Challenges in mental health and substance use stand out during a period of social and educational disruption New data from the Vermont Dept. of Health that measures students’ health risks and behaviors provides a unique snapshot of Vermont youth’s health and well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2021 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS),…

  Vermont-NEA says move points to urgent need for Legislature to stop taxpayer funds flowing to private schools RUTLAND—On May 17, the State Board of Education voted to exempt private schools that receive public vouchers from the latest education quality standards.  The Vermont-NEA immediately responded saying that the State Board of Education provided yet another…

The Vermont Habitat Stamp raised $221,337 in 2022 and leveraged a $228,567 federal match, totaling just under $450,000 for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s land conservation and habitat improvement efforts, according to a news release from the Agency of Natural Resources May 2. “This is our second strongest year for the Habitat Stamp since the program…

  By Sarah Mearhoff/VTDigger With their approval of an $8.5 billion budget and the fall of the gavel Friday, May 12, at 8:23 p.m. and 11:31 p.m. respectively, the Vermont Senate and House adjourned for the final day of the 2023 legislative session. In January, state lawmakers kicked off their first fully in-person legislative session since…

  On my way home from Montpelier after the close of the regular session of the 2023 Vermont Legislature I listened to some Simon & Garfunkel music. As they sang “Bridge over Troubled Water” I couldn’t help but think the title could also sum up some of my thoughts about the session. Don’t get me…

Senate overrides governor’s veto of affordable heat bill The Senate adjourned our 2023 Legislative session at 8:23 p.m. Friday evening May 12, three hours earlier than the House, which needed to act on the last bills the Senate had messaged. With an impressive number of new legislators re-energizing the Legislature, we accomplished a great deal…

Vermont is currently experiencing high and very high fire danger due to drier than normal weather conditions. The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) is reminding the public to exercise caution and follow all state laws and local ordinances regarding open burning. The National Weather Service has issued Special Weather Statements for elevated fire weather…

  Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced May 3 that $5.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding helped 193 low- to moderate-income Vermont households repair or replace failed or inadequate on-site water or wastewater systems like wells, springs, septic systems, and leach fields in 2022. “These investments demonstrate…

If you enjoy theater, you would like the final days of the legislative session. Late last week the House Speaker held a press conference announcing the House would initiate an impeachment inquiry into the conduct of the Franklin County States Attorney and the Franklin County Sheriff. The last time an elected official was impeached by…

By Kristen Fountain/VTDigger Some House legislators took a pause from amending amendments Thursday afternoon, May 4, to hear from several Vermonters about their personal experience of the healing power of magic mushrooms. For Rory VanTuinen of Waterbury, it only took one experience with psilocybin, the psychoactive chemical found in around 200 species of fungi, to start…

As a critical care specialist at Rutland Regional Medical Center, Dr. Marie Pavini always felt that her her work had tremendous positive impact. She was also gratified to be surrounded by colleagues who shared her dedication. “Intensive care is like a war zone,” said Dr. Pavini in a recent interview. “You get very close to…

  Halley Riley-Elliott has been promoted to manager of the vehicle maintenance department at Killington Resort, continuing its tradition of promoting from within and advancing women to leadership positions.  “Halley has an attention to detail and an ability to identify mechanical issues that has earned her the nickname ‘Eagle Eyes’ in the maintenance shop,” said …

By Lola Duffort/VTDigger Desperate to lure young people into an aging state, the Vermont Senate in 2018 put forward a plan to pay relocation expenses for remote workers willing to move to the Green Mountain State. Gov. Phil Scott eagerly hopped on board, and in 2018, a $500,000 pilot program was signed into law. The Legislature…

  Xylazine and gabapentin join fentanyl as drugs of serious concern A newly-released report from the Vermont Department of Health shows that the number of opioid-related accidental overdose deaths increased for the third year in a row. According to the 2022 data report, accidental opioid deaths increased by 10% in 2022 (239) over 2021 (217).…

By Kristen Fountain/VTDigger Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is seeking to become part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan “family of companies.”  The Vermont organization’s decision to affiliate with its Detroit-based counterpart, announced Monday, May 1, would give the state’s largest provider of health insurance access to a more sophisticated array of…