Vermont
Judge dismisses lawsuit against Gov. Scott over secretary of education appointment
A judge on Friday dismissed the lawsuit two senators filed in June against Gov. Phil Scott over his appointment of interim Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders. The lawsuit also named Saunders as a defendant.
In the lawsuit, state Sens. Tanya Vyhovsky and Richard McCormack argued that Scott violated the Vermont Constitution when he selected Saunders to fill the interim role after the Senate voted 19-9 against her permanent appointment. Vermont governors must obtain the Senate’s “advice and consent” prior to filling a secretary of state agency’s seat, the senators said.
A month later, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office requested the lawsuit be dismissed, primarily arguing that Scott does have the constitutional authority to appoint interim cabinet positions even after rejection from the Senate, and that he is following precedent set by previous governors. The Attorney General’s Office also contended that the senators’ claim was not “ripe” and they lacked standing and were raising a political question.
Vermont Superior Court Judge Robert A. Mello agreed with the Attorney General’s Office that Scott’s actions were lawful and based on precedent, but disagreed that the senators lacked standing, ripeness or presented a “nonjusticiable political question.”
“To extent that the Senators argue that the Senate’s decision not to confirm Ms. Saunders prevents the Governor from reappointing her, whether on an interim or permanent basis, the court disagrees,” Mellow wrote in his Sept. 27 ruling. “There is no statute that so provides.”
“When the legislature has wanted to so limit the Governor’s appointment power, it has simply said so,” Mellow added, referencing the statute that prohibits governors from appointing a nominee to the Green Mountain Care Board whom the Senate has failed to confirm within the past six years.
Mello’s decision comes just a day after the judge heard oral arguments from both sides.
Saunders’ term as interim secretary of education ends Feb. 28 next year.
Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.
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.
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 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Vermont Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Vermont Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Gimme 5 numbers from May 8 drawing
06-10-11-36-37
Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing
Day: 3-6-1
Evening: 0-3-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 8 drawing
Day: 6-3-7-3
Evening: 7-1-6-1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
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.
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