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Vermont state employees’ union files labor complaint over Gov. Phil Scott’s return-to-office plan — and sues – VTDigger

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3 months ago

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Vermont state employees’ union files labor complaint over Gov. Phil Scott’s return-to-office plan — and sues – VTDigger


State employees enter the state office complex in Waterbury as the Vermont State Employees Association opposes Gov. Phil Scott’s return to work mandate on Oct. 23, 2025. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

The union representing Vermont state employees is turning to two legal venues to challenge Gov. Phil Scott’s order that many of its members return to the office in person.

On Nov. 10, the Vermont State Employees’ Association filed a charge with the state’s Labor Relations Board alleging the Scott administration skirted a union demand to enter formal bargaining over the return-to-work plan, in violation of labor protection laws. The plan will require many employees to come into the office at least three days a week. 

The union also filed a separate grievance with the Labor Relations Board arguing that parts of the plan violated the collective bargaining agreement it has in place with the state. 

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Then, on Nov. 12, the union filed a lawsuit in Washington County Superior civil court asking a judge to bar the Scott administration from implementing its workplace plan — set to take effect Dec. 1 — until the labor board adjudicates the union’s complaints. 

The union wrote in its lawsuit that “neither the unfair labor practice charge nor the grievance is capable of being decided” by the labor board before Dec. 1. The suit seeks a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction that allows state employees to continue working remotely.

Steve Howard, the union’s executive director, said in an interview Wednesday that he hoped the suit would at least slow the implementation of the governor’s directive. He said he thought a hearing could be held on the lawsuit as soon as next week. 

The legal challenges mark a significant escalation in the monthslong fight between the union and the administration over the plan to have state workers, with some exceptions, return to the office. The union contends that the hybrid work mandate will cause experienced employees to quit, decreasing the quality of state departments’ work. 

At the same time, administration officials say that the order will improve government services by boosting collaboration and helping to preserve institutional knowledge. They’ve argued Vermonters want government workers to be present in-person.

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In a statement Thursday, Amanda Wheeler, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, said the union’s legal challenges had no impact on Scott’s support for the plan. 

“The Administration’s decision to implement this standard is well within our authority,” Wheeler wrote. “The Governor’s position on returning to a hybrid work standard has not changed, he continues to believe human connection is an important part of employee engagement, as well as team building and learning from each other.” 

According to court filings, after the administration formally announced its return-to-work plans in late August, it wrote to the union in September requesting a meeting to discuss the plans and hear the union’s concerns. In that letter, which is attached to the lawsuit, John Berard, the state’s director of labor relations, said the plan did not need to be the subject of formal bargaining. That’s because the planned hybrid work requirement was permissible under an existing teleworking policy for state employees, he said.

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by Shaun Robinson


But the union doesn’t see it that way. In court filings, the union contends state leaders agreed to remote working arrangements for their employees, starting at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, that did not fall under the stipulations of the teleworking policy. Those arrangements “have become an established condition of employment which the State is not free to change” without entering formal bargaining, the union wrote in an Oct. 24 letter to the state. It demanded, in that letter, that bargaining take place. 

Berard then wrote the union back Nov. 10 saying the state’s position had remained unchanged, according to court filings. That’s the same day the union filed its challenges with the state Labor Relations Board.

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The legal challenges are set to play out as the state has expanded its workspace ahead of the planned return to office for many employees. On Monday, it signed leases for three new office spaces in the privately owned Pilgrim Park complex in Waterbury, which records show would be used by workers at the state Agency of Human Services.

That agency has been facing a shortage of office space at the nearby Waterbury State Office Complex, where much of its operations are based. The shortage could delay the restart of in-person work for some employees past Dec. 1, officials said previously.

The state is set to pay about $2.3 million to lease the new office space over the next five years, according to the leases.





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Vermont

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Monday, March 2

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11 hours ago

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March 2, 2026

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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.

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▶ 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.

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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)

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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.

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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

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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)

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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)





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VT Lottery Pick 3, Pick 3 Evening results for March 1, 2026

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24 hours ago

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March 2, 2026

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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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Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit

Published

1 day ago

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March 1, 2026

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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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