WEATHER ALERT
Woman pleads guilty to trying to smuggle 29 turtles across a Vermont lake into Canada by kayak
Read full article: Woman pleads guilty to trying to smuggle 29 turtles across a Vermont lake into Canada by kayakA woman from China has pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle 29 eastern box turtles, a protected species, across a Vermont lake into Canada by kayak.
EPA says Vermont fails to comply with Clean Water Act through inadequate regulation of some farms
Read full article: EPA says Vermont fails to comply with Clean Water Act through inadequate regulation of some farmsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says flaws in a Vermont program are preventing the state from adequately controlling phosphorus discharges from certain farms, which contribute to severe water quality problems in Lake Champlain and other bodies of water.
Rare but deadly mosquito disease has New England hotspots warning against going out at night
Read full article: Rare but deadly mosquito disease has New England hotspots warning against going out at nightHealth officials warn that a rare but deadly mosquito-spread disease is posing a serious threat in parts of New England, prompting the cancellation of some events and changes to sports schedules to avoid bites by infected bugs.
Weeks after floods, Vermont businesses struggling to get visitors to return
Read full article: Weeks after floods, Vermont businesses struggling to get visitors to returnTwo bouts of flooding in July has hampered businesses and destinations in an economically depressed section of northeastern Vermont, with some still closed as they continue to repair damage and others urging visitors, who were deterred by the weather, to make the trip.
Debby finally moves out of the US, though some flooding risk and power outages remain
Read full article: Debby finally moves out of the US, though some flooding risk and power outages remainDebby has finally moved out of the U.S. after the storm spent the better part of a week unleashing tornadoes and flooding, damaging homes and taking lives as it moved up the East Coast after first arriving in Florida as a hurricane.
Why does Vermont keep flooding? It's complicated, but experts warn it could become the norm
Read full article: Why does Vermont keep flooding? It's complicated, but experts warn it could become the normVermont is flooding and experts say the state could see catastrophic events for the foreseeable future.
He flipped off a trooper and got charged. Now Vermont is on the hook for $175,000
Read full article: He flipped off a trooper and got charged. Now Vermont is on the hook for $175,000Vermont has agreed to pay $175,000 to settle a lawsuit on behalf of a man who was charged with a crime for giving a state trooper the middle finger in 2018.
Vermont lawmaker apologizes for repeatedly pouring water in her colleague's bag
Read full article: Vermont lawmaker apologizes for repeatedly pouring water in her colleague's bagA Republican state lawmaker from Vermont has apologized for repeatedly pouring water into a Democratic colleague’s bag, after he caught her doing it on video.
A college puts the 'cat' into 'education' by giving Max an honorary 'doctor of litter-ature' degree
Read full article: A college puts the 'cat' into 'education' by giving Max an honorary 'doctor of litter-ature' degreeA Vermont university has bestowed the honorary degree of “doctor of litter-ature” on a cat named Max who has become a beloved member of its community.
Hawaii is known for its macadamia nuts. Lawmakers want to keep it that way
Read full article: Hawaii is known for its macadamia nuts. Lawmakers want to keep it that wayFor decades, tourists to Hawaii have brought home gift boxes of the islands’ famous chocolate-covered macadamia nuts for friends and family.
'I'm dying, you're not': Those terminally ill ask more states to legalize physician-assisted death
Read full article: 'I'm dying, you're not': Those terminally ill ask more states to legalize physician-assisted deathLawmakers in at least 12 states are debating bills that would legalize physician-assisted death.
Vermont's Goddard College to close after years of declining enrollment and financial struggles
Read full article: Vermont's Goddard College to close after years of declining enrollment and financial strugglesVermont's Goddard College is closing at the end of the semester after years of declining enrollment and financial struggles.
Man arrested for setting fire at Sen. Bernie Sanders' office; motive remains unclear
Read full article: Man arrested for setting fire at Sen. Bernie Sanders' office; motive remains unclearFederal prosecutors say a man has been charged with setting a fire outside the office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in Burlington, Vermont.
The future is now: 16- and 17-year-olds win the right to vote in local elections in a Vermont town
Read full article: The future is now: 16- and 17-year-olds win the right to vote in local elections in a Vermont townSixteen and 17-year-olds in one Vermont town will get to vote in the local elections next week.
'Totally cold' is not too cold for winter swimmers competing in a frozen Vermont lake
Read full article: 'Totally cold' is not too cold for winter swimmers competing in a frozen Vermont lakePlunging into a frozen lake and swimming laps may not be everyone’s good time but it is for some winter swimmers.
A Vermont mom called police to talk to her son about stealing. He ended up handcuffed and sedated
Read full article: A Vermont mom called police to talk to her son about stealing. He ended up handcuffed and sedatedA Vermont mother has filed a lawsuit alleging that police used excessive force and discriminated against her unarmed Black son with behavioral and intellectual disabilities.
Small farmers hit by extreme weather could get assistance from proposed insurance program
Read full article: Small farmers hit by extreme weather could get assistance from proposed insurance programSince catastrophic flooding hit Vermont in July and upended plantings, some farmers are trying to figure out how to get to the next season.
Walgreens to pay $275,000 to settle allegations in Vermont about service during pandemic
Read full article: Walgreens to pay $275,000 to settle allegations in Vermont about service during pandemicWalgreens has agreed to pay $275,000 to settle allegations about service in some of the national pharmacy chain's Vermont stores during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ben & Jerry's and Vermont scoop shop employees reach contract agreement
Read full article: Ben & Jerry's and Vermont scoop shop employees reach contract agreementIce cream maker Ben & Jerry’s has reached its first contract agreement with workers at a retail shop in the Vermont city where the company was founded after the employees petitioned to unionize last year.
State trooper plunges into icy Vermont pond to save 8-year-old girl
Read full article: State trooper plunges into icy Vermont pond to save 8-year-old girlA Vermont state trooper is being praised for plunging into a frigid pond and saving the life of an 8-year-old girl who had fallen through the ice while playing with siblings.
Terminally ill Connecticut woman ends her life on her own terms, in Vermont
Read full article: Terminally ill Connecticut woman ends her life on her own terms, in VermontA Connecticut woman who pushed for expanded access to Vermont’s law that allows people who are terminally ill to end their lives has died in Vermont.
Deadly storm batters Northeastern US, knocking out power, grounding flights and flooding roads
Read full article: Deadly storm batters Northeastern US, knocking out power, grounding flights and flooding roadsA storm barreling through the Northeastern U.S. has flooded roads and downed trees, knocked out power to hundreds of thousands, forced flight cancellations and school closures, and killed at least four people.
Snowfall, rain and gusty winds hit Northeast as Tennessee recovers from deadly tornadoes
Read full article: Snowfall, rain and gusty winds hit Northeast as Tennessee recovers from deadly tornadoesA combination of heavy rain, snow, and wind is bringing threats of flooding and power outages to the Northeast.
Heavy snowfall drops tree branches onto power lines, causing outages in New England
Read full article: Heavy snowfall drops tree branches onto power lines, causing outages in New EnglandA storm is dropping a mix of rain and snow on parts of New England, with some locations recording more than a half-foot of snow to start the week.
Was the Vermont shooting of 3 men of Palestinian descent a hate crime? Under state law it might be
Read full article: Was the Vermont shooting of 3 men of Palestinian descent a hate crime? Under state law it might beAuthorities in Vermont are weighing whether the shooting of three college students of Palestinian descent over the weekend was a hate crime.
Suspect in shooting of 3 men of Palestinian descent near the University of Vermont pleads not guilty
Read full article: Suspect in shooting of 3 men of Palestinian descent near the University of Vermont pleads not guiltyA man pleaded not guilty to attempted murder Monday in the weekend shooting of three college students of Palestinian descent in Vermont.
Vermont police release sketch of a person of interest in the killing of a retired college dean
Read full article: Vermont police release sketch of a person of interest in the killing of a retired college deanVermont State Police have released a sketch of a person of interest in the killing of a retired college dean who was shot dead last week while walking on her favorite trail near the Vermont State University campus.
Leaf-peeping social media users are clogging a Vermont back road. The town is closing it
Read full article: Leaf-peeping social media users are clogging a Vermont back road. The town is closing itSocial media users take note: You'll no longer be able to snap that fall foliage selfie in your autumn attire at one popular Vermont spot.
Robbery suspect who eluded capture in a vehicle, on a bike and a sailboat arrested, police say
Read full article: Robbery suspect who eluded capture in a vehicle, on a bike and a sailboat arrested, police sayAuthorities say a Vermont armed robbery suspect who eluded capture in the past week in a vehicle, on a stolen bike, on foot and in a stolen sailboat has been arrested after he was spotted in a kayak on a river.
Artist loses bid to remove panels covering anti-slavery murals at Vermont school
Read full article: Artist loses bid to remove panels covering anti-slavery murals at Vermont schoolAn artist has lost his appeal to remove fabric panels covering his murals at a Vermont law school that were intended to honor African Americans and abolitionists involved in the Underground Railroad.
Books banned in other states fuel Vermont lieutenant governor's reading tour
Read full article: Books banned in other states fuel Vermont lieutenant governor's reading tourAs some states ban or restrict certain books in schools and libraries, Vermont’s lieutenant governor is on a statewide banned book reading tour, highlighting what he calls the importance of representation, free speech, open dialogue and exchange of ideas.
Rising flood risks threaten many water and sewage treatment plants across the US
Read full article: Rising flood risks threaten many water and sewage treatment plants across the USAcross the U.S., municipal water systems and sewage treatment plants are at increasing risk of damage from floods and sea-level rise brought on in part or even wholly by climate change.
US east cleans up after deadly storms as New England braces for flooding
Read full article: US east cleans up after deadly storms as New England braces for floodingCrews across the eastern U.S. are working to clear downed trees and power lines and restore electricity following severe storms that killed at least two people, cut power hundreds of thousands, and forced thousands of flight delays and cancellations.
Vermont’s flood-wracked capital city ponders a rebuild with one eye on climate change
Read full article: Vermont’s flood-wracked capital city ponders a rebuild with one eye on climate changeA beloved bookstore in Vermont’s small capital city moved across the street to a new spot farther from the Winooski River after an ice jam sent river water into the store in 1992.
Relentless rain causes floods in Northeast, prompts rescues and swamps Vermont's capital
Read full article: Relentless rain causes floods in Northeast, prompts rescues and swamps Vermont's capitalHeavy rain has washed out roads and forced evacuations in the Northeast, especially in Vermont and New York.
Vermont governor signs 1st-in-nation shield bills that explicitly include medicated abortion
Read full article: Vermont governor signs 1st-in-nation shield bills that explicitly include medicated abortionVermont’s Republican governor has signed abortion and gender affirming shield bills into law that are the first in the country to explicitly include protecting access to a medication widely used in abortions even if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration withdraws its approval of the pill, mifepristone.
Sanders praises shop workers, Ben & Jerry's on union effort
Read full article: Sanders praises shop workers, Ben & Jerry's on union effortWorkers seeking to unionize at a Ben & Jerry’s retail shop in the city where the ice cream brand was founded announced Friday that the company has signed the fair election principals.
Vermont bishop testifies against clergy reporting bill
Read full article: Vermont bishop testifies against clergy reporting billVermont's leading Roman Catholic bishop testified Friday against a bill that would remove an exemption to the state’s child abuse and neglect reporting laws for members of the clergy.
Northern border immigrant death highlights crossing spike
Read full article: Northern border immigrant death highlights crossing spikeOfficials say the death of a Mexican immigrant who had just entered the United States from Canada illegally is highlighting a spike in illegal crossings along the border between Quebec, Vermont and parts of upstate New York.
Disney cuts Simpsons 'forced labor' episode in Hong Kong
Read full article: Disney cuts Simpsons 'forced labor' episode in Hong KongWalt Disney Co. has removed from its streaming service in Hong Kong an episode from its cartoon series The Simpsons that includes a reference to “forced labor camps” in China.
Federal appeals court hears case of hidden murals
Read full article: Federal appeals court hears case of hidden muralsA federal appeals court in New York is considering whether the Vermont Law and Graduate School modified a pair of large murals when it concealed them behind a wall of panels nearly 30 years later against the artist’s wishes.
Woman sues over residency requirement for assisted suicide
Read full article: Woman sues over residency requirement for assisted suicideA Connecticut woman with cancer is suing Vermont for allowing only its own residents to take advantage of a state law that lets people who are terminally ill end their own lives.
Takeaways: Trump tightens grip on GOP, narrow Squad victory
Read full article: Takeaways: Trump tightens grip on GOP, narrow Squad victoryAfter an uneven start, Donald Trump’s tour of revenge ousted Republican members of Congress, unleashed an army of Trump-backed “America First” candidates to beat back the establishment and strengthened his grip on the party.
Omar ekes out House primary win over centrist in Minnesota
Read full article: Omar ekes out House primary win over centrist in MinnesotaRep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota won a closer-than-expected Democratic primary race against a centrist challenger who questioned Omar's support for the “defund the police” movement.
Chicken hitches ride, ends up in Vermont’s largest city
Read full article: Chicken hitches ride, ends up in Vermont’s largest cityA Vermont family’s chicken is back home after hitching a ride last month in the undercarriage of their pickup truck and ending up 13 miles away in the state’s largest city.
Even as COVID cases rise, mask mandates stay shelved
Read full article: Even as COVID cases rise, mask mandates stay shelvedAs mask mandates and vaccination rules kept falling across the U.S., infections from the latest COVID variants have been quietly taking hold in some places, sparking concern among public health officials but stirring a muted response from pretty much everyone else.
Legislator dies using medical suicide law he helped pass
Read full article: Legislator dies using medical suicide law he helped passThe wife of a former Vermont legislator and House majority leader says he has died with the help of a law he himself helped pass that allows the terminally ill to end their own lives.
Kyle Richards and Betsy Brandt talk new holiday film ‘Housewives of the North Pole’
Read full article: Kyle Richards and Betsy Brandt talk new holiday film ‘Housewives of the North Pole’The Christmas Queens of North Pole, Vermont, Trish and Diana have won the Best Holiday House decorating competition every year for the past nine years.
COVID cases spike even as US hits 200M vaccine milestone
Read full article: COVID cases spike even as US hits 200M vaccine milestoneThe U.S. has reached a COVID-19 milestone of 200 million fully vaccinated people, but cases and hospitalizations are still spiking, even in highly immunized pockets of the country like New England.
Hail, Mary! High school's halftime show is a drag pageant
Read full article: Hail, Mary! High school's halftime show is a drag pageantA Vermont high school homecoming football game turned into a “drag ball” runway at halftime with a mix of students and faculty members parading in gowns, wigs and makeup, and a big crowd in rainbow colors.
Virus surge hits New England despite high vaccination rates
Read full article: Virus surge hits New England despite high vaccination ratesDespite having some of the highest vaccination rates in the country, the six New England states are still grappling with effects of the delta surge in cases and the strains on the health care system caused by rapidly increasing COVID-19 case counts and more hospitalizations and deaths.
Biden nominates first LGBT woman to federal circuit court
Read full article: Biden nominates first LGBT woman to federal circuit courtPresident Joe Biden is nominating a Vermont judge who played a critical role in paving the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage to become the first openly LGBT woman to serve on any federal circuit court.
U.S. Passport Agency ends walk-in service at Vermont office
Read full article: U.S. Passport Agency ends walk-in service at Vermont officeThe U.S. Passport Agency has ended its no appointment walk-in service at its Vermont's office after it was overwhelmed by people seeking documents for overseas travel.
'Congress should act,' Biden tells lawmakers near and far
Read full article: 'Congress should act,' Biden tells lawmakers near and farThe roar of applause that typically greets a new president entering the House chamber softened to just a few hundred hands clapping as Joe Biden arrived to deliver his first joint address to Congress.
‘Cool but weird.’ Macy’s store transformed into school
Read full article: ‘Cool but weird.’ Macy’s store transformed into schoolStudents commute between classes at Downtown Burlington High School, Monday, March 22, 2021, in Burlington, Vt. Students who once shopped at a downtown mall are now attending high school in the mall's former Macy's department store, taking escalators to and from classes. The existing Burlington High School was closed last August after PCBs were found in the building. The Downtown Burlington High School opened March 4, about six months after school administrators closed the existing school, just under 2 miles away, because toxic industrial chemicals known as PCBs were found in the building and soil during renovations. As school officials looked for space where students could attend school in-person, they eventually eyed the empty department store, which closed in 2018. “It's weird but cool at the same time,” said freshman Moses Doe, 15, who said he and his family shopped plenty at Macy's before it became his school.
Phish guitarist to found substance abuse treatment center
Read full article: Phish guitarist to found substance abuse treatment centerTrey Anastasio of Phish performs at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on Friday, June 14, 2019, in Manchester, Tenn. Anastasio plans to start a substance use disorder treatment center in Vermont, where the band was formed in 1983. Anastasio, who is now 14 years sober, announced Thursday, March 4, 2021 that his Divided Sky Foundation has purchased a building for the nonprofit center in Ludlow. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)LUDLOW, Vt. – Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio plans to start a substance use disorder treatment center in Vermont, where the band was formed in 1983. Anastasio, who is now 14 years sober, announced Thursday that his Divided Sky Foundation has purchased a building for the nonprofit center in Ludlow. The center has not yet been named and will be managed by Ascension Recovery Services, according to his website.
Creator of ‘Bernie’ mittens partners with teddy bear maker
Read full article: Creator of ‘Bernie’ mittens partners with teddy bear makerFILE - In this Jan. 20, 2021 file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., wears mittens as he attends President Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. AdSanders raised at least $1.8 million in merchandise for charities stemming from the Jan. 20 image of him seated with his arms and legs crossed, clad in his brown parka and the recycled wool mittens. Vermont Teddy Bear, which makes handcrafted bears for all occasions, including a Bernie one, reached out to Ellis to see if she'd be interested in partnering. AdIn the past, Vermont Teddy Bear has made special bears to raise money for Make-A-Wish Vermont, and recently gave office space to the organization for $1 a year, said James Hathaway, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Vermont. “We are so grateful to Vermont Teddy Bear, Jen, and of course to Bernie for being so Bernie,” Hathaway said in a statement.
Bernie Sanders’ mittens, memes help raise $1.8M for charity
Read full article: Bernie Sanders’ mittens, memes help raise $1.8M for charityVermont Senator Bernie Sanders arrives for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP)About those wooly mittens that U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders wore to the presidential inauguration, sparking endless quirky memes across social media? They've helped to raise $1.8 million in the last five days for charitable organizations in Sanders' home state of Vermont, the independent senator announced Wednesday. The sum comes from the sale of merchandise with the Jan. 20 image of him sitting with his arms and legs crossed, clad in his brown parka and recycled wool mittens. Sanders put the first of the so-called "Chairman Sanders” merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers, on his campaign website Thursday night and the first run sold out in less than 30 minutes, he said.
Bernie Sanders spawns splash of memes with inaugural attire
Read full article: Bernie Sanders spawns splash of memes with inaugural attireVermont Senator Bernie Sanders arrives for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. And that’s what I did today,” Sanders told CBS on Wednesday. People were particularly enthralled with Sanders’ mittens, which were made by a Vermont elementary school teacher who has a side business making mittens out of recycled wool. “I love it that he loves them, and that he wears them,” Jen Ellis, an elementary school teacher, told NECN-TV. Ryan Leclerc, a hard goods buyer for Onion River Sports in Montpelier, Vermont, said Sanders is more about substance than style.
Bernie bobblehead inspired by Inauguration Day meme available for pre-order
Read full article: Bernie bobblehead inspired by Inauguration Day meme available for pre-order(Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)Jokesters quickly got to work on a hilarious new gag gift inspired by Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders made waves on social media Wednesday as he became the new target for several memes online after trending for his Inauguration Day appearance. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum announced hours after the inauguration that a Bernie-inspired bobblehead would be included in its political lineup celebrating the new presidency. According to the store website, the bobblehead commemorating the Vermont senator’s viral Inauguration Day meme is high quality and produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum and will be individually numbered. The last-minute addition of Sanders is currently available online for pre-order and expected to ship in May.
Bernie Sanders’ viral mittens were crafted by a Vermont elementary school teacher
Read full article: Bernie Sanders’ viral mittens were crafted by a Vermont elementary school teacherWhile most attendees dressed in formal winter fashion, Sanders sported a more casual look complemented with fleece-lined mittens. According to NBC Boston, the mittens that have become a part of several viral memes were made by Jen Ellis, an elementary school teacher whose daughter went to a child care center owned by a relative of Sanders. “I love it that he loves them, and that he wears them,” Ellis said according to NBC Boston. “The fact that these mittens, which were made from recycled and repurposed materials, made it to the national stage is really a shoutout to Vermont,” Ellis said. “I’m really proud that he took them to D.C. and that he was there for this historic moment.”
Dog and goat serving as mayor raise money for a playground
Read full article: Dog and goat serving as mayor raise money for a playgroundIn this Jan. 24, 2020 file photo, Lincoln, a Nubian goat, stands in her pen in Fair Haven, Vt. A goat and a dog who were each elected mayor of a Vermont town have helped raise money to renovate a community playground. The Fair Haven town manager came up with the oddball idea of pet mayor elections to raise money and to help get local kids civically involved. (AP Photo/Lisa Rathke)FAIR HAVEN, Vt. – A goat and a dog who were each elected mayor have helped raise money to renovate a Vermont community playground. The oddball idea of pet mayor elections to raise money to rehabilitate the playground and to help get local kids civically involved came from a local town manager. Murfee’s owner, Linda Barker, said that when she was talked into having Murfee get involved in politics, she thought it would be easy to raise money through T-shirts.
Doggie desserts: Ben & Jerry’s enters the pet food business
Read full article: Doggie desserts: Ben & Jerry’s enters the pet food businessThis photo provided by Ben & Jerry’s shows Ben & Jerry’s dog treats. (Ben & Jerry’s via AP)Ben & Jerry’s isn’t just for people anymore. Doggie Desserts, sold in 4-ounce cups, go on sale in U.S. groceries and pet stores later this month. The treats are made with a base of sunflower butter, the same same ingredient Ben & Jerry’s uses in its non-dairy human desserts. Ben & Jerry’s is the latest food company to pivot to pets, joining Smucker’s and General Mills.
US colleges mull new virus protocols for students’ return
Read full article: US colleges mull new virus protocols for students’ returnAs coronavirus cases are surging around the U.S., some colleges and universities are rethinking some of their plans for next semester. By November, a total of 76 of the roughly 1,400 students on campus had tested positive, the school said. When students come back for the spring semester, St. Michael’s will begin testing them weekly. Schools that are bringing students back are adjusting testing protocols, introducing new screenings, and eliminating spring breaks to discourage students from traveling to help keep campuses open. In the spring semester, Colby College in Maine wants to add some rapid antigen tests to twice-weekly tests for students, faculty and staff.
Willie Nelson 2020? 4 people in Vermont had ‘high’ hopes that would be the case
Read full article: Willie Nelson 2020? 4 people in Vermont had ‘high’ hopes that would be the caseA handful of people in Vermont embraced their inner Texans for the 2020 election and chose to write in one of the most notable Texas-born country singers, Willie Nelson. According to the Vermont election results, four people wrote in Nelson as their would-be presidential candidate. Of all the votes, 242,820 (or about 65%) went to Joe Biden and 112,704 (or about 30%) went to President Donald Trump. The remaining votes went to libertarian, green and independent candidates, as well as a variety of write-ins. According to NBC, Joe Biden is the president-elect with 306 electoral votes and 51% of the popular vote.
ICE settles lawsuit filed by immigrant activists in Vermont
Read full article: ICE settles lawsuit filed by immigrant activists in VermontAs part of the settlement in the lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, ICE will also pay $100,000 to be split among the three activists and Migrant Justice, an advocacy group representing immigrant farmworkers in Vermont. “ICE tried to terrorize us by going after our leaders,” said plaintiff Victor Diaz, a member of Migrant Justice, at a rally outside the federal courthouse on Wednesday. Afterward, Thelma Gomez, of Migrant Justice, said what happened was a clear example of what happens when the people rise up to defend their rights. Before the arrest, she said, ICE tried to enter her email account and used a confidential informant to spy on the group’s members and gather information about them. At the time of the settlement, the agency commissioner said she was pleased her department was able to work with Migrant Justice on an agreement.
Some gardeners in a pickle over scarce canning supplies
Read full article: Some gardeners in a pickle over scarce canning suppliesMARSHFIELD, Vt. Its the time of year when gardeners are turning their ripe tomatoes into sauces and salsas and cucumbers into pickles. Theyve gone from store to store and some have given in to paying higher prices online for certain precious so-called canning supplies. We have been everywhere, said Vanessa Ware of Hurricane, West Virginia, who said she went to at least a half-dozen stores after running out of supplies for her tomatoes, peppers, corn and sauerkraut canning. Ware, in West Virginia, was finally able to find some bands for her canning. ____AP reporter John Raby contributed to this report from Charleston, West Virginia.