How advancements in emergency alert technology are helping more seniors live independently at home. Plus, an Orleans County Republican state senator makes his first public comments since calls for his resignation after it was revealed he was part of a group chat that included racist and anti-semitic comments, some environmental groups say Gov. Scott overstepped his authority when he issued an order to help speed up housing development, a state program encouraging Vermonters to save for retirement now offers its services in 18 different languages, the Vermont Treasury hires a top staffer from Congresswoman Becca Balint's team, and we consider the hot start the Montreal Canadiens have made to open the NHL season in our weekly sports report. 

We speak with a farmer in Hardwick whose water spring ran dry and is anticipating a difficult winter due to the state’s ongoing drought conditions. Plus, an Orleans County Republican state senator faces pressure to resign after taking part in a group chat marked by racist and anti-semtic sentiment, Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint says the federal government shutdown is likely to continue unless Republicans agree to extend set-to-expire health care subsidies, some state services are starting to be impacted by the shutdown, the Vermont International Film Festival includes a locally made documentary about a family dealing with early onset Alzheimer's, and a water use ban has been extended for an upstate New York town amid ongoing drought conditions. 

We visit a beloved gift shop at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center that’s just marked its 60th year. Plus, drought conditions persist despite a rain storm earlier this week, book banning remains rare in Vermont’s public schools while increasing in other states, Quebec officials ramp up enforcement of the province’s French language laws, and prolific Vermont author and former UVM professor David Huddle has died.

How a grassroots organization in New England is encouraging parents to get a traditional landline telephone for young children instead of a cell phone. Plus, the school board in Danville reluctantly agrees to hold a special election on whether to close the town high school, a new policy prioritizing daycare for employees of Mount Snow in Dover has some parents who don’t work at the resort scrambling for alternatives, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will speak at UVM later this month, and Rutland's mayor celebrates the passage of a new multimillion dollar infrastructure bond.

A Vermont Public analysis sheds some light on how equitable the state’s school voucher program is. Plus, the federal government shutdown is affecting a key way Medicare recipients access their healthcare providers, local union leaders prepare for a first-of-its-kind conference this month, Brattleboro police warn families to look out for deceptive bags that could contain fentanyl, a singer from the region is on this year’s season of The Voice, and a concert this weekend honors the works of a 12th century prolific composer and mystic. 

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.