Articles by Lisa Rathke

Vermont Under Flood Watch on Anniversary of Last Year’s Severe Inundations

A flood watch was declared for much of Vermont on Wednesday — the anniversary of last summer’s severe flooding — and also Thursday, with heavy rains in the forecast. As Gov. Phil Scott and other officials discussed the recovery from …

Vermont Governor Vetoes Data Privacy Bill As Too Hostile to Business, Nonprofits

Vermont’s governor has vetoed a broad data privacy bill that would have been one of the strongest in the country to crack down on companies’ use of online personal data by letting consumers file civil lawsuits against companies that break …

Medical Cannabis User Fired After Failing Drug Test Appeals Denial of Job Benefits

A Vermont man who lost his job after he said a random drug test showed he had used medical marijuana off duty for chronic pain has appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court saying he should not have been denied a …

Vermont Is 1st State With Law Requiring Oil Companies Pay for Climate Change Damage

Vermont has become the first state to enact a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the damage caused by climate change after the state suffered catastrophic summer flooding and damage from other extreme weather. Republican Gov. …

Vermont Farms Still Recovering From Flooding As Growing Season Begins

Hundreds of Vermont farms are still recovering from last July’s catastrophic flooding and other extreme weather as they head into this year’s growing season. Dog River Farm, in Berlin, Vermont, lost nearly all its produce crops in the July flooding. …

States Eye Requiring Fossil Fuel Companies to Pay for Some Climate Change Damage

The Vermont Legislature is advancing legislation requiring big fossil fuel companies pay a share of the damage caused by climate change after the state suffered catastrophic summer flooding and damage from other extreme weather. The state Senate is expected to …

Vermont Communities Hit by Summer Flooding Seek $3.5M to Elevate 20 Homes

Two of the Vermont communities hardest hit by last summer’s catastrophic flooding have requested $3.5 million in state funding to elevate 20 homes in Barre and the capital city of Montpelier for flood victims who still need safe places to …

A Bridge Too Small: Historic Covered Bridges Threatened by Trucks With GPS for Cars

One of Vermont’s historic covered bridges has fallen under threat from modern technology. Box truck drivers relying on GPS continually crash through Lyndon’s 140-year-old Miller’s Run bridge despite signs, including a flashing one, to deter vehicles that are too tall …

Small Farmers Hit by Extreme Weather Would be Helped by New Crop Insurance Program

Since catastrophic flooding hit Vermont in July and waterlogged crops, some farmers are trying to figure out how to get through the next season. Water washed away seeds planted in the summer at Bear Roots Farm, which grows about 20 …

Vermont Lawmakers See Flood Recovery, Public Safety, Opioid Crisis as Priorities

Recovery from the catastrophic flooding that hit Vermont this summer, climate resiliency, improving public safety, tackling opioid addiction, and creating more affordable housing are among the top priorities of the legislative session that kicked off Wednesday, legislative leaders said. The …