Vermont news

• Margolis: Scott’s surrender is no victory for Statehouse leaders

  28-06-2018 23:27 via vtdigger.org
  Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe talks about procedures for the special session with Gov. Phil Scott and Sen. Becca Balint, D-Windham. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  Now that it’s all over, two questions occur: (1) Was this trip necessary? (2) Who won?
  And the answers are: No. And nobody.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.Daily
  Sundays only (Weekly Wrap) Email me stories on these subjects... Business News
  Cour
  
  Read more

• Care board, health advocate spared from layoffs

  28-06-2018 22:20 via vtdigger.org
  The Green Mountain Care Board at a recent meeting. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  With the state’s fiscal year 2019 budget finally set, administrators at both the Green Mountain Care Board and the Health Care Advocate’s office can breathe a sigh of relief.
  That’s because layoffs that would have affected both offices have been rescinded in the final version of the state’s spending plan. A total of 4.5 positions had been threatened by cuts proposed earlier this year.
  
  Read more

• Norwich University receives funding for environmental education initiative

  28-06-2018 21:42 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Norwich UniversityJune 26, 2018
  Contact:Daphne [email protected]
  Norwich University Receives ~$10K for Dog River Conservancy
  NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Norwich University’s Center for Global Resilience and Security (CGRS) has received $9,900 from the Lake Champlain Basin Program to establish an education and outreach program for its new initiative on the Dog River Conservancy.
  The Dog River Conservancy initiative is focused on bringing together communi
  
  Read more

• Bennington County prosecutor lays out case for re-election

  28-06-2018 21:05 via vtdigger.org
  Bennington County State’s Attorney Erica Marthage. Photo by Dave LaChance/Bennington Banner
  BENNINGTON — State’s Attorney Erica Marthage believes her roots in Bennington County, hands-on experience as a prosecutor and involvement with criminal justice reform issues make her the best choice for leading the office over the next four years.
  Marthage, first elected in 2006 and seeking a fourth term, is challenged by attorney Arnold Gottlieb in the Aug. 14 Democratic primary. Althou
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Sen. Leahy announces fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill summary

  28-06-2018 21:03 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Sen. Patrick LeahyJune 21, 2018
  Contact:Jay Tilton(202) 224-2667
  Leahy Press Office(202) 224-3693
  SUMMARYSUBCOMMITTEE ON THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMSFISCAL YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS BILL
  Committee Mark: June 21, 2018
  Washington, D.C. (Thursday, June 21, 2018) – The bill provides $54.418 billion in discretionary budget authority, including $8 billion in OCO. The allocation is $12.2 billion above the President’s request as scored
  
  Read more

• 'Mistakes On All Sides': Republican Rep. Kurt Wright Reflects On Budget Fight dlvr.it/QYrRMp https://t.co/5980yVdWbX

  28-06-2018 20:53 via twitter.com
  
  'Mistakes On All Sides': Republican Rep. Kurt Wright Reflects On Budget Fight dlvr.it/QYrRMp https://t.co/5980yVdWbX
  
  Read more

• The State Budget Debacle Is Over — But Here's What It Could Mean For Campaign 2018 dlvr.it/QYrG9X https://t.co/Nho67dEGJn

  28-06-2018 20:19 via twitter.com
  
  The State Budget Debacle Is Over — But Here's What It Could Mean For Campaign 2018 dlvr.it/QYrG9X https://t.co/Nho67dEGJn
  
  Read more

• LISTEN: Bear In Your Backyard: How To Handle And Avoid Interactions With Black Bears dlvr.it/QYr8g3 https://t.co/AzF7FJC235

  28-06-2018 20:00 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Bear In Your Backyard: How To Handle And Avoid Interactions With Black Bears dlvr.it/QYr8g3 https://t.co/AzF7FJC235
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Vermont slips a little in child well-being ranking

  28-06-2018 19:49 via vtdigger.org
   
  A foundation report rated the state highly in child well-being. Voices for Vermont’s Children photo
  Although Vermont fell several notches, it is still one of the top states in the nation for child-well being, according to a report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
  The 2018 Kids Count Data Book places the state in the top 10 nationally for all four key education indicators, resulting in an overall ranking of eighth. That’s down from third nationally in 2017.
  Sarah Teel, resea
  
  Read more

• Cost of municipal infrastructure upgrades for proposed dairy facility outlined

  28-06-2018 19:07 via vtdigger.org
  Michael Schirling, the state secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, gets a tour of the building during a visit to Brattleboro in June 2017. File photo by Kristopher Radder
  Editor’s note: This story by Chris Mays was published by the Brattleboro Reformer on June 28.
  BRATTLEBORO — Engineers anticipate an $840,000 price tag for upgrading municipal utilities infrastructure in the southern section of town to support Culture Made Vermont’s proposed dairy and n
  
  Read more

• Cost of municipal infrastructure upgrades for CultureMade’s proposed facility outlined

  28-06-2018 19:07 via vtdigger.org
  Michael Schirling, the state secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, gets a tour of the building during a visit to Brattleboro in June 2017. File photo by Kristopher Radder
  Editor’s note: This story by Chris Mays was published by the Brattleboro Reformer on June 28.
  BRATTLEBORO — Engineers anticipate an $840,000 price tag for upgrading municipal utilities infrastructure in the southern section of town to support Culture Made Vermont’s proposed dairy and n
  
  Read more

• Groups stir up interest in limiting plastic straws

  28-06-2018 19:01 via vtdigger.org
  Milo Cress, 16, speaks about reducing plastic straw waste Wednesday in front of Burlington’s City Hall. Photo by Kelsey Neubauer/VTDigger
  BURLINGTON — When Milo Cress was 9 years old, he sat in a restaurant wondering why he had just been given a straw with his meal. It seemed so wasteful. After all, he didn’t use straws at home, so why would it be different while eating out?
  Not long after, he began a “Be Straw Free” campaign, through which he hoped to educate busin
  
  Read more

• Heidi Scheuermann announces re-election bid

  28-06-2018 17:22 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Heidi ScheuermannJune 21, 2018
  CONTACT: Heidi Scheuermann(802) [email protected]
  SCHEUERMANN ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID FOR STOWE HOUSE SEAT
  Heidi Scheuermann (R-Stowe) announced today that she will run for re-election to the Vermont House of Representatives.
  “It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve the people of Stowe in the Vermont House for the past twelve years,” said Scheuermann. “Fighting for educat
  
  Read more

• Burlington School Food Project to participate in Summer Food Service Program

  28-06-2018 17:18 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Burlington School DistrictJune 21, 2018
  Media Contact:Pat Matton802-864-8416pmatton@bsdvt.orgwww.burlingtonschoolfoodproject.org
  Program Offers Free Meals to Children Enrolled in Camps
  Burlington, VT The Burlington School Food Project is participating in the Summer Food Service Program this year. Through this program, meals will be provided to all eligible children enrolled in specific residential or non-residential camps free of charge.
  To be eligible to receive free meals
  
  Read more

• State health assessment focuses on health equity

  28-06-2018 17:04 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Department of HealthJune 21, 2018
  Media Contact:802-863-7281
  Assessment of Vermonters’ fair and just opportunity to be healthy lays the foundation for 2018-2023 State Health Improvement Plan
  BURLINGTON – Vermonters have long been ranked among the healthiest of Americans, but we are not all equally healthy, nor do we all have similar opportunities for good health, according to the newly released Vermont State Health Assessment 2018.
  The twice a decade asse
  
  Read more

• President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site to host July 4 celebration

  28-06-2018 16:36 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont State Historic SitesJune 21, 2018
  CONTACT:William W. Jenney(802)[email protected]
  July 4 Coolidge Birthday Celebration – A Top 10 Summer Event
  PLYMOUTH NOTCH, VT – On Wednesday July 4th, the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site celebrates the birth of our nation and the birthday of our 30th president. The special activities honoring the only U.S. president born on Independence Day are scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This yea
  
  Read more

• Dartmouth-Hitchcock shares potential alternative to opioids

  28-06-2018 16:19 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Dartmouth-HitchcockJune 21, 2018
  Contact:Rick Adams(603) [email protected]
  Research at Dartmouth-Hitchcock shows lower incidence of opioid use in patients utilizing chiropractic care for back pain
  LEBANON, NH – Research at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) and at Southern California University Health Sciences (SCU) shows another potential alternative to opioids in dealing with pain.
  In the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, D-H primary care physi
  
  Read more

• Welch opposes Republican-backed immigration proposals in House

  28-06-2018 03:44 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt. File photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDigger
  After weeks of bickering in the Republican caucus, the issue of how to address immigration came down to two votes in the U.S. House of Representatives. Vermont’s lone member voted against both of the proposals brought to the floor.
  The right-wing Freedom Caucus has pushed for a hardline approach to immigration reform, going so far as to cause a vote on the farm bill to collapse last month while demanding House Speaker Paul Ryan al
  
  Read more

• Vermont delegation fears for the future of the Supreme Court

  28-06-2018 02:56 via vtdigger.org
  Sen. Patrick Leahy, Rep. Peter Welch, and Sen. Bernie Sanders united in their concern about the impact of a second Trump nominee on the Supreme Court. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  As a new vacancy emerged on the United State Supreme Court, members of Vermont’s delegation expressed concern about the impact another appointee from the Trump administration will have on the future direction of the court.Justice Anthony Kennedy announced Wednesday that after 30 years on the nation&rsquo
  
  Read more

• Vermont’s Red Hen Bakery shares name — and brickbats — with Virginia restaurant

  28-06-2018 02:11 via vtdigger.org
  Don’t blame Randy George or the crew at his Middlesex bakery and cafe for feeling a bit hen-pecked this week.
  The Red Hen Baking Co. — famous locally for its crusty bread and other tasty fare — has been getting trolled online and in other ways since a restaurant of a similar name in Lexington, Virginia, last week refused to serve White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines
  
  Read more

• Vermont bakery shares name — and brickbats — with Virginia restaurant

  28-06-2018 02:11 via vtdigger.org
  Don’t blame Randy George or the crew at his Middlesex bakery and cafe for feeling a bit hen-packed this week.The Red Hen Baking Co. — famous locally for its crusty bread and other tasty fare — has been getting trolled online and in other ways since a restaurant of a similar name in Lexington, Virginia, last week refused to serve White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines i
  
  Read more

• Vermont cousins caught in nationwide dark web drag net

  28-06-2018 01:10 via vtdigger.org
  Creative Commons
  A nationwide undercover law enforcement probe of illegal activity on the dark web has snared two cousins from northern Vermont on online drug-dealing charges.
  The yearlong investigation involving a host of federal agencies targeted 65 people and led to the arrest and prosecution of more than 35 dark web vendors, the U.S. Department of Justice announced in a release Wednesday.Get all of VTDigger's criminal justice news.You'll never miss our courts and criminal justice coverage wi
  
  Read more

• VTDigger’s end-of-session Vermont Legislature wrap-up

  28-06-2018 01:07 via vtdigger.org
  The Vermont Legislature ran from January 3 through May 4, 2018. A special session was convened on May 23, 2018. VTDigger tracked relevant issues and bills introduced by lawmakers this session. Use our guide to see what became law and what didn’t make it that far, and read more about the key bills, their sponsors, and roll-call vote results.
  Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.Daily
  Sundays only (Weekly Wrap)
  
  Read more

• Vermont Legislature wrap-up, 2018

  28-06-2018 01:07 via vtdigger.org
  The Vermont Legislature ran from January 3 through May 4, 2018. A special session was convened on May 23, 2018. VTDigger tracked relevant issues and bills introduced by lawmakers this session. Use our guide to see what became law and what didn’t make that far, and read more about the key bills, their sponsors, and roll-call vote results.
  Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.Daily
  Sundays only (Weekly Wrap) Ema
  
  Read more

• Jeffrey Reel: The rise and fall of a nation

  28-06-2018 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Jeffrey Reel, a writer/lecturer living in Lyndon Center, and general manager of Natural Provisions, in St. Johnsbury. He was previously sustainability manager at the Omega Center for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, New York.
  America, karma is coming home to roost.
  Did you think there would be no psychological, emotional, social, political and economic payback for our wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and the slaughter of millions of innocents over th
  
  Read more

• Bill Schubart: Rethinking the ladder of success

  28-06-2018 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Bill Schubart, a regular commentator for Vermont Public Radio and a former board member of the Vermont Journalism Trust, the umbrella organization for VTDigger.org. This piece was first aired on VPR.
  Neighbors in an upscale condo development were speculating about what the guy in the end unit must do for a living to afford a sailboat, motorcycle and camper. Curious, one strolled over and asked.
  “Plumber,” came the answer.
  As a society, we st
  
  Read more

• Chloe Learey: Why wages matter in child care

  28-06-2018 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Chloe Learey, executive director of the Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development in Brattleboro, and a member of the Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council. The Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce recently named her Entrepreneur of the Year.
  Child care is a unique piece of the economic development puzzle because it impacts both the current and future workforce. The availability of high quality, affordable child care makes it possi
  
  Read more

• Teachers’ health care: Last year’s dispute, this year’s compromise

  28-06-2018 00:33 via vtdigger.org
  Sen. Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden, chairs the committee that drafted the compromise bill on teacher health care. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  Starting next year Vermont’s teachers will negotiate their health care benefits at the state level, in a major concession from the state’s teachers’ union, which staunchly opposed the move during last year’s legislative session.
  In exchange for giving up local negotiations over health care plans, teachers will get an equal n
  
  Read more

• VTDigger Minute: Standoff ends, Law School cuts, toxics report

  28-06-2018 00:02 via vtdigger.org
  VTDigger Minute is a weekly news digest from Vermont PBS. Tune in every Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Thursday at 6:30 a.m. to hear about the week’s top stories.
  This week on the Minute:
  Statehouse impasse ends; Scott will let budget become law
  The budget impasse in Montpelier has ended. Gov. Phil Scott announced that he would let the Legislature’s third budget proposal of the year pass into law without his signature. Scott’s decision ends a weeks-long impasse over state spendi
  
  Read more

Follow @NewsVermont_ on Twitter!