 The dangers of microplastics are still being examined, but some environmental groups say their ingestion has been proven to be dangerous, especially in small children. Sherry Preston, ABC News. Vermont taxpayer dollars at work. The state ponying up $175,000 to settle Gregory Lombard's First Amendment lawsuit. After a 2021 traffic stop in St. Albans, Lombard gave the cop the middle finger salute, which led to his arrest, an hour in jail, and his car being impounded. The American Civil Liberties Union says it should never have happened.