Act 181 debate pokes at the heart of Vermont’s rural-urban dynamics
Act 181 and its ecological conservation measures emerged from this week’s Senate debates delayed but intact. Heated debates are likely to continue in the House.
Vermonters with long Covid look to senators for reform
Also in Final Reading: Rural Medicare, cannabis and a contested race.
Winooski’s new mayor sees immigrants’ fears, celebrates community
“As a young professional, a Black man, and a member of the LGBTQ+ communities, Mayor Renner offers a perspective that is often absent from the decision-making table,” Deputy Mayor Bryn Oakleaf said.
Burlington police officer denies charges he fired recklessly into vehicle with two minors in it
The charges against Jeffrey Baur stem from an incident last summer when officers responded to a call of a possible kidnapping in the city.
Slate Ridge owner Daniel Banyai excused from a release condition he was accused of violating
The judge’s decision came over the objection of the prosecutor and as Banyai’s trial on a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer approaches next month.
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Bove brothers plan to renovate Winooski apartments with tumultuous history
Rick and Mark Bove have shuffled through multiple plans for the 300 Main Street site, which attracted public concern because it was home to refugees and low-income families. The brothers now say they’ll soon begin a full renovation of the property, without adding units.
Spirit Hollow silent retreat and Ruffed Grouse Society take opposite stands on Green Mountain National Forest logging
Project spotlights changes to review process in Vermont that allows Forest Service to change plans to log across roughly 14,000 acres of forest in the next 15 years without public input
Local police officials defend officers’ conduct during immigration operation, blame ‘agitators’
Activists scoffed at comments Tuesday from law enforcement leaders who, at a Statehouse hearing, tried to justify officers’ actions at last week’s standoff in South Burlington.
Legislative panel votes against keeping southern Vermont judge on the bench
The Judicial Retention Committee’s rare rebuke last week of Superior Judge Rachel Malone comes ahead of a full House and Senate vote on whether to “retain” Malone next week.
Vermont lawmakers invite public’s perspectives on contested immigration raid
Legislators are slated to hear from the public March 31 about their concerns with an immigration operation in South Burlington earlier this month.
Vermont’s rural medical residency is ready to go — if organizers can find the funding
Also in Final Reading: Prescription drug card bill, civil suit rights and some inside baseball
Opinion
Commentaries and letters to the editor written by community members and regular contributors.
Todd Heyman: Did Act 181 create a galvanizing moment for rural Vermont?
Act 181’s zoning maps have sparked a rural revolt — and for the first time, Vermont’s legislative power brokers may be on the defensive.
Natalie Sinkew: My support workers can’t afford to stay. I can’t afford for them to leave
Every time a caregiver walks out the door, I have to retell my life story to a stranger. That’s not inconvenience — that’s indignity.
Kate Bailey: Neutrality or safety: with ICE at the door, you can’t have both
South Burlington’s leaders say they want to keep students safe. So why are they asking the community to do nothing?
Lucas Farrell and Louisa Conrad: Vermont wrote its farmers out of conservation. It’s time to write them back in.
We’ve farmed regeneratively for 16 years. Our woodlots are in current use. Under Vermont law, none of it counts as conservation.
Migrant Justice organizer, detained for a second time, is now charged with helping people cross border illegally
The federal government alleges that José Ignacio “Nacho” De La Cruz helped people cross the border without authorization and was involved in producing false Vermont driver’s privilege cards.
Vermont House advances property tax bill with 7% average increase
The legislation uses surplus General Fund money to buy down rates this fiscal year and the next. The governor wants to use all of the surplus this year to contain education property tax rates still further.
VTDigger reporters: ‘Our job is to dig deeper and give Vermonters the facts they need’
This is what local news looks like in practice. If you value it, we hope you’ll support it.
Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez want to halt data center production
“I don’t think the Democratic Party leadership is taking this issue anywhere near as seriously as it should,” Sanders said.
Obituaries
Death notices and celebrations of life.
Vermont lawmakers don’t plan on pushing policy to reduce emissions this year
Vermont could face a lawsuit if it doesn’t get on track to meet its emission reduction targets. But Democrat lawmakers won’t push ambitious legislation this year, anticipating a veto from the governor.
