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Opinion — Robert Zeidler: Doing away with the Electoral College would make Vermont’s votes matter less

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Opinion — Robert Zeidler: Doing away with the Electoral College would make Vermont’s votes matter less


Dear Editor,

(In response to Matthew Cecere’s commentary, “The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact could give Vermont voters more impact”).

I’m amazed to see an educator come out in favor of such a ridiculous concept, and to also be in favor of abolishing the Electoral College.

No, the Electoral College is not perfect. But, it is one of a couple things, including having both a Senate (to represent states) and a House of Representatives (to represent people), that give smaller, less populous states a voice in matters concerning the republic.

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This concept would serve to make the votes of states like Vermont less valuable. Until such time as state borders are abolished, a candidate could simply confine their campaigning to California, Florida, Texas and New York, promising them all “good stuff” that would result from that candidate’s victory. Swing states? Yeah right.

Let’s live with the Electoral College and its occasional flaws. The founding fathers got it right.

Robert Zeidler

Georgia

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Pieces contributed by readers and newsmakers. VTDigger strives to publish a variety of views from a broad range of Vermonters.
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Vermont

Teen drug use varies by state. Here’s how Vermont compares.

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Teen drug use varies by state. Here’s how Vermont compares.


While teen drug use has largely declined, the latest data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health shows moderate differences by state. In Vermont, an estimated 9.4% of teens had used an illicit drug in the past month, making it the #8 state for teen drug use.

Read the national analysis to see which states had the highest rates of teen drug use.

Drug use is generally higher in some Western states, including New Mexico, where 13.7% of teens had used drugs in the past month. This is in line with larger trends, as New Mexico has had some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug-related deaths in the country for decades. A 2023 report from the state’s legislature found fewer teens are using drugs than they were a decade ago, but overdoses are on the rise.

Northeastern states including Rhode Island and Massachusetts also have some of the highest rates of teen drug use. Again, this is in line with larger regional trends, as New England has felt the outsized impact of the opioid crisis.

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States with the lowest rates of teen drug use were Alabama and Utah, with both at around 5%. However, both states have experienced a rise in opioid deaths in recent years. In 2023, Alabama launched the Odds Are Alabama campaign to raise awareness and prevent fentanyl-related overdose deaths.

Story editing by Cynthia Rebolledo. Additional editing by Kelly Glass and Elisa Huang. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.

This story originally appeared on Substance Use Treatment Facilities and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

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Vermont

Vermont disaster recovery centers to close temporarily on election day

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Vermont disaster recovery centers to close temporarily on election day


All Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Centers in Vermont will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the day of the general election.

The Green Mountain State’s three disaster recovery centers − set up to assist Vermonters impacted by the storms and floods on July 11-13 and July 29-31 − are located in the Hinesburg Town Hall, Lyndon Public Safety Facility and the Newport Municipal Building.

The Hinesburg site, which is used as a polling station, will also be closed on Nov. 4 to prepare for the election.

The Newport and Lyndon sites are slated to reopen on Nov. 6, while the Hinesburg location will reopen the following day to give employees time to transition the site back to a disaster recovery center.

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Regular hours of operation for all three recovery centers are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.



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Connecticut wins against Vermont Catamounts in overtime – The Rink Live

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Connecticut wins against Vermont Catamounts in overtime – The Rink Live


The teams were tied after 60 minutes but overtime saw Connecticut come away with the close win over Vermont Catamounts at home on Sunday, November 02, 2024.

The final score was 6-5.

UConn’s

Tristan Fraser

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scored the game-winning goal.

The Huskies scored three goals in first period an held the lead 3-2 going in to the first break.

One goal were scored in the second period, the score being tied at 3-3 going in to the third period.

The Huskies took the lead within the first minute of the third period when

Ethan Whitcomb

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found the back of the net, assisted by

Kai Janviriya

and

Kaden Shahan

.

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Massimo Lombardi

tied it up 4-4 with a goal five minutes later, assisted by

Joel Maatta

.

Tabor Heaslip

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took the lead with a goal seven minutes later.

The Catamounts tied the score 5-5 with 60 seconds remaining of the third after a goal from

Colin Kessler

.

In overtime, it took 4:14 before Tristan Fraser scored the game-winner for the home team, assisted by

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Trey Scott

and

Ryan Tattle

.

Coming up:

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Both teams will be back in action on Friday, November 08, 2024 when the Huskies hosts Merrimack at 6 p.m. CST and the Catamounts welcomes Massachusetts at 6 p.m. CST.

Read more college hockey coverage

Automated articles produced by United Robots on behalf of The Rink Live.

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