Everyone seems to agree that the state’s unfunded pension funds need to be addressed sooner rather than later. But how that happens doesn’t have a consensus yet. VTDigger’s Lola Duffort provides an update on the discussions that have been going in the Legislature. Economists focus on the Gross National Product, but we’ll hear from Ginny Sassaman who focuses on our Gross National Happiness. Then we finish the show by focusing on what you should be focused on to make sure you’ve got the finances for a comfortable retirement. 

They’re starting to crawl around and dart about. Our reptiles and amphibians are on the move. So, we’ll spend the first hour of the morning talking herpetology with Jim Andrews, the coordinator of the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas. And then we get the low down on Vermont’s real estate market from Coldwell Banker Hickok and Boardman owner Brian Boardman.

We begin the show by learning about a program to better identify and help our youth and young adults address their mental health needs. Next, we visit the Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh to hear about its role in the Underground Railroad. National Correspondent Bob Ney provides an update on the week of news. Melissa Pasanen of Seven Days tells us about a Vermont momo company that is branching out. And we finish by learning about a project that combines sustainable living practices with outreach and community building to promote a more peaceful world. 

We’ll start the show catching with Burlington Free-Press entertainment reporter Brent Hallenbeck on several of his recent stories. Deputy Health Commissioner Tracy Dolan provides an update on the rise in COVID cases in the state and details on the vaccine rollout. We’ll hear about the transition to retirement and strategies to cope with that major change in your life. 

Hikers and climbers are asked to help nesting peregrine falcons by avoiding several Vermont cliff areas this spring and summer. Audubon Vermont conservation biologist Margaret Fowle joins us to talk about these raptors and their need for us to steer clear of their nests. Then, former Bristol State Representative David Sharpe shares his thoughts on Act 46 now that it is in place. And on merged school districts that are facing divorces. We get a tour of the state’s 100 or so remaining covered bridges.  And we finish the morning meeting Ken Spencer, the CEO of Planet People, a company working to build a litter-conscious community, and the creator of the Planet Pack, a backpack for litter collection.  

We talk to author Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling about his new book, “A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear.” This non-fiction looks at the Free Town Movement that landed in Grafton, New Hampshire and how it affected the town and the local bear population. We meet State Librarian Jason Broughton and learn about his work with both the state government and the state’s smaller community libraries to support patrons throughout Vermont.

With the Fish & Wildlife Department reporting that the natural reproduction of trout in Lake Champlain is allowing reduced stocking, we’ll talk with UVM professor Ellen Marsden, who has been studying the lake trout for decades. Then, VTDigger editor Anne Galloway has been following Vermont’s EB-5 scandal from the outset. We’ll hear the latest developments.  It’s not too early for parents to start planning where their children will have fun this summer. We’ll talk to Kids VT about its Summer Camp Fair.  And then, Hannah Phelps shares info on one in particular that might be right for your kids, ages 12 to 16; the Green Mountain Conservation Camp.

We’ll open the show by learning about a program designed to provide indigenous seeds to gardeners, homesteaders and farmers around Vermont who are dedicating land to grow and harvest food for Abenaki citizens.  Next, we hear about the women’s suffrage movement in Vermont. Bob Ney provides a national perspective of the news at 10.  Colin Flanders of Seven Days takes a look at whether Vermont has  rolled out the COVID vaccines in the most effective manner.  We then learn about Lunafest, a traveling film festival of award-winning short films by and about women.

Continuing our celebration of Women’s History Month, we’ll learn about the political and social activism of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Its members have included New York Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm, actress Ruby Dee and Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. Then we meet Mike Breault who is known as the Funny Food Guy. We’ll learn all about what Vermont food he loves eating right now.  Eliott Greenblott returns to warn us about senior scams that are currently making the rounds. 

Just that little touch of warm weather and welcoming sunlight is enough to get Vermonters scrambling outside to read al fresco. To get you in the mood and loaded with great book suggestions, Amy Olsen of Hyde Park’s Lanpher Memorial Library and Katya D’Angelo of Bridgeside Books join us for the first hour. For the last half hour of the program, Governor Phil Scott joins us for his first appearance on Vermont Viewpoint. We’ll discuss the pandemic, the vaccination rollout and thoughts on the latest federal COVID relief package.