VERMONT – Loons are doing really well in Vermont. It is hard to imagine with all the threats they face that the overall loon population has recovered, for now. Back in 1983, only seven loon pairs nested in all of Vermont. In 2025, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) Loon[Read More…]
Editorial
It’s not enough
To the editor: It’s not enough to complain to a neighbor about the erosion of our constitutional rights and the dismantling of our social safety net, environmental laws and government agencies protecting our health. It is not enough to protest in the streets, even though it is a start and[Read More…]
Judicial system fails victims of sexual abuse
CALEDONIA COUNTY – To the Elected Officials of Caledonia County, Residents and lawmakers: I am writing to you with a heavy heart and deep outrage over the recent actions of the Caledonia County State’s Attorney Claire Burns, who was appointed by Governor Scott. The handling of recent cases involving known[Read More…]
Vermont must step up, safeguard Green River Reservoir
MORRISVILLE – For generations, Vermonters and visitors alike have paddled the quiet waters of the Green River Reservoir, camped under its dark skies and relied on its steady flow to protect downstream communities. It is one of the jewels of our state, an irreplaceable resource that provides not only a[Read More…]
Woodsmoke
Know your News project supports press freedom, media literacy
In a country where the federal government increasingly seems to be putting its finger on the scale of truth and freedom, the Know your News project of the New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA) comes at an appropriate time. Beginning with Constitution Day, last Wednesday, the project that will[Read More…]
For open meeting laws to work, we need to show up
VERMONT – In a 2023 case involving a contested speech restriction during government meetings, the highest court in Massachusetts reminded us about our protected right to assemble in town halls throughout the region. Quoting John Adams, the court wrote in Barron v. Kolenda that the right to assembly is “a[Read More…]
For the record
John Schweizer’s name was incorrectly spelled, adding a ‘t’ prior to the ‘z’ in two recent pieces and last week’s photo essay, “Swamped Boat in Caspian Lake.” Before that, the misspelled reference to Schweizer appeared in the September 2 story, “Drought conditions affect Caspian Lake” and Dede Stabler’s August 27[Read More…]
With a broken heart
To the Ben & Jerry’s Community: It’s with a broken heart that I’ve decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s. I am resigning from the company Ben and I started back in 1978. This is one of the[Read More…]
Defending democracy starts at home: protecting local news, press freedom
Local journalism is more than headlines; it’s your right to know, your voice in action and your protection against secrecy. When your town, city or county has a local news outlet, the benefit ripples through the entire community. You have a defender who cares about where you live and work,[Read More…]
Tactical retreat for a local paper
EAST MONTPELIER – Following rapidly on the heels of The Brandon Reporter’s suspension of activity comes word from The Hinesburg Record of a move designed to save it from extinction. The Record has announced it will discontinue its monthly print edition and pursue a digital-only strategy as a weekly. The nonprofit’s board[Read More…]
