By John Flowers,Addison Independent A recent, massive infusion of new money into Vermont’s childcare system through a new law has helped create 1,000 new slots statewide and spurred a renaissance in the industry, which had sustained major losses in childcare offerings during the Covid pandemic. State and local officials on Aug. 7 converged on Middlebury’s…

Set in rural Vermont in the volatile 1960s, “Agony Hill” is the first novel in a historical series full of vivid New England atmosphere and the deeply drawn characters that are Sarah Stewart Taylor’s trademark. A former journalist and teacher, Taylor writes and lives with her family on a farm in Vermont where they raise sheep and…

The Vermont Historical Society is publishing a new book in September, titled “Ira Allen: A Biography.” Ethan Allen is a household name here in Vermont, but this book really showcases his younger brother’s important role in the entire saga that was the founding of Vermont. With the United States Semiquincentennial kicking off in 2025, there…

By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger Vermont hospitals are seeking the Green Mountain Care Board’s permission to increase commercial insurance charges and their revenue from patients, an annual process that comes amid widespread concern over hospitals’ financial health. Each year, hospitals request increases for the next fiscal year in their net patient revenue — revenue brought in by caring for patients…

Staff report Vermonters went to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 13, to vote in a primary that features far fewer competitive statewide races than last cycle but many high-interest races lower down on the ballot. And for some offices, there isn’t going to be much of a choice until the general election in November.  Only…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced in a release dated July 1 the start of a sweeping survey to gather in-depth, real-time information on the conservation practices farmers use. Over the course of this harvest season into next year, nearly 12,000 farmers and farm managers nationwide will be asked to share their experience…

While the July 26 figures from the state of Vermont on tax and fee revenues for the General Fund, Transportation Fund and Education were $143.6 million — above projections— and the General Fund contributed nearly $140 million of that with the personal income tax leading the way, as it has done for several years, another…

Interim Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark releases Vermont’s revenue results for June 2024 on Friday, July 26. Led by the Personal Income Tax, the General Fund exceeded its monthly consensus cash flow target as adopted by the Emergency Board at its January 2024 meeting. The Transportation Fund and the Education Fund lagged their June targets.…

The state’s BEAD initial proposal has been approved Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) announce Aug. 1 that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Vermont’s Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which describes Vermont’s plans to use $229 million allocated to the state. This funding is key to…

What to look for and how to report any findings Beech Leaf Disease (BLD), a new disease affecting beech trees and caused by an invasive worm-like nematode, has been detected in four Vermont counties: Bennington, Chittenden, Windham, and Windsor. It has only recently been discovered, so much about this disease remains unknown, including the full cause…

By Jason Mikula A true Mountain Bike adventure is waiting for you just outside the quaint little town of  Rochester. Most people choose to do it as a one-way, 13-mile ride with 3,000 feet of climbing and elevation gain. It has over 150 berms (up and down), lots of mud, stumps, running creeks, and on…

In fiscal year 2024, the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office processed a record 19,010 individual unclaimed property claims, returning $5.8 million to Vermonters. It is the highest number of claims the office has ever paid in a single year. The state also received $18.14 million in unclaimed property for the fiscal year—the most collected in two…

Staff report Starting on Aug. 1, 2024, a 3% tax on short-term rental bookings in Vermont will be added. This tax applies to all short-term rentals and is in addition to the state’s existing 9% rooms and meals tax and any 1% local tax option, meaning hosts and guests will now see a combined tax…

If accepted, the new request would increase premiums for individual health plans by 21% and small group plans by 24% in 2025 By Peter D'Auria/VTDigger BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont is seeking to raise health insurance premiums by an additional 4.3% next year, further increasing a request for already near-record-high rate hikes.  The proposed increase would increase premiums for individual…

By Charlotte Oliver/Community News Service Editor’s note: The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost. From the top of the Northeast Kingdom down toward the Berkshires, the VTXL carves a path the length of Vermont. The biking route takes…