The Frequency

A Vermont Public analysis sheds some light on how equitable the state’s school voucher program is. Plus, the federal government shutdown is affecting a key way Medicare recipients access their healthcare providers, local union leaders prepare for a first-of-its-kind conference this month, Brattleboro police warn families to look out for deceptive bags that could contain fentanyl, a singer from the region is on this year’s season of The Voice, and a concert this weekend honors the works of a 12th century prolific composer and mystic. 

Checking in with farmers in the Upper Valley where the recent drought conditions affecting the whole state have been especially harsh. Plus, workers end their strike at a St. Albans dairy plant after ratifying a contract with their employer, Rutland voters approve a nearly $4 million infrastructure bond, Rhode Island’s largest labor union files a lawsuit against the Trump administration for scrapping a program that would have helped low-income families in Vermont install solar panels, and Sen. Welch says Democrats will continue to vote against stop-gap funding bills until Republicans agree to extend set-to-expire tax credits for Affordable Care Act health plans. 

Homeless shelter operators are scrambling to get their centers ready before winter sets in. Plus, Vermont’s Treasurer says strong cash reserves should help the most critical state programs weather the current federal government shutdown, an Addison County resident who’s lived in Vermont for about 20 years and applied for asylum in 2017 has avoided deportation for the time being, the state’s largest health insurer names a new CEO for next year, and the Vermont Green women’s soccer club is set to compete in the pre-professional women’s league next season if two more clubs join the new northeast division. 

A conversation with Gov. Phil Scott about health care, housing, and why he wants state employees back in the office more often. Plus, Vermont’s capital city gets its first year-round homeless shelter, a Lake Champlain fishing spot will be closed temporarily to help salmon spawning in the region, tips for keeping New England’s migrating birds from flying into windows, and free donuts will be available for Rutland County students if they can recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution by memory. 

A visit to Jay Peak ski resort to see how goats are being used to clear weeds and shrubs from the slopes. Plus, Sen. Bernie Sanders implores Democrats to be prepared for a prolonged federal government shutdown unless Republicans agree to extend health care subsidies in the Affordable Care Act, Dartmouth College is among a new group of higher education schools being asked to commit to President Trump’s political priorities in exchange for more favorable access to federal money, Gov. Scott appoints a former federal prosecutor to fill a judicial vacancy on the Vermont Superior Court, and a new Dartmouth study reveals whether dog or cat owners are more likely to donate to charities.  

Discover some of Vermont Public staff’s favorite fall foliage drives. Plus, Private insurers pull out of Vermont’s Medicare Advantage market, the Scott Administration asks the USDA for a statewide disaster declaration because of ongoing drought, how a helicopter can help the state respond to potential wildfires, and Vermont plans to add more short-term homeless shelters this winter.

How banding together could help towns reduce the impact of flooding in their communities. Plus, Vermont’s two U.S. senators say they will continue to vote against a Republican short term-funding bill without health care changes, the federal government shutdown comes as the Scott Administration says Vermont’s economy appears to be slowing, immigration advocates are speaking out after federal agents arrested nine construction workers in Hardwick last week, an appeals court weighs whether a judge was right to release Mohsen Mahdawi and Rumeysa Ozturk as their immigration cases play out and  bow-hunting season started yesterday in Vermont. 

Hundreds of wells in the state have run dry as Vermont’s drought persists. Plus, how the federal government shutdown could affect state services, racial justice advocates push back against the state’s decision to fire the head of Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Office, Rutland city officials urge residents to approve a $3.9 million bond, a South Burlington electric aircraft start-up takes steps to go public, and a special helicopter readies to respond to potential wildfires in Vermont and New Hampshire.

A conversation with the head of Champlain Housing Trust on strategies for continuing affordable housing projects in a volatile market and with dwindling federal support. Plus, an unexpected million dollar donation allows a Brattleboro nonprofit to open a family shelter, a seventh incarcerated person in Vermont has died this year,  employees go on strike at a St. Albans dairy plant, and the Nexstar media group returns the Jimmy Kimmel late night show to its ABC affiliate station in Vermont after refusing to air it for most of last week.

What upcoming changes to a federal supplemental nutrition program will mean for the tens of thousands of Vermonters who depend on it. Plus, solar panel installers rush to finish work ahead of a deadline that will end income tax credits for solar projects, Vermont and other states win a court battle over federal funding for projects that were made dependent on helping to enforce federal immigration law, Vermont’s cannabis industry has launched an initiative to get people to visit the state’s various dispensaries, and a Vermont State trooper avoids injury after a vehicle collision with a bear. 

The redevelopment of Burlington’s downtown mall is nearing completion after more than a decade of delays and missteps. Plus, why it could become easier for the state’s cannabis dispensaries to advertise their products, even with recent rain Vermont is still in the throes of a drought, a former Newport employee who sued the city for being banned from public property agrees to a settlement, Champlain College students will gain access to semester-long programs abroad in a new partnership with Temple University, and we discuss the reversals of fortune for several Major League Baseball teams vying to make the playoffs with less than a handful of regular season games left in our weekly sports report. 

How an upstate New York community was able to access the resources needed to test for dangerous mosquito-borne diseases. Plus, a Scott administration push to get state employees into their work places more often gets support from Montpelier retailers, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns says many Vermont communities are experiencing a shortage of essential workers, state police reveal the name of a Burlington officer involved in a shooting incident, and Windham Southeast Supervisory Union bus drivers vote to ratify a new 5-year contract with their employer.  

Visiting a square dancing club in Pittsford helping folks stay fit and push back against some of the negative effects of aging. Plus, a former assisted living facility in Rutland could be turned into transitional family housing, why the state’s education secretary wants to expand access to pre-kindergarten, Burlington Electric Department will temporarily increase rebates for electric vehicles starting next month, and Vermont’s senators urge the Trump administration to recognize an independent Palestinian state despite the President’s opposition.

Government officials from Vermont and Quebec take a boat cruise together to talk about the strained relationship between the US and Canada following President Donald Trump’s election. Plus, both of Vermont’s senators call for congressional Republicans to restore health care subsidies that are set to expire at year’s end, state police will start an investigation into a shooting by a Burlington police officer, a new program in Vermont’s largest city pays people with criminal records and addiction to stop using drugs, and every Vermont county is now dealing with severe drought and high danger fire conditions.  

The leader of the state’s largest health network resigned, amid pressure from regulators and the public to rein in costs. Plus, a model to tackle overlapping problems like crime, addiction and homelessness is gaining popularity in some Vermont towns, Vermont health leaders say they're working to preserve access to vaccines in the state, the State attorney general's office determined a St Johnsbury cop was justified in firing his gun, Vermont state and healthcare leaders are applying for new federal grant money for the state’s struggling healthcare system, A Rutland doctor who identified the first polio epidemic in the country is honored with a statute and A Warren artist and animator was recently awarded with a Creative Arts Emmy.

A UVM alum’s widow helped make what is now an annual concert series that's celebrating its 70th anniversary.  Plus, The head of the University of Vermont Health Network is stepping down, All three members of Vermont’s congressional delegation say that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, A school bus company and its Brattleboro drivers have come to a tentative agreement on a contract, Two women broke speed records this summer on the Long Trail and the head coach of UVM men's soccer team is celebrating his 100th career win.

A Breakdown of  Vermont’s $790 million investment in housing. Plus, estate tax revenues will rise as wealthy baby boomers begin to die, A ferry boat service connecting Vermont and New York has halted its operations for the season early, Rutland City Police created a "Safe Exchange Zone" in front of its precinct, Killington’s Town Manager passed away this week and community is created through collective gardens. 

A Middlebury College course explores how students can use AI to develop their creative writing. Plus, calls for more security for public officials in light of recent political violence, drought conditions put a North Country town under a state of emergency, school libraries in the region are updating policies about books and advocates for English-speakers in Montreal push back against French language rules.

How scientists are working to save the tiny Bicknell’s Thrush, a delicate songbird that travels thousands of miles to Vermont’s tallest peak to raise its young. Plus, state health care regulators make deep cuts to next year’s proposed UVM Medical Center budget, the state employees union is asking the Scott administration to reconsider its return to work order, Montreal’s geodesic dome will be closed for two months of renovations, and the Agency of Education is developing new graduation requirements for Vermont high school students.

Afghan refugees are helping a Windham County school district serve up high quality vegetarian fare for students who don’t eat meat. Plus, Vermont’s home prices continue to rise even as the pandemic-era buying binge starts to level off, Gov. Scott taps an executive from Rutland Regional Medical Center to serve as Vermont’s next health commissioner and he’s also appointed a new labor commissioner, and recent drought conditions have been having an impact on apple crop yields.