College presents reopening plan at town selectboard meeting
By HENRY GANEY
July 30, 2020
College administrators and health officials met with the Middlebury Town Selectboard on July 28 to share the college’s reopening plan with the community. Residents shared their biggest concerns about the reopening of campus, including the return of students in August, Middlebury’s testing cap...
Legal, financial and language challenges leave Vermont’s migrant workers especially vulnerable during Covid-19 crisis
July 14, 2020
In addition to the Covid-19-related difficulties all Vermonters face — such as finding childcare or struggling to pay rent — migrant farmworkers in the state are encountering additional challenges during the pandemic, according to Vermont Director of Racial Equity Xusana Davis. “[Migra...
Vermont’s legislature takes on police reform
July 14, 2020
Police reform took center stage in the Vermont legislature as lawmakers voted unanimously to approve S.219 on Friday, June 26 before adjourning for six weeks. The bill, which aims to address racial bias and excessive use of force by law enforcement, was first introduced in January but gained new atten...
Burlington City Council Plans to Reduce the City’s Police Officers by 30%
By Florence Wu
July 14, 2020
On June 29, Burlington City Council voted in favor of the Racial Justice Resolution, which defunds the Burlington Police Department (BPD) and aims to increase its transparency and accountability. This resolution is a response to the death of George Floyd and the subsequent protests against systemic racism and police bru...
Democratic gubernatorial debate: Candidates call for systemic change
By Lucy Townend
June 25, 2020
Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, former Vermont Secretary of Education Rebecca Holcombe and attorney Patrick Winburn, the three gubernatorial candidates, discussed issues including re-opening the state, police reform and climate change.
Second Black Lives Matter vigil exceeds first, draws 500 participants
By Nora Peachin
June 15, 2020
“Protests Work!” read the flyer handed out at a vigil in downtown Middlebury last Sunday night. Roughly 500 people gathered at College Park and along Cross Street to denounce police terror against Black communities and bodies.
Protesters gather in Burlington, march to police department
By Becca Amen
June 8, 2020
Protestors called for accountability in cases of Vermont police officers abusing their power and using disproportionate force against Black people.
Community gathers at vigil for George Floyd’s death
By Jake Gaughan
June 2, 2020
As thousands around the world protested this weekend against the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, the town of Middlebury joined in a collective vigil for Floyd’s life. Roughly 375 people congregated — while maintaining social distance and wearing masks — on and arou...
Vermont State Police condemn police brutality in death of George Floyd
By Nora Peachin
May 30, 2020
As VSP expressed condolences to those touched by the death of George Floyd, it reiterated its commitment to "fair and impartial policing" and is in the process of reviewing its own training protocols regarding the use of force.
Vermonters show trust in state’s response, support extended social distancing, poll shows
By BENJY RENTON
May 14, 2020
A vast majority of Vermonters show a desire to delay the reopening of the state’s economy and continue social distancing restrictions, even as 26% surveyed have been laid off or lost a job, according to new polling data from a nationwide survey.
Hope in Middlebury for derailed construction project
By LUCY TOWNEND
May 14, 2020
After a period of indefinite delays due to the pandemic, the Middlebury Bridge and Rail Project has received approval from the state to restart on Monday, May 11. The project was first shut down on March 25, when the governor halted all nonessential construction projects across the state of Vermont as part of his “Stay...
Charter House continues a modified shelter program with state oversight
May 7, 2020
Although disasters such as the Covid-19 pandemic are often regarded as “great equalizers,” the homeless population of the U.S. has experienced a disproportionate impact. Local infrastructures, such as shelter programs, have become crucial for these populations to survive the tremors of the pande...
