By Kesey Neubauer, VTDigger.org One candidate for governor is proposing free college tuition for some Vermonters. Sue Minter, a Democratic candidate for governor, made the campaign announcement Tuesday, June 7, at a press conference at the Community College of Vermont headquarters in Winooski. Minter said her initiative, “Vermont Promise,” would give Vermont high school students…

By Sarah Olsen, VTDigger.org An essay contest launches Saturday with a prompt that asks why the writer would like to own and operate a paid weekly newspaper. The prize? Ownership rights to that newspaper: the Hardwick Gazette. Operating since 1889 in the Caledonia County town, the Hardwick Gazette has a circulation of 2,200, according to the contest…

With overdose deaths from prescription opioids skyrocketing across America, on Monday, June 6, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed a law to expand Vermont’s successful medical marijuana system and give doctors an alternative to highly addictive opiates when treating some conditions such as chronic pain. “At a time when opiate addiction is ravaging our state and drug companies continue to urge our doctors to pass out painkillers…

Gov. Peter Shumlin issued an executive order June 2 to allow Vermonters to continue to display the Vermont Strong license plate. The exemption allowing Vermonters to display the plate on the front of their vehicle was slated to expire June 30, 2016. “These plates remind us of how our state pulled together in the wake of Irene…

By Mike Pohamus, VTDigger.org Gov. Peter Shumlin vetoed a bill Monday, June 6, that supporters hoped would give communities greater say over the siting of renewable energy projects and bring new sound limits on wind turbines. Shumlin said he supports the bill’s core provisions but last-minute amendments to the bill would unacceptably slow or halt…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org A national research foundation has ranked Vermont second in the nation for keeping senior citizens healthy in 2016. This is the fourth year in a row that the United Health Foundation’s “America’s Health Rankings” placed Vermont in the top five states for senior health. In 2016, the study ranked Massachusetts first…

S.132 takes effect July 1, a victory in civil rights for the LGBT community At a time when some states are working to erode hard-fought advances in civil rights for the LGBT community, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed a law May 25 to advance them in Vermont by banning the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion…

On May 24, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed into law H.84, legislation that cracks down on online dating scams and provides greater consumer protection in a number of other areas. The legislation was a priority of Attorney General Bill Sorrell. Under the new law, online dating companies will be required to notify members of suspicious activity…

By Jasper Craven, VTDigger.org Armed with a resonant message, more than 2.4 million small-dollar donors and 21 primary and caucus victories, Bernie Sanders has accrued a deep well of political power that is already paying off ahead of July’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. In a change from the usual process, the presidential campaigns were…

With important Obamacare provisions that ensure no-cost birth control for women being challenged nationwide, on May 23, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed a law to codify and expand access to those services in Vermont law. Importantly, the law will ensure that vasectomies for men are available at no charge, making Vermont the first state to extend no-cost birth control protections to men. “While Republicans in other states and…

On May 18 the Obama Administration issued a new rule that will make millions more Americans eligible for overtime pay. The Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) estimates that 8,500 working Vermonters may become newly eligible for overtime pay above 40 hours per week as a result. The new rule, which goes into effect Dec. 1,…

By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger.org A pilot program looking at ways to get more kids to eat school breakfast has confirmed what many might suspect: It helps to serve it after the start of the school day. The initial Breakfast After the Bell Challenge increased the number of students eating school breakfasts by at least…

Courtesy of VTF&W Young wildlife need to be left in the wild, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Deer fawns may seem abandoned, but their mothers typically are nearby and will return when people are not in the area. Watching wildlife is enjoyable, especially when young animals appear in the spring. But it’s…

Courtesy of VF&W Turtles in Vermont will soon be digging their nests on the shoulders of roads. Drivers are urged to keep an eye out for them on the road and report any sightings. Keep an eye out for turtles, report sightings It’s springtime and Vermont’s turtles on are on the move. The Vermont Fish…

The University of Vermont’s  ( UVM ) Grossman School of Business added another top ranking to its growing number of accolades by making Bloomberg Business’ coveted “Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016” list, released May 5. The ranking, based on survey data from nearly 30,000 students and recruiters at 600 companies, places UVM in 107th place…