Ryan Mercer
USA TODAY
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Past articles by Ryan:
'If I get killed it won't be an accident': Progressive Vermont family faces threats
Abusive posts and vandalism have made Quinn Doner, who is transgender, and their family fear for their lives. Police say there's not much they can do. → Read More
Walking a trail: Here’s the top reason unprepared hikers need to be rescued
No headlamps, wearing loafers, or just not remotely prepared for the backcountry, increasing number of hikers in Adirondacks seem to be clueless. → Read More
New York's Adirondack Park: Why there is growing concern over invasive species in lakes, rivers
Just two lakes in New York's 6 million-acre Adirondack Park require mandatory inspections to protect against aquatic invasive species. → Read More
Overhiking the Adirondack High Peaks: Plans to limit trail use falter
How has massive popularity and lack of management taken a toll on the High Peaks of the Adirondacks? We've got the answers. → Read More
Black flies sucked (all the way into August)... which is really weird.
Black flies, which usually peak earlier in the summer, were still ruining our August picnics and here's what might be going on. → Read More
Wanna get high? Here are the 10 tallest peaks you could climb in New England and New York
From New York to New Hampshire and Maine, here are the top 10 tallest peaks you can hike north of Boston to get that natural high. → Read More
Lincoln the goat sworn in as Vermont town's new mayor, immediately defecates
The election was a way to raise money for a school play ground. Kids were allowed to nominate an animal of their choice for the position of mayor. → Read More
Shelburne Orchards has the secret to cider donuts
"The donut gods have to be smiling on you," says Shelburne Orchards owner Nick Cowles. → Read More
UVM Medical Center nurses union announces divestment in NEFCU
UVM Medical Center nurses union says members will pull out of New England Federal Credit Union because of inaction by CEO, a hospital board member. → Read More
In Iowa, black business leader makes case for Bernie Sanders
A leader in Waterloo downtown revitalization dreams of residents making enough to pay rent and get a cup of coffee from a black-owned business. Tavis Hall said that Bernie Sanders’ proposed minimum wage of $15 an hour could make that a reality. → Read More
Bernie Sanders rallies in Iowa
Bernie Sanders continues to draw big crowds in Iowa. We visited one rally Saturday night in Cedar Rapids just days before the caucus. → Read More
The Table: Congress has lost sense of community
In an interview with 'The Table', Rep. Peter Welch, D-VT, talks about changes in Congress that has led to a lack of community between republicans and democrats, making it harder for the two parties to work together. → Read More
Trump bumper sticker gets Burlingtonian a front row seat
Daniel Gould, 18, of Burlington, Vermont, thought the honking car behind him was upset about his support for Donald Trump. Instead, it was a Trump field director who offered Gould and his family VIP seats at Trump's event at the Flynn Center. → Read More
The Table: Should Syrian refugees come to Vermont?
Debbie Ingram, executive director of Vermont Interfaith Action and supporter of Syrian refugee resettlement to the state, and H. Brooke Paige, organizer of a November rally against allowing Syrian refugees into Vermont, debate the issue. → Read More
"You've got to stand up for what's right," Governor defends Syrian refugees coming to Vermont
"No terrorist will wait four or five years... tocome into the United States," said Ashraf Alamatouri, a Syrian immigrant who runs the ESL program U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program in Vermont. "There are easier ways." → Read More
Two 'detained' in Burlington after refusing to take off masks
Two males were taken into custody by Burlington police after they refused to take off their Guy Fawkes masks — also a symbol of the hacktivist group Anonymous — during an anti-KKK rally Thursday. Neither subject was charged with a crime. → Read More
VIDEO: 'KKK get out of town.'
About 200 rally on Church Street in response to Klu Klux Klan posters that were placed at the homes of two Burlington residents of color late last week. → Read More
The Table: Leahy on police cam recordings, "They should be."
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-VT, gives his thoughts of police conduct, and comments made by FBI Director James Comey during a sit down at The Table with the Burlington Free Press. → Read More
Answers from Dunne, Scott on Vermont biz development, broadband, and favorite entrepreneurial success story
We contrast comments from Vermont gubernatorial candidates Matt Dunne and Phil Scott on three questions from the "Gov Pitch 2016," organized by venture capitalist Cairn Cross of FreshTracks Capital. → Read More
Amtrak train derails in Northfield
Passenger describes feeling of train hitting what thinks were rocks on the rails just before train car lurched, felt impact as car came off tracks. → Read More