On Tuesday, Vermont lawmakers progressed a bill designed to reduce social media addiction among teenagers. The Kids’ Code bill mandates that social media companies implement default privacy settings and prohibits addictive features such as infinite scrolling and notifications. Proponents argue that this initiative aims to enhance the mental health of teens and is inspired by similar legislation in other states, without moderating or banning content. The bill requires one final approval in the Vermont Senate before it can be sent to Governor Phil Scott, who is anticipated to sign it. Nevertheless, the federal spending plan currently under consideration in Congress includes a moratorium on state-level technology regulations, which would prevent the enactment of the Vermont legislation.
Federal disaster relief continues to reach Vermont communities affected by flooding over the past two summers, according to the state’s chief recovery officer. The town of Barnard still requires approximately $2 million in repairs due to flood damage from 2023. However, these repairs are currently paused. In simple terms, the funds are unavailable. Barnard is likely most recognized for its general store located on Route 12, opposite Silver Lake. The majority of the town’s roads are dirt, many of which were eroded two years ago.
A multitude of residents from the Northeast Kingdom gathered at the North Country Union High School Auditorium in Newport on Wednesday evening to express their concerns and inquiries to Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint. Following her visit to the Haskell Library in Derby Line, where access from Canada has been limited, and discussions with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol regarding the new restricted port of entry hours, Balint reports a recurring theme. She notes a decline in tourism and confusion stemming from tariffs, which is adversely affecting many small businesses. President Trump has indicated that his foreign policy towards Canada is focused on enhancing border security to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking, while also aiming to decrease the trade deficit.
The Trump administration has revoked a $23 million grant intended for Vermont’s “Tech Hub,” a project led by the University of Vermont and GlobalFoundries aimed at producing next-generation gallium nitride semiconductors utilized in various applications, including automobiles and advanced defense systems. This grant, which was announced by the Biden administration in January, funds three initiatives: an $11 million design facility at the University of Vermont, $7 million for workforce development in Vermont schools, and the remainder for establishing the tech hub’s administrative staff and partially funding the testing lab at OnLogic. President Trump has been a vocal opponent of the CHIPS Act subsidies introduced by Biden, advocating instead for the use of tariffs to bolster domestic chip manufacturing.
The family of a Vermont woman who passed away in police custody in Massachusetts has come to a settlement with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, which represented Madelyn Linsenmeir’s family, announced the settlement this week. Linsenmeir died in 2018 after being arrested and held by police in Springfield, Mass. The ACLU contended that she did not receive adequate medical care while in custody. Linsenmeir suffered from a heart valve infection that could have been treated with antibiotics, yet officers disregarded her plea for assistance. Linsenmeir’s family will receive $1.5 million as part of the settlement, which includes $900,000 from the city of Springfield and $600,000 from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department.
A man from New Hampshire has discovered his sentence after a judge from Franklin County Superior Court convicted him of stalking, harassment, and threats against a state employee. Authorities reported that 43-year-old Christopher Ray Stevens had been terrorizing a worker from the Department of Children and Families for several years. He was found guilty by a jury earlier this month. During the sentencing on Wednesday, the victim presented violent videos and images that Stevens had sent her, along with numerous notes that threatened her life. The severity of Stevens’ threats prompted DCF to create a safety plan for the victim and her coworkers. Stevens is set to serve two to three years in state prison.
WTSA SPORTS FOR FRIDAY MAY 30th 2025
THE REDSOX ARE BACK ON THE FIELD TONIGHT TO START A 3 GAME SERIES WITH THE BRAVES IN ATLANTA, FIRST PITCH AT 7:15PM.
THE YANKEES START A 3 GAME SERIES WITH THE DODGERS ON TONIGHT FIRST PITCH AT 10:10PM
THE PGA TOUR, MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT CONTINUES THROUGH SUNDAY AT THE MUIRFIELD VILLAGE GOLF CLUB IN DUBLIN OHIO.
NASCAR CUP SERIES THIS SUNDAY ITS THE CRACKER BARREL 400 IN NASHVILLE, RACE TIME AT 7PM