Photo submitted Governor Shumlin joined Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter for a morning deer hunt last week. The governor did not match last year’s opening day success, when he harvested a 186-pound 6-point buck, but the pair did see some deer activity. Vermont’s deer rifle season is now open and runs through Nov. 30.

Father and son found dead with apparent gunshot wounds TOWNSHEND — On Nov. 19, at approximately 8:58 p.m. the Vermont State Police responded to a reported shooting at a residence on Abby Road in Townshend, Vt. Rescue personnel were also dispatched. Upon arrival, troopers made contact with a woman, who indicated that there were two people…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org Health care economist Jonathan Gruber has agreed to forgo roughly $120,000 in compensation from the state. Lawrence Miller, chief of health care reform, said on Wednesday, Nov. 19, that Gruber’s comments denigrating the public and suggesting that passage of the Affordable Care Act relied on deception has damaged his credibility in…

By John Herrick, VTDigger.org Three national businesses are helping to defend Vermont’s GMO labeling law. The companies told a federal court last week that the state statute, which requires food manufacturers and retailers to label certain products containing genetically modified ingredients, would not be difficult to implement. Organic energy bar manufacturer Clif Bar and Company,…

In fiscal year 2014 Vermont companies earned 519 government contracts worth $103 million dollars—close to a 300 percent increase over FY12 and a 25 percent increase from FY13. This was thanks to the outstanding quality of Vermont products and services and the hard work of the Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in matching Vermont…

By John Herrick, VTDigger.org Vermont’s plan to improve Lake Champlain’s water quality does not go far enough to comply with federal regulations, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA released phosphorus pollution reduction targets for Lake Champlain at a meeting in Middlebury on Monday, Nov. 17. It also ran a model of the phosphorus…

On Nov. 17, Governor Peter Shumlin and members of the State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience delivered 75 recommendations to President Obama about how the federal government can help communities across the country prepare for the impacts of climate change. “In Vermont, our experience recovering from Tropical Storm Irene…

Secretary of State Jim Condos announced Monday, Nov.17, that Vermont’s Elections Division will be conducting a random audit of the 2014 general election results. The audit will include six towns — a 50 percent increase from previous years. The random audit of 2014 general election results will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, at…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org The Vermont GOP, newly strengthened by an unexpectedly close gubernatorial race and gains in the House and Senate, sent a message to Gov. Peter Shumlin in the aftermath of Election Day upsets: Drop Vermont Health Connect immediately and transfer Vermonters in the program to federal health care exchange. Rep. Don Turner,…

By Laura Krantz, VTDigger.org As Gov. Peter Shumlin scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference on his slim lead over Republican Scott Milne on Wednesday, Nov. 5, Milne left his hotel vigil without speaking to the media. Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, Milne’s daughter, Elise, came down to the lobby of the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org ​The voters of Vermont sent a message to Gov. Peter Shumlin on Tuesday night, and the governor says he heard it “loud and clear.” Shumlin called a news conference in Burlington on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after the Associated Press announced unofficial results in which he beat out Scott Milne, his Republican…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org ​The voters of Vermont sent a message to Gov. Peter Shumlin on Tuesday night, and the governor says he heard it “loud and clear.” Shumlin called a news conference in Burlington on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after the Associated Press announced unofficial results in which he beat out Scott Milne, his Republican…

Gubernatorial candidate Scott Milne today criticized Governor Shumlin for his claim of victory in the 2014 Gubernatorial race. “It’s clear that 54% of Vermonters want a new Governor, and a new path forward” according to Scott Milne, after reviewing preliminary numbers in what appears to be the closest race in Vermont history. In some states…

By Laura Krantz, VTDigger.org Election Day at the Republican headquarters finished Tuesday with an eerie uncertainty: Well after midnight, the governor’s race was too close to call. Joyous GOP House and Senate candidates trickled out of the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center after picking up at least eight seats in the state Legislature. It’s…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org Former U.S. Secretary of State and retired four-star U.S. Army General Colin L. Powell will give a presentation at Norwich University on Veterans Day, on Nov. 11. Powell will deliver remarks for the Todd Lecture Series at 7 p.m. in Shapiro Field House. Powell has served four presidents as a military…