VTDigger

The article proposes eliminating political parties in Vermont, suggesting candidates run on individual merits with open primaries, no party labels, and no campaign funding, using ranked-choice voting to select top candidates for the general election. The author advocates for merit-based leadership in government.

VTDigger is seeking 500 supporters by midnight Saturday to match donations up to $10,000. The nonprofit news organization highlights recent investigative stories and election coverage as part of its Member Drive.

VTDigger is hiring two paid fall reporting interns for the Jim Welch Internship Program, starting September 8 and ending January 8. The interns will focus on breaking news and general assignment reporting, with past interns producing impactful stories on topics like license plate surveillance, immigration enforcement, and Vermont's dairy industry.

VTDigger has expanded its statewide news partnership by collaborating with four southern Vermont newspapers: Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal, Brattleboro Reformer, and Mountain Times. This brings the total number of community news sharing partners to 21, allowing mutual content sharing to support local journalism and provide broader coverage.

Vermont’s federal legislators secured $19.7 million for Route 7 reconstruction between Brandon and Pittsford to add truck climbing lanes and wider shoulders for cyclists. Louis Meyers from Shelburne, Vt., argues the project is a waste of money, citing existing road safety, potential traffic backups, and safer alternative routes for cyclists.

VTDigger is preparing for upcoming election coverage and a collaborative investigation on Vermont's flooding impacts. The organization is seeking donations during a July Member Drive, with contributions matched up to $500 and new monthly gifts matched for 12 months.

Bob Stannard argues that Vermont's decline stems from income inequality rather than population loss, contrasting a struggling Vermont farm family with a wealth-accumulating Brooklyn family. He critiques policies favoring large agri-corporations and highlights how real estate value disparities drive migration to Vermont.

Frank Mazur writes to the editor disagreeing with Pope Leo’s criticism of U.S. immigration policy, arguing nations must enforce laws, secure borders, and protect citizens. He cites St. Thomas Aquinas’ views on citizenship and warns of risks from individuals not aligned with national values. Mazur advocates for a balanced policy upholding dignity, safety, and the rule of law.

Brendan Kinney, the new CEO of VTDigger, explains his commitment to Vermont's independent journalism and urges readers to support the organization. The article highlights reader appreciation for VTDigger's work and outlines upcoming projects, including a collaboration with FRONTLINE on Vermont's flooding impacts and election coverage.

South Burlington Deputy Police Chief Sean Briscoe's body camera footage captured his experience during a tense standoff between law enforcement and protesters outside a Vermont home raided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The footage, part of over 100 hours released by local and state police, reveals mundane police interactions alongside public anger directed at officers, highlighting the complex dynamics of immigration enforcement and community tensions.

Vermont dairy farms face financial struggles due to high overhead costs, aging infrastructure, and competition from states like Texas. Recent closures of three dairy plants in two months highlight the industry's challenges, with Vermont farmers losing $8.65 per 100 pounds of milk produced compared to profits in other states.

Gov. Phil Scott announced Lindsay Kurrle will leave her role as secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development on July 24 to become president and CEO of Vermont Gas Systems. Tayt Brooks, the agency’s deputy secretary, will replace Kurrle. Kurrle previously served as Scott’s labor commissioner, and Brooks has held roles in the governor’s administration since 2017.

Frederick Weston Waterbury criticizes VTDigger for emphasizing Vermont roots in an article about Beta Technologies and J&M Avionics, arguing such details are irrelevant to economic power discussions. He accuses the publication of perpetuating divisive 'Vermonter vs. flatlander' distinctions and biased reporting.

The article emphasizes the importance of a free press as a foundational American value, particularly during Independence Day, and highlights VTDigger's role in Vermont through investigative journalism. It mentions specific investigations like the EB-5 fraud at Jay Peak and police accountability series, underscoring the need for independent reporting to hold power accountable.

Vermont lawmakers passed a law restricting automatic license plate tracking, but police circumvented it by using out-of-state surveillance systems. The loophole allows tracking of vehicles when they travel outside Vermont, raising privacy concerns and highlighting the use of a national network of cameras not addressed in the state law.

Vermont electric motorcycle (e-moto) riders exceeding 30 mph or 750 watts are legally classified as motorcycles under state law, requiring registration, licensing, and a motorcycle endorsement. However, the author notes that unregistered, unlicensed, and unhelmeted riders are not being enforced on public streets and bike paths, creating safety risks for cyclists and pedestrians.

A letter to the editor argues that public lands should be preserved in their natural state for future generations, emphasizing the importance of protecting undiscovered ecological treasures like mycorrhizae. The author criticizes short-term job creation as a justification for land development, advocating instead for long-term conservation.

Lee Russ challenges Matt Swenson's argument that Vermont legislators are detached from the working class, asserting that taxes fund social programs using everyone's money. Russ criticizes the conservative notion of 'other people’s money' as a propaganda tool that ignores the shared responsibility of funding public services.

Neil Ryan, a Vermont farmer, criticizes local media outlets like Vermont Public, VTDigger, and Seven Days for underrepresenting rural grassroots movements and overemphasizing institutional environmental interests. He argues that coverage of Act 181, a land-use law, and related issues like farmland affordability is biased toward corporate and nonprofit stakeholders, neglecting rural perspectives and ecological benefits of managed landscapes.

Addison County State’s Attorney Eva Vekos and Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer, both Democrats, did not file for reelection despite facing legal troubles and calls to resign. Vekos was convicted of driving under the influence, and Palmer was arrested on felony charges, but neither stepped down from their roles. Grand Isle State’s Attorney Douglas DiSabito, who also faces legal issues, did file for reelection.

VTDigger, a Vermont news organization, seeks donations to support local journalism, highlighting a story on stalled flood recovery in North Barre that prompted a mayor's direct response. Donations also fund children's books via the Children’s Literacy Foundation until June 6.