Vermont Edition

Navigating 'gray divorce' in your later years

The sound of spring peepers tells us warmer weather is on its way. As the frogs ribbit, spotted salamanders crawl across roads to find mating spots, while turtles and snakes bask in the sun.Herpetologist Jim Andrews from Salisbury coordinates the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas. He joins Vermont Edition for our annual hour on reptiles and amphibians to offer advice on how to observe and protect our slithery, slimy friends. We also hear the sounds of some iconic spring species.Vermonters can contribute their own amphibian and reptile sightings to the Atlas here. The Atlas is on the lookout for species reports in several places in particular: Photos, reports, or sounds of spring peepers in Andover, Avery's Gore, Glastonbury, St. Albans City and Stratton Photos of spotted salamanders or their egg masses in Barre City, Essex Junction, North Hero and St. Albans City Photos or reports of red-backed salamanders from: Barton, Glover, Newport and Sheffield Broadcast live on Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Vermont state lawmakers are considering a bill that would restrict the influence of private equity in the healthcare system. Private equity's influence has been seen among specialists, methadone clinics, and nursing homes. Vermont has also seen an increase in membership-based medical practices, sometimes referred to as concierge care. These businesses are often backed by private equity firms.We talk with Vermont Public health care reporter Lola Duffort and Yashaswini Singh, a healthcare economist and Brown University professor. Earlier this year she testified in front of a Vermont legislative committee about private equity in healthcare.Then; This week is International Dark Sky Week, a global effort to celebrate the night sky and reduce light pollution. Improving the quality of the lighting we use at night could have a range of positive impacts, including supporting wildlife, cutting down on energy usage, and improving our own health.The organization DarkSky International works to protect the night-time environment. The chapter lead for Vermont, Jon McCann, shares information about the benefits of natural darkness as well as upcoming local events.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

The history of blackface and minstrelsy in Vermont

Using psychedelics in mental health treatment has been gaining legitimacy in recent years. Now, a little-known substance called ibogaine has some addiction counselors wanting to learn more about the benefits and dangers of ibogaine therapy.We hear from Vermont state representative Brian Cina, a Progressive-Democrat from Burlington who wants Vermont to use opioid settlement funding to pursue ibogaine research. He introduced a bill about it this year. We're also joined by Dr. Rick Barnett, the former chair of Vermont's psychedelic advisory committee and a clinical psychologist in Stowe. He says ibogaine can help with trauma, addiction, and depression. We also learn about what happens when you take ibogaine with Roger Guest, a mental health and addiction therapist who moved from Springfield, Vt. to Mexico to work with an ibogaine clinic.Broadcast live on Thursday, Apr. 9, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Rep. Becca Balint pushes for an Iran war powers vote in the House

Contra dancing has deep roots in New England. But it's also still evolving, from an increased emphasis on gender inclusivity to new styles of dance.Two well-known local callers help us explore the ever-changing culture of contra. Luke Donforth and Mary Wesley are both Burlington-based, but they call dances all across the region. Welsey is also the director of education and media at Vermont Folklife.This episode also includes recordings of a recent contra dance at the Capital City Grange in Montpelier.Interested in learning more about contra or trying it out for the first time? Check out one of these upcoming local dances, or find more information through the Country Dance and Song Society or trycontra.com.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Apr. 7, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

An unprompted hug. A shoulder massage that was never requested. A compliment or comment that crosses a boundary. What some consider acceptable workplace behavior may actually be problematic. Today on Vermont Edition, it's a conversation about appropriate–and inappropriate–conduct in the workplace. We'll hear from the executive director of the Vermont Commission on Women on the laws supporting employees from harassment. An employment attorney will share the importance of setting expectations around workplace culture and bridging the gap between generations. We'll also hear from two local educators who work with young people on consent, empowerment and concepts around healthy masculinity. 

So you're thinking about getting Canadian citizenship, eh?

Grab your lucky rabbit's foot, walk around that ladder, and come talk about superstitions and tall tales with us. Do you ever wonder why you feel a little uneasy when a mirror cracks? You're not alone. Locally, there's stories like the Bennington Triangle and Emily's Bridge in Stowe. There's also the superstitious behavior we inherit, such as saying 'rabbit rabbit' on the first of the month.Today, you'll hear from Kerry Noonan, a folklorist and Champlain College professor, and author Joe Citro from Windsor. He's written lots of books about Vermont's haunts, legends and best kept secrets.

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has roots in Vermont and nationwide implications. The Zorn v. Linton case involved a 2015 protest in Montpelier, and Vermont State Police.We discuss the case with one of its subjects, Shela Linton of Brattleboro, and two constitutional lawyers: Jay Diaz, Civil Rights and workers compensation litigator at Darby Kolter & Roberts. He was formerly the lead advocate for qualified immunity reform with the ACLU of Vermont in Waterbury, and Jared Carter of Vermont Law and Graduate School.Then: a few days after the Mar. 11 confrontation between ICE agents and protesters in South Burlington, the Vermont House advanced a bill to allow citizens sue federal agents for alleged civil rights violations. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Martin LaLonde (D-South Burlington), also chairs the Vermont House's Ethics Committee and the Judiciary Committee.Broadcast live on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Nurses at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will return to the bargaining table tomorrow with hospital administrators. 

Migratory songbirds warble, tweet and twitter their way back to Vermont

For the latest in our Town by Town series, we head to Rockingham, in Windham County. Rockingham sits along the Connecticut River and includes the villages of Saxtons River and Bellows Falls.Each month, Vermont Edition visits or learns about a different Vermont town or city, with the goal of hitting all 252 of them. At the end of the hour, a guest helps us select our next location by spinning a big wheel.Our guests are: the painter Charlie Hunter, twin brothers and small-scale developers John and Jeff Dunbar, Central Elementary School principal Kate Kane and Vermont Country Store proprietor Lyman Orton.Broadcast live on Wednesday, Mar. 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 health plans drop GLP-1s, what's next for patients?

Lawmakers recently elected a new head of the Vermont National Guard. This new leadership comes as Guard members are being deployed around the world, from the Caribbean to the Middle East.Today on Vermont Edition, we'll talk with Major General Henry "Hank" Harder Jr. He now leads around 3,000 Guard members in the Green Mountain State. He'll tell us about his military service, and his role when the Guard deploys.Plus, fossil fuel prices have increased significantly since the start of the war in Iran. Jared Duval with the Energy Action Network explains how rising gas prices affect Vermont's economy. 

In the latest installment of our series, Vermont Edition At Home, we head to the Williston home of Ryan Miller, lead singer and multi-instrumentalist for the pop rock band Guster. Miller and his bandmates have released nine albums over the last three and a half decades.Miller is also the former host of the Vermont PBS show Makin' Friends With Ryan Miller, and composes for film and theater. His indie-rock musical, Safety Not Guaranteed, based on the film of the same name, is currently at the Signature Theater in Northern Virginia.We'll talk with him about his long-term friendships with his bandmates and making new friends when he and his family moved to Vermont. Plus, we'll take a tour of Miller's home music studio. 

Commonsense House, a new publishing imprint in the Upper Valley, aims to bring more Arabic works to English readers. Its founder, Ezzedine Fishere, is an author himself. He is a Distinguished Fellow at Dartmouth from Egypt who teaches courses on Middle East politics. He discusses the highs and and lows of getting his novels translated into English. Daisy Rockwell is an award-winning Hindi and Urdu translator based in North Bennington. Her love of languages runs deep, as does her passion for bringing new books to American readers. Her latest translation is Sleep Journeys, a book-length prose poem by the noted Urdu poet Azra Abbas.Then, Mitch Wertlieb sits down with Westmore writer Ted Page. When he became a grandparent, Page couldn't find much material that offered advice or reflection on this new stage of life. So, he decided to find out on his own and publish what he learned in Good Grandpa: Stories from the Heart of Grandfatherhood.Broadcast live on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! The Irish have deep roots in Vermont. We'll learn about Irish immigrants' arrival in the Green Mountain State with Vincent Feeney, a Montpelier historian and co-founder of the Burlington Irish Heritage Festival. Seven Days Food writer Jordan Barry will share ideas for where to order traditional Irish food and other food news from our region.Plus, Vermont Senate leader Phil Baruth recently announced his retirement. The Chittenden County Democrat reflects on his years in state government and shares his priorities for the rest of this legislative session.

Reporter roundtable: Vt. legislature's 'crossover day'

Vermonters respond to major clash between ICE and protesters

Brattleboro Chief reflects on her 30 years in law enforcement ahead of retirement

Taste is in many ways subjective, but it's also a learned skill. There is a craft to tasting, and it plays a big role in the food and beverage industry.Today's guest, Roy Desrochers, is a global sensory expert— what you could call a professional taster. He works with University of Vermont Extension's northwest crops and soils program, which helps local farmers and manufacturers gain traction in the marketplace. He's trained thousands of tasters all around the world, including at Borderview Farm in Alburgh.Roy joins us to tell us about his long career helping major brands develop their best-selling flavors, training others to become finely tuned tasting experts, and about the subtle notes found in Vermont delicacies like maple syrup and milk from grass-fed animals. Broadcast live on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Vermont has a plan to stop using nuclear power by 2035. But Governor Phil Scott says we need to change course.To discuss the future of nuclear power in Vermont, we're joined by the state's public service commissioner Kerrick Johnson, and Ben Edgerly Walsh, Climate and Energy Program Director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). Johnson says today's standards are too inflexible and that nuclear would lower energy costs for Vermonters. But Edgerly Walsh disagrees, saying nuclear power doesn't live up to the hype.Then: An update on the Yankee Nuclear Plant in Vernon. It was shut down over a decade ago. What's next for the land and the community? We're joined by Jim Pinkerton, one of two local representatives on the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel. He is also the chair of Vernon's Planning & Economic Development Commission.Broadcast live on Monday, March 9, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Six languages. Ten countries. Countless musical traditions. One home — Vermont. A musical ensemble brings musicians from across the globe together.We're joined by members of All the Rivers for a live performance and discussion of the diverse musical journeys that brought them together. Hear from the group's founder and guitarist Avi Salloway. We'll also chat with Dr. Jules Wetchi, founder of a Congolese Catholic choir that now sings with the group, percussionist Assane Coly of Senegal, and guitarist and singer Cintia Lovo Arias, who was born in Colombia and grew up in the U.S.Broadcast live on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Vermont looks to study -- and possibly block -- data centers

There's been near-constant change when it comes to U.S. trade policy. Soon after entering office, President Trump raised import taxes on China, Canada and other major trade partners. On Feb. 19 of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that much of President Donald Trump's tariff policy was illegal. The next day, the White House imposed a 10% global tariff — then switched the number to 15%.Representatives from a variety of industries discuss the tariffs' impacts on business and their reactions to the Supreme Court ruling.Nik Holm is the CEO of Terry Precision Cycling, a Burlington-based women's cycling apparel company. Terry Cycling was one of the small businesses that sued President Trump and his administration over tariffs.Holmes Jacobs owns Two Brothers Tavern, a bar and restaurant in Middlebury. His recent Facebook post about the tariffs' negative impact on small businesses drew hundreds of comments. Allison Hope is the executive director of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association. The U.S. imports syrup and sugaring supplies from Canada.Jesse Mitchell works in imports and exports with Strader-Ferris International, a customs brokerage company with offices in New York and Ontario. He says the past year has been the most challenging in the company's 75-year history, due to the tariffs.Broadcast live on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

One of Vermont's most beloved annual traditions is tomorrow – Town Meeting Day. Have you read through your school budget and town report? Today on Vermont Edition, we'll get a preview of some of the big issues and elections going on this town meeting day. Rutland City residents get to select their next mayor. Pomfret will decide if non-residents can hold town office and whether to add a local option tax. Folks in the Woodstock area will vote on a bond to rebuild their middle and high school. Ripton is deciding what to do with its shuttered elementary school building. And Grande Isle is one of the numerous towns battling the emerald ash borer. They'll vote on whether to allocate tax dollars to remove ash trees killed by this invasive bug.

With more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface covered by water, what's contained in all that H2O is pretty important. A Granville-based marine conservation and expedition scientist has traveled as far as Antarctica to sample and study microplastics in the world's water supply, chronicling and explaining the dangers they pose.Rachael Z. Miller explores the choices around the plastics in our daily lives in her new book, Decision-Making in the Age of Plastics: A choose-your-own-adventure style guide to purchasing while balancing your health, the environment and your budget.Originally broadcast live on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

What does the timber rattlesnake have in common with the eastern meadowlark? Or how about the elm-leaved goldenrod and the Green Mountain quillwort?These plant and animal species are all classified as endangered or threatened in Vermont. And right now, local biologists are working to update the state's Wildlife Action Plan. That plan is basically a wildlife-focused conservation blueprint for the state. The team that's been working on it is proposing some changes that could mark a shift in how the state thinks about conservation.Recently I sat down with Dr. Rosalind Renfrew to learn more. She's based in Montpelier as the Wildlife Diversity Program lead for Vermont Fish & Wildlife. We were also joined by Kent McFarland from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies in Norwich.Then;  Marie Curie is a famous name, but even if you know who she is, you might only know the basics of her extraordinary life. Marie Curie was a Polish-French scientist and a pioneer in the study of radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the first person to win a Nobel twice.Marie Curie is also the subject of a new book by Devon Jersild of Weybridge, Vermont. Devon is a psychotherapist and a writer. She's won a prestigious O. Henry Award for her short story writing, and is the former associate director of the Bread Loaf Writers Conference, associate editor of the New England Review, and a visiting lecturer in English at Middlebury College.

Salt helps us travel safely when ice forms over roads and sidewalks, but those little grains of salt can have a big impact on the environment. Today on Vermont Edition: road salt and how it affects our natural world. The associate director of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant will share her research on sustainable alternatives to help navigate the slippery conditions of winter. A road foreman in Hyde Park discusses putting one of those alternatives to use. We'll also hear the concerns of a Rutland state senator regarding cost and regulation. Then, we'll head to Addison County, where a Lunar New Year celebration in Middlebury includes one of the biggest movies of the past year: K-Pop Demon Hunters.

Orange, Grand Isle, Lamoille, those are just a few of Vermont's 14 geographically and culturally unique counties. Compared to many states across the United States, Vermont has one of the weakest forms of county government, and a lot of you out there are curious why. Vermont Edition revisits a recent Brave Little State episode to find out why. Broadcast live on Monday, Feb. 23, 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 Town by Town series, we learn about the northern Vermont community of Alburgh. It was founded in 1781 by Ira Allen (Allen, Alburgh...get it?)Three longtime Alburgh residents join us: Terry Tatro, who's held numerous positions in town government; Peg Theoret, the founder and a trustee of the Alburgh Historical Society; Sandy Rosa, a member of the Alburgh Public Library board of trustees; and Jed Ladd, co-owner of J&M Ladd Families Farm.We also hear Mikaela get a snowmobile lesson from Jeff Porter and Dave Landry of the Alburgh Sno Springers Club, a group of snowmobilers who spend the winter sledding on the Alburgh Dunes. And managing producer Jon Ehrens talks with Nick Smith, a 12th generation Vermont farmer who co-owns Emerald Visions, a cannabis cultivator in Alburgh. Broadcast live on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

This cold winter has created excellent conditions for ice skating on local lakes and ponds. Some wild ice skaters in our region have found audiences for their adventures on social media.Today on Vermont Edition, experienced skaters explain how to know when wild ice is safe to skate on and what to do if conditions suddenly shift. You'll hear from the Pawlet-based moderator of the Vermont Nordic Skating Facebook group and a farmer-slash-skater from Barnet.Plus, a Middlebury College alum manufactures Nordic skates in Alaska. He'll explain the art of crafting the perfect blade for getting off the rink and out on remote ice.

Representative Becca Balint. She'll discuss her role at the hearing, including a face off with Bondi over antisemitism. We'll also talk about the possibility of ICE increasing its presence in Vermont.Then: Green Mountain Transit faces serious budgetary issues. General Manager Clayton Clark says more service cuts could be on their way. He's asking the state for more funding. We talk about the high demand for rides from older people and those with disabilities.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 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 At Home series, the Vermont Edition team visits the Brandon home of award-winning poet Bianca Stone. Stone was named Vermont's poet laureate in 2024. Her latest book of poetry, The Near and Distant World, came out this year.Stone is also the creative director of the Ruth Stone House in Goshen, where she hosts poetry events, retreats, and classes. We'll hear about her writing process, how she handles digital distractions, and an upcoming project to bring the poetry of past poet laureates to people all across the state.

First, we speak with Vermont Public's housing and infrastructure reporter Carly Berlin, about a new state  initiative intended to spur housing construction in Vermont. It's a catalog of prefab homes that would help people fastrack their approval process and keep costs of new construction down. The specific challenges facing boys and young men often make headlines: For the last 50 years, for example, the number of male students on college campuses has slowly but steadily decreased. And young men are also more likely than women to experience drug and alcohol addiction.For parents of young boys, these headlines and statistics can be particularly distressing. What can we control in our homes to help our boys navigate the world with confidence, happiness and care? Two guests join Vermont Edition to discuss the art and peril of raising boys. Keegan Albaugh is the founder of Dad Guild, a Burlington-based nonprofit that supports masc-identifying caregivers by running playgroups, educational events, pick up sports, peer support groups, and more. Kate Mangino is a Virginia-based speaker, facilitator and writer who is in Vermont to host a series of parenting workshops this week. She's the author of the book Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home.Broadcast live on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

College athletes can cash in on their name and image. And as of last year, colleges can pay their athletes directly, too. This rule change impacts everyone in college sports. University of Vermont Athletic Director Jeff Schulman says pay-to-play has changed the game.Every year in Montpelier, residents wake up to find their city covered in red hearts. This is the work of the Valentine Phantom, a mysterious figure— or figures— who brings love to the state capital each year in the form of thousands of hearts.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

School boards reckon with looming district consolidation

First up on the show:  Colchester resident and asylum seeker Steven Tendo was detained by ICE Wednesday after his shift at the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he works as a nursing assistant. Tendo fled Uganda in 2018. On Vermont Edition last year he said he was tortured by the Ugandan government for encouraging youth voter registration.For an update on Tendo's case and whereabouts, we speak with immigration attorney Brett Stokes. He is the director of the Center for Justice Reform Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School.Thousands of athletes are in Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which start tomorrow. Some of those athletes are from our little corner of the world, which makes them extra fun to root for. Here to give us a local look at the biggest international sports competition in the world is Mitch Wertlieb. He's the host of Vermont This Week on our main TV channel, and as of just a few days ago, the host of the Sports Rapport, a weekly sports show from Vermont Public.If you're not familiar with the biathlon, here's how it works. Athletes cross-country ski with rifles on their backs. During the race, they stop and shoot at targets 50 meters away. If they miss a shot, they get time added to their race, or they have to ski an extra 150 meter penalty loop. Biathlete Susan Dunklee of Craftsbury joins us now. She's competed in three winter Olympics, and she's won two silver medals in world championship races. She is now the Director of Biathlon at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. 

New BlueCross BlueShield CEO says 'we have an affordability crisis' in Vermont

In the mid-1970s, avant-garde musician and Bennington College professor Bill Dixon created a department called the Black Music Division. Along with fellow musician and professor Milford Graves, they taught performance and theory while bringing Black music into the academic sphere. Joining to walk us through this history is Michael Wimberly, a percussionist, composer and Bennington College professor. Last year, he organized a two-day symposium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the division's founding with live music and reflections.