Vermont News Roundup: Janoo Wins Primary, ICE Arrests, Killington Budget and More
Here’s a roundup of recent Vermont news: a political newcomer wins the Democratic primary for governor, federal agents arrest at least nine people across the state in a weekend, Killington passes its town budget on a revote, the state Supreme Court rules in a long-running murder case, and the Vermont Country Store turns 80.
Amanda Janoo wins Vermont’s Democratic primary for governor
Economist Amanda Janoo narrowly won Vermont’s Democratic primary for governor Tuesday, Aug. 11, according to the Associated Press (VTDigger, Aug. 11, 2026). Janoo, who has never run for office before, beat Aly Richards, the former head of a prominent childcare advocacy group, with 49% of the vote to Richards’ 46% as of 11 p.m. (VTDigger, Aug. 11, 2026). Her campaign called for a new tax on tech companies’ advertising revenue, new state regulations on large AI data centers, and a surcharge on personal income over $500,000 to fund free primary care for every Vermonter (VTDigger, Aug. 11, 2026). Richards conceded around 11:30 p.m. and said she would help Janoo beat Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who had no opponent in the GOP primary, this fall (VTDigger, Aug. 11, 2026).
ICE arrested at least 9 people across Vermont over one weekend
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested at least nine people in Vermont over the Aug. 7–8 weekend in three separate operations, including group arrests of workers heading to or from job sites (VTDigger, Aug. 14, 2026). On Aug. 7, five construction workers were arrested in Londonderry and one person in White River Junction; a raid in Cornwall on Aug. 8 led to the arrests of two roof repairmen, according to Will Lambek of the immigrant advocacy group Migrant Justice (VTDigger, Aug. 14, 2026). Immigration attorneys describe group workplace arrests as rare in Vermont, and advocates note the state has no centralized system to track ICE arrests and detentions (VTDigger, Aug. 14, 2026). The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont previously filed federal claims against ICE over the March 11 raid on Dorset Street in South Burlington (VTDigger, Aug. 14, 2026).
Killington passes $7.6M budget on revote, but town turmoil persists
Over 40% of Killington voters cast ballots Tuesday on a special revote of the town’s $7.6 million budget, with 59% supporting it (VTDigger, Aug. 13, 2026). Voters had shot down a budget that was $600,000 higher on Town Meeting Day in March (VTDigger, Aug. 13, 2026). The vote came amid upheaval in town government: interim town manager Robert Kovalesky is the seventh person to hold the job in five years, manager Patrick Cushing remains on administrative leave, and the town’s finances are undergoing a forensic audit voters requested in March (VTDigger, Aug. 13, 2026). Voters also elected Celia Clancy to the selectboard by a landslide over Roger Riveria (VTDigger, Aug. 13, 2026). Water and road infrastructure projects tied to Killington Resort’s planned 450-acre retail and residential center are delayed at least six months by the staffing shortage (VTDigger, Aug. 13, 2026).
Vermont Supreme Court denies appeal in Rutland officer death case
The Vermont Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling this week refused to let 23-year-old Tate Rheaume appeal a judge’s decision blocking the introduction of an internal affairs report at his murder trial (VTDigger, Aug. 14, 2026). Rheaume faces charges including aggravated murder in the July 2023 police pursuit that killed 19-year-old Rutland City police trainee Jessica Ebbighausen (VTDigger, Aug. 14, 2026). The report, written by then-Commander Sam Delpha, found officers violated department policy during the chase; Delpha wrote that “The death of Officer Ebbighausen WAS preventable” (VTDigger, Aug. 14, 2026). The lower court “acted within its discretion in denying permission to appeal,” the high court ruled. Rheaume’s attorney, David Sleigh, said the decision was disappointing; the next hearing is set for Oct. 5, with no trial date scheduled (VTDigger, Aug. 14, 2026).
Vermont Country Store marks 80 years in Weston
The Vermont Country Store in Weston is celebrating its 80th anniversary — the shop opened in 1946 when Forrest and Mildred Orton started with a small catalog that now reaches customers across the country (WCAX, Aug. 15, 2026). “It’s still family-owned and operated. We’re true to our roots,” said Sheena Smith of the store (WCAX, Aug. 15, 2026). The store is now a Maple Creemee Passport destination and is helping organize the inaugural Weston Village Fair and Jubilee on Sept. 12, featuring a parade, games and wagon rides (WCAX, Aug. 15, 2026).
For more on the Green Mountain State, see the Vermont guide.
Sources
VTDigger; WCAX.