Weekly Wrap: Full VTDigger election coverage; Infant death leads to xylazine concerns; Deportation looms for Colchester man; Russian lands in Vermont

Vermont's online nonprofit news daily. Please support our reporting. Business & Economy Vermont restaurants may be packed, but Covid still affects staffing by Fred Thys "Just one person being out can affect a lot of business because we're running pretty tight with our staffing," said Cara Tobin, owner of Honey Road in Burlington. Read more... Looking for Vermont Covid-19 data? Visit VTDigger's Covid dashboard, updated on weekdays when new data is available. Health Care Covid levels in Vermont 'low' for 2nd week in a row by Natalie Williams The state's Covid levels returned to "low" last week after two weeks of "medium" levels. Read more... Politics Read all of VTDigger's 2022 election night coverage by VTD Editor See our latest coverage of Vermont congressional, statewide and legislative races, plus state and local ballot measures. Read more... Politics Vermonters vote in the historic 2022 general election by VTD Editor Voting concludes Tuesday in an election that will decide the future of Vermont's congressional representation and could lead to changes to the state constitution. Read more... Politics Every Vermont town gave majority support to reproductive rights amendment by Riley Robinson Town-by-town results for the measure, known as Proposal 5 or Article 22, revealed a broad base of support for the state constitutional amendment, even in conservative areas. Read more... Politics Vermont becomes the 1st state to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution by Lola Duffort Article 22, also known as Proposal 5, will guarantee the right to "personal reproductive autonomy." Poll after poll has shown strong support in Vermont for abortion rights generally as well as for the ballot initiative in question. Read more... Politics Vermont Conversation: The abortion election and male allies by David Goodman Abortion was on the ballot in this week's midterm elections and the results were emphatic: Voters, even in conservative states, want abortion rights over abortion bans. Read more... Politics Vermont voters pass constitutional amendment explicitly prohibiting slavery by Auditi Guha Partial results released Tuesday night by the Secretary of State's Office showed supporters of Proposal 2 outnumbering opponents 82%-11%. Read more... Politics As they celebrate their blowout victories, Welch and Balint remain grimly concerned over the future of American democracy by Sarah Mearhoff The Vermont Democrats won big in Tuesday's midterms for the U.S. Senate and House. But their election night celebrations were tinged by an underlying fear for the future of the GOP and American democracy. Read more... Politics Peter Welch emerges victorious in Vermont's US Senate election by Sarah Mearhoff U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., has been elected to succeed longtime U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., whose term concludes in January. Read more... Politics Becca Balint becomes 1st woman to represent Vermont in Congress by Sarah Mearhoff Balint's win brings Vermont in line with the rest of the nation. Until Tuesday, Vermont was the only state that had never elected a woman to its congressional delegation. Read more... Politics Phil Scott won reelection by his widest margin yet by Sarah Mearhoff In securing his fourth term, the popular incumbent governor outperformed his Democratic opponent Brenda Siegel in every Vermont city and town. Read more... Politics Republican Phil Scott coasts to 4th term as governor of Vermont by Lola Duffort The popular incumbent defeated Democrat Brenda Siegel, who is best known for her activism around housing and the opioid epidemic. Read more... Politics How Democrats secured a historic majority in the Vermont House by Lola Duffort Democrats have never held this many seats in the lower chamber, and no single party has controlled this many districts in the chamber since 1966, according to state records. Read more... Politics Democrats and Progressives regain veto-proof majority in the Vermont House by Juliet Schulman-Hall The parties need a combined 100 seats to win a supermajority in the House — and reliably override vetoes. Republicans have been aiming to secure 51 seats so they can sustain vetoes. Read more... Politics Democrats and Progressives hold their 23-seat supermajority in the Vermont Senate by Ethan Weinstein Republicans needed to flip four districts to dismantle the Democrats' veto-proof majority, but uncertified results indicated they failed to do so. The GOP picked up a seat in Rutland County but lost competitive races in Orange and Chittenden counties. Read more... Politics David Zuckerman wins a 2nd round as lieutenant governor by Sarah Mearhoff The Progressive/Democrat held the same office for two terms before vacating the seat in 2020 to run for governor. Read more... Politics Mike Pieciak elected Vermont's next treasurer by Lola Duffort Pieciak is set to become the first openly LGBTQ+ person to lead the office, which oversees the state's investments, manages its debt and cash flow, issues bonds and administers three public pension systems. Read more... Politics Sarah Copeland Hanzas wins race to become Vermont's next secretary of state by Peter D'Auria The longtime Democratic lawmaker defeated perennial Republican candidate H. Brooke Paige. Read more... Politics Charity Clark wins race to become Vermont's attorney general by Peter D'Auria Clark defeated first-time Republican candidate Mike Tagliavia to become the first woman elected attorney general in Vermont. Read more... Politics Nearly 170,000 early ballots cast in Vermont's general election by Mike Dougherty This year's early voting tally is more than half of the total votes cast during the last midterm election in 2018. Voting is set to conclude when polls close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Read more... Politics Katherine Sims defeats Vicki Strong in House race that pit 2 incumbents against each other by Juliet Schulman-Hall Sims, a Democrat, is now set to be the sole representative for the redrawn Orleans-4 district, which includes Albany, Craftsbury, Greensboro and Glover. Read more... Politics Mark MacDonald defends Orange County Senate seat from challenge by John Klar by Ethan Weinstein The Democratic incumbent had been off the campaign trail for the last month after suffering a stroke. His Republican opponent ran an aggressive, highly visible digital campaign focusing on the clean heat standard and cultural issues popular among national Republicans. Read more... Politics Franklin County elects a sheriff who is facing a criminal charge by Juliet Schulman-Hall John Grismore, who was fired from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in August after kicking a man in custody, fended off two write-in bids in Tuesday's election, according to unofficial results. Read more... Politics Franklin County sheriff results remain unclear; 2 incumbents ousted in Windsor, Orange counties by Juliet Schulman-Hall Two write-in candidates challenged John Grismore, the former deputy fired from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in August after kicking a man in custody. Read more... Crime and Justice Sheriff candidates ride in on reform, unseat incumbents in Windsor, Orange counties by Valley News Both Ryan Palmer and George Contois were previously Republicans who ran this year as Democrats. They ousted Republican incumbents who had not been challenged in decades. Read more... Politics Burlington voters overwhelmingly approve $165 million bond for a new high school by Patrick Crowley According to unofficial results from the city's eight wards, 76% of voters approved a ballot measure to borrow for the construction of a new high school. The old building was closed after the discovery of PCB contamination. Read more... Politics Chittenden County voters approve $22 million bond for a new recycling facility by Auditi Guha According to uncertified results submitted by town clerks to the Chittenden Solid Waste District, 82% of voters supported the measure. Read more... Politics Chittenden County weighs $22 million recycling center bond, but ballots have been hard to come by by Auditi Guha Though Vermont has embraced universal mail-in balloting for some elections, waste districts are not included. Chittenden Solid Waste District officials are hoping voters will show up in person on Tuesday to vote for a new recycling center. Read more... Politics Road rage: After losing its road crew, Chelsea may lose its Selectboard by Dominic Minadeo Simmering disagreements between board members and 29-year road commissioner Rick Ackerman boiled over this week, with resignations on both sides and a public meeting devolving into a "shouting match." Read more... Business & Economy By a narrow margin, Vermont State Employees Credit Union members approve a merger by Fred Thys Opponents argued that joining with New England Federal Credit Union would bring an end to VSECU's historical vision. Read more... People & Places 'A death sentence': Deportation looms for Ugandan refugee living in Colchester by Shaun Robinson Steven Tendo, a son of Ugandan royalty, said he was brutally tortured after drawing the ire of his country's government. Now living in an apartment in Colchester, he could soon face deportation. Read more... Crime and Justice Attorneys agree Pownal man charged in slashing death is not competent to stand trial by Tiffany Tan The finding came after two psychologists evaluated Darren Pronto, 34, who is accused of killing Emily Hamman, 26, during broad daylight in downtown Bennington. Read more... Crime and Justice State police identify man killed in targeted shooting that preceded car crash in Rutland by Alan J. Keays A 26-year-old man from Brooklyn, New York, was killed after he was shot and then crashed his vehicle, according to a press release from state police Tuesday evening. Read more... Uncategorized Police investigating man's death in Rutland following shooting, car crash by VTD Editor State and city emergency personnel were at an "active scene" in the area of State Street Monday night. Read more... Crime and Justice Former Springfield cop's police certification permanently revoked by Ethan Weinstein The Vermont Criminal Justice Council voted unanimously to permanently decertify Anthony Moriglioni, who resigned from the Springfield Police Department in January. The council said its decision was based on two separate instances of misconduct. Read more... Crime and Justice Groups allege corrections department fails to meet requirements for treating hepatitis C patients in custody by Alan J. Keays "It's disappointing that it has come to this," attorney Suzanne Davies of Harvard Law School's Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation said Wednesday. Read more... Energy & Environment Court rejects BlackRock's appeal to dismiss in Wheeler Park development case by Auditi Guha A new court ruling spells hope for a group of neighbors opposed to a proposed housing project in South Burlington. Read more... Education Brattleboro Union High School fires principal without explanation by Kevin O'Connor Windham Southeast School District leaders dismissed Steve Perrin seven months after placing him on paid leave from his $120,000-a-year position. Read more... People & Places 'I am alive': Russian photojournalist Dmitri Beliakov lands in Vermont by David Moats The 52-year-old war correspondent has covered conflicts in Chechnya, Syria and Georgia for the world's most prominent news outlets. As Russia invaded Ukraine this year, he made the wrenching decision to leave his homeland — and ended up in Rutland County. Read more... Politics Back from Ukraine, Peter Galbraith has more questions than answers by Kevin O'Connor "We're dealing with a 19th- or 20th-century issue — one country invading another," said Galbraith, a former U.S. ambassador and United Nations envoy from Windham County. "As a result, we're not addressing many of the other challenges we face on the planet." Read more... Business & Economy GlobalFoundries cuts costs in anticipation of declining demand for semiconductors by Fred Thys The company, which owns a large plant in Essex Junction, says it is paying close attention to uncertain economic conditions. Read more... Business & Economy Vermont's archery season deer harvest is on pace with record, and game processors are struggling to keep up by Dominic Minadeo Wild game processors point to changes in hunting regulations for the spike, but state officials are skeptical. Read more... Health Care Concerns grow over xylazine-laced opioids after infant death in May by Tiffany Tan From January to July 2022, xylazine was involved in 38 of 126 opioid overdose deaths among state residents, according to the Vermont Department of Health. That is more than double the rate for the same period last year, and reflects a steady rise since 2020. Read more... People & Places 'Shelters aren't the answer': New COTS director seeks lasting solutions on homelessness by Patrick Crowley Jonathan Farrell will take over as executive director this month at the Burlington-based agency following the retirement of longtime director Rita Markley. Read more... People & Places State seeks ideas for keeping large trucks out of Smugglers Notch at local meeting by Dominic Minadeo Seth Jensen, deputy director of the Lamoille County Planning Commission, said this project is solely focused on deterring big trucks from using the Notch road, rather than adjusting the roadway to allow them to get through. Read more... Health Care Nurses union has new contract with Springfield Hospital by Valley News The contract, which will run through September 2025, includes language recognizing the hospital's obligation to honor a staffing grid it submits to the state; safety and health provisions; and improvements to critical need and other specialty pay. Read more... Inside VTDigger VTDigger names Paul Heintz editor-in-chief, Maggie Cassidy managing editor by VTD Editor The two will lead Vermont's largest newsroom, which includes 24 reporters, photographers and editors. The moves are part of a leadership transition that began in May, when VTDigger founder Anne Galloway stepped back from her roles as executive director and editor-in-chief. Read more... People & Places PHOTOS: Dozens gather in Burlington to commemorate Veterans Day by Glenn Russell Several attendees wore faux poppies pinned to their clothes, part of a fundraiser for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Read more... Health Care Bill Schubart: Vermont needs a new model for its health care system by Bill Schubart Education, prevention and serious regulation of pharma and the chemical and industrial food industries — that's the only way to reduce the chronic diseases that drive so much health care expense now. Read more... Education 77 Questions: A student's view of Vermont's flexible pathways by Underground Workshop The Underground Workshop's collaborative reporting project for this school year will collect students' experiences of Act 77: flexible pathways and proficiency-based learning. Read more... People & Places Young Writers Project: The new girl by VTD Editor This week's Young Writers Project entry is 'The new girl" by Penelope Zygarowski, 15, of Burlington. Accompanying illustration is by Ally Leduc of South Burlington. Read more...   [News Briefs] Burlington City Council approves new racial equity director Kim Carson gained final approval to become Burlington's next head of racial equity, inclusion and belonging on Monday night. The City Council vote was unanimous. "Kim has charisma," said Ali Dieng, I-Ward 7. "She also has the professional experience and the know-how that will heavily invest in the much needed work to rebuild the REIB […]   Read more Sentencing delayed again for ex-St. Albans police officer in assault case A sentencing hearing for a former St. Albans police officer who faces potential jail time for punching a handcuffed woman in the face has been delayed for the second time in about a month. The hearing for Jason Lawton had initially been set in Franklin County Superior criminal court in St. Albans for Sept. 28, […]   Read more Woman dead almost 2 weeks after Sheldon car crash An 80-year-old woman died Friday, almost two weeks after being critically injured in a car accident in Sheldon, police said. Police said Joyce Weld died "due to the extent of the injuries sustained during the crash." Weld was a passenger in a two-car crash on Oct. 24. She was wearing a seatbelt, sustained serious injuries […]   Read more   [Obituaries] Benjamin R. Naylor, Korean War veteran, researcher, school board chair, grandfather As a specialty food pioneer, Ben spearheaded and then led the Vermont Specialty Food Association for several years.   Read more Olive H. Frost, lifelong Putney resident, Putney Fire Department Auxiliary starting member, great-grandmother Olive was a member of Putney Federated Church, the VFW in Brattleboro, and was a starting member of the Putney Fire Department Auxiliary.   Read more   [Commentary] Dan Smith: Vermont needs a better path to build its future The flight of human and financial capital, challenges to core industries, and the declining prospects of those without a college degree have disempowered many across the state once able to draw dignity and status from work that was tied to place and community. Patrick Flood: An affordable health care system for a healthier Vermont  Vermont will never achieve rational cost control, universal access and better health for its population until our reform efforts shift dramatically to focus on primary care, prevention and other health-related community services. Tom Koch: Was democracy really on this year's ballot? Once the votes are accurately counted, it is critically important that all of us accept the results. The survival of democracy depends on that acceptance. John Killacky: Vermont discovers lost legacy of composer Julius Eastman Julius Eastman, the fierce, Black, gay iconoclast, consigned to oblivion in his day, is finally being celebrated for his musical genius and the sheer audacity of his compositions. Elijah Hawkes: The Locker Room: improving school facilities with solidarity in mind Locker rooms are just one of many areas where facilities need to catch up with current expectations and norms. Many locker rooms haven't even caught up to the norms of past decades. Carter Neubieser: On public safety, we need to discuss addiction, not politics The politicization of how we best build a public safety system for all residents has caused confusion on where to get unbiased data and has prevented civil conversation. Rep. Mark Higley: Deadline almost here for new climate action rules Where will Vermont's electric companies get reliable power, considering the mandates, and what of the cost to consumers? With electric vehicles, how will we deal with the reduction of revenue from our fuel tax? Jim Hurt: It's the economy again. Carbon dioxide removal is good for jobs and profits Instead of closing coal, gas or wood plants due to age, carbon dioxide and competition from solar and wind, they can be turned into utility-scale, fully renewable power and storage stations that make clean watts, green hydrogen and synthetic fuels. Peter Berger: Edward, Ben, and what they saw for the future Hitler explained that big lies like Trump's work because decent, ordinary people can't believe anyone would lie so outrageously. You've been deceived and used by people you trust. Duane Sherwood: Step away from the label, and nobody gets hurt There is more to politics than political labels and sweeping generalities. If our politicians cannot break the gridlock of labels, then I fear our divided house will not stand. Michael Shank: On social media, Vermonters pan Gov. Phil Scott It's beyond clear that Scott is failing working-age Vermonters on all fronts and in all the ways mentioned here. It's past time for a change. Narain Batra: Big lies may have big consequences What role did major news media organizations such as Fox Corp. play in the 2020 presidential elections in diminishing voters' trust in the electoral system and, consequently, people's faith in democracy? Dan DeWalt: Stories in history don't tell themselves. Whose stories are we telling? If we care about living up to our ideals of freedom, equality and equal opportunity, then we had better start braving the facts as they are, not as how we'd wish them to be. Deborah Steinerman: Echoes of the Holocaust are felt to this day Antisemitic Incidents reached an all-time high of 2,717 in the United States last year, a 34 percent increase from the prior year, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Susan Culp: There goes Vermont, wasting taxpayer money again After getting $5 million in taxpayer money for renovations, Becket/VPI will also be contracting with the state to operate this facility for six individuals for approximately $3.9 million per year. That translates to $1,774 per bed per night every single day, whether it's occupied or not. Ron Pulcer: Vermont's had a single U.S. House district since 1933 The single district represents the same geographic area and constituency as do the Vermont seats in the U.S. Senate. Hence, the lone Vermont House Representative should represent "everyone in Vermont." Kristian Connolly: Really, whose land was it that was 'saved'? The American settler colonial project has been able to fashion stories, justifications and conclusions that have either ignored American Indians in its falsified history, or been told to the detriment of Indigenous peoples. Robin Zabiegalski: Vermont offers excellent trans health care, unless you're fat I've lost and regained more than 50 pounds several times in my life due to eating disorders. The only way I was ever able to stay thin was through starvation and compulsive exercise. When I finally got treatment for anorexia and exercise bulimia, I got fat, and I've stayed fat. Elayne Clift: Justice Jackson has arrived at the Supreme Court at a critical time Women in vast numbers through the ages have had enough. They are tired of being silenced, rendered invisible, and metaphorically burned at the stake. They've had enough of being told to calm down. Grace Oedel: Care, justice for farmworkers are critical for agricultural economy  How will we ensure that the future will be just — and fed? How will we stand for both farmers and farm workers for our state to be a place where agriculture can flourish? Tony O'Meara: The decision in Newbury sends a warning to Vermont towns The Scott administration reneged on its commitment to respect Newbury's local autonomy, and then put the full weight of state resources and taxpayer money to fight our town on behalf of a private company. Dan Castrigano: It's negligence not to have a climate plan for Burlington airport My stance on aviation emissions and the climate emergency is not my opinion. It is what scientists of the world are telling us we must do in order to maintain a habitable planet. It really is that simple. Don Keelan: Is a new home affordable at even $200 per square foot?  Interest rates and costs will eventually come down, and maybe this time, Vermont can do what it should have done a generation ago: build workforce housing. John Orlando: The failure of gun control is evident in the crime statistics Only when real leadership comes to Burlington will the city return to being a place where people want to live and visit.   [About VTDigger]   Our mission is to produce rigorous journalism that explains complex issues, holds the government accountable to the public, and engages Vermonters in the democratic process.  VTDigger is a project of the Vermont Journalism Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mailing address is VTDigger.org | 26 State Street, Suite 8 | Montpelier, VT 05602   Forward this email to a friend Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Copyright © 2022 VTDigger, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? 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