Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

As Vermont Passes Controversial Education Bill, State’s Rural Schools Fear Closures
Fewer than 2,000 people live in North Bennington, but the quaint Vermont village brims with community spirit. A quirky Halloween parade and annual outdoor sculpture show attract artists from all over. The town’s literary history — Shirley Jackson...

Dover Police Chief William Breault gets new job in Vermont
DOVER — Chief William Breault is leaving the Dover Police Department, where he has worked since 1998, to accept the same position in South Burlington, Vermont. South Burlington announced the hire July 29 in a press release stating he'll begin his...

Dover, NH Police Chief Takes New Job in Vermont
By Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT. – Dover, N.H. Police Chief William N. Breault was named as the new police chief for the city of South Burlington on Tuesday afternoon. City Manager Jessie Baker said Breault will start at...

Think before you swim: The dangers of cyanobacteria in Vermont lakes
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are naturally found in bodies of fresh water but can release toxins. Contact with cyanobacteria can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and stomach problems. Blooms are more common in warm,...

Vermont reacts to Trump executive order on homelessness
Vermont organizations and officials are reacting to an executive order from the Trump administration seeking to removing homeless people from the streets. This includes the possibility of committing the homeless for mental health or drug treatment...

Four Girls Dairy in Fairfax is Vermont's 2025 Dairy Farm of the Year
FAIRFAX — Ask dairyman Peter Rainville what’s most important to him and he will say family. There’s no denying that he loves his cows almost as much, but to him, family comes first. That’s why he continually strives to improve the efficiency and...

Vermont town board votes down proposed Amazon development
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. — The Development Review Board in Essex, after another hourslong meeting the evening of July 17, nixed Scannell Properties’ proposal to build an Amazon distribution facility in Saxon Hill. After months of debate, the decision...
BETA Technologies receives order for electric aircraft
BETA Technologies in South Burlington, Vermont has received an order for 25 electric aircraft. London-based SLI, a space leasing company, placed the order for EV aircraft to broaden its portfolio to include Advanced Air Mobility aircraft. In...

Seven Can't-Miss Vermont Events This Week: July 30-August 6, 2025
To Be Blunt Thursday 31-Saturday 2 Standup comedian Atsuko Okatsuka ignites Burlington's Vermont Comedy Club with back-to-back sold-out performances of her "FULL GROWN" tour. Okatsuka catapulted to fame in 2021 with an indelible debut on "The Late...

Why Vermont’s cannabis industry can’t promote tourism, yet
Ask about advertising to increase cannabis tourism in the state and Scott Sparks will tell you, “It’s extremely complicated.” Sparks – owner of Vermont Bud Barn, a cannabis retail shop; Vermont Hempicurean, a store specializing in Vermont CBD...

Four Girls Dairy named Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year
FAIRFAX, Vt. (WCAX) - Congratulations are in order for a Fairfax farm named the 2025 Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year. The honor awarded by UVM Extension and the Vermont Dairy Industry Association goes to Four Girls Dairy. It was chosen for its...
What happens to solar in Vermont after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?
For the last few decades, the federal government has offered homeowners tax credits for installing rooftop solar arrays. Those credits are set to go away at the end of this year, thanks to President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It...

The REDCap Revolution: How a Clinical Data Management Tool Empowered Global Research Communities
In the early 2000s, Paul Harris, a research informatics faculty member and bioengineer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, noticed a pressing problem. While working with research teams, he found that many of them used Microsoft Excel and...

Vermont Tech Hub wants to turn research into real-world opportunities
Vermont's Gallium-Nitride Tech Hub received $3.4 million to establish a cutting-edge microelectronics testing laboratory. The lab, slated to open in January 2026, will focus on gallium nitride (GaN) technology for various applications. This...

Nationwide study cites wellbeing, quality of life makes Utah the fourth happiest state in the union
MILTON, GA – A recent nationwide study has found Utah to be the fourth happiest state in the United States. Out of a possible Happiness Score of 100, the 2025 research by Your Law Firm ranked Utah at 69.38 on that scale, according to lead attorney...

Effort was there, not the wins for Vermont
HANOVER, N.H. — Vermont lost both games in the Lions Twin State Soccer Cup on Saturday, but there were plenty of memories made, particularly on the men's side where a family MVP tradition continued and there was a midnight appointment of the...

Researchers discover PFAS in regional ski racing areas
CRAFTSBURY, Vt. (WCAX) - Researchers have uncovered so-called forever chemicals at regional ski racing areas. They say it’s a sign that change is needed, starting at home. For decades, skiers slickened their skis with waxes containing PFAS....

6 Fuel Efficiency Trends Among Ford Vehicles in Vermont
Fuel efficiency remains a top priority for drivers, especially in regions like Vermont where long drives and variable terrain can impact fuel consumption. Ford has responded to this demand by integrating innovative technologies and design...

Scientists Are Growing Miniature Human Brains in the Lab. No One Knows If They’ll Become Conscious.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story: Since 2013, scientists have been growing miniature brains in the lab to aid in the study of neurodevelopmental disorders among other things. It’s unclear if these “brain organoids” currently...

Vermont to ban cell phone use in schools by 2026; Franklin County experts and educators respond
FRANKLIN COUNTY — At Northwestern Counseling and Support Services, medical director Dr. Harris Strokoff sees plenty of youth come through the doors with symptoms of a substance use disorder. But their addiction isn’t to alcohol or drugs, it’s to a...