The Frequency

More on possible school redistricting, a kid governor is elected, local arts organizations take part in nationwide creative resistance, and a bit of parenting advice from a local musician as part of the Friday song.

A new senior housing project in Brattleboro, Vermont’s redistricting task force is wrapping up its work, and today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. We'll talk with a local pride group about how to observe the day.

Here’s some of what we’ll cover in today’s episode: People who get Medicare health insurance need to take action soon to get the coverage they need; a statewide program that provides shelter during the coldest months for people without housing will start up soon; and a former artistic director at the Kennedy Center curates a Burlington jazz festival.

A taskforce charged with redrawing school district maps doesn’t; What is the legal definition of hemp?

After the longest government shutdown in history ended last week, Vermonters who use the food assistance program SNAP had their benefits fully restored; another small college closes; and the winner is… fifth graders vote to choose a “Kid Governor.”

 A big drugstore chain settles claims that it overcharged Vermont customers; tips for staying safe on Vermont’s roadways; some volunteers work to resurrect a local newspaper in Rutland County; and because it’s Friday, a dose or two of music.

More money is flowing into a program that encourages Vermonters to use batteries for backup power, a study looks at Vermont’s vaccine exemption policies, an 1800’s event helped shape how we talk about certain celestial phenomena and a federal job training program for seniors will resume in Vermont after funding delays.

Sticker shock over potentially much higher health care costs, a narrow re-election win for Vermont’s Republican party chair, and will new public art revitalize Burlington’s Main Street?

New York’s governor has a new challenger, local housing authorities that help Vermonters pay rent are asking the state for help after federal funding cuts, and whether this year’s drought is affecting some important food sources for wildlife.

A parenting program once only available to incarcerated mothers will now be offered to dads in Vermont prisons, too, and a cancer center in southwestern Vermont is expanding. Plus, for this Friday, we’ll spin some local tunes to get you into the weekend.

An update on financial aid for people who use supplemental food benefits amid the federal government shutdown, how the state plans to find space for all the workers its ordering back to the office next month,  a round-up of how some local bond measures fared on Election Day and a look back to an historic Vermont election.

More Vermonters turn to food shelves amid disruptions in federal benefits, apple growers in the state raise funds for Jamaican workers affected by Hurricane Melissa, a Vermont Public podcast celebrates a milestone, and we visit a nearby place with the worst weather in the world? 

Some Vermont communities put forth bond measures for flood resiliency projects, health advocates discuss what you should know about possible changes to Affordable Care Act insurance plans during open enrollment, tips on what to do with all those leaves in your yard and more.

A new court docket in Chittenden County meant to address criminal offenders with five or more pending cases hits a two-week benchmark. Plus, the director of Vermont’s Refugee Office says the Trump administration’s decision to prioritize refugee status for white South Africans will mean less room for other population groups to find refuge in the United States, many towns across the state have scheduled special bond votes on whether to support flood resiliency projects, and we have some news about future changes for the Frequency that are starting today. 

Another state senator has announced he’s resigning from office, the second Republican to step down this month. Plus, Rutland Regional Medical Center announces it will cease operating inpatient pediatric beds, a former Essex Junction math teacher introduces an app that emphasizes understanding math concepts over memorization, Mad River Valley Arts prepares to open a new multimedia exhibition, time to set the clocks back an hour this weekend, and in our weekly sports report we chronicle the amazing turnaround by the Toronto Blue Jays as they hope to complete a World Series comeback victory over the LA Dodgers in Ontario tonight.   

Gov. Scott and legislative leaders approve a plan to continue federal nutrition benefits for Vermonters who rely on them during the current government shutdown. Plus, health insurance premiums for Vermont teachers could rise by about 7% on average next year, the UVM Children’s Hospital receives a $25 million donation, the co-founder of Ben and Jerry's says the company’s owner is preventing it from developing a flavor in solidarity with Palestinians, and a former Democratic state senator and business owner from Rutland has died.

The latest on the search for a new developer to build a juvenile detention center in Vermont after a project slated for Vergennes was scrapped. Plus, Vermont joins with 24 other states to sue the Trump administration in an effort to restore federal food benefits, Democratic Sen. Peter Welch supports a bill backed by some Republicans that would maintain those benefits during the government shutdown, a new CEO has been named to lead Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, and Burlington will expand its homeless shelter capacity in time for winter. 

Examining a Texas company’s plan to build a large-scale energy battery storage system at the site of the former Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Plus, Gov. Scott wants Vermont to team up with other states to sue the Trump administration in an effort to restore federal food benefits, Vermont’s Sec. of State has a plan for increasing voter turnout in next year’s elections, the Vermont DMV says upcoming service disruptions will ultimately result in improved customer service when computer upgrades are completed, and officials with Vermont Fish and Wildlife update the health of the state’s bat population amid International Bat Week. 

Grading a Vermont elementary school for its efforts to reduce potential asthma attacks for students. Plus, some safety concerns emerge as a Texas company looks to build a large scale battery storage center at the site of the former Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, Vermont House leaders push for full state funding to cover federal food and heat benefits at risk due to the federal government shutdown, some state food shelves report more people needing their help than usual, and a museum in Middlebury is again teaming up with the Porter Medical Center to host a community altar to honor loved ones who have died. 

Why food benefits could expire for thousands of Vermonters if the federal government shutdown continues into next month. Plus, Vermont is still short of money needed to fund its Low Income Home Energy Assistance program, Gov. Scott introduces a short-term plan to address public safety concerns in Burlington, three northeastern projects receive grant money to advance indigenous forest research, and we preview the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers that begins tonight in our weekly sports report.