In Addison County, three towns are holding votes to leave their merged districts and preserve their local schools, leaving some to ask if a loophole in Vermont's school consolidation law, Act 46, is working.

On Aug. 28, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene dumped up to 11 inches of rain across Vermont. Seven people died, including a father and son who were swept away by raging floodwaters. Ten years later, many in Rutland still get emotional remembering the men’s dedication to each other and the city.

VPR Evening Newscast for Friday, Aug. 27

As Vermont students head back to school amid rising COVID-19 case counts, a growing number of lawmakers and school administrators are wading into the fight over wearing masks in the classroom.

Last week, an Army veteran from Vermont realized his interpreter in Afghanistan was in trouble. Since then, he’s been scrambling to get him out of the country.

Ilona Maher from the U.S. women's rugby sevens team speaks with Connor Cyrus about her Olympic experience and social media use.

After more than a year of delays, the findings of the 2020 Census have been released. The once-a-decade count is used to realign both the country’s 435 districts of the U.S. House, as well as state legislatures nationwide, to reflect changes in population. It's a process known as redistricting in some places, and it’s called reapportionment in Vermont. Now, delays at the federal level mean Vermont’s apportionment board has gotten a late start to redrawing the state’s political map.

Organizations in Vermont have been slow to institute vaccine requirements, and there’s been minimal guidance from the state. That’s led to stress for people with loved ones who aren’t eligible for a shot.

COVID case counts have been on the rise in Vermont, and August saw an uptick in both hospitalizations and deaths from the virus, even as Vermont leads the nation in vaccinations. Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine takes your questions on how Vermont is handling the virus, the delta variant, and plans for kids to return to school.

House Speaker Jill Krowinski is calling on Gov. Phil Scott to issue a mandatory reopening plan for all Vermont schools that includes a mask requirement for students and staff.