Vermont Edition

In the days before Halloween, some are focused on finishing up their costumes. Others of us are more focused on the candy — Reese’s cups, Sour Patch Kids, Tootsie Rolls, and whatever else crosses our paths during spooky season.

In Vermont Edition's (first annual?!) Halloween candy special, we explore the history of trick-or-treating with food historian Susan Benjamin. The Bennington College graduate is the founder of True Treats Candy and a food historian and author. She's extensively researched the history behind some of the most popular candy that ends up in the Halloween hauls of today.

We also talk with two local candy purveyors about current candy trends and what it's like to enter their busy season. Sheena Smith is the director of retail at the Vermont Country Store, and Kaisa Eaton is the manager of Whizbang’s Candy Lab on Church Street in Burlington.

Broadcast live on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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This Vermont town has fewer than 700 residents. It borders both Lake Champlain and Otter Creek. And it has rich soil, perfect for farming. Know what it is?

Today on Vermont Edition, we're focusing on Panton, in Addison County. It’s the latest stop on our Town by Town tour of the state.

We’ll hear from a trio of local town officials – the former and the current selectboard chair, and the town moderator. A Panton farmer produces cured meats inspired by the flavors of her home country, Italy. And a musician plays with a bunch of different groups, including at Middlebury College. He’s fallen in love over the decades with Panton’s agricultural traditions and its beautiful night skies.

At the end of the hour, we’ll randomly select the next stop for Town by Town. We just might head to where you live next.

Vermont has the reputation of being a climate refuge. But the state is actually warming faster than the global average.

On Vermont Edition: the latest climate assessment from the University of Vermont. It shows how climate change is impacting specific regions in the state. We’ll talk with two of the co-authors.

Then – are lending programs to help people of color buy homes a thing of the past? Vermont used to have a couple of these home equity programs.

Now these lines of credit have gone away. We’ll find out what’s going on, with Vermont Public’s business reporter Derek Brouwer.

Broadcast live on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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Come New Years Day, millions of Medicaid beneficiaries in the U.S. will have to prove they work 80 hours in a month. That’s just one of the changes coming to the federal healthcare program in 2027.

These changes are largely the result of HR.1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Trump signed it into law last July. It represents the largest-ever clawback of federal health spending.

So, what are the new rules that govern Medicaid eligibility? How will these change affect Vermonters? And what do you have to do in the next few months to make sure you have coverage in 2027? Vermont Health Care Advocate Mike Fisher and Marjorie Stinchcombe, the helpline director for Vermont Legal Aid, answer your questions.

Broadcast live on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Amanda Janoo, a Democrat/Progressive, met for their first debate. Vermont Edition hosted a debate between Vermont's two major party candidates for governor on Wednesday. 

Broadcast live on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 7 p.m.; rebroadcast at 12 p.m on Thursday, Oct. 22.

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Black-and-white photographs of child laborers. Murals by Afghan refugees. Free queer haircuts in an art gallery. Movies from around the world. All of this artistic output is here in our region this fall.

Today on Vermont Edition: current art exhibits and cultural events. We'll take a tour that starts and ends in Burlington, with stops in Hanover and Brattleboro in between.

An exhibition at Dartmouth’s Hood Museum explores American labor, from farm work to homemaking. Murals by the Brattleboro-based ArtLords honor the Afghan artists’ roots. A film festival in Burlington brings new movies from across the world to Vermont. And nearby, an artist and amateur barber gave free queer haircuts as an act of building connection.

This general election Vermonters will vote on multiple statewide positions and two proposed constitutional amendments. Host Mikaela Lefrak spoke with senior political reporter Bob Kinzel about Proposal 3, which covers labor rights and collective bargaining, and Proposal 4, which covers equal rights protections.

Then, Bob Kinzel interviews the treasurer candidates: incumbent Democrat Mike Pieciak, Republican Lynn LaFleur and Progressive Zachary Hampl.

Senior host Mitch Wertlieb interviews the auditor candidates: Democrat Tim Ashe and Republican Ivar Kronick.

The candidate interviews in this episode were edited for length and clarity. You can find transcripts of the original, unedited interviews at vermontpublic.org.

Broadcast on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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As most of us sleep, millions of birds travel across the night skies. They’re heading south in heavy numbers, ready to find their winter homes.

Today on Vermont Edition, it's the sights, sounds and surprises of fall migration season. We’re joined by the Bird Diva, Bridget Butler. She’ll tell us about the waterfowl, birds of prey, sparrows and finches flying right over our heads. She can help you identify that interesting new species you spotted recently, or the funky fall behavior of your favorite bird.

Plus: the benefits of birding during tough times, like a health crisis or period of grief. What can birds teach us about perseverance and slowing down?

A Mohegan leader helped shape the vision and raise the funds for Dartmouth College. He's now the subject of a documentary. 

Today on Vermont Edition: we mark Indigenous’ Peoples Day by sharing the story of Samson Occom. Filmmaker Signe Taylor partnered with the Mohegan Tribe and Dartmouth College to make this new documentary.

Then: a Vermont author and illustrator took on one of the most difficult subjects there is for her new book: genocide. The illustrated narrative she crafted is heartbreaking, beautiful and educational.

Broadcast live on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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Northern New England races could decide control of the U.S. Senate. Maine and New Hampshire, we’re looking at you.

Today on Vermont Edition: a close look at northern New England politics in the lead up to Election Day. 

Hear from Boston Globe editor and reporter James Pindell, an expert on New England politics.

The political differences between Vermont and New Hampshire are also the subject of a new book. Retired Vermont Law professor Brian Porto investigates the states’ earliest years and political development. He argues that their contrasting policies around land use, school finance and more shaped the states’ divergent cultures.

Broadcast live on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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