In response to federal actions against diversity, equity, and inclusion, Vermont’s education secretary asserts the state’s commitment to equality. This week, the Agency of Education submitted a letter to the federal government confirming compliance with current laws. Earlier, Secretary Zoie Saunders requested superintendents to endorse an agreement ensuring adherence to laws against race-based discrimination. The Trump administration’s definition of such discrimination includes DEI policies and the teaching of U.S. racism history, which Saunders disputes. Recently, the Department of Education paused a policy affecting school programs that consider race, amid resistance from some Democratic-led states and cities against potential funding cuts.
Vermont has joined a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging “erratic and unlawful layoffs and mismanagement” at the Social Security Administration. The lawsuit, filed by 21 states, claims that acting administrator Leland Dudek and the Department of Government Efficiency are threatening payments to millions of Americans, exacerbated by staff reductions. This legal action coincides with growing Democratic criticism of Trump’s leadership over the agency, which serves over 70 million Americans. Administration officials assert that the changes are intended to combat fraud and enhance services.
A New Hampshire man, Bachir Atallah, claims he was detained for hours at the northern border after returning from Canada with his wife. They were returning from a family visit for Palm Sunday when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent at the Vermont checkpoint ordered him out of the car without explanation and reached for his gun. Atallah reports being held in a cold cell without shoes or a jacket for several hours. In response, CPB officials labeled his allegations as “blatantly false and sensationalized,” asserting that officers followed proper procedures by referring him for a secondary inspection.
On Monday, officers from the Brattleboro Police Department, while on patrol, came across 58-year-old Betty Bashaw of Brattleboro on Flat Street. It was discovered that Bashaw had an extraditable arrest warrant issued in New Hampshire. Consequently, she was apprehended as a fugitive from justice and is being held on a $5,000 bail. Bashaw made her appearance in Windham County Superior Court on Wednesday.
A 63-year-old man from Brattleboro, Mark Kriskov, was arrested on Monday for driving under the influence with a criminally suspended license. He was stopped by Vermont State Police on Putney Road for a traffic violation on April 14, where it was revealed that he had a suspended license due to prior DUI convictions and was intoxicated. Kriskov was taken to the Westminster Barracks for processing.
Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is inviting residents to attend their first regular Digital Empowerment (DE) Quarterly Meeting. It’s an opportunity to get an update on their work, share ideas, and ask questions. Vermont’s DE Plan is the way Vermont will make sure every resident has high-quality, accessible, affordable technology resources and knows how to use them.
Wednesday 4/16/25 morning at 10:30am, a Trooper assigned to the Westminster Barracks conducted a motor vehicle stop on Interstate 91 in the town of Putney after observing a motor vehicle violation. Through investigation, it was determined that all four occupants of the vehicle, Skyler Euber (36), Daniel French (50), Johnathan Palmisano (30), and Kelsey Spaulding (31), were in possession of cocaine. It was also revealed that Palmisano was in violation of active court-ordered conditions of release. The occupants were released with criminal citations to appear before the Windham County Superior Court on June 3rd.
Burlington’s mayor on Wednesday doubled down on the community’s status as a so-called sanctuary city. It comes as White House border czar Tom Homan told reporters this week that guidance on sanctuary cities is coming, which could mean federal funding cuts. Sanctuary cities have been defined as municipalities that limit or deny cooperation with federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws. Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak says everyone should feel safe in the city. The mayor emphasized the city’s fair and impartial policing policy, saying the Burlington Police Department does not participate in civil immigration enforcement matters for the federal government. Montpelier and Winooski are also among municipalities that adopted sanctuary policies during the first Trump administration.
WTSA SPORTS FOR THURSDAY APRIL 17th 2025
THE REDSOX ARE OFF TONIGHT BUT ARE BACK ON THE FIELD ON FRIDAY TO START A 4 GAME SET WITH THE WHITE SOX AT FENWAY. AT 7:10PM FIRST PITCH ON FRIDAY
THE YANKEES ARE IN TAMPA BAY TONIGHT TO START A 4 GAME SET WITH THE RAYS , FIRST PITCH 7:05PM
PGA TOUR STARTS UP TODAY THROUGH APRIL 20TH WITH THE RBC HERITAGE AT THE HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS IN SOUTH CAROLINA