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Help VTDigger investigate Vermont’s affordability crisis – VTDigger

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Help VTDigger investigate Vermont’s affordability crisis – VTDigger


Dear Reader,

Vermonters are facing a growing affordability crisis. From housing and health care to child care and groceries, many people are struggling to keep up. 

These pressures affect communities in every corner of the state. 

That’s why VTDigger is launching a new reporting beat focused on wealth, poverty and economic opportunity in Vermont. This beat will dig into the root causes of economic hardship, examine the systems meant to offer support and elevate the stories of Vermonters navigating these challenges every day.

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Thanks to our partnership with Report for America, we have secured partial funding for the role. Now, we’re asking our readers to help us close the gap and bring this position to life.

In order to launch this beat, we need to raise $50,000. A generous Vermont donor will match all gifts made before Saturday, June 14. Will you be one of the readers who makes this new beat possible?

Why this work matters now

Vermont has long depended on imported wealth to sustain its economy, but is this model still working?

This new reporter will explore the challenges and opportunities facing different communities. From rural poverty and housing insecurity to the impacts of demographic shifts sparked by the pandemic, this beat will cover a broad range of topics including:

  • Root causes of Vermont’s affordability crisis
  • The experiences of Vermonters most affected by economic challenges
  • Regional disparities and areas for change
  • Gaps in state services and nonprofit safety nets
  • How economic policy affects Vermonters differently depending on geography, age and background

This beat will help ensure that policy conversations are grounded in reality, informed by evidence and inclusive of the full range of Vermonters’ experiences.

Backed by Report for America and readers like you

VTDigger is honored to be selected as a host newsroom by Report for America, a nonprofit journalism service program that places talented reporters in local newsrooms to cover underreported topics. The program covers a portion of the reporter’s salary, but requires that the remainder come from community support.

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Unlike some chain-owned commercial media, VTDigger is a nonprofit news organization that does not charge subscriptions to read our work — so readers from all economic backgrounds have access to the information they need. But, we can only hire and sustain our team with our readers’ support. We don’t receive federal funding, and every dollar we raise, we put into fulfilling our mission. 

You can help us close the gap and launch this vital work. If you value fact-based reporting that explains complex issues, amplifies unheard voices and holds power to account, please consider making a donation.

Your support — whether $15 or $500 — will be doubled and help us launch this beat with care, accuracy and a community mandate.

Thank you for your readership and support.

Sincerely,

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Lesli Blount
Chief Revenue Officer, VTDigger





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Women’s Lacrosse Bested in Burlington by Vermont – University at Albany Great Danes

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Women’s Lacrosse Bested in Burlington by Vermont – University at Albany Great Danes


Score: UAlbany 4, Vermont 14

Location: Virtue Field | Burlington, Vt.

Records: UAlbany (10-5, 5-1 America East) | Vermont (8-6, 4-1 America East)

Short Story: UAlbany women’s lacrosse fell to the Vermont Catamounts on Saturday afternoon.

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Key Stats

  • Grace Cincebox recorded a total of 14 saves with 13 goals allowed for a .565 save percentage.
  • Ravan Marsell led the Great Danes with two points on one goal and one assist.
  • Four different UAlbany players scored in the contest.
  • Reggie Williams was the team’s leader with three ground balls.
  • Delilah Mile caused a team high three turnovers.

 
How It Happened

  • The Catamounts came out of the gates hard and heavy, scoring all three goals between both sides in the first quarter.
  • Vermont would take an 8-0 lead in the second quarter before Amanda Williamson found the back of the net on a women-down goal to put the Great Danes on the board and make it 8-1.
  • The Great Danes would allow one more goal in the first half to trail 9-1 after 30-minutes of play.
  • Grace Cincebox would enter the half with 10 saves.
  • Riley Forthofer started the Great Danes off in the second half to make it a 9-2 game, before Vermont put up three more goals to take a 12-2 lead entering the final quarter of play.
  • Mya Carroll and Ravan Marsell both scored on back-to-back free-position goals to make it a 12-4 game.
  • The Catamounts finished the game with two more goals to take the win 14-4.

 
Up Next
The Great Danes will next have a bye week and wait to see the outcome of next week’s Vermont vs UMass Lowell game to see who will host the America East Tournament.

Social Central: Stay up to date with UAlbany women’s lacrosse by following the team on Instagram (@UAlbanyWLax), Facebook (UAlbany Women’s Lacrosse),  and X (@UAlbanyWLax) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.





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Vermont lands two cities in America’s top 15 happiest list

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Vermont lands two cities in America’s top 15 happiest list


Is creativity the missing key to better health?

Research suggests creative activities like art, music and crafts may benefit mental health as much as other key health habits.

Here’s another reason Vermont is the best New England state: It’s home to one of the top 5 happiest cities in the United States.

Plus, it has another within the top 15.

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Massachusetts, on the other hand, doesn’t even break the top 50. Nor, does Connecticut or Rhode Island.

The personal finance website analyzed 182 of the largest cities in the country, and ranked Boston 63rd overall. Although the city is home to some of the nation’s top universities, high-ranking hospitals, and well-regarded companies, it didn’t break the top 50.

To get the rankings, WalletHub compared the cities using 29 metrics, including life-satisfaction index, depression rate, poverty rate, job security, and acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, and cities were assigned an overall happiness score.

Here’s a look at how the cities ranked.

South Burlington is No. 4 happiest city, Burlington is No. 11

South Burlington came on top for Vermont in WalletHub’s list of the happiest cities in the United States, ranking at No. 4. In scored very high for emotional and physical well-being coming in at the No. 4 spot, which made up for coming in No. 48 for community and environment. It was No. 9 for income and employment ranking. That gave it a total happiness of score of 70.15

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Burlington wasn’t far behind at all, taking the No. 11 spot on the list and a happiness score of 67.54. It’s highest score was for income and employment ranking where it came second. It ranked No. 13 for community and environment and No. 21 for emotional and physical well-being.

Happiest cities in the US, per WalletHub

Here are the 25 happiest cities in the U.S., and their happiness scores, according to WalletHub’s 2026 list:

  1. Fremont, California – 74.09
  2. Bismarck, North Dakota – 73.11
  3. Scottsdale, Arizona – 71.36
  4. South Burlington, Vermont – 70.15
  5. Fargo, North Dakota – 69.36
  6. Overland Park, Kansas – 68.45
  7. Charleston, South Carolina – 68.44
  8. Irvine, California – 67.99
  9. Gilbert, Arizona – 67.96
  10. San Jose, California – 67.79
  11. Burlington, Vermont – 67.54
  12. Madison, Wisconsin – 66.35
  13. Columbia, Maryland – 66.28
  14. Chandler, Arizona – 65.69
  15. Seattle, Washington – 65.62
  16. Plano, Texas – 65.34
  17. San Francisco, California – 64.99
  18. Lincoln, Nebraska – 64.90
  19. Portland, Maine – 64.59
  20. Tempe, Arizona – 64.30
  21. San Diego, California – 64.30
  22. Raleigh, North Carolina – 63.47
  23. Peoria, Arizona – 63.38
  24. Durham, North Carolina – 62.84
  25. Huntington Beach, California – 62.80

Least happy cities in the US, per WalletHub

Here are the 25 least happy cities in the U.S., and their happiness scores, according to WalletHub’s 2026 list:

  1. Detroit, Michigan (#182 overall) – 29.55
  2. Memphis, Tennessee (#181 overall) – 34.39
  3. Shreveport, Louisiana (#180 overall) – 34.93
  4. Cleveland, Ohio (#179 overall) – 36.50
  5. Huntington, West Virginia (#178 overall) – 37.20
  6. Toledo, Ohio (#177 overall) – 37.21
  7. Augusta, Georgia (#176 overall) – 38.24
  8. Fort Smith, Arkansas (#175 overall) – 38.66
  9. Dover, Delaware (#174 overall) – 39.08
  10. Akron, Ohio (#173 overall) – 40.11
  11. Baltimore, Maryland (#172 overall) – 40.28
  12. Birmingham, Alabama (#171 overall) – 40.37
  13. Baton Rouge, Louisiana (#170 overall) – 40.47
  14. Columbus, Georgia (#169 overall) – 40.61
  15. Montgomery, Alabama (#168 overall) – 41.35
  16. Gulfport, Mississippi (#167 overall) – 41.65
  17. Charleston, West Virginia (#166 overall) – 42.18
  18. Jackson, Mississippi (#165 overall) – 42.60
  19. St. Louis, Missouri (#164 overall) – 43.53
  20. Knoxville, Tennessee (#163 overall) – 44.04
  21. Wilmington, Delaware (#162 overall) – 44.34
  22. Little Rock, Arkansas (#161 overall) – 44.48
  23. Mobile, Alabama (#160 overall) – 44.85
  24. New Orleans, Louisiana (#159 overall) – 45.19
  25. Tulsa, Oklahoma (#158 overall) – 45.33

Where New England cities ranked

Here are the 12 happiest cities in New England, and their happiness scores, according to WalletHub’s 2026 list:

  1. South Burlington, Vermont (#6 overall) – 70.15
  2. Burlington, Vermont (#11 overall) – 67.54
  3. Portland, Maine (#19 overall) – 64.59
  4. Nashua, New Hampshire (#27 overall) – 62.49
  5. Manchester, New Hampshire (#51 overall) – 59.10
  6. Boston, Massachusetts (#63 overall) – 56.88
  7. Warwick, Rhode Island (#66 overall) – 56.59
  8. New Haven, Connecticut (#95 overall) – 54.14
  9. Bridgeport, Connecticut (#96 overall) – 54.01
  10. Providence, Rhode Island (#98 overall) – 53.52
  11. Worcester, Massachusetts (#116 overall) – 50.12
  12. Lewiston, Maine (#145 overall) – 47.28



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Tornado with winds up to 90mph touches down in Vermont amid storms

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Tornado with winds up to 90mph touches down in Vermont amid storms


A tornado touched down in Vermont Thursday, when a strong storm system moved through the area, the National Weather Service said.

Winds are believed to have hit 90 mph when the tornado churned through Williamstown at about 9:15 p.m., the agency said Friday. That makes it an EF1 tornado on the Fujita Scale, which goes from 0 at the weakest to 5 at the strongest.

Lasting three minutes, the twister traveled for more than four-tenths of a mile, with a maximum width of 100 yards, according to the National Weather Service’s preliminary assessment. It damaged a pair of buildings and numerous trees, shearing tree tops. Golf ball-sized hail was also reported in the area.

Severe thunderstorms popped up across the North Country Thursday night, including in central Vermont — Williamstown is south of Montpelier.

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The town thanked its road crew, firefighters and locals who spent hours in the wake of the storm cleaning up.

“We appreciate all that you do to keep the town functioning though an emergency situation,” the town said.

People in the area told NBC affiliate WPTZ that the storm was shockingly powerful, and National Weather Service staffer Marlon Verasamy said that while tornadoes in Vermont are rare, they’re even rarer in this part of the state.

“Generally, when we do see tornadoes around the area that they’ve been in Addison County and not here, so it make it really, really unique to get a tornado in this kind of terrain in this part of the state,” Verasamy said.

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