

Cover Story
From the Publisher: Navigating Tech
The pace of technological change can be unsettling, but hiding from it is not the answer. That’s why Seven Days hosts the Vermont Tech Jam and publishes a Tech Issue.
The Tech Issue
AI Political Ads Are Proliferating in Vermont, but Are Clearly Fakes
The tech enables candidates to create ads cheaply. So far, it has not been used to attempt to deceive voters that images are real.
Electricity Costs Are Soaring in Vermont
The increases are lower than in the rest of New England but are still jolting customers.
As Beta Technologies Grows, ‘Betaville’ Sprouts in South Burlington
The fast-growing electric aviation company has spent millions accumulating real estate by the airport in South Burlington
Woodstove Monitor Oru Tracks Temperature With a Lamp and an App
Terrified of his woodstoves and weary of the attention they demanded, Hinesburg’s Neil Shah invented a device to alert him when the fires need tending.
Dartmouth’s Hany Farid Confronts the Rise of AI-Generated Fakes
The digital forensics pioneer is racing to expose AI-generated fakes as the technology makes it harder than ever to tell what’s real.
UVM Biotech Certificate Program Prepares Participants for Workforce
The tuition-free course, funded by a federal grant, combines online and hands-on learning to train a new cohort of lab technicians.
Screen Time: Two Solo Art Shows Consider a New Era of Tech
Chris Sollars at Dartmouth and Sebastian Alvarez at Saint Michael’s College use screens and other tech to investigate how we understand nature and the current moment.
Night Watch Shines a Light Into the Darkness
Amid shorter days and an impending election, a new light art festival debuts in Burlington this weekend with interactive installations and music.
‘The Social Reckoning’ Explores Tech’s Dark Side Without Much Nuance
Jeremy Allen White plays journalist Jeff Horwitz, and Mikey Madison is Facebook engineer Frances Haugen in Aaron Sorkin’s fact-based drama.
Chef Matt Jennings’ MAJC App Aims to Ease Resto Worker Churn
The five-time James Beard nominee burned out and moved to Vermont. With AI plus human intel, he wants to help restaurants and workers thrive in tough times.
News
AI Political Ads Are Proliferating in Vermont, but Are Clearly Fakes
The tech enables candidates to create ads cheaply. So far, it has not been used to attempt to deceive voters that images are real.
Electricity Costs Are Soaring in Vermont
The increases are lower than in the rest of New England but are still jolting customers.
As Beta Technologies Grows, ‘Betaville’ Sprouts in South Burlington
The fast-growing electric aviation company has spent millions accumulating real estate by the airport in South Burlington
Woodstove Monitor Oru Tracks Temperature With a Lamp and an App
Terrified of his woodstoves and weary of the attention they demanded, Hinesburg’s Neil Shah invented a device to alert him when the fires need tending.
Dartmouth’s Hany Farid Confronts the Rise of AI-Generated Fakes
The digital forensics pioneer is racing to expose AI-generated fakes as the technology makes it harder than ever to tell what’s real.
UVM Biotech Certificate Program Prepares Participants for Workforce
The tuition-free course, funded by a federal grant, combines online and hands-on learning to train a new cohort of lab technicians.
Arts+Culture
The Flynn Showcases New Works on the State of Democracy
Thirty-four short plays on democracy by award-winning women, trans and nonbinary playwrights will premiere Saturday in a free daylong reading.
Dashon Burton Honors Black Vocalist Paul Robeson
The acclaimed Roomful of Teeth cofounder performs at Middlebury College 80 years after the trailblazing singer-activist and athlete did.
Culturally Relevant: Seven Things I Think I Think
Our columnist shares stray thoughts on political ads, online bullies and traffic patterns. Plus, a Vermont arts news roundup.
Screen Time: Two Solo Art Shows Consider a New Era of Tech
Chris Sollars at Dartmouth and Sebastian Alvarez at Saint Michael’s College use screens and other tech to investigate how we understand nature and the current moment.
Night Watch Shines a Light Into the Darkness
Amid shorter days and an impending election, a new light art festival debuts in Burlington this weekend with interactive installations and music.
Magnificent 7: Must-See, Must-Do Events in and Around Vermont, October 21-28
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including living gospel legend Mavis Staples at Paramount Theatre in Rutland.
Food+Drink
Chef Matt Jennings’ MAJC App Aims to Ease Resto Worker Churn
The five-time James Beard nominee burned out and moved to Vermont. With AI plus human intel, he wants to help restaurants and workers thrive in tough times.
Vermont Tortilla Is Back Open in a New Essex Production Facility
The organic corn tortilla biz’s new owners encountered expensive permitting challenges when seeking a new home, a situation many Vermont food manufacturers face.
El Gato Cantina Reopens in Essex Junction as El Bar
After pulling out of a move to the former Silver Palace location in South Burlington, owner Javier Zirko reimagines his Essex Junction spot as a “sports cantina.”
Music+Nightlife
Soundbites: Circuits in the Woods Festival Finds Vermont’s Electronic Heart
The electronic music fest returns on October 24 to Brattleboro — a fitting location, given the area’s long history of innovation in the genre.
On the Beat: Of Montreal Breaks Up With Vermont
In Vermont music news: Indie-rock star Kevin Barnes ends his brief Vermont stay with a musical parting shot; the Eyetraps and Eastern Mountain Time drop singles.
Album Review: We’re Here! to Kill, ‘God Hates We’re Here! to Kill’
The Burlington punk band drops a savage debut record, frothing with barely contained fury, that somehow manages to still be fun.
On Screen
‘The Social Reckoning’ Explores Tech’s Dark Side Without Much Nuance
Jeremy Allen White plays journalist Jeff Horwitz, and Mikey Madison is Facebook engineer Frances Haugen in Aaron Sorkin’s fact-based drama.
Now Playing in Theaters, October 21-28
In addition to ‘You Can See Everything’ here’s what is playing in Northern and Central Vermont movie theaters this week. Listings include new movies, vintage films and a directory of open theaters.
Fun Stuff
Ask the Rev: Am I Being Alarmist About Artificial Intelligence?
Feeling existential dread about AI replacing humans? Here’s some advice for how to think about technological advancements and when to take a break from the news.
Free Will Astrology 10/21/26
Check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes & daily text message horoscopes: realastrology.com or 1-877-873-4888.
Life Lines
Obituary: Kim Eileen McEntee, 1956-2026
Computer chip design engineer is remembered for her infectious laugh and her kindness
Obituary: Frank Carl Laba, 1941-2026
World traveler and owner of a custom drapery business used his professional expertise to rehab a Maine home with his wife in retirement
Obituary: Charles Everts Love Jr., 1940-2026
Former dean of Hobart College, accomplished photographer and music lover had a lifelong affiliation with the Boy Scouts
Obituary: Clement “Ted” Meunier, 1937-2026
Twenty-year U.S. Naval Air veteran and entrepreneur shared his love of skeet shooting, flying and other outdoor adventures with his family
Obituary: Barbara Baker, 1927-2026
Avid environmentalist and “true original” was an early proponent of organic foods, kept a lifelong birding list, and loved baseball, music and card games
Obituary: Janet J. Daigle, 1936-2026
Accomplished insurance underwriter had a special gift for making children feel loved, and her life was enriched by her many interests and hobbies
Obituary: Mahlon Wayne Conner, 1946-2026
Lake Champlain was one of Boeing engineer’s favorite places, and he enjoyed traveling between Florida and Vermont in retirement
Obituary: Nicole Lucier Gagné, 1936-2026
Family, friendship and community were always at the heart of daily life for proud grandmother and great-grandmother






