NORWICH, Vt. (WCAX) - There is a new wheelchair-accessible nature trail in the Upper Valley. It’s located behind the Marion Cross Elementary School in Norwich and connects to the school’s outdoor classroom. The trail cost about $50,000 and took two years to complete. The school district worked with the alliance to get it done. “This fits perfectly into our mission because we need willing partners who are eager to get great trails on the ground, to make them equitable and accessible to anyone who wants to use them,” said the alliance’s Russell Hirschler. “We are making sure that this trail netw ..read more

HANOVER, N.H. (WCAX) - Rescue crews in the Upper Valley spent Wednesday morning practicing swift-water rescue techniques on the Connecticut River. The drill included crews from the Hanover, Lebanon and Hartford fire departments and included swimming techniques and motorized watercraft deployments. Hanover Fire Capt. Josh Merriam says the number of rescue incidents they respond to each year is increasing. “The unique thing that we are noticing now -- or that we are seeing now -- is the increase in severe weather events are happening. Certainly, the state of Vermont has seen some pretty signific ..read more

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - A Vermont Judge has denied an emergency injunction sought by the Town of Roxbury to prevent a revote of the Montpelier Roxbury School District budget next week. Lawyers for the town argued in Washington County Court Tuesday that the Montpelier Roxbury Public School District held a budget informational meeting for voters last month after Town Meeting Day voting had already begun, preventing voters from having access to all the information, including the possibility that a “no” vote would result in the bussing of 40 or so Roxbury students to Montpelier and closure of the ..read more

CABOT, Vt. (WCAX) - Child care continues to evolve across Vermont as new programs open and close. One provider in Cabot is bridging the gap in the community. For almost a year now, Vermont has been operating with what’s said to be one of the most expansive child care programs in the country. That’s after a sweeping bill passed last year, increasing financial assistance for families in an effort to create more spots for kids. The state says that from February 2023 to February 2024, 5 counties lost 15 or more child care spots. At the same time, 6 counties gained 15 or more child care openings. W ..read more

ALBANY, N.Y. (WCAX) - Housing in the Empire State could be reaching new heights thanks to a new agreement. The fiscal year 2025 budget outlines Governor Kathy Hochul’s plans for housing, including an expansion of tenants’ rights and efforts to prevent price gouging. And in New York City, Hochul highlighted basement conversion programs to help multigenerational families stay together. She also outlined more incentives to build out the affordable housing stock. “For a long time here in this City and the State, the doors to their next opportunity, their next home, have been closed because there’s ..read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WCAX) - A bill months in the making to provide aid overseas crosses the finish line, drawing criticism from Vermont senators. The security assistance package includes funding for Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel, and other humanitarian aid. The vote was opposed by Vermont senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, both of whom say they voted no because of the funding outlined for Israel. “I voted no tonight on the foreign aid package for one simple reason: U.S. taxpayers should not be providing billions more to the extremist Netanyahu government to continue its devastating war against t ..read more

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A traffic alert for your Wednesday morning. Starting Wednesday morning, I-91 South will be closed between Exit 16 to Bradford and Exit 15 to Fairlee. The road will be closed to all traffic and is expected to last for a while, with no reopening date set yet. The closure is for a ledge-stabilization project and to add safety measures along that stretch of interstate ..read more

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Spring street sweeping begins Wednesday night in the Queen City. Over the next 10 days, cars in Queen City neighborhoods will need to be off the street on their designated night from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. to allow for street sweepers to come through. If cars don’t move they’ll be towed and ticketed $75 plus the price of the tow. Residents are encouraged to remove any items from the road like basketball hoops as well. “It really is a benefit for Lake Champlain, keeping all the phosphorus out of the lake, as we know phosphorus contributes to sino bacteria. So this is one of ..read more

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