By Angelo Lynn The Washington Post published an interesting column Tuesday, July 13, by Ashish K. Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, in which the columnist noted the current rate of Covid-19 infection in South Dakota and Vermont were “remarkably similar” and rated among the lowest three (along with Massachusetts) in the country. It’s a…

By Alis Headlam Editor’s note: This commentary is by Dr. Alis Headlam of Rutland. She was an educator for more than 40 years and retired in 2015. Horses wear blinders, called blinkers, so that they will not get spooked when they go into high density areas or traffic. When people wear self-proclaimed blinders they do so to…

By Mia Schultz Editor's note: Mia Schultz is president of the Rutland Area Branch of the NAACP. Three hundred: the number of new members the Rutland Area NAACP received this time last year. Three hundred allies. Three hundred folks committed to equity, equality and change. This was significant; it put us over the top as far…

By Angelo Lynn It’s worth pondering what’s in Vermont’s DNA that makes us so agreeable? Why would Vermonters be the first to surmount an 80% vaccination rate? Why would the state legislature and a Republican governor lead the nation in adopting some of the most generous elections laws to promote easy access to as many…

By Lisa Loomis Editor’s note: Lisa Loomis, who is president of the Vermont Press Association, is the co-owner and editor of the Valley Reporter in Waitsfield. The Vermont legislature will be called back into special session this week to try to overturn three vetoes issued by Governor Phil Scott and also to possibly consider legislation that failed…

By Ali Dieng Editor’s note: Ali Dieng is the founder of the Burlington School District Parent University and co-founder of the Vermont New American Advisory Council. He is the first African immigrant elected to the Burlington City Council. This commentary caps a 10-part series in which the authors respond to pressing topics identified in a “Proposition…

By Addie Lentzner  Editor’s note: Lentzner, 17, is a high school senior (class of ‘22) from Bennington, Vermont. He’s a member of the Vermont Young Playwrights and wrote a play to honor a homeless man named Thierry Heuga in Bennington who died after sleeping under a bridge in February 2020. He also co-founded facebook.com/endvermonthomelessness. He…

By Lindsay Kurrle, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development It’s easy to look back over the last 18 months and see all of the ways that Covid has set us back: from shuttered businesses, to the thousands of Vermonters losing their jobs, a disproportionate amount of whom were women who had…

By Richard Davis Editor’s note: Richard Davis, a retired nurse who lives in Guilford, was a columnist for the Brattleboro Reformer for 25 years and now posts a weekly blog on iBrattleboro. Many of us have been wearing masks for over a year and have looked forward to the day when our faces could be on full…

Monday, May 31, is Memorial Day. It’s a day of remembrance for those who died in military service America, not to be confused with a day to remember all living veterans who served in the military, that’s Veterans Day or a day to honor all men and women currently in the military, that’s Armed Forces…

By Angelo Lynn When it comes to parents being unsure of whether they should give their children the vaccine to prevent contracting Covid-19, we get it. Parents are naturally protective; we are mama or papa bears protecting our cubs. It’s an instinct that lasts long into adulthood. But we also understand the scientific process, and…

By Lee H. Hamilton The phrase “the common good” and its importance in our history has always impressed me. I’ve been wondering about the history of the idea: where it comes from, what it means and the impact it has. The concept goes back a long way. Aristotle wrote about forming governments to achieve security,…

By Will Stevens Editor’s Note: Will Stevens is a first-generation farmer and co-owner of Golden Russet Farm in Shoreham. He served in the Vermont Legislature from 2007-2014 and was ranking member of the House agriculture and forest products committee for four years. He’s been president of Vermont Organic Farmers and served on several town and non-profit…

By Bill Schubart Editor’s Note: Bill Schubart is the author of nine books of fiction, a former VPR radio commentator, and a regular columnist for VTDigger. He has served on many non-profit boards and several legislative commissions. He grew up in Morrisville and lives in Hinesburg. This commentary is part eight in a 10-part series in…

By Sec. Julie Moore, Agency of Natural Resources If we want to revitalize vacant village centers, encourage compact development, expand the availability of affordable housing and high-quality childcare, address the growing climate crisis, attract younger people to stay in and move to Vermont, and invest in workforce development, we need to look underground. I’m not…