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Staff testing samples at the Vermont Department of Health lab

Vermont Sets Daily COVID-19 Case Record; Hospital Didn't Report Some Samples

by Derek Brouwer Posted on December 3, 2020 at 2:40PM

While the readings are preliminary, Mayor Miro Weinberger said the elevated data should serve as a "call to action." "We need everyone to cease social gatherings outside of your household and to get tested if you have participated in a social gathering over the last week," he said in a press release.

Attorney General Says He Would Vigorously Defend New Climate Law

by Kevin McCallum Posted on December 3, 2020 at 1:17PM

and Vermont’s historic effort to combat global warming,” Diamond wrote.

UVM Announces Plan to Eliminate More Than Two Dozen Academic Programs

by Colin Flanders Posted on December 2, 2020 at 9:02PM

University leaders argue that the moves have been necessary to address unanticipated costs brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. They say such costs have far exceeded the millions of dollars in state and federal aid the university received earlier this year.

Caller Threatened Vermont Elections Officials, Condos Says

by Paul Heintz Posted on December 2, 2020 at 2:10PM

Condos said his office had turned over the voicemail messages to the Vermont State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, both of whom he said were investigating. Adam Silverman, a spokesperson for the state police, said his agency had received a complaint and was reviewing the messages.

Progressives Max Tracy (left) and Brian Pine

Pine and Tracy Make Their Pitches at Progressive Party Caucus

by Courtney Lamdin Posted on December 1, 2020 at 10:35PM

Incumbents Jack Hanson and Perri Freeman were nominated for the East and Central districts, respectively. Burlington Democrats have not yet announced any candidates to challenge those seats. Voters also nominated candidates for ward clerks and election inspectors.

Health Commissioner Mark Levine at Tuesday's press conference

As Virus Surges, Vermont Breaks Out Its Rapid-Test Stockpile

by Andrea Suozzo Posted on December 1, 2020 at 8:42PM

At Tuesday’s press conference, Secretary Smith also addressed an incident where a batch of more than 200 swabs express-shipped from a testing site in Barre to the Broad Institute in Cambridge sat in a UPS warehouse for 50 hours before being delivered, at which point they were too old to be tested. The state informed those affected on Monday that they would need to get another test.

Colchester selectboard members at their November 10 meeting

Colchester Selectboard to Wear Masks Following Mix-Up

by Derek Brouwer Posted on December 1, 2020 at 6:56PM

At the beginning of each recent meeting, the board chair has read the town's COVID-19 meeting policy, which said that board members "may remain unmasked as they so choose, given that we are distanced" and other attendees "may unmask when they are speaking." The policy was created without consulting the state.

Lawmakers observing social distancing protocols in the Vermont Senate chamber in March

Vermont Lawmakers Plan Remote Start to Legislative Session

by Paul Heintz Posted on December 1, 2020 at 2:01PM

to the legislature.” After the second day of the session, both chambers would move to remote work at least through January.

Health Commissioner Mark Levine at a press conference in the spring

COVID-19 Cases Climb in Vermont's Long-Term Care Facilities

by Colin Flanders Posted on November 27, 2020 at 2:50PM

Some of Vermont's worst initial outbreaks during the pandemic's spring wave were concentrated in long-term care facilities. Infections at Birchwood Terrace Rehab and Healthcare in Burlington resulted in 21 deaths and more than 90 cases between residents and staffers combined.

Burlington Council Votes to Divest From Fossil Fuel Companies

by Courtney Lamdin Posted on November 24, 2020 at 12:39AM

A version proposed by Councilor Sarah Carpenter (D-Ward 4) was more stringent, saying that exemptions "will" include evictions from owner-occupied properties and from those that need serious repairs or are being removed from the rental market. A version proposed by Councilor Zoraya Hightower (P-Ward 1) said those exemptions "may" be included but that the ordinance would establish the details.

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