Local roundup: Mascoma girls begin season with hoops victory

Comedian helps Dartmouth Class of 2026 celebrate commencement

Rachel Dratch, a Tony-nominated comedian and Saturday Night Live alumna, delivered the commencement address to Dartmouth's class of 2026, encouraging them to not give up on their dreams and to be humble, while protesters circled the Green calling out the college on various issues.

School Notes: Vermont Land Trust honors three Upper Valley students

Three Vermont students, Brody Allen, Elia "Lula" Gage, and Lydia Dickey, received Land Steward Awards and $500 from the Vermont Land Trust, while Noel Beauchaine earned second place and $1,500 in a statewide student journalist contest.

Ayotte vetoes bill to expand cultivation of medicinal marijuana

Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed Senate Bill 468, which would have allowed medicinal marijuana dispensaries to have their own on-site greenhouse to increase supply and lower prices, citing her opposition to expanding the cultivation of marijuana in the state.

Burlington pays $150,000 settlement over police treatment of Black teen with disabilities

The City of Burlington has agreed to pay a $150,000 settlement to a Black teen with behavioral and intellectual disabilities, whose mother had filed a lawsuit alleging that Burlington Police officers used excessive force and were racially discriminatory in their treatment of her son.

Vermont’s largest health insurer wants to offer a cheaper plan. Can it actually help Vermonters?

BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont is seeking approval from the Green Mountain Care Board to offer cheaper, higher-deductible healthcare plans, but the board is questioning whether the plans will actually yield any real savings.