Vermont governor vetoes raise for state lawmakers
May 31, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have raised the salaries for members of state's part-time legislature and made them eligible for the state employees' health benefit plan.
Vermont troopers plead not guilty in bean bag shooting case
May 30, 2023 GMTBRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) — Two Vermont State Police troopers pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor reckless endangerment charge after one of them fired a bean bag round from a shotgun against a man who was allegedly acting irrationally.
Vermont’s governor vetoes largest budget in state history
May 28, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont's governor has vetoed a state budget that would have been the largest in the state history.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott said the proposed budget, which is well over $8 billion, would unfairly raise taxes and fees on state residents.
Woman who fled US to keep child custody more than a decade ago says her lawyer encouraged flight
May 24, 2023 GMTA Virginia woman who left the United States for more than a decade with her child to avoid sharing custody of her daughter with her former partner says her lawyer suggested she flee.
Vermont Legislature adjourns after expanding childcare and housing; governor hints at vetoes to come
May 13, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Democratic-controlled Vermont Legislature has adjourned for its 2023 session by passing an $8.4 billion state budget, the largest in state history, as well as expanding child care and housing.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont's Legislature struck down a veto from Republican Gov. Phil Scott, meaning a new law that will push people to stop using fossil fuels to heat their homes took effect Thursday.
Vermont governor signs 1st-in-nation shield bills that explicitly include medicated abortion
May 10, 2023 GMTVermont's Republican governor signed abortion and gender affirming shield bills into law Wednesday that are the first in the country to explicitly include protecting access to a medication widely used in abortions even if the U.S.
Vermont Senate overrides governor’s veto of clean heat bill
May 9, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Democrat-controlled Vermont Senate voted Tuesday to override Republican Gov. Phil Scott's veto of a bill encouraging Vermonters to move away from using fossil fuels to heat their homes in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Vermont bans owning, running paramilitary training camps
May 8, 2023 GMTVermont on Monday made it a crime to own or operate paramilitary training camps in the state after Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed legislation introduced in response to a firearms training facility built without permits that neighbors called a menace.
Vermont gun bill creating 72-hour waiting period passes
May 5, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Legislature on Friday passed a bill that requires a 72-hour waiting period for the purchase of guns and includes other provisions aimed at reducing suicides and community violence.
Vermont clean heat standard bill vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott
May 4, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday vetoed a bill aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging Vermonters to move away from using fossil fuels to heat their homes.
Legislature to consider impeachment of prosecutor, sheriff
May 4, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont speaker of the House announced Thursday that she has initiated the first step in an investigatory process that could lead to the impeachment of a county prosecutor, accused of harassing and discriminating against employees, and a sheriff, facing an assault charge and a financial investigation.
Vermont school parents back gender-neutral terms for kids
May 3, 2023 GMTParents and community members who attended a school board meeting in Vermont's largest district mostly supported a decision to use the gender-inclusive terms “person who produces sperm” and “person who produces eggs” in a 5th grade health class rather than the words male or female.
Vermont prosecutor accused of harassment, discrimination
May 3, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont prosecutors have asked that the Legislature consider impeachment proceedings against a county prosecutor after an investigation found that he harassed and discriminated against employees.
Vermont allows out-of-staters to use assisted suicide law
May 2, 2023 GMTVermont on Tuesday became the first state in the country to change its medically assisted suicide law to allow terminally ill people from out of state to take advantage of it to end their lives.
Vermont governor vows to veto climate bill as too expensive
April 28, 2023 GMTRepublican Gov. Phil Scott said Friday he will veto a bill passed by the Legislature that aims to help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging Vermonters to move away from fossil fuels to heat their homes.
Vermont forms reconciliation panel after eugenics apology
April 28, 2023 GMTSHELBURNE, Vt. (AP) — Two years ago, the Vermont Legislature apologized to all Vermonters and their families who were harmed by state-sanctioned eugenics policies that started in the early 1900s and led to institutionalizations and sterilizations, targeting Native Americans, French Canadians and disabled and poor people.
Biden’s student loan help would be ‘annihilated’ by GOP bill
April 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s student loan agenda would be all but obliterated by the U.S. debt legislation passed by House Republicans, dooming his mass cancellation s, scrapping a more generous loan repayment option and permanently barring future regulation around student debt.
Vermont passes bills aimed at protecting abortion pills
April 27, 2023 GMTThe Vermont Legislature passed reproductive and gender-affirming health care bills on Thursday with a late addition aimed at protecting access to a medication widely used in abortions even if the U.S.
In reversal, Vermont State U to keep physical libraries
April 25, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The new Vermont State University will not be laying off the library staff across the university’s three schools located on four campuses across the state as was announced earlier this year.
5 charged in youth game brawl; man later died of heart event
April 22, 2023 GMTALBURGH, Vt. (AP) — Five adults have been charged with misdemeanor assault for a brawl that erupted at a middle school basketball game earlier this year, Vermont State Police said, but they won't face any charges related to the death of one person involved in the fight who later had an acute cardiac event.
Vermont governor signs bill raising marriage age to 18
April 21, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A new Vermont law that raises the eligibility age for marriage to 18 takes effect in July.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the legislation on Thursday, making Vermont the eighth state in the country to end child marriage.
Vermont village hunkers down as police search for shooter
April 21, 2023 GMTMORRISVILLE, Vt. (AP) — Vermont police searched Friday for a man they say exchanged gunfire with a Morristown police officer, leaving the officer with minor injuries.
Schools in the area closed Friday and police urged local businesses and residents to use caution while the search continues for the suspect.
Common mistakes, uncommon reactions in 4 separate shootings
April 20, 2023 GMTRelated coverage:
Just days to spare, Senate gives final approval to debt ceiling deal, sending it to Biden
How Biden and McCarthy struck a debt limit deal and staved off a catastrophe
Debt limit bill gives Republicans IRS cuts, but Democrats say they expect little near-term impact
Underestimated McCarthy emerges from debt deal empowered as speaker, still threatened by far right
Police: Man causes disturbance at airport, assaults officer
April 20, 2023 GMTSOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A man caused a disturbance at a checkpoint at the Burlington International Airport and assaulted a police officer after he was taken into custody for refusing to leave, police said.
Woman shot after wrong turn had hopes, dreams, father says
April 20, 2023 GMTFORT EDWARD, N.Y. (AP) — The father whose 20-year-old daughter was fatally shot after she and her friends got lost and drove to the wrong house in rural upstate New York raged Wednesday at the man who pulled the trigger.
Vermont capital springs to life through poetry each April
April 19, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — As spring starts to blossom in New England, some Vermont communities come to life with the sites and sounds of written verse.
Ben & Jerry’s supports Vermont workers’ unionization drive
April 18, 2023 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Global ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s said Tuesday it supports a plan to unionize by the workers at a retail shop in the same city where the brand, known as much for its social activism as its products, was founded.
Ben & Jerry’s workers announce plan to unionize in Vermont
April 17, 2023 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — About 40 workers at the Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop in the Vermont city where the company was founded announced Monday that they plan to form a union.
“Collectively, we have come to embody Ben and Jerry’s slogan of ‘peace, love, and ice cream,’” they said they wrote to management.
Longtime New Yorker cartoonist Edward Koren dies
April 17, 2023 GMTBROOKFIELD, Vt. (AP) — Edward Koren, a longtime cartoonist for The New Yorker magazine, known for his hairy, huminoid creatures, has died.
Vermont State University chief steps down before launch
April 14, 2023 GMTThe president of what will be a new state university in Vermont who drew fierce opposition when he proposed all-digital libraries is stepping down less than three months before its official launch, the Vermont State College System announced on Friday.
Homeless shelter staff take “pause” after co-worker killed
April 11, 2023 GMTBRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont homeless shelter where police say a resident killed the coordinator using an ax and a knife last week will be closed for the rest of the month as staff take three weeks off to grieve the loss of their co-worker, an official said.
US states consider ban on cosmetics with ‘forever chemicals’
April 7, 2023 GMTA growing number of state legislatures are considering bans on cosmetics and other consumer products that contain a group of synthetic, potentially harmful chemicals known as PFAS.
In Vermont, the state Senate gave final approval this week to legislation that would prohibit manufacturers and suppliers from selling or distributing any cosmetics or menstrual products in the state that have perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, as well as a number of other chemicals.
Vermont Senate approves raising marriage age to 18
April 5, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Senate gave final approval on Wednesday to a bill that would raise the marriage age to 18, which supporters say would reduce domestic violence and unwanted pregnancies and improve the education and lives of teenagers.
Deal protects about 2,800 acres of Vermont mountain land
April 4, 2023 GMTKILLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A new land conservation deal will ensure that the largest remaining piece of privately owned land within the Green Mountain National Forest remains undeveloped and accessible to the public.
Burlington to rename airport for retired Vermont Sen. Leahy
April 4, 2023 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Burlington is planning to rename Vermont's largest airport in honor of retired U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, the city's Mayor said Monday.
Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the change on Monday during his state of the city presentation to recognize Leahy's “commitment to the airport, your lifetime of service to the people of Vermont, and your special relationship to Burlington.”
Vermont troopers accused of making racist comments resign
March 31, 2023 GMTWATERBURY, Vt. (AP) — Two Vermont State Police troopers have resigned following an investigation into reports that they made racist and inappropriate comments while playing an online game, the state Department of Public Safety announced Friday.
Vermont deputy indicted in New York state brawl, shooting
March 30, 2023 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A Vermont lawman who was shot multiple times by police responding to gunfire in the historic center of Saratoga Springs has been indicted on charges including attempted murder and possessing a firearm in a “sensitive location.”
Handmade blankets welcome refugees, immigrants to US
March 28, 2023 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — "Welcome to the USA," says a note attached to a hand-crocheted blanket of purple, white and gray stripes.
Hollie Shaner-McRae, of Burlington, who made the blanket as a gift for a refugee, wrote of her great-grandparents coming to the United States from Ukraine, Russia and Poland.
Former governor sues college over chapel name removal
March 27, 2023 GMTA former Republican governor of Vermont has sued Middlebury College, his alma mater, accusing it of cancel culture behavior for removing the name of another former governor and Middlebury graduate from the campus chapel for what the school said was his role in eugenics policies in the early 1900s.
President approves Vermont disaster help for December storm
March 22, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — President Joe Biden has approved a federal disaster declaration for eight Vermont counties hit by a December storm that left tens of thousands of people without power during the Christmas holiday week.
Vermont Senate passes bill to protect abortion providers
March 17, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Senate on Friday passed a bill that aims to protect health care workers from disciplinary action for providing abortions and gender-affirming health care, and change insurance premium charges related to such care.
Conn. woman 1st non-Vermonter granted assisted suicide right
March 14, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Lynda Bluestein has terminal cancer and knows she'll likely die soon, but until Tuesday, she didn't know if she'd be able to choose how or when and whether her family, friends and dog would be with her when the time comes.
Vermont women edge Albany for America East title
March 11, 2023 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Emma Utterback scored 18 points and Vermont survived a wild finish to beat Albany 38-36 Friday night America East Conference championship game and advancing to its first NCAA Tournament since 2010.
Vermont’s largest city votes to allow noncitizen voting
March 10, 2023 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Vermont's largest city has voted to allow noncitizens who are in the country legally to vote in local elections.
The proposed charter change for Burlington now must be considered by the Legislature and the Republican governor.
Voters in Vermont city reject police oversight board
March 8, 2023 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Voters in Vermont's largest city have rejected a proposal for a community police oversight board that would have had the authority to discipline and remove Burlington police officers.
Penn scores 26, Vermont beats Binghamton in America East
March 8, 2023 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Dylan Penn had 26 points in Vermont's 79-57 victory over Binghamton on Tuesday night in the America East Conference Tournament semifinals.
Penn was 11 of 17 shooting (4 for 6 from distance) for the Catamounts (22-10).
Agents added to US Northern border amid crossing spike
March 7, 2023 GMTFederal authorities have added 25 border patrol agents at a section of the northeastern U.S. border with Quebec in response to a spike in illegal crossings.
The team, which started on Monday, will help to deter and disrupt human smuggling activities in the sector that includes the border areas of New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and parts of upstate New York, a U.S.
Burlington voters consider community police oversight board
March 6, 2023 GMTResidents of Vermont's largest city will vote Tuesday on whether to create a community police oversight board that would have the authority to discipline Burlington police officers, including the chief.
Penn scores 23 as Vermont defeats NJIT 84-57 in AEC quarters
March 5, 2023 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Dylan Penn had 23 points in Vermont's 84-57 victory over NJIT on Saturday night in a quarterfinal game of the America East Conference Tournament.
Penn also added five rebounds for the Catamounts (21-10).
Snow blankets Northeast as cleanup begins from deadly storm
March 4, 2023 GMTCleanup began in battered parts of the South and Midwest after a sprawling storm system produced ferocious winds and heavy snow that caused widespread damage and multiple deaths before racing through the Northeast on Saturday.
Vermont House passes bill that raises marriage age to 18
March 3, 2023 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont House has passed a bill that would raise the marriage age to 18, with no exceptions, a move that supporters say would reduce domestic violence and unwanted pregnancies and improve the lives of teens.