Lockdown forces Christmas tree farms to modify operations
Vermont’s response to the coronavirus is forcing holiday-focused businesses to modify their operations, but tree farms are doing everything they can to keep the spirit of Christmas alive.
Covid crisis opportunity to create long-term change, Dems say at caucus
The Covid-19 crisis is an opportunity to accomplish longterm economic development and legislative goals, Vermont Democratic lawmakers said in a Dec. 5 caucus meeting.
Pandemic regulations closed 32% of Michigan businesses, almost as many Vermont businesses
Pandemic restrictions forced 32% of Michigan businesses to close at least temporarily, the most of all 50 states in the nation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes Michigan was followed closely by Pennsylvania (30%); Washington (27%); Vermont, Hawaii and New York (26%).
Fed up with tech platforms’ censorship? Here are 3 free speech upstarts
Traditional social media networks are experiencing a backlash from users as they continue to “cancel” conservative views. As a result, alternative “free speech” social media providers such as MeWe and Parler are seeing a surge of new users to their platforms.
Opinion: More lockdowns aren’t answer to stopping COVID-19
As infections increase during the “second wave” of the coronavirus, too many politicians are knee-jerking to reimpose harsh restrictions such as business shutdowns, curfews, and home confinements.
Auditor: State-funded ‘job incentives’ go to Chittenden County businesses that would not have left Vermont
At least three-quarters of the businesses taking government employment incentive money to stay in Vermont would not have left the state regardless, a study by Vermont Auditor Doug Hoffer concludes.
Vermont Police Coalition responds to Burlington Police personnel shortages
As the Burlington Police Department mulls cutting its night shift, leaving residents to seek out state police during late hours, the head of the Vermont Police Coalition says City Council was too hasty in its decision to cut police personnel earlier in the year.
Hospital defends abortionist who pressured pro-life nurse
The University of Vermont Medical Center continues to defend an abortion provider who forced a pro-life nurse to participate in an abortion in 2018.
Bed and breakfast owner says governor’s alarming virus talk prompted them to close again
A bed and breakfast owner says his business recently closed down for the second time this year, not because of new government mandates, but because of the information shared during the governor’s twice-a-week coronavirus press conferences.
Shelburne property taxes: $600,000 of $11 million unpaid
November property tax payments in Shelburne are running behind last year’s — to no one’s surprise. Town officials had prepared earlier this year for a loss of some tax payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘I didn’t know I had it’: Elderly 107-year-old woman defeats COVID-19
Dybing tested positive for the virus a week later and sleepiness was her only symptom, KARE11 reported. “Didn’t even know I had it. I didn’t know I had it,” Dybing said, according to KARE11.
Food insecurity doubles in U.S. during coronavirus shutdowns
As 2020 winds down, roughly 23 percent of households in the U.S. are struggling with food insecurity, a number that has doubled since last year.