Staff report Governor Phil Scott opened the press conference Tuesday, Sept. 8 saying: “I want to be sure everyone knows the ‘By Local Vermont’ program is now open. This means that Vermonters can now go to thinkvermont.com/local and sign up […]
Category: State News
Legislature is teeing up to discuss key bills, budget
By Rep. Jim Harrison As Victor, one of my favorite brothers-in-law, would say, you need to tee-up the ball properly before attempting your drive in golf. In similar fashion, various legislative committees have been working the past two weeks to […]
Christian Ventura named NAEMT advocacy coordinator
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) recently appointed EMT Christian Ventura as its new state advocacy coordinator for Vermont. The advocacy coordinator is tasked with supporting EMTs, paramedics, and other prehospital providers in the Green Mountain State through […]
State looks for ways to attract more hunters, including novice weekend
By Justin Trombly/VTDigger State officials want to start a novice turkey-hunting weekend and introduce an electronic reporting system for big game, changes that could help combat a decline in the number of hunters — and in the state’s revenue from hunting licenses — and make […]
New ‘Social Autopsy’ report examines drug overdose trends in Vermont
Report released on International Overdose Awareness Day to honor lost The Vermont Department of Health has released the state’s first Social Autopsy Report, an in-depth look at how those who died of a drug-related overdose interacted with state agencies, and where […]
VLCT releases perspectives on police reform
On Sept. 1, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) board of directors released its Perspectives on Police Reform (vlct.org/VLCT_Perspectives_on_Police_Reform). “We feel it’s important for municipal police departments to reflect the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said board […]
Gov. Scott signs executive order on public safety reform
Executive action advances efforts in seven key areas of law enforcement modernization, sets legislative priorities for 2021 Governor Phil Scott has signed an executive order to accelerate a series of reforms and modernizations of public safety services in Vermont, and to initiate […]
Vt NEA gives state D+ for school reopening plans
A lack of a coordinated statewide approach to safely reopening schools has left districts – as well as parents, school employees, and students – largely on their own, resulting in an overall grade of D+, according to the state’s largest […]
Virtual Suffrage Scramble 5K participants raise $6,850 for NAACP Rutland
Over 411 people participated in Vermont Suffrage Centennial Alliance and Central Vermont Runners’ virtual Suffrage Scramble 5K during Primary Week in August. Participants, wearing sashes with the phrase Votes for Women and Votes for All, completed the 5K at a time and location […]
Racial disparities panel urges lawmakers to act on recommendations
On Sept. 1, Dr. Etan Nasreddin-Longo, chair of the Racial Disparities in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System Advisory Panel along with panel members, Executive Director of Racial Equity Xusana Davis, and Attorney General T.J. Donovan urged the Legislature to […]