Vermont Edition

Vermont’s state lawmakers are back in Montpelier for the new legislative session. They’ll pick up where they left off last June: trying to reform education, lower property taxes and make health care more affordable and accessible.

Today on Vermont Edition, we're live from inside the golden dome of the Vermont Statehouse. First, we'll check in with legislative leaders Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth and Republican Minority Leader Scott Beck.

We'll hear from the chairs of two powerful committees: Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, a Democrat from Brattleboro and the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes our taxes, and Rep. Alyssa Black, a Democrat from Essex, and the chair of the House Committee on Health Care. We’ll also talk with Rep. Ashley Bartley, a Republican from Franklin County who has teamed up with a Burlington Democrat to address economic issues.

And we'll close the hour with two of the newest members of the legislative page program: Eilidh Corbett, an eighth grader at Main Street Middle School in Montpelier, and Liam Chase, an eighth grade student at Barre Town School.

Broadcast live on Tuesday, January 6th, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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Following the US attack on Venezuela and the capture of it's president and first lady, we're joined by Rep. Becca Balint to get her thoughts on what's transpired and what's ahead. We are also joined by Vermont State Rep. Troy Headrick, an Independent, who has introduced legislation related to the state's involvement in Federal deployment of the Vermont Air National Guard. We'll also hear from a political science professor of international law and counterterrorism, Stephon Boatwright of St. Michael's University, to get his take on the Trump administration's legal argument for the attack. And, Global News Canada Reporter Dan Spector tells us the reactions he's witnessed from the Venezuelan community in Montreal. 

On this last day of the year, we’re following up on three Vermont Public stories from 2025. We hear from Vermont Public’s Nina Keck about her consistent reporting on adult day programs throughout the state. We also sit down with Father Brian Cummings of Saint Anne’s Shrine. Father Brian was in Rome this past April when Pope Francis passed away. We spoke to him the very day the new conclave began, and we’ll get his thoughts on Pope Leo’s tenure thus far.

But first, we revisit a story from September, not about Catholicism, per say, but involving God nonetheless. And however unlikely it may sound, an outhouse. Vermont Public reporter Howard Weiss-Tisman shares the story of a historic church in Windsor County that was built in the early 19th century. Nearly 200 years later there is still no plumbing. But now, there’s a space to relieve oneself and enjoy a service, wedding, or memorial in greater comfort.

The city of Rutland sometimes gets a bad rap, but residents say there’s a side of the city that people often overlook. The team at Brave Little State recently solicited questions from a live event in Rutland and the winning question centers on why Rutland is made to feel like the ugly child.

The American Chestnut tree once dominated forests in the Eastern US. That is, until a blight nearly wiped it out. Now, scientists and volunteers are trying to bring back these towering trees.

Today on Vermont Edition, we’ll listen back to a show from this summer about chestnut restoration efforts in the Northeast. Scientists are developing and planting blight-resistant American chestnuts around our region.

Then, what’s more majestic than a tree so big you can’t even wrap your arms around it? Through Vermont’s Big Tree Program, you can search a map of the state’s largest trees, like a massive white pine in Corinth or a beautiful paper birch in Canaan.

Vermont’s Air National Guard and F-35A fighter jets have arrived in Puerto Rico. They’ve been deployed as part of Operation Southern Spear — a build-up of U.S. forces in the region targeting Venezuela and the Maduro regime.

Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) joins us to weigh in on the deployment. He’s spoken out against President Donald Trump’s actions against Venezuela.

Stephon Boatwright, a St. Michael’s College professor of international relations and political science, shares his perspective on the legality of recent U.S. actions in the Caribbean. And Peter Ladensack, a former guardsman, explains what it’s like when a unit mobilizes. He has firsthand experience — he was deployed to Afghanistan with the Vermont Army National Guard.

An advocate for people experiencing homelessness. A folk singer, beloved by adults and children alike. A devoted mother who founded a food pantry. A poet. A professor. A Peace Corps volunteer.

Today on Vermont Edition, we honor some of the remarkable people from our communities who died in 2025. You’ll hear from their friends, family members, colleagues, and admirers.

We’ll also share calls and emails from listeners with stories of family members and friends who passed away over the last year. 

2025 was a landmark year for the genre-bending singer-songwriter Neko Case.

She released a new album, "Neon Grey Midnight Green," and published a memoir, The Harder I Fight The More I Love You. In both, she uses her singular voice to weave together personal stories, the sounds of a diverse musical community and her abundant respect for the natural world.

Case has deep roots in Vermont. She spent some of her childhood years in Lamoille County and now has a farm in the Northeast Kingdom. 

She joins us to share her experiences over three decades in the music world, and the inspiration behind her latest album. 

Then; Seven Days food editor and writer Melissa Pasanen is back with her latest local recommendations, including bean-to-bar delights at Prophecy Chocolate, a painting-worthy salad at The Crooked Ram and the unmissable tater tots at Onion City Chicken & Oyster.

Today on Vermont Edition: it’s the latest in our monthly series, Town By Town. Each month we spend an hour learning about a randomly selected town or city in Vermont. 

Today it’s Berlin, in Washington County. You’ll hear from three residents with deep roots, including a local author and the president of the town historical society! We’ll also visit the longstanding Wayside restaurant. 

Broadcast live on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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