News from Vermont Public
VPR News is Vermont's statewide, public broadcast and digital news service.
The Velomont bike trail is getting more accessible — one turn at a time
Mountain bike enthusiasts have been working for years on an ambitious multi-use trail that will span the length of Vermont. Organizers are now working to make the Velomont user-friendly for everyone.
Imminent closure of Fair Haven manufactured home park leaves residents with few options
Deferred maintenance is piling up at parks across the state, contributing to more parks going up for sale. Outright closures, like the evictions of residents at the Green Mountain Mobile Manor, are fairly rare.
Saving the last of Vermont's native lupine
Most of the lupine that bloom across Vermont are non-native. But there's a very rare species of lupine that is native to Vermont, and there are almost none of these plants left in the state. Reporter Erica Heilman spent a day visiting a family of the rare Lupinus perennis with Vermont's head botanist.
Sen. Bernie Sanders on why his attention has turned to AI
Most of the lupine that bloom across Vermont are non-native. But there's a very rare species of lupine that is native to Vermont, and there are almost none of these plants left in the state. Reporter Erica Heilman spent a day visiting a family of the rare Lupinus perennis with Vermont's head botanist.
Burlington-area rental market cools off, bringing some relief for tenants
A dramatic jump in new apartments in Chittenden County and a dip in demand have contributed to the rising vacancy rate.
Ladies' Day at Vermont Quick Lube
Wednesdays are Ladies' Day at Vermont Quick Lube, which means a flower and a free car wash.
Scientists are injecting elm trees with a killer fungus to save them
Scientists with the Nature Conservancy and Forest Service have been raising American elms that are bred to be resistant to Dutch elm disease at two sites in Vermont. Now, they’re injecting them with the fungus to see what happens.
Capitol Recap: Education reform deal in sight after Scott bends on forced school district mergers
Republican Gov. Phil Scott had previously insisted on a proposal that forces school districts to merge into larger governance units. But administration officials say it’s become clear that Democratic lawmakers won’t agree to mandatory consolidation.
Capitol Recap: Vermont House votes to partially repeal Act 181
Lawmakers learned that the conservation measures they enacted in Act 181 “were alienating rural landowners and were not the right tool for the job,” said Rep. Amy Sheldon, D-Middlebury.
Hardwick wrestles with the future of one of its ailing dams
Removing the Jackson Dam could cost $4 million to $9 million — or more, depending on what’s found in the sediment. “I’m not sure anyone wants to pay for it,” said the general manager at Hardwick Electric.
From the 1970s to today, mapping Vermont for land use sets off fierce opposition
Opponents argued that a land-use plan in the 1970s was “Satan’s work, Communist propaganda, and a wishy-washy bureaucratic nightmare,” according to one news report from the time.
A Vermont landlord pursues debts from tenants. His wife now helps write eviction law
For years, Rep. Debbie Dolgin and her husband brought cases before an assistant judge who issued arrest warrants to collect unpaid debts from their tenants. As a major landlord-tenant bill is actively debated, Dolgin says she sees no conflict in her roles.
St. Johnsbury gets a new food co-op and local students help make it possible
CTE students from St. Johnsbury Academy play instrumental roles in the buildout of the brand new Caledonia Food Co-op.
Capitol Recap: Proposal to tax high earners stirs debate over policy, and politics, in Montpelier
The House Committee on Ways and Means has spent the last three weeks crafting proposals that would raise income taxes on households that earn more than $586,000 a year. Though the legislation has no chance of becoming law this year, some Democrats hope the debate will resonate with voters heading into the midterm elections.
'It brings out the happy hormones': How music is helping Vermonters with dementia and caregivers
A growing number of support groups in Vermont are using music to foster joy and connections for people with memory loss and their caregivers.
Farming snow? Burke Mountain will try new strategy to extend ski racing season
Citing climate change as a factor, Burke Mountain and its partner ski academy plan to experiment with storing snow under massive tarps over the summer.
For a fee, the doctor will see you now
A growing number of Vermont's primary care providers are shrinking their practices and charging membership fees. Concierge practices offer providers a break from burnout — but leave many patients behind.
Capitol Recap: Impasse on education fuels fears of state government shutdown
Republican Gov. Phil Scott says he won’t let a state budget go into law unless the Legislature approves an education reform bill that includes mandatory school district consolidation. House lawmakers have refused to budge on forced mergers, and they've begun preparing for a government shutdown over the issue.
Collecting sap with sugarmaker Brian Blaisdell
A conversation about collecting sap for maple syrup, and making a resourceful living, in Cabot.
State says it polices driving program that feds accuse Migrant Justice activist of exploiting
A conversation about collecting sap for maple syrup, and making a resourceful living, in Cabot.
The push for smaller, cheaper plug-in solar panels gains momentum in New England
These small panels can be plugged into a regular wall outlet, and when paired with a battery, they generate enough electricity to keep a refrigerator running through a power outage.