Vermont Edition

Vermont’s primary election is Aug. 11. About 3.1% of registered voters cast their ballots early, according to the Secretary of State's office. The rest of Vermont's 500,000 or so registered voters will need to go to a polling station to cast their ballots.

Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas joins the show to discuss primary day logistics, Vermont's campaign finance laws and election security. Then, Vermont Public reporters Liam Elder Connors and Peter Hirschfeld talk us through the candidates in federal, statewide and county races that will appear on ballots.

Check out Vermont Public's primary election guide for information on your polling place and candidate debates and interviews.

Broadcast live on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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President Trump's policies and posture towards Canada have upended our country's relationship with our neighbor to the north. His recent announcement of 50 percent tariffs on some Canadian goods has further ratcheted up tensions between the two nations. 

To discuss the impact of this announcement on our two nations, Vermont Edition combined forces for a joint broadcast with CBC's Radio Noon in Quebec, hosted by Shawn Apel. Our conversation focused on trade and the effects of tariffs on commerce, supply chains, and business relationships. 

Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak and Quebec's Minister of International Relations Christopher Skeete kicked off the hour talking about Vermont and Canada's long trading history. Quentin Abraham Desrosiers, general manager of PlastiCompetence, an association that represents the plastic industry in Quebec, shared his experiences. We also heard from both Vermont and Quebec listeners who have felt the effects of tariffs. 

Broadcast live on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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Every year, the Vermont Edition team heads out to a Vermont fair to bring you the sounds and voices of our states favorite summertime traditions. Today we come to you live from Addison County Fair and Field Days in New Haven. 

This hour we’ll get to know the fair’s history, talk with 4-H members and animal experts, and get a little taste — literally — of what the fair has to offer. 

We're joined today by a host of guests that bring different energies and expertise to the fair-going experience. Benj Deppman is a fair board member whose roots run deep at the Addison Fair. We're also joined by Scythe Sister Michaela Stickney to learn about hand mowing competitions. Sugarhouse manager Andrew Rainville brings some of the fairs blue ribbon winners in the maple contest. Ethan Gervy coordinates the fair's demolition derby and is joined alongside Dylan Mason who has participated in the derby for the past two years and is competing this year as well. Dairy superintendent Stephanie Pope joins us alongside 16 year old 4-H competitor to talk about showing dairy cows. We hear from children's performer Pirate Man Dan who tells us what makes Addison County's fair distinct from the many others he performs at around the country. And board member Meghan Sutton tells us about the home and garden barn. 

Broadcast live on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

As alcohol consumption decreases in younger generations, Vermont winemakers are looking for federal recognition for the Champlain Valley of Vermont. It would help them market their products nationwide and could also increase agritourism to the Champlain Valley.

We’re joined by three wine producers in the Champlain Valley region. Deirdre Heekin is the founder of Domaine La Garagista farm and winery and vice president of Vermont Grape & Wine Council, Camila Carrillo is founder of La Montañuela wine and owner of the 10 Green Street wine bar in Vergennes, and Kenneth Albert is founder of Shelburne Vineyard. They tell us about the grapes they grow, and how they plan to gain traction in the wine industry.

Broadcast live on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Blackface performance – or minstrel shows – might seem like relics of the 19th century. But these racist traditions stuck around much longer, including at the University of Vermont.

Today on Vermont Edition, we'll listen back to our conversation from April with the scholar Rhae Lynn Barnes. Her latest book is “Darkology: Blackface and the American Way of Entertainment.”

Barnes spent more than a decade gathering material for the book. She uncovered evidence of blackface performance from nearly every corner of the country…lasting all the way through the mid 1900s. 

In her book, she takes us to the campus of the University of Vermont. UVM fraternity members donned blackface during winter carnival, in a tradition lasted more than 70 years.

This summer’s already seen a number of big blockbuster movies – The Odyssey, the new Spiderman, Toy Story 5. You can reliably catch all these movies at theaters across our region. But there are also many opportunities this summer to see movies produced, directed, or curated by your neighbors.

This hour we’ll preview a number of the upcoming film festivals that highlight new and up-and-coming filmmakers in Vermont, and the ways in which Vermonters can get started on their filmmaking journeys. 

We're joined by Jay Craven, filmmaker and curator of the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival which begins on August 26th. Also joining us is Emma Schlenoff, producer of the film The Obelisk, a board member of the Vermont Production Collective and founder of Witness Oak Productions, and Dillon Tanner, founder of the Mothership Monthly Film Fest which features the films of many first time filmmakers. 

Broadcast live on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Every month, Vermont Edition spends an hour learning about a different municipality in the state for our monthly series, Town by Town. 

Today, we'll learn about Guilford, in Windham County. Guilford was once the most populous town in the state. It doesn’t hold that designation anymore, but it’s home to a bustling community center, local businesses and a rich history. 

We’ll talk with a local poet, a town historian, and the co-founder of the Guilford Gazette. We’ll also hear about a legendary recording studio in town. Artists like the Pixies and Noah Kahan have made records there.

At the end of the hour, we’ll spin a big wheel to select our next town. 

Are you classical-curious but don’t know where to start? Our roundtable of experts share some tips on where to start.

Broadcast on Tuesday, Jul. 28, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Local business leaders want Vermont to adopt the "abundance agenda." Remove administrative burdens so we can build more housing, and attract more working age people.

Today on Vermont Edition: the abundance agenda. We’ll break down exactly what this buzzy phrase means and the challenge it poses specifically to liberals and progressives.

Then: Vermont’s primary is about two weeks away. Two people are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House. We’ll hear from one of the candidates today – Gerald Malloy. He’s an Army vet and defense contractor. He hopes to take on Congresswoman Becca Balint in the general election.

 Vermont Edition's Mikaela Lefrak moderates a debate between the two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Vermont's next governor, Amanda Janoo and Aly Richards. 

Broadcast on Thursday, Jul. 23, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.