A bill was passed by the Vermont Legislature in 2020 to increase the state’s minimum wage by a combined $1.59 over the following two years. Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
Why didn’t the Free Press write about that assault? Editor explains approach to crime coverage
My team of journalists and I have had to reinterpret for the digital era our profession’s principle of news being “comprehensive and proportional.” Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
Jessica Arencibia: I know what it is to fall through the cracks. Pass Build Back Better
This commentary is by Jessica Arencibia, owner of Healing Arts Massage in South Burlington and a member of the Main Street Alliance of Vermont. My name is Jessica Arencibia and I am the owner of Healing Arts Massage in South Burlington and the wife of Oscar Arencibia, owner of Santiago’s in the New North End. …
Health officials: Horse, cattle sedative contributing to opioid overdose deaths in Vermont
State health officials learned something in October: An animal sedative is increasingly contributing to opioid overdose deaths among Vermonters. The drug, xylazine, is used as a sedative, muscle relaxant and pain reliever in animals such as horses and cattle. It is not approved for human use. In people, researchers say, it reduces the functioning of…
Electric school buses roll out in pilot project in three Vermont districts
An electric school bus parked at Bellows Free Academy Fairfax on Oct. 28, 2021. The bus is part of a statewide pilot program. Photo courtesy of Vermont Energy Investment Corp. Three Vermont school districts are part of an electric bus pilot program to help determine if the vehicles are practical for year-round use across the…
Democratic leaders say they support expanding motel homeless program
Brenda Siegel, a policy advocate who has been sleeping on the Statehouse steps to raise awareness about changes to the state’s housing assistance program, speaks at a press conference on Monday, Nov. 1. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger The Democratic leaders of Vermont’s House and Senate say they support allowing those who were kicked out of…
Senate confirms Vermont’s Beth Robinson to Second Circuit Court of Appeals
Beth Robinson in Montpelier on Feb. 19, 2019. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger The U.S. Senate on Monday voted 51-45 to confirm Vermont’s Beth Robinson to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Robinson’s confirmation makes history. She will be the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to serve on a federal…
‘All for helping a store clerk get him out of the store,’ Greensboro murder suspect tells police
Darryl Johnson, 48, of Greensboro, Vermont, is seen in this mugshot taken by the Vermont State Police on Friday evening, Oct. 29, 2021. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Newport on a charge of second-degree murder. Photo courtesy of Vermont State Police A Greensboro man pleaded not guilty Monday to murder in a…
VPA: Media members, spectators not allowed to attend Enosburg-Winooski soccer semifinal
The Vermont Principals’ Association has barred fans and media from Enosburg at Winooski boys soccer semifinal game following a recent investigation. Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
Vermont’s state climatologist speaks at UN climate conference
Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux, Vermont’s climatologist, speaks on a virtual panel at COP26 on Monday, Nov. 1. Screenshot by Emma Cotton/VTDigger Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux, Vermont’s state climatologist, took to the virtual stage at COP26, the global United Nations climate summit, on Monday to talk about the current state of climate science. For 12 days starting Oct. 31, leaders…
Principals’ association plans to bar media, fans from boys soccer game
A Winooski High School boys soccer player inbounds the ball against Oxbow High School on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger The governing body for Vermont school sports plans to bar reporters, photographers and fans from a soccer game between Enosburg Falls High School and Winooski High School Tuesday afternoon — an unusual…
One motel in limbo: The view from the Fife & Drum
Editor’s Note: Addie Lentzner is a senior at Arlington Memorial High School and also a student activist, advocating for Vermonters experiencing homelessness and leading the Student Anti-Racism Committee. For this story she worked as a student journalist, using on-the-ground reporting to raise awareness. The Underground Workshop publishes student journalism from high school and college students…
PHOTOS: South Burlington edges Burlington in girls soccer quarterfinals
Photos from Saturday’s Division I high school girls soccer quarterfinal game between South Burlington and host Burlington. Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
Vermont state employees ask for more time to work remotely
State employees were required to return to the office Nov. 1, but the union is asking for a two-month extension. Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
Vermont reports 39 deaths for October but cases seem to be slowing down
Vermont reported four new deaths in its Covid-19 data for the weekend, bringing October’s total death count to 39. It’s a drop from the 49 deaths reported for September. But October’s 39 deaths are still the third-highest in the pandemic — behind December 2020 with 71 deaths and September 2021’s 49 deaths. As of late…
Essex Junction considers historic vote to secede from Essex: Here’s what it would mean.
After years of failed attempts at merging Essex Junction fully with the town government, voters are about to vote on secession. Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
At-home caregiver shortage weighs on Upper Valley families, loved ones
Nick Nikolaidis helps his wife, Heidi Nikolaidis, into bed at their home in Bethel, Vt., on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. Nick has been Heidi’s full-time caregiver since she had a stroke six years ago. (Valley News / Report For America — Alex Driehaus) This story by Nora Doyle-Burr was published Oct. 23 by the Valley…
Vermonters can get free meals via Everyone Eats through the end of 2021
The Vermont Everyone Eats program has paid restaurants to prepare more than 1.6 million meals that are given to anyone who needs food help. Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
Orleans County, including Newport, continues to be rocked by Covid cases
The latest town-level Covid data from the Department of Health shows that not only has Orleans County remained the hardest-hit region of the state this fall, its communities have become the top victims of Covid throughout the pandemic. As of Oct. 27, Newport City had reported 913 Covid cases among a population of 4,455 —…
Enter the 2021 Burlington Free Press Hand Turkey Contest
The pilgrims might not have invented the hand turkey, but drawing a turkey using the outline of one’s hand is an age-old tradition at Thanksgiving. Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
Vermont competitor to appear on Food Network show ‘Holiday Baking Championship’
Adam Monette, culinary instructor at Northwest Career & Technical Center in St. Albans, is one of 12 bakers vying for $25,000 prize. Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
Work begins on new high-rise apartments project in downtown Burlington called ‘The Nest’
Excavation is underway for a 49-unit apartment building at Pine and Bank streets in Burlington. Top Featured Tags: – Vermont News Press Release Distribution Service
