Vermont Edition

The Vermont legislative session begins on January 8th, and lawmakers and administration officials are preparing for the new biennium. First elected in 2016, Gov. Phil Scott won a fifth term in November with nearly 74% of the vote. The election results signaled significant changes under the Golden Dome, as Republicans gained seats in the House and Senate, breaking the Democrats’ supermajority. Scott joins Vermont Edition to discuss his priorities for the upcoming session, including property taxes, education spending, and the incoming Trump administration.Then, Vermont Public senior reporter Bob Kinzel provides an analysis of the governor’s interview and discusses what’s unique about this political moment in Vermont and what seems like business as usual.

Over the course of the year, many of us had to say goodbye to close friends or family members. Others lost people they didn’t know well personally, but who nevertheless had a deep impact on them. Today's remembrance show is a chance to honor those who passed away in 2024. University of Vermont professor Chris Danforth shared thoughts on his colleague and friend, Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne, a beloved member of the UVM and outdoors communities. Retired state senator Jane Kitchel reflected on two titans of the Vermont Statehouse, Dick Mazza and Dick Sears, both of whom served their communities for decades. Lisa Gannon, a medical assistant with Timber Lane Pediatrics in Burlington, told us about the ways in which Dr. Michelle Perron connected with her patients. Rosanne Greco, president of the board for the South Burlington Land Trust, spoke about SBLT founder Sarah Dopp and her impact on the local community. We also heard reflections on Reuben Jackson, Bill Mares, Joe Moore, Lydia Clemmons, and many listener submissions.

Driving across the Connecticut River between Hinsdale New Hampshire and Brattleboro Vermont just got a whole lot smoother. Last week the two states celebrated the ribbon cutting for a new bridge on Route 119, decades in the making. It’s called the General John Stark Memorial Bridge. we're joined by David Scott who is the the In-house Design Chief of the Bureau of Bridge Design at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. He discusses the bridge, why it's such a huge deal for the area, and what it takes to be a bridge designer. Originally broadcast at Noon on Wednesday, Dec. 11th

If you have a family member or loved one with Alzheimer’s, you know how devastating the disease can be. It’s a brain disorder that slowly destroys a person’s memory and thinking skills. Its effects are irreversible – the damage it wreaks on the brain cannot be undone. About 50 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s. It’s among the leading causes of death in the United States.Researchers across the globe are working to better understand Alzheimer’s, so we can prevent it, or slow its progression. Just recently, St Michael’s College in Colchester and the University of Vermont in Burlington announced a major breakthrough from a team of researchers. By studying spider brains, they’ve gained a better understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops in the human brain.We're joined by two of those researchers who tell us about their work and why the specifics of spider brains led to this breakthrough. Our guests are both associate professors of biology and neuroscience at St. Michael's College, Dr. Ruth Fabian-Fine and Dr. Adam Weaver.Broadcast live on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Cold weather means cozying up with a good book. How can a book worm choose when there's so many options? Count on Vermont Edition's winter book show as a guide for some good reads. Claire Benedict, co-owner of Bear Pond Books, along with Randal Smathers, director of the Rutland Free Library, and Megan Butterfield, youth library manager at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, give us their recommendations for the year and suggestions for readers of all ages. Broadcast live on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at noon

To kick off ski season, Vermont Edition broadcast live from Jay Peak Ski Resort in Orleans County, a ten minute drive from the Canadian border.Steve Wright, president and general manager of Jay Peak, and Martin Clements, Jay Peak’s assistant ski patrol director, share updates on snow conditions and how the resort has been preparing for this season. Former World Cup alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist Barbara Ann Cochran talks about her family's skiing legacy and the ways she supports athletes' mental preparedness. Jordan and Momo Antonucci, who run the Miso Hungry food cart at Jay, give an inside scoop on their signature ramen and other après-ski favorites.

Vermont Edition hits the slopes at Jay Peak Resort for a look at the current ski season.

In November, the University of Vermont Health Network announced cuts to a broad range of patient services. There's a growing consensus that Vermont needs to make major changes to how people get health care in the state, as Vermonters pay among the very highest prices for health care in the country. Science & Health reporter Lexi Krupp shares the latest developments and the impacts they will have on patients and Vermonters.Then, CEO of North Star Health Joshua Dufresne joins us to discuss the decision to close down the Rockingham Health Center in Bellows Falls. The announcement was made on the heels of a statewide report that called for drastic changes to the state’s hospital system to avoid bankruptcies and closures. The report called out some southern Vermont hospitals like Springfield and Grace Cottage which has led to concerns about access to care in the area. Broadcast live on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Vermont’s Republican state senators have elected Scott Beck of St. Johnsbury as their new caucus leader. Republicans ousted longtime Senator Randy Brock of St. Albans. Beck has served as a state representative since 2015. This comes as Republicans flipped six seats during the November election, which significantly narrowed their margin with Democrats. Beck joins us to outline his goals as lawmakers head into a new session in January.Broadcast live on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

In November, the University of Vermont Health Network announced cuts to a broad range of patient services. There's a growing consensus that Vermont needs to make major changes to how people get health care in the state, as Vermonters pay among the very highest prices for health care in the country. Science & Health reporter Lexi Krupp shares the latest developments and the impacts they will have on patients and Vermonters.Then, CEO of North Star Health Joshua Dufresne joins us to discuss the decision to close down the Rockingham Health Center in Bellows Falls. The announcement was made on the heels of a statewide report that called for drastic changes to the state’s hospital system to avoid bankruptcies and closures. The report called out some southern Vermont hospitals like Springfield and Grace Cottage which has led to concerns about access to care in the area. Broadcast live on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.