Vermont News
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Rapid tests slated for general public may be diverted to schools
January 24, 2022 19:41 - 3 minutes - 3.04 MBRapid tests slated for general public may be diverted to schools; More Vermont towns may begin testing wastewater for Covid-19; State trooper sues Vermont Human Rights Commission and Seven Days; Scott's workforce proposals.
Vermont schools are running out of rapid Covid tests
January 21, 2022 22:09 - 3 minutes - 3.41 MB'Test at home' strains school test supply; Judge orders FBI interviews of Shumlin administration in EB-5 fraud case unsealed; $116 million in grants announced for broadband construction; House approves $360 million budget adjustment package.
'No path forward' for mask mandate bill
January 20, 2022 21:21 - 2 minutes - 2.74 MBSenate leader Becca Balint says Vermont state mask mandate has ‘no path forward’; State lawmakers review 4 changes to Burlington’s city charter; UVM study says climate change will magnify flood damage in the next century; Vermont is no longer collecting school Covid data.
UVM Health asks workers to use vacation and sick days following Covid-19 exposure
January 19, 2022 21:20 - 3 minutes - 2.95 MBBurlington City Council elections take shape; New UVM Health Network Covid leave policy; Bill would exempt Abenaki property in Vermont from property taxes; Gov. Phil Scott proposes $7.7B state budget to meet ‘historic moment.'
Bill would ease path to homeownership for members of marginalized groups
January 18, 2022 18:58 - 3 minutes - 2.91 MBBill aims to close race gap in homeownership; UVM insurance now covers Covid antigen tests; Office building planned for long-vacant St. Albans brownfield site; Former Vermont House Majority Leader William Jewett remembered as ‘a force.’
Independent schools told to wait on 'test-at-home' procedures
January 17, 2022 21:16 - 3 minutes - 2.89 MB47 new Covid cases discovered at St. Johnsbury prison complex; Independent schools told to wait on 'test-at-home' procedures; Vermont House set for hybrid return to the Statehouse; Motel rooms for Vermonters seeking shelter are increasingly hard to find.
Vermont students are missing thousands of days of class
January 14, 2022 21:21 - 3 minutes - 3.06 MBTracking of lost school days lags; Legislature adopts slate of pandemic-year municipal meeting precautions; Top Vermont lawmaker proposes $1,200 child tax credit; Following wire incident at Tunbridge farm, lawmakers consider bill on accountability.
Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale launches campaign for US House
January 13, 2022 22:53 - 2 minutes - 4 MBKesha Ram announces campaign; UVM Medical Center to impose emergency staffing policies; Chittenden County won't pursue charges during non-public safety stops; The Burlington Free Press stops Saturday print edition
Former U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan exploring Senate run
January 12, 2022 19:26 - 2 minutes - 2.51 MBFormer U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan exploring Senate run; House committee approves draft redistricting map but eyes remote work warily; Burlington mayor releases new capital bond plan after defeat of first one; Dartmouth experiences Covid-19 surge amid reduced restrictions.
A long-awaited pension reform proposal is finally out
January 11, 2022 18:49 - 3 minutes - 3.08 MBLabor leaders and top lawmakers back pension plan; ‘Pay for performance’ program aims to pay farmers for pollution reduction; Mask mandate bill drafted in the Legislature may not go anywhere; Race for lieutenant governor is on.
Teachers’ union slams state’s abandonment of contact tracing in schools
January 10, 2022 19:54 - 3 minutes - 3.05 MBState’s decision to end contact tracing and surveillance testing in schools a “demoralizing blow,” union says; The pandemic tanked traffic stops in 2020 — but racial disparities remained, data shows; Burlington police chief search committee wasn’t legitimate, some members say; Nurses’ union says Scott-Sanders workforce plan ignores current needs.
Scott announces plan to send 500,000 free rapid tests to Vermonters
January 07, 2022 19:26 - 3 minutes - 2.87 MBBurlington City Council President Max Tracy won’t seek reelection; Pilot project to send rapid tests to Vermonters; State senator introduces bill to remove religious exemption for vaccine mandates; Legislature may allow municipal governing boards to meet solely online until 2023.
Scott highlights workforce challenges — not Covid — in State of the State address
January 06, 2022 20:43 - 3 minutes - 3.18 MBGov. Scott sounds optimistic note in annual address; Burlington City Council goes remote; Dairy task force asks USDA for support; Lawmakers asked to extend law allowing traveling health care workers.
4 more Covid-19 outbreaks in Killington area following resort outbreak
January 05, 2022 21:33 - 3 minutes - 2.95 MBVermont officials distributed only about half of nearly 90,000 test kits set aside for students; 4 more Covid-19 outbreaks in Killington area following holiday week resort outbreak; Tenants decry Burlington airport director’s handling of Beta expansion; Funding for pandemic food assistance program extended to April.
Lawmakers say nursing workforce shortage is at a crisis point
January 04, 2022 19:29 - 2 minutes - 2.6 MBHow to watch Vermont’s 2022 legislative session; Covid-19 set to bring changes to 2022 town meeting season; Thousands of nurses needed in workforce; Charlie Kimbell to run for lieutenant governor.
Overdose deaths in 2021 likely to break Vermont record
January 03, 2022 21:04 - 2 minutes - 2.6 MBState investigating death of 34-year-old Newport prisoner; Opioid death toll could overtake the record set in 2020; Burlington’s 2 major parties vie for control of city council; Stowe board rejects parking lot proposal for ski area.
Omicron-fighting therapeutics are hard to come by
December 29, 2021 21:23 - 3 minutes - 2.83 MBEssex-Westford school board member draws backlash for Holocaust comparison; Secret FBI statements in EB-5 case may be revealed; Legislature likely to begin 2022 session remotely; State has fewer than 80 Omicron-fighting doses of monoclonal antibodies.
Brattleboro considers requiring proof of vaccination in public spaces
December 29, 2021 00:01 - 3 minutes - 3.12 MBBrattleboro discussing possibility of recommending or requiring proof of vaccination; High court blasts Department of Corrections for near ‘procedural mockery’ in furlough program; Who decides when a pandemic is over?; Florida man pleads not guilty to roadside fatal shooting in 2019.
Delayed surgeries leave patients in limbo
December 27, 2021 21:20 - 3 minutes - 2.88 MBEx-cop accused of child sexual assault is dead; Medical procedures delayed during Covid-19 surge; NASA-funded weather project seeks help from citizen scientists; Vermont may become the first state to ban mercury-containing lighting.
Covid test distribution sites depleted in pre-holiday scramble
December 23, 2021 19:14 - 3 minutes - 3.03 MBAntigen test kits claimed within minutes; Hospitals and schools brace for Covid surge driven by holidays and Omicron; Senate to consider remote 2022 session; State issues fine against Vorsteveld farm for wetlands, runoff violations.
Auditor questions finding that those paid to relocate to Vermont added millions to the economy
December 22, 2021 19:05 - 3 minutes - 2.99 MBBurlington to interview police chief candidates without a recruiting firm, mayor says; Auditor Doug Hoffer critical of report on remote worker programs; State plans forest restoration at Milton Sandbar area; Ex-CNN producer accused of undercutting sexual abuse probe.
Biden sending help to Vermont hospitals strained by Covid surge
December 21, 2021 18:52 - 3 minutes - 2.98 MBDozens of federal medical personnel being deployed to Vermont; Montpelier reacts to Manchin's “Build Back Better” snub; Flu returns to Vermont after taking a year off; Burlington City Council votes to hire recruitment firm.
Covid-19 case counts down for now in Vermont, but Omicron and holidays loom
December 20, 2021 23:59 - 3 minutes - 4.18 MBDepartment of Health reported 242 Covid-19 cases on Monday; Green Mountain Care Board to vote on OneCare budget; Bennington Food Hub aims to help small farmers; executive director of the St. Albans Museum says it's "hanging by a thread."
Omicron variant possibly detected in Burlington wastewater, mayor says
December 17, 2021 21:32 - 4 minutes - 3.91 MBOmicron may be present in Burlington at a low level; Protest planned at Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery over alleged racist remarks; Weinberger seeks to end homelessness in Burlington; Lawmakers & staffers will need vaccine or tests to get into Statehouse; Brattleboro remains divided over how to direct municipal police.
Legislature to consider ending qualified immunity for police officers
December 16, 2021 22:27 - 3 minutes - 3.28 MBWho will run for lieutenant governor?; Push to end qualified immunity; State plans for another pandemic-altered town meeting season; Migrant Justice seeks to rein in Vermont law enforcement collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
Arbitration decision paves the way for new statewide teachers’ health care contract
December 15, 2021 19:28 - 3 minutes - 3 MBArbitrators side with teachers on statewide health care contract; Sanders committed to vote against Biden’s FDA nominee; Horizon farmers get 6-month contract extension; Mother faces charges related to daughter’s alleged sex abuse in CNN producer’s case
Burlington mayor, Progressives trade blame over Sears Lane
December 14, 2021 21:17 - 3 minutes - 2.85 MBMayor Miro Weinberger defends clearing out homeless encampment; Groups partner to buy 2,000 miles of fiber-optic cable; Man who threatened House speaker released with several conditions; Attorney general’s office offers advice to protect Vermonters from ‘romance scams.'
Becca Balint, leader of the Vermont Senate, joins race for US House
December 13, 2021 21:14 - 3 minutes - 2.86 MBBalint joins Lt. Gov. Molly Gray in the Democratic primary to succeed U.S. Rep. Peter Welch; Southern Vermont lights up on Vermont’s town-by-town Covid-19 map; Franklin County teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student for years; Small dairy farmers eligible for an increase in subsidies.
Estate sues state over death of incarcerated Black man
December 10, 2021 20:37 - 3 minutes - 3.04 MBBurlington’s next step for repairing infrastructure; Kenneth Johnson's estate alleges racism and negligence; Chip Mason won’t seek reelection; University of Virginia dean named new president of Champlain College.
Communities across the state are taking up the mask mandate question
December 09, 2021 19:46 - 3 minutes - 2.89 MBAt least 10 towns and cities enact full mask mandates; Schools endure a spate of violent threats; State’s economic outlook is strong now — but the bubble could burst; Two new appointments in the Agency of Administration.
Burlington voters split on two ballot measures
December 08, 2021 19:37 - 3 minutes - 2.99 MBBurlington bond results; State's shortage of foster homes; PFAS found near Guard base; Prosecutors shift kidnapping case to Connecticut.
Private insurers now required to reimburse Vermonters for at-home Covid-19 test kits
December 08, 2021 00:41 - 3 minutes - 4.86 MBCovid-19 test kit reimbursements; Chittenden County towns decide on masks; Mike Smith to retire; $2.2 billion headed to Vermont infrastructure
Vermont Lt. Gov. Molly Gray launches campaign for US House
December 06, 2021 23:14 - 3 minutes - 5.04 MBMolly Gray launches House campaign; Panel recommends single-member districts; Barre schools see crippling Covid-19 surge; Health experts and political leaders press Scott for mask mandate
What to do with a $90 million surplus in the state’s education fund
December 04, 2021 00:56 - 3 minutes - 4.54 MB$90 million surplus in education fund; Montpelier mail carrier retires after 30 years; Masking required at the Statehouse; Sears Lane campers denied second hearing
Burlington enacts mask mandate, with some proof-of-vaccine exemptions
December 02, 2021 19:25 - 3 minutes - 2.99 MBVermont may enshrine abortion access in state constitution; Vermont Legal Aid sues on behalf of Vermonters denied jobless benefits; State seeks 1-year extension for its all-payer model; Burlington councilors vote unanimously to enact a citywide mask mandate.
Vermont reports record Covid-19 hospitalizations, strained ICU capacity
December 01, 2021 21:53 - 3 minutes - 3.07 MBVermont leaders asking federal government for hospital help; Vermont Medical Society urges banning sale of cannabis with more than 15% THC; Nearly all of Vermont now eligible for USDA funding to expand internet; Construction company to pay $600k to settle accusations it defectively built bridges.
Fatal Alburgh shooting stemmed from dispute over hunting access
November 30, 2021 07:44 - 2 minutes - 2.73 MBPolice continue to investigate Alburgh shooting; New preserve adds 5,400 acres to ‘wild’ forests; Slew of state appointments announced; Vermont reports record Covid-19 hospitalizations & strained ICU capacity.
Despite Covid criticism, Scott's approval ratings remain high
November 29, 2021 20:31 - 3 minutes - 3.32 MBPolls show Democrats, not Republicans, support Gov. Scott at the highest rate; Feds proclaim all-payer model enrollment targets ‘unattainable’; Mother Nature and Mikaela Shiffrin take Killington World Cup by storm; Two game wardens putting roadkill to good use.
Reopened Supreme Court decision has big implications for Act 250
November 24, 2021 19:57 - 3 minutes - 3.09 MBChamplain Valley school district struggles to retain DEI staff; Vermont Supreme Court case could exempt certain project from Act 250; Several areas of former Burlington High still not safe for learning; Brattleboro adopts 1st municipal mask mandate of recent wave.
Vermont to welcome more Afghan refugees than initially planned
November 23, 2021 18:55 - 3 minutes - 2.85 MBCovid-19 outbreak at Newport prison grows to 32 cases; 30 more Afghan refugees to resettle in Vermont; Free public Thanksgiving dinners; Feds fund pedestrian and bike bridge over busy I-89 intersection.
Welch launches campaign to replace Leahy in the U.S. Senate
November 22, 2021 22:18 - 3 minutes - 2.89 MBRep. Peter Welch makes it official; Burlington appears poised for mask mandate; Afghan refugees arrive in Vermont; Rule-making for special ed in independent schools raises concerns.
Holiday Covid transmission likely to impact ICU capacity
November 19, 2021 22:34 - 3 minutes - 3.23 MBVermont ICUs up to 90% full; Hotels projecting a busy holiday season; 'Test-to-stay' rollout a mixed bag; Missisquoi flag a first for Grand Isle schools.
Black Vermonters bear disproportionate brunt of drug charges, new report shows
November 18, 2021 20:56 - 3 minutes - 2.9 MBNew analysis of drug charge disparities; Universal booster shots; Prosecutors want EB-5 records kept secret; AG’s Office clears Rutland City Police officer in shooting.
Who will take Leahy’s place in the Senate?
November 17, 2021 20:00 - 3 minutes - 2.87 MBCongressional contenders keeping mum; UVM faculty and staff diversity has improved little in 5 years; Lawyer calls on judge to release police shooting video; Utility prepares to decommission Green River Reservoir dam.
Scott to call lawmakers back into session to allow town mask mandates
November 16, 2021 20:30 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBScott offers Democratic leaders 'compromise' on mask policy session; New Covid outbreak at Newport prison; Bennington water connections follow PFOA contamination; Burlington council declines to debate Sears Lane resolution.
Patrick Leahy to retire after eight terms in U.S. Senate
November 15, 2021 19:21 - 3 minutes - 3.16 MBLeahy's exit; Bennington & Rutland now reporting highest category of Covid transmission; Supply chain woes reach Vermont; Planned Parenthood Vermont launches pro-Prop 5 campaign.
Top Democrats urge Scott — again — to mandate masks
November 12, 2021 19:07 - 3 minutes - 3.16 MBRenewed call for mandates after a record-high case count; St. Albans residents share ideas for federal relief money; Bennington area residents reach $34 million settlement in PFOA lawsuit; USDA announces support to cover certification costs for organic producers.
This winter, the state will house homeless Vermonters — regardless of the forecast
November 11, 2021 23:35 - 3 minutes - 4.52 MBState to house homeless Vermonters this winter; Task force considers overhaul of school funding system; Richmond and Westford to receive federal grants to upgrade sewage disposal systems; Mother and daughter to stand trial together in Highgate murder case
FEMA to continue to cover Covid-response costs through April 1
November 10, 2021 22:23 - 2 minutes - 2.28 MBWhite House announcement comes amid debate over emergency housing program; 2021 Vermont Climate Assessment released; St. Johnsbury prison Covid outbreak grows to 20 incarcerated individuals.
Vermont to get $2.2B from infrastructure package
November 09, 2021 19:31 - 3 minutes - 3.21 MBBurlington plans to examine tax reappraisal woes; Canadian border reopens to nonessential travel; Misch attorney files motion to dismiss case; Vermont to get $2.2 billion for roads, bridges, broadband and more.