VTDigger

Thrift shopping creates community in the Upper Valley - VTDigger The region's secondhand goods scene appears to be in a state of flux, with a number of traditional thrift shops shuttering in recent years and vintage boutiques rising up in their place.

The region’s secondhand goods scene appears to be in a state of flux, with a number of traditional thrift shops shuttering in recent years and vintage boutiques rising up in their place.

Burlington’s new equity director takes over embattled office this week with ‘cautious optimism’ - VTDigger Kelli Perkins says she plans to build relationships and foster change by having critical conversations about equity with stakeholders and residents in Burlington.

Kelli Perkins says she plans to build relationships and foster change by having critical conversations about equity with stakeholders and residents in Burlington.

Following drought from Lake Champlain to the LaPlatte River headwaters - VTDigger The drought, the floods of the last couple of years — the extremes, the swings — all of it is related to climate change.

The drought, the floods of the last couple of years — the extremes, the swings — all of it is related to climate change.

Burlington to pay more than $95K after mistakes in sending tax revenue to the state - VTDigger The city made mistakes in creating its original TIF district back in 2011, and the error had compounding effects for years. The City Council has approved a payment to resolve any debt to the education...

The city made mistakes in creating its original TIF district back in 2011, and the error had compounding effects for years. The City Council has approved a payment to resolve any debt to the education fund.

Vermont Green FC plans to make its women’s team a permanent fixture - VTDigger The Burlington soccer club, fresh off a national men’s championship, is now set to expand into a women’s semi-professional league for the 2026 season.

The Burlington soccer club, fresh off a national men’s championship, is now set to expand into a women’s semi-professional league for the 2026 season.

Opinion — Isaac Evans-Frantz: Gov. Phil Scott should work with people providing services to unhoused Vermonters — not just provide recommendations What is the state’s plan for shelter starting now, to ensure people stay alive?

OPINION — "What is the state’s plan for shelter starting now, to ensure people stay alive?" Evans-Frantz writes.

Brattleboro hospital CEO on leave amid fears about the not-for-profit’s fiscal health - VTDigger “The hospital may be at risk of a sudden solvency crisis, which would potentially harm its community and the statewide system of care,” Vermont regulators wrote in a recent budget decision.

“The hospital may be at risk of a sudden solvency crisis, which would potentially harm its community and the statewide system of care,” Vermont regulators wrote in a recent budget decision.

Nonprofit seeks to rejuvenate Goddard campus as arts hub - VTDigger This summer, The Creative Campus hosted the Green Mountain Playwright Retreat. “I got 600 submissions from all over the world," said retreat director and Goddard graduate Erin Galligan Baldwin. "It we...

From The Hardwick Gazette: This summer, The Creative Campus hosted the Green Mountain Playwright Retreat. “I got 600 submissions from all over the world,” said retreat director and Goddard graduate Erin Galligan Baldwin. “It went viral.”

Upper Valley school districts explore merger to meet state goals - VTDigger The school redistricting task force is charged with redrawing Vermont’s education borders so each region has between 4,000 and 8,000 students. Together, the three Upper Valley districts would have abo...

The school redistricting task force is charged with redrawing Vermont’s education borders so each region has between 4,000 and 8,000 students. Together, the three Upper Valley districts would have about 3,700 students.

Northwestern Medical Center nurses rally as contract negotiations press on - VTDigger The hospital’s leaders and its nursing union have been in talks since May. Ongoing issues with contamination in the operating room stymied some progress.

The hospital’s leaders and its nursing union have been in talks since May. Ongoing issues with contamination in the operating room stymied some progress.

ICE plans to boost its surveillance on social media using contractors in Vermont - VTDigger U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants to hire a dozen contracted workers who would track down leads for potential deportations, among other efforts, at an office in Williston.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants to hire a dozen contracted workers who would track down leads for potential deportations, among other efforts, at an office in Williston.

Massachusetts court tosses drug trafficking charges against former Burlington school board member - VTDigger Rida Kori had been charged with trafficking fentanyl last year. His attorney argued police had illegally stopped him and searched his car.

Rida Kori had been charged with trafficking fentanyl last year. His attorney argued police had illegally stopped him and searched his car.

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 ...

“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 project.

Opinion — Marisa D. Keller: Weatherization for a more affordable and sustainable Vermont Every house weatherized means more dollars in the local economy, less carbon in the atmosphere wreaking havoc and healthier, more comfortable living for Vermonters.

OPINION — "Every house weatherized means more dollars in the local economy, less carbon in the atmosphere wreaking havoc and healthier, more comfortable living for Vermonters," Keller writes.

Opinion — Desmond Brown: On Vermont’s relationship with CoreCivic Vermont prisoners sent to Mississippi may be out of sight, but Vermont remains morally responsible for the way its prisoners are treated.

OPINION — "Vermont prisoners sent to Mississippi may be out of sight, but Vermont remains morally responsible for the way its prisoners are treated," Brown writes.

Young Writers Project: 'My morning of dancing in the rain' - VTDigger This week’s Young Writers Project entry is “My morning of dancing in the rain” by Maelyn Slavik, 15, of Burlington. Artwork is “By Accident,” by Beatrice Ziobro, 14, of Pomfret.

This week’s Young Writers Project entry is “My morning of dancing in the rain” by Maelyn Slavik, 15, of Burlington. Artwork is “By Accident,” by Beatrice Ziobro, 14, of Pomfret.

The Center for Cartoon Studies marks two decades of artistic innovation - VTDigger School alumni include Tillie Walden, whose autobiographical graphic novel “Spinning” earned her a Will Eisner Award, and drag queen Sasha Velour, whose art has appeared on the cover of The New Yorker.

From Valley News: School alumni include Tillie Walden, whose autobiographical graphic novel “Spinning” earned her a Will Eisner Award, and drag queen Sasha Velour, whose art has appeared on the cover of The New Yorker.

Will a licensed cannabis cultivator lose his backyard business in Essex Junction? - VTDigger City zoning laws don’t permit outdoor cannabis cultivation in the neighborhood where Jason Struthers lives. He says he’s had a state license since before those laws were adopted.

City zoning laws don’t permit outdoor cannabis cultivation in the neighborhood where Jason Struthers lives. He says he’s had a state license since before those laws were adopted.

Waterbury woman and her Maine coon make a purr-fect team - VTDigger Meet Toby: Vermont's first official therapy cat.

From the Waterbury Roundabout: Meet Toby: Vermont’s first official therapy cat.

Vermont’s state treasurer takes aim at Trump’s media company - VTDigger Mike Pieciak and his counterparts from other northeastern states are pressing the head of a major stock index for details on why Trump Media & Technology has been included in its listing since last ye...

Mike Pieciak and his counterparts from other northeastern states are pressing the head of a major stock index for details on why Trump Media & Technology has been included in its listing since last year.

Vermonters reel in new unofficial and youth angler bass records this summer - VTDigger “We have this resource in our backyard of small ponds, midsized lakes, rivers and streams that offer phenomenal fishing that are kind of unknown and overlooked,” a state fish biologist said.

“We have this resource in our backyard of small ponds, midsized lakes, rivers and streams that offer phenomenal fishing that are kind of unknown and overlooked,” a state fish biologist said.

Vermont officials ask for statewide disaster designation amid ongoing drought - VTDigger State leaders request federal assistance to help Vermont farmers struggling with crop failures and financial losses.

State leaders request federal assistance to help Vermont farmers struggling with crop failures and financial losses.

Monthslong elevator breakdown at a Montpelier complex leaves some residents feeling stranded - VTDigger “There's got to be an end point for this,” said Karen Topper of Green Mountain Self-Advocates. “Enough is enough.”

“There’s got to be an end point for this,” said Karen Topper of Green Mountain Self-Advocates. “Enough is enough.”

Vermont’s U.S. Rep. Becca Balint: ‘We have to hold the line’ on health insurance subsidies - VTDigger Democrats will not vote for any funding bill to end the U.S. government shutdown until Republicans come to the negotiating table, she said.

Democrats will not vote for any funding bill to end the U.S. government shutdown until Republicans come to the negotiating table, she said.

Department of Energy nixes UVM, Beta grants in series of cuts mostly hitting Democratic U.S. House districts - VTDigger The Vermont grants, more than $5 million in total, helped fund projects related to renewable energy.

The Vermont grants, more than $5 million in total, helped fund projects related to renewable energy.

State government workers living outside Vermont must also follow return-to-office policy - VTDigger Workers who intend to move can have until the end of July 2026 to comply, the Scott administration announced Friday. Those who can must meet the same Dec. 1 deadline as their in-state peers.

Workers who intend to move can have until the end of July 2026 to comply, the Scott administration announced Friday. Those who can must meet the same Dec. 1 deadline as their in-state peers.

‘Truly transformative’: Rutland City set to vote on $3.9M bond for downtown infrastructure - VTDigger The city’s mayor said, “this is really our moment,” while a member of the city board of aldermen said, “this is a real inflection point for Rutland.”

The city’s mayor said, “this is really our moment,” while a member of the city board of aldermen said, “this is a real inflection point for Rutland.”

Burlington mayor’s deputy chief of staff leaves role alongside two others - VTDigger The mayor announced that Jen Monroe Zakaras, a former City Council candidate, would take over the role from Joe Magee.

The mayor announced that Jen Monroe Zakaras, a former City Council candidate, would take over the role from Joe Magee.

ECFiber Board Chief says VISPO is ready - VTDigger Two mediation sessions, required by the contract between the companies have gone nowhere, Flinn said, adding that mediation sessions are confidential, but “we weren’t the ones who said mediation is ov...

From The Herald: Two mediation sessions, required by the contract between the companies have gone nowhere, Flinn said, adding that mediation sessions are confidential, but “we weren’t the ones who said mediation is over.”

Opinion — Sam Donnelly: Let’s build a better Burlington Burlington is facing serious challenges. They are complex but solvable — and they require exactly what we do best: creativity, collaboration, optimism and good old-fashioned hard work.

OPINION — "Burlington is facing serious challenges," Donnelly writes. "They are complex but solvable — and they require exactly what we do best: creativity, collaboration, optimism and good old-fashioned hard work."