Local
V
VTDigger (Vermont)One UVM lab’s surprise discovery led to flu science breakthrough
University of Vermont researchers discovered that H1N1 and H3N2 flu viruses use different mechanisms to enter human lungs, with H3N2 depending on a specific protein (Rab11B) that H1N1 does not require. This finding, published in the Journal of Virology, could lead to more targete
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Down the tubes: Vermont volunteers crawl culverts to outsmart the next flood
Vermont volunteers participate in the Culvert Crawlers program to monitor and maintain over 100,000 culverts across the state's roads. The initiative, led by community groups and Dartmouth researchers, aims to prevent road damage and flooding as climate change intensifies rainfal
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Waiting for prior authorization almost killed me
A Vermont patient describes how insurance company delays in prior authorization nearly proved fatal during his battle with liver disease, advocating for reform of the authorization process that he says prioritizes corporate profits over medical need.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Notch-blocker fines to increase tenfold
Vermont increased penalties for oversized vehicles illegally traveling through Smugglers Notch, effective July 1, 2026. Fines jump from $1,000 to $10,000, or $20,000 if traffic is substantially blocked. The law applies to both drivers and employers.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Play it again, Sam: A Vermont picture palace reels in new money with old movies
Brattleboro's historic Latchis Theatre, which opened in 1938, is finding renewed success by screening classic films like "Casablanca" alongside modern releases, drawing near-capacity crowds and positioning itself as a cultural destination amid streaming competition.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)South Burlington Planning Commission discusses data centers
South Burlington's planning commission has outlined initial land use regulations for data centers as the city prepares zoning amendments for a public hearing. Officials cite the rapidly evolving industry and regional interest in New England as reasons for proactive regulation.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center birthing pavilion to establish drug treatment program for patients
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire will use $900,000 in federal funds to establish an inpatient substance use treatment program in its birthing pavilion, converting two private suites into spaces for safe withdrawal management and medication administration for pr
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)County prosecutor and sheriff who rebuffed calls to resign don’t file for reelection
Addison County State's Attorney Eva Vekos and Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer, both facing legal troubles, did not file paperwork by Vermont's May 28 deadline to run for reelection despite rejecting earlier calls to resign from political leaders including Gov. Phil Scott.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)‘Swatting’ incidents becoming more common for school districts, law enforcement officials
Seven Vermont schools received AI-generated bomb threat calls on Wednesday, prompting evacuations and building clearances. Law enforcement confirmed the threats were hoaxes, part of an increasing 'swatting' trend affecting schools nationwide.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)All gifts matched Saturday, June 6: Help send final books during VTDigger member drive
VTDigger is conducting a member drive on Saturday, June 6 to send 400 books to Vermont children through the Children's Literacy Foundation, with all donations matched by a Vermont donor to double impact.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Why Vermonters who leave can’t stay away
A commentary by New School professor Justin Neuman reflects on Vermont's enduring appeal to those who leave, describing his childhood in the state and his current life in Connecticut while maintaining strong ties to his Vermont roots.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Cynthia S. Ross
Cynthia S. Ross, a Vermont resident and retired Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel, passed away on June 1, 2026, at age 87. She had a 50-year nursing career and served with distinction during Operation Desert Storm and in Macedonia.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Musical chairs: Many Vermont House and Senate leaders won’t seek reelection
Vermont legislative leadership is experiencing significant turnover, with top lawmakers in both the House and Senate, plus six committee chairs, declining to seek reelection. Over 30 House members and three senators are leaving office at year-end, representing roughly 10% of the
AI Briefing
L
Los Angeles Times (Local)LA28 chair Casey Wasserman says he will not resign over Epstein fallout
Casey Wasserman, chair of the LA28 Olympic organizing committee, says he will not resign despite disclosed ties to Ghislaine Maxwell.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Burlington officials defend police actions during ICE raid, but Police Commission pushes back
Burlington Police Department officials determined officers didn't use excessive force during a March 11 immigration enforcement action in South Burlington, but the city's Police Commission challenged key findings in the department's report.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Ex-deputy accused of short-circuiting murder trial now faces obstruction charge
A former Lamoille County sheriff's deputy, Christopher Turner, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to three felony charges including obstruction of justice and false swearing. At least one charge relates to his alleged improper questioning of a murder suspect, Seth Brunell, during trans
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)80-hour weeks and drowning in debt: UVM Medical Center resident doctors rally for a new contract
Nearly 400 resident doctors at UVM Medical Center rallied for a new contract on June 4, 2026, seeking higher wages, capped shift lengths, childcare support, and immigration protections. Negotiations have continued since January as the hospital faces pressure to balance labor cost
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Margaret Harrington Tamulonis
Margaret Harrington Tamulonis, a respected Off-Broadway actress, playwright, and director from New York who later became an activist and volunteer, died May 29, 2026, at age 83 in Burlington, Vermont.
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Vermont eyes South Burlington for new youth facility. A state advocate calls it a ‘detention center.’
Vermont plans to build a 14-bed locked facility called the Green Mountain Youth Center in South Burlington to replace the closed Woodside Youth Rehabilitation Center. The state describes it as providing therapeutic treatment for youth ages 12-18 in the justice system, but the sta
AI Briefing
V
VTDigger (Vermont)Vermont’s proposed school mergers aren’t really voluntary
Vermont's H.955 education law presents school mergers as voluntary but uses financial penalties to effectively force consolidation, breaking from the state's tradition of local control over education funding.
AI Briefing