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After years of stifling heat, Vermont invests nearly $10.5 million in prison air conditioning – VTDigger

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After years of stifling heat, Vermont invests nearly .5 million in prison air conditioning – VTDigger


The Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield in October 2024. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

After years of complaints from prison staff and incarcerated people about sweltering summer conditions, Vermont has approved its largest investment in cooling state correctional facilities in recent years. 

Lawmakers agreed to spend nearly $10.5 million to install prison cooling systems, which appears to be more money than the state put toward the project in the last four years combined, according to state data. 

The jump in state investment comes two years after prison staff members filed a workplace safety complaint, alleging they experienced heat stroke-like symptoms. 

Most prisons in Vermont have no permanent air conditioning systems throughout, which officials agree leads both staff and incarcerated people to suffer. 

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“During the summer when we get a heat wave, we get dozens of grievances,” according to Defender General Matt Valerio, whose office is tasked with investigating unresolved complaints from incarcerated people. 

Grievances are formal complaints that incarcerated people can file with the Vermont Department of Corrections. 

The department has tried to mitigate the heat by providing fans and ice to staff and incarcerated people, according to Haley Sommer, a spokesperson for the department. And while Valerio commends the makeshift efforts, he agrees the state needs a permanent fix to get prison temperatures under control.  

The money lawmakers designated for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, will go toward permanent cooling systems as well as short-term remedies. The money is approved for the state’s upcoming fiscal year, which starts next month. 

The state plans to use the newly available funds to complete HVAC systems at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield and Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport, according to Cole Barney, a spokesperson for the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services, which handles construction projects on state property. 

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The state only has building-wide HVAC systems in its prisons in Rutland and South Burlington, according to Sommer. After projects in Newport and Springfield are completed, two Vermont prisons — those in St. Johnsbury and St. Albans — will still lack permanent air conditioning. 

Over the years, the state has spent nearly $8.5 million in state bonds, which typically fund the lion’s share of its construction projects, on prison HVAC upgrades across the last four fiscal years, according to data presented to lawmakers this year. 

So far the state has installed air conditioning in the infirmary of the Springfield prison, along with creating cooling rooms for staff, according to Sommer. The state has also propped up temporary air conditioning in a number of rooms including the dining area and the gym in the St. Johnsbury prison, she added. 

With the new state money, the buildings department expects to have permanent air conditioning completed by fall 2026 at the Springfield prison and by fall 2027 at the Newport prison. 

“When correctional facilities were built, there was less of a need for air conditioning because the summers were not as hot,” Sommer said. 

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And the summer heat is exacerbated by the constraints inherent in a prison, where the windows don’t open and people may spend long hours in a single room, according to Sommer. 

Large construction projects can also be particularly challenging to accomplish in prisons, Sommer said, because if construction is going on in a living unit, the department has to relocate the people it usually holds there. 

“The impact of not having air conditioning in correctional facilities is felt acutely, both by correctional staff that work there and by incarcerated people that live there,” Sommer said. 

The mutual suffering due to heat can create tension between staff and incarcerated people, Valerio said. 

“If it’s hot, it’s crowded, people get short-tempered,” he said. It becomes a health and safety problem, Valerio added. 

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Valerio said he thinks the Corrections Department has done its best trying to manage the heat in prisons. He knows staff provide fans and extra water — and anything helps, he said. 

The investment in permanent air conditioning could reduce tensions, he said. 

“It’s a good idea.”





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Vermont

VT Lottery Pick 3, Pick 3 Evening results for June 14, 2026

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Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

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Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at June 14, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 14 drawing

Day: 3-7-4

Evening: 2-5-5

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 14 drawing

Day: 4-8-8-5

Evening: 7-0-9-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 14 drawing

03-06-16-18-48, Bonus: 01

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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

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Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
  • Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Vermont

Severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon and evening. Scattered flash flooding possible tonight and even into Monday morning.

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Severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon and evening.  Scattered flash flooding possible tonight and even into Monday morning.


BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A slow-moving but strong cold front will start to bring showers and thunderstorms to the region this afternoon, first in New York and the Champlain Valley, then slowly spread southeastward through the evening. The threat for severe weather has increased throughout the region, with damaging wind being the primary threat. Even an isolated tornado can’t be ruled out, but the risk for that is low. The greatest chance for severe weather will be between 4 PM and 10 PM today.

Flash Flooding(WCAX)

The risk for flash flooding will be this evening and even into Monday morning with isolated to scattered flash flooding. For those reasons, First Alert Weather Day is in effect from 3 PM through early Monday morning. Thunderstorms with possibly torrential downpours will result in 1 to 3 inches of rain tonight before ending around 2 to 3 AM early Monday, but residual flooding may continue into Monday morning.

Flash flooding may occur after midnight tonight, so if you’re traveling and encounter any flooded roads, never attempt to cross them. The water may look shallow, but the road could be washed out underneath and you won’t know until it’s too late if you try to drive through it. It’s always better to seek a different route. Our First Alert Weather Team will keep you updated if anything changes.

Copyright 2026 WCAX. All rights reserved.

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VT Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 13, 2026

Published

on


Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Advertisement

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at June 13, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 13 drawing

03-13-44-50-53, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 13 drawing

Day: 5-7-0

Evening: 6-3-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 13 drawing

Day: 5-3-5-5

Evening: 7-6-3-1

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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from June 13 drawing

11-18-20-23-30, Megaball: 04

Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 13 drawing

03-05-11-13-49, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

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1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
  • Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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