The Frequency

Home builders are trying to take advantage of eased restrictions to Act 250, Vermont’s land use law. Plus, a legislative committee recommends agricultural workers receive the state minimum wage, a new study shows Vermont has become a popular place for people to move to since the pandemic, researchers are studying spider brains to gain a better understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops in humans, Woodstock residents approve bonds tied to the purchase of a local water system, and we grade the first big off-season move by the Boston Red Sox to get back to playoff contention in our weekly sports report.

Law enforcement and mental health officials grapple with a recent spate of homicides involving young men in mental distress, and what they suggest about the gap between those two systems. Plus, Bernie Sanders says his next term in the Senate will likely be his last, state officials are downgrading flood risks to Vermont communities, a new bridge running between Vermont and New Hampshire has opened, a cannabis retailer in Middlebury sues the state over its weed-related advertising rules, and advocates for Lake Champlain call on lawmakers to limit the use of road salt on private land.

How one Vermont museum is keeping the memory of former independent ski hills alive. Plus, a flood watch is on for most of the state today, the Scott administration calls on Congress to immediately pass disaster relief for Vermont farmers, why Vermont’s largest substance use disorder treatment facility will no longer accept new patients using methadone, the state’s Human Rights Commission asks for a near doubling of its annual budget, and Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library tracks the year’s most checked-out books.

Vermont Law and Graduate School has welcomed four fellows focused on animal issues, under a new advanced degree program. Plus, the race to become Vermont’s next speaker of the House remains unsettled in the lead up to the legislative session, state officials are scrambling to set up procedures to test raw milk for bird flu, Sen. Peter Welch is raising concerns about President-elect Trump’s law enforcement nominees, and the UVM men’s soccer team has advanced to their first ever NCAA College Cup.

A project that grows and distributes free veggies among Burlington New American communities is expanding. Plus, UVM Medical Center health care workers and community members protest proposed cuts, a new retirement program from the state treasurer’s office is open for enrollment, northern Vermont business owners push for longer hours at the border crossing stations with Canada, Montpelier officials think a flood-damaged building for sale presents potential housing opportunities and Bernie gets his own look-alike contest in Burlington on Saturday.

What President-elect Donald Trump’s record on environmental protections could mean for Vermont during his second presidency. Plus, Gov. Phil Scott wants to keep property taxes flat next year, Green Mountain Transit cut services on nine bus routes this week due to a budget gap, GlobalFoundries will use a $1.5 billion federal grant to expand manufacturing, rural dialysis patients are wondering about the future of their care and Upper Valley researchers are using a 3D printer to create objects out of ice.

The challenge facing lawmakers as they vow to keep property taxes rising by nearly 6% next year. Plus, the limits Gov. Scott wants to place on state spending in 2025, some municipalities are struggling to keep taxes down in next year’s budgets, the impending closure of a Bellows Falls health clinic draws concern from southern Vermont residents, Hardwick will receive nearly $4 Million in federal air to repair flood damage, and the UVM men’s soccer team heads to the NCAA Division 1 quarterfinals.

A look back at this year’s successful use of chicanes in the Notch, and a preview of what property taxes will look like next year. Plus, Vermonters should prepare for snow on Thanksgiving, the Scott administration is taking advantage of federal funds before Trump is back in the White House, Gov. Phil Scott is making interim Education Secretary Zoie Saunders’s position permanent, Sen. Peter Welch is trying to overturn a plan by the Biden administration to cut Medicare reimbursement rates and a man accused of orchestrating a scheme to harass and intimidate two New Hampshire Public Radio journalists was sentenced to more than three years in prison.