outlets. Two men in suits stand in the background near an American flag.

Aimee Bertrand, the president of the Vermont State Employees' Association, told state lawmakers that a Department for Children and Families manager filmed her during a Microsoft Teams meeting, and then the department opened an investigation based on the footage.

Read the story on VTDigger here: State employees union president accuses department of retaliation, secretly filming her during meeting.

Proposed infrastructure financing program would allow even small Vermont towns to incentivize housing

Developers are cheering the so-called CHIP program, which would finance infrastructure to support development, including in towns that weren’t able to take advantage of similar options in the past.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Proposed infrastructure financing program would allow even small Vermont towns to incentivize housing.

Leaders of Vermont-recognized tribes defiant at Statehouse panel on Abenaki identity

A group of older adults sits closely together in rows at an indoor event, holding papers and looking forward.

The event came two months after another event at which Abenaki leaders from a First Nation based in Quebec urged state lawmakers to reconsider Vermont’s tribal recognition process.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Leaders of Vermont-recognized tribes defiant at Statehouse panel on Abenaki identity.

Judge rules Newbury man who killed daughter ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’

A historic white building with a tower, surrounded by trees and parked cars, stands on a green lawn under a cloudy sky.

Doctors concluded that Perry was “floridly psychotic with paranoid delusions and hallucinations” when he shot his daughter at point-blank range with a shotgun four years ago, according to court records.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Judge rules Newbury man who killed daughter ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’.

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