NH developer, who has admitted to fraud charges, has a long trail of projects she abandoned or was forced to drop

By PAUL BRIAND

Robynne Alexander, the failed New Hampshire developer charged last week by state and federal regulators with fraud, liked to use this tagline in promoting her real estate ventures: “We solve problems for profit.”

A political row between 2 central Vermont school districts foreshadows challenges ahead for new redistricting task force

By COREY MCDONALD

The State Board of Education heard arguments from a central Vermont school district Wednesday about why its larger size should grant it a greater number of board seats on a shared supervisory union’s governing board. The debate foreshadowed tensions that could broaden in the coming months as state officials work to craft larger, consolidated school districts.

High risks, low payouts: Vermont farmers say crop insurance falls short

By THEO WELLS-SPACKMAN

Justin Rich’s Burnt Rock Farm lost $200,000 last year, after floods covered entire fields on his riverside land in Huntington, Vt., with water and debris. 

Bethel Drive-In continues summer tradition

By MARION UMPLEBY

BETHEL —When Kolleen Scaff worked a summer at the Bethel Drive-In back in the ’90s, her friends would often show up a couple hours before the film started to hang out and eat a dinner of fried food from the since-closed Onion Flats, the takeout spot down the road.

Upper Valley service industry workers react to change in tax law for their tips

By EMMA ROTH-WELLS

WEST LEBANON — Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed a bill that slashes funding for social services such as Medicaid and food stamps to provide tax cuts. The tax breaks will mostly benefit the richest 20% of Americans, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

Portion of Hanover’s North Main Street to close for Dartmouth drill on Friday afternoon

HANOVER — An active shooter drill at Dartmouth Friday will include simulated gunfire and cause traffic disruptions, according to a Dartmouth spokesperson.

Vermont’s prison population reaches 5-year peak

By ETHAN WEINSTEIN

Vermont’s prison population has hit a five-year peak. 

State Sen. Dan Innis launches bid for U.S. Senate, setting primary race with Scott Brown

By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY

New Hampshire hasn’t sent a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 2010, when now-Gov. Kelly Ayotte was elected to serve there.

City Council greenlights plan to close West Lebanon ‘dry bridge’ during replacement

By CLARE SHANAHAN

LEBANON — The dry bridge connecting the Route 12A plazas to downtown West Lebanon will be closed to vehicle traffic for a year to accommodate construction, the City Council decided in a unanimous decision Wednesday night.

Barnard voters to consider lease with BarnArts at special meeting next week

By MARION UMPLEBY

BARNARD — A special town meeting scheduled for next Wednesday will decide whether the town of Barnard should lease the old fire station to theater nonprofit BarnArts for 15 years with an annual rent of $1. 

Prosecutors urge judge to deny bid to delay death penalty decision in fatal shooting of border agent

By ALAN J. KEAYS

Prosecutors are calling on a federal judge to reject a request from attorneys of Teresa Youngblut to delay their decision-making process as they consider whether to bring charges that carry the death penalty in the fatal shooting of a U.S. border patrol agent in Vermont. 

Over Easy: The Rosie question

By DAN MACKIE

I have not spent a lot of time in my life thinking about the Rosie O’Donnell question, but no president has put his finger on it as clearly and forcefully as Donald J. Trump.

Vermont lieutenant governor sues his town over longstanding road dispute

By HENRY FERNANDEZ

Vermont Lt. Gov. John Rodgers and his wife, Brenda Rodgers, have sued the Town of Glover, bringing to court a longrunning debate over control of a section of the road where they live and run multiple businesses.

Vermont Foodbank lays off nearly 10% of staff, braces for uncertainty

By THEO WELLS-SPACKMAN

Vermont Foodbank, the state’s largest food assistance provider, cut nearly 10% of its workforce two weeks ago.

Lebanon finalizes contract with new city manager

By CLARE SHANAHAN

LEBANON — The mayor of Laconia, N.H., will start work as Lebanon’s new city manager in early September.

Prolific bank robber gets five years in prison following NH heist

By TODD BOOKMAN

A man who pleaded guilty to robbing a bank in Manchester while on supervised release for robbing banks in New York City will serve five years in prison.

Dartmouth student workers reach contract agreements with college

By EMMA ROTH-WELLS

HANOVER — Dartmouth undergraduate student workers have accepted a contract from the college despite it not including key points the union spent months fighting for.

National gym chain plans to open Claremont location

By PATRICK O’GRADY

CLAREMONT — To the dismay of some local gym owners, a nationwide fitness club has filed for a building permit to open a location in the former Big Lots store on Washington Street.

Hartford Planning Commission gives initial approval to restorative justice center expansion plan

By BIANCA NUSCA-DAGON

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — In a unanimous voice vote, the Hartford Planning Commission gave preliminary approval Monday to the nonprofit Hartford Community Restorative Justice Center’s plan to expand its footprint by renovating a late-19th century house on Maple Street.