Last year, some employees learned they'd get a windfall when a private equity firm purchased Vermont Information Processing. Now the company is shedding jobs. A Colchester Tech Firm Has Been Leaning Into AI. On Tuesday, It Announced Layoffs. | Seven Days buff.ly/bBav9ig

Who are the candidates in this fall's election? See who's on the ballot in your area. Search by name, town or county using this handy lookup tool. buff.ly/ezQJjvv

Middlebury photographer and urban explorer Eric Killorin documents some of Vermont’s spookiest sites, from a defunct radar station to an abandoned mall. buff.ly/PpPJMN9

Book spotlight: A newcomer to rural Vermont fears her historic family home is haunted in 'Wildwood,' the debut supernatural thriller from Norwich author Ashley Woo. buff.ly/kHexPBl

Vermonters will vote on two constitutional amendments this fall. The proposed changes are meant to protect rights Vermonters enjoy by enshrining them in the state’s founding document. buff.ly/oBI9nDU

In this week's Ask the Rev. advice column: A reader wonders whether seeing a cardinal is a sign from her dead mom. Too woo-woo for you? The dearly departed can also take other forms. buff.ly/4sfL1Vm

While businessman Shawn Cliche said “it would be great” to bring the Nectar’s brand back to downtown Burlington, it’s unclear if he can acquire the name. buff.ly/crPgsZi

Album Reviews: We listen in on some of Vermont’s newest releases, including music from Step Twin, Bluephonics, Eloise & Co., and Chris Clark. buff.ly/wDVesm0

At the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History in Middlebury, timepieces from the museum’s collection ranging from pocket watches to grandfather clocks sit alongside contemporary collage works by Luciana Frigerio. buff.ly/xZcX5YH

Aiden Otterman is vying to be the youngest person elected to the Vermont legislature. To win, the 18-year-old Democrat would have to beat two competitors in the general election — including Tom Otterman, his great-uncle. buff.ly/KMolCeM

Movie Review: If you think ‘The History of Concrete’ sounds like boring material, think again. buff.ly/Vk2PhpM

After anonymous threats forced the cancellation of 'The Rocky Horror Show' in April, Essex Community Players is back with a new board and a “stellar new season.” buff.ly/vH9JStk

Kyle White hopes to open in Montpelier in December and will keep running his Waitsfield shop for now. In the meantime, he'll do pop-ups at Mad River Donuts’ future location every Sunday from noon to 2 p.m., starting October 18. buff.ly/RfAfPr9

Grants will be awarded to projects that foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas, and that “originate from pure artistic inquiry and creative impulse.” buff.ly/z8gvhps

Since college, Jodi Fleurie-Wohlleb has wanted to run a store that provides items for free to people in need. She admits it was an odd dream — how do you fund something like that? But she’s made her dream come true. In November 2024, Fleurie-Wohlleb opened the nonprofit Re-Treasured Community Closet in a small space in her hometown of Groton. As the need has increased, she’s moved to progressively bigger spaces, and, earlier this month, set up shop inside a former parsonage building on Scott Highway. Along with clothing and household goods, the shop stocks food, including meat and fresh produce, and has space for people to sit and chat, drink coffee, and enjoy a free snack. “We’re really committed to ensuring that our community is well taken care of in a very geographically isolated place,” Fleurie-Wohlleb said. buff.ly/ukmrzGY

In 2018, Vermont lawmakers approved a historic overhaul of the state’s juvenile justice system known as “Raise the Age.” Based on science that shows young people’s brains are still developing well into their twenties, the reform was designed to divert most 18- and 19-year-old offenders into family court, where proceedings are confidential. But while the initial phase took effect in 2020, making Vermont the first state in the nation to treat 18-year-old defendants as juveniles, lawmakers have repeatedly postponed expanding the law to 19-year-olds — most recently until July 2027. The delays have come at the request of Gov. Phil Scott’s administration. After initially arguing that the Department for Children and Families needed more time to prepare, state officials now want the expansion nixed altogether. As lawmakers weigh whether to let the expanded law take effect next summer, a new study is adding pressure to move forward. It found far fewer 18-year-olds were convicted of new crimes after going through family court than before the reform. buff.ly/MbPwBW0

From the Publisher: North Star In this week’s paper, Richmond’s Jen Rose Smith — who just won Travel Journalist of the Year — takes readers with her to Québec’s Manicouagan Reservoir. buff.ly/MDLlWxH

Campaign finance disclosures released this week show that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo continues to maintain a strong base of grassroots support in her quest to unseat Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican who has led Vermont for almost a decade. Between September 29 and October 12, Janoo raised $181,670 — bringing her fundraising total to $888,000. Janoo has $307,000 on hand as her campaign enters the final weeks before Election Day. Individuals who donated $100 or less accounted for $150,000 of Janoo’s total. Scott, meanwhile, raised $175,406 during the same period. His fundraising total this campaign season is $590,000 and he has $202,000 left on hand. Donations from businesses and organizations — including an assortment of real estate, construction and automotive companies — account for $110,000 of the governor’s total haul. Individuals who donated $100 or less comprise $40,000 of Scott’s total. buff.ly/h8bdr01

Theater Review: The Shaker Bridge Theatre production of playwright Zoe Cooper rollicking treatment of Jane Austen’s 'Northanger Abbey' captures the dizzy joy of a heroine coming of age with staging that topples theater’s rules. buff.ly/J8D2s6U

At Backus Distillery, Westfield’s cold winters and humid summers work on the whiskey barrel by barrel. The result is a small-batch spirit rooted in place. buff.ly/03Cq7WU