Vermont

Vermont plans to update its primitive camping rules, which haven't been changed for three decades, to enhance wildfire prevention and protect natural resources. The proposed changes forbid cutting or burning live wood for campfires and require campers to establish campsites 200 feet from water sources, an increase from the previous 100-foot requirement.

The new free service, DecryptAds, scrapes and correlates adtech data from public files like ads.txt and app-ads.txt to reveal which companies track users or run ads on websites and apps. By analyzing cross-referenced files, the service assists in understanding the advertising ecosystem for privacy and security use cases, such as detecting malicious ads.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued New York, Connecticut, and Vermont regarding laws that allow immigrants without permanent legal status to pay in-state college tuition. This action is part of a larger effort by the administration to challenge state policies that provide benefits to noncitizens. The lawsuits argue that these policies allow students without permanent legal status access to drastically lower public education tuition than U.S. citizens from other states.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott is projected to face Amanda Janoo in the state’s November gubernatorial election. Decision Desk HQ reported this matchup. Scott has served as the state’s top official since his election in 2016.

Amanda Janoo narrowly won Vermont’s Democratic primary for governor with 49% of the vote, defeating Aly Richards who received 46%. An economist and first-time candidate, Janoo's platform calls for new state regulations on large data centers, a tax on digital advertising from large technology companies, and funding free primary care through a surcharge on personal income over $500,000.

In Vermont, Amanda Janoo won the party's gubernatorial nomination after defeating Aly Richards. Gov. Phil Scott secured his GOP gubernatorial nomination for a sixth straight two-year term. Despite Democrats having a dominant track record in the state, the article notes that Scott is poised to continue serving and has maintained high approval ratings.

In Vermont, Democrat Amanda Janoo defeated former child advocacy organization CEO Aly Richards to capture the gubernatorial nomination. Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Phil Scott was unopposed and cruised to his own party's nomination for a sixth term. Despite having a deep blue state with strong Democratic dominance, Democrats face a difficult task beating Scott in November.

Amanda Janoo won the Democratic nomination for governor in Vermont. The announcement was reported from Washington.

Bernie Sanders called for democratic leaders to ban super PAC involvement in Democratic primary elections. This ask was included in a letter written by the Vermont senator to Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Ken Martin.

Vermont's housing crisis is attributed to three distinct issues: short-term rentals displacing long-term renters, an aging workforce unable to meet housing construction demands, and depopulation due to low birth rates and outmigration. Towns like Killington and Manchester illustrate varying impacts, with high short-term rental conversion rates in tourist areas and labor shortages statewide.

Vermont’s GOP primary for the U.S. House seat features Gerald Malloy and Mark Coester, both previous congressional candidates who lost by large margins. Malloy has a military and defense industry background, while Coester is a Vermont-based small business owner in logging, fishing, and maple sugaring. The winner will face Becca Balint in the November general election.

Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) is now effective in New York, allowing eligible terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to request medication for self-administered death. The law, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in February 2023, includes safeguards like a five-day waiting period and mental health evaluation. New York joins states like New Jersey, Delaware, and Vermont in implementing MAID.

The US Senate stopgap spending bill does not renew $38.6 billion annually in transportation funding from the 2021 infrastructure law, which expires Sept. 30. States will face reduced federal transportation funds starting Oct. 1, with California and Vermont among those losing significant amounts.

The US Senate stopgap spending bill does not renew $38.6 billion in annual transportation funding from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which expires Sept. 30. States face reduced federal transportation budgets starting Oct. 1, with California losing nearly $1.1 billion annually and Vermont losing $55.6 million. Advocacy groups, including the National Association of Counties, have urged Congress to extend the supplemental funding.

A U.S. Senate stopgap spending bill failed to renew $38.6 billion annually in transportation funding from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which expires Sept. 30. States will face reduced federal transportation budgets starting Oct. 1, impacting programs for bridges, airports, and transit.

The US Senate's stopgap spending bill does not renew $38.6 billion annually in transportation funding from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which expires on Sept. 30. States will face reduced federal transportation funding starting Oct. 1, affecting programs for highways, transit, and infrastructure maintained by state departments of transportation.

The US Senate stopgap spending bill does not renew $38.6 billion in annual transportation funding from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which expires Sept. 30. The stopgap measure, passed by the Senate, keeps the government funded at current levels through Dec. 11 but leaves states facing budget cuts starting Oct. 1, affecting transportation programs for bridges, airports, and transit.

A super PAC called Time for a Change has spent over $200,000 on ads supporting Aly Richards, a Democratic candidate for Vermont governor, in the final weeks of the primary. Richards' opponent, Amanda Janoo, criticized the PAC's spending as hypocritical, while Richards stated the PAC is independent and not coordinated with her campaign.

Governor Phil Scott vetoed H.727, a data center bill that passed with bipartisan support in Vermont, arguing it imposed unnecessary regulations. The bill aimed to address rising electricity costs and pollution from AI data centers, with the final version strengthening protections for ratepayers and the environment compared to the governor's preferred draft.

California has launched DROP, a state-run portal allowing residents to request deletion of their data from registered data brokers under the Delete Act. Over 600 data brokers are registered with the California Privacy Protection Agency, and the platform simplifies opt-out processes. Other states like Oregon, Texas, and Vermont require broker registration but lack a centralized system like DROP.

An avid fly fisherman in Vermont shares his love for the activity and how it has positively impacted his mental health journey.

Vermonters distrust the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, believing it prioritizes hunters over residents and uses bear complaints to justify lethal actions. A study shows differing values between the department and Vermonters, leading to underreporting of bear encounters.

John Klar, a Vermont farmer and conservative political voice, has gained a prominent role in the 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement. He was appointed to a Trump administration EPA advisory panel focused on agricultural policy and has advocated for reducing pesticides and limiting large agricultural companies. MAHA, associated with vaccine skepticism, faces conflicts with some administration actions on food policy.

A legal dispute over preserving electronic devices used by law enforcement during a 2025 traffic stop in Vermont has intensified as Teresa Youngblut faces murder charges in the death of Border Patrol Agent David Maland. Prosecutors oppose the defense's request to secure forensic copies of devices, citing privacy concerns, while a September hearing has been set to resolve the issue. Youngblut and a deceased passenger are linked to the Zizians, a group associated with multiple homicides and specific ideological beliefs.

Elevate Youth Services in Vermont received a $500,000 endowment from the Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family Foundation to expand youth homelessness services. The nonprofit, led by Executive Director Favor Ellis, provides housing and support for approximately 400 youths annually, focusing on mental health and trauma-related issues.

A pharmacy chain in Vermont implemented AI to improve efficiency, but the system caused delays, provided incorrect information, and raised privacy concerns.

Brattleboro dropped a proposed municipal tax hike to support Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s financially struggling birthing center after hospital leaders expressed concerns about divisiveness and affordability. The hospital faces a $4.8 million annual deficit and may close its obstetric services within six to nine months unless a solution is found. Hospital and town officials now advocate for state-level interventions, including adjusting Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Two Schenectady County men, Donald Stewart and Lisandro Brown, have been charged in a cocaine distribution conspiracy in Burlington, Vermont, for allegedly selling cocaine base to a confidential source.

Kinney Drugs, a pharmacy chain in Vermont and New York, implemented an AI assistant for prescription refill services, leading to customer reports of delays, incorrect medication requests, and privacy concerns. Customers described receiving confusing AI-generated refill notifications and experiencing system errors, prompting frustrations and some to abandon the pharmacy due to limited rural alternatives. The AI rollout coincides with broader regulatory gaps in healthcare AI oversight.

Vermont’s economy is described as 'impressive' by state economists despite federal policy challenges, with AI-driven business spending offsetting risks like immigration restrictions and tariffs. State revenue matched projections with a 1.2% surplus, but officials warn of economic threats from federal actions including mass deportations and costly wars.

Vermont schools have declined from above the national average in 2013 to below it by 2025, with median districts falling from the 78th to 40th percentile nationally. Despite higher per-student spending, metrics like college enrollment and attendance rates have worsened, and local comparisons mask the state's broader educational decline.

A U.S. District Judge ruled that federal agencies cannot cancel already awarded grants to states like Vermont based on shifting executive branch priorities. The decision followed the abrupt termination of an EPA grant for infrastructure projects in northern Vermont, which had been halted when the agency claimed it no longer aligned with government goals.

Vermont’s 2026 primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11. Voters can cast ballots via early voting (June 29–Aug. 10) or in person on Election Day. Eligibility requires being a U.S. citizen, Vermont resident, and at least 18 by Nov. 3, 2026. Voters must register by Aug. 11 through in-person, online, or mail methods, with first-time registrants needing a valid ID and oath. Early ballots must be returned by Aug. 10.

Vermont's government includes six state-wide elected officers and 180 legislators representing districts. Elections for these offices occur every two years, with county elections in 2026. The article outlines the roles of each position, including the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and state legislators.

Sen. Bernie Sanders may not have achieved significant policy successes in 35 years in Congress and two presidential runs, but Democrats are in a party shaped by him. The DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee is gathering to address party rules.

Vermont's high property and income taxes are driving families away, with the state experiencing a 0.29% annual population decline. Residents compare their tax burdens unfavorably to states like Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee, which offer lower taxes and more financial relief.

Liza Cochran argues that Vermonters should prioritize voting in the Aug. 11 primary to maintain local agency amid distractions from national politics. The article highlights concerns about President Trump's influence on midterms, including his firing of Democratic members of the Election Assistance Commission and efforts to undermine election confidence.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's multiyear budget deficit has risen to at least $30 million, with $16 million in shortfalls for the last fiscal year and $14.5 million projected for the current year. Administrators missed state budget submission deadlines and cited financial reporting system failures, while proposing the closure of the birthing center, which faces a $4.8 million loss.

A new Vermont Department of Corrections policy called 'risk containment' allows the department to incarcerate individuals past their minimum release dates if deemed a risk, impacting inmates like G., who may serve until 2032 despite a 2025 plea deal. The policy, introduced in July 2024, has limited participants' access to release mechanisms like furlough and parole recommendations.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent, participated in an interview on 'Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan' on July 26, 2026. The transcript provides the full text of the interview.