News from Vermont Public
VPR News is Vermont's statewide, public broadcast and digital news service.
Why Vermont’s housing shortage can’t be explained by population size alone
A majority of Vermont households — roughly 70% — contain just one or two people. In fact, the average number of people living in each year-round home in Vermont has been on a steady decline for decades.
'Hidden Brain' host Shankar Vedantam on the future of scientific research in America
Hidden Brain: The Perceptions Tour comes to Burlington's Flynn on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. Ahead of the show, host Shankar Vedantam spoke with Vermont Public's Jenn Jarecki about the podcast and the importance of scientific research. Listen to Hidden Brain Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Mondays at 10 p.m. on Vermont Public.
Monthly poetry reading with Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone: 'Capitalism' by Dara Barrois/Dixon
In this month's reading, Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone explores Capitalism by Massachusetts-based poet Dara Barrois/Dixon
Amanda Janoo wins Democratic primary for Vermont governor, and more primary results
Janoo, a 38-year-old economist who previously worked internationally for the United Nations, entered the race in March with virtually no name recognition. She will face incumbent Gov. Phil Scott as he seeks a sixth term in the general election.
What makes Montpelier’s mayor sing? Marc Gwinn serenades shoppers at this weekly downtown event
Mayor Marc Gwinn is a regular street performer at Montpelier’s “Ramble,” an effort to encourage people to come downtown to experience the city’s business and arts offerings.
In race for Chittenden County state’s attorney, progressive prosecution is on trial
Incumbent State’s Attorney Sarah George has sought to use her office to address racial and economic disparities in the criminal justice system and reduce mass incarceration. Her challenger, Bram Kranichfeld, says those efforts are making the county less safe.
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.