About Abby Carroll
I am a writer for the CNS
Vermont farms shouldn’t pay local stormwater fees, state says, but towns disagree — and are charging them anyway
Whether towns and cities can charge farms for stormwater utility fees is at the center of a bubbling debate between state agriculture officials and municipal leaders around Vermont.
Lawmakers cut small farmer grant bill by 30%
A bill to help small farmers diversify their products with a new grant program crossed over from the House to the Senate, but not without a significant cut in the money behind it.
Vermont universal school meals bill looks to boost local farm food
As lawmakers aim to make universal school meals a permanent measure, they are also looking to make sure more of those meals are made with local food.
Is this the year Vermont adopts required Holocaust education in schools?
Mandating and strengthening Holocaust education in schools has been brought up by lawmakers for the past few years, but the proposed bills are typically left untouched. This year, many representatives and senators are hoping that will change.
Universal pre-K bill would give tax breaks to child care providers — but they doubt it’s enough
As lawmakers evaluate a bill focused on universal public preschool, they are also considering ways to strengthen Vermont’s fragile network of private child care providers.
Bill would give $500K to help small farmers switch up their products
Lawmakers are looking to create a new grant program to help small farmers diversify their products or transition from one type of farm to another.
For the first time in 10 Years, Vermont may update its Educational Quality Standards
Guidelines for Vermont school districts’ curricula and reading materials may be changing for the first time in 10 years as a working group looks to push the state education board to put greater focus on racial and ethnic diversity and historically persecuted groups.
Universal school meals on the menu for lawmakers
Lawmakers are looking to pass a bill to make universal school meals permanent in Vermont — an extension of pandemic-era policies with a price tag pegged at $29 million for next year.
Organic dairy farmers ask for a $9.2 million helping hand to combat growing trends
Eleven organic dairy farms in Vermont closed in 2021. The next year, 18 more followed. And this year the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont expects to lose another 28 farms.
Education leaders: Staff shortages persist midway through the school year
Vermont schools face “critical” staff shortages midway through the academic year.
Making the rounds, voters explain their motivation
Exit polling across central Vermont on Tuesday would suggest the statewide ballot item on reproductive rights, Article 22, was a leading driver for getting voters out to the polls.
Abortion issue drives voters in Winooski
Almost 70% of registered voters in Winooski cast ballots this election.
Hinesburg Firefighters’ Association brings back popular Halloween bash
The Hinesburg Firefighters’ Association Halloween Party is back this year.
Dynamic Dates connects kids, adults, raises money for school projects
have to do with funding grant projects?
At the Shelburne Community School, Dynamic Dates fundraiser raffles off adventures from teachers and staff to kids at the school.
Charlotte kids learn to code in library program
Kids have the opportunity to learn to code with the Charlotte Coding Club.
Picking away across the Champlain Valley
Apple-picking season is back in Vermont, and orchards across the state are starting to come alive with visitors — and apples. The Other Paper checked in with three orchards across the Champlain Valley to see what their owners think about this year’s fall fun. Shelburne Orchards For Nick Cowles, running Shelburne Orchards is a family […]
Shelburne highway super Paul Goodrich still takes care of roads after 55 years
For 55 years Shelburne Highway Superintendent Paul Goodrich has worked for the town highway department to keep town streets in great condition for the community.
Shelburne mulls joining communications union district
Shelburne may join a communications union district to bring broadband to unserved and underserved homes in the area.
Shelburne OKs bonuses for police retention, recruitment
Shelburne will offer $10,000 to new police officers and dispatchers over their first two years on the job as part of a new retention and recruitment program.
Charlotte Grange evolves beyond its farm-focused mission
Historically, the Charlotte Grange acted as a society of farmers, a place for them to socialize, sell their wares and seek support from one another.