The Frequency

An initiative to make health and safety information more accessible to Vermont’s immigrant and refugee communities has proven its worth – but funding is running out. Plus, lawmakers pump the brakes on a major education overhaul plan, advocates to improve migrant farmworker housing call on the state to provide more funding, Chittenden County officials issue a warning about a jury duty phone scam, and exploring ways to make a New England shellfish more sustainable as ocean temperatures continue to rise.

The Vermont House wants to set up another decade of major spending on the housing crisis — and tax increases to go with it. Meanwhile, the Senate and Gov. Phil Scott would rather focus on regulatory changes making housing easier to build.

How Franklin County’s newly appointed top prosecutor hopes to bring stability to a position that’s gone through a recent rough patch. Plus, the state treasurer reiterates support for a superfund bill to make big oil companies pay a share of damages related to climate change, the Vermont Bond Bank creates a flood resiliency fund, the EPA sets federal limits on so-called forever chemicals that go beyond state requirements, Rep. Becca Balint urges the Biden administration to withhold weapons shipments to Israel, and Goddard College will shut down after 86 years of operation.

A young singer-songwriter from Norwich discusses his musical upbringing and how one of his songs emerged after a tragic event. Plus, a bill to reduce administrative burdens for health care providers advances in Montpelier, concerns rise about a strain of avian flu affecting cows around the country, Quebec forestry officials look to hire more firefighters before the fire season begins, and Vermont businesses get a boost from eclipse tourism.

Lawmakers reflect on the resignation of Grand Isle Sen. Dick Mazza, which signals a potentially generational change in the Senate. Plus, backers of a bill to ban the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products look for votes to override a gubernatorial veto, lawmakers abandon impeachment of the Franklin County sheriff, rescue crews breathe a sigh of relief after eclipse day, and a warning for trail hikers as mud season ramps up.

Vermonters and the throngs of visitors who traveled to see the event recount how it felt to witness Monday’s total eclipse of the sun. Plus, Vermont’s longest serving member of the state Senate announces his retirement, I share a few thoughts on my own eclipse watching experience, and we’ll have an update on traffic as the visiting post-eclipse crowds head out of the state.

Vermonters and state officials prepare for today’s total eclipse of the sun, and we visit Alburgh where they’re holding a totality festival. Plus, a suspect is arrested in connection with a fire at Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Burlington office, a bill banning the use of so-called forever chemicals in many products is sent to House lawmakers in Montpelier, an earthquake that hit New Jersey last week was felt by some in Vermont, and the effect today’s eclipse may have on some bird species.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic state lawmakers agree that public safety should be a priority this session. But there's little agreement in Montpelier on how to move the needle.

Checking in with the Islamic Society of Vermont just before the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Plus, Vermont moves a step closer to creating a fund that would force big oil companies to pay a share of damages related to human-caused climate change, the state moves to curb online betting tied to performances by individual college athletes, two Vermont sports teams wrap up their seasons with losses in the playoffs, why Vermont’s first responders don’t want eclipse watchers to go hiking on Monday, and clear skies are forecast for the total solar eclipse.

Revealing the finalists for this year’s Vermont Book Awards. Plus, Copley Hospital gets approval for a rare mid-year service price increase, Gov. Scott vetoes a bill to ban flavored tobacco and vaping products, strategies for getting kids to wear safety glasses during the eclipse, and the state Senate moves a bill to screen students earlier for learning differences like dyslexia.