By Katy Savage Rep. Charlie Kimbell, D-Woodstock, is campaigning to be the next speaker of the House after Mitzi Johnson, D-South Hero, lost her bid for reelection on Nov. 3. Kimbell is a ranking member of the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee and represents Woodstock, Reading and Plymouth, which make up Winsor-5. He was…

By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger Home prices rose sharply this summer as out-of-staters moved into Vermont and market conditions deterred the construction of new houses, tightening the supply. The median sales price paid in September hit $348,000 — 23% more than the median sales price of $281,335 in September 2019, the Vermont Association of Realtors said…

All employers must apply for grants by Friday Staff report Walmart has come under fire for failing to apply for the state of Vermont’s frontline employees hazard grant pay, a program which provides grants of $1,200 and $2,000 to workers who put themselves at risk, particularly in the early days of the pandemic. Many Walmart…

During the pandemic, Vermont has ensured every child has access to free meals daily As a result of Covid-19 and waivers granted at the federal level, for the first time ever, all Vermont schools are currently providing universal school meals to their students and will through the end of the 2020/21 school year. Universal meals…

Dept. of Justice funding will expand reach in rural communities Senator Patrick Leahy announced on Oct. 30 Vermont’s DREAM program will receive a three-year, $1.25 million grant from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to support peer mentoring for elementary-aged youths in rural communities whose lives have been affected by the opioid epidemic. This is the…

No out-of-state travel; spectators limited for indoor events; social events discouraged Due to rising Covid-19 case counts throughout the Northeast, and the decisions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire officials to suspend ice rink activities due to numerous outbreaks, the state of Vermont has announced updated policies to reduce risk. Vermont-based youth and adult recreational sports…

As of the end of data collection for the 2020 Census, 99.9% of housing units and addresses were accounted for in Vermont, according to the U.S. Census Bureau at an operational press briefing last week. Vermont had lagged behind in early efforts. The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The…

Eligible Vermonters can sign up for coverage or change their health insurance plans with Vermont Health Connect from Nov. 1 - Dec. 15, 2020. The Office of the Health Care Advocate’s (HCA) helpline is available to provide free  advice to Vermonters trying to figure out their  options for health coverage for 2021. Contact the HCA…

The calendar is filled with stunning photos of Vermont wildlife, including white-tailed deer, moose, a bald eagle, gray tree frog, spruce grouse, swallowtail butterfly, pumpkinseed, peregrine falcon, woodcock, bobcat, and scenic Lake Willoughby.  It includes photos by many well-known Vermont photographers including Roger Irwin, Tony Smith, Tyler Pockette, Daniel Berna, Kurt Budliger, Ian Clark, Chris…

Vermont aims to understand how Covid-19 has affected the use and need for telecommunications services for telehealth, telework, and remote learning across the state The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed and exacerbated gaps  in Vermont’s broadband infrastructure that have left too many Vermonters vulnerable during the public health emergency.  “This status quo is simply unacceptable,” said…

On Oct. 21, Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos encouraged Vermont voters to make their early voting plan, and to return their voted ballot using the safe, secure early voting option of their choice. “While voting during the Covid-19 health crisis may feel different from how many of us are used to voting, we have…

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced on Oct. 14 that a record number of ballots have been cast early in the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election as compared to ballots cast early in prior elections. As of the end of the day on Oct. 13, 110,016 Vermonters have voted early in the 2020 General…

Saturday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday Oct. 28—The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, along with several local, state and federal conservation partners, will be celebrating World Fish Migration Day on Saturday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday, Oct. 28 with in-person and online activities. World Fish Migration Day is a global day of recognition to raise awareness about…

Governor aims to prevent influx from high risk areas Following the decision by the State of New Hampshire to close indoor skating facilities for two weeks, Governor Phil Scott Oct. 16 issued an executive order prohibiting Vermont’s skating rinks from accepting new reservations for use beginning that Oct. 16, at 5 p.m., through midnight on…

The state has announced $240,000 in additional relief funding was made available through two new Coronavirus Agriculture Assistance Programs that launched this past Friday, Oct. 16. Farmers Market Relief The Farmers Market Relief program will provide up to $2,000 to markets that suffered economic harm as a result of the global pandemic. Markets must have…