Montpelier News Today | 2 Min New | The Daily News Now!

Rutland’s downtown is set for a major shift as Center Street moves toward becoming one-way, sparking mixed reactions from residents and business owners. While some see it as a step toward smoother traffic flow, others worry about parking—especially with the new downtown hotel—and call for more pedestrian-friendly spaces. City officials are aligning the change with larger infrastructure upgrades, i...

Governor Phil Scott just signed an executive order that could reshape Vermont’s health insurance landscape—allowing premiums to be tied to age, a move that could slash costs for younger, healthier residents while potentially raising them for older ones. This reverses Vermont’s long-standing ban on age-based pricing, which the governor says will help small businesses and young people access more af...

Amazon’s proposed delivery station in Essex, Vermont, has been halted after state regulators blocked the project for violating local environmental rules on steep slopes. Local group ACRES, which opposed the development, celebrated the win as proof that community voices can stop big corporate projects. The decision underscores the importance of protecting sensitive terrain, but developers still hav...

Vermont’s Plainfield is tackling a major flood aftermath as crews finally tackle a dangerous, sliding embankment on Route 2 near the Winooski River—now getting a 10-foot stone reinforcement and guardrail to prevent future collapse. While the fix brings long-needed peace of mind for locals, drivers brace for lane closures and delays as the project ramps up, with completion targeted for November. Li...

Cash App is paying $45 million nationwide after being caught failing to protect users from scams — Vermont’s share: $1.3 million. The state helped lead the investigation, which found the app ignored proper user screening and lacked basic customer support, like a 24/7 hotline. Now, Cash App must reimburse victims and improve fraud protections — a wake-up call for digital finance platforms to priori...

The Champlain Parkway, a long-awaited city project, opened just a week ago — only to be quickly defaced by graffiti on brand new light poles. City officials, including Public Works Director Chapin Spencer, are frustrated and determined to combat vandalism everywhere. Residents like Jeanette Ruffle are heartbroken, praising the parkway’s design while lamenting the disrespect. The city is calling on...

Vermont Lottery just dropped the July 7, 2026 results — Mega Millions hit with 02, 31, 35, 36, 63 and Mega Ball 12, while Gimme Five winners landed 12, 27, 29, 30, 34. Pick Three rolled 468 (day) and 385 (evening), Pick Four gave 7290 (day) and 2837 (evening), and Millionaire for Life’s combo was 27, 43, 48, 49, 50 with bonus 02. Claiming? Under $500? Any retailer or HQ. $500–$5K? M&T Bank branche...

Two guys got busted for secretly carving out nearly 330 trees and drilling into rocks over five years to build their own bike trails in Vermont’s Mount Mansfield State Forest. Now they’re paying $35,000 to the state and must clean up every trace of their illegal trail empire — a stern reminder that public land isn’t your personal playground. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http...

Bridgewater just leveled up with a 58-kilowatt solar array that’s powering both the fire station and the community center—thanks to a local furniture maker’s vision and community hustle. Charlie Shackleton’s own 47-kW setup inspired the project, which was made possible by local generosity, tax credits, and grants, bringing the cost down to $400K. The solar energy now supports a busy daycare and co...

A car and garage in Peru, New York, erupted in flames yesterday afternoon, sending thick smoke visible from the Northway—thanks to quick action by firefighters, no one was hurt. The owner first noticed a strange smell before the fire exploded. Investigators are now probing the cause, but for now, it’s a mystery. Thankfully, everyone’s safe. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http:...

Block, parent company of Cash App, is paying $45 million to 46 states after admitting it ignored years of rising fraud on its platform—instead pushing risky promotions and falsely claiming bank-level security. The fallout hit underbanked and unbanked users hardest, who lacked support and protection. This follows a $175 million 2025 settlement with the CFPB over similar fraud failures. States accus...

Three Arrested at Plattsburgh Childcare | Montpelier News

Three former staff members at Bright Beginnings, a Plattsburgh YMCA program, were arrested amid a child abuse investigation. A civil suit alleges one, Dillon Bronson, abused at least ten children, while two others, instructors Amanda Rizzo and Autumn Stone, are accused of witnessing abuse. Charges remain undisclosed, but more may follow against leadership. A family is also suing the facility for d...

A car fire in Peru erupted Wednesday afternoon, engulfing a detached garage in a blaze that drew multiple fire departments and drone footage revealing the full extent of the destruction — thankfully, the house itself remained untouched. Authorities are still investigating the cause, but the rapid spread serves as a sobering reminder of fire’s destructive power. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on...

Governor Phil Scott just signed an executive order to tackle soaring healthcare costs in Vermont, launching a bold, multi-pronged strategy to make insurance more affordable. The plan includes modernizing rate-setting, exploring federal waivers, and opening doors for association health plans — all while empowering the Green Mountain Care Board to use reference-based pricing. Scott emphasized these...

A chill July Fourth float on Lake George turned chaotic when a beaver went on the attack, biting both Brandon Shortsleeve and his friend. While trying to help his buddy, Shortsleeve ended up with multiple bites and both men are now receiving rabies vaccines. This wild encounter serves as a chilling reminder: even in serene nature, animals can react unpredictably—and you never know when you’ll need...

Barre Town slashes its projected property tax hike from nearly seven cents to just over two cents per hundred dollars—thanks to a $426,000 cash infusion from surplus funds and unassigned reserves. Homeowners will pay an extra $82.80 on a $300,000 home, but the real headache? School taxes are still up in the air after two rejected budgets, with a special election looming September 15. Until then, r...

A fire broke out in a Proctor home around 1 PM Tuesday, sparked by an accidentally left-on stove — but thanks to a heroic neighbor who called 911 and rescued the family dog, the blaze was contained before it could spiral. The smoke made the house uninhabitable, but no one was hurt, and even the pets escaped safely. Fire officials praised the quick response from multiple departments and highlighted...

Waterbury welcomes its first female municipal manager, Graci Zeiger, set to take the helm August 24th after a unanimous select board vote. Hailing from Indianola, Iowa, Zeiger brings experience from the Iowa Department of Education and a master’s in public administration. Selected from 16 applicants through a rigorous process involving 19 interviewers and a consultant, she’s praised as a collabora...

This Saturday | Montpelier News

Step into the wild world of reality TV turned real life at the Reality Retreat House in Newport, Maine, where 24 competitors battle it out in a high-stakes, five-day “Can You Survive” challenge inspired by Survivor. Each contestant raises money for a charity they care about, blending physical endurance, mental grit, and fire-building puzzles—all while paying $300 to play. It’s not just competition...

Chittenden County’s top prosecutor Sarah George has dropped charges against four protesters arrested in May for blocking an office building, calling it a matter of justice and ethics. She’s followed a similar path from March’s immigration raid, where many were sent to restorative justice instead of jail — though two still face serious charges for endangering officers and damaging police property....

Grand Isle State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito is navigating a rocky legal path after a DUI incident at the courthouse — where staff noticed his odd behavior and alcohol odor. He admitted to taking Xanax and tested above the legal limit, leading to a civil license suspension and a diversion program instead of criminal charges. The case was moved to avoid conflicts of interest, and while he pleaded not...

Stocks plunged and oil surged as conflict fears resurfaced, rattling markets and reigniting inflation worries. The S&P 500 fell 0.6%, the Dow dropped over 500 points, and Brent crude jumped more than 5%. With shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz now under threat, global oil supply could be disrupted — pushing prices higher and potentially forcing the Fed to hike rates again. That’s bad news fo...

Trump’s sudden reversal on Iran ceasefire ignites global alarm as U.S. threatens to strike civilian infrastructure and seize oil hub Kharg Island, following Iran’s attacks on American bases — moves that sent oil prices soaring and escalated fears of a Middle East-wide war. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai...