As experts predict a severe flu season across the country, state health officials are urging Vermonters to take steps now to protect themselves and those at higher risk by getting their flu shot, along with the updated Covid-19 booster. Everyone six months and older (with certain exceptions) should get their flu shot, and the Covid-19…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Last year, Vermont received an unprecedented $49 million in federal funding to help Vermonters with low incomes pay their heating bills — a windfall that officials knew the state wouldn’t likely see again. “We certainly had a largess with the [American Rescue Plan Act] funding, and that was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…

With high moose numbers in northeastern Vermont contributing to the abundance and negative impact of winter ticks, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is pleased to report on the results of a successful, regulated 2022 moose hunting season. “Moose are relatively abundant in Vermont’s northeastern Wildlife Management Unit—WMU E,” said Nick Fortin, the department’s moose…

By Curt Peterson U. S. Senate candidate Peter Welch, who lives in Norwich, received a warm welcome from 20 Rutlanders who gathered to greet him at Phoenix Books Saturday afternoon. The appearance was part of his “Welch Wagon Tour,” visiting all 14 Vermont counties. He had appeared with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Congressional candidate Becca…

By Juliet Schulman-Hall/VTDigger More than 100,000 Vermonters have already voted in this year’s general election. According to Secretary of State Jim Condos, town and city clerks had received 103,395 mail-in ballots by last Wednesday evening, Oct. 26. All vote-by-mail ballots were due by Monday, Oct. 31 in order to ensure they will be received on time.…

By Curt Peterson Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Congressman Peter Welch and state Sen. Becca Balint, calling themselves the “Delegation Tour for All” get-out-the-vote rally drew about 150 people to Hartland’s Damon Hall on Saturday, Oct. 23. Sanders isn’t up for reelection this November. Welch, who has been Vermont’s representative since 2007, is running for retiring…

Bat Week takes place Oct. 24-31, aims to raise awareness, conservation The onset of fall sends Vermont’s bats into motion, which makes it an important time for conservation-minded Vermonters to learn about, and help conserve, our nine native bat species. If you have noticed bats roosting in your attic, barn, or office over the summer,…

Suicides in Vermont are at a 25-year high, and state health officials have issued a call to action for Vermonters to be partners in bending this curve. To help make this happen, the Vermont Dept. of Health and Dept. of Mental Health have launched Facing Suicide VT, a statewide prevention effort funded by the Centers for…

With heating fuel prices at their highest level in years and winter just around the corner, Button Up Vermont is getting the word out: The best time to weatherize your home is right now. The annual Button Up Vermont campaign, supported by a partnership of energy services providers and clean energy champions, works each fall…

Hunters encouraged to bring deer to check stations   Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23 — STATEWIDE — Hunters who harvest a deer during Vermont’s Oct. 22-23 youth and novice deer weekend are encouraged to bring their deer to one of 19 biological reporting stations to help state wildlife biologists gather data on the health of…

By Julia Purdy Well, fall foliage has done it again... in spite of a slow start and drought that has hit some trees hard, Indigenous Peoples' Weekend (formerly Columbus Day) rewarded visitors and locals like with the progression of color that, like an orchestra tuning up, began gradually as one species after another reacted to…

Survey is coming to Vermonters’ mailboxes this fall  Vermonters and their children who have been to a doctor’s office in the last six months may receive a survey about their health care experience in their mailbox this fall. This will be a chance to offer valuable feedback and help identify opportunities for providers to improve care. Every…

By Katy Savage Funding for homeless housing assistance and rental assistance is drying up, leaving thousands of people in search of permanent options in a very tight housing market. And while the need is still high, hotel owners, who have taken in homeless, are questioning if their participation in the program was worth it. “We…

If you don’t receive it by Oct. 10, call your town clerk By Juliet Schulman-Hall/VTDigger Roughly 440,000 mail-in ballots are being sent to voters, according to Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos. The mailing began the last week of September and will continue this week. Voters should expect to receive their ballots for the Nov. 8…

Starting Oct. 1, Green Mountain Power (GMP) customers can save $200 when they switch from fossil fuel for cooking and install a new electric induction cooktop or range. Induction technology heats up and cools down faster than fossil fuel and provides great temperature control, all without carbon emissions and indoor air pollution . The new…