Dear Editor,  I think about energy a lot. I grew up in a drafty house with cold bedrooms, whereas my best friend lived in a modern, passive solar home that was always comfortable. That contrast put the role energy consumption and efficiency played into clear focus at a young age. This idea led me to…

By Angelo Lynn Before Vermonters label Gov. Scott heartless for denying “children, pregnant women, disabled Vermonters, veterans, and those fleeing domestic violence” access to the motel voucher program set to expire on April 1, voters should consider the governor’s position. For the past several terms he has run on the mantra of “affordability,” not aiding…

By Sarah Lyons, Public Assets More than 3,000 Vermonters are caught in the on-again, off-again firings and layoffs of federal employees by the Trump administration and the Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It is challenging to keep track of who has a job and who doesn’t, or even of which departments still exist.  During the…

As Vermonters patiently wait for spring temperatures, the Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invites the public to report when Vermont’s lakes and ponds lose their ice cover. Also known as the “ice-out date,” this date marks when lakes or ponds become ice-free from shore to shore. Tracking ice-out dates helps DEC scientists decide when to begin…

Key changes may bring steep financial losses and reduced flexibility for state health services Staff report Vermont’s Medicaid program could face significant restructuring and funding challenges under a series of federal policy proposals currently under discussion. Testifying before the House Health Care Committee on March 21, Ashley Berliner, director of Medicaid policy for the Agency…

By Maggie Lenz and Nick Charyk on behalf of Atlas Government Affairs consultants Education reform in Montpelier is finally starting to take shape. After months of plans, counterplans, and more questions than answers, lawmakers have their hands in the clay. Governor Scott’s sweeping January proposal set the wheel in motion, calling for major district consolidation,…

By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday, March 20, calling for dismantling the U.S. Dept. of Education. What that means for the country — and Vermont — is an open question. The U.S. Congress created the Dept. of Education, and its dissolution requires the body’s approval. The courts have blocked or…

This winter, Rutland’s Northwest and Northeast Elementary School students traded snowball fights for ski poles, thanks to the Nordic Rocks program. Administered by the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA), the initiative introduces children in grades K-2 to cross-country skiing during physical education classes—often for the very first time. Funded by a Killington World Cup…

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept .(VTF&W) has begun to receive reports of bears coming out of their dens and is urging Vermonters to remove their birdfeeders and take additional steps now to prevent conflicts with bears over the spring and summer. “Do not wait to take down your birdfeeders and bearproof your yard until…

By Karen D. Lorentz Vermont State Forester Perry Merrill was the first person to see the potential of developing a ski area on Killington Mountain and what it could mean for recreation and the state’s economy. Pres Smith was the second. Smith’s uncle, Preston Leete, who had become an avid skier while at Dartmouth College…

By Brett Yates On a voice vote, Pittsfield residents approved a 1% “local option” tax on hotel rooms, restaurant meals, and alcoholic beverages on Town Meeting Day. Business owner Katie Stiles, who runs Vermont Farms Catering with her husband Kevin Lasko, told the Pittsfield Select Board on March 20 that she didn’t hear about it…

Spring Maple Open House Weekend March 22-23 celebrated the first crop of the season as Vermont’s sugar makers opened the doors of their sugarhouses and invited visitors in to experience the joys and traditions of pure maple syrup, whether it’s the sight of steam rising from the sugarhouse, the inviting aroma of boiling sap, or…

The town of Killington Recreation Dept. had previously determined that the town needed to update the outdated recreation master plan. The previous plan was prepared almost 20 years ago, back in 2009. Since then, the town’s population has grown placing additional demands on the town’s recreation facilities. The current recreation facilities are in need of…

Thursday, April 3 at 6 p.m.—KILLINGTON—The Greater Killington Women’s Club will host its 5th annual wine dinner fundraiser at The Foundry, featuring a four-course Mediterranean-themed meal paired with select wines. The event begins with registration at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person, including tax and tip, and all…

Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m. —RUTLAND— Country music star Chris Janson will take the stage at the Paramount Theatre for a one-night-only concert packed with chart-topping hits, heartfelt storytelling, and undeniable energy. A Grand Ole Opry member and multi-platinum artist, Janson is known for his dynamic live performances and signature blend of rowdy fun…