The Frequency: Daily Vermont News

Checking in with farmers in the Upper Valley where the recent drought conditions affecting the whole state have been especially harsh. Plus, workers end their strike at a St. Albans dairy plant after ratifying a contract with their employer, Rutland voters approve a nearly $4 million infrastructure bond, Rhode Island's largest labor union files a lawsuit against the Trump administration for scrapping a program that would have helped low-income families in Vermont install solar panels, and Sen. Welch says Democrats will continue to vote against stop-gap funding bills until Republicans agree to extend set-to-expire tax credits for Affordable Care Act health plans. 

Homeless shelter operators are scrambling to get their centers ready before winter sets in. Plus, Vermont's Treasurer says strong cash reserves should help the most critical state programs weather the current federal government shutdown, an Addison County resident who's lived in Vermont for about 20 years and applied for asylum in 2017 has avoided deportation for the time being, the state's largest health insurer names a new CEO for next year, and the Vermont Green women's soccer club is set to compete in the pre-professional women's league next season if two more clubs join the new northeast division. 

A conversation with Gov. Phil Scott about health care, housing, and why he wants state employees back in the office more often. Plus, Vermont's capital city gets its first year-round homeless shelter, a Lake Champlain fishing spot will be closed temporarily to help salmon spawning in the region, tips for keeping New England's migrating birds from flying into windows, and free donuts will be available for Rutland County students if they can recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution by memory. 

A visit to Jay Peak ski resort to see how goats are being used to clear weeds and shrubs from the slopes. Plus, Sen. Bernie Sanders implores Democrats to be prepared for a prolonged federal government shutdown unless Republicans agree to extend health care subsidies in the Affordable Care Act, Dartmouth College is among a new group of higher education schools being asked to commit to President Trump's political priorities in exchange for more favorable access to federal money, Gov. Scott appoints a former federal prosecutor to fill a judicial vacancy on the Vermont Superior Court, and a new Dartmouth study reveals whether dog or cat owners are more likely to donate to charities.  

Discover some of Vermont Public staff's favorite fall foliage drives. Plus, Private insurers pull out of Vermont's Medicare Advantage market, the Scott Administration asks the USDA for a statewide disaster declaration because of ongoing drought, how a helicopter can help the state respond to potential wildfires, and Vermont plans to add more short-term homeless shelters this winter.

How banding together could help towns reduce the impact of flooding in their communities. Plus, Vermont's two U.S. senators say they will continue to vote against a Republican short term-funding bill without health care changes, the federal government shutdown comes as the Scott Administration says Vermont's economy appears to be slowing, immigration advocates are speaking out after federal agents arrested nine construction workers in Hardwick last week, an appeals court weighs whether a judge was right to release Mohsen Mahdawi and Rumeysa Ozturk as their immigration cases play out and  bow-hunting season started yesterday in Vermont. 

Hundreds of wells in the state have run dry as Vermont's drought persists. Plus, how the federal government shutdown could affect state services, racial justice advocates push back against the state's decision to fire the head of Vermont's Fair and Impartial Policing Office, Rutland city officials urge residents to approve a $3.9 million bond, a South Burlington electric aircraft start-up takes steps to go public, and a special helicopter readies to respond to potential wildfires in Vermont and New Hampshire.

A conversation with the head of Champlain Housing Trust on strategies for continuing affordable housing projects in a volatile market and with dwindling federal support. Plus, an unexpected million dollar donation allows a Brattleboro nonprofit to open a family shelter, a seventh incarcerated person in Vermont has died this year,  employees go on strike at a St. Albans dairy plant, and the Nexstar media group returns the Jimmy Kimmel late night show to its ABC affiliate station in Vermont after refusing to air it for most of last week.

What upcoming changes to a federal supplemental nutrition program will mean for the tens of thousands of Vermonters who depend on it. Plus, solar panel installers rush to finish work ahead of a deadline that will end income tax credits for solar projects, Vermont and other states win a court battle over federal funding for projects that were made dependent on helping to enforce federal immigration law, Vermont's cannabis industry has launched an initiative to get people to visit the state's various dispensaries, and a Vermont State trooper avoids injury after a vehicle collision with a bear. 

The redevelopment of Burlington's downtown mall is nearing completion after more than a decade of delays and missteps. Plus, why it could become easier for the state's cannabis dispensaries to advertise their products, even with recent rain Vermont is still in the throes of a drought, a former Newport employee who sued the city for being banned from public property agrees to a settlement, Champlain College students will gain access to semester-long programs abroad in a new partnership with Temple University, and we discuss the reversals of fortune for several Major League Baseball teams vying to make the playoffs with less than a handful of regular season games left in our weekly sports report. 

How an upstate New York community was able to access the resources needed to test for dangerous mosquito-borne diseases. Plus, a Scott administration push to get state employees into their work places more often gets support from Montpelier retailers, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns says many Vermont communities are experiencing a shortage of essential workers, state police reveal the name of a Burlington officer involved in a shooting incident, and Windham Southeast Supervisory Union bus drivers vote to ratify a new 5-year contract with their employer.  

Visiting a square dancing club in Pittsford helping folks stay fit and push back against some of the negative effects of aging. Plus, a former assisted living facility in Rutland could be turned into transitional family housing, why the state's education secretary wants to expand access to pre-kindergarten, Burlington Electric Department will temporarily increase rebates for electric vehicles starting next month, and Vermont's senators urge the Trump administration to recognize an independent Palestinian state despite the President's opposition.

Government officials from Vermont and Quebec take a boat cruise together to talk about the strained relationship between the US and Canada following President Donald Trump's election. Plus, both of Vermont's senators call for congressional Republicans to restore health care subsidies that are set to expire at year's end, state police will start an investigation into a shooting by a Burlington police officer, a new program in Vermont's largest city pays people with criminal records and addiction to stop using drugs, and every Vermont county is now dealing with severe drought and high danger fire conditions.  

The leader of the state's largest health network resigned, amid pressure from regulators and the public to rein in costs. Plus, a model to tackle overlapping problems like crime, addiction and homelessness is gaining popularity in some Vermont towns, Vermont health leaders say they're working to preserve access to vaccines in the state, the State attorney general's office determined a St Johnsbury cop was justified in firing his gun, Vermont state and healthcare leaders are applying for new federal grant money for the state's struggling healthcare system, A Rutland doctor who identified the first polio epidemic in the country is honored with a statute and A Warren artist and animator was recently awarded with a Creative Arts Emmy.

A UVM alum's widow helped make what is now an annual concert series that's celebrating its 70th anniversary.  Plus, The head of the University of Vermont Health Network is stepping down, All three members of Vermont's congressional delegation say that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, A school bus company and its Brattleboro drivers have come to a tentative agreement on a contract, Two women broke speed records this summer on the Long Trail and the head coach of UVM men's soccer team is celebrating his 100th career win.

A Breakdown of  Vermont's $790 million investment in housing. Plus, estate tax revenues will rise as wealthy baby boomers begin to die, A ferry boat service connecting Vermont and New York has halted its operations for the season early, Rutland City Police created a "Safe Exchange Zone" in front of its precinct, Killington's Town Manager passed away this week and community is created through collective gardens. 

A Middlebury College course explores how students can use AI to develop their creative writing. Plus, calls for more security for public officials in light of recent political violence, drought conditions put a North Country town under a state of emergency, school libraries in the region are updating policies about books and advocates for English-speakers in Montreal push back against French language rules.

How scientists are working to save the tiny Bicknell's Thrush, a delicate songbird that travels thousands of miles to Vermont's tallest peak to raise its young. Plus, state health care regulators make deep cuts to next year's proposed UVM Medical Center budget, the state employees union is asking the Scott administration to reconsider its return to work order, Montreal's geodesic dome will be closed for two months of renovations, and the Agency of Education is developing new graduation requirements for Vermont high school students.

Afghan refugees are helping a Windham County school district serve up high quality vegetarian fare for students who don't eat meat. Plus, Vermont's home prices continue to rise even as the pandemic-era buying binge starts to level off, Gov. Scott taps an executive from Rutland Regional Medical Center to serve as Vermont's next health commissioner and he's also appointed a new labor commissioner, and recent drought conditions have been having an impact on apple crop yields. 

There's excitement over the discovery of a timber rattlesnake in a part of Vermont the reptile had not previously been spotted. Plus, Vermont's Secretary of State says she won't comply with a Trump Administration request to turn over voter data, there's been a vacancy easing in Chittenden County's notoriously tight rental market, the co-founders of Ben & Jerry's ice cream decry what they call a failure of political messaging by the company's current owner, a shortage of horse veterinarians in Vermont is making things challenging for equine owners, and we preview two major bicycling races taking place today and Sunday in Quebec City and Montreal in our weekly sports report. 

A Christian high school that was banned from sports competitions in the state for refusing to play against a team with a transgender athlete celebrates a legal victory. Plus, The Scott Administration says it plans to move forward with its new policy to restrict remote work for many state employees, Vermont health officials have confirmed the first human case of Jamestown Canyon virus in the state, a new program aims to strengthen the state's African diaspora food businesses, and to diversify tourism and rising health insurance costs are driving a Vermont nonprofit to close a car detailing shop that employs at-risk youth.

How Vermont plans to keep teaching sex education in schools amid Trump administration threats to end federal funding over gender identity references. Plus, Burlington's City Council green-lights two-million dollars in state grant funding to develop an overdose prevention center, a former state director of the Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators faces charges of felony embezzlement, forecasters say it'll start feeling a lot more like winter with freezing overnight temperatures expected in the region soon, and apple growers are using mitigation strategies to keep crops healthy amid challenging regional drought conditions.

Sen. Bernie Sanders talks about building a grassroots working class agenda for the Democratic party while fighting the influence of billionaires trying to curry favor with the Trump administration. Plus, federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a woman who pleaded not guilty to fatally shooting a border patrol agent in Vermont, an infectious disease doctor explains why most people should get a COVID booster despite recent federal guidelines recommending it only for people over 65, Caledonia County's interim state's attorney has been named to the job on a permanent basis, and research is underway to determine why there appear to be more bears than usual in Vermont.

A New Hampshire man has his dream of becoming a fishing guide blocked by a decades-old Granite State law regarding people with past felony convictions. Plus, once-frozen federal money has now been released allowing Vermont to build eleven new fast-charging stations for electric vehicles, state regulators suggest Brattleboro Memorial Hospital may need to consult an independent observer to oversee its troubled finances, a Manchester woman arrested by ICE officials has been moved to a processing center in Michigan, and environmental advocates urge people to pick up trash and other debris from their local streams as part of September's Vermont River Clean-Up Month.

We visit an East Barnard church that's just built a new outhouse on the grounds that's free and open to the public. Plus, Sen. Sanders calls on Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign over his handling of federal vaccine policy, Rutland Regional Medical Center reaches a settlement with state regulators over a two-year old budget issue, a Shelburne police officer avoids jail time by pleading guilty to a reduced charge after fatally hitting a bicyclist with his vehicle, a Democratic primary looks likely in New York as two candidates vie to unseat Republican representative Elise Stefanik in next year's midterms, and the Boston Red Sox get some very bad injury news regarding their superstar rookie outfielder in this week's sports report. 

Considering the effect this summer's drought will have on the fall foliage season. Plus, the Vermont Medical Society scores a legal victory against the Trump administration in a case about removing public health data from federal websites, the Scott administration's plan to have state workers in their offices more often faces pushback from the union, school bus drivers return to the roads in Windham County after a company-imposed lockout against them was lifted, the UVM Medical Center is making changes to how operating rooms deliver anesthesia in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and a long-serving town manager for Bennington has died. 

Visiting a sanctuary in Springfield that rehabilitates roosters rescued from illegal cockfighting rings. Plus, Amazon plans to appeal after its proposal for a distribution facility in Essex was denied, a new UVM volunteer program aims to foster friendships between teens and seniors, Vermont's Attorney General spearheads an effort to stop the spread of fake images made without consent, and after weathering potential closure Vermont's universal school meals program is up and running with the start of the new academic year.  

 Meet one woman documenting the dozens of creemees she eats every year, one cone at a time.  Plus,  The Trump Administration is threatening to pull Vermont's funding for a federal sex education program if it doesn't remove language that references gender identity, Governor Phil Scott says he thinks the state's voluntary paid family and medical leave program is off to a good start, boaters and swimmers will notice low water levels across our region ahead of this holiday weekend and for the first time in Vermont,  anglers without a license can fish for free this long weekend.

In an effort to streamline Vermont's K-12 school system, a task force of state lawmakers and retired school administrators are working to create new district maps. Plus, Governor Phil Scott says he's pleased to see many of Vermont's larger school districts restrict student cell phone use, Vermont Public announced layoffs, U-S Senators from New York Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are attempting to secure funding for airports in our region, and a portion of Montreal's Sainte Catherine Street will become a year-round pedestrian zone.

Three hydroelectric dams along the Connecticut River are being relicensed, and there are proposals to make big changes to how they operate. Plus, health insurance plans on the state marketplace are raising rates, though not as much as in recent years; Burlington City Council looks to improve safety in a major downtown park; contract disputes keep school bus drivers in southern Vermont from returning to work as classes resume; and what to expect for Labor Day travel.

A play about how Muslim families relied on a library that straddling the U.S. and Canada border during the Trump Administration's first term has taken on new meaning in the President's second term. Plus, the Scott Administration seeks federal disaster relief money to Northeast Kingdom towns recovering from flooding last month, remembering late Abenaki elder Jeanne Brink, debate continues over how to replace a statue in Burlington, state officials remind hunters about a ban on selling bear paws and Vermont musicians seek to break the record for “World's Largest Square Dance.

A visit to Brattleboro's year-round senior bowling league. Plus, Vermonters rally to show support for Brattleboro Memorial Hospital as it considers cost saving measures that include layoffs, an outside firm is being hired to develop a new visual brand identity for Vermont, the city of Vergennes and the town of Panton are in a dispute over a contested boundary, and a local volunteer organization breaks its own late-summer record with the donation of over one million blueberries. 

Examining the causes behind recent increases in wildfire smoke in Vermont. Plus, school choice advocates argue stricter rules in the new education reform law regarding where families can use publicly-funded school vouchers violate a clause in the state constitution, the head of Vermont's cannabis control board reacts to news  that the Trump administration is considering a plan to reclassify cannabis as a less harmful drug, passengers who paid for expensive last-minute airfare following the Air Canada flight attendants' strike can now apply for a refund, why the town of Pomfret is implementing traffic restrictions again this year during peak foliage season, and we consider the abrupt changes of fortune over the last week for the Red Sox and Yankees in our weekly sports report. 

Discussing new research that shows a growing number of kids and teenagers in Vermont are struggling with mental health issues. Plus, Gov. Scott disputes Trump administration claims that Vermont is illegally providing a safe haven for undocumented immigrants, hundreds of acres of land has been permanently conserved as a community forest in Wolcott, twelve of the fifteen positions being eliminated at Bennington College are union roles, the state health department says Burlington's insurance plan will provide enough coverage for the city to house a proposed overdose prevention center, and a volunteer-led effort will help connect neighbors with local farmers in Jericho and Underhill. 

We speak with the owner of a music store in Randolph about the resurgence in vinyl records, CD's, and other forms of physical media. Plus, Vermont's Secretary of State says President Trump's call for an end to mail-in voting would be unconstitutional, Vermont joins a lawsuit to block the Trump Administration from withholding over a billion dollars in federal Crime Victim Funds, the mayor of Winooski is resigning after nearly seven years in office, and two Vermonters take first prize in amateur solo bagpipe competition at Scotland's World Pipe Band Championships. 

Visiting a summer camp for young kids who have an incarcerated parent. Plus, UVM Health Network could make more than 80 million dollars in profit next year if state regulators approve the hospital's budget plans, midwives at Copley Hospital say they'll be laid off once the hospital closes its birthing center later this year in a cost-cutting move, Republican Lieutenant Governor John Rogers and Democratic Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas say they plan to run for re-election in 2026, and Quebec schools face a big teacher shortage as the new academic year approaches. 

The family of a man fatally shot by Vermont State Police while he was undergoing a mental health crisis are asking questions about why the incident led to his death. Plus, Gov. Scott denies a request from President Trump to send Vermont National Guard troops to the District of Columbia, some Lamoille County residents are asking state regulators to stop Copley Hospital from closing its birthing center, the company that purchased Gardener's Supply says only one of the store's retail locations will close down following the sale, a local music editor discusses why the popular Burlington venue Nectar's was forced to shut down, and three dogs were successfully rescued after getting stuck on a Mount Pisgah cliff ledge.

Deconstructing a home on the property of Montpelier's founding settler to its original state as a floodplain. Plus, an overnight shelter for young adults opens in St. Albans, three people have died recently in Montreal due to extreme heat, Rep. Becca Balint decries president Trump's order deploying National Guard troops to the District of Columbia as a pretext for dealing with crime, a former Vermont star college athlete and philanthropist has died, and we examine the shifts in power at the top of the Major League Baseball standings in our weekly sports report.  

Gauging the economic impact as Canadian visitation to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom drops in response to president Trump's hostile rhetoric and tariffs. Plus, the UVM Medical Center will reduce the number of patients admitted for overnight care in a cost cutting move, there's a shortage of school counselors and psychologists in Vermont as public school students prepare to return to the classroom, an international graduate student at Dartmouth drops his lawsuit against the Trump administration after getting his legal status reinstated, and Vermont's Secretary of State says she will ignore any request from the Trump administration to share Vermont voters' personal information. 

Why a New Hampshire town is pausing work on a multi-million dollar project to fix a pair of pedestrian bridges between Brattleboro and the Connecticut River. Plus, a renowned Vermont climate expert calls for a national day of activism to rally for solar energy projects amid federal rollbacks, parts of the northern Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys have been under a heat advisory while drought conditions are being seen throughout the state, and Vermont increases the amount of Medicaid dollars people can use moving back home from long-term care facilities. 

The Montshire Museum in Norwich has what's known as a wind phone in its 100-acre forest for people who want to speak to lost loved ones. Plus, State regulators review budgets from Vermont hospitals with a requirement to keep expenses and insurance rates at no more than a three percent hike from last year, construction begins on forty new affordable housing units in Burlington, a federal lawsuit seeks to overturn a new New Hampshire law that denies state funding for schools with DEI programs, and a new poll shows more young people in Quebec want the province to become independent. 

A conversation with the retiring head of Vermont's Department of Corrections after his nearly four year tenure. Plus, Gov. Scott faces backlash for his decision to provide the federal government with the sensitive personal information of people receiving food assistance benefits, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital puts its budget before state health care regulators as it tries to mitigate severe financial deficits, housing advocates advise people forced to leave Vermont's motel voucher program to appeal to the state's Human Services Board, and Gov. Scott says he's working on a strategy to bring a good number of state employees back to work in downtown Montpelier.