By Pearl Bellomo  Carve Bunnies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting women through action sports and the outdoors, is hosting its third annual ski trip at Killington and Okemo on March 14-16, drawing in over a hundred women from around the U.S. and Canada.  This three-day event provides free time and planned activities to hit…

Electrified scoop trucks to debut at South by Southwest and bring fun to fans across the USA What’s better than companies who want to preserve the world for future generations, unveiling the ice cream truck of the future? Rolling out two electric “scoop trucks,” a sweet collaboration between Ben & Jerry’s, Vermont’s popular ice cream…

by Greta Solsaa/VTDigger After months of a contentious campaign that pitted first-term incumbent Mayor Mike Doenges against veteran public servant Henry Heck, Doenges won comfortably with 56.4% of the vote with 2,075 ballots cast in his favor.  The defeated candidate Heck garnered 43% of the vote with 1,581 votes.  The newly reelected mayor celebrated with supporters…

VT Helplink, Vermont’s statewide resource for alcohol and drug use support services, is now available to connect with people in Vermont 24/7. For nearly five years, VT Helplink resource specialists have been available by phone and through chat at VTHelplink.org to provide information and referrals to people seeking substance use information and support services.  New this year,…

On Feb. 21, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont) reintroduced the Peer Education and Emergency Response (PEER) Mental Health Act. This legislation would support peer mental health training for teachers, school personnel, parents, caregivers, and students.  With an alarming 76% of public schools reporting concerns about depression, anxiety, and trauma in students since the start of the Covid pandemic,…

By Julia Purdy, Rutland President Trump’s trade war with long-time trading partners, posing as protection, threatens to create waste, loss, and undue expense for American businesses and households alike. Tariffs are an outmoded tactic to bolster goods made in the U.S. against imports – but the tactic backfires as U.S. access to manufacturing materials is…

Dear Editor, I am writing to share my family’s ongoing struggle with Vermont’s judicial system and to raise awareness about the consequences of impaired driving.  Almost 4 years ago, my wife’s life was forever changed when she was involved in a head-on collision caused by a man under the influence. While she continues to suffer…

Dear Editor, On Oct. 29, 1943, my father, Etienne Aberth, an immigrant from Strasbourg, France, signed up with the U.S. Navy a little more than two weeks after his seventeenth birthday. He was assigned to the newly-minted cargo ship, USS Cepheus, and earned a bronze star during the invasion of southern France on Aug. 15,…

Dear Editor, This past weekend, videos about our brave little state standing with Ukraine were seen around the world.  My compatriots and I offer heartfelt thanks to all Vermonters who have expressed their support for my native country after the shocking decision of the United States to side with Russia on the UN Security Council…

Dear Editor, The Vermont Rural School Community Alliance (RSCA) understands the need to address the rising cost of education but has concerns with elements of the Scott Administration’s education transformation proposal.  Any reform must consider the potential adverse impacts on rural children, elementary schools and communities, and must ensure actual savings for taxpayers. “There are…

By Speaker Jill Krowinski  Each legislative biennium begins with a range of issues that need to be addressed — some are straightforward, while others are extremely complex. Many are brand new, while others are perennial topics. This session is no different as we take on the work to address the pressing challenges in our state. …

The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) is announced Jan. 27, the results of a study by Tourism Economics that finds visitors to Vermont in 2023 spent a record $4 billion on goods and services. Researchers also found that 15.8 million guests came to Vermont in 2023, showing a sustained return to pre-pandemic visitation.…

The Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) recently announced the establishment of the David R. Coates Fund for Vermont Disaster Relief—a permanent fund ensuring Vermont communities and individuals have a reliable, immediate resource to prepare, respond, and recover when natural disasters strike. “Rather than create a new fund for each disaster, we are establishing a permanent resource…

Last assessment of this depth was conducted in 2012 The Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released the 2024 Fair Housing Analysis on Feb. 11. The report examines challenges when it comes to fair housing, progress made, and recommendations for improvement. “Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live free from discrimination. That is one of…

By Klara Bauters/VTDigger A virtual town hall hosted by U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Congresswoman Becca Balint, D-Vt., drew roughly 34,000 participants Wednesday night as uncertainty over the future of federal programs took center stage. The live-streamed meeting featured a blend of pre-submitted questions — over 1,400 — and live call-ins…