Vermont news

• Stowe resorts lobby for short-term rental cap carveouts

  16-01-2026 23:36 via vtdigger.org
  A snow bank at von Trapp Lodge. File photo by Gordon Miller/Stowe Reporter
  This story by Aaron Calvin was first published in the Stowe Reporter on Jan. 15, 2026.As the Stowe Selectboard continues to consider a cap on the number of short-term rentals, the town’s major resorts are arguing that they should be exempted from further regulation.Consideration of a short-term rental cap began last fall, when the planning commission sent a letter to the selectboard recommending such a re
  
  Read more

• Lawmakers take up stopgap funding for Section 8 housing vouchers 

  16-01-2026 22:20 via vtdigger.org
  Kathleen Berk, executive director of the Vermont State Housing Authority, speaks to lawmakers about financial challenges related to the Section 8 federal housing voucher program on Nov. 5, 2025 in Montpelier. David Littlefield / Vermont PublicThis story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public.With federal funds dwindling for a key housing assistance program, Vermont lawmakers are looking at using state money to slo
  
  Read more

• BlueCross BlueShield’s new CEO takes over as insurer faces federal and statewide challenges

  16-01-2026 21:53 via vtdigger.org
  On Saturday, Beth Roberts officially took the helm as the new president and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont.Less than a week later, the window closed on open enrollment for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, without any extension of the federal tax credits that made those plans affordable for thousands of Vermonters.It’s no secret that Roberts assumes the role as the health care industry — and her new employer, specifically — faces dire straits.
  READ MORE
  BlueCross
  
  Read more

• Vermont’s top economists say state revenue on track despite fears of downgrade

  16-01-2026 17:40 via vtdigger.org
  Economists Jeff Carr, right, and Tom Kavet brief the Emergency Board on the forecast for state revenues at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Friday, January 16, 2026. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDiggerMONTPELIER — The economists tasked with diagnosing Vermont’s fiscal health every six months kept their top-line revenue estimates almost unchanged in a new report to a panel of lawmakers and Gov. Phil Scott on Friday.However, Tom Kavet and Jeff Carr told the state’s Emergency Board, t
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Vermont’s top economists say state revenue is steady as tight budget cycle nears

  16-01-2026 17:40 via vtdigger.org
  Economists Jeff Carr, right, and Tom Kavet brief the Emergency Board on the forecast for state revenues at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Friday, January 16, 2026. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDiggerUpdated 5:05 p.m.MONTPELIER — The economists tasked with diagnosing Vermont’s fiscal health every six months kept their top-line revenue estimates almost unchanged in a new report to a panel of lawmakers and Gov. Phil Scott on Friday.At the same time, Tom Kavet and Jeff Carr told the state&
  
  Read more

• School-based mental health in a time of unknown funding and increased need: creative collaboration at Lamoille County Mental Health Services

  16-01-2026 16:51 via vtdigger.org
  Stepping into the 25-26 school year, Lamoille County Mental Health Services’ (LCMHS) School Based Mental Health Services, like many of the Vermont Care Partners network agencies, partners with local school districts to address the changing needs of school communities. While continuing to offer Success Beyond Six services that are funded through local dollars, with a Medicaid match that assists in making services more affordable to schools and districts, LCMHS’ School Based Clinician
  
  Read more

• Kayce Bradley: Stop attacking our independent schools

  16-01-2026 00:53 via vtdigger.org
  This commentary is by Kayce Bradley, who lives in Concord. She has two sons and is an independent hairstylist.  This past December, my son Cody packed his bags for Michigan to begin a specialized welding program. He has found a career path he is passionate about and is confident in his skills after earning a high school diploma with high honors.If you had seen him several years ago, before he started high school at St. Johnsbury Academy, you might not have believed this future was pos
  
  Read more

• Loralee Tester: Kindness can’t fix a state in crisis

  16-01-2026 00:52 via vtdigger.org
  This commentary is by Loralee Tester, the executive director of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce.Vermonters are, without question, some of the most well-meaning people you will ever meet. We shovel each other out after snowstorms. We show up with casseroles. We volunteer, donate, coach and serve on boards — sometimes four or five or more. We respond when help is needed, not because we have to, but because it is who we are.That generosity is one of Vermont’s greatest st
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Final Reading: Facing growing uncertainty, Vermont food assistance leaders seek new funds. Lawmakers say money is tight.

  16-01-2026 00:36 via vtdigger.org
  Clients visit the HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects) food shelf in Middlebury on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDiggerFood assistance leaders are pushing hard this legislative session to expand aid programs and fill gaps left by federal cuts — but the response from lawmakers continues to be cautious.Becka Warren, who manages the Vermont Food Security Coalition, told the House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry on Thursday afternoon
  
  Read more

• Vermont organizations merge accessible recreation and conservation goals in ‘first-of-its-kind’ outdoor center in Rochester

  16-01-2026 00:07 via vtdigger.org
  The Rochester land has an established trail network connected to the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective’s multi-use Rochester Valley network, as well as the larger Velomont Trail system — and public access is now secured for the future. Photo courtesy of Vermont Land TrustRochester will be home to the first multiuse, adaptive outdoor recreation center in Vermont, project partners Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports and Vermont Land Trust announced Wed
  
  Read more

Follow @NewsVermont_ on Twitter!