Vermont
Final Reading: Year after year, lawmakers consider Vermont’s continued use of out-of-state prisons – VTDigger
“I think it’s below contempt.”
Rep. Conor Casey, D-Montpelier, did not mince words describing Vermont’s use of a for-profit, out-of-state prison to hold more than 100 people: “I know it’s cheaper, and it’s cheaper for a reason.”
The prison, Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Tutwiler, Mississippi, is operated by CoreCivic, a company that gleefully welcomed increased deportations and immigration detentions under President Donald Trump due to the economic implications for the corporation.
Casey and his colleagues on the House Corrections and Institutions Committee were discussing H.191, a bill that would end Vermont’s use of for-profit prisons and prison services — including its health care contractor, Wellpath. But the lively discussion focused less on the bill itself than its philosophy — the idea that Vermont lets corporations profit off people in state custody, some of whom are held more than a thousand miles away.
“I appreciate, I think, the spirit of the legislation,” Isaac Dayno, executive director of policy and strategic initiatives at the Vermont Department of Corrections, told lawmakers. “We just don’t have the beds.”
The state could end or limit out-of-state incarceration through several methods — reducing the number of people locked up, ending the use of state cells by federal agencies, or building more space to incarcerate people.
But the state has struggled to find communities willing to welcome a new prison. And then there’s the money problem.
“We can’t even build schools,” Rep. Shawn Sweeney, D-Shelburne, noted — a nod to Vermont’s school construction conundrum.
Many committee members agreed with the legislation’s principle, but, as Rep. Mary Morrissey, R-Bennington, put it, “I’m not quite there yet.”
Still, the bill drew support from the Vermont State Employees’ Association, the union representing state workers. Steve Howard, the union’s executive director, urged House Corrections to give H.191 “very serious consideration,” because the state’s existing arrangement is “not consistent with the values of the people of Vermont.”
The committee ultimately decided to shelve the bill and wait for a study due in November that will answer some questions regarding ending out-of-state incarceration. In the meantime, lawmakers hope to hear directly from someone at CoreCivic to learn about conditions for people incarcerated at the Mississippi prison. Vermont’s contract with the corporation is scheduled to end in September.
— Ethan Weinstein
In the know
President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared sweeping tariffs on imports from most nations, escalating a trade war that state officials and business leaders have warned could have dire consequences on Vermont’s economy.
At a glance, the Green Mountain State was spared the worst of Wednesday’s announcement, owing to Canada’s exemption from Trump’s comprehensive “reciprocal tariff” package. But Vermont consumers and businesses can hardly breathe a sigh of relief.
“The bottom line is that consumers across the entire country are going to see their prices go up,” said State Treasurer Mike Pieciak. “Businesses not just in Vermont, but around the country are going to be feeling the effects of this broader trade war, and those effects are largely going to be passed down to consumers.”
According to an estimate from the state treasurer’s office using data from the Yale Budget Lab, price increases from the latest round of tariffs could collectively cost Vermont households approximately $1 billion annually, with each household seeing about $3,800 of additional costs per year.
Read more about the impacts here.
— Habib Sabet
Vermont officials are assessing how residents may be affected after the mass firing of federal workers who administer the LIHEAP program, which provides millions of dollars in heating assistance to low-income households in the state.
The cuts, reported by national news outlets Wednesday, won’t immediately affect Vermonters receiving the federal assistance, according to the state Agency of Human Services. But the agency is still evaluating potential impacts to the program in the long term, Economic Services Division Deputy Commissioner Miranda Gray said via email Thursday.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provided $23 million in funding to Vermont in 2025 for the winter season, which runs from November to April. That money has already been allocated to the state, according to Tom Donohue, CEO of BROC Community Action.
Read more about LIHEAP program impacts here.
— Erin Petenko
On the move
The Legislature has once again sent a midyear spending bill to Gov. Phil Scott’s desk, but a partisan standoff over Vermont’s motel voucher program continues to unfold.
On Thursday afternoon, the Senate gave final approval to its second attempt at an annual budget adjustment bill, after Scott vetoed the first version last month. But without a key change sought by Republicans to narrow criteria for the voucher program, the bill appears destined to meet the same fate.
Republicans brought forward an amendment Thursday to bring eligibility rules for the motel program in line with an executive order signed by Scott late last week. The order — which the Legislature’s chief lawyer has called unconstitutional — extended motel stays for families with children and certain people with acute medical needs through June 30.
Read more about the standoff here.
— Carly Berlin
Visit our 2025 bill tracker for the latest updates on major legislation we are following.
On the hill
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., again unsuccessfully attempted to block certain U.S. arms sales to Israel Thursday, decrying the scale of destruction and death caused by that country’s war against Hamas.
Sanders forced a vote in the U.S. Senate on two joint resolutions of disapproval, which — if approved — would have prevented the transfer of heavy bombs and other munitions worth almost $8.8 billion to the Israeli government, his office said in a press release.
“The United States must not continue to be complicit in the destruction of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Sanders said in his speech to the body. “History will not forgive us for this.”
The two resolutions failed to reach the votes necessary to move forward, each garnering 15 Yeas and more than 80 Nays. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., voted in support of both measures.
— Kristen Fountain
Vermont
Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Monday, March 2
The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.
TO REPORT SCORES
Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.
▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
MONDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES
ALPINE SKIING
State championships (giant slalom) at Burke Mountain
D-I GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
At Patrick Gym
No. 2 Rutland (19-2) vs. No. 3 St. Johnsbury (16-5), 6 p.m.
No. 1 Mount Mansfield (20-1) vs. No. 4 North Country (19-3), 7:30 p.m.
D-IV GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
At Barre Auditorium
No. 1 Richford (19-2) vs. No. 4 Mid Vermont Christian (6-2), 5:30 p.m.
No. 3 West Rutland (14-8) vs. No. 7 Rivendell (12-10), 7:30 p.m.
D-I BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
No. 13 North Country (3-17) at No. 4 Rutland (14-6)
No. 12 Essex (4-16) at No. 5 Champlain Valley (12-8)
No. 10 St. Johnsbury (5-15) at No. 7 Burr and Burton (12-8)
No. 11 Colchester (5-15) at No. 6 BFA-St. Albans (12-8)
D-III BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
No. 11 BFA-Fairfax (10-10) at No. 6 Thetford (12-8), 7 p.m.
D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAY-INS
No. 17 Sharon (3-17) at No. 16 Long Trail (4-16), 6 p.m.
TUESDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES
ALPINE SKIING
State championships (slalom) at Burke Mountain
D-II GIRLS HOCKEY PLAY-INS
No. 9 Brattleboro (0-17-1) at No. 8 Stowe (4-16), 5:15 p.m.
D-I BOYS HOCKEY PLAY-INS
No. 8 Burlington (8-12) at No. 9 St. Johnsbury (3-16-1), 5:30 p.m.
D-II BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
No. 13 Lake Region (4-16) at No. 4 Montpelier (11-9), 7 p.m.
D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
No. 9 Arlington (11-9) at No. 8 Richford (12-8), 6 p.m.
Winner Game 1 at No. 1 Twinfield/Cabot (19-1)
No. 13 Grace Christian (4-15) at No. 4 Mount St. Joseph (17-2)
No. 12 Poultney (6-14) at No. 5 Twin Valley (16-4)
No. 15 Blue Mountain (3-17) at No. 2 West Rutland (20-0)
No. 10 Proctor (11-9) at No. 7 Danville (14-6)
No. 14 Northfield (3-17) at No. 3 Mid Vermont Christian (2-0)
No. 11 Rivendell (10-10) at No. 6 Williamstown (14-6)
(Subject to change)
Vermont
VT Lottery Pick 3, Pick 3 Evening results for March 1, 2026
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.
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 March 1, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing
Day: 8-7-7
Evening: 0-3-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing
Day: 1-8-1-2
Evening: 0-3-1-1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing
10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04
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.
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.
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.
Vermont
Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit
Colorblind museum helps visitors see color for first time
A North Carolina museum is offering special glasses so that colorblind visitors can see art in full color.
Fox – Seattle
Looking for a new museum to visit this winter?
As a historic state with European settlements going all the way back to the 1600s, Vermont is home to many historical museums dedicated to preserving the state’s foundational role in United States history.
In fact, the state’s oldest museum dates all the way back to 1884, making it almost 150 years old. Originally founded from a personal collection, Henry Sheldon Museum is not only the oldest museum in Vermont, but also the oldest community-based museum in the whole country.
Here’s a brief history of the oldest museum in Vermont, as well as how to visit.
History of Henry Sheldon Museum
According to the museum’s website, Henry Sheldon Museum was founded by its namesake, Henry Sheldon. A local businessman and avid collector, Sheldon turned his personal collection of furniture, paintings, documents, household objects and artifacts into a museum, which opened to the public in July of 1884, says the Vermont Historical Society.
The museum’s collection has expanded greatly since then and still continues to grow. Today, the Sheldon aims to help community members gain a deeper appreciation of Vermont’s local art and history through engaging art and history exhibits, programs, events and an extensive archival collection at the museum’s research center.
This spring’s upcoming feature exhibit will focus on the idea of time, displaying the museum’s collection of timepieces like clocks, watches, calendars, journals, time capsules and more.
How to visit Vermont’s oldest museum
Want to explore Vermont history and art at the oldest museum in the state? Henry Sheldon Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday throguh Saturday.
Admission costs $10 for adults or $5 for seniors, with free admission for members, students and children ages 18 and under. Appointments to visit the museum’s research center must be made by emailing archives@henrysheldonmuseum.org.
Henry Sheldon Museum is located at 1 Park St. in Middlebury.
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