Panelists framed paid family and medical leave as an essential infrastructure  On Monday, May 17, Lt. Governor Gray hosted her seventh and final “Seat at the Table” of this legislative session on “Caregiving During Covid-19 & Paid Family and Medical Leave.”  Over the last four months, Lt. Governor Gray has welcomed more than 500 Vermonters…

Donation to aid increased need for mental health resources, associates wear green shirts and ribbons to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month Hannaford and the Hannaford Charitable Foundation jointly announced May 12 a $50,000 donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Vermont to help build a strong network of resources for…

Cybersecurity is a key focus for Vermont’s system of non-profit hospitals as they gathered last week with experts to discuss threats and mitigation efforts in response to increased cyberterrorism activity across the globe. Hospital leaders included CEOs, chief medical officers, chief information officers, communications experts, emergency department leaders and others. The group, convened by the…

The 57th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars recognizes 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields John Cotter from Mendon, who attends Rutland High School was recognized Thursday, May 13, as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. He was joined by fellow Vermont student Theresa J. Christiansen, from Richmond…

By Mike Dougherty/VTDigger Vermonters who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or adhere to social distancing guidelines, Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday. The change follows a drastic shift in guidance announced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday. The new rules stipulate that fully vaccinated people can largely resume normal…

$285 million spent from 2010-2019, auditor's report finds Vermont State Auditor Doug Hoffer released a first-ever comprehensive accounting of Vermont state government’s total annual spending in support of Vermont’s dairy industry, Monday, May 10. From state fiscal year 2010-2019, the auditor’s office estimates that Vermont taxpayers spent more than $285 million on programs and policies…

The Vermont Dept. of Taxes reminds Vermonters of the upcoming May 17 due date for federal and Vermont personal income taxes. Earlier this year, the federal and state filing due dates were extended to provide taxpayers additional time to navigate challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic or manage extra complexity in their tax returns this…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger New England Newspapers Inc. is selling three newspapers in southern Vermont to Guilford resident Paul Belogour.  Company president Fredric Rutberg announced Tuesday, May 4, that the Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal, Brattleboro Reformer and UpCountry Magazine will split off from the Berkshire Eagle, which is located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where Rutberg is based. The…

By Rep. Jim Harrison A clear sign we are entering the final days of the 2021 session was the initial meeting on Friday, May 7, of the House-Senate budget conference committee. When the budget is done, the Legislature is done.  A conference committee is made up of three House and three Senate members, whose job…

At a Vermont State House press conference Thursday, May 6, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that Vermont will receive $12 million in Covid relief funds that will help communities strengthen their responses to substance use disorders and address new challenges brought on by the pandemic. Leahy was joined…

Gov.  Phil Scott proclaimed May 9-15, 2021 Inclusion Week in Vermont and reiterated Vermont’s commitment to welcoming all people. The governor also established a proclamation of inclusion, which makes clear the state of Vermont condemns discrimination in all forms, and welcomes all people who want to live, work and visit Vermont. Both proclamations acknowledge the work…

For more information visit: vermontfarmersfoodcenter.org/everyone_eats Rutland County Vermont Farmers Food Center 251 West Street, Rutland Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 4 p.m.-6 p.m. (Drive-thru; first-come, first-served)   Rutland Veggie Van Go Diamond Run Mall Thu 4/22, 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/vdhrutland   Barstow Memorial School 223 Chittenden Rd, Chittenden Wednesday 5  p.m. -…

Keeping a small flock of chickens at home to provide eggs and meat has become increasingly popular, but many first-time small-scale poultry farmers are discovering that several species of wildlife like the taste of chicken as much as we do. Therefore, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept.  is urging poultry owners to use electric fencing and follow other precautions…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger At the turn of the 21st Century, no bald eagles nested in Vermont. In 2020, the state recorded 41 pairs.  Biologists have been working to reintroduce the iconic birds in the state for around a decade — and have succeeded. The result: Bald eagles are likely to be removed from Vermont’s endangered species…

A massive surge of fraudulent activity has struck the Vermont Department of Labor. The department announced Friday, April 30, that it had shut down its online portal for filing unemployment claims last Wednesday after finding that up to 90% of entries coming through that system were fraudulent. Fraud has been a persistent problem during the pandemic. Labor Commissioner…