Vermont Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Act Quickly to Save COVID-Crippled Businesses

by Ken Picard Posted on June 2, 2020 at 6:24PM

“We cannot emphasize the urgency of this need enough,” said Sue Bette, owner of Bluebird Barbecue in Burlington, whose industry, she noted, was among the first to close and last to reopen. “The future of our vibrant and creative restaurant industry depends on it.”

In Vermont, the Ventilators Never Arrived

by Paul Heintz Posted on June 2, 2020 at 6:08PM

At present, the state still has 95 critical care ventilators on order from four companies, according to a document provided by the Department of Public Safety. Those units, plus the 10 already delivered, are expected to cost the state more than $2.4 million.

Burlington Councilors Disagree Over Thanking Cops in Resolution

by Courtney Lamdin Posted on June 2, 2020 at 2:06AM

UVM, St. Mike's Close On-Campus Childcare Programs

by Sasha Goldstein Posted on June 1, 2020 at 6:27PM

State Suspends Investigation of Alleged Abuses at Women's Prison

by Paul Heintz Posted on June 1, 2020 at 4:11PM

Citing Seven Days' reporting that a supervisor at Chittenden Regional appeared to regularly run the facility while intoxicated, Smith also recommended that all corrections officers undergo regular drug testing. Such a change would require a change in statute or a new agreement with the Vermont State Employees Association, the union that represents DOC staffers.

Burlington Superintendent Urges White Students to 'Stand Beside' People of Color

by Derek Brouwer Posted on June 1, 2020 at 3:42PM

The district's most recent annual equity report detailed wide racial and economic disparities in student test scores and advanced class enrollment. White students make up 60 percent of high schoolers, but made up 80 percent of students in honors classes during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Scott Condemns Police Brutality, Sympathizes With Demonstrators

by Colin Flanders Posted on June 1, 2020 at 3:19PM

Scott and Vermont State Police leaders condemned the act in a statement last week. The governor doubled down on Monday, using the opening remarks of his press briefing to call for murder charges to be filed against every officer involved in the "barbaric and totally inexcusable" killing.

Burlington Protest Leads to Confrontation With Police Brass

by Matthew Roy Posted on May 31, 2020 at 12:13AM

Violence has flared in Minneapolis, and protests have sprung up in dozens of American cities, including New York, Atlanta, Boston and Oakland. The Peace & Justice Center, which put out word about Burlington's protest on social media, urged demonstrators to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

Burlington Councilor Introduces Slate of Charter Change Proposals

by Courtney Lamdin Posted on May 29, 2020 at 8:47PM

Teacher COVID Cases Worry Educators as Childcare Center Prepares to Reopen

by Alison Novak Posted on May 29, 2020 at 6:26PM

Gass explained that Early Education Services is a Head Start program — created by the federal government in 1965 to provide educational, health and support services to the poorest, most vulnerable young children and their families. Since March, her staff has been delivering diapers, infant formula, educational activities and art kits to families, as well as providing lessons to kids and mental health counseling to parents via Zoom.