After a long, cold winter, energy costs are soaring. Some Vermonters are reevaluating their options.
“I’m on quite a restricted budget,” said one Vermonter who planned to switch away from oil heating. “I’m really, really worried about where things are right now.”
Amid federal funding squeeze, Safe Haven in Randolph to close
With the Clara Martin Center closing its residential facility, Capstone Community Action is searching for new locations to host a shelter for people who need a bed.
State officials and local residents respond to ongoing PFAS contamination concerns in Bennington County
“PFAS is a generational disaster, and we’re only now starting to figure out what it means to respond to an environmental crisis of this scale and this durability,” said a Bennington College professor and PFAS researcher.
Young Writers Project: ‘Strawberry Teacups and the Möbius Strip’
This week’s Young Writers Project entry is “Strawberry Teacups and the Möbius Strip” by Maelyn Slavik, 15, of Burlington. Photo is “Looking Out Their Eyes,” by Astrid Longstreth, 16, of West Bolton.
Want to revisit and revise your life? Vermont writer Julia Alvarez knows how.
“What can I contribute that’s a spark of joy?” says the 76-year-old pioneering National Medal of Arts winner upon publication of a new career-spanning poetry anthology, “Visitations.”
Editors’ Picks
Our best stories, investigations, podcasts and more, as recommended to you by VTDigger editors.
Declining enrollment is driving a $12 million budget deficit at the University of Vermont
The university expects to see a 15% decline in freshman undergraduate students this coming fall compared to last year, and a 7% decrease across all undergraduate grade levels.
Overdose deaths in Vermont drop by 25% in 2025
“Our treatment, our intervention, our harm reduction, our recovery services, those are working,” said Vermont Department of Health Interim Deputy Commissioner Shayla Livingston.
Vermont Conversation: Going fast and breaking barriers
The documentary “Best Day Ever” features the world’s first adaptive mountain bike trail network and the athletes who are changing lives.
Barre’s proposed school district budget fails — again
Voters also re-elected Mayor Thom Lauzon and city councilor Sonya Spaulding in the city’s annual election.
Welch, Balint talk election integrity with town clerks
Clerks at the roundtable discussion explained in depth each step of the election process, from absentee ballots to voter registration rolls, what happens on election day and verifying elections.
GlobalFoundries seeks buyer for Williston campus
“We know an Amazon warehouse wants to come to this area, and I don’t think Williston wants that,” said Williston Planning Commission member Jill Pardini.
Opinion
Commentaries and letters to the editor written by community members and regular contributors.
It’s time to give LGBTQ+ youth agency over their own lives
For young people navigating instability without consistent adult support, a new bill removes barriers that compound the harm they already face.
Vermont police shot my brother dead. Ten months later, we’re still waiting for answers.
Vermont State Police were called to help Scott Garvey during a mental health crisis. His family is still waiting to learn why he was killed.
Credit card giants have their hands in every Vermont till
A new bill would stop credit card giants from skimming fees off taxes and tips that small businesses never keep.
Stroke survivors deserve a path forward
When a stroke survivor is discharged from the hospital, the hardest part of recovery is often just beginning, and most families don’t know help is available.
Vermont lawmakers push ahead on new limits on restraining kids in state custody
Also in Final Reading: Visitors from Ghana; and Welch invokes Leahy
Middlebury College to grow its role in housing, jobs
Predevelopment continues for nine college-owned lots in Middlebury’s industrial park — lots that could be shovel-ready by next year for businesses looking to plant roots in the shire town.
Parents feel ‘blindsided’ by Washington Central school district’s grade reconfiguration
“I think many of us are concerned about the precedent that it sets, that decisions like this could be made unilaterally, without significant community input at all,” one parent said.
Vermonters will vote on equal protection amendment to state constitution this fall
The proposal, which got a final sign-off from the House on Wednesday, is aimed at ensuring all people are treated equally under the law regardless of their race, ethnicity, sex, religion or other identity.
Obituaries
Death notices and celebrations of life.
Senate lawmakers reconsider ending Vermont’s school PCB testing program
Also in Final Reading: Budget talks and a Medicaid settlement.
