VTDigger

A cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce from Taco Bell locations in five states has prompted a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce by Taylor Fresh Foods. New Hampshire and Vermont have reported no cases tied to the national outbreak, while local produce sales have increased in the Upper Valley. The CDC has confirmed over 1,600 cases nationwide as of July 13.

The closure of the Finch Paper mill in Glens Falls, New York, has significantly impacted loggers, truckers, and landowners in Vermont and the Northeast. The mill, operational since 1865, processed large volumes of low-grade hemlock pulp, which now lacks alternative markets. The author urges legislators to stop carbon credit sales on state and federal lands to support the region's forest products industry.

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.

Immigration attorney Jill Martin Diaz discusses the impact of President Trump’s immigration policies on Vermont’s immigrant community, including increased ICE detentions and a Supreme Court decision allowing the end of temporary protected status. The Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP) provides legal support amid rising fears of deportation.

A new federal housing law includes changes to disaster recovery funding administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aiming to improve predictability for communities like Vermont recovering from the 2023 floods. The law requires HUD to establish permanent rules for funding usage and set timelines for dispersing aid, though it does not guarantee congressional appropriations.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's birthing center faces closure due to a $4.8 million annual financial deficit. Local leaders debate a potential municipal tax hike to provide a one-time donation, while seven medical groups urge Vermont officials to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for obstetric services.

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.

Vermont is not complying with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), risking up to $2.4 million annually in funding. The state has initiated reforms to address compliance issues, including a strategic plan and enhanced oversight of school districts.

The White House announced 50% tariffs on Canadian products including vehicles, dairy, and alcohol, set to take effect Aug. 19. Vermont officials and businesses express concern over the impact on trade, with Canada being Vermont’s largest trade partner. The tariffs, part of ongoing U.S.-Canada trade tensions, are criticized as 'pure stupidity' by a Vermont economist and may affect $20 billion in annual imports.

A judge denied a defense request to modify the screening process for records in the case of Teresa Youngblut, who is charged with murdering a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont. The defense claimed the system allowed privileged information to be disclosed to prosecutors, but the judge ruled the protocol adequately protects attorney-client communications.

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.

Vermont has doubled its daily cannabis purchase limit from 1 ounce to 2 ounces under a new law aimed at reducing reliance on the illicit market. The change, which also updates equivalency charts for cannabis products like concentrates and edibles, allows licensed dispensaries to accommodate larger purchases, with supporters arguing it makes the regulated market more competitive.

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.

A U.S. appeals court overturned a Vermont federal judge’s decision to release Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder and Columbia University student, from immigration custody. The court ruled Mahdawi’s case should have been processed through the federal immigration court system before the judge intervened.

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.

Finch Paper is closing its pulp mill in Glens Falls, New York, impacting Vermont's logging industry by reducing demand for low-grade pulp wood. Vermont loggers warn this will exacerbate industry challenges, following regional mill closures over decades. The company will now purchase pulp externally instead of producing it.

The article argues that animal rights groups use misinformation to criticize Vermont's hunting, trapping, and wildlife management practices. It cites surveys showing most Vermonters are satisfied with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (3% dissatisfaction in 2015, 5% in 2022) and claims animal rights groups prioritize their agenda over conservation. The author, a Vermont resident, defends hunters, trappers, and anglers as responsible conservationists.

Vermont’s Roman Catholic Diocese seeks court approval to sell Rice Memorial High School to a nonprofit, RMHS Inc., to protect the school from liquidation. The diocese, reorganizing finances under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, aims to preserve the school’s Catholic identity and operations ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year.

The Vermont Democratic primary for lieutenant governor features Molly Gray, Ryan McLaren, and Esther Charlestin. Gray, a former lieutenant governor, and McLaren, a former school board member and Senate aide, highlight their experience. Charlestin, a former gubernatorial candidate, emphasizes consulting experience. Gray leads in fundraising and a recent poll, while many voters remain undecided.

Vermont's Act 170, signed into law as H.955, mandates school district merger study committees and cooperative educational service areas (CESAs) by 2026, but lacks efficiency targets, oversight, and accountability mechanisms. Critics argue structural gaps, such as conflicting CESA and merger group boundaries, could undermine savings potential, despite identified $9M-$10M in back-office savings for Chittenden County districts.