John Walters

She should maybe have a little chat with state Senate leadership

The formerly great Burlington Free Press has pubished a story based entirely on a press release, rewritten by an "Assisted by AI" reporter, and they put a goddamn paywall in front of it. Like they think this slop is worth paying for.

www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/l...

Agreed, but we’ve known this since at least “Obey Giant.” It ain’t news.

I hope they get tactical vests that say “Fascist Nerdboy” across the front.

Workin’ for the clampdown…

Are You Unfulfilled Because Your Career Isn’t Evil Enough? Don’t you know the devil wears a suit and tie I saw him driving down the 61 in early July White as a cotton field and sharp as a knife I heard him howling as he passed me by Rarely do I begin…

Oh boy, VTDigger brings news of job openings for those willing (or happy) to, well, join the dark side.

thevpo.org/2025/10/06/a...

Most municipalities try to curb graffiti. So why is Brattleboro commissioning it? - VTDigger “It started off with vandalistic origins, but over the last half century it has grown into one of the most legitimized and profitable art forms,” said an organizer of a $12,000 weekend spray-painting ...

Here's a scoop: Didja know that some graffiti is considered art???????

Your Digger dollars at work.

vtdigger.org/2025/10/06/m...

The Fine Art of Mime

News You Should View, Belated Edition This edition of NYSV features content posted last week by Vermont media outlets. I did most of the groundwork last weekend, and then other stuff intervened — a pair of more timely items and a bit o…

My latest roundup of worthwhile Vermont news stories includes a big award for a small paper, the continuing adventures of Mike Donoghue, a pair of Super Sidebars, and an unforgettable piece about a man celebrating the 40th anniversary of his heart transplant.

thevpo.org/2025/10/03/n...

Richie Rich Returns, With a Delightful New Bestie Hey, remember this guy? Brock Pierce, former child actor (career highlight: he’s the 27th listed actor in the credits for The Mighty Ducks) turned failed tech entrepreneur turned crypto billi…

The crypto billionaire who launched one of the goofiest campaigns in Vermont history has re-emerged on the political scene — advocating for the re-election of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, of all people.

thevpo.org/2025/10/02/r...

If you’d like to spill the tea on thus, you know how to reach me.

News You Should View, Emergency Dispatch Hats off to The Hardwick Gazette, not because of my association with it, but because they pulled off the scoop of the goddamn week. In the process, the doughty weekly showcased the importance of st…

The Hardwick Gazette scooped much larger news operations (all of them) with the story of an ICE enforcement action targeting construction workers. In the process, it illustrated the crucial role of local news outlets in our media ecosystem.

thevpo.org/2025/10/01/n...

Remember when this goombah tried to run for U.S. Senate in Vermont?

U.S. Border Patrol, ICE detain 9 individuals Friday - The Hardwick Gazette HARDWICK – A dark vehicle heading west on Wolcott Street a little after 7 a.m., Friday, had its drive interrupted when a white vehicle behind it turned on its siren and lights, pulled around it and br...

Remember when I asked if anyone knew anything about an ICE action in Hardwick a few days ago? Well, the Hardwick Gazette has the story:

hardwickgazette.org/2025/09/30/u...

The kind of problems that good franchises have.

What's this in my inbox?... Of course, the long-awaited LL Bean/Noah Kahan collab.

www.llbean.com/llb/shop/100...

Apparently there was an ICE action in downtown Hardwick today. Anyone hear anything? (Not for attribution)

Our Housing Crisis May Be Unsolvable I’ve been thinking about the need for a plausible, recognizable Democrat to step forward as a candidate for governor with a campaign focused on a big policy idea. This is because so many Dems…

Is there a way out of our housing crisis? Recent reports suggest no.

thevpo.org/2025/09/25/o...

Having a "your call is very important to us" kind of morning.

Now we know what Fascist pillow talk is like. Romantic.

Not for nothing, AccuWeeather’s CEO is trying to privatize the National Weather Service.

At the dealership getting an oil change. The TV in the waiting area is showing the seldom-watched AccuWeather channel. Right now, they’re doing an interview about “summer travel tips.” In late September?

It’s good to have options. I just think the station should get some blowback for complicity with corporate censorship,

Jimmy Kimmel to Return to the Airwaves — But Not in Vermont | Seven Days The late-night host was reinstated several days after he was suspended by Disney for comments he made about Charlie Kirk's murder. Nexstar stations still won't air the show.

Hey, didja know Vermont's ABC affiliate is owned by Nexstar, which will NOT show Jimmy Kimmel?

www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture...

News You Should View: Education Reform With Bulldozers and Blasting Caps This week’s media roundup focuses on a single subject, which was almost inescapable as I made may weekly tour of Vermont news outlets. That subject is education reform, specifically the proce…

My latest Media Roundup focuses on coverage of the Act 73 process, which is creating confusion and uncertainty among parents and educators. The best thing anyone has to say about it amounts to “Oh well, I guess we have to learn to live with this.”

thevpo.org/2025/09/23/n...

"RFK Junior and Trump do not understand" is a handy all-purpose phrase.

There was a token trade-ish aspect of the trip, but the primary purpose was to “find facts” about the Gaza situation from the likes of Netanyahu and Mike Huckabee, our ambassador to Israel.

See my blogpost. According to a filing by an Oregon lawmaker, the host/sponsor was Israel’s foreign ministry. (That filing was first reported by The Rake VT.) I honestly don’t know how, or if, Vermont lawmakers have to report such trips.

On the Israeli government’s dime, only hearing its side of the story & giving the govt a huge propaganda boost.

Not the Best Moment for a Trip to Israel So, five Vermont state representatives visited Israel last week as part of a massive push to show American support for that country. The five, pictured above with a Vermont state flag, from lower r…

Five Vermont state lawmakers went on a junket to Israel last week, sponsored and hosted by the Israeli government. It was a one-sided propaganda show. They shouldn't have gone.

thevpo.org/2025/09/22/n...

Owen Foster's contempt for Sunny Eappen is showing. His comment on Eappen's resignation: "We wish him good luck in his future endeavors.”

For those unfamiliar, "future endeavored" is a term in pro wrestling. WWE used that same phrase to announce talent releases. Translation: "Good riddance."