In Reversal, Winooski School Police Officer to Return to Campus Armed

by Alison Novak Posted on September 16, 2020 at 6:36PM

In the coming months, the school district said in its press release on Wednesday, the board plans to use a third-party facilitator to lead a public education and community engagement process to discuss “the future of safety and security at WSD, including the SRO position.” Members of the Winooski Students for Anti-Racism, city employees and school district employees would all be part of the process. After the meeting, Winooski High School math teacher Luke Dorfman wrote in an email to Seven Days that "the default setting of 'status quo' ... continues to amplify certain voices over others, centering the interests of people with power and privilege over those of people who have been most disempowered and marginalized.” 

With Major Overhaul Unlikely, Vermont Senate Approves Narrow Act 250 Bill

by Kevin McCallum Posted on September 16, 2020 at 5:19PM

The party-line vote on the forest fragmentation portion reflects the concern that officials in Gov. Phil Scott’s administration have about the bill. They have expressed disappointment in the removal of exemptions from Act 250 for projects in downtowns.

Judge Dismisses GOP Challenge to Vermont's Mail-In Voting Plan

by Colin Flanders Posted on September 16, 2020 at 4:33PM

Vermont Lawmakers Strike a Deal on Retail Pot Bill

by Colin Flanders Posted on September 16, 2020 at 10:23AM

Scott has said that he would consider any legislation that hits his desk as long as it addresses his concerns about road safety, youth prevention and local control. While the bill does not fully address all of his demands — he, for example, wanted a roadside warrantless saliva test, which the bill does not allow  — both Sears and Gannon said they believed the legislature has done enough to appease the Republican governor.

State's Attorney Sarah George to End Cash Bail in Chittenden County

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 16, 2020 at 4:30AM

George has worked closely with a cohort of colleagues throughout the country who hold similar views on criminal justice reform. Among them is Tiffany Cabán, a former New York City public defender who campaigned to end cash bail when she ran for Queens district attorney last year.

Scott Vetoes Global Warming Solutions Act; Lawmakers Vow Override

by Kevin McCallum Posted on September 15, 2020 at 9:01PM

Environmental groups such as the Vermont Natural Resources Council and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group have taken Scott to task for his climate record. They note Scott vowed in 2017 to join other states in agreeing to meet the Paris Climate Accord goals after President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal.

Fauci Praises Vermont's Pandemic Response, Urges Vigilance

by Kevin McCallum Posted on September 15, 2020 at 3:09PM

Combined with the possibility of a vaccine in coming months, Fauci said he was optimistic the nation “would be in good shape” in 2021. “I believe strongly that if we do what you have been doing in Vermont in the rest of the country … we can not only get through the fall and the winter, but can come out on the other end better off than we went in,” he said.

Burlington City Councilors Admit to Violating Open Meeting Law

by Courtney Lamdin Posted on September 15, 2020 at 1:21AM

city council should have the right to decide: Does it want to invite certain people in because they think that group has information?" Blackwood said.

Burlington to Research Possibility of Opening Overdose Prevention Site

by Courtney Lamdin Posted on September 15, 2020 at 12:03AM

The council had passed the order to avoid coronavirus "super spreader" events seen in other states. The extension cites the "importance of maintaining low COVID-19 prevalence" now that college students have returned to the city.

Dr. Fauci to Speak, Take Questions at Vermont Press Briefing

by Kevin McCallum Posted on September 14, 2020 at 4:37PM

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s top U.S. infectious disease expert, will participate in a Vermont press briefing Tuesday to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Phil Scott's office announced Monday that Fauci will appear for a limited time by video at the 11 a.m. briefing.