Vermont news

• The Deeper Dig: Raising the wage divides Vermont Dems

  11-05-2018 23:31 via vtdigger.org
  The House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs hears testimony on a minimum wage increase in April. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDiggerTwo policies aimed at lifting up low-income Vermonters took unusual paths to passage this week.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.Daily
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• Senate Democrats blast Republicans for reshaping federal courts

  11-05-2018 23:31 via vtdigger.org
  Sen. Patrick Leahy, left, and Sen. Chuck Grassley are at odds over vetting candidates for the federal judiciary. File photo by Jasper Craven/VTDigger
  WASHINGTON — Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee released a report Thursday arguing that Republicans have led an effort to reshape the federal court system.
  Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., joined the committee’s other nine Democrats in raising concerns about the report’s findings.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll neve
  
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• Senate passes bill to fight sexual harassment in the workplace

  11-05-2018 22:56 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, D-Bradford. File photo by Morgan True/VTDigger
  The Senate has passed a bill (H.707) that would outlaw workplace policies that tend to silence those who try to come forward with sexual harassment claims.
  The measure, which has already been approved by the House and has the support of Gov. Phil Scott, also would provide educational resources to help reduce instances of harassment in the workplace. It received unanimous backing in the Senate.
  Among its provisions, the le
  
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• Bennington Kmart store says it will shut down in August

  11-05-2018 21:00 via vtdigger.org
  The Kmart store in Bennington will close in August. Photo by Holly Pelczynski/Bennington Banner
  BENNINGTON — The local Kmart store, which avoided closure earlier this year when 64 stores in the chain were shuttered, will begin a final sale next week.
  “We are making the difficult, but necessary decision to close the Kmart store at 19 Kocher Drive in Bennington,” company spokesman Larry Costello said Thursday. “The store will close to the public in early August 2018,”
  
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• LISTEN: Montpelier Debrief: Prospects For A Legislative Special Session dlvr.it/QSXzwT https://t.co/qoUdce4oMg

  11-05-2018 20:40 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Montpelier Debrief: Prospects For A Legislative Special Session dlvr.it/QSXzwT https://t.co/qoUdce4oMg
  
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• Chittenden, Windsor set plans to erase marijuana convictions

  11-05-2018 20:29 via vtdigger.org
  Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George has set June 12 for Expungement Day in Burlington. File photo by Cory Dawson/VTDigger
  Expungement Day” for those with misdemeanor marijuana convictions in Windsor and Chittenden counties will take place next month.
  State’s attorneys from both counties told VTDigger earlier this week they were working out the details for expunging convictions for certain marijuana convictions in light of the Legislature passing and Gov. Phil Scott
  
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• Author, Russian, Soldier, Vermonter: The Life And Writing of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn dlvr.it/QSXsG0 https://t.co/TyoiXrhGVs

  11-05-2018 20:11 via twitter.com
  
  Author, Russian, Soldier, Vermonter: The Life And Writing of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn dlvr.it/QSXsG0 https://t.co/TyoiXrhGVs
  
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• LISTEN: Gov. Scott Discusses State Education Funding dlvr.it/QSXg2j https://t.co/DEvObaMrkE

  11-05-2018 19:32 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Gov. Scott Discusses State Education Funding dlvr.it/QSXg2j https://t.co/DEvObaMrkE
  
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• First New England Cannabis Convention in Vermont opens this weekend

  11-05-2018 19:29 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Heady VermontMay 20, 2018
  Contact:Monica Donovan, Co-FounderPhone: 802-391-4251Email: [email protected]
   
  Vermont Lt. Governor David Zuckerman to deliver keynote address.
  The Vermont cannabis community is counting down the days to May 12-13, 2018, when New England’s largest cannabis convention arrives in Vermont for the first time.
  Organized by New England Cannabis Conventions and Heady Vermont, along with Vermont Cannabis Solutions and Greener Mountain Consul
  
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• More than 90 UVM Medical Center nurses receive full tuition to complete nursing degrees

  11-05-2018 19:23 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — UVM Medical CenterMay 10, 2018
  Contact:Annie Mackin(802) 847-2886
  Supporting Nurses, Improving Patient Care
  BURLINGTON, VT – During Nurses Week, UVM Medical Center celebrates all of our nursing staff, and recognizes the hard work of more than 90 Registered Nurses (RNs) who have enrolled to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), with full tuition support from the hospital.
  Through a unique pilot program with Western Governor’s University (WGU), UVM Medic
  
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• Vermont Public Health Association to hold discussion on climate change and health equity

  11-05-2018 19:17 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Public Health AssociationMay 9, 2018
  Contact: Burt WilckeEMAIL: [email protected]: 802.233.9753Annual Meeting and Dinner at Capitol Plaza Hotel May 30 Public is Invited
  Who is most affected by climate change, and why? What can we expect in terms of health effects as the climate continues to change? And, what does this mean for Vermont’s future? These questions and more will be discussed at the annual meeting of the Vermont Public Health Associatio
  
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• Sanders statement on prescription drug prices

  11-05-2018 19:12 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Sen. Bernie SandersMay 10, 2018
  Contact:[email protected]
  WASHINGTON, May 10 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) delivered the following statement at a press conference with House and Senate Democrats Thursday ahead of the president’s upcoming address on prescription drug prices. Click here to download a video of his statement.
  “At a time when corporate America has unprecedented wealth and power, the pharmaceutical industry distinguishes itself as
  
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• Consider becoming a monthly donor — $5 per month goes a long way

  11-05-2018 19:04 via vtdigger.org
  Dear Readers,
  We are so honored by your support – we’re a little more than halfway through our Spring drive and you have contributed just over $135,000 to support investigative news in Vermont. With less than $65,000 left to go, our momentum is strong. Today we would like to ask you to consider becoming a monthly sustainer.
  For as little as $5 a month, you can help bring us closer to the end of our Spring fundraising campaign. By becoming a monthly donor you make a continuous in
  
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• Alex Farrell launches first ad of campaign

  11-05-2018 18:47 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Farrell for State SenateMay 10, 2018
  Contact:Alex R. [email protected]
  Launched digitally and sets the tone for an energetic campaign for the state senate
  BURLINGTON, VT — Today, the Farrell for State Senate campaign launched its first ad titled “Running.” The ad highlights Alex Farrell’s hometown roots and sets the tone for an energetic campaign for one of the six Chittenden County Senate Seats.
  “Running” opens up to
  
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• Quechee resident pleads guilty to filing false tax returns

  11-05-2018 18:40 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — U.S. Attorney District of New HampshireMay 10, 2018
  Contact:Dena Blanco (603) 230-2567http://www.justice.gov/usao/nh/
  Joseph Cafarelli (603) 230-2537https://twitter.com/USAO_NHemail: [email protected]
   
  CONCORD – Kurt Devoid, 60, of Quechee, Vermont, pleaded guilty in federal court today to filing false income tax returns, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.
  According to court documents, Devoid is a self-employed painter. Devoid’s personal f
  
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• Vermont U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan recognizes National Police Week

  11-05-2018 18:35 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — U.S. Attorney’s Office District of VermontFriday, May 11, 2018
  This year, May 13-19 is National Police Week. During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in protecting our communities. In 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which President John F. Kennedy signed, declaring May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforceme
  
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• Humane Society of Chittenden County’s 24th Walk for the Animals & 5K Doggie Fun Run

  11-05-2018 18:31 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Humane Society of Chittenden CountyMay 11, 2018
  Contact:Terry Pomerleau, Development Manager802.862.0135 x 15, [email protected]
  South Burlington, VT – The Humane Society of Chittenden County found homes for 1,057 cats, dogs and small mammals in 2017! It takes, time, money, volunteers, and many resources to treat, feed, care for, house, and find homes for so many animals looking for new homes.
  One creative way HSCC raises money for its mission is th
  
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• YWP: ‘Canyon’

  11-05-2018 17:45 via vtdigger.org
  Young Writers Project, an independent nonprofit based in Burlington, engages young people to write and use digital media to express themselves with clarity and power, and to gain confidence and skills for school, the workplace and life.Check out the most recent issue of The Voice, Young Writers Project’s monthly digital magazine. Click here.Each week, VTDigger features a writing submission – an essay, poem, fiction or nonfiction – accompanied by a photo or illustration from Yo
  
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• SCOV Law Blog: When circumstances change for divorced parents

  11-05-2018 17:30 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This piece from the SCOV Law Blog is by Amy Davis. 
  Bonk v. Bonk, 2018 VT 15
  My primary focus in my law practice is divorce and everything that comes with it, such as, what do we do about the kids? Even if we work out a parenting agreement to finalize the divorce, things can change over time, sometimes warranting a change in the parenting schedule. This case looks at whether the trial court can modify parental rights and responsibilities when it’s not specifically
  
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• LISTEN: New Novel Challenges Vermont's Historical Record On Slavery dlvr.it/QSWxwC https://t.co/z6rqkIlGe5

  11-05-2018 17:14 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: New Novel Challenges Vermont's Historical Record On Slavery dlvr.it/QSWxwC https://t.co/z6rqkIlGe5
  
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• One-time money still the sticking point as legislative clock nears midnight

  11-05-2018 02:20 via vtdigger.org
  Gov. Phil Scott fields questions about his finance proposal on Thursday. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  The legislative session looks all but certain to stretch into next week, but when it eventually wraps up it likely will be without an education spending deal between legislators and Gov. Phil Scott.The Scott administration has whittled its controversial staff-to-student ratio plan down to a task force that will work with individual districts to voluntarily reduce staffing, and a previously d
  
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• Scott pulls the plug on iconic Vermont Life magazine

  11-05-2018 01:42 via vtdigger.org
  A Vermont Life magazine cover from 2014. Photo by Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger
  Vermont Life, the state’s signature regional magazine which in recent years has faced financial woes and racked up millions in debt, will shutter its doors in June.The Scott administration announced Thursday that it will cease production of the 72-year-old state-owned publication after it reviewed the latest financial reports and learned that additional losses were imminent and seemingly unavoidable.In the last
  
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• Senate backs opioid levy; Scott doesn’t

  11-05-2018 01:23 via vtdigger.org
  The levy would be based on the drug manufacturers’ sales in the state. Creative Commons photo
  The state Senate on Thursday supported imposing a new financial assessment on opioid manufacturers, soundly defeating efforts to eliminate or modify the controversial levy.
  The assessment, to be divided among manufacturers according to the amount of opioids each has distributed in Vermont, is expected to generate millions of dollars for drug prevention and addiction-treatment programs.Get all of V
  
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• Harrison Bushnell: Climate change a threat and an opportunity for Vermont

  11-05-2018 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Harrison Bushnell, of Middlesex, who is a senior at U-32 High School in East Montpelier.
  My first food was a testament to Vermont’s economy. As a baby, the story goes, my parents held me as we admired the steaming arch at our neighbors’ house. They took a small spoon and let me taste my first few drops of Vermont ambrosia: maple syrup. The only problem was, the syrup was so good I wouldn’t let go of the spoon.
  I have grown up surrounde
  
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• Ron Krupp: Keeping organic standards high

  11-05-2018 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Ron Krupp, who is the author of “The Woodchuck Returns to Gardening.” It originally aired on Vermont Public Radio.
  Mark Kastel is the co-director of the organic advocacy nonprofit, Cornucopia, and he says we’re seeing the rise of two definitions of organic.
  One is promulgated by big corporations, with weaker standards and potentially suspect ingredients — all facilitated by a compliant USDA and largely cloaked in secrecy. The oth
  
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• Daniel Richardson: Scouting — now more than ever

  11-05-2018 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Daniel Richardson, who is a lawyer in Montpelier and a member of the executive committee of the Green Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
  When we talk about the Boy Scouts, it often becomes a conduit into our own agenda and serves as yet another touchstone in the ongoing culture wars. We complain that it has not changed, or that it has changed too much. It is either a bastion of outdated “Dudley Do-Rights,” or another traditional
  
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