Vermont
Governor reappoints Saunders as VT secretary of education six months after senate rejection
This story will be updated.
Gov. Phil Scott (R-Vermont) has reappointed controversial pick Zoie Saunders as secretary of education more than six months after the state senate failed to confirm her in the role.
Saunders, who has served on an interim basis since April 30, will reassume the permanent cabinet seat effective immediately, the governor’s office announced on Tuesday. Whether she will hold onto the position a second time remains unknown as she will still need to be confirmed by the senate, which retains a meager Democratic majority. Senators need a simple majority to approve or deny a nominee for the secretary of education seat.
Critics initially spoke out against Saunders — who Scott chose from a pool of candidates recommended by the state Board of Education — due to her lack of public school experience and history with the charter school movement. Tensions only increased when Scott appointed Saunders as interim secretary of education following the senate’s 19-9 vote against her permanent promotion. In response, Sens. Tanya Vyhovsky (P/D-Chittenden) and Richard McCormack (D-Windsor) filed a lawsuit against Scott and Saunders, arguing the governor had violated the state constitution by circumventing the will of the senate. A Vermont Superior Court judge eventually dismissed the lawsuit. Vyhovsky and McCormack are appealing the dismissal.
However, Scott made no mention of the controversies surrounding Saunders’ selection in his press release broadcasting her promotion. The announcement instead centered around her time spent as interim secretary, highlighting her “Listen and Learn” tour intended to understand schools’ short-term and long-term needs for success.
“Since day one, I have believed Zoie Saunders is the right person at the right time to lead the Agency of Education. We face significant challenges, with declining enrollment, student performance, and affordability within our education system, and we need thoughtful leadership to work our way through this,” Scott said. “In her six months at the Agency of Education, Zoie has demonstrated a strong commitment to working with teachers, students, parents, administrators, and community members, so together, we can build a stronger education system. I believe those who have met Zoie have seen how valuable her experience and expertise is.”
Saunders called her position a “privilege” in the press release announcing her promotion.
“I’m incredibly proud of my team at the Agency of Education for the work we have accomplished together,” she said. “The Agency will continue to prioritize enhanced data reporting, collaboration, and statewide continuous improvement to ensure every Vermont student benefits from a world class education. As a parent of two school-aged children, I will always keep students at the forefront of our work. I am grateful to Governor Scott for his confidence in my leadership and his support of the Agency’s efforts to promote education quality, equity, and sustainability.”
Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.
Vermont State Police are investigating a suspicious death in the eastern part of the state.
The investigation began around 10 a.m. Saturday when police received a report of a dead woman at a property at 48 Douglas Hill Road in Norwich. First responders located a woman dead inside the residence.
State police said their initial investigation indicates the woman’s death occurred under “potentially suspicious circumstances.” Everyone associated with the matter is accounted for, and they said there is no danger to the public.
The victim’s body will be brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death. State police said they will release the woman’s identity following further investigation and notification of family members.
No further details have been released.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is being asked to call 802-234-9933 or submit an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
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 May 9, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 9 drawing
15-41-46-47-56, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 9 drawing
Day: 6-4-9
Evening: 0-3-4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 9 drawing
Day: 4-2-1-0
Evening: 1-5-5-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from May 9 drawing
06-25-26-33-36, Megaball: 01
Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 9 drawing
08-11-17-29-49, Bonus: 02
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.
A teenager died when his car crashed into a tree in central Vermont on Friday afternoon, police said.
The 16-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, off Creek Road in Clarendon, Vermont State Police said. They identified the teen as Jacob Smith, of Proctor.
Troopers were notified about the crash about 2:39 p.m., police said. Investigators found that Smith drove off the east side of the road before hitting the tree; he was wearing his seatbelt, but his car, a Volkswagen Passat, was totaled.
Police didn’t say what they suspect led up to the crash. They asked anyone with information to call Trooper Charles Gardner at 802-773-9109, or email him.
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