Vermont Edition Podcast: Recent Episodes
Bob Kinzel
Vermont Edition brings you news and conversation about issues affecting Vermont.Subscribe to the Podcast with the links below or via RSS.Visit the Vermont Edition page to listen to the archives and for more about the show.
Vermont’s primary election is Aug. 11. About 3.1% of registered voters cast their ballots early, according to the Secretary of State's office. The rest of Vermont's 500,000 or so registered voters will need to go to a polling station to cast their ballots.
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas joins the show to discuss primary day logistics, Vermont's campaign finance laws and election security. Then, Vermont Public reporters Liam Elder Connors and Peter Hirschfeld talk us through the candidates in federal, statewide and county races that will appear on ballots.
Check out Vermont Public's primary election guide for information on your polling place and candidate debates and interviews.
Broadcast live on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
President Trump's policies and posture towards Canada have upended our country's relationship with our neighbor to the north. His recent announcement of 50 percent tariffs on some Canadian goods has further ratcheted up tensions between the two nations.
To discuss the impact of this announcement on our two nations, Vermont Edition combined forces for a joint broadcast with CBC's Radio Noon in Quebec, hosted by Shawn Apel. Our conversation focused on trade and the effects of tariffs on commerce, supply chains, and business relationships.
Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak and Quebec's Minister of International Relations Christopher Skeete kicked off the hour talking about Vermont and Canada's long trading history. Quentin Abraham Desrosiers, general manager of PlastiCompetence, an association that represents the plastic industry in Quebec, shared his experiences. We also heard from both Vermont and Quebec listeners who have felt the effects of tariffs.
Broadcast live on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Every year, the Vermont Edition team heads out to a Vermont fair to bring you the sounds and voices of our states favorite summertime traditions. Today we come to you live from Addison County Fair and Field Days in New Haven.
This hour we’ll get to know the fair’s history, talk with 4-H members and animal experts, and get a little taste — literally — of what the fair has to offer.
We're joined today by a host of guests that bring different energies and expertise to the fair-going experience. Benj Deppman is a fair board member whose roots run deep at the Addison Fair. We're also joined by Scythe Sister Michaela Stickney to learn about hand mowing competitions. Sugarhouse manager Andrew Rainville brings some of the fairs blue ribbon winners in the maple contest. Ethan Gervy coordinates the fair's demolition derby and is joined alongside Dylan Mason who has participated in the derby for the past two years and is competing this year as well. Dairy superintendent Stephanie Pope joins us alongside 16 year old 4-H competitor to talk about showing dairy cows. We hear from children's performer Pirate Man Dan who tells us what makes Addison County's fair distinct from the many others he performs at around the country. And board member Meghan Sutton tells us about the home and garden barn.
Broadcast live on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
As alcohol consumption decreases in younger generations, Vermont winemakers are looking for federal recognition for the Champlain Valley of Vermont. It would help them market their products nationwide and could also increase agritourism to the Champlain Valley.
We’re joined by three wine producers in the Champlain Valley region. Deirdre Heekin is the founder of Domaine La Garagista farm and winery and vice president of Vermont Grape & Wine Council, Camila Carrillo is founder of La Montañuela wine and owner of the 10 Green Street wine bar in Vergennes, and Kenneth Albert is founder of Shelburne Vineyard. They tell us about the grapes they grow, and how they plan to gain traction in the wine industry.
Broadcast live on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Blackface performance – or minstrel shows – might seem like relics of the 19th century. But these racist traditions stuck around much longer, including at the University of Vermont.
Today on Vermont Edition, we'll listen back to our conversation from April with the scholar Rhae Lynn Barnes. Her latest book is “Darkology: Blackface and the American Way of Entertainment.”
Barnes spent more than a decade gathering material for the book. She uncovered evidence of blackface performance from nearly every corner of the country…lasting all the way through the mid 1900s.
In her book, she takes us to the campus of the University of Vermont. UVM fraternity members donned blackface during winter carnival, in a tradition lasted more than 70 years.
This summer’s already seen a number of big blockbuster movies – The Odyssey, the new Spiderman, Toy Story 5. You can reliably catch all these movies at theaters across our region. But there are also many opportunities this summer to see movies produced, directed, or curated by your neighbors.
This hour we’ll preview a number of the upcoming film festivals that highlight new and up-and-coming filmmakers in Vermont, and the ways in which Vermonters can get started on their filmmaking journeys.
We're joined by Jay Craven, filmmaker and curator of the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival which begins on August 26th. Also joining us is Emma Schlenoff, producer of the film The Obelisk, a board member of the Vermont Production Collective and founder of Witness Oak Productions, and Dillon Tanner, founder of the Mothership Monthly Film Fest which features the films of many first time filmmakers.
Broadcast live on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Every month, Vermont Edition spends an hour learning about a different municipality in the state for our monthly series, Town by Town.
Today, we'll learn about Guilford, in Windham County. Guilford was once the most populous town in the state. It doesn’t hold that designation anymore, but it’s home to a bustling community center, local businesses and a rich history.
We’ll talk with a local poet, a town historian, and the co-founder of the Guilford Gazette. We’ll also hear about a legendary recording studio in town. Artists like the Pixies and Noah Kahan have made records there.
At the end of the hour, we’ll spin a big wheel to select our next town.
Are you classical-curious but don’t know where to start? Our roundtable of experts share some tips on where to start.
Broadcast on Tuesday, Jul. 28, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Local business leaders want Vermont to adopt the "abundance agenda." Remove administrative burdens so we can build more housing, and attract more working age people.
Today on Vermont Edition: the abundance agenda. We’ll break down exactly what this buzzy phrase means and the challenge it poses specifically to liberals and progressives.
Then: Vermont’s primary is about two weeks away. Two people are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House. We’ll hear from one of the candidates today – Gerald Malloy. He’s an Army vet and defense contractor. He hopes to take on Congresswoman Becca Balint in the general election.
Vermont Edition's Mikaela Lefrak moderates a debate between the two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Vermont's next governor, Amanda Janoo and Aly Richards.
Broadcast on Thursday, Jul. 23, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Many of us dream of learning another language. But becoming fluent as an adult is so hard that it can feel impossible.
Here's some good news: our region is full of linguaphiles who have cracked the code on achieving fluency in multiple tongues.
We discuss the different methods of language learning with: linguistics professor Thor Sawin, the Associate Dean of Curriculum for Middlebury Language Schools; Gabe Wyner, a four-time graduate of Middlebury Language Schools, author of Fluent Forever: How to Learn Any Language Fast and Never Forget It, and creator of the Fluent Forever app; and Eric Agnero, a journalist and French tutor with Alliance française.
Broadcast on Wednesday, Jul. 22, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Vermont Edition host Mikaela Lefrak moderates a debate between the three Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor: Esther Charlestin of South Burlington, Molly Gray of Burlington and Ryan McLaren of Essex Junction.
Broadcast on Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
The Ben and Jerry’s Foundation announced it will shut down by the end of the year. It’s the latest update in a legal dispute with Ben and Jerry’s parent company, Magnum.
Today on Vermont Edition, we learn what’s going on at Ben and Jerry’s with co-founder Ben Cohen. He’s leading a charge to buy back the ice cream company from its corporate owners. We'll also hear from Tim McQuiston with Vermont Business Magazine and the president of the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation, Liz Bankowski.
Then, UVM Health is trying to cut costs. Its support staff want job security and good wages. A union rep will tell us about the upcoming negotiations.
Vermont has six correctional facilities located across the state. Together these prisons house more than 1,500 incarcerated Vermonters. On Thursday, Vermont Edition, Department of Corrections Commissioner Jon Murad on corrections staffing levels, the department’s overtime spending, and overcrowding in some of the state’s prisons.
Plus, with the Seven Days staff writer Colin Flanders on the Chittenden County state’s attorney race.
The popular service Front Porch Forum celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. For many Vermonters, it’s a beloved way to connect with neighbors, share local news and find lost cats. The company’s also faced criticism for how it moderates content.
Today on Vermont Edition, we're joined by the founders of Front Porch Forum, Michael and Valerie Wood-Lewis. They’ll tell us about some of the very best posts they’ve read over the last two decades. We’ll also discuss how their team moderates posts, especially about politics.
Then: hot weather draws crowds to local rivers, lakes and streams, but every year, tragedies occur on the water. Vermont’s search and rescue coordinator will share important information on how to stay safe on the water this summer.
Rodeo culture is alive and well in Vermont, thanks in part to Pond Hill Ranch, a 2000-acre family-run business in Castleton, VT. It’s the largest horse leasing service east of Mississippi, and has been hosting professional rodeos for over 50 years. Every summer, bronc riders and barrel racers come from around the country to compete at the ranch. It’s where novices come for practice and experience, and where pros come to get points before nationals. We’re joined by Harry O’Rourke, the head of Pond Hill Ranch.
Vermont High School Rodeo Association started in 2020, competing at local jackpot events. Over the years, they’ve gained more members, and with that have started expanding events, including: barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending, breakaway roping, and light rifle shooting. At the end of the season, the top competitors get to go to their respective national competitions. This year, Junior High Nationals were held in Oklahoma, and High School Nationals are happening later this month in Nebraska. We chat with the High School President of the team, Erin Hance and Junior High President, Peyton Nichols
Then, we spoke with novelist Meg Richardson. Her new book, Paradise Pawn, centers around two best friends who work with their dads at a pawn shop in Cherry Beach, Florida. Early on in the story, they learn that Kayla’s family can’t afford to send her to a private school, but Jackie’s can. So they hatch a plan to embezzle from their families’ business. It’s a story about family, friendships, and class.
On Monday, Vermont Edition aired interviews with the two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Vermont state auditor. Political newcomer Nicholas Graeter is running against the current deputy state auditor and former state senator, Tim Ashe.
The Republican candidate for auditor, H. Brooke Paige, is running uncontested. The primary election is on Aug. 11, and early voting is already underway.
On Monday, Vermont Edition aired interviews with the two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Vermont state auditor. Political newcomer Nicholas Graeter is running against the current deputy state auditor and former state senator, Tim Ashe.
The Republican candidate for auditor, H. Brooke Paige, is running uncontested. The primary election is on Aug. 11, and early voting is already underway.
With America’s 250th, there’s been a lot of focus on Vermont’s early history. You can always read about it in a book, but historical reenactors are out there bringing those stories back to life.
Today on Vermont Edition, we go back in time with two members of Whitcomb’s Rangers. These Revolutionary War reenactors portray an actual Continental Army Ranger unit. They’ll tell us about their upcoming annual event marking the Battle of Hubbardton.
Then: Vermont Human is a new video series that slows down and explores the lives of your neighbors. Creator David Littlefield will pull back the curtain on his work, just for us.
Summer in our region provides many opportunities to see live music outdoors. This year, Montréal’s summer festival season is more packed than ever.
Vermont Edition’s managing producer Jon Ehrens sits down with Seven Days music editor Chris Farnsworth to discuss the Montreal music scene writ large, and some of Chris's favorite new acts.
We also explore the curious case of the anonymous duo Angine de Poitrine. They’ve gone viral in the last year, and they recently drew a crowd of 70,000 to Montreal’s Jazz Fest. Dr. Robert Zattore, a cognitive neuroscientist and professor at McGill University's Montreal Neurological Institute, tells us why he thinks Angine de Poitrine tickles the brains of listeners. He’s the author of the book "From Perception to Pleasure: The Neuroscience of Music and Why We Love It."
We also hear about the annual African and Caribbean music festival Nuits d'Afrique, which runs through Jul. 19th. It celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The festival's co-founder Suzanne Russeau tells us about the festival's past and present, and about some of the notable acts performing this year.
Broadcast on Wednesdau, Jul. 8, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital plans to close its labor and delivery unit within the next year. As other rural hospitals scale back on maternity care, what will fill in the gap?
Today on Vermont Edition: the cost — and curtailing — of rural maternity care. In the last 5 years, around 140 rural hospitals nationwide have stopped delivering babies, including Copley Hospital, in Lamoille County.
We'll hear from a nurse midwife who used to work there. She’s now the co-founder of a new non-hospital birth center in Waterbury. The top OB/GYN at Dartmouth Hitchcock understands the financials behind rural obstetrics. She says we need to completely rethink how maternity care is funded.
Broadcast on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Vermont’s dairy industry has constricted dramatically over the last decade. According to data from UVM Extension, there were 838 dairy farms a decade ago. That number dropped to 414 at the start of this year. Current projects indicate that another 50 will close by the end of this year.
The processing sector is consolidating, too. Last month, Franklin Foods announced it’s closing its dairy processing facility in Enosburg Falls. The month before, the infant formula maker Perrigo laid off more than 160 people from its soon-to-be shuttered plant in Georgia. In April, the HP Hood dairy processing plant in Barre closed for good.
This hour we look at dairy industry consolidation from local, state and national perspectives. Guests include: Anson Tebbetts, Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets; Kevin Kouri, chair of the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance and the nutrition and sales director at Phoenix Feeds and Nutrition; and Claire Kelloway, the food systems program manager at the Open Markets Institute, a think tank focused on the negative impact of monopolies on the economy and democracy.
We also talk with Jon Ovitt, the longtime plant manager at Franklin Foods in Enosburg Falls. The plant is set to shutter in August, but Ovitt has plans to reimagine the business and reopen it this fall.
Broadcast on Monday, July 6th, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Today is the latest installment in our monthly series, Town by Town. Each month, we hone in on a different town or municipality in the state.
This month, we're shining a light on Middlesex in Washington County. Fitting for a town with the word “middle” in its name, Middlesex is in central Vermont along I-89 and Route 2. It has a reputation as a commuter town where lots of people who live there work in Montpelier or elsewhere.
Middlesex is situated on a bend in the Winooski River. That location in a floodplain led to major flooding in 1927. Middlesex now borders the Wrightsville Reservoir and the town co-manages Wrightsville Beach, a popular place for swimming, picnicking and hiking.
To tell us all about Middlesex are Sarah Seidman and Patty Wiley, the co-founders of the Middlesex Historical Society and co-authors of the oral history Middlesex in the Making. Russ Bennet, founder and owner of NorthLand Visual Design and Construction, told us about developing property in Middlesex, including Camp Meade. We also heard from best selling-author and former Middlesex town clerk, Sarah Strohmeyer.
Broadcast on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
UVM Health, Vermont’s largest health care provider, needs to reduce expenses by at least 300 million dollars over the next three years. That's the recommendation an independent liaison team sent to the hospital network and state regulators in May. This comes on top of major revenue losses due to Medicaid changes.
This past month, 76 jobs were permanently eliminated earlier this month at UVM Health as part of an effort to reduce costs. Employee unions are concerned about providing adequate care and more reductions are likely.
Dr. Stephen Leffler, CEO of UVM Health and the president and COO of UVM Medical Center, joined Vermont Edition to talk about those job cuts, price increases and more. We also talked with the chair of the Green Mountain Care Board Owen Foster, who oversees the regulation of hospital budgets and health insurance premiums.
This hour, Vermont Edition brings you the stories of three creative people in our region and their new projects.
We begin with Richard Hawley of Ripton. He recently celebrated the publication of the seventhvolume of his series On My Way Out: A Reflection on Closure. A mixture of memoir, diary and philosophical musings, the book explores such topics as mortality, retirement and friendship.
Musician and Champlain College art professor Al Larsen reunited his band Some Velvet Sidewalk for the first time in 30 years. The band, woven into the fabric of the Pacific Northwest's '90s grunge scene, has released a new album, Critters Encore. A month-long show of Larsen's artwork is also now on display at the Champlain College Art Gallery.
Artist and organizer Katherine Leungof Milton makes zines and other art that explore her Cantonese and Jewish identities. Leung is the creator of a new, six-part podcast called Ritual about Asian Jews in Vermont. The podcast was created with the support of Vermont Folklife, where Katherine is one of their inaugural communities fellows.
Broadcast on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
As it turns out, many people visit the Green Mountain state just to tee off here. We’ll parse over the numbers, and discuss how the golf industry is attempting to counter perceptions that it's not ecologically friendly and a sport just for the elite.
Joining us to discuss the sport are David Jankowski, president of the Vermont PGA, and Mark Finch, director of grounds at Country Club of Vermont and the vice president of the Vermont Golf Course Superintendents Association.
If trying to get a small round ball into a cup isn’t quite your cup of tea, there’s also disc golf. Two of the premier courses in the country are in Vermont. To tell us more is Jeff Spring, the head of the Pro Disc Golf Tour, who also designed the Brewster Ridge course at Smuggler's Notch, and Aidan Trombley, the resort's manager of disc golf operations.
Smuggler's Notch is a Vermont Public business sponsor.
Broadcast on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
In the latest installment of our series, Vermont Edition At Home, we head to the Montpelier home of writer Katherine Paterson.
The award-winning author has written more than 40 books, including The Great Gilly Hopkins, Jacob Have I Loved, Bread and Roses Too, among many others. Her best-known book, Bridge to Terabithia, was adapted into a Hollywood movie in 2007. Paterson is one of only six American authors to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Award. The Library of Congress named her a ‘Living Legend’ in 2000.
Paterson tells us about her early life in China as the daughter of missionaries, grappling with the rush of success and making writer friends in Vermont. We’ll also hear how she balanced motherhood with a burgeoning literary career.
Earlier this year, Vermont’s first director of animal welfare, Lisa Milot, released a report on how the state responds to animal welfare and cruelty cases. She discussed plans to modernize the system, emphasizing the need for clearer standards, stronger enforcement and additional resources.
We also heard from Medora Plimpton, who runs Howling Mountain Wildlife Rescue from her home in Starksboro. She is one of only a few people in Vermont licensed to work with rabies-vector species such as foxes, skunks and raccoons. Plimpton also shares what to do if you encounter an injured or baby animal.
A new graphic novel tells the story of Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake, two seamstresses in 1800s Addison County. The two women lived together as a couple for nearly half a century, and they were accepted and beloved by their community. They're buried under the same gravestone in Weybridge.
Norwich cartoonist Tillie Walden tells this love story in her new historical graphic novel 'Charity & Sylvia.' Walden is the former Vermont cartoonist laureaute and the author of more than a dozen books.
We also talk with Coco Moseley, executive director of the Henry Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, which holds Charity and Sylvia's archives. And Vermont Humanities executive director Christopher Kaufman Ilstrup helped bring the story to Walden's attention. Vermont Humanities will distribute thousands of copies as this year's pick for the Vermont Reads program. (Note: Vermont Public is the media sponsor of Vermont Reads.)
This Friday is Juneteenth, a holiday marking the date that some of the last enslaved people in the Confederacy received word that they were free. Juneteenth celebrations date back to the 1860s, but it didn’t become a federal holiday in 2021. Now, communities across our region mark Juneteenth with storytelling events, speaker series, community meals and music.
The Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro will host Singing a Journey of Freedom: Songs of Slavery and Emancipation on Friday. The program began as a research project by Mat Callahan, a musician and author currently residing in Bern, Switzerland. He uncovered songs composed and sung by enslaved people and abolitionists that had been buried by history.
Callahan then teamed up with Dr. Kathy Bullock to bring this music to life. Bullock is a visiting professor of music at Bennington College, as well as a singer, arranger and choral conductor specializing in gospel, spirituals and classical works by composers from the African diaspora.
We are also joined by Rev. Leon Dunkley, an ethnomusicologist and a minister at the North Chapel in Woodstock.
Then, Joan Gorman of the Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh shares the history of the museum, which used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad.
The FIFA World Cup is underway in stadiums across the US, Canada and Mexico. Toronto and Vancouver in Canada are two of the World Cup host cities. For Vermonters, the closest place to see a match is Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. It’s been temporarily renamed Boston Stadium for the duration of the Cup, on FIFA’s insistence.
Giving us the lowdown on Boston is GBH News reporter Esteban Bustillos. In addition to the Boston matches, he's been covering celebrations from local immigrant communities and the residence of the French national team at a nearby university.
For a Vermont perspective, we brought together a trio of Englishmen with a deep love of the game: Tyler Caton and Riley Moloney, two members of the Vermont Green FC; and Joseph Fox, owner of the SLIDE IN Pub in Shelburne, Vermont's first soccer bar.
Howard Dean is a former Vermont governor, presidential candidate and Democratic National Committee chair. But before all that, he was just a local physician who really wanted Burlington to have a bike path.
In the latest installment of our occasional series Vermont Edition At Home, Howard Dean invites us into his living room in Burlington.
He talks candidly about his upbringing in New York and his ongoing grief over his brother’s early death. We also hear his thoughts on the current political climate and Vermont’s struggle to provide affordable healthcare to all residents.
Broadcast on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
The U.S. Mint ceased making new pennies in November. Our humble, one-cent, copper-and-zinc coin can still be used as currency, but its circulation will dwindle in the years ahead.
Vermont's first coin — before it became a U.S. state — was also made of copper. These coins date back to days of the Green Mountain Boys, when Vermont was its own republic. Historian Jon Mathewson of Middletown Springs shares the history of Harmon's mint in Rupert.
Joe Watkins of Vermont Coin & Jewelry in South Burlington gave us his coin collector's perspective on how to make a pretty penny from collecting rare pennies.
For insight from the banking world, we talk with Jennifer Smith, a regional leader with Union Bank in Morrisville. We also hear from Matt Cota, managing director of the Vermont Retailers & Grocers Association. He tells us about a new state law that creates a system for rounding cash purchases up or down at the register.
When it comes to idioms and common English phrases, the penny punches above its weight: penny pincher, a pretty penny, penny-wise, a penny saved and so many more. Helping us make sense of the penny's place in language is Maeve Eberhardt, associate professor of linguistics at the University of Vermont.
Battery energy storage systems — BESS — are popping up across the country. They strengthen the electrical grid by storing energy and releasing it at high demand times, and can lower energy costs for customers. But some neighbors of some proposed facilities have concerns about safety and aesthetics.
In Vergennes, residents are pushing back against plans by the company Lightshift to build one on Panton Rd. But local officials and Lightshift representatives say the worries are unfounded.
We talk through how these systems work with Cyril Brunner. He works in the energy sector — currently for Texture, which builds software to operate the grid, and formerly for Vermont Electric Cooperative. We also talk with Vergennes property owner Carrie Hathaway, a vocal opponent of the proposed battery energy storage site.
Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwendolyn Craig fills us in on similar debates over battery storage that are currently underway in Adirondack Park.
A representative from Lightshift shared a statement from the company with Vermont Edition ahead of today's show:
“Battery energy storage is playing an increasingly important role in advancing Vermont's renewable energy goals, strengthening grid reliability, and helping manage electricity costs. The proposed Panton Road facility uses lithium iron phosphate batteries, a technology widely recognized for its strong safety record. The proposed footprint is approximately 0.17 acres in an industrially zoned site near other larger commercial businesses. Lightshift has met with local officials and residents to present the project and answer questions, and local fire officials have stated they have no safety objections.
If approved, the project will provide important benefits to the state and ratepayers. It will help lower energy costs, decrease fossil fuel reliance, and strengthen grid resilience during periods of severe weather and system stress. The project is designed with multiple layers of safety protection, will meet all required safety codes, and does not present a greater safety risk than other types of industrial businesses in the area. The noise level will be studied and mitigated if necessary to ensure no undue adverse impact. The project’s aesthetic impact will also be studied and mitigated if necessary to thoughtfully complement its surroundings.
Our focus is on providing clear information about battery storage technology and safety, continuing to engage openly with residents and local officials, and participating fully in Vermont's rigorous regulatory review process. We are committed to ensuring that the process is guided by facts and grounded in a shared commitment to Vermont’s energy future.
It is important to recognize that we are in the early stages of development. We look forward to continuing to engage with interested parties, including the town and residents, to try to incorporate community input as much as reasonably possible.”
Broadcast live on Monday, June 8, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
It's is the latest installment of our Town by Town series. where every month, we take an hour to learn about a randomly selected town or city in Vermont, with the goal of hitting all 252 of them.
Today: Brattleboro, in Windham County. Home to a little over 12,000 people, making it one of the larger municipalities in the state. The town sits right along the Connecticut River. It was named after Colonel William Brattle of Boston, who had bought some of land here in 1716. Dummer Meadows, in the southeastern corner of Brattleboro, was likely the first permanent English settlement in Vermont, in the 1720s, but indigenous people lived here long before that.
We're joined this hour live in the Latchis Theater by Kate Trzaskos, the executive director of the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance, Danny Lichtenfeld, the executive director of the Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center, Wendy O’Connell, host and executive producer of the interview program Here We Are on Brattleboro Community TV, Joe Wiah, the executive director of the Ethiopian Community Development Council, and Ann Latchis, of the Latchis Theater.
Broadcast live on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Design-build architects are trained not just to envision a home or structure, but to build it themselves and to improvise based on their on-site experiences.
For years this movement centered around Prickly Mountain in Warren. A handful of visionary young architects moved to Vermont’s Mad River Valley in the 1960s to explore the more creative and experimental aspects of homebuilding.
Waitsfield filmmaker Allie Rood grew up in and around Prickly Mountain homes. Her feature-length documentary, “Prickly Mountain, and My Design/Build Life,” premiered last fall. It won the best documentary award at Vermont Public’s Made Here Film Festival.
There are many local architects who were inspired by the work of Prickly Mountain. We learn about the design-build movement of today with Britton Rogers, executive director of Yestermorrow in Waitsfield, and Danny Sagan, architecture professor at Norwich University.
First, we're joined by Vermont's Attorney General Charity Clark, who discusses her ongoing legal battle against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
Then, a roundtable of historians and curators discuss the events going on around the state this summer to commemorate the 250th birthday of America. We're joined by Stephen Perkins of the Vermont Historical Society, Angie Grove of the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, and Martin Mahoney of the Bennington Museum.
The Vermont Legislature adjourned for the session Friday evening after Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Phil Scott reached an agreement on education reform. Lawmakers also passed a budget bill and a yield bill to set tax rates, and Gov. Scott is expected to sign all three.
To help us make sense of this sessions' hot topics are a trio of Vermont Public statehouse reporters: Peter Hirschfeld and Lola Duffort in Montpelier, and Report for America fellow Carly Berlin, who covers housing and infrastructure for Vermont Public and VTDigger.
Have you ever thought about just how many insect species call your yard home? There are thousands of species to discover just outside your door.
The app iNaturalist lets users upload photos to identify insects, animals, fungi and more. Each iNaturalist entry helps the team at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) catalogue every living species in the Vermont Atlas of Life.
Two VCE biologists discuss ways to spot and catalogue local species: Kent McFarland, VCE's co-founder and the force behind the Vermont Butterfly Atlas, and Spencer Hardy, a bee biologist who runs VCE's Wild Bee Survey and the co-owner of The Farm Upstairs in Jericho.
Amateur naturalist and community scientist Bernie Paquette of Jericho is one of the top bee observers in the world on iNaturalist, where he posts research-grade photographs of insects. Last year, he received the 2025 Julie Nicholson Community Science Award from VCE.
Vermont Edition went down the rabbit hole with a recent episode of Brave Little State to find out if there really are more twins per capita in the town of Sheldon — and if so, how it happened.
Two sets of Vermont twins told us about going into business together. Leah Klatzker and Rachel Klatzker, co-owners of So Full Sisters, run two food trucks as well as a Middlebury College coffee stand.
Circus artists Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion co-founded the nonprofit New England Center for Circus Arts and the creative circus production company Nimble Arts. They shared what it's been like to work together everywhere from the trapeze to the board room.
Broadcast live on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Some movie stars or celebrity chefs have massive followings on Instagram or YouTube. Others gain followers by posting addictive content. But some people simply post about what they love, and build a community from there.
Today on Vermont Edition, three Vermonter content creators showcase their passions on social media. Mirna Valerio is an endurance athlete, writer and brand ambassador for major brands like Darn Tough, Lululemon and LLBean. She also advocates for inclusion in the outdoors community. Graham Montague snorkels in local lakes and ponds and posts about his underwater wonders. Christine Tyler Hill is an artist and Burlington crossing guard. She mails a monthly printed newsletter about what she sees, but people on Instagram have caught on, too.
They’ve each learned a lot about how to make social media meaningful instead of soul-sucking. And they also have some big adventures planned for this summer.
Military academies and ROTC clubs teach children and young adults — most of them boys — how to fight in war. But this education comes with its own risk of scars.
Vermont-based freelance journalist Jasper Craven explores American military education in his new book, God Forgives, Brothers Don't: The Long March of Military Education and the Making of American Manhood.
Craven has reported on the military and veterans' issues for local and national publications including VTDigger, Mother Jones, The New Republic and the The New York Times Magazine.
Broadcast live on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
We’re nearing the traditional end point of Vermont’s legislative calendar. Adjournment at the statehouse in Montpelier is tentatively scheduled for May 29, but there’s a lot left to settle before the state’s part-time lawmakers head home.
Throughout this legislative session you’ve heard lawmakers on Vermont Edition discuss these issues. Now, we get to hear from the state’s top elected official, Gov. Phil Scott.
Tick season is upon us yet again, and tick bite-related emergency room visits in the Northeast are higher than normal right now. It’s hard not to resent these disease-spreading arachnids. Ticks spread pathogens like anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus, and Lyme disease. We're joined by David Allen, an associate professor of biology at Middlebury College to talk about the different types of ticks in the region, the diseases they spread, how to prevent tick bites, and how he learned to embrace one of the most detested parts of the animal kingdom.
But first; the chair of the education committee in Vermont's House of Representatives will not seek reelection this fall. Rep. Peter Conlon (D-Cornwall) has served in the state legislature for a decade. He's focused his efforts in the last few years on education reform and the ongoing school redistricting debate. He joins us to talk about his decision to step down and what he's learned from his time in the legislature.
Broadcast live on Monday, May 18, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Burlington police body cam footage from March ICE raid will be released 'very soon,' says mayor
Vermont has no shortage of artists creating new works.
Author Tim Weed of Putney has a new novel set in Vermont called The Gatepost that blends modern science and ancient cosmology. Photographer Nathan Larson of Windsor packed up his entire life into a van and hit the road. A new book of poetry and photographs captures his adventures. And filmmaker Robbie Leppzer's latest work is a documentary about the founder of Bread and Puppet Theater.
Broadcast live on Wednesday May 13, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
There are many tech tools making their way into kids’ classrooms: Chromebooks and iPads, Canvas and Powerschool, ChatGPT and Claude. Is that a good thing? Depends on who you ask.
Some states are passing laws to limit in-school screen time. Rep. Angela Arsenault, a Democrat from Williston, supports these measures, saying Vermont should better regulate the use of tech like chatbots and smartphones in schools.
Providing the tech perspective is Sara Kloek, vice president of education policy at the Software & Information Industry Association, a non-profit that represents the interests of EdTech companies. Educators Michael Berry, director of curriculum and technology for the Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools, and Brian Burgess, a speech pathologist at Harwood Union Middle and High School, also provided insight.
Manufacturing is an important part of Vermont’s economy. According to the state, about seven percent of Vermont workers are employed by manufacturing companies and those employees make an average of $68,000 dollars a year.
But the sector is shrinking fast. Between 2020, before the pandemic, and now, the number of manufacturing jobs has fallen by more than 11 percent.
Case in point: The infant formula maker Perrigo. About a year ago, it announced it’d be closing its factory in Georgia, Franklin County. This month, it kicked off that process, laying off 162 people. By the end of June, all manufacturing at the plant will have ceased and more than four hundred will be laid off.
We’ll work to understand why the plant is closing with Vermont Business Magazine’s Tim McQuiston and Megan Sullivan of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. We'll also hear from the owner of Georgia Market near the Perrigo plant about the impact to his own business’s future.
Then: Overdose deaths have declined in Vermont for three years in a row. Why? Is it access to overdose reversal meds? State-funded treatment programs? Changes in street supply? We'll break down the data with the state's Department of Health.
Over the past few years, Vermonters have upped their flood resilience efforts. As we enter another flood season, this work becomes even more urgent.
Douglas Farnham, the state’s Chief Recovery Officer, joins to tell us about how changes at the Federal Emergency Management Agency are impacting Vermont flood recovery efforts. And he gives us an update on the FEMA buyout program.
Also, we talk with Arion Thiboumery from the Plainfield Community Development Corp, an organization dedicated to creating new affordable housing in the town of Plainfield. Their current effort called the East Plainfield Expansion Project aims to build 20 new units of housing near the village on higher ground. They just received a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Vermont Edition intern Maeve Fairfax went to Hardwick to investigate the challenges that Vermonters face trying to find new housing after being displaced by a flood. She talked with taqueria owner and buyout recipient Bryan Palinonis.
Then, Audrey Grant of Northeast Kingdom Organizing joins us to talk about Resilience Hubs. These are community spaces that are stocked with supplies needed for emergency disaster response — muck and gut kits, dehumidifiers, generators, and more. They are also used in quieter times as a space where communities can gather, organize, and access services they might need. These are operated by the organization Northeast Kingdom Organizing.
Broadcast live on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Communities across our region are hosting Juneteenth celebrations this year. The federal holiday marks the end of slavery in the United States and honors Black history and culture. South Burlington recreation specialist Kate Likhite and state Sen. Joe Major of Hartford tell us about their communities' Juneteenth events.
Then: two local authors share the stories behind their new books. In "The Ghost Lab: How Bigfoot Hunters, Mediums and Alien Enthusiasts Are Wrecking Science," Vershire's Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling explores the ties between pseudoscience and the erosion of trust in institutions like government and media. Mima Tipper, who lives in Waitsfield and South Hero, tells a story of travel, family and young love in her debut young adult novel, "Kat's Greek Summer."
More than 200 wildfires are currently burning in Canada. They are transforming forests, and becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change.
This hour we discuss how wildfires affect our landscapes, and how wildfire smoke affects air quality and our bodies. Our guests are David Grass, a senior environmental health manager at the Vermont Department of Health, and David Phillips, a Toronto-based climatologist emeritus with Environment and Climate Change Canada, a governmental agency.
This episode also includes an interview with Boston Globe correspondent Paul Heintz about recent ICE detentions in Vermont, including an immigrant rights advocate and his 18-year-old stepdaughter.
Broadcast live on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Rosemary Gladstar is said to be the Godmother of modern herbalism. In the latest installment of Vermont Edition At Home, Mikaela visited Gladstar at her house in Milton, Vermont. They discussed her roots in herbalism, from her childhood learning how to forage for food and medicine with her grandmother, to becoming the founder of a world renowned herbal retreat center in Vermont and founder of several companies. Mikaela was also treated to a tour of her herbal garden and heard about all of the medicinal and culinary uses of the many herbs Gladstar grows at home.
Broadcast live on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
"The long term survival of life on earth has never really been in doubt...it's the survival of homo sapiens that has been in question." That stark reminder, or perhaps warning, comes from one of the central characters in the new novel by Vermont author Tim Weed called "The Afterlife Project."
Guest host Mitch Wertlieb speaks with the Putney-based writer about what inspired his book--which blends elements of climate fact with science fiction, telling a story that stretches from the not too distant future to a world that in ten thousand years is visited by one man who may or may not be the last surviving member of an otherwise wiped-out human race.
Plus, we'll discuss some of the better ways you can feel like the last person on earth by exploring great out-of-the-way wilderness hikes with Claire Polfus, a recreation program manager for the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
The birthrate in the United States is on the decline, and of all 50 states, Vermont’s fertility rate is the lowest. We'll listen to a recent episode of Vermont Public's podcast Brave Little State where reporter Nina Keck looks into a listener’s question about childlessness.
Then, we'll be joined by sociology professor Amy Blackstone of the University of Maine, who researches why some people opt out of parenting. Her book is Childfree by Choice.
Broadcast live on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Vermont’s roadways are dotted with iconic green and gold markers. They tell stories of our region’s past.
Today on Vermont Edition, the state’s Historic Preservation Officer tells us about the state’s newest historic markers, like the one for Devil’s Bowl Speedway, New England’s fastest dirt track, or another in Fayston for Ralph Waldo Ellison, author of the classic novel Invisible Man.
Then, soccer star Sam Mewis will coach two women’s exhibition games this summer for the Vermont Green. She’s a FIFA World Cup champion, an Olympic medalist and one of the best midfielders to come out of the U.S. We’ll hear more about coaching in Vermont, and her popular Men in Blazers podcast, the Women’s Game.
Electric vehicles – EVs – don’t emit pollutants into the air. That’s a good thing, if you’re focused on cutting emissions and curbing climate change. But they’re also often more expensive than gas cars, and the charging infrastructure along roads and highways isn’t fully built out yet. Considering these challenges, how do you get people to buy EVs?
In Vermont, the Scott administration proposed a rule to the Legislature in 2022 to end gas-powered car sales by 2035, which a legislative committee then approved. The rule stated that manufacturers should increase the percentage of EVs for sale in Vermont. State agencies said the strategy led to an uptick in EV ownership.
But then, about three weeks ago, Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott issued an executive order halting enforcement of this rule for 19 months. He also said his administration "remains committed to achieving emissions reductions, including vehicle emissions."
We hear more about what's going on in Vermont from freelance journalist Nathaniel Eisen of Colchester, who recently covered the story for Inside Climate News. Vermont's Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, Julie Moore, gives us the state's perspective, and Democratic state Senator Anne Watson explains why she's disappointed in the governor's decision. Plus, Brent Dragon, sales manager for the heavy truck dealership R.R. Charlebois in Milton, tells us about the trucking industry's take on the mandate and the state's decision to put it on hold.
Correction: During Tuesday's radio broadcast and in this post we incorrectly identified the rule as a "law" and "regulation" that was first put forth by the Vermont Legislature. In fact, it was a rule proposed by the Scott administration.
Broadcast live on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Vermont’s legislative session was supposed to be over, but one massive and potentially historic bill will keep lawmakers in Montpelier longer than expected. That bill? Education reform.
Today on Vermont Edition: a trio of local education reporters break down the ed reform debate. This bill seeks to fundamentally transform how Vermont schools are run and how they are funded. It could set class size minimums, dramatically cut the number of school districts, and change how we pay for public education and independent school tuition. We'll hear from Alison Novak with Seven Days, Ethan Weinstein with VTDigger, and Vermont Public’s Lola Duffort.
Darn Tough. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Ben and Jerry’s. Ivy Computer. Verde Technologies. KORE Power Battery Cell Developers. What do all these businesses have in common? They either were, or still are, in the small town of Waterbury, Vermont.
Today on Vermont Edition: what makes this one town in Washington County a good home for growing companies? Our guests this hour have their theories.
We’ll talk with leaders of companies based in Waterbury and the head of the town’s business development organization. Plus, we’ll talk about how other small towns can attract businesses that bring good jobs to the area.
Lake Memphremagog provides drinking water for around 200,000 Canadians, and recreation for countless Vermonters. It also faces serious environmental challenges.
Today on Vermont Edition: the fight to restore and protect the water quality of our region’s largest lakes. We’ll hear from a Quebec-based group about their effort to designate Memphremagog as a lake in crisis.
We’ll also talk with a scientist from the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and a shoreline ecologist with Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation. They’ll tell us about the biggest threats to these water bodies, like phosphorus runoff.
First up, we're joined by Josh Wronski, the outgoing Executive Director of the Vermont Progressive Party to talk about his tenure there, what he learned in his nine years leading Vermont's third party, and how they should move forward.
Then, Rep. Becca Balint joins us to talk about the Big Beautiful Bill, Medicaid cuts, the war in Gaza, impeachment, and U.S.-Canada relations.
Lastly, it's our monthly local food segment with Seven Days food writer Melissa Pasanen.
Broadcast live on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
In the latest installment of our series, Vermont Edition At Home: The award-winning cartoonist Alison Bechdel chats with us from her home studio in Bolton.
Alison Bechdel is one of the country’s most renowned cartoonists. Her graphic memoir Fun Home was turned into a Tony Award-winning musical. Her new graphic novel, Spent, is set in Vermont.
Spring is an annual rite of passage, a time of transition and regrowth. Some spend it gardening. Others reconnect with friends. And a few of us, like Vermont Edition's Mikaela Lefrak, derive actual joy from spring cleaning.
Two professional home organizers joined Mikaela to share their best spring cleaning tips: Sarah Thompsonof St. George and Amie Davisof Georgia, Vt.
If you need an extra dose of motivation, you could hire a DJ like Burlington-based Taraleigh Weathers, also known as DJ Cheetahtah. She'll come to your house to play music while you clean. She's also working launching her own YouTube channel that you can watch and listen to as you clean.
Parts of our region are experiencing a very wet and muddy spring. For some, the rains bring up tough memories of the flooding of recent years. For some towns, the floods of 2023 and 2024 caused immense damage and upended lives. While we all hope 2025 doesn’t make this list, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Here to to talk flood preparedness is the director of Vermont Emergency Management, Eric Forand. His office is working to improve communication with individual towns when a disaster hits. We also talk with volunteer organizers about their plans to help Vermonters weather this years storms. Megan Mathers of Northeast Kingdom Organizing and the Kingdom United Resilience and Recovery Effort, and Jon Copans of the Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience join us.
Today is Vermont Edition’s annual spring gardening show. Our guest is Charlie Nardozzi – gardening consultant extraordinaire, speaker, and TV and radio host. You can hear him on Sunday mornings right here on Vermont Public for All Things Gardening. This year's show was in front of a live audience at Vermont Public’s Colchester studio.
Vermont’s only law school is the heart of South Royalton. Many residents wonder if the school will stay there, or if it’ll leave town.
Today on Vermont Edition, we share a recent episode of Brave Little State. It digs into this listener question about Vermont Law and Graduate School:“Do South Royalton and the surrounding towns actually have to worry about the Vermont law school leaving, or is it just a recurring rumor?” Produce Sabine Poux learns about the law school’s footprint in that part of the state.
Plus, a live discussion with Vermont Supreme Court Justice Karen Carroll and lawyer Andrew Cliburn on how the law school shaped their careers.
First, Leading arts organizations in Vermont are reeling, after finding out they’ve lost grant funding from the federal government. The Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Flynn Center, and Northern Stage are just a few of the local groups that face significant cuts. The head of the Vermont Arts Council, Susan Evans McClure, explains the role of federal funding in Vermont’s cultural landscape.
Then, The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Vermont and three other states for legislation that allows them to sue oil companies for damage caused by climate change over the last 30 years. Vermont was the first in the state to pass such a law, called the Climate Action Superfund. Pat Parenteau, a professor at Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Environmental Law Center, tells us about this lawsuit and the two other lawsuits coming from outside of the state and how they may play out. Independent State Rep. Anne Donahue tells us why she thinks Vermont's law should be repealed. And Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak explains his office's work to determine the specific amount that the state aims to collect from oil companies.
Broadcast live on Monday, May 12, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
We’re excited to present a new podcast created by the nonprofit Vermont Folklife. It’s called The Arts That Shape Us. It’s devoted to exploring the state’s cultural heritage and what different local artforms say about the past and present of Vermont. This podcast is one of ten projects funded by Vermont Public’s Made Here Fund, created to support Vermont media makers. Vermont Folklife’s Director of Education and Media, Mary Wesley, hosts the show.
In this first installment, she takes us to Barre. As Mary explains, the city had a booming granite industry, and this industrial tradition birthed an artistic one.
Then, we meet a Tibetan musician and dancer who has infused his cultural heritage into Vermont's.
Broadcast live on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
There’s an effort underway by the Trump administration to defund public media in America. Vermont Public's CEO Vijay Singh will answer listener questions along with our own to get a clearer view of public media’s mission, its message, and future if financial support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is eliminated.
Plus, Quebec's Eastern Townships may be overshadowed by the glamour associated with the city of Montreal, but the editors of a new book called "Quebec's Eastern Townships and the World" argue the collection of towns just north of the border have their own historical and cultural footprint that reaches far beyond the province.
Vermont author Bailey Seybolt used marvel at the beauty of one old Burlington building. Her research unearthed a dark history. Seybolt sits down with Mitch Wertlieb to discuss her true-crime novel, Coram House, andthe notorious real-life abuses at St. Joseph's Orphanage it's based on.
Then; the story of Vermont's founders like Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold has been told ad nauseum. But Vermont State Representative Conor Casey found something inherently funny about these men and their relationship. So, he wrote a satirical take on the events surrounding Vermont's early history, provocatively titled Founding F*ers: The Story of Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. It began it's weeks long run at The Greater Boston Stage Company earlier this week and runs until May 18th. Casey sits down with Mitch to talk about why he finds Vermont's founders so funny and how the stage play came together.
Broadcast live on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Today on Vermont Edition, the celebrated cartoonist Harry Bliss discusses his new graphic memoir, You Can Never Die. It’s about his life, his relationship with his dog Penny, and his grief over her death. We’ll learn about his successful cartooning career with the New Yorker and collaborating with the comedian Steve Martin.
Plus: April is National Poetry Month. For the final installment of our April poetry series, we’ll talk with Sarah Audsley of Johnson. Her poetry often reflects her experiences as a Korean American adoptee living in Vermont.
Three forestry experts discuss the many uses of Vermont's forested lands, and the potential local impact of an executive order about timber production.
Vermont Edition is launching a new series, featuring intimate conversations with noteworthy Vermonters right in their own living rooms. It’s called Vermont Edition At Home.
For the first installment, Mikaela Lefrak went to the Middlebury home of François Clemmons.. Clemmons is best known for playing Officer Clemmons on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.
Clemmons discusses how he came to embrace his Blackness, his homosexuality, and his desire to be a performer.
Broadcast live on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
An original indie-folk musical premieres at Northern Stage in White River Junction next month. Set over the course of one working day, "The Vermont Farm Project" tells the stories of eight farmers. It's based on three years of interviews with farmers from Vermont and the surrounding region. Director Sarah Wansley of White River Junction and Hudson Valley-based writer Jessica Kahkoska tell us more about this unique production.
Plus, Vergennes native Alexandria Hall is based in Los Angeles, but a lot of Vermont's essence is found in her work. Her poems reflect the daily life and language of rural Vermont.
Vermonters and Quebeckers share much more than a border. We do business together, get our passports out for vacation, and visit family. But this year, the threads that hold us together have frayed.
Vermont Edition co-hosted a cross-border conversation in partnership with Radio Noon, a call-in program from the CBC in Quebec. Mikaela Lefrak and Radio Noon host Shawn Apel took calls and emails from listeners on both sides of the border about the current state of U.S.-Canada relations. We also heard about the real-world repercussions of President Donald Trump’s “51st state” rhetoric.
Vermont Public reporter Peter Hirschfeld joined the conversation as well to talk about the effect the Trump administration is having on Canadian tourism in Vermont, and how the state's lawmakers are reacting to the increased tensions.
Broadcast live on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
A new report finds that Americans consume more dairy than they did a decade ago. Vermont dairy farmers are trying to capitalize.
Vermont is at the epicenter of two high-profile arrests by federal immigration officers. Both involve pro-Palestinian university students, Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, and Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk.
Our reporters covering these detentions, Sabine Poux and Lexi Krupp share the latest updates. The cases shine a light on changing federal immigration practices, and Vermont's role in them. We also hear from immigration attorney Brett Stokes and state senator Becca White. who represents Mahdawi's district and was present when he was detained.
Plus: For our National Poetry Month series, poet Geof Hewitt tells us about building a daily writing practice.
Broadcast live on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
A Montreal economist, Burlington financial advisor and Waitsfield money mindset coach share their best advice for this uncertain economic time.
Today on Vermont Edition, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas. We’ll discuss the SAVE Act, which she opposes, and get her take on Vermont’s election integrity in the face of cuts to the federal office that handles election security infrastructure.
Then, we'll be joined by the superintendents of two school districts, one from central Vermont and the other in the Northeast Kingdom. We’ll hear how their school budgets are shaping up and how they're preparing for education changes from Washington.
Today on Vermont Edition, we'll explore the massive changes underway at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A program known as LIHEAP offsets utility bills for more than 6 million Americans. Vermont Public reporter Abagael Giles tells us about the future of the program. We’ll also talk with a Head Start supervisor in Windham Southeast school district, and the head of an agency that feeds hundreds of low-income, older Vermonters.
Plus: Vermont’s poet laureate, Bianca Stone helps us celebrate National Poetry Month.
For some Vermonters, biking is simply a fun form of recreation or exercise. But for others, it’s how they get to work or school.
Bike advocates across the region are trying to make commuting by bike more accessible and safe for Vermonters. Joining us is Jonathon Weber of Local Motion, Hanif Nazerli of the Capital City Corridor bike share project, and Darren Ohl of the Vermont Bicycle Shop in Barre discussed road safety, to discuss bike infrastructure development, and access to good bikes and gear.
Broadcast live on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Programs for careers like welding, construction, and automotive tech are in hot demand. The Central Vermont Career Center, a career technical school in Barre, has more applicants than they have space to admit. A recent report by Vermont Public found that enrollment is up statewide at most of Vermont’s 17 career and technical education centers. It’s a national trend, and it’s earned Gen Z the nickname “The Toolbelt Generation.”
We talk with CVCC's director Jody Emerson and Nick Cantrick, a construction technology instructor at the Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury, about their students' career opportunities.
We also discuss current labor needs in Vermont with Richard Wobby, Executive Vice President at the Associated General Contractors of Vermont, and Kendal Smith, Deputy Commissioner at the Vermont Department of Labor.
Broadcast live on Monday, April 7, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
WCAX sports director Jack Fitzsimmons and Seven Days food writer Jordan Barry share recent exciting stories from their beats.
As the soil thaws, rain falls, and warmer spring days fill up the forecast, the little critters that live in our region are on the move. It is the amphibian migration season and frogs and salamanders have places to be.
We talk with herpetologist Jim Andrews of Salisbury who tells us about so-called Big Nights, when humans help salamanders, frogs, and toads cross roads without getting flattened by tires. And he suggests ways to support these species during their migration season, and how to report your own sightings of these travelling amphibians.
Broadcast live on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Many Vermonters are frustrated and worried about the high cost of healthcare in the state. One of the main organizations trying to figure out what to do about it is Green Mountain Care Board. It controls the rate of health care costs in the state.
Green Mountain Care Board president Owen Foster joins us to talk about the rising costs of health insurance premiums, and the financial challenges facing rural hospitals.
Then, Some Vermont-based employers are trying to diversify their hiring pool. But it can be tough to get BIPOC hires to move to a majority white state. We’ll hear about a program that helps people of color feel less alone when they move here for work.
Broadcast live on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
When we file our taxes, we all have a guess as to where our money’s going. Education, infrastructure, the military, foreign aid. But for most of us, it’s just that – a guess.
We break down where exactly our tax dollars go, both at the state and federal level. Vermont’s new tax commissioner Bill Shouldice explains where the state’s pot of tax dollars comes from, and where it gets allocated He also breaks down how his office estimates property taxes every year.
Then, Chuck Marr helps us understand how it works. He’s steeped in the minutiae of federal tax policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. He tells us about the biggest programs our tax dollars fund, like Medicare and Medicaid, and how that could be changing with this new Administration and Congress.
They hang upside down, fly by night, and some of them drink blood?! Bats get a bad rap – but are they really as scary as they seem?
On today's Vermont Edition: Bats! It’s the latest installment of our March series, Animal Hour. Bats play a vital role in our ecosystems. But some species are endangered, and others are being threatened by disease. A small mammal biologist with Vermont Fish and Wildlife studies the bat species in our region. She’ll share fun facts about bats, and explain why they’re so important.
We’ll also talk with a bat rehabilitator and founder of the Vermont Bat Center. He’ll tell us how to help injured or orphaned, or trapped bats.
Today on Vermont Edition: the history of the Vermont marble industry. Quarries around the state produced beautiful black, red, dark green and white marble. A Brandon historian will share stories of what it was like to work in a quarry, and the importance of marble to our region. We’ll also hear about the Marble Museum’s closure and the uncertain future of its collection, with the head of the Preservation Trust of Vermont.
Then: the annual Public Philosophy Week returns. Two local philosophy professors will tell us about upcoming philosophical lectures and mind-stimulating discussions around the state.
March marks the five-year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine was a steadying force through the early days of the lock down, a conduit of quickly evolving health guidance, and an advocate for the vaccine.
Gov. Phil Scott tapped Dr. Levine in 2017 to lead Vermont's Department of Health. As health commissioner, he provided guidance on public health concerns like opioid addiction, teen substance use, and respiratory viruses. He sat down with Vermont Edition ahead of his retirement at the end of March.
A new book preserves the stories of Vermonters during the historic COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time, you can read oral histories of more than a hundred state leaders, frontline workers and regular citizens. It’s called Life Became Very Blurry, An Oral History of COVID-19 in Vermont. The book illuminates the mindset of Vermonters during this unforgettable period in history, the way Vermont handled the epidemic, and how it reshaped the state. Its editor, Garrett Graff, is a bestselling author and historian. He teamed up with field historians, including our guest Amanda Gustin of the the Vermont Historical Society, to collect and publish this new book.
Broadcast live on Monday, March 24, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Sheep used to dominate the Vermont landscape. But these days, it’s kind of rare to drive by a large flock. What happened to Vermont’s sheep?
Today on Vermont Edition: It’s the latest in our March series Animal Hour and it’s all about sheep. We begin with local historian Mark Bushnell who tells us all about the sheep boom and bust of the 1800s.
Even though there aren’t as many sheep here as there used to be, there’s still a lot of Vermonters out there shearing sheep for their wool, raising lambs for meat, or producing award-winning sheep’s milk cheese. We’ll talk with Mark Rogers, head of the Vermont Sheep and Goat Association, and Amber Reed, a livestock grazing expert in Barnet.
South Burlington children's book author and illustrator Jason Chin uses paint and pen to bring the world around us to life. Chin won one of the highest honors in his field in 2022, when he was awarded the Caldecott Medal for Watercress, written by Andrea Wang. This year, he and the writer Lynn Brunelle won the Robert F. Silbert Medal for the most distinguished informational book for children for Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall.
This episode of Vermont Edition also included a conversation with VTDigger reporter Peter D'Auria about plans for a juvenile detention facility in Vergennes and some possible updates to Vermont's Raise the Age law.Your shoes are soggy. Your car wheels are spinning. You're not sure if you should dress for sun, rain, or even snow. Yes, it's mud season. Some Vermonters like Keegan Tierney, the Green Mountain Club's director of field programs, approach mud season with optimism and energy. Others, like Vermont Edition host Mikaela Lefrak, drudge their way through the sludge each year. Vermont's state geologist Ben DeJong, University of Vermont geology professor Paul Bierman, along with mud-loving Tierney explained how this season affects our landscape, and ways to make the best of it.Broadcast live on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
The U.S. Department of Education is cutting nearly half of its workforce. President Donald Trump wants to see the agency eliminated completely. What do these tidal shifts in education mean for individual states, like Vermont? Today's show answers that question.
Vermont's famous big cats are rumored to be roaming the woods and hills. Here's how to know if you really did spot one in the wild.
A wounded Union captain from Vermont and the resilient wife of a Confederate soldier cross paths — and fates — in Chris Bohjalian's new novel.Bohjalian is the New York Times bestselling author of 25 books, a playwright and a longtime Weybridge resident. His work has been translated into 35 languages and become three movies and an Emmy-winning TV series (The Flight Attendant on Max). His novel Midwives was an Oprah’s Book Club selection. He was a weekly columnist for The Burlington Free Press from 1992 through 2015.This show was recorded on Mar. 9 at a live event, when Bohjalian sat down with Mikaela Lefrak in front of a packed house at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. The event was produced in partnership with the Middlebury Book Shop.Then, we get a preview of the Green Mountain Film Festival in Montpelier when Mikaela speaks with festival programmer Sam Kann.Broadcast live on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
The average marketplace premium in Vermont is more than 140% higher than the national average in 2025. For individuals who get their insurance through their employers, not the marketplace, their contributions are the highest in the whole country.In a recent Brave Little State episode, senior producer Josh Crane explores why Vermont's health care system is so expensive. He looks into the UVM Health Network and compares health care costs in different parts of our region. Then, Chief Health Care Advocate for Vermont Legal Aid Mike Fisher answers your questions about our health care system. Broadcast live on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Dr. David Krag and his team are sifting through around 43,000 studies about opioids and addiction to create an easy-to-access research database.
Town and state leaders are working to improve humans' relationship with beavers to support flood resiliency. Beavers' brains are small — about the size of a walnut — but you wouldn't know it from watching them work. "They get up and go to work every single day, never take a vacation," said Skip Lisle, a wildlife biologist in Grafton. Lisle invented the Beaver Deceiver, a flow device that sneaks water away from beavers and removes the need to trap or kill them.For naturalist Patti Smith of the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center in West Brattleboro, it's important for Vermonters to understand what happened when beavers were overhunted in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. "When all of the beavers disappeared from North America — disappeared being a euphemism for 'turned into stylish hats' — eventually those dams degraded and all of those wetlands drained," she said.
Sen. Welch discusses Trump's tax on Canadian goods. Vermont Commerce Secretary and a Montreal reporter discuss how the tariffs will play out on either side of the border.
Town Meeting Day is a method of direct civic engagement and and a longstanding community building tradition. It's a time when Vermont’s 247 municipalities each decide how they’ll spend their local budgets. We begin by hearing about some significant votes taking place around the state. Vermont Public's Nina Keck talks about the Rutland mayoral race, and reporter Lexi Krupp explains Lyndon's vote to keep Town Meeting an in-person affair, rather than switch to Australian ballot.Then, we dig into the history of town meetings in Vermont with Middlesex town moderator Susan Clark. She is the co-author of many books about democracy in Vermont, including All Those in Favor: Rediscovering the Secrets of Town Meeting and Community. She discusses the times when Vermont towns voted on national and international issues that extended far beyond the purview of local budgets. Then, we share a 1982 NPR story by Leslie Breeding about a town meeting in Strafford. Broadcast live on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
It’s time for Town Meeting Day, a Vermont tradition stretching back more than 200 years. Chief administrative officer for the City of Burlington Katharine Schad discusses significant bond measures. Missisquoi Valley School District vice chair Renick Darnell-Martin, a Highgate resident, talks through the school district's budget. In Plainfield, select board chair Karl Bissex talked about a plan to expand the town after last year's flooding caused major damage. Bellows Falls, Saxtons River and Rockingham voted this past weekend to create a single municipal fire and rescue department. Rockingham town manager Scott Pickup provides insight on that vote. Jackie Matts, chair of the Bennington charter review committee, explains the effort to allow 16- and 17-year-olds and non-U.S.citizens to vote on town issues.
A Vermont microbiologist, food safety official and dairy farmer explain how raw milk is tested and regulated.
Are you craving new restaurants to try or want the latest on Vermont's food scene? We've got you covered. Food and drink editor Melissa Pasanen of Seven Days shares culinary updates from around the region.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling for a study on the effects of antidepressants and antipsychotics on children. He established the Make America Healthy Again commission to examine childhood chronic diseases, including mental health disorders. This comes as new U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argues that antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are overprescribed to children.Dr. Steven Schlozman, chief of child psychiatry at the University of Vermont Medical Center, explains how these medications work, and how they are prescribed, and answered listener questions.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Gov. Phil Scott wants to roll back some of Vermont’s key climate laws, arguing they are too costly to implement. Lawmakers are debating whether to stay the course on climate action. Vermont Public’s Peter Hirschfeld breaks down this debate over the Global Warming Solutions Act. He also looks at how legislators are preparing for Town Meeting Day and navigating uncertainty around federal funding. Catch up on everything happening at the Statehouse with Capitol Recap, released every Friday.
Among DOGE's federal funding cuts, tariffs, and proposed cuts to Medicaid, there is a lot of change happening in the federal budget. Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, Senate minority leader Scott Beck, and a recently-fired USDA worker give us their thoughts.
Across Vermont, Black entrepreneurs are running successful businesses that serve both Black Vermonters and the broader population. This is the third installment of our Black History Month series, where we explore different aspects of Black life in our region. They discuss the ups and downs of being entrepreneurs.Leroy Nedd, owner of Hair R Us in Burlington, specializes in wigs, weaves, extensions, and other hair products. Restaurateur Leslie McCrorey Wells co-owns Sotto Enoteca, Pizzeria Verita, and Trattoria Delia in Burlington, as well as Lovestock Farm in Grand Isle. She has served on numerous boards, including the University of Vermont’s Fleming Museum of Art, the Flynn Center, the Intervale, and a three-year appointment on Vermont’s Future of Agriculture Commission. BJ Robertson also joins the conversation. After playing basketball in high school and college in Vermont, as well as for the Vermont Frost Heaves, he founded Blueprint Basketball, a mentorship and training program for young athletes.
In January, a U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed in Coventry during a routine traffic stop. Two others were shot, and two people died. In the weeks since, it has emerged that those involved were followers of a fringe ideology known as Zizianism, which has been linked to multiple killings across several states. VTDigger’s Peter D’Auria and his colleagues have been covering the shooting, its aftermath, and the broader connections that have emerged.
In the name of government efficiency and cutting foreign spending, the Trump administration is freezing funds and furloughing workers at many federal agencies. Billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs are at stake. Leaders of organizations in our region that receive federal funding join us to discuss the local impact.We’ll hear about the major changes to institutions like USAID when we speak with Eric Postel of Bennington, a Senior Advisor at DAI, Inc., and a USAID political appointee during the Obama and Biden administrations, and Nazgul Abdrazakova, President and CEO of Resonance Global, based in Winooski. Their organizations both receive USAID funding. The Vermont Afghan Alliance receives funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support Afghan refugee resettlement. Executive director Molly Gray and Yassin Hashimi, who leads the organization's employment program, explain the uncertainty caused by the funding cuts. Then, we're joined by Jack Glaser, a local biomedical researcher whose organization, MBF Bioscience in Williston, receives federal grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Eric Postel spoke to Vermont Edition a personal capacity and not on behalf of DAI, Inc.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
It's been nearly a month since President Trump has taken office, and he's moved quickly in implementing some big changes in the Federal Government. On today's show, we hear from Vermont elected officials about their reaction to the Trump administration's early days, and what they're doing in response. First, we'll hear from Senator Bernie Sanders. Then, a conversation with Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark and Solicitor General Jonathan Rose, who have been a part of many efforts to stall some of Trump's biggest initiatives. Plus: a Northfield author, Nathaniel Ian Miller recently published his second novel. It tells the story of a young man returning to his family farm.
In 1988, Louvenia Dorsey Bright made history as the first woman of color elected to the Vermont legislature. Her son, Bill Bright, reflects on her accomplishments and what it was like to watch her break barriers. The Friends of the Vermont State House is raising funds to commission her portrait.Then, we hear from three black politicians in our region — State Sen. Joe Majors who represents Windsor, Winooski Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner, and former Burlington City Councilmember Zoraya Hightower. They share their political inspirations, what motivated them to run for office, and the roles they see for themselves in local and state government.
Vermont, like most states, doesn't track the deaths of homeless residents. An investigation by Vermont Public and Seven Days finds that at least 82 people have died in the state in the past four years while unhoused. Derek Brouwer of Seven Days, whose work focuses on law enforcement and the courts, and Liam Elder-Connors, Vermont Public’s senior reporter on public safety, provided a behind-the-scenes look at their reporting. Resources mentioned on today's show include a warming shelter at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bennington and an overnight shelter at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. Those looking for help or ways to volunteer can find information on Vermont 211’s website, or by calling 2-1-1.
The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival is showing a series of neo-noir movies. Executive Director Caitlin Boyle discusses the appeal of these morally complex crime dramas and curating films in Vermont. Plus, a preview of the new season of Vermont Public’s Made Here with Executive Producer Eric Ford. The season features independent films made in Vermont, Quebec, and the rest of New England. Lastly, we'll hear from a Vermont couple on a mission to see movies in every theater in the state. Broadcast live on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Food is a central part of our lives — we share meals with loved ones, cook together, and pass down family recipes to honor those who came before us. For many Black Americans, cooking and eating certain foods helps build and strengthen community. This episode focuses on all things food in the first installment of our Black History Month series.Homegoings host and executive producer Myra Flynn shares a recent episode exploring the history of hot sauce. We also hear from a professional chef and a home cook about how they keep their food traditions alive in their kitchens. Burlington chef Harmony Edosomwan discusses her favorite soul food dishes and the journey of launching her own business. Lea Ann Macrery of Jeffersonville shares her favorite recipes and stories from her food service work at UVMMC.
Most of Vermont's trash ends up in just one place — a landfill in Coventry, just 20 minutes south of the Canadian border. In a recent episode of Brave Little State, Mikaela sets out to answer this listener question: "New Hampshire has six landfills. Why does Vermont only have one?" We also look to the future, when the landfill reaches capacity and we need a new place to put our trash.Then, John Leddy of the Northwest Solid Waste District and Thomas Kennedy of the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission discuss how their particular parts of the state manage their trash and recycling.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
In the final installment of our series In Good Health, we examine the importance of mental health as the inpatient psychiatry unit at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin closes. Reporter Lexi Krupp explains how the decision was made and shares perspectives from former patients. Then, Dr. Lisa Catapano-Friedman, a psychiatrist in Bennington and president of the Vermont Psychiatric Association, discusses the state’s mental health needs and how the facility's closure will impact the state.Plus, we hear from Middlebury Philosophy professor Lorraine Besser about her new book 'The Art of the Interesting, What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life and How to Cultivate It.'
In the final installment of our series In Good Health, we examine the importance of mental health as the inpatient psychiatry unit at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin closes. Reporter Lexi Krupp explains how the decision was made and shares perspectives from former patients. Then, Dr. Lisa Catapano-Friedman, a psychiatrist in Bennington and president of the Vermont Psychiatric Association, discusses the state’s mental health needs and how the facility's closure will impact the state.Plus, we hear from Middlebury Philosophy professor Lorraine Besser about her new book 'The Art of the Interesting, What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life and How to Cultivate It.'Broadcast live on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
It’s hard to find a subject more frustrating to Vermonters in recent years than education. Specifically, how to fund it, how to make it affordable, and how to ensure that all Vermont students have access to a high quality learning environment. Today on Vermont Edition, we're joined by Vermont's Education Secretary, Zoie Saunders. We'll hear why the Scott administration is aiming to fundamentally change the way how schools are run in the state, including a massive consolidation school districts, a statewide curriculum, how schools are funded, and more. We’ll also speak with the head of Vermont’s teacher’s union, Don Tinney, and the executive director of the state’s Rural Education Collaborative, John Castle, for their initial reactions to the plan. And Vermont Public’s education reporter Lola Duffort joins us as well for analysis.
Technology has changed so many aspects of our lives, including health care. In our region, a network of innovative health-focused startups is growing quickly.David Bradbury with the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies guides us through conversations with the leaders of several local companies. Aaron Stein, the chief technical officer for South Burlington-based Resonant Link, talked about building wireless charging platforms for medical devices inside the body. Co-founder and chief pharmacy officer Keri LeCompte of the Montpelier start-up Aprexis shared how their software provides pharmacists better patient care with medication therapy management. Ethan Bechtel, co-founder, and CEO of OhMD, a texting and patient engagement platform for patients and providers, talked about how they care for patient's privacy.Broadcast live on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Executive orders from President Donald Trump fundamentally change immigration and citizenship rules in the U.S. Moves like halting refugee admissions and ending birthright citizenship have many people in our region wondering, what these new rules mean for them, their work, and their families? Today, Brett Stokes, an immigration lawyer at Vermont Law School and Sonali Samarasinghe, a coordinator with the U.S. Committee of Refugees and Immigration help us break down these orders’ goals and whether or not they’re constitutional. The New Hampshire ACLU believes at least one is not – they are suing the President over birthright citizenship. We're joined by their senior staff attorney SangYoeb Kim to hear more. Plus: Steven Tendo, A Ugandan asylum-seeker shares how these new rules could affect his legal status and why for him, it’s a matter of life and death.Broadcast live on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
President Donald J. Trump was sworn into office Monday in Washington. Vermont’s sole U.S. House representative, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt) attended the inauguration. She shares why she attended, her reaction to President Trump’s first executive orders, and her own priorities for the new Congress.President Trump has promised to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, starting Feb. 1. In response, the Canadian government has vowed to impose tariffs on U.S. goods. Ottawa-based journalist David Akin, the chief political correspondent for Global News, gives us an inside look into the current state of Canadian-American relations.Broadcast live on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
For most of us, thinking about death is not a pleasant subject. There’s a natural tendency to put your head in the sand and focus on everything and anything else. But a little planning now can save a lot of confusion and heartache later.Today we break down the process of creating an advance directive, or living will. It’s the third installment in our weekly January series, In Good Health. Our guests are Nina Keck, a Vermont Public senior reporter whose focuses on aging, Eva Zivitz, a registered nurse who coordinates the palliative care program at Rutland Regional Medical Center, and Cindy Bruzzese, the executive director of the Vermont Ethics Network.Broadcast live on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Winter in Vermont can wreak havoc on a car. All that salt causes corrosion and rust, and that can make your car unsafe to drive. The hazardous conditions require upgrades and protective measures to stay safe on the slippery roads. To keep your car in top shape requires a lot winter car maintenance. Demeny Pollitt, the owner and manager of Girlington Garage in South Burlington, and Steve Belitsos, a retired professor of automotive and transportation services at Vermont State University’s Randolph campus, share insights on undercoatings, snow tires, and windshield wipers. Plus, former Gov. Peter Shumlin reflects on the life and career of former Gov. Tom Salmon, who passed away Tuesday at age 92. Girlington Garage is a Vermont Public business sponsor. Broadcast live on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Beloved as they are, general stores often generate little profit for their owners. So, what does it take to keep them running? Emily Maclure, owner of two general stores in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, shares her experiences, insights, and the vital role these stores play in their communities. Ben Doyle of the Preservation Trust of Vermont explains the models some towns are using to keep their general stores open. Democratic Rep. Marc Mihaly, who represents the Washington-6 district, discusses how East Calais successfully reopened its general store after a years-long effort.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
To fund significant investments in early childhood education, Vermont implemented a 0.44% payroll tax in July 2023. We check in on the progress of this initiative and explore what has — and hasn't — changed in the early childhood landscape.Elliot Haspel, a senior fellow at Capita and a nationally recognized child and family policy expert, explains how Vermont is leading the way in investing in early childhood education. He also offers a broader perspective on how the state’s approach compares to other states.We also hear from Democratic state Sen. Ruth Hardy, who represents Addison County and helped establish Vermont's Act 76, and Department of Children and Families Deputy Commissioner Janet McLaughlin, who is overseeing the law's implementation.Plus: The Vermont School Boards Association is encouraging Vermonters to join their local school boards. Flor Diaz Smith, president of the association and board chair of the Washington Central School District, discusses the importance of school boards and the local need for new members.Broadcast live on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
For the second installment in our weekly January health series, we explore Health At Every Size, weight neutrality, and intuitive eating.
Vermont Edition takes you inside the Statehouse for the first day of the legislative session.
Two Franklin County authors brought together stories of the Lake Champlain region and its contributions to American history for their latest book, Hidden History of Lake Champlain. Missisquoi Valley Union High School history teacher, Jason Barney, was awarded the 2023 Vermont History Teacher of the Year Award and was a semifinalist for Vermont Teacher of the Year in 2022. Librarian, genealogist and writer, Christine Eldred, has published numerous articles and guides to preserving and defending intellectual freedom in school libraries.Lake Champlain is also home to the prehistoric lake sturgeon, one of the largest freshwater fish in North American that can live more than 150 years. Fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife, Lee Simard, shared what lead to the sturgeon's decline and their work to protect the fish.Broadcast live on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
How can artists know if their creations are being used to train artificial intelligence? And if they are, should those artists be compensated? On today's show we speak with Vermont's Chief Data and AI Officer Josiah Raiche about the state’s role in regulating AI, and artist Jane Adams helps us parse the philosophical questions AI poses to the creative process.On Capitol Hill last year, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt) introduced nearly a half dozen bills concerning AI. He’s vowed to continue those efforts during this new Congress. Welch has also joined the influential Senate Finance Committee, alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt). This committee deals with taxation, trade agreements, tariffs and government health programs. In an interview on Vermont Edition, Senator Welch explains why he opposes tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China proposed by President-elect Donald Trump, as well as his work on regulating AI.Broadcast live on Monday, January 6th, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
In many cold locales, saunas are a common way to heat your body and hang out with friends, especially in the dead of winter. But in Vermont, the practice hasn't taken as strong of a hold. Today, we explore the physical, mental, and social benefits of regular sauna use. This is the first installment in a health-focused series we’re running each Thursday of January called "In Good Health."Joining us for the hour is Chelsea Edgar, a Burlington-based freelance reporter and contributing editor for Seven Days. She wrote a piece for them exploring sauna culture in our region. Earric Lee is a post-doctoral researcher at The Montreal Heart Institute, and Nils Shenholm is a sauna designer and builder in Duxbury, and an North American Sauna Society Emeritus board member.Plus: Vermont Edition’s managing producing Jon Ehrens talks to his fellow heat addicts inside the Vermont Sun sauna in Middlebury.
Vermont Public CEO Vijay Singh joined Vermont Edition to reflect on his first three months leading Vermont Public. Before coming to Vermont, Singh worked for CapRadio, an NPR affiliate in Sacramento, and the Los Angeles affiliate LAist. He shared insights from these experiences and outlined his vision for the future of Vermont Public.Then, Vermont Public reporter Erica Heilman shares a question about class as part of an ongoing series. We hear about her latest episodes.
Over the past year, hundreds of people in our region joined Vermont Edition as guests. We parsed out complex topics like education spending and the opioid epidemic with elected officials and journalists. We chatted about everything from deer hunting, to houseplant care, to the weather. And we shared your calls and emails as we celebrated collective joys like the eclipse, and collective heartbreaks like the summer flooding.For our last Vermont Edition of the year, we share some of our favorite interviews and moments of 2024: drag queen and Center for Cartoon Studies graduate Sasha Velour, former Gov. Madeleine Kunin, the small team of southern Vermonters who successfully lobbied for a state mushroom, and locals who witnessed the April 8th total solar eclipse.
The Vermont Almanac released its fifth volume at the end of last month. Each year, the almanac highlights prose, poetry, photography and illustrations from dozens of contributors around the state. Editors Patrick White, a Christmas tree farmer from Middlesex, and Dave Mance III, a sugarmaker in Shaftsbury, share how the almanac serves as a record of Vermont's rural traditions. Copies of the Almanac are available at indie bookstores and through their website.The Old Farmer's Almanac has been published every year since 1792. Editor-in-chief Carol Connare speaks about the publication's famous weather forecasts and other predictions for the year ahead.
Vermont Edition presents two BLS episodes. First, we hear about the U.S. Postal Service in Vermont. Then, we go hunting.
Soup is one of those meals that inherently brings people together — maybe it's the warmth, the fusion of ingredients and spices, or the act of ladling into carefully clutched bowls. Soup is also part of the culinary tradition of cultures around the globe.Vermont Edition brought together chefs and listeners to share soup-making tips. Our guests were Joe Buley Jr. of Joe's Kitchen at Screamin' Ridge Farm in East Montpelier, and Caroline Hannon and Bex Slatterly of the Queer Soup Night event series in Brattleboro. This episode also featured Seven Days food writer Jordan Barry. She joined us for our monthly chat about food and beverage news.
We were joined today by some of Vermont's finest folk musicians, Seamus Eagan, Moira Smiley and Yann Falquet, in front of a live studio audience of Vermont Public members and supporters. They brought their instruments along to perform their music and to chat with Mikaela about their inspirations, their love of folk traditions, and the local music scene.Seamus Egan is an internationally acclaimed Irish folk musician based in Vermont. He’s the founder of the Irish-American band Solas, and is well known as one of the leading composers and interpreters of the tradition. Moira Smiley is a Bristol-based folk musician and composer. She has recorded and performed with the indie-pop band the Tune Yards, and her new album out this year is called "The Rhizome Project."Yann Falquet is a Brattleboro-based guitarist who specializes in Québécois traditional music.
The Vermont legislative session begins on January 8th, and lawmakers and administration officials are preparing for the new biennium. First elected in 2016, Gov. Phil Scott won a fifth term in November with nearly 74% of the vote. The election results signaled significant changes under the Golden Dome, as Republicans gained seats in the House and Senate, breaking the Democrats’ supermajority. Scott joins Vermont Edition to discuss his priorities for the upcoming session, including property taxes, education spending, and the incoming Trump administration.Then, Vermont Public senior reporter Bob Kinzel provides an analysis of the governor’s interview and discusses what’s unique about this political moment in Vermont and what seems like business as usual.
Over the course of the year, many of us had to say goodbye to close friends or family members. Others lost people they didn’t know well personally, but who nevertheless had a deep impact on them. Today's remembrance show is a chance to honor those who passed away in 2024. University of Vermont professor Chris Danforth shared thoughts on his colleague and friend, Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne, a beloved member of the UVM and outdoors communities. Retired state senator Jane Kitchel reflected on two titans of the Vermont Statehouse, Dick Mazza and Dick Sears, both of whom served their communities for decades. Lisa Gannon, a medical assistant with Timber Lane Pediatrics in Burlington, told us about the ways in which Dr. Michelle Perron connected with her patients. Rosanne Greco, president of the board for the South Burlington Land Trust, spoke about SBLT founder Sarah Dopp and her impact on the local community. We also heard reflections on Reuben Jackson, Bill Mares, Joe Moore, Lydia Clemmons, and many listener submissions.
Driving across the Connecticut River between Hinsdale New Hampshire and Brattleboro Vermont just got a whole lot smoother. Last week the two states celebrated the ribbon cutting for a new bridge on Route 119, decades in the making. It’s called the General John Stark Memorial Bridge. we're joined by David Scott who is the the In-house Design Chief of the Bureau of Bridge Design at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. He discusses the bridge, why it's such a huge deal for the area, and what it takes to be a bridge designer. Originally broadcast at Noon on Wednesday, Dec. 11th
If you have a family member or loved one with Alzheimer’s, you know how devastating the disease can be. It’s a brain disorder that slowly destroys a person’s memory and thinking skills. Its effects are irreversible – the damage it wreaks on the brain cannot be undone. About 50 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s. It’s among the leading causes of death in the United States.Researchers across the globe are working to better understand Alzheimer’s, so we can prevent it, or slow its progression. Just recently, St Michael’s College in Colchester and the University of Vermont in Burlington announced a major breakthrough from a team of researchers. By studying spider brains, they’ve gained a better understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops in the human brain.We're joined by two of those researchers who tell us about their work and why the specifics of spider brains led to this breakthrough. Our guests are both associate professors of biology and neuroscience at St. Michael's College, Dr. Ruth Fabian-Fine and Dr. Adam Weaver.Broadcast live on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Cold weather means cozying up with a good book. How can a book worm choose when there's so many options? Count on Vermont Edition's winter book show as a guide for some good reads. Claire Benedict, co-owner of Bear Pond Books, along with Randal Smathers, director of the Rutland Free Library, and Megan Butterfield, youth library manager at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, give us their recommendations for the year and suggestions for readers of all ages. Broadcast live on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at noon
To kick off ski season, Vermont Edition broadcast live from Jay Peak Ski Resort in Orleans County, a ten minute drive from the Canadian border.Steve Wright, president and general manager of Jay Peak, and Martin Clements, Jay Peak’s assistant ski patrol director, share updates on snow conditions and how the resort has been preparing for this season. Former World Cup alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist Barbara Ann Cochran talks about her family's skiing legacy and the ways she supports athletes' mental preparedness. Jordan and Momo Antonucci, who run the Miso Hungry food cart at Jay, give an inside scoop on their signature ramen and other après-ski favorites.
Vermont Edition hits the slopes at Jay Peak Resort for a look at the current ski season.
In November, the University of Vermont Health Network announced cuts to a broad range of patient services. There's a growing consensus that Vermont needs to make major changes to how people get health care in the state, as Vermonters pay among the very highest prices for health care in the country. Science & Health reporter Lexi Krupp shares the latest developments and the impacts they will have on patients and Vermonters.Then, CEO of North Star Health Joshua Dufresne joins us to discuss the decision to close down the Rockingham Health Center in Bellows Falls. The announcement was made on the heels of a statewide report that called for drastic changes to the state’s hospital system to avoid bankruptcies and closures. The report called out some southern Vermont hospitals like Springfield and Grace Cottage which has led to concerns about access to care in the area. Broadcast live on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Vermont’s Republican state senators have elected Scott Beck of St. Johnsbury as their new caucus leader. Republicans ousted longtime Senator Randy Brock of St. Albans. Beck has served as a state representative since 2015. This comes as Republicans flipped six seats during the November election, which significantly narrowed their margin with Democrats. Beck joins us to outline his goals as lawmakers head into a new session in January.Broadcast live on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
In November, the University of Vermont Health Network announced cuts to a broad range of patient services. There's a growing consensus that Vermont needs to make major changes to how people get health care in the state, as Vermonters pay among the very highest prices for health care in the country. Science & Health reporter Lexi Krupp shares the latest developments and the impacts they will have on patients and Vermonters.Then, CEO of North Star Health Joshua Dufresne joins us to discuss the decision to close down the Rockingham Health Center in Bellows Falls. The announcement was made on the heels of a statewide report that called for drastic changes to the state’s hospital system to avoid bankruptcies and closures. The report called out some southern Vermont hospitals like Springfield and Grace Cottage which has led to concerns about access to care in the area. Broadcast live on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
On December 1st, 1924 — one hundred years ago yesterday — the Boston Bruins became the first American hockey franchise to take the ice in the fledgling National Hockey League, beating the Montreal Maroons in front of new fans curious about the viability of this Canadian sport.Today on Vermont Edition, guest host Mitch Wertlieb speaks with hockey historian Eric Zweig and sports business expert John Wong to discuss the infancy of the NHL and how it grew in America.
When you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, are you going to be at a table with anyone with really different political views? Instead of fighting or remaining distant, could this be the year to try and find some common ground? Today, we share a recording of a recent live event at Vermont Public’s studios in conjunction with StoryCorp. It’s with Vermonters who participated in our One Small Step program. Each person was matched with a stranger with different views and life experiences. They have a facilitated conversation, and learn how to bridge their divides. They are Chris Sims of Jericho, Judy Scott of St. George, Ramona Akpo-Sani of Orwell, and Beth Howard of Williston. And from Braver Angels, we have Lincoln Earle-Centers of Montpelier and Katherine Cadwell of Fayston.We were also joined by two folks from Braver Angels, an organization with a similar mission of connecting people across political divides, Lincoln Earle-Centers of Montpelier and Katherine Cadwell of Fayston.If you are a part of an organization who would like to take part in One Small Step training, visit https://www.vermontpublic.org/2024-11-26/request-a-training-session-one-small-step-on-the-roadThis event was taped on November 17th
Thanksgiving dinner is delicious, but cooking for a crowd can be stressful. What time do you put in the turkey? How do you make a flaky pie crust that’ll finally impress your grandma? And how do you get those blasted lumps out of the mashed potatoes?!Thankfully, Gesine Bullock-Prado has the answers. She runs a baking school in the Upper Valley called the Sugar Glider Kitchen, and hosts “Baked in Vermont” on the Food Network. She's also a New York Times bestselling cookbook author — her latest is called "My Vermont Table: Recipes for All Six Seasons."Here are three kitchen tips from Vermont Edition's Thanksgiving cooking show, which also featured Hartland baker Susan Reid:Tip #1: Your turkey doesn't need to be in the oven all dayMany of us are probably overcooking our turkeys, leading to dried-out meat and soggy skin. Bullock-Prado cooks her bird on high heat to ensure the skin gets extra crispy. She also seasons it well with a dry brine — an overcooked, under-salted turkey is an all-too-common Thanksgiving crime.Rather than following the cooking time on the Butterball wrapper, use a meat thermometer to know when your turkey's done. Poke your bird in the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. Once it's out of the oven, let it sit for a while so it can finish cooking and soak in all those good juices.Tip #2: Make your pumpkin pie aheadBullock-Prado and Reid agree: Making your pumpkin pie filling early will make the flavors really pop. You can also make your pie…
After a failed gubernatorial run in 1982, Madeleine Kunin secured 50% of the vote in her second run in 1984, winning against her Republican challenger. John J. Easton, Jr. Forty years ago, Kunin became the first and only woman to Vermont's highest-elected office. She’s also the first and only Jewish person to serve as Vermont’s Governor."I think the women's movement gave me the idea that women could do anything," Kunin said. "And I wanted to be involved in public events, and being in Vermont politics seemed more accessible. We had a small group of people at that time who encouraged each other to do things larger than their personal lives, and I took that seriously."When reflecting on the career of former Vermont Gov. Madeleine Kunin, it’s natural to focus on her historic “firsts.” Once in office, she appointed the first woman to Vermont's Supreme Court, Denise Johnson, She then appointed Mollie Beattie to the Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation, who would go on to become the first woman Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The influence her leadership has had on generations of women. This legacy continued when, two years ago, Becca Balint was elected as Vermont’s first female representative in Congress. Balint’s election ended Vermont’s distinction as the only state never to have elected a woman to Congress.Broadcast live on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us…
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his show, "My Place," Joel Najman recounts his long radio career.
Vermont has numerous invasive species, including zebra mussels, Japanese knotweed, false indigo, and golden clams. Invasive species are plants, insects, or other organisms introduced—intentionally or accidentally — from other places. A recent episode of Brave Little State centers on a listener's question about which invasive species has done the most damage in our region. The episode also features Noah Hoffman, invasive species coordinator for Vermont’s Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, who explains the prevention measures the state takes.Broadcast live on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Vermont has numerous invasive species, like zebra mussels, Japanese knotweed, false indigo, and golden clams. Invasive species are plants, insects, or other organisms introduced—intentionally or accidentally — from other places. A recent episode of Brave Little State centers on a listener's question about which invasive species has done the most damage in our region. The episode also features Noah Hoffman, Invasive Species Coordinator for Vermont’s Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. He'll explain the prevention measures the state takes to fend off these pesky invaders.Broadcast live on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at noon
It’s been almost 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. The conflict transformed how Americans felt about fighting on foreign soil, and how civilians treat veterans upon their return home. For today's Veterans' Day show, we want to shine a particular focus on Vietnam War veterans.Two local Vietnam veterans share their stories of deployment and their return home. Perry Melvin, Shelburne resident and president of the Vermont Vietnam Veterans State Council, served with the Combined Action Platoon unit 135 as a Navy corpsman with the Marines. Maureen Dwyer served as an Army nurse from 1967 to 1970, stationed for a year at the 67th Evacuation Hospital from 1969 to 1970. She now lives in Essex.The organization Vets Town Hall creates storytelling space for veterans of any era to share their stories at events around the state. Jon Turner, one of the local organizers and board member, served in the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007, and also operates Wild Roots Community Farm in Bristol.Broadcast live on Monday, November 11, 2024, at noon
Local veterans reflect on their experiences in the Vietnam War. Plus, Vets Town Hall events encourage veterans to share their experiences.
Elections elicit a lot of strong feelings and reactions, as the results determine the future of our country and our region. So this hour, we opened our phone lines and inboxes to get a sense of how our area is feeling about the outcome of both the national and local races. We're joined by Middlebury College Professor Matt Dickinson for analysis of the campaign and its outcome and to react to your thoughts.Then, But Why host Jane Lindholm discusses how to navigate tough conversations with kids and students who may have many questions following this election season.
Election anxiety can accompany any election, as the results determine the country’s direction for the next four years. This year, Vermonters were deciding which candidates could best improve their lives and communities. We spoke with Middlebury College Professor Matt Dickinson for analysis of the campaign and its outcome. We also heard from Vermonters across the political spectrum about their perspectives on the election.Additionally, But Why host Jane Lindholm discusses how to navigate tough conversations with kids and students who may have many questions following this election season.Broadcast live on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Today on Vermont Edition, we'll get a breakdown of the main takeaways from the state's elections with Vermont Public statehouse reporter, Peter Hirschfeld. Then, we speak with winners of major local and statewide races. Republican John Rodgers appears to have won the lieutenant governorship, besting Progressive Democrat David Zuckerman, the incumbent. Republicans flipped six seats in the Vermont Senate, ending the Democratic supermajority. We'll hear from one of those Republican winners, Steve Heffernan of Addison County. And Democratic state senator Thomas Chittenden of South Burlington will tell us about his re-election and gives us his take on why some candidates from his party were not able to hold on to their seats. Lastly, Democratic Congresswoman Becca Balint joins us to give us her thoughts on the results on the national stage, including the re-election of President-elect Trump, and how the changes in congress will affect her work next year.
Months of campaigning and planning have lead to today— Election Day. Polls across Vermont are open until 7 p.m., and Vermonters can still register and vote at their local polling place. Vermont Public digital producer Zoe McDonald spent the past few months reporting about voting access in Vermont and talks about ways the state could still improve. Reporters Nina Keck and Erica Heilman give some insights from their corners of the state. Nick Capodice and Hannah McCarthy, hosts of the NHPR podcast Civics 101, share a look at the races in New Hampshire and other New England races. Broadcast live on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
As the last ballots are cast, we find out how voters are feeling in Vermont and beyond.
At the University of Vermont, students involved with the Community News Service have been preparing for months to cover the 2024 elections. The program connects student journalists with professional editors and local news outlets. CNS Managing Director Meg Little Riley explains how the program works, while student journalists Gwen Mathews and Ace Sheehan highlight their recent election-related coverage.Meanwhile, at Vermont State University, political science professor Rich Clark is helping to lead get-out-the-vote efforts at Castleton. He also regularly volunteers at the polls. Ruben Somda, a senior and president of the school’s Content Lab, discussing their efforts to encourage college students to vote through effective marketing and messaging.
Fish and Wildlife's deer project leader discusses the this year's hunting season outlook.
In honor of Halloween, Vermont Edition explores some of the spookiest places in our region — eerie graveyards, centuries-old buildings, haunted dorms and more. Director of Collections and Access at the Vermont Historical Society Amanda Gustin shares stories about our region's troubling tombstones and gory graveyard tales.Then, producer Daniela Fierro takes us on a trip to East Corinth, where scenes from the 1988 cult classic "Beetlejuice" and its 2024 sequel "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" were shot.Broadcast live on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Local government is a Vermont tradition. But recent disasters have lawmakers considering a new option – regional governments. They’d handle duties that some think are too complex for individual towns and their volunteer officials. This change would transform the way Vermont oversees emergency services, law enforcement, infrastructure projects, and more. We hear from the co-sponsor of the bill that kickstarted this discussion, Sen. Ruth Hardy of Addison County, Two Rivers-Ottauqueechee Regional Commission Executive Director Peter Gregory, and Executive Director for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Ted Brady.
It's deer hunting season in Vermont. Fish and Wildlife's deer and moose project leader, Nick Fortin, gives us a breakdown of the different types of hunting that are permitted throughout the season, the outlook for the deer population this year, and where to find the biggest bucks. Plus: some thoughts on how Vermont's moose are doing.
Vermont has a state bird, a state flower, and, as of 2016, a state vegetable— the Gilfeather turnip. The mighty root vegetable originated in Wardsboro and the town just celebrated it's annual Gilfeather Turnip Festival. Wardsboro resident, Gilfeather turnip enthusiast and festival volunteer Anita Rafael shared insights on the festival and ways to eat these root vegetables.Broadcast live on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Vermont's state vegetable is given the chance to shine with a yearly festival in Wardsboro.
Greenland’s ice sheet holds millions of years of Earth’s history. By drilling down into the ice and learning about the past, we can also learn about the future of our warming planet.Geologist and UVM professor Paul Bierman is the author of “When the Ice is Gone: What a Greenland Ice Core Reveals About Earth’s Tumultuous History and Perilous Future." We’ll learn about his expeditions to Greenland, his work with UVM graduate students, and a surprising discovery he made while looking through his microscope.Broadcast live on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Geologist and UVM professor Paul Bierman's new book about Greenland’s ice core, and what it reveals about earth’s perilous future.
What does it feel like to crave drugs or alcohol? What kind of pain does withdrawal create? These are the kinds of questions Vermont Public's Erica Heilman asked Vermonters experiencing active drug addiction for a recent episode of her award-winning podcast Rumble Strip.Katie Jones, a Barre recovery coach with Turning Point Center of Central Vermont, helps listeners process the episode and shares her own experiences with recovery.
Every month, a Seven Days food writer joins Vermont Edition to talk about local food, restaurant openings and closings, and other big news from our region’s food and beverage scene. In this edition of the series, Jordan Barry shares her favorite you-pick apple orchards, information about Vermont Chicory Week, and upcoming restaurant openings.
From the quarries of Barre to the crystals of Belvidere Mountain in Lowell and Eden, rocks and minerals play a significant role in Vermont's history and culture. The Vermont Rocks! exhibit at the Bennington Museum, up now through Nov. 10, dives into the state's geologic past. Jamie Franklin, curator of the Bennington Musuem, and Ken Carlsen, a geologist and educator from Bennington, discuss the exhibit and the state's subterranean wonders. Carlsen will give a special presentation on the Belvidere Mountain quarries on Oct. 5th at the museum.Bennington Museum is a Vermont Public underwriter.
Guests include the director of a new play in White River Junction, a podcaster in Jeffersonville, and Sasquatch callers in Whitehall.
Vermont Public hosted a debate on Tuesday with candidates for Vermont’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. It was the first in a series of debates and candidate interviews ahead of the general election on Nov. 5th.Incumbent Congresswoman Becca Balint, a Democrat from Brattleboro, is running for a second term. She previously represented Windham County in the Vermont Senate. Her challenger is Mark Coester, a Republican from Westminster. He is a small business owner with a background in fishing, logging, and sugaring.During the debate, the candidates disagreed on nearly every topic, including climate change, foreign policy and the role of the federal government in addressing rising health care costs and solutions to the affordable housing shortage.
September 30th is the National Day for Truth an Reconciliation, a Canadian holiday marking the harmful impact of residential schools.
Sugaring connects us to the trees around us, and produces a delicious, sweet product for our pancakes, salad dressings and marinades. But it can also cause its fair share of headaches — like when you have to battle rugged terrain, bad weather and plundering woodland creatures to get that sap you want so much.Peter Gregg knows a thing or two about the highs and lows of sugaring. In his recently published memoir, "The Sugar Rush," Gregg tells the story of how he and his longtime best friend fell in love with sugaring. Gregg runs a 1,000-tap sugaring operation in Rupert and is also the longtime publisher of "The Maple News," the largest trade magazine for the maple syrup industry in the US and Canada.Then: Over the past four decades Vermont Creamery has grown from a small artisan dairy company based in Websterville to a must-have brand for retailers like Wegmans and Whole Foods. This year, it celebrates its 40th anniversary. The company's co-founder, Allison Hooper, joins Vermont Edition to mark the milestone.
To cap off our School Stories series, we thought we’d end on a wholly positive note, and turn to the wide world of school sports. Joining us to give the play-by-play on Vermont high school athletics is Jack Fitzsimmons, sports director for WCAX.
Today is the fourth and final installment of our weekly September series, School Stories. Every Tuesday, we've been exploring a different issues impacting education across Vermont. This hour, we're joined by Vermont’s interim Secretary of Education, Zoie Saunders. She was appointed to the position by Governor Phil Scott in April. Before moving to Vermont, she was an administrator for a school district in Florida, and a strategist for a charter school management company.We fielded questions from listeners about their biggest concerns about educating Vermont's kids. Broadcast live on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Bureaucracy at the federal level is negatively impacting Vermont municipalities damaged by the 2023 floods.
Washed out bridges. Damaged sewer lines. Torn up roads. The toll of last year’s historic flooding is still visible in many Vermont towns. To repair this vital infrastructure, towns rely on money administered to them by FEMA, the same agency that’s supposed to help individuals rebuild their lives after disasters.But earlier this year, a Vermont Public investigation revealed systemic failures in FEMA’s program for flood survivors. A new investigation shows similar failures in the FEMA program for municipalities. Journalist Peter Hirschfeld shares stories from his reporting. Sen. Peter Welch explains how these investigations have prompted Vermont’s congressional delegation to push for major structural reforms to FEMA.This problem isn’t isolated to Vermont, as Claire Carlson reports from Kentucky. She works for the Daily Yonder, a news organization that covers rural America.Broadcast on Monday, September 23, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Last fall, three young men of Palestinian descent were shot while out for a walk. All three survived, but one, Hisham Awartani, suffered a spinal cord injury and is now paralyzed from the waist down. His mother, Elizabeth Price, shares an update on his health and explains the accessibility modifications their family has made to their Burlington home.Modifying homes to accommodate aids like wheelchairs can be a challenging process in Vermont, where much of the housing stock is older and not ADA-complaint. Edie Perkins, executive director of the Kelly Brush Foundation, became paralyzed from the chest down seven years ago following an accident. She worked with an architect to build an accessible home.Vermont does have a number of legal protections for people with disabilities. Big Hartman, executive director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, explains how their office handles discrimination complaints, which are often related to housing. Rachel Batterson, director of Vermont Legal Aid’s Housing Discrimination Law Project, outlines the housing rights of people with disabilities.
Suffering a major injury is traumatic, and adjusting to life afterward is a long process. Modifying homes to accommodate aids like wheelchairs can be challenging. Last fall, three young men of Palestinian descent were shot while out for a walk. All three survived, but Hisham Awartani suffered a spinal cord injury and is now paralyzed from the waist down. His mother, Elizabeth Price, shares the modifications made to their Burlington home so he can stay there during holiday breaks. We also hear from Edie Perkins, who was paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident seven years ago. She reflects on how her life has changed and how she’s adapted.Vermont has legal protections for people with disabilities. Big Hartman, executive director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, explains how their office handles discrimination complaints, often related to housing. Rachel Batterson, director of Vermont Legal Aid’s Housing Discrimination Law Project, also outlines the rights of people with disabilities.Broadcast live on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Should phones be allowed in schools? Some local schools are banning them. We'll hear from a group of 7th and 8th graders from Williston Central School — Ella, Sunny, Ryan, Katherine, Evan, and Olivia — who share their relationships with their smartphones.Seven Days education reporter Alison Novak discusses how Vermont schools are trying to reduce student distractions. Dr. Heidi Schumacher, a pediatrician at the University of Vermont and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on School Health, explains the signs of phone addiction that parents should watch for.Eight states have restricted phones in schools. Last session, lawmakers introduced a bill to ban phones in Vermont schools, but opponents argued it would be difficult to enforce. Rep. Angela Arsenault, a Democrat, says she plans to reintroduce a similar bill in the next session.One school in our region has long banned phones: North Country School in Lake Placid, New York, a boarding and day school for grades 4 through 9. Todd Ormiston, the school’s executive director, shares the benefits and challenges of keeping phones out of schools. Broadcast live on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
Vermont’s state government is falling short in its regulation of water quality on farms according the the federal government. The EPA found that state regulators aren’t enforcing the Clean Water Act because they’re not communicating clearly with farmers. Vermont Public's climate and environment reporter Abagael Giles has been following the situation and fills us in on the details. We're joined by David Cash, a regional administrator for the EPA, who oversees the northeast region, Julie Moore, secretary of Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources, and Jon Groveman with the Vermont Natural Resources Council where he serves as the policy and water program director.Broadcast live on Monday, September 16, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Racing pigs, cattle pulls and the storied Larkin dancers — the Tunbridge World's Fair is one of Vermont's most beloved and longest-standing annual traditions.The fair dates back to 1867. Each year tens of thousands of people come to central Vermont for its four-day run. Vermont Edition visited for a live broadcast.
Ethan Allen is a household name in Vermont. His youngest brother Ira has been overlooked by history — until now.Ira Allen played an important role in the founding of Vermont as the 14th state. Born in 1751, he was a land speculator, pamphleteer, politician and revolutionary. He is the subject of a new book by J. Kevin Graffagnino of Essex. "Ira Allen: A Biography," out on Sept. 13 from the Vermont Historical Society, shines new light on Allen and his prominent role in Vermont’s formative decades. Historian and VTDigger journalist Mark Bushnell also joined the show to discuss the oldest known burial ground in the state. The Bennington Centre Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable Vermonters, including Robert Frost, five Vermont governors, and Revolutionary War soldiers.
Today is the second installment in our series School Stories. Every Tuesday in September, we are focusing on issues related to education in Vermont. This week– behavioral issues in the classroom. Our guests today discussed how schools can better strengthen neuro-inclusion, and help staff build closer relationships with students through restorative practices.Annie O’Shaughnessy is the co-founder and co-executive director of the Starling Collaborative, based in Underhill Center. They partner with schools to build stronger communities. She’s also the coordinator of the Holistic Restorative Education Certificate Program at Saint Michael's College in Colchester. Dr. Mel Houser is a Montpelier-based physician and the executive director of All Brains Belong. It’s a nonprofit focused on supporting neuro-inclusion among children and adults. We were also joined this hour by Patrick Lincoln, the dean of students at Hartford Memorial Middle School in White River Junction. Broadcast live on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
The Vermont Housing Finance Agency says the state needs to build between 24,000 and 36,000 new housing units over the next five years to meet demand. Rutland City is taking on the challenge, aiming to build 1,000 units by 2028. Mayor Mike Doenges and Rutland Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Ed Bove share their vision and their upcoming developer showcase in late October. Then, we take a broader look at Rutland County. Devon Neary, executive director of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission, explains new laws requiring smaller towns to map their downtowns and other potential growth areas. The commission is also updating its 2026 regional plan.Broadcast live on Monday, September 9, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
Grief is often described as a heavy weight – a weight you can feel on your shoulders, in heart, or deep in your gut. In "We Need No Wings," the new novel by author Ann Dávila Cardinal of Morrisville, a professor in her sixties weighed down by grief awakens one day with the power to levitate. It’s not a metaphor – Tere Sánchez can rise into the air. This magical discovery sets Tere off on a journey to Spain to learn about her ancestors and her newfound power. The novel comes out on Sept. 10th.Cardinal is a two-time International Latino Book Award winning novelist and self described “Gringa-Rican author” and “aging tattooed punk.” She received her MFA in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
What does it mean to love a forest? For Ethan Tapper, love is work. In his forthcoming debut book, How to Love a Forest, he walks us through the fragile and resilient ecosystem that is a forest. And he argues that it takes hard work to preserve forests— work that can be counterintuitive and even, at times, heartbreaking. A former Chittenden County forester, Tapper's new book details his work at Bear Island Forest in Bolton. He's also the lead singer and guitarist of the Burlington-based 10-piece punk band The Bubs, who have a new album out, Make a Mess. To celebrate the book launch, Tapper will be in conversation with Bridget Butler at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, in Contois Auditorium, Burlington.Broadcast live on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
From Rochester to Windham, a look at communities that have weathered debates over closing small schools.
Raised in Waitsfield, Shaina Taub is a two-time Tony Award winner for her Broadway musical Suffs.
IV therapy has been popping up around Vermont and it has state regulators concerned. We're joined by a member of the Vermont Board of Medical Practice and primary care practitioners who will tell us the difference between legitimate use of IV therapy and the stuff that's just trendy.
We're joined by a Seven Days food writer who tells us about the hit Winooski restaurants are taking during road construction. And we get a couple suggestions for some good eats around the state.
We'll listen to a recent audio documentary by Vermont Public's Mitch Wertlieb and continue the conversation with a UVM political science professor.
Vermont Public's housing report explains why the state is putting new limits on the housing program, and shelter leaders give us a look inside their doors.
Rootstock Publishing's Samantha Kolber discusses a new poetry collection by Reuben Jackson and a memoir by Bill Mares.
A look at the college's place in Vermont's education landscape, with CCV's president, a student and more.
A look at the college's place in Vermont's education landscape, with CCV's president, a student and more.
Double-digit increases are hitting Vermonters who purchase insurance directly, and small businesses. Vermont's rates are going up more than the rest of the country.
Burlington Free Press reporter Dan D'Ambrosio shares an update on Bernardino Suchite Canan.
We have two animal-centric stories today— one about dogs in Middlebury, and another about the endangered species that is Jeezum Crow.
Thetford broadcaster Peter Graves and NPR's Brian Mann debrief the Paris Games and share stories of Olympics past.
The big takeaways from the 2024 primaries, and what's next as we head into the general elections.
Director Zephyr Teachout discusses ‘Returning to Haifa,’ now running at the Unadilla Theatre in Marshfield.
Vermont Edition speaks with members of Braver Angels, a group that fosters conversations across political divides.
The chief of police in Vermont's largest city discusses challenges his department is facing, as well as recent wins in recruitment and retention.
We talk with the owners of Palmer Lane Maple, Vermont Cookie Love, Cold Cow Creamery and other purveyors of frozen treats.
Vermont Edition hosts a conversation about finding happiness, inspired by a recent episode of Brave Little State.
The presidential election is now less than 100 days away, and the energy is ramping up.
A Dartmouth geography professor explains the increased precipitation rates in the Northeast, and a mutual aid organizer discussing ongoing needs in the Lyndon area.
Emma Hunsinger is a graduate of the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction.
Rainfall subsided Wednesday night after major storms caused extensive damage in Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties.
During the Vermont Public debate, John Rodgers and Gregory Thayer differed on many topics including national and local party politics, climate change and illegal drug use.
The governor joined Vermont Edition to address recent flooding, national politics and working across party lines.
During the Vermont Public debate, the candidates differed on many topics including housing policy, growing the state’s population and addressing the opioid crisis.
Rutland-based Olympics reporter Peggy Shinn, the founder of the Kelly Brush Foundation and a Paralympic athlete discuss the Paris Games.
Musician Grace Potter joins host Mikaela Lefrak in front of a live audience for an interview and performance.
Middlebury political scientist Matthew Dickinson and politician-turned-journalist Myers Mermel discuss news from the Biden and Trump campaigns.
Vermont Edition speaks with Stephanie Smith, the state hazard mitigation officer with Vermont Emergency Management, about the property buyout program.
All Things Gardening host Charlie Nardozzi answers questions about weather, pests and getting the most out of your garden beds for the rest of this season.
Updates and guidance from Vermont's public safety commissioner, the Barre City manager, Vermont Public reporters and a reverend from Montpelier.
Guidance and updates from Vermont's public safety commissioner, Barre town manager, and a reverend from Montpelier.
While some farmers have had to stop using parts of their land, the overwhelming majority have continued farming.
While some farmers have had to stop using parts of their land, the overwhelming majority have continued farming.
Montpelier and Barre saw a deluge of rain and flooding in July 2023, damaging many homes and businesses. Vermont Public’s Bob Kinzel remembers watching floodwaters rise in downtown Montpelier. Guests and listeners also share their recollections from the Wrightsville Dam and Barre.
A new film by filmmaker Jay Craven imagines what would happen if the paths of two historical figures crossed – the Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen, and the poet Lucy Terry Prince.
A new film by filmmaker Jay Craven imagines what would happen if the paths of two historical figures crossed – the Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen, and the poet Lucy Terry Prince.
The Vermont Country Store proprietor want to keep Vermont art from leaving his home state.
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and elections director Seán Sheehan share what Vermonters need to know to cast their ballot.
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and elections director Seán Sheehan share what Vermonters need to know to cast their ballot.
Sportswriter Scott Douglas discusses the Olympics-bound runner, her training regimen and the influence of her renowned running coach.
Almost a year after the summer floods tore through Vermont, many survivors feel mistreated by the federal agency that was supposed to help them.
The former poet laureate's new novel brings together a seemingly mismatched pair of friends in the Maine wilderness.
The Community Sailing Center and the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association want more people to be able to access and enjoy Vermont's waterways.
We learn how AI is currently being used by teachers and students, and dive into some of the ethical concerns.
From hotly contested school budgets to debates over the taxes that fund our education system, it’s been an eventful school year in Vermont.
Seven Days food editor Melissa Pasanen talks creemees to beat the heat, plus the hottest food news in our region.
Fans of the soccer team have been filling Virtue Field, with attendance growing over the last three seasons. Their upcoming women’s exhibition game this Saturday may be their highest attended yet.
The parent company of the solar panel maker SunCommon — iSun — has filed for bankruptcy. A Champlain College professor explains what led to the filing, and what's next.
Governor Phil Scott has vetoed eight bills this legislative session. If Democratic lawmakers want to override those vetoes, they’ll need a two-thirds supermajority of lawmakers.
Local theaters play an instrumental role in the theater ecosystem in the face of financial hardships.
Vermont's junior senator joined Vermont Edition to discuss flood resiliency, the Rural Recovery Act, and nonprofit theater funding.
In "The Editor," Sara Franklin details the accomplishments of legendary editor and part-time Vermonter Judith Jones.
Insects like the emerald ash borer and the elm zigzag sawfly have whimsical names, but they are harming forests in our region.
Insects like the emerald ash borer and the elm zigzag sawfly have whimsical names, but they are harming forests in our region.
Brave Little State investigates a listener question about public transportation, and a regional transit planner answers your questions.
Woodstock recently kicked off their first weekend-long Pride of Woodstock with a high heel race. Plus, information on upcoming Pride events in our region.
Vermont Public recently convened a panel discussion in Taylor Park in St. Albans on the region's economy.
Vermont Public recently convened a panel discussion in Taylor Park in St. Albans on the region's economy.
Curator Adi Oasis and Flynn curator Jay Wahl discuss what to expect from this year's lineup.
Curator Adi Oasis and Flynn curator Jay Wahl discuss what to expect from this year's lineup.
Steve Maleski, a meteorologist whose forecasts have helped buoy Eye on the Sky for 40 years, is retiring. And, a new voice — Megan Duncan — will be joining the meteorologists Mark Breen and Lawrence Hayes to keep Vermont Public listeners updated on the weather. Maleski and Duncan joined Vermont Edition host Mikaela Lefrak to reflect on Maleski’s tenure and welcome Duncan into the role.
Reporters Liam Elder-Connors and Derek Brouwer share a behind-the-scenes look at their reporting on Vermont's courts backlogs.
A cat expert in Burlington offers tips on responsibly helping outdoor cats and the importance of spaying and neutering.
'Young Woman and the Sea' tells the story of the first woman to swim across the English Channel
'Young Woman and the Sea' tells the story of the first woman to swim across the English Channel
Greene is the author of six books of fiction. His latest marks his first foray into nonfiction and memoir.
Looking for an adventure this summer travel season? Quebec is filled with cosmopolitan cities, delicious restaurants, and natural wonders.
Mayor Thom Lauzon discusses redevelopment projects, the school budget and other big issues facing Barre.
Journey to Recovery has partnered with local schools on addiction prevention and early intervention.
Home reappraisals have a big effect on the real estate market. How exactly do they work?
Balint joins Vermont Edition to discuss a new mental health bill, her views on House Speaker Mike Johnson and her reelection campaign.
It’s graduation season, which means commencement speeches are starting to echo across the Green Mountains.
We discuss local efforts to study the medical uses of psilocybin mushrooms and other psychedelics.
We discuss local efforts to study the medical uses of psilocybin mushrooms and other psychedelics.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife and Vermont Folklife are working together to collect oral history stories about turkey restoration and hunting.
Seven Days food editor Melissa Pasanen talks about the latest Vermont food and restaurant news.
Statehouse reporters discuss the legislative session, the upcoming veto session and election season.
A researcher explains the spread of blacklegged ticks in the northeast and their role in Lyme disease transmission.
"It's pretty surreal," the Norwich native says of qualifying for the 2024 summer Olympics.
All Things Gardening host Charlie Nardozzi shares tips on everything from pollinator plants to pest control.
Students, faculty and community members weigh in on the campus protests across our region as part of the nationwide protest movement against the war in Gaza.
The 1A host capped off a weeklong visit to Vermont by reflecting on her upbringing, values and what journalism can do.
"The Cemetery of Untold Stories" is an exploration of the act of storytelling and the characters we all create.
When was the last time you played a game of pinball? Maybe it was on a machine in a friend’s basement when you were a kid. Or maybe you’re a competitive player and always go to arcades. Perhaps you’ve never played at all!
While Vermont might not be filling up church pews, spirituality is strong in the Green Mountains.
"The Cemetery of Untold Stories" is an exploration of the act of storytelling and the characters we all create.
Greer Kennedy, a senior at St. Johnsbury Academy, will compete on behalf of Vermont in the national championship in Washington D.C. Thursday.
The Vermont Department of Health shares an update on the important role of vaccinations in containing the virus.
The Vermont Department of Health shares an update on the important role of vaccinations in containing the virus.
Last week, the Vermont House passed a bill outlawing untraceable ghost guns. What does that mean for Vermonters?
Green Up Day is around the corner. We learn about grassroots efforts across the state to remove trash from our communities.
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth joins Vermont Edition. Baruth discusses property taxes, Act 250 reform, and Governor Phil Scott’s expected vetoes.
Zoie Saunders discusses her views on school choice and her hopes for the future of Vermont’s schools.
Zoie Saunders discusses her views on school choice and her hopes for the future of Vermont’s schools.
The University of Vermont Cancer Center director explains why colorectal cancer is a growing concern among people under 50 and a survivor of rectal cancer from Essex shares her story.
Teachers and counselors at Randolph Union High School share how they're supporting their low-income students, even after graduation.
After 86 years and many ups and downs, Goddard College in Plainfield will close at the end of this semester. We reflect on its legacy and history.
A regional film festival celebrates movies made in New England and Quebec, from a werewolf horror-comedy to a documentary about weight and body image.
Can Vermont make big fossil fuel companies pay for climate change damages? Some Vermont legislators say yes.
The solar eclipse has come and gone, leaving many of us starry-eyed and some very tired from long drives home.
Lawmakers work to get enough votes to override the governor's veto of a bill that would ban flavored tobacco and vape products.
Teachers share tips on explaining solar eclipses to children and helping them watch one safely.
Sometimes students with dyslexia need extra help in school. Senate bill 204 would guarantee kids between kindergarten and third grade get screened for any learning differences they might have.
We hear from lawmakers in favor of and opposed to a House bill that would overhaul how communities develop land.
We take a look at how Vermont public libraries are supporting their communities with Brave Little State.
Filmmaker Tommy Hyde and a representative from Farm First talk about the hurdles and resources for Vermont farmers.
The outgoing Democrat discusses some of the city's largest challenges, from the drug crisis to affordable housing, his proudest achievements and what he might do next.
Civil rights enforcement, violent crime and fraud cases are among the areas of focus for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Vermont.
Big Hartman, the new executive director of Vermont's Human Rights Commission, talks about housing and employment discrimination.
Some Wolcott residents are still using town offices to bathe or wash dishes. Meanwhile, there's a lot of discussion about long-term changes like elevating homes or expanding floodplains.
A Montpelier stylist and designers from Burlington and Grand Isle discuss Vermont style trends on Vermont Edition.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Eric Ford, executive producer and host of Vermont Public's Made Here.
Rick Winston, founder and former owner and operator of the Savoy Theater in Montpelier, discusses his new memoir, Save Me A Seat: A Life with Movies.
Vermont Edition broadcast live from the fair, capturing some of the characters and behind-the-scenes secrets that make it special.
On a recent episode of Brave Little State, reporter Mae Nagusky explores Vermont's rap scene through the journey of MC and comedian Omega Jade.
Vermont kids are heading back to school this week. On today's episode, we talk about how education providers and administrators are working on access and equity in schools and how some kids may have been impacted by this summer's flooding.
Elizabeth Carpenter-Song kept in touch for years with families she met at a shelter in 2009.
Efficiency Vermont says work needs to be done to make weatherization and other programs more accessible, especially for people in rural areas. Disclosure: Efficiency Vermont is a business sponsor of Vermont Public.
This hour, we listen back to a special presentation of the podcast Timeline from Vermont Public Classical. In this show, host James Stewart shares with listeners the music and life story of Julius Eastman, an openly gay Black composer whose music is only now being rediscovered.Broadcast at noon and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023; originally broadcast on Feb. 20, 2023.
Boa constrictors, bearded dragons, hedgehogs. For some Vermonters, the definition of a pet goes beyond the mainstream cat and dog. This hour, we listen back to an episode about exotic pets.
Data analysis shows far fewer Vermonters are entering the workforce compared to those who are retiring, according to Vermont Futures Project Executive Director Kevin Chu.
Dr. Tim Plante, a general internist, epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, talks more about the national increase in COVID-19 cases and the updated vaccine coming this fall.
Cycling can be a physically and mentally demanding sport. But the scene is also becoming more open, including for people with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Guests Josh Kelly, the solid waste program manager with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, and Lee Perry, the maintenance division director for the City of Burlington, talk about waste in Vermont.
Gov. Phil Scott joined Vermont Edition host Mikaela Lefrak to talk through where flood recovery stands from the state's perspective.
Vermont is home to a small but strong network of bars and arcades where you can play pinball games like Godzilla, Baywatch and the Big Lebowski.
All Things Gardening host Charlie Nardozzi provides tips on how to help your gardens through the highly wet and buggy summer Vermont is having. Plus, tips for getting ready for all the fall planting.
The annual Perseid meteor shower graces the night sky this time of year. Its peak is coming up, and meteorologist Mark Breen shares his meteor-gazing tips.
This summer’s heavy rains have led to phosphorus runoff and sewage leaks into Vermont lakes and ponds. A water quality expert with the Lake Champlain Sea Grant explains why it’s important not to swim if there’s a cyanobacteria bloom.
As wildfires continue to rage in Canada — sometimes sending heavy smoke over Vermont — CBC journalist Ben Shingler shares the latest.
Two FEMA representatives join Vermont Edition to answer your questions about the application and aid processes.
Ice cream and sorbet makers across Vermont share insights into their production process, favorite flavors, and more.
Vermont's Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas discusses a residential database of contractors and more.
After the recent flooding, a state flood mitigation officer, architect and engineer discuss the factors that go into deciding whether to relocate properties or keep them where they are.
Exploring the intersections of climate change, racial justice and LBGTQ activism with Vermont youth activists.
Myra Flynn, host of Vermont Public's newest podcast, Homegoings, joins host Mikaela Lefrak after we listen to the first episode.
Vermont artists and arts advocates are among those affected by the recent floods, with many having to reschedule performances and salvage materials and work.
Mosaic, a shelter for those affected by domestic and sexual violence, shares their clean up efforts following massive flooding.
Attorney general Charity Clark shares ways Vermonters can stay safe from scams and price gouging as they rebuild from recent floods.
On the latest episode of Brave Little State, reporter Lexi Krupp looks into the ways humans have transformed how water runs through Vermont's landscape.
Members of Vermont's congressional delegation discuss guidance on applying for federal disaster assistance.
Many Vermont farmers are urgently seeking support after the catastrophic floods wiped out their fields.
Small business owners in Ludlow and Hardwick share their stories. Plus, we share information on a new fund to support recovery efforts for businesses across Vermont.
Communities across Vermont are bracing for more rain, following the historic flooding earlier this week. And yet Vermonters are already willing to get to work. We get an in-depth forecast from the National Weather Service. More thunderstorms are coming today and this weekend.
Communities across Vermont are coming together on clean-up and recovery efforts following historic flooding earlier this week. We bring you updates on flood recovery efforts from across the state.
The rain has stopped, for now, but the capital and other Vermont towns are still under water. We bring you the latest from officials on the ground in some of the most affected areas of the state.
Federal disaster declaration approved; Where we stand on Tuesday morning in Vermont as flooding continues.
We air a recent episode of Brave Little State on Barre City and then check in with a newspaper editor there.
Recent data shows a four-day workweek can improve worker health and productivity, and some Vermont employers are trying it out.
Younger workers discuss the ways their relationship to their jobs has shifted since the pandemic.
New Hampshire Public radio reporter Lauren Chooljian hosts the podcast "The 13th Step."
Rob Mermin talks about why he wrote "Act 39," a true story of what happened when his friend used Vermont's medical aid in dying law.
Two local librarians and a bookseller from Woodstock share their summer reading recommendations.
Charlotte News editor Scooter MacMillan chats with host Mikaela Lefrak about the news in the region.
This year is the third annual Juneteenth Sails on Lake Champlain, a free sailing and storytelling celebration for Black Vermonters.
Myra Flynn shares the inspiration behind Homegoings and where she hopes the show goes from here.
Vermont cookbook author Tracey Medeiros talks about the many restaurants and farms included in her new edition.
Vermonters share stories of finding spiritual connections outside of traditional religious organizations.
Host Mikaela Lefrak gets an update on hiking trails from the director of field programs at the Green Mountain Club.
Host Mikaela Lefrak chats with journalist Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling about his new book on the fringes of American medicine.
Colby Lynch and her partner lived in the Quality Inn in Barre. Then, Vermont began to wind down the program that covered the cost of her room.
Host Mikaela Lefrak discusses the Canadian wildfires and examines the U.S. coverage with a CBC journalist.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Brattleboro town leaders about the root causes of recent security concerns downtown and proposed solutions.
Host Connor Cyrus chats with Moonshine Shorey about the upcoming Rutland County Pride Festival.
Around the country, at least 17 states have banned or limited gender-affirming care. In Vermont, the health care for transgender adults and children is protected.
The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival runs June 7-11, 2023, and is a beloved kickoff event for summer in Vermont. Flynn Executive Director Jay Wahl joined Vermont Edition to talk about a few of the highlights this year.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Burlington's special assistant to end homelessness and the head of a nonprofit about the influx of people facing homelessness as the motel-housing program ends.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with a foster parent about her experiences, plus the foster kin manager and guardian ad litem program manager on caring for kids in Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with wedding industry experts on the state of Vermont's wedding industry post-pandemic and wedding trends to look out for this year.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with political reporter Bob Kinzel about which bills Gov. Phil Scott has signed and vetoed.
Vermont Edition shares an episode of Brave Little State that explores how Vermonters feel about guns and opens the phone lines to hear from listeners.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Vermont Sen. Peter Welch about his priorities as a freshman senator.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with the news editor of the Brattleboro Reformer about events in southeastern Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak chats with the founder and chair of the Vermont Quilt Festival on fond memories and why the festival is ending.
Host Mikaela Lefrak chats with a biologist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the coordinator of the Butterfly Atlas.
Host Connor Cyrus discusses book challenges with a young adult author and librarians across Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak leads a discussion on the impending end of Vermont's motel housing program.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with a Vermont doctor who specializes in menopause about its symptoms and treatment options.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Vermonter Mirna Valerio about body image and her athletic endeavors.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with pharmacists from Vermont communities about the joys and struggles of their business.
Host Mikaela Lefrak gets an update from political reporters on the bills they have been covering this legislative session.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with a scent scientist and others in smell-heavy industries.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with the heads of Vermont's departments of Health and Corrections and the defender general about health concerns in local prisons.
The Champlain College professor discusses her new book, "Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time."
Vermont Edition shares a recent episode of Brave Little State that explores some of the ways people are living communally in Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak digs into the Affordable Heat Act, which Gov. Phil Scott recently vetoed.
A student at Hazen Union School in Hardwick wanted to learn more about his school's free and reduced meals program. So he made a podcast about it.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with vintage and antique dealers about the tricks of their trade.
Host Mikaela Lefrak chats with foraging expert and children's book author Melany Kahn about differentiating plants and fungi, and how foraging can be a family activity.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with a mother of an autistic teen, a physician and an advocate about the changing conversation around autism.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Gov. Phil Scott about some of the biggest issues facing Vermonters.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with herpetologist Jim Andrews about the reptiles and amphibians Vermonters should be on the lookout for in spring.
Host Mikaela Lefrak discusses the challenges around infertility, from physical stresses to feelings of isolation, with Vermonters who are intimately associated with them.
A University of Vermont Spanish professor shares the story of a class project in which her students interviewed Hispanic Vermonters.
Vermont Edition shares a recent episode of Brave Little State that digs into the history of Vermont's old stone walls.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks to the executive director of Outright Vermont and a parent of a trans child about the safety of trans youth in Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Vermont chef Gesine Bullock-Prado about her new cookbook.
A rebroadcast of a 2011 conversation between Jane Lindholm and cartoonist Ed Koren, who died last week.
Host Mikaela Lefrak chats with All Things Gardening host Charlie Nardozzi on spring gardening practices.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with an organizer and presenter of Public Philosophy Week, a series of events throughout the state.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Rep. Becca Balint about legislation she introduced that would create a grant for mental health first aid training in schools.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with the health commissioner on plans to bolster the state's response to opioid overdoses, as well as the importance of harm reduction with health experts.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with students, parents and coaches about esports and the how and why Vermont schools are embracing competitive video games.
The new film stars Owen Wilson as a Bob Ross-inspired host of a painting show on public television.
Host Connor Cyrus remembers Michael Hayes, who was also known as beloved Burlington drag queen Margaurite LeMay.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with meteorologist Mark Breen about the total solar eclipse coming next April and what to look for now.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks about breast cancer with a UVM researcher, a radiologist and a survivor.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with an immigration attorney in Vermont and the head of a refugee center in Montreal about U.S.-Canada border relations and asylum seekers.
Vermont Edition shares a recent episode of Brave Little State about whether short-term rentals are exacerbating Vermont's housing crisis.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks about the 2023 Major League Baseball season with a roundtable of sports fans.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with the Calais author about his new book, "Elf Dog & Owl Head."
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Mary Ruefle, Vermont's poet laureate, about patience, persistence and poetry.
Mikaela Lefrak speaks with the author about her suspenseful new novel, "I Have Some Questions for You," set at a New Hampshire boarding school.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a deputy undersecretary for the USDA, a state lawmaker and a school food services director about universal school meal legislation being considered in Vermont.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with Education Secretary Dan French during his last days on the job.
Host Mikaela Lefrak learns more about the lawsuit over Middlebury College's renaming of its chapel.
Hosts Connor Cyrus and Mikaela Lefrak talk with regional political scientists about the historic event, and we open the phone lines to hear what Vermonters are thinking.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with state Rep. Taylor Small, sex workers and an anti-trafficking advocate about efforts to decriminalize sex work in Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak chats with Bridget Butler, the Bird Diva, on migration patterns and creating an inclusive birding community.
Host Mikaela Lefrak honors Women's History Month by talking with female Vermonters making waves in their respective fields.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with statehouse reporters on what bills made it out of committee by the mid-point of the Vermont legislative session.
Vermont Edition shares a recent episode of Brave Little State all about where the electricity in Vermont's power grid comes from.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Vermont's labor commissioner and advocates about child labor practices on dairies in the state.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with the director of the Center for Community News at UVM about how student journalists across the country can close the gap in local news coverage.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with members of the Montpelier community on how VCFA's decision to move their residencies and sell buildings will affect our capital.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with author Christine Kenneally about her book investigating abuse in Catholic-run orphanages over the last century.
Host Mikaela Lefrak explores the idea of a four-day workweek, which data shows can improve worker health and productivity.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with Vermonters about dating in Vermont, from bad date stories to starting all over again.
Host Connor Cyrus chats with Vermont's soon-to-be-appointed cartoonist laureate, Tillie Walden.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with volunteers and directors of different Meals on Wheels programs about the challenges of meeting the elevated need.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with Bristol resident Catherine Lynch and CBC investigative reporter Leah Hendry about sharp increases in Montreal car thefts and the international criminal operations behind them.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation about proposed rule changes for wake boats and Vermonters advocating for tweaks to the proposed rules.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks to a cannabis regulator, retailer and medical advocate about the state of the legal retail market that began sales Oct. 1, 2022.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Vermont chef Gesine Bullock-Prado about her favorite maple recipes from her new cookbook and with a syrup maker that taps more than maple trees.
Host Connor Cyrus talks about avian flu with Vermont's assistant state veterinarian and a wildlife expert with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a school librarian from Woodstock about "1, 2, 3 Ready! Read! Review!," a weekly book review podcast for kids.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with the head of the Vermont Commission on Women about a bill that would ban child marriages in Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with an emergency veterinarian about a new canine respiratory disease affecting dozens of dogs in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with UVM women's basketball head coach Alisa Kresge ahead of the America East championship game on Friday.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with reporter Liam Elder-Connors about the notable votes across Vermont from the 2023 town meetings held on or before Tuesday, March 7.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks about a bill working its way through the Vermont Legislature that would make changes to the 50-year-old land-use law Act 250 and spur housing development.
Hosts Mikaela Lefrak and Connor Cyrus talk with town clerks and meeting moderators about the big questions Vermont voters will decide during their local town meetings this year.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with exotic pet owners and a veterinarian who treats pets ranging from snakes to hamsters.
Host Mikaela Lefrak discusses how Vermont’s legislature is considering changes to the ways private and religious schools receive public funding.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with a neurologist and advocate about diagnosing, treating and living with Alzheimer's and dementia in Vermont.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with a lawmaker, the head of Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources and a small business owner who delivers fuels and installs heating systems.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with Vermonters who have adopted plant-based diets for health and other reasons.
Vural and Jackie Oktay co-own Tuckerbox, a restaurant in White River Junction. They're fundraising for victims of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
We'll speak with Rep. Martin Lalonde about a proposed 'shield law' that would protect people traveling to Vermont for reproductive or gender-affirming health care, as well as the Vermont health officials who provide that care.
Two bills advancing in the legislature would address the 'right to repair' for technology-infused items ranging from smartphones to tractors.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with those in the Vermont juvenile justice system about a proposed temporary facility in St. Albans.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with libraries across Vermont about meeting the needs of patrons in an increasingly digital world.
Vermont Edition shares a special presentation of the podcast Timeline from Vermont Public Classical, where host James Stewart introduces listeners to Julius Eastman, an openly gay Black composer fro the 70s and 80s whose music is only now being rediscovered.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife about ice safety during mild winter temperatures.
Lloyd Devereux Richards and Marguerite Richards spoke with Vermont Edition about the TikTok posts that won over millions of fans — and put an 11-year-old debut novel on the bestseller list.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with a Vermont doctor who specializes in menopause about its symptoms and treatment options.
Host Connor Cyrus talks to Black Vermonters on what the term Black excellence means to them, and about Black creativity and the importance of Black history.
Hosts Connor Cyrus and Mikaela Lefrak open the phone lines to hear who listeners are sharing their hearts with this Valentine's Day.
Vermont Edition host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with incoming VSU president Parwinder Grewal and others about changes coming to the unified university's library and athletics departments.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with thrifters and upcyclers on the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Vermonters can find plenty of reasons to watch Super Bowl 57 even without the Patriots involved.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with a roundtable of Vermont political reporters about key legislation in the first month of the
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with a planner, affordable housing advocate and business owner about the housing boom in Morrisville.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with a child advocate and member of a state oversight commission, as well as an archivist, who are urging changes to who can access foster care records in Vermont.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas about pandemic-era changes to Town Meeting Day procedures that have been extended for another two years.
Host Mikaela Lefrak, along with Vermont Public producer/reporter Myra Flynn, create a space for reflection on Tyre Nichols' death.
This hour, we'll listen to an episode of Brave Little State on medical aid in dying and discuss the process with a doctor who treats terminally ill patients.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks those in the EMS field on the what the future holds for some first responders.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks to Champlain College professor Barbara Colombo and UVM professor Kimberly Vannest about the toll of online bullying and harassment on adults.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks to early childhood educators about the child care worker shortage.
Host Connor Cyrus talks about domestic violence in the state with Attorney General Charity Clark and the head of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
This week, Vermont Edition listens to a recent installment of Brave Little State’s Homegoings series, which fosters meaningful conversations with Vermont artists of color about Black grief, rage, joy and healing.
Host Connor Cyrus chats with young adult author Kekla Magoon about her new book, The Minus-One Clubi
This week, Vermont Edition listens to a recent installment of Brave Little State’s Homegoings series, which fosters meaningful conversations with Vermont artists of color about Black grief, rage, joy and healing.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus talks with a state official and Norwich University educators about how artificial intelligence is already being used in state government and education, and its implications for the future.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with dairy farmers, farm workers and the state’s secretary of agriculture about solutions to the most pressing issues in the dairy industry, including saving struggling organic dairy farms.
Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Eric Ford, Vermont Public’s Director of Content Partnership and the producer of the Made Here series, to learn more about the unique voices and stories from local filmmakers premiering in the new series on Jan. 26.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus speaks with a state tax official about mandatory home reappraisals in Vermont and what they mean for homeowners and potential buyers.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with some volunteers and organizations that are looking for volunteers.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks about gun legislation being considered by Vermont lawmakers with VTDigger political reporter Sarah Mearhoff.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with the state's executive director of racial equity about her annual report to state lawmakers.
Host Connor Cyrus learns about notable women in Vermont political history with the Vermont Historical Society.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with three student-athletes and the coach of the Middlebury Union High School girl's basketball team about their recent decision to skip a game against Enosburg Falls High School due to what the team described as a history of racist harassment.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with museum curators about current and upcoming shows in the region.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with a Burlington restaurant owner about her plans for the Lunar New Year.
Host Connor Cyrus talks to advocates about cuts to federal food assistance and how it will affect Vermonters.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks to Vermont's newly-minted Sen. Peter Welch about legislating in the Senate after more than a decade in the U.S. House.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with public transportation leaders about changes coming to Vermont's bus services and routes.
In this rebroadcast of a show that first aired in March 2022, host Connor Cyrus talks with white Vermonters who adopted Black children, and hears from a Black woman about being raised by her adopted white family.
This hour, we'll hear a recent episode of Brave Little State about Vermont's lack of freestanding birth centers. And host Mikaela Lefrak talks to a certified nurse midwife in Vermont.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with Vermont Public’s climate and environment reporter Abagael Giles about what policies lawmakers in the Legislature are considering to tackle climate change in Vermont.
Rep. Becca Balint chats with Vermont Edition host Connor Cyrus on her first couple weeks in Congress.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with leaders in the Vermont ski industry to see how the mild winter is affecting business.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks to aviation industry experts about flying into and out of Vermont, and climate activists who advocate a "flight diet" to address the climate change crisis.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Vermonters who are working to use human waste as fertilizer and some of the challenges they face.
This hour, Vermont Edition airs a recent episode of Brave Little State exploring how local restaurants are coping with the shortage.
Today on Vermont Edition, we'll take listeners inside the statehouse on the first day of a new legislative session.
This hour, we look back at Sen. Patrick Leahy's 48 years in Washington as a representative of the Green Mountain State.
In this encore rebroadcast of our winter book show, host Mikaela Lefrak chats with booksellers and librarians about their recent favorites, as well as a local author on her 2022 release.
In this encore broadcast from November 2022, host Mikaela Lefrak and guests explore the term “New Americans," and hear from some who say the phrase unites communities of refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants, while others see it as divisive, confusing, or worse.
In this encore broadcast from November, host Connor Cyrus talks with neurodivergent Vermonters about their challenges and successes.
In November, more than 60 singers came together at Vermont Public’s Stetson Studio One for a special event called One Day: A Choral Celebration of Hope. This hour, Vermont Edition shares new music and old favorites performed by three Vermont choirs and instrumentalists from across the state.
Today on Vermont Edition, we'll talk through what you need to know about the massive weather event moving through our area.
Host Connor Cyrus talks to Vermonters who have found community through chosen families.
Host Mikaela Lefrak explores the winter solstice with an organizer of a Wabanaki sunrise ceremony, a meteorologist and a Vermonter who’s making new solstice traditions.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks to the Vermont Community Broadband Board's deputy director about how to challenge the FCC's national broadband map.
Host Connor Cyrus talks to career counselors and gap-year organizers to discuss options for high school or college students facing uncertainty after graduation.
Host Connor Cyrus talks about sobriety with people who have chosen not to drink, a bartender who makes mocktails and a nonalcoholic beverage maker.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with community and law enforcement leaders in and around Burlington about addressing crime and violence.
This hour, we start a two-part conversation about crime in the Burlington area with host Connor Cyrus.
This hour, Vermont Edition turns the mic over to reporter Howard Weiss-Tisman as he explores how Vermont’s breweries are handling their waste water.
Hosts Connor Cyrus and Mikaela Lefrak talk to Vermont artisans, growers, retailers and more about their favorite local holiday gifts.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with a UVM researcher and a psychotherapist about effective ways to treat seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus speaks with a Vermont psychiatrist and pharmacist about the shortage of medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
More than 30 Ukrainian adults and children have found safe harbor at a Derby refugee center established by a missionary couple.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with a librarian and booksellers about their recent favorite books.
Host Connor Cyrus talks about snowmobiling in Vermont, trail networks around the state, electric snowmobiles made in Quebec and fat bikers on the winter trails on two wheels.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with visiting foreign language teachers living in rural Vermont communities.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak speaks to a wildlife biologist about the travails and triumphs of Vermont's wild turkeys.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus speaks with state and local emergency housing and homelessness prevention officials about keeping Vermonters housed this winter.
We'll listen back to an interview with Vermont journalist and author Garret Graff about his book, released earlier this year, offering a fresh perspective on the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
This hour, we listen back to a conversation with board game experts about finding the right board game amid a renaissance of new board games, both competitive and cooperative.
This hour, Vermont Edition turns the mic over to Myra Flynn's reporting on the Asian American experience in Vermont.
In this rebroadcast, host Mikaela Lefrak talks with lawyers about the challenges that come with recent changes to the court system.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus explores the idea of class in Vermont, how Vermonters understand it and talk about it, and the ways some are seeking to overcome class divisions.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with a well-known pastry chef from White River Junction about how to make your Thanksgiving baking shine this year.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus speaks to Vermont hunters about their traditions and tips as deer season opens.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with a pediatric critical care doctor and a school nurse about the respiratory illness RSV.
This hour, Vermont Edition hears from multiple Vermont veterans as they share stories of military service and the transition to civilian life.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with neurodivergent Vermonters about their challenges and successes.
This hour, Vermont Edition speaks with winners of the major federal and state races from the 2022 midterm election.
Still waiting to bubble in that ballot? Check out highlights from Vermont Public's midterm election debates.
This hour, Vermont Edition hears from Sec. of State Jim Condos and town clerks from across Vermont on the eve of the 2022 midterm election.
Host Connor Cyrus talks about today's tipping etiquette with experts from the Emily Post Institute.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with political reporter Sarah Mearhoff about her reporting on campaign contributions to Republican nominee for Vermont's US House seat, Liam Madden.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak talks about options for Vermonters struggling to afford heating and utility bills as winter weather arrives.
Host Mikaela Lefrak checks in with former Red Sox ace Bill "Spaceman" Lee at his home in Craftsbury.
Host Mikaela Lefrak checks in with former Red Sox ace Bill "Spaceman" Lee at his home in Craftsbury.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak talks about options for Vermonters struggling to afford heating and utility bills as winter weather arrives.
Host Connor Cyrus will talk with some young business owners on their decision to set up shop in Vermont.
Host Connor Cyrus will talk with some young business owners on their decision to set up shop in Vermont.
Host Connor Cyrus will talk with some young business owners on their decision to set up shop in Vermont.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak and guests explore the term “New American." Some say the phrase unites communities of refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants, while others see it as divisive, confusing, or worse.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak and guests explore the term “New American." Some say the phrase unites communities of refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants, while others see it as divisive, confusing, or worse.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak and guests explore the term “New American." Some say the phrase unites communities of refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants, while others see it as divisive, confusing, or worse.
The Vermont Historical Society in Barre has more than 170 dolls. This hour, we hear the stories behind the spookiest dolls in their collection.
The Vermont Historical Society in Barre has more than 170 dolls. This hour, we hear the stories behind the spookiest dolls in their collection.
The Vermont Historical Society in Barre has more than 170 dolls. This hour, we hear the stories behind the spookiest dolls in their collection.
Two film experts try to convince host Mikaela Lefrak to give the horror genre another try.
Two film experts try to convince host Mikaela Lefrak to give the horror genre another try.
Two film experts try to convince host Mikaela Lefrak to give the horror genre another try.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with the chair of the Vermont Sports Betting Study Committee about what legalized sports gambling could potentially look like in Vermont.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with the chair of the Vermont Sports Betting Study Committee about what legalized sports gambling could potentially look like in Vermont.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with the chair of the Vermont Sports Betting Study Committee about what legalized sports gambling could potentially look like in Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Sen. Patrick Leahy about his recently published memoir, "The Road Taken," as he approaches the end of eight terms in the Senate.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Sen. Patrick Leahy about his recently published memoir, "The Road Taken," as he approaches the end of eight terms in the Senate.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Sen. Patrick Leahy about his recently published memoir, "The Road Taken," as he approaches the end of eight terms in the Senate.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak explores the Medicare enrollment process with a specialist from the Central Vermont Council on Aging and a Springfield Hospital physician.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak explores the Medicare enrollment process with a specialist from the Central Vermont Council on Aging and a Springfield Hospital physician.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak explores the Medicare enrollment process with a specialist from the Central Vermont Council on Aging and a Springfield Hospital physician.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus speaks with Dartmouth Prof. Russell Muirhead about election denialism, misinformation, conspiracy theories and how they threaten democratic elections in November.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus speaks with Dartmouth Prof. Russell Muirhead about election denialism, misinformation, conspiracy theories and how they threaten democratic elections in November.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus speaks with Dartmouth Prof. Russell Muirhead about election denialism, misinformation, conspiracy theories and how they threaten democratic elections in November.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a panel of political reporters about recent debates for the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, governor and lieutenant governor races, as well as constitutional amendments on Vermont ballots.
Vermont Edition host Connor Cyrus moderates a debate with the candidates for Vermont lieutenant governor: Republican Joe Benning and Progressive/Democrat David Zuckerman.
Hosts Mikaela Lefrak and Connor Cyrus talk to residents, an education reporter and advocates about a recent dispute over a trans athlete using the locker room at Randolph Union High School.
Vermont Edition host Mikaela Lefrak moderates a debate with the candidates for Vermont governor: incumbent Republican Phil Scott and Democrat Brenda Siegel.
Vermont Edition host Mikaela Lefrak moderates a debate with the candidates for U.S. Senate: Republican Gerald Malloy and Democrat Rep. Peter Welch.
This hour, we re-air host Mikaela Lefrak's interview with Strafford musician Noah Kahan from August.
Vermont musician Pitz Quattrone explains how he makes didgeridoos and incorporates their unique sound into his compositions.
Vermont Edition host Connor Cyrus moderates a debate with the candidates for Vermont's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat Becca Balint and Republican Liam Madden.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a couple and a counselor about non-monogamous relationships.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus talks with Gov. Phil Scott about what his goals would be for a fourth term as Vermont's governor.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with Robyn Newton, a physical education teacher at Vergennes Union Elementary School and Vermont's 2023 Teacher of the Year.
Host Mikaela Lefrak will talk with cannabis business owners ahead of the Oct. 1 opening day for Vermont's legal cannabis retail market.
Host Mikaela Lefrak will talk with cannabis business owners ahead of the Oct. 1 opening day for Vermont's legal cannabis retail market.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with Ben Nelson, who will be among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return overseas after thousand of volunteers were brought home in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with Ben Nelson, who will be among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return overseas after thousand of volunteers were brought home in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with reporter Susan Smallheer, who recently toured Vermont Yankee and wrote an update on its decommissioning for the Bennington Banner.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with reporter Susan Smallheer, who recently toured Vermont Yankee and wrote an update on its decommissioning for the Bennington Banner.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak talks with the head of the Vermont Foodbank about food insecurity across northern New England—and what's being done to address it.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak talks with the head of the Vermont Foodbank about food insecurity across northern New England—and what's being done to address it.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with an author of a recent study that ranked Vermont third out of all states for ease and access to voting.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with an author of a recent study that ranked Vermont third out of all states for ease and access to voting.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a psychiatrist, a wellness expert and a scholar on what causes burnout, tips for preventing it and, if you’re already there, steps to recover.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a psychiatrist, a wellness expert and a scholar on what causes burnout, tips for preventing it and, if you’re already there, steps to recover.
In November, Vermonters will vote on Article 22, an amendment that could permanently protect abortion access in the state constitution. Medical and legal experts answer questions about what the amendment would mean for access to abortions and other reproductive healthcare.
In November, Vermonters will vote on Article 22, an amendment that could permanently protect abortion access in the state constitution. Medical and legal experts answer questions about what the amendment would mean for access to abortions and other reproductive healthcare.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a Vermont Legal Aid project director who is helping people navigate the end of the pandemic-era rental assistance program.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a Vermont Legal Aid project director who is helping people navigate the end of the pandemic-era rental assistance program.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks to the authors of a new book that tells the story of a Bennington landmark.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks to the authors of a new book that tells the story of a Bennington landmark.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a forester about climate change's effects on fall foliage.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a forester about climate change's effects on fall foliage.
Host Connor Cyrus discusses Vermont's medical aid in dying law, including a current federal lawsuit that aims to expand access to this end-of-life care to nonresidents.
Host Connor Cyrus discusses Vermont's medical aid in dying law, including a current federal lawsuit that aims to expand access to this end-of-life care to nonresidents.
Host Connor Cyrus discusses Vermont's medical aid in dying law, including a current federal lawsuit that aims to expand access to this end-of-life care to nonresidents.
Host Connor Cyrus discusses Vermont's medical aid in dying law, including a current federal lawsuit that aims to expand access to this end-of-life care to nonresidents.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Vermonters affected by the end of VERAP, the emergency rental assistance program, and advocates trying to keep them housed.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Vermonters affected by the end of VERAP, the emergency rental assistance program, and advocates trying to keep them housed.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Brenda Siegel, the Democratic nominee for governor, about her priorities as a candidate and her campaign against incumbent Gov. Phil Scott.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Brenda Siegel, the Democratic nominee for governor, about her priorities as a candidate and her campaign against incumbent Gov. Phil Scott.
Connor Cyrus speaks with the Vermont Land Trust about an awareness-raising initiative around eating invasive plant species (and what you should know before you attempt your own invasive baking).
Connor Cyrus speaks with the Vermont Land Trust about an awareness-raising initiative around eating invasive plant species (and what you should know before you attempt your own invasive baking).
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with CBC Montreal reporter Kate McKenna about how Canadians, specifically Quebec residents, are reacting to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The British monarch was also Canada's official head of state.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks with CBC Montreal reporter Kate McKenna about how Canadians, specifically Quebec residents, are reacting to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The British monarch was also Canada's official head of state.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a hunting safety expert from the Fish & Wildlife Department.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a hunting safety expert from the Fish & Wildlife Department.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with state Rep. Taylor Small after she won an international award for young politicians.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with state Rep. Taylor Small after she won an international award for young politicians.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a Vermont Department of Health official about a new suicide prevention campaign.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with a Vermont Department of Health official about a new suicide prevention campaign.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with the Energy Action Network about its recent report showing Vermont is unlikely to reach its emission reduction mandates.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with the Energy Action Network about its recent report showing Vermont is unlikely to reach its emission reduction mandates.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with canning experts about the ins and outs of preserving fruits and vegetables, as well as some inventive recipes.
This hour, Vermont Edition talks with longtime fair participants about what they are most excited about.
Vermont waste hauler Casella Waste Systems is partnering with international recycling company TerraCycle on a new subscription program to recycle items that previously weren't recyclable. Host Connor Cyrus talks with Kathy Pazakis, executive vice president of commercial at TerraCycle, about the program.
State Sen. Becca Balint received nearly $1 million in supportive ads from the LGBTQ Victory Fund PAC. That ad blitz came after a $1.1 million donation from a Silicon Valley cryptocurrency executive.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with the head of Vermont's Climate Action Office about the Inflation Reduction Act.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus will talk with teachers as they head back to school for the new academic year.
This hour, we'll hear a recent Brave Little State episode about why some Vermonters leave the state. Host Mikaela Lefrak will also speak with reporter Myra Flynn about the questions—and answers—the episode uncovered.
Host Mikaela Lefrak will speak with Vermont farmers about the importance of tourism in their business models and next week's International Workshop on Agritourism.
Host Mikaela Lefrak will speak with Vermont farmers about the importance of tourism in their business models and next week's International Workshop on Agritourism.
Musician Noah Kahan plays live and talks with host Mikaela Lefrak about his rising career.
Host Connor Cyrus talks politics, candidates and the Nov. 8 election with Paul Dame, chair of the Vermont GOP; Jim Dandeneau, executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party; and Anthony Pollina, chair of the Vermont Progressive Party.
Host Mikaela Lefrak dives into sustainable landscape design, including the movement to decrease or eliminate grass.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus checks in with a schools nurse and superintendents across the state about the staffing shortages schools face in the fall.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus looks into the high demand and long waits for veterinary care in Vermont.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus explores the history of the Battle of Bennington through a conversation with an historian, and through the battle march written to commemorate the conflict's 150th anniversary.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with the CEO of the Peace Corps, who is visiting Brattleboro to speak at the School for International Training’s commencement ceremony.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with adult board game enthusiasts about their favorite titles and the mental and social benefits of playing.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Secretary of State Jim Condos about primary election turnout.
Vermont Edition host Connor Cyrus speaks to Democratic nominee for governor Brenda Siegel.
This hour, hosts Mikaela Lefrak and Connor Cyrus talk with some of the winners from this week's primary races.
This hour, hosts Connor Cyrus and Mikaela Lefrak share voices from Vermonters on primary day, and dive into results with senior political correspondent Bob Kinzel.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak and Connor Cyrus check in with voters and learn more about what's getting Vermonters to the polls on Tuesday's primary election.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus talks about Vermont's laws around being naked in public, and with several Vermont nudists and naturists about why they feel most comfortable without clothes.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Champlain College writing professor and outdoor educator Erik Shonstrom about his new book.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with a game warden and a biologist from Vermont's Fish and Wildlife Department about human-bear encounters.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus breaks down a new UNH poll ahead of Vermont's primary election. Plus, we heard from college students voting in the primary and from the head of AARP Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with the newly-appointed commissioner of Vermont's Department of Public Safety.
This hour, we discuss the rail expansion project bringing Amtrak's Ethan Allen Express from Rutland to Burlington.
Over the course of two shows, Vermont Edition will explore the rental housing crisis. This hour, tenants and the challenges they say they're facing.
Over the course of two shows, Vermont Edition will explore the rental housing crisis. First up: landlords, and the challenges they say they're facing.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with Vermont Public CEO Scott Finn about the organization's recent name change and plans for the future.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with Seven Days Deputy News Editor Sasha Goldstein about the hotly contested Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus speaks with personal finance experts about managing your money and balancing your budget amid high inflation.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with scientists about cyanobacteria blooms and invasive species in Vermont's largest lake.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak moderates a debate with the Democratic candidates for attorney general: Washington County State’s Attorney Rory Thibault, and former assistant attorney general Charity Clark.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus speaks with mental health experts about the new 988 lifeline for mental health crisis and suicide prevention.
This hour, Vermont Edition discusses where to find some of Vermont's best ice cream, creemees and nondairy treats.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with Burlington author Garrett Graff about his book "Watergate: A New History" and how the events of the 1970s compare with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and current congressional hearings.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with state Sen. Ginny Lyons about a recent independent report on early childhood education and child care in Vermont.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus moderates a debate with the Democratic candidates for secretary of state.
Host Mikaela Lefrak will speak with energy experts about how heat pumps can cool your house and reduce fossil fuel dependence.
Kevin Mullin, outgoing chair of the Green Mountain Care Board, discusses the challenges facing Vermont's medical sector and calls for a more sustainable health care system.
In this encore rebroadcast, host Mikaela Lefrak discusses electric vehicles, driving a gas vs. electric car, and Vermont's EV infrastructure.
In this encore rebroadcast, host Mikaela Lefrak looks at the bee population in Vermont, and how everyone from gardeners to beekeepers can help bolster their populations amid a series of threats.
In this encore rebroadcast, host Mikaela Lefrak explores Vermont's tech sector circa 2022.
In this encore rebroadcast, host Mikaela Lefrak explores Vermont's tech sector circa 2022.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with booksellers and a librarian about their summer reading recommendations.
This hour, James Pepper, chair of the state's Cannabis Control Board, answers listener questions.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak looks at short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, what role they play in Vermont's housing market and efforts locally and statewide to regulate the short-term rental industry.
People gathered in Old Bennington Saturday to honor a woman who was enslaved there in the 1700s, as part of the Stopping Stones project.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos about the August primaries and upcoming general election.
This hour, University of Vermont professors of political science and history talk with host Mikaela Lefrak about the Supreme Court's decision that reverses Roe v. Wade.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with attorney David Sleigh and Leslie Gensberg, widow of attorney Bob Gensberg, about their yearslong efforts to free one "Gitmo" detainee, Abdul Zahir.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak moderates a debate with the four Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor.
Host Connor Cyrus chats with the author Donna Gordon and her debut novel What Ben Franklin Would Have Told Me.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus talks with state Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine about the COVID-19 vaccine for the youngest Vermonters and other virus news.
Co-host Mikaela Lefrak talks with VPR's Myra Flynn and storyteller Ferene Paris Meyer about Juneteenth and what it means to them.
Co-host Connor Cyrus talks with Reggie Condra, host of the podcast “Brown ‘n Out,” about what Pride Month and Juneteenth mean to him.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus moderates a debate with state Sen. Joe Benning and Gregory Thayer.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak will talk to local bike and tourism experts about Vermont's growing trail networks and other cycling trends.
Vermont Edition hosts Connor Cyrus and Mikaela Lefrak reflect on answers from four recent primary debates with the Republican and Democrat candidates for Vermont's U.S. House and U.S. Senate seats.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with a Vermonter who found a threatened orchid species in Chittenden County, and a state botanist about the flower's significance.
The Montpelier-based writer and publisher joins Vermont Edition to discuss her new ABC book, which comes with tips for reducing carbon emissions.
This hour, Vermont Edition co-host Mikaela Lefrak and Seven Days staff writer Chelsea Edgar moderate a debate between the Democratic candidates for the U.S. House.
This hour, Connor Cyrus moderates a debate with the three Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate.
This hour, Mikaela Lefrak moderates a debate with the three Republican candidates for the U.S. House.
A new book shares the gripping story of Dick Conant, a social misfit who spent more than two decades canoeing America's waterways.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak talks with VPR reporter Liam Elder-Connors about his exclusive interview with Bill Stenger before Stenger goes to prison on a federal charge related to the EB-5 fraud.
This hour, Connor Cyrus moderates a debate with the three Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Vermont high school students about what changes they would like to see in the wake of mass shootings, including one at an elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak discusses the possible decommissioning of a dam in Lamoille County and what it would mean for the Green River Reservoir.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Anya Tynio, a Republican candidate for Vermont’s only seat in the U.S. House.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks to Mary Engisch and Peter Engisch, the duo that produces Safe and Sound.
This hour, the leaders of Vermont's new chapter of the Pink Boots Society talk about the challenges of being women in the male-dominated fermentation industries.
In this rebroadcast of a show that first aired in March 2022, host Connor Cyrus talks with white Vermonters who adopted Black children, and hears from a Black woman about being raised by her adopted white family.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks to VPR's climate reporter Abagael Giles about the climate bills that did—and did not—become law this past legislative session.
This hour, we open up the lines to hear how you're processing the shooting deaths of Black supermarket patrons in Buffalo and school children in Texas, as well as the two-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus will explore recent extreme weather events in our region and climate change.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks to a trio of Burlington High School graduating seniors about their pandemic high school years.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus will discuss what’s new at some of Vermont's most popular farmers markets.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus discusses the aftermath of the mass shooting in Buffalo, N.Y., and the work on diversity, equity and inclusion happening in Vermont.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus discusses the aftermath of the mass shooting in Buffalo, N.Y., and the work on diversity, equity and inclusion happening in Vermont.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with insect and tree experts about this year’s spongy moth infestation and what Vermonters can do to keep them at bay.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Ericka Redic, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Dr. Louis Meyers, a Democrat seeking his party's nomination to the U.S. House in Vermont's Aug. 9 primary election.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak will speak with statehouse reporters on the big takeaways of the legislative session that wrapped up last Thursday.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with bee experts about the interdependence between bees, plants and humans—and what Vermonters can do now to help the bee populations.
In How Strange a Season, Mayhew Bergman's characters confront personal disasters as the climate crisis looms in the wings.
Vermont's COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise, but health officials will soon sunset the state's virus dashboard. Here's what to expect next from the pandemic.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus discusses organ donations and transplants in Vermont, and how recipients of donated organs are navigating the pandemic.
Host Connor Cyrus speaks to Niki Thran, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate ahead of the state's Aug. 9 primary election.
This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak explores the history of unions in Vermont up to today's efforts to unionize by South Burlington Starbucks employees.
Can you fix your own computer? Do you take steps to keep your email or other online data from getting hacked? This hour, "Vermont Edition" talks tech, computers and cybersecurity.
Host Connor Cyrus interviews Gerald Malloy, a U.S. Army veteran and business consultant from Perkinsville seeking the Republican party's nomination for Vermont's U.S. Senate seat.
Vermont is gearing up to spend millions in federal and state dollars to improve the electric vehicle charging infrastructure. More financial incentives for EV purchases are also in the works.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus looks at the purchase of social media platform Twitter by billionaire Elon Musk, and explores questions about how Vermonters use social media.
This hour, we're talking to trans Vermonters about local and national news stories centered on the transgender community.
This hour, the current state of Vermont's child care crisis, with a focus on how it is affecting local businesses.
This hour we talk with Anne Sosin, a public health researcher at Dartmouth College, about centering health equity at this stage in the pandemic and in the months ahead.
Isaac Evans-Frantz is one of three declared Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate. Host Connor Cyrus asks him about his platform and what's motivating his run for office.
Dr. Kimberly Blake shares the story of her son Sean, who struggled with opioid addiction and passed away from an overdose in 2017.
A bill to inject $200 million into the pension program for state employees and teachers is moving through the state legislature, but Gov. Phil Scott is pushing for changes.
Host Connor Cyrus will be joined by gardening expert Charlie Nardozzi, who will answer your spring gardening questions.
Montpelier-based author Jennifer McMahon discusses her new book, "The Children on the Hill," and the art of writing horror fiction.
The film festival's executive director discusses some of the most exciting films and filmmakers participating in this year's event.
Vermont Edition speaks with a couple Etsy sellers based in Vermont about the website's fee increases and the recent sellers' strike.
Journalist Aarti Shahani discusses her memoir with Vermont Edition host Mikaela Lefrak and a group of students from Essex High School.
After the murder of Fern Feather, a transgender woman from the Northeast Kingdom, we talk with the director of an LGBTQ anti-violence program about how to be a supportive ally to Vermont's trans community.
Green Mountain Transit has talked about potentially cutting services and discontinuing some routes due to budget challenges. This hour, host Connor Cyrus talks to GMT officials about what’s being done to make sure Vermonters have access to public transportation.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus talks with Gov. Phil Scott about major challenges facing Vermont, including affordable housing, pensions reform, climate change initiatives, opioids and more.
First-year Middlebury College student Rostyk Yarovyk reflects on what the past six weeks of war and invasion by Russia have meant for him, and his family still living in Ukraine.
"Ice out" is the moment in spring when a lake or pond loses its ice from shore to shore. For the past 35 years, residents at Joe's Pond in Cabot and West Danville have made a competition out of the event, complete with a cash prize.
After months of decline, Vermont is seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak speaks to Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine about the state's pandemic response.
This hour, Vermont Edition speaks with workers helping people through recovery from opioid addiction during the deadliest year of the opioid crisis yet in Vermont.
Twenty teams of middle and high school students participated in the annual Jr. Iron Chef VT competition at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction. We talked to one winning student and his coach.
This hour, host Connor Cyrus leans into the topic of a recent episode of Brave Little State and talks about whether Vermont would be a good place to ride out the apocalypse.
Nothing says spring like the sounds of birds chirping loudly. This hour, host Mikaela Lefrak and Bridget Butler, the Bird Diva, dive into those chirps and other bird behavior.
Vermont Edition host Mikaela Lefrak speaks with Department of Corrections Commissioner Nicholas Deml about the challenges facing Vermont’s prisons.
Republicans and Democrats seldom see eye to eye on gun laws. A law professor explains Vermont's new gun control law, which goes into effect in July, and how it is a rare example of bipartisan discussions and compromise.
Vermont's state-run correctional facilities are only now beginning to lift pandemic restrictions that have been in place for the past two years. Vermont Edition host Connor Cyrus spoke with Seven Days reporter Derek Brouwer about his story profiling how state prisons have dealt with the pandemic.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks to U.S. House candidate Sianay Chase Clifford, one of four women running as Democrats for Vermont's only seat in the U.S. House.
In "Endpapers," the Cornwall author tells the story of his German-born father and grandfather during World War II.
Lawmakers in Montpelier are focusing on the bills that survived "crossover," a key milestone for most bills to proceed in the legislative process. This hour, a roundtable to reporters discuss what bills and issues will dominate the remainder of lawmakers' time in the State House.
A Rutland woman lost her legs in a terrible accident in 2018, and endured multiple surgeries and countless hours of rehabilitation to once again become mobile. Vermont Edition talks with Stefanie Schaffer about her new memoir.
We talk with Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine about this week's new statewide guidance that gives individuals the choice to mask or not, as Vermont's COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations continue to decline.
As gas prices and home heating fuel prices soar in Vermont, and across the country, we're looking at what's behind the rise in prices and what Vermonters can do about it.
As we mark the year three milestone of COVID-19, we ask, how has the pandemic changed you?
Host Connor Cyrus talks with some white Vermonters who have adopted Black children about the challenges and joys that come with transracial adoptions.
Vermont's maple sugaring season has begun, and host Mikaela Lefrak talks with experts and professional sugarers about what is new this year.
Former U.S. attorney for the District of Vermont Christina Nolan is running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican, seeking the seat that will be vacated by Sen. Patrick Leahy.
This hour, we hear from Afghans who have resettled in Vermont since the US exit from Afghanistan last year, and from those working in resettlement programs about finding housing and jobs for the new arrivals.
A rookie musher running Alaska's 1,000-mile sled dog race known as the Iditarod grew up in Barnard, Vermont. Vermont Edition co-host Connor Cyrus spoke to musher Eric Kelly about his path from Vermont, to Alaska, mushing, and the Iditarod.
Host Connor Cyrus talks with the chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System about the future unification of Northern Vermont University, Vermont Technical College and Castleton University.
Host Mikaela Lefrak talks with some leaders inside Vermont's robust technology sector about the pros and cons of being in the state.
The majority of Vermont towns weighed in on Tuesday on issues big and small: from funding infrastructure and wastewater projects, to allowing local cannabis sales, to electing city councilors, select board members and school board officials.
As Vermont's COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations decrease, state epidemiologist Patsy Kelso answers questions about what to expect in this new phase.
Nearly a week since Russia invaded Ukraine, the outbreak of war and the international sanctions against Russia have put the world on edge. This hour, we hear from Ukrainian students studying in Vermont and New Hampshire about how the war is affecting them and their families. And a Norwich University professor and Russian foreign policy expert answers questions about the invasion.
Hosts Mikaela Lefrak and Connor Cyrus talk to a handful of leaders to hear what issues will be tackled in their communities on Town Meeting Day.
Hosts Mikaela Lefrak and Connor Cyrus talk to a handful of leaders to hear what issues will be tackled in their communities on Town Meeting Day.
Host Mikaela Lefrak takes a look at how the new retail cannabis marketplace will work, as many towns vote on whether to opt-in.
Before Aarti Shahani became an award-winning journalist and author, she and her family were immigrants trying to make their way in New York City. This hour, Vermont Edition features host Mikaela Lefrak's interview with Shahani, recorded live on Zoom in early February, with an audience of students from Essex High School.
This hour, a panel of transportation experts discuss Montpelier's MyRide pilot program and other possible ways to improve public transit throughout Vermont.
In this hour, Vermont Edition host Connor Cyrus looks at statewide efforts to bridge the divide between people of color and law enforcement.
This hour, Vermont Edition hears from Vermonters struggling to buy a home, speaks with housing experts on what's behind the surge in housing demand, and explores creative ways some Vermont communities are trying to address the housing problem.
Vermont Edition hosts Connor Cyrus and Mikaela Lefrak talk with NBC5 sports anchor and reporter Marshall Kramsky about the Vermonters gearing up for the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
This hour, Vermont Edition hosts Connor Cyrus and Mikaela Lefrak ask listeners to share what they are looking forward to.
We are launching Black History Month by looking at the Black experience in Vermont, and we want to hear from you.
We speak with Seven Days reporters Derek Brouwer and Colin Flanders about their article, “Capitol Offense: Nicholas Languerand's Quest for 'Belonging' Led Him to QAnon, the Insurrection — and Now Prison.”
We talk with Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine about how Vermont is dealing with the omicron variant and preparing for the next phase of the pandemic.
Next month, Vermont will welcome a new state librarian. Chittenden County native Cathy Delneo comes to the role with more than 25 years of experience in libraries, most recently as the chief of branches for the San Francisco Public Library.
It's been an especially cold few weeks in Vermont. This hour, we're taking your calls about how you're doing, how you're feeling and how you're keeping your spirits up while staying in.
Mental health is a phrase we hear a lot these days, as we head into the Covid-19 pandemic's third year. This hour, we talk with health professionals and others about the mental health hurdles Vermonters are facing.
Gov. Phil Scott says there's a shortage of some 23,000 workers to fill open jobs in Vermont, and one way to address the workforce shortage is getting more people into the trades through Career and Technical education, or CTE. This hour, we discussion Vermont's CTE pathways.
From Gov. Phil Scott’s budget address to Omicron, there is a lot going on right now. Vermont Edition hosts Mikaela Lefrak and Connor Cyrus open up the phones for a conversation about what’s on listeners' minds.
Gov. Phil Scott delivered his 2022 budget address this week, outlining a mammoth $7.7 billion dollars to spend over the next year. This hour, a roundtable of political journalists discusses what the budget address means for spending in the state, and where the priorities of Gov. Scott and lawmakers could diverge.
Almost one year ago today, a Vermont fashion icon broke upon the world and nearly broke the internet: Sen. Bernie Sanders' mittens.
A hostage situation at a Texas synagogue left the attacker dead — but all three hostages were able to escape. The synagogue's rabbi says security training helped them survive. This hour, a Burlington rabbi who's done that similar training with her community reflects on the continued need for that kind of preparation today.
Mountains hold near-magical places in our imaginations: hulking, immovable and unpredictable in ways human-made structures are not. In her new book Imaginary Peaks, Vermont author Katie Ives tells the story of blank spaces on maps, and the pull to explore and fill them in.
This hour, Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine shares the latest on COVID-19 in Vermont. He also answers questions about recent record-breaking hospitalizations, the availability of rapid at-home tests for individuals and those testing through the Agency of Education's new "test at home" program, and more.
Nikolas Kerest was sworn in as the new U.S. attorney for the District of Vermont in December. As the chief federal law officer in the state, he says violent crime, white-collar crime and bias incidents will be his top priorities, while the clash between state and federal law when it comes to cannabis will not be "on the top of our priority list."
Ruth Stone authored 13 books of poetry, all while raising three children, largely alone. She won the National Book Award, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and was named Vermont Poet Laureate in 2007. Now a Norwich-based filmmaker has completed a documentary about Stone that’s been more than a decade in the making.
The past week’s temperatures have dipped below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, making life even more dangerous for thousands of Vermonters experiencing homelessness. And more arctic temperatures are on the way: the National Weather Service in Burlington warns that dangerously cold wind chills are expected tonight through Saturday.