For most of us, thinking about death is not a pleasant subject. There’s a natural tendency to put your head in the sand and focus on everything and anything else. But a little planning now can save a lot of confusion and heartache later.Today we break down the process of creating an advance directive, or living will. It’s the third installment in our weekly January series, In Good Health. Our guests are Nina Keck, a Vermont Public senior reporter whose focuses on aging, Eva Zivitz, a registered nurse who coordinates the palliative care program at Rutland Regional Medical Center, and Cindy Bruzzese, the executive director of the Vermont Ethics Network.Broadcast live on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Winter in Vermont can wreak havoc on a car. All that salt causes corrosion and rust, and that can make your car unsafe to drive. The hazardous conditions require upgrades and protective measures to stay safe on the slippery roads. To keep your car in top shape requires a lot winter car maintenance. Demeny Pollitt, the owner and manager of Girlington Garage in South Burlington, and Steve Belitsos, a retired professor of automotive and transportation services at Vermont State University’s Randolph campus, share insights on undercoatings, snow tires, and windshield wipers. Plus, former Gov. Peter Shumlin reflects on the life and career of former Gov. Tom Salmon, who passed away Tuesday at age 92. Girlington Garage is a Vermont Public business sponsor. Broadcast live on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Beloved as they are, general stores often generate little profit for their owners. So, what does it take to keep them running? Emily Maclure, owner of two general stores in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, shares her experiences, insights, and the vital role these stores play in their communities. Ben Doyle of the Preservation Trust of Vermont explains the models some towns are using to keep their general stores open. Democratic Rep. Marc Mihaly, who represents the Washington-6 district, discusses how East Calais successfully reopened its general store after a years-long effort.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

To fund significant investments in early childhood education, Vermont implemented a 0.44% payroll tax in July 2023. We check in on the progress of this initiative and explore what has — and hasn't — changed in the early childhood landscape.Elliot Haspel, a senior fellow at Capita and a nationally recognized child and family policy expert, explains how Vermont is leading the way in investing in early childhood education. He also offers a broader perspective on how the state’s approach compares to other states.We also hear from Democratic state Sen. Ruth Hardy, who represents Addison County and helped establish Vermont's Act 76, and Department of Children and Families Deputy Commissioner Janet McLaughlin, who is overseeing the law's implementation.Plus: The Vermont School Boards Association is encouraging Vermonters to join their local school boards. Flor Diaz Smith, president of the association and board chair of the Washington Central School District, discusses the importance of school boards and the local need for new members.Broadcast live on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Vermont Edition takes you inside the Statehouse for the first day of the legislative session.

Two Franklin County authors brought together stories of the Lake Champlain region and its contributions to American history for their latest book, Hidden History of Lake Champlain. Missisquoi Valley Union High School history teacher, Jason Barney, was awarded the 2023 Vermont History Teacher of the Year Award and was a semifinalist for Vermont Teacher of the Year in 2022. Librarian, genealogist and writer, Christine Eldred, has published numerous articles and guides to preserving and defending intellectual freedom in school libraries.Lake Champlain is also home to the prehistoric lake sturgeon, one of the largest freshwater fish in North American that can live more than 150 years. Fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife, Lee Simard, shared what lead to the sturgeon's decline and their work to protect the fish.Broadcast live on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

How can artists know if their creations are being used to train artificial intelligence? And if they are, should those artists be compensated? On today's show we speak with Vermont's Chief Data and AI Officer Josiah Raiche about the state’s role in regulating AI, and artist Jane Adams helps us parse the philosophical questions AI poses to the creative process.On Capitol Hill last year, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt) introduced nearly a half dozen bills concerning AI. He’s vowed to continue those efforts during this new Congress. Welch has also joined the influential Senate Finance Committee, alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt). This committee deals with taxation, trade agreements, tariffs and government health programs. In an interview on Vermont Edition, Senator Welch explains why he opposes tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China proposed by President-elect Donald Trump, as well as his work on regulating AI.Broadcast live on Monday, January 6th, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

In many cold locales, saunas are a common way to heat your body and hang out with friends, especially in the dead of winter. But in Vermont, the practice hasn't taken as strong of a hold. Today, we explore the physical, mental, and social benefits of regular sauna use. This is the first installment in a health-focused series we’re running each Thursday of January called "In Good Health."Joining us for the hour is Chelsea Edgar, a Burlington-based freelance reporter and contributing editor for Seven Days. She wrote a piece for them exploring sauna culture in our region. Earric Lee is a post-doctoral researcher at The Montreal Heart Institute, and Nils Shenholm is a sauna designer and builder in Duxbury, and an North American Sauna Society Emeritus board member.Plus: Vermont Edition’s managing producing Jon Ehrens talks to his fellow heat addicts inside the Vermont Sun sauna in Middlebury.

Vermont Public CEO Vijay Singh joined Vermont Edition to reflect on his first three months leading Vermont Public. Before coming to Vermont, Singh worked for CapRadio, an NPR affiliate in Sacramento, and the Los Angeles affiliate LAist. He shared insights from these experiences and outlined his vision for the future of Vermont Public.Then, Vermont Public reporter Erica Heilman shares a question about class as part of an ongoing series. We hear about her latest episodes.

Over the past year, hundreds of people in our region joined Vermont Edition as guests. We parsed out complex topics like education spending and the opioid epidemic with elected officials and journalists. We chatted about everything from deer hunting, to houseplant care, to the weather. And we shared your calls and emails as we celebrated collective joys like the eclipse, and collective heartbreaks like the summer flooding.For our last Vermont Edition of the year, we share some of our favorite interviews and moments of 2024: drag queen and Center for Cartoon Studies graduate Sasha Velour, former Gov. Madeleine Kunin, the small team of southern Vermonters who successfully lobbied for a state mushroom, and locals who witnessed the April 8th total solar eclipse.