Staff report A federal judge Monday, April 27, dismissed an attempt to block the implementation of Vermont’s law requiring the labeling of food containing genetically engineered ingredients. U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss dismissed a preliminary injunction brought by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which contends that Vermont’s GMO labeling law is unconstitutional. Possibly the most…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed legislation designed to keep guns away from dangerous criminals and people with severe mental illness. The governor has said that he doesn’t believe Vermont would benefit from new gun laws, but Friday, May 1, he called the bill he signed a “shadow” of what was originally…

On May 1, International Workers’ Day, 500 people from Vermont’s labor, racial justice, climate justice, disability rights, and migrant justice movements marched on the statehouse in Montpelier, entering the building while singing, before gathering outside for a rally. Demonstrators denounced Vermont’s political leadership for its failure to equitably address the revenue shortfall and healthcare crisis,…

By Julia Purdy Bloodroot, a spring ephemeral of the northern woods. By Julia Purdy ORWELL — On Sunday, April 26, Amy Olmsted, horticulturist at Rocky Dale Gardens in Bristol, led a group of about 20 participants on a spring wildflower walk at Mount Independence, a Revolutionary War site at the edge of Lake Champlain in…

THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON By Dom Cioffi Sitting directly on the border between North and South Carolina is an amusement park called Carowinds. It has all the usual trappings of a modern-day theme park with fun activities, incredibly over-priced food, and a host of rides for every level of thrill seeker.  Up until this…

Courtesy of VSO RAISING CANE May 8, 12 — RUTLAND COUNTY — The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s “Raising Cane” woodwind trio will present performances at five Rutland County schools on May 8 and 12. Schedule is as follows: May 8, Neshobe School in Brandon at 10:30 a.m.; Barstow Memorial School in Chittenden at 1:30 p.m.; May 12 at Rutland…

Courtesy of RRCC Race cars line Center Street in downtown Rutland, as fans get a close-up of their favorite Devil’s Bowl racers. Saturday, May 9 at 9 a.m. — RUTLAND — The windows will rattle and the ground will shake in downtown Rutland on Saturday, May 9 as the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce hosts the return…

Submitted Red trillium is one of the first flowers to bloom in the forest. With its scarlet leaves, it’s easy to spot! Saturday, May 9 at 9 a.m. — WOODSTOCK — Experience the beauty of Vermont’s spring wildflowers with a free Working Woodland Workshop entitled “May Flowers” on Saturday, May 9 in Woodstock. This walking tour will…

Submitted Ralph Fiennes’ character M. Gustave H, in a still from “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m. — “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” tragic comedyfilm, will be FOLA’s next movie on Saturday, May 9 at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium at 7 p.m. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a 2014 comedy film directed…

By Christian Steiner, courtesy of Chandler Music Hall LAREDO/ROBINSON DUO Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. — RANDOLPH — The Laredo/Robinson Duo, made up of two individual super-stars and as well as twos thirds of one of the world’s leading chamber music ensembles, will make their Chandler Music Hall debut on Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.…

Provided by Jeff Hull, Director Otter Valley’s Walking Stick Theatre Otter Valley UHS’s Walking Stick Theatre is all jazz hands, in a recent production of “Chicago.” Sunday, May 10 at 12 p.m. — BRANDON — Otter Valley Union High School’s Walking Stick Theatre, looking to raise funds for its upcoming trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in…

Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. — RUTLAND — Rutland Regional Medical Center celebrates National Nurses Week (May 6-12), which proudly celebrates the role nurses play in delivering the highest level of quality care to their patients, with a special screening of the award-winning documentary “The American Nurse.” The American Academy of Nursing’s Excellence in Media Award winner highlights…

WEST RUTLAND — In response to popular demand and the highly successful sales last year, the Town of West Rutland is holding the annual town-wide yard sale on Saturday, May 16 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Now is your chance to clean out those unwanted items from your basements and attics. Remember, one person's junk is another person's…

Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. — RUTLAND — Lincoln Steed, editor of Liberty magazine, a journal of religious freedom, will speak in Rutland in May. All presentations are free and open to the public. On May 8 at 7 p.m., he will give a presentation at the Rutland Area Christian School, 112 Lincoln Avenue, answering the…

Friday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. — RUTLAND — College of St. Joseph will host House Blend, an assembly of nearly 20 veteran a cappella singers from Vermont and New Hampshire, on Friday, May 8 in a concert to benefit the Homeless Prevention Center of Rutland County. Formed in 2006, House Blend began with a small group…