We delve into COVID testing, and the problems in the Manchester area of southern Vermont last week that led to an outbreak being 15 times larger than it was. Joining us will be Dr. Christie Wojewoda of the UVM medical school and two Seven Days journalists. Later, scam artists have been adjusting their game to the COVID era. Elliott Greenblott of AARP Vermont explains.

In the first hour, we delve into Montpelier City Councilor Conor Casey’s charge that Republican gubernatorial candidate John Klar is racist. Casey and Klar join us. Later, James Duff Lyall of the Vermont ACLU talks about criminal justice reform legislation just signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott.

Elizabeth Hewitt of VTDigger stops by to talk about recent Vermont news. John Killacky talks about his artistic pursuits during this break from his service as a state representative from South Burlington. And Xusana Davis talks about her just completed first year and future plans as Vermont’s first executive director of racial equity.

We look at a possible link between toxins given off by blue-green algae and the devastating disease known as ALS with Dr. Elijah Stommel of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, toxicologist Sarah Vose of the Vermont Health Department and environmental advocate James Ehlers. Later, we talk to Vermont-based performing artists including singer Sarah Grace, bassist and producer Ben Dunham and actor Luis Guzman, about how their work has been affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Seven Days reporter Kevin McCallum talks about his story on anomalies in the payroll protection program. Later, St. Michaels College philosophy professor talks about an upcoming conference on French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, whose work appears to bear special relevance for educators and students suddenly trying to adapt to distance learning.

Wednesday’s show starts with UVM President Suresh Garimella and Trustees Chair Ron Lumbra talking about the school’s decision to divest from fossil fuel companies. We conduct an introductory interview with the new dean of UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Leslie Parise. Later, a special visit with WDEV owner Ken Squier on the station’s 89th birthday.

Sen. Michael Sirotkin talks about a bill just signed by Gov. Phil Scott to provide workers’ compensation coverage to some COVID-19 patients. Democratic congressional candidate Ralph Corbo weighs in for a “meet the candidates” segment. Later, Josh Kelly of the state Department of Environmental Conservation talks about the new requirement that food scraps be kept out of landfills.

Steve Pappas, Editor of The Times Argus, joins Dave to open the show with a review of recent news stories. Later, there’s been much talk about whites needing to become allies with people of color in the struggle for racial equality. High school student Sawyer Castle did that when she reached across generations to Republican State Sen. Joe Benning to interest him in her campaign against racist and sexist tchotchkes and T-shirts at a county fair. Benning says it was an awakening for him. Castle, Benning and young Black activist Noel Ruby-Williams join Dave to discuss.

Larry Novins, executive director of the Vermont State Ethics Commission, talks about the panel seeking public input on a new ethics code. Rep. Linda Joy Sullivan talks about her candidacy for state auditor. Later, Marilyn Cargill of the Vermont Student Assistance Corp. talks about the availability of special breaks for some students amid the Coronavirus crisis.

Thursday’s show starts with Lucy Leriche of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England talking about Wednesday’s US Supreme Court decision on employer health plans’ coverage for birth control. WDEV meteorologist Roger Hill weighs in on our recent spate of hot weather. Later, Middlebury College political science professor Matt Dickinson shares his thoughts on recent campaign developments.