Vermont Governor Phil Scott made affordability the cornerstone of
his budget address this week. Fresh from a strong electoral showing in
November, the governor pitched plans to expand housing, reduce
school costs, and reign in pricey programs supported by Democrats,
including universal school meals and climate mitigation. From paying
your rent to heating your home to filling up your shopping cart, many
Vermonters are feeling the pinch. “Vermonters were clear in
November — they’ve had enough. We need to separate our wants
from our needs and spend within their means,” Gov. Scott said
Thursday, outlining proposals to provide over $13 million in tax
breaks on Social Security benefits, military retirement benefits, low-
income earners, and families with young kids.
Vermont Sen. Peter Welch grilled the president’s pick to lead the FBI
at a contentious Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on
Thursday. Kash Patel insisted to skeptical Democrats that he did not
have an “enemies list” and that the bureau under his leadership
would not seek retribution against the president’s adversaries or
launch investigations for political purposes. The at-times heated
conversation between Welch and Patel focused on Patel’s willingness,
or lack thereof, to say President Trump lost the 2020 election. Welch
said that President Trump’s refusal to admit he lost the election led to
the Jan. 6 insurrection. Welch also stressed the importance of
combating any attempt to weaponize the Justice Department and the
FBI under the Trump Administration.
A New Hampshire man accused of driving dangerously now has
several tickets and a court date. Vermont State Police say on Jan. 21
they tried to pull over a red Nissan SUV that was tailgating a police
cruiser on Route 7 South through Bennington and Shaftsbury. The
trooper put on lights and sirens, but the Nissan did not stop. The
trooper did not chase the car, and it continued south at more than
100 mph. Shortly after in New York, police say the driver nearly ran a
New York sheriff’s deputy off the road. After a pursuit, the driver
crashed in Petersburg. New York authorities arrested Christopher
Ferraro, 41, of West Lebanon, New Hampshire, after a struggle. He
faces DUI and several other charges in New York, plus a handful in
Vermont, including negligent operation and excessive speed.
Nine people were arrested Thursday night after a drug raid in Bethel.
Multiple agencies, including the Vermont State Police and the
Vermont Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant on Gage Road
after an investigation into cocaine and fentanyl trafficking in
Chittenden, Washington and Windsor counties. Authorities say they
found more than a kilogram of cocaine and fentanyl, a privately made
firearm or “ghost gun,” two sawed-off shotguns, multiple long guns, a
grenade launcher and three pistols with extended magazines at the
residence. They also saw several animals living in unsanitary
conditions that had to be taken to a nearby animal hospital. The nine
people arrested now face multiple charges, including drug trafficking,
conspiracy and possession of a firearm while committing a felony.
Vermont authorities say they are not aware of any immigration
enforcement efforts taking place on farms or workplaces in the state.
The Trump administration this week launched deportation efforts in
Chicago and other cities to deport people in the country illegally and
cut funding to organizations that serve new Americans. Some of those
kinds of organizations in Vermont say the president’s actions have
ground their operations to a halt and already prevented the process
of many people legally seeking asylum. Vermont’s Fair and Impartial
Policing Policy prevents local law enforcement from working with
federal immigration officials.
One of the most decorated alpine skiers in the world is back on the
course after an injury. Earlier this winter, Mikaela Shiffrin fell and
sustained a puncture wound to her abdomen during a giant slalom
race at the FIS World Cup in Killington. The Burke Mountain Academy
grad was out for two months. But she returned to the snow Thursday,
seeking her 100th career World Cup win. The three-time Olympic
medalist and Vermonter finished 10th overall.
WTSA SPORTS FOR SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1st 2025
THE BRUINS ARE BACK ON THE ICE TODAY AT HOME AGAINST THE RANGERS, PUCK DROPS AT 3:30PM.
THE CELTICS WILL PLAY THE 76ERS ON SUNDAY, TIP OFF AT 6PM