Brendan Kinney
@brendankinney.bsky.social
CEO of VTDigger. Husband. Dad. Runner. Vermonter.
"The rate at which Black people experience use-of-force in Burlington is roughly six times greater than their share of the population." via @vtdigger.bsky.social vtdigger.org/2026/08/17/p...
Payouts soar as use of force by Burlington police on Black residents hits record high - VTDigger
“The fact that the data show record-high disparities in use-of-force on Black subjects demands our immediate attention and a meaningful response,” Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak said.
vtdigger.org
VTDigger is your source for the primary election and results, tracking key races across #VT —> vtdigger.org/2026/08/11/t...
The latest results from Vermont’s 2026 primary election - VTDigger
VTDigger reporters are tracking key races across the state.
vtdigger.org
"It is noxious to American beliefs about freedom of speech and the First Amendment that the government should determine who should or shouldn’t get to own an outlet...due to the viewpoints of the owners."
The Government Shouldn’t Pick Winners and Losers in Media
The real reason to worry about the FCC’s latest move.
lnk.thebulwark.com
“Once they are established, food co-ops tend to be anchors of their communities and the local economy, with an average of 30% of sales being local products, compared to 2-5% in supermarkets.” vtdigger.org/2026/08/09/i... via @vtdigger.bsky.social #coop #Vermont
‘I want to own a grocery store & café with my friends’: Food co-op initiative launches in downtown Newport - VTDigger
Vermont has a long tradition of food cooperatives, currently boasting 15 of the member-owned stores. The most recent addition, the Caledonia Food Co-op in St. Johnsbury, opened last month after eight ...
vtdigger.org
“Capital One instead argues that the basis for closing the accounts was the lengthy anti-money laundering analysis and review conducted by the bank.” abcnews.com/US/capital-c...
Capital One says it closed hundreds of Trump's bank accounts in 2021 'for anti-money laundering reasons'
Capital One says it closed hundreds of accounts associated with President Trump and his businesses in 2021 "for anti-money laundering reasons," according to a filing.
abcnews.com
Today, @vtdigger.bsky.social launches its 2026 Voter Guide! Find candidates, explore federal, statewide and county races, learn how to vote and access trusted election resources for Vermont’s August 11, 2026 primary election vtdigger.org/2026-primary...
2026 Primary Election Guide - VTDigger
Prepare for Vermont's Aug. 11, 2026, primary election. Find candidates, learn how to vote and explore races by county.
vtdigger.org
So excited to share this news! vtdigger.org/2026/07/23/v... via @vtdigger.bsky.social
VTDigger expands statewide news partnership with four southern Vermont newspapers - VTDigger
The growing network helps local newsrooms broaden coverage while bringing more stories from southern Vermont to readers statewide.
vtdigger.org
Vermont's primary elections are on August 11. Follow VTDigger for our 2026 election coverage, and keep an eye out for our voter guide launching at the end of July at vtdigger.org.
“The sad part is, we knew something like this would happen." vtdigger.org/2026/07/17/t... via @vtdigger.bsky.social #ICE
The cumulative weight of standing there - VTDigger
What more than 100 hours of video reveal about police work during a March ICE raid in South Burlington
vtdigger.org
The National Weather Service is forecasting enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms this evening and tonight. vtdigger.org/2026/07/14/h... via @vtdigger #Vermont
High temps and high winds: What to know about Vermont’s possible severe weather today - VTDigger
The National Weather Service is forecasting enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms this evening and tonight.
vtdigger.org
BREAKING: “I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside." - Bernie Sanders I-Vt. vtdigger.org/2026/07/07/p... via @vtdigger.bsky.social
Platner’s last pillar of support falls as Sanders says: Drop out - VTDigger
Vermont’s congressional delegation called on the Maine Democratic U.S. Senate nominee to leave the race following the sexual assault allegation against him made public Monday.
vtdigger.org
Vermont lawmakers tried to curb license plate surveillance. Police found a way around it. vtdigger.org/2026/06/28/v... via @vtdigger.bsky.social
Vermont lawmakers tried to curb license plate surveillance. Police found a way around it. - VTDigger
Data obtained by VTDigger shows that police in Vermont have conducted over 100 searches in the last three years using Flock license plate cameras.
vtdigger.org
“A decades-long rise in tick-borne illnesses is likely the result of suburbanization and climate change.” vtdigger.org/2026/06/26/l... via @vtdigger #Lyme #Vermont
"...the latest turn in a string of six homicides across the country linked to the Zizians, a loosely connected small group that gained national attention following a shootout in Vermont that left a border patrol agent dead in January 2025." vtdigger.org/2026/06/25/z... via @vtdigger.bsky.social
Zizian member tied to border patrol agent killing in Vermont now charged in the deaths of her own parents - VTDigger
Michelle Zajko, a former resident of the Northeast Kingdom, faces two counts of first-degree murder as well as other criminal offenses, a Pennsylvania prosecutor announced this week.
vtdigger.org
"The unveiling comes as Vermont has continued to see a major decline in Canadian tourism, a costly price to pay for President Trump’s tariffs on Canada and his talk of making the country the '51st state.'" vtdigger.org/2026/06/14/h... #Vermont #Canada via @vtdigger.bsky.social
Haskell library opens a new door to Canadians, but have they closed the door on Vermont? - VTDigger
Amid the gesture of local friendship, many Canadians still won’t travel to Vermont. It continues to take a toll on the state.
vtdigger.org
“I take this fight to the First Circuit with love and faith — because the First Amendment is sacred, and I refuse to be silenced.” vtdigger.org/2026/06/11/v... #ICE #VT via @vtdigger.bsky.social
Vermont student activist Mohsen Mahdawi faces new deportation order - VTDigger
The Columbia University student, who has a green card and lives in the Upper Valley, is protected from being deported while he appeals his 2025 arrest, his lawyers said.
vtdigger.org
BREAKING: The University of Vermont Health cut 142 positions across its Vermont and New York hospitals and hospice care network Tuesday. vtdigger.org/2026/06/09/u... #Vermont via @vtdigger.bsky.social
UVM Health cuts 142 jobs — an estimated $9 million in staff positions - VTDigger
The cuts come as the hospital network faces an expected $300 million budget deficit and increasing pressure to cut costs.
vtdigger.org
Today only — every gift to @vtdigger.bsky.social is doubled, AND a new book gets donated to the Children’s Literacy Foundation. Two ways your dollars do more for #Vermont. Give before midnight: vtdigger.org/2026/06/05/a...
All gifts matched Saturday, June 6: Help send final books during VTDigger member drive - VTDigger
A generous Vermont donor is matching all donations received until midnight. Every donation sends one children’s book through CLiF.
vtdigger.org
Campos: While I want to thank CBS news for funding this generous gift towards my education, I want to acknowledge how the recent direction of the outlet stains the legacy of Mike Wallace, the namesake of this scholarship.
“When you’re confronted with situations of injustice, you can ignore it, you can complain about it, or you can work on changing it. And personally, I prefer to do that.” vtdigger.org/2026/05/27/v...
Vermont Conversation: ‘Action is the antidote to despair.’ Ben Cohen fights to save the soul of Ben & Jerry’s. - VTDigger
The Vermont ice cream company co-founder reflects on what's become of his company's social mission and the socially responsible business movement that he spearheaded, how he and Jerry Greenfield are t...
vtdigger.org
“ICE agents in #Vermont arrested 54 immigrants between Trump’s January 2025 inauguration and March 10, 2026, the most recent date for which data is available. Of those, nearly half had no criminal record or pending criminal charges, according to ICE’s data.” www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2...
Special Report: How ICE operates in Vermont
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a skeleton crew in Vermont but uses U.S. Border Patrol and “collateral” encounters to drive a spike in arrests, Vermont Public found.
vermontpublic.org
“The species suffered a mass decline decades ago. Researchers are studying how to restore disease-resistant elm trees, with the goal of increasing biodiversity and flood resilience in the process.” vtdigger.org/2026/05/25/r... via @vtdigger.bsky.social
Researchers at Vermont orchard work to bring back the American elm tree in New England - VTDigger
The species suffered a mass decline decades ago. Researchers are studying how to restore disease-resistant elm trees, with the goal of increasing biodiversity and flood resilience in the process.
vtdigger.org
“Sears is at least the fifth person to die in the custody of the Vermont Department of Corrections this year, according to the department’s press statements.” vtdigger.org/2026/05/21/s... #Vermont
Second Vermont man this year dies in Mississippi prison - VTDigger
Shawn Sears, 56, died Wednesday after he was found unresponsive in his cell, according to the Vermont Department of Corrections. He was suing the department for denying him access to prison programs.
vtdigger.org
“I’m concerned about this approach that dehumanizes people based on their mistakes instead of understanding that even people who are accused of crimes are human beings and members of our community.” vtdigger.org/2026/05/21/p... #Vermont via @vtdigger.bsky.social
Police department’s social media tactics lead to arrests — and criticism - VTDigger
Morristown’s police department offers prizes for information. Some see its approach as dehumanizing.
vtdigger.org
“Information is fragmented. Coverage can feel uneven. And many people, especially in rural communities, don’t see themselves reflected in the stories being told.” vtdigger.org/2026/05/19/v... @vtdigger.bsky.social #LocalNews
What 2,200 Vermonters told us about local news - VTDigger
More than 2,200 Vermonters shared how they get local news, revealing it’s often hard to find, unevenly distributed and not always relevant.
vtdigger.org
Vermont is set to receive a little over $195 million each year for five years from the federal government’s new Rural Health Transformation Fund — an unexpectedly massive sum, and one of the highest per-capita grants in the nation.
Vermont set to receive nearly $1B over five years for health care reform
“I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this, frankly,” said Mike Del Trecco, the president and CEO of Vermont’s hospital association.
vermontpublic.org
“In the end, #Vermont could lose more than it gains under the law: KFF, a nonpartisan health care researcher, has estimated that Vermont could lose between $1 billion and $2 billion over 10 years from changes to Medicaid.” www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2... #healthcare
Vermont set to receive nearly $1B over five years for health care reform
“I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this, frankly,” said Mike Del Trecco, the president and CEO of Vermont’s hospital association.
vermontpublic.org
“Lobbyists close to Trump say their going rate to advocate for a pardon is $1 million.” www.wsj.com/politics/pol... #Pardons
Inside the New Fast Track to a Presidential Pardon
Even some of the president’s closest advisers have been surprised by a number of the recent series of pardons.
wsj.com
The state of Vermont directs federal funding to higher ground — with new construction for housing far from flood prone areas. Plus, investigative reporting over the last several months reveals the human impact of the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts in Vermont.
In review: Immigrant stories highlighted, flood recovery grants announced
Vermont's top journalists join moderator Mitch Wertlieb to delve into the most important news stories of the week.
vermontpublic.org
