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Vermont lawmakers take up landmark abortion ‘shield law,’ but protections could only go so far

This week’s hearings mark the Legislature’s first major deliberations over abortion-related policy since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned landmark Roe v. Wade case precedent last summer, eliminating the federal right to an abortion.

By Sarah Mearhoff

Jan 29 2023January 30, 2023

Other Top News

Rutland man arrested on murder charge in weekend stabbing

By Alan J. Keays
Jan 30 2023, 9:16 AMJanuary 30, 2023
State wants to sell Burlington office building, drawing criticism from state employees’ union

By Patrick Crowley
Jan 29 2023January 29, 2023
Castleton rallies behind Gilmore Home Center after devastating fire

By Taylor Slonaker
Jan 29 2023January 29, 2023
The Deeper Dig: To go big, or go bigger, on child care

By Riley Robinson
Jan 29 2023January 27, 2023
Frustrations over racial equity simmer on the Vermont Climate Council

By Peter D'Auria
Jan 27 2023January 27, 2023
Windham County side judge accused of collecting pay for hours she allegedly never worked

By Tom Kearney and Maggie Reynolds
Jan 27 2023January 29, 2023

Looking for Vermont Covid-19 data? Visit VTDigger's Covid dashboard, updated on weekdays when new data is available.

Latest Headlines

Danziger: Improving economy buoys Biden reelection!

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Obituaries

Allan N. Mackey
Allan had a relentlessly positive attitude and valued laughter and love above all else. Read more
Lorraine Maybelle Walker
She loved spending time with her five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who knew her as "Nanna." Read more
Gary Smith
Gary Smith was a man of music and a builder of communities. Read more

More Recent Coverage

Energy & Environment

Natural Resources secretary presents a 'really rough' estimate of the clean heat standard’s cost
In the long run, the clean heat standard is expected to save Vermonters $6.4 billion and reduce climate emissions 34% by 2030. But this week, Secretary Julie Moore sat before lawmakers to highlight the upfront expenses.
By Emma Cotton
Jan 27 2023January 27, 2023
Politics

Burlington Progressives settle tie vote in South District council race
Will Anderson beat FaRied Munarsyah in a virtual caucus on Thursday night. Anderson will face Democrat incumbent Joan Shannon in one of five City Council races on Town Meeting Day.
By Patrick Crowley
Jan 27 2023January 27, 2023
Education

Education leaders: Staff shortages persist midway through the school year
There are still more than 1,000 open positions for teachers, special educators and support staff, the Vermont Principals’ Association executive director, Jay Nichols, told lawmakers.
By Abigail Carroll
Jan 27 2023January 26, 2023

Editor's Picks

Health Care

New numbers highlight Covid-19’s impact on inpatient mental health care and emergency…

Discharge totals from Vermont psychiatric inpatient facilities show how the overflow from an already strained statewide mental health care system fell on emergency departments.

By Kristen Fountain
Jan 27 2023January 29, 2023
Crime and Justice

Caledonia sheriff gave himself and staff bonuses totaling $400,000 before stepping down

In some cases, the bonuses exceeded the employees’ annual salaries, according to data released by the state auditor’s office.

By Tiffany Tan
Jan 25 2023January 25, 2023
Education

School meal funding is set to expire this year. Will Vermont lawmakers…

A one-year pilot of free school meals will end in June. Advocates are pushing to make the program permanent.

By Peter D'Auria
Jan 25 2023January 25, 2023
Crime and Justice

Burlington neighbors gather to support teen beaten outside home

The student was attacked the night of Jan. 17 by a group of young people, a family member said, leaving the local neighborhood shaken.

By Shaun Robinson
Jan 24 2023January 25, 2023

Press Releases

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Business & Economy

Castleton rallies behind Gilmore Home Center after devastating fire

Woodstock approves $330,000 in grants to create up to 79 new child care slots

Parking changes at Stowe Mountain Resort cause concern over access to outdoor recreation

5 Vermont chefs, restaurants and drinking establishments among James Beard Awards semifinalists

Vermont Everyone Eats program will end on March 31, after distributing 3.5 million meals

Crime and Justice

Rutland man arrested on murder charge in weekend stabbing

Windham County side judge accused of collecting pay for hours she allegedly never worked

More than half of Orange County’s sheriff deputies will leave with the current sheriff next week

Police seek 5th suspect in deadly St. Johnsbury shooting

New arrest made in connection with November’s Valley Street raid in Springfield

Education

The Deeper Dig: To go big, or go bigger, on child care

Education leaders: Staff shortages persist midway through the school year

School meal funding is set to expire this year. Will Vermont lawmakers go back for another helping?

Burlington School District, Monsanto agree to February date for high school demolition

After racist taunting, fans banned from BFA-Fairfax boys basketball games

Energy & Environment

Natural Resources secretary presents a 'really rough' estimate of the clean heat standard’s cost

Frustrations over racial equity simmer on the Vermont Climate Council

In crisis mode, organic dairy farmers ask lawmakers for $9 million in emergency relief

Vermont is not meeting its goal of recycling and composting half its waste

Covid funds buoy wastewater projects statewide

Health Care

Vermont’s largest health care union will almost double in size

New numbers highlight Covid-19’s impact on inpatient mental health care and emergency departments

With state funding, Burlington moves closer to launching a mental health crisis response team

Covid levels still ‘low,’ health department reports, though some metrics tick up

Burlington reports record high Covid concentrations in wastewater data

People & Places

Young Writers Project: January silence

Vermont Conversation: Food, love and mental illness

Mikaela Shiffrin breaks Lindsey Vonn’s World Cup win record

Then Again: Years of research reveal details of bomber crash on Camel’s Hump

Young Writers Project: Dreamscape

Politics

Vermont lawmakers take up landmark abortion ‘shield law,’ but protections could only go so far

State wants to sell Burlington office building, drawing criticism from state employees’ union

Final Reading: Vermont Senate Democrats host ‘spirited’ fundraiser

Vermont Senate increases committee room limits in response to newsrooms’ concerns

Burlington Progressives settle tie vote in South District council race

Commentary

Bob Stannard: Vermont needs a moratorium on spraying toxic chemicals in our lakes

Robert Fireovid: I want our population to shrink. I pray for it every day.

Jonathan Lesser: Vermont has a windmill-tilting climate action plan

Steven Berbeco: United for mental health — community effort makes it work

Sadkin & Asselin: OneCare is a lifesaving measure for independent primary care

Rama Schneider: Increased participation vs. increased decision-making

Katerina Brumer: It’s not just me who wants to see trapping banned

Darryl Benjamin: What it’s like to move to Florida as a liberal

Edward Scott: Schools need to go to the core of troubling issues

Justin Salisbury: The next step after bans: Recapture that racist apparel

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