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Editor’s note: This commentary is by Jim White, of Shelburne, who is on the advisory board of the Vermont Wildlife Coalition and on a Shelburne town subcommittee that is drafting a town wildlife policy. There are two traditions in Vermont that focus on wildlife — hunters and anglers (who I will refer to as “hunters”)…

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Teresa Butler who is a senior program therapist at the Brattleboro Retreat’s Anna Marsh Clinic. For many of us — especially those who live at higher latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere — the seasonal onset of colder weather and waning sunlight is accompanied by negative trends in both our…

The Friday NYTimes morning briefing newsletter features a section on Vermont’s unique success in fending off the coronavirus. In more than two months, the state has not had a death from the virus while the rest of the nation, including the rural states of Wyoming, Alaska, North Dakota and South Dakota have seen case numbers…

Editor’s note: This commentary is by James Lyall, who is the executive director of the ACLU of Vermont. In an unprecedented year, perhaps it’s only natural that we have an unprecedented election — the first in our lifetimes to occur during a global pandemic, and one in which an astounding number of votes will be…

A century-old postcard pictures what’s now Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster. VTDigger also obtained documents from a 2019 state investigation that show at least nine children and possibly as many as 15, according to a parent, molested each other. In addition, there were significant threats of self-harm, violence or exploitation at the Westminster…

Editor’s note: This commentary is by William Hancy, of Swanton, who is a business owner, retired Champlain College staff member, and a veteran of the United States Air Force.  It is said that our words make our worlds. But what makes our world when there are no words or only certain words are allowed to…

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Don Keelan, a retired certified public accountant and resident of Arlington. It has been updated to make clear that he has only imagined the subcommittee. On Oct. 6, I received an email invitation from the Vermont Legislative Climate Solutions Caucus to submit a letter requesting that I be considered…

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Kim Dougherty, an attorney who represents survivors of sexual abuse (survivorsupport@andruswagstaff.com). She is the managing partner of the Boston office of Andrus Wagstaff P.C., a boutique law firm that specializes in civil rights and mass torts.  As the Vermont State Board of Education (the Board) gets ready to vote…

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Holly Morehouse, who is the executive director at Vermont Afterschool. At first glance, it seemed impossible. On Aug. 18, Gov. Phil Scott issued an executive order to increase Vermont’s child care capacity as public schools announced reopening plans to provide some or all education remotely. The state dedicated $12…

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Linda E. Johnson, who is executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont A few weeks ago, we learned the truth about the child abuse that took place at Kurn Hattin, over the past 80 years. I want to applaud VTDigger’s thorough and unflinching investigative reporting on this matter. Kurn…