By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger.org An overwhelming majority of towns that have voted so far have chosen to unite with neighboring towns to create larger governance structures for their schools. Districts around the state are studying whether to merge with neighboring districts as part of a state mandate known as Act 46. The landmark education…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org With virtually every major statewide office in play this year, the elections also feature high turnover in both legislative bodies as some longtime lawmakers sought new offices or decided to retire. After Tuesday’s primary, Aug. 9, both parties say they are optimistic about their legislative lineups for the general election. “We…

By Jasper Craven and Mark Johnson, VTDigger.org More than $5.3 million was spent by statewide candidates and their allied political action committees during Vermont’s primary season. It was the most expensive primary in Vermont’s history, and it was fueled by outside groups, a lift in the cap on individual contributions from $2,000 to $4,000, and…

Dear editor, Folks, it’s high time for Green Mountain Power (GMP) to host a walking tour, with news reporters, top state officials, ecology scientists and politicians, all walking on foot along the entire four-mile wind turbine array of 21, 459-foot tall turbines that they own on Lowell Mountain. I was up there recently, and Vermonters…

By Jon Margolis, VTDigger.org OK, Vermont. You’re still special. At least for now, at least when it comes to politics. “Attack ads don’t work here” is the oft-repeated Vermont boast. In other states, Vermonters like to say, candidates can get elected by tearing down their opponents. Not here, where folks demand civility of their politicians.…

By Angelo S. Lynn These Olympic games may be the perfect distraction — and contrast — to the political embarrassment that has otherwise dominated national news. Rather than seeing the worst of ourselves as reflected in Mr. Trump — his insults, sarcasm, put-downs and pathological lying — the nation sees the best of itself in…

By Kyle Finneron I can hear my pulse in my ears, my lungs are on fire and I’m completely disoriented. That was how I felt after swimming my first lap at the Pico Sports Center pool. For weeks now I have watched people in the pool from the weight room. Gliding through the water almost…

This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Capricorn Moon, a moon that will turn void-of-course and remain in that mode until Tuesday morning, Aug. 16, at 7:52 a.m. After that, as the next 72 hours unfold and the moon reaches fullness in the late degrees of Aquarius on Thursday night, Aug.…

By Dom Cioffi Two weeks ago I had a conversation that was ripped straight from a movie script. While sitting in a chair at the doctor’s office, I listened intently as I was told that I had cancer. Of course, I had walked into this appointment thinking I was going to get a prescription to…

By Dave Hoffenberg It was a championship series for the ages. For those just tuning in, Clearly Moguls won game one 19-7 and Garlic McGraths won game two 8-5 to set up this winner-take-all battle. G.M. was going for their second title and second against C.M. For C.M., the stakes were higher as they were…

Saturday, Aug. 20 at 8 a.m.—KILLINGTON—This coming Saturday, Aug. 20 the V.A.S.T. (Vermont Association of Snow Travelers) annual meeting will be held at the Killington Grand Hotel in Killington, hosted by Rutland County clubs. The meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vendors, groomers, entertainment, 50/50 raffle, and silent auction will be…

MANCHESTER — This year’s Komen Vermont Race for the Cure, held July 23 in Manchester, Vt., was one for the record books with two Vermont racers setting world records for their age group. Pat Zemianek, age 75 On July 30, Bill Teschek of Granite State Race Services LLC, the timing company serving the 2016 Komen…

Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 20 & 21—WOODSTOCK—In an experience that epitomizes Vermont values, ShackletonThomas invites 15 to 20 participants, groups, and families to come and make their own table from sugar maple locally harvested from the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock, followed by a locally harvested lunch. Events take place on Aug. 20 and …

Friday, Aug. 19, at 4 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—An artist’s reception will be held Friday, Aug. 19, at 4 p.m. for artist Laurel Tobiason at the Norman Williams Public Library, 10 The Green, Woodstock. Tobiason works in watercolor, ink, and pastel; her technique frequently uses all three. She relies on travel and photographing around New England to supply images for…

Thursday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.—FAIR HAVEN—The last concert in the Fair Haven Concert 2016 summer series features The J.P. Murphy Band. This Irish group of musicians will take center stage in the gazebo on Thursday, Aug. 18 beginning at 7 p.m. This is a free ice cream night. J.P. Murphy was formed in early…