Vermont news stories on Newser

Vermont First to Ban Fracking

Kevin Spak — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:32:49 CDT

Vermont became the first state in the union to ban fracking yesterday, in what would be a landmark moment if any fracking were actually going on there. There was no drilling taking place in Vermont, no plans to drill, and no indication that there was even gas to drill for,...

Only in Vermont: Naked Governor Fends Off Bears

John Johnson — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 08:15:01 CDT

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is not going to let little things like a lack of clothes and four hungry bears get in the way of saving his bird feeders. The Burlington Free Press recounts a doozy of a tale from Montpelier this week: Shumlin spotted four bears chowing down on...

Much of US Choked by Drought

Matt Cantor — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:01:34 CDT

Last year, dry conditions cost Southern farmers some $10 billion, and once again, things are looking bleak. Some 61% of the lower 48 states is experiencing drought or "abnormally dry" weather—the biggest proportion of the country since September 2007, USA Today reports. Just two states have completely escaped such...

Pair Charged in Strangling of Vt. Prep School Teacher

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:57:54 CDT

A Vermont couple was arrested today and charged with murdering a boarding school teacher who went missing Sunday night, ABC News reports. The body of Melissa Jenkins, 33, was found on a dark road Monday, a day after her SUV was found near signs of a struggle, still running and...

The Most Religious State in America Is...

Kevin Spak — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:42:33 CDT

Don't tell Hester Prynne, but it's the Deep South that is the most religious region in the country, while New England is the most godless, according to a new Gallup Poll . The poll asked respondents whether religion was an important part of their daily life, and whether they regularly attended...

Super Tuesday Results: Who Won What

Newser Editors — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:20:00 CST

Mitt Romney took the biggest Super Tuesday prize of all, Ohio, by a razor thin margin. The state was called for Romney only after 99.4% of precincts reported, giving him 38% to Rick Santorum's 37%. Earlier, Newt Gingrich got a crucial home-state win in Georgia, while Santorum grabbed needed...

Inmate Secretly Adds Pig to Vermont Police Cars

Rob Quinn — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:02:05 CST

Vermont state troopers have been driving around with a picture of a pig on their cruisers, courtesy of a creative inmate. A state trooper inspecting his vehicle found that one of the spots on a cow in the Vermont state crest decal on the door had been changed to the...

Judge: Vermont Can't Shut Down Nuke Plant

Rob Quinn — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:25:10 CST

Vermont is the only state with a law allowing it to have a say over whether a nuclear plant's license should be renewed, but a federal judge has slapped down Vermont's attempt to withhold such a renewal. The judge ruled that Vermont Yankee, the state's only nuclear plant, can continue...

Vermont Frat Suspended for Rape Quiz

Mary Papenfuss — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:20 CST

A University of Vermont fraternity has been suspended for distributing a survey asking members whom they would most like to rape. A student passed on the questionnaire to administrators, who immediately suspended the frat and launched an investigation, reports ABC News . "This is very appalling to us, shocking and disconcerting,...