To help ensure Vermonters who are homeless and don’t have adequate financial resources can seek temporary housing in hotels and motels during harsh winter weather, the Dept. for Children and Families has announced the seasonal policy for emergency shelter. As outlined in the 2022-23 Adverse Weather Conditions Policy: Between Dec. 15, 2022-March 15, 2023: Expanded eligibility…

As Vermonters receives the first snowflakes of the season, new national and state data shows that Vermont continues to lead the nation in outdoor recreation as a key linchpin of the state’s economy. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) released data on the economic impact of outdoor recreation in…

One of our native wildlife species historically played an important role on Thanksgiving Day. North America’s native wild turkeys were the ancestors of the Thanksgiving turkey on our dinner table. Originally found only in the wild, turkeys now exist as meat-producing domesticated derivatives —the broad breasted white, broad breasted bronze, white Holland, bourbon red, and…

By Jim Harrison Voters overwhelmingly re-elected moderate Republican Phil Scott to a fourth term as Vermont's Governor. Scott had the largest victory margin of any Vermont Governor since the mid 60s with his 72% to 24% over Democrat Brenda Siegel. While some may think that was a mandate for his policies, think again. The Democrat…

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 that the purple crowberry (Empetrum atropurpureum), a diminutive alpine shrub last documented in Vermont in 1908, has been rediscovered on Mt. Mansfield. “This is an extraordinary find,” said Bob Popp, a botanist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “The purple crowberry is easily overlooked alongside the closely related and…

By Tik Root/VTDigger When Rae Garcia moved to Burlington for work earlier this year, she knew she would be entering a frenzied housing rental market. But what she didn’t see coming was the deluge of application fees. “Every place has asked for one,” said Garcia, 42, explaining that the rental applications she submitted have ranged…

By Erin Petenko/VTDigger Hopefully you spent last weekend raking leaves and taking down the Halloween decorations, as temperatures hit unseasonably high levels with low- to mid-70s across central Vermont. It was the latest in a string of unseasonably warm days in Vermont over the past two weeks. On Oct. 26, Burlington reported a daily average…

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reported, Nov. 4, that several important fall foods for wildlife are less abundant this year, following the bountiful 2021 fall season. Fish and Wildlife biologists survey oak and beech stands around the state each fall season to assess how plentiful these important foods are for wildlife. Last year both…

Saturday, Nov. 12 — STATEWIDE — Hunters are gearing up for the start of Vermont’s traditionally popular 16-day regular deer season that begins Saturday, Nov. 12 and ends Sunday, Nov. 27. A hunter may take one legal buck during this season if they did not already take one during the archery deer season. The definition of…

Study identifies the best and worst states for millennials across seven key factors Millennials have quickly become the leading generation of the United States over the past few years. This generation, born from 1981 to 1996, will become leaders in the workplace, and the biggest contributors to the economy. They will also continue to be…

As experts predict a severe flu season across the country, state health officials are urging Vermonters to take steps now to protect themselves and those at higher risk by getting their flu shot, along with the updated Covid-19 booster. Everyone six months and older (with certain exceptions) should get their flu shot, and the Covid-19…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Last year, Vermont received an unprecedented $49 million in federal funding to help Vermonters with low incomes pay their heating bills — a windfall that officials knew the state wouldn’t likely see again. “We certainly had a largess with the [American Rescue Plan Act] funding, and that was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…

With high moose numbers in northeastern Vermont contributing to the abundance and negative impact of winter ticks, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is pleased to report on the results of a successful, regulated 2022 moose hunting season. “Moose are relatively abundant in Vermont’s northeastern Wildlife Management Unit—WMU E,” said Nick Fortin, the department’s moose…

By Curt Peterson U. S. Senate candidate Peter Welch, who lives in Norwich, received a warm welcome from 20 Rutlanders who gathered to greet him at Phoenix Books Saturday afternoon. The appearance was part of his “Welch Wagon Tour,” visiting all 14 Vermont counties. He had appeared with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Congressional candidate Becca…

By Juliet Schulman-Hall/VTDigger More than 100,000 Vermonters have already voted in this year’s general election. According to Secretary of State Jim Condos, town and city clerks had received 103,395 mail-in ballots by last Wednesday evening, Oct. 26. All vote-by-mail ballots were due by Monday, Oct. 31 in order to ensure they will be received on time.…