Vermont Edition

Using psychedelics in mental health treatment has been gaining legitimacy in recent years. Now, a little-known substance called ibogaine has some addiction counselors wanting to learn more about the benefits and dangers of ibogaine therapy. We hear from Vermont state representative Brian Cina , a Progressive-Democrat from Burlington who wants Vermont to use opioid settlement funding to pursue ibog...

Rep. Becca Balint pushes for an Iran war powers vote in the House

Contra dancing has deep roots in New England. But it's also still evolving, from an increased emphasis on gender inclusivity to new styles of dance. Two well-known local callers help us explore the ever-changing culture of contra. Luke Donforth and Mary Wesley are both Burlington-based, but they call dances all across the region. Welsey is also the director of education and media at Vermont Folkli...

An unprompted hug. A shoulder massage that was never requested. A compliment or comment that crosses a boundary. What some consider acceptable workplace behavior may actually be problematic.  Today on Vermont Edition, it's a conversation about appropriate–and inappropriate–conduct in the workplace.  We’ll hear from the executive director of the Vermont Commission on Women on the laws supporting em...

So you're thinking about getting Canadian citizenship, eh?

Grab your lucky rabbit’s foot, walk around that ladder, and come talk about superstitions and tall tales with us. Do you ever wonder why you feel a little uneasy when a mirror cracks? You’re not alone.  Locally, there’s stories like the Bennington Triangle and Emily's Bridge in Stowe. There’s also the superstitious behavior we inherit, such as saying 'rabbit rabbit' on the first of the month. Toda...

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has roots in Vermont and nationwide implications. The Zorn v. Linton case involved a 2015 protest in Montpelier, and Vermont State Police. We discuss the case with one of its subjects, Shela Linton of Brattleboro, and two constitutional lawyers: Jay Diaz , Civil Rights and workers compensation litigator at Darby Kolter & Roberts. He was formerly the lead ad...

Nurses at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital will return to the bargaining table tomorrow with hospital administrators. 

Migratory songbirds warble, tweet and twitter their way back to Vermont

For the latest in our Town by Town series, we head to Rockingham, in Windham County. Rockingham sits along the Connecticut River and includes the villages of Saxtons River and Bellows Falls. Each month, Vermont Edition visits or learns about a different Vermont town or city, with the goal of hitting all 252 of them. At the end of the hour, a guest helps us select our next location by spinning a bi...

As health plans drop GLP-1s, what's next for patients?

Lawmakers recently elected a new head of the Vermont National Guard. This new leadership comes as Guard members are being deployed around the world, from the Caribbean to the Middle East. Today on Vermont Edition, we'll talk with Major General Henry "Hank" Harder Jr. He now leads around 3,000 Guard members in the Green Mountain State. He’ll tell us about his military service, and his role when the...

In the latest installment of our series, Vermont Edition At Home, we head to the Williston home of Ryan Miller, lead singer and multi-instrumentalist for the pop rock band Guster. Miller and his bandmates have released nine albums over the last three and a half decades. Miller is also the former host of the Vermont PBS show Makin’ Friends With Ryan Miller , and composes for film and theater. His i...

Commonsense House, a new publishing imprint in the Upper Valley, aims to bring more Arabic works to English readers. Its founder, Ezzedine Fishere , is an author himself. He is a Distinguished Fellow at Dartmouth from Egypt who teaches courses on Middle East politics. He discusses the highs and and lows of getting his novels translated into English.  Daisy Rockwell is an award-winning Hindi and Ur...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! The Irish have deep roots in Vermont.  We’ll learn about Irish immigrants’ arrival in the Green Mountain State with Vincent Feeney, a Montpelier historian and co-founder of the Burlington Irish Heritage Festival. Seven Days Food writer Jordan Barry will share ideas for where to order traditional Irish food and other food news from our region. Plus, Vermont Senate leader Ph...

Reporter roundtable: Vt. legislature's 'crossover day'

Vermonters respond to major clash between ICE and protesters

Brattleboro Chief reflects on her 30 years in law enforcement ahead of retirement

Taste is in many ways subjective, but it’s also a learned skill. There is a craft to tasting, and it plays a big role in the food and beverage industry. Today's guest, Roy Desrochers, is a global sensory expert— what you could call a professional taster. He works with University of Vermont Extension’s northwest crops and soils program, which helps local farmers and manufacturers gain traction in t...

Vermont has a plan to stop using nuclear power by 2035. But Governor Phil Scott says we need to change course. To discuss the future of nuclear power in Vermont, we're joined by the state’s public service commissioner Kerrick Johnson , and Ben Edgerly Walsh , Climate and Energy Program Director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). Johnson says today’s standards are too inflexible and...

Six languages. Ten countries. Countless musical traditions. One home — Vermont. A musical ensemble brings musicians from across the globe together. We’re joined by members of All the Rivers for a live performance and discussion of the diverse musical journeys that brought them together. Hear from the group’s founder and guitarist Avi Salloway . We’ll also chat with Dr. Jules Wetchi , founder of a...

Vermont looks to study -- and possibly block -- data centers

There’s been near-constant change when it comes to U.S. trade policy.  Soon after entering office, President Trump raised import taxes on China, Canada and other major trade partners. On Feb. 19 of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that much of President Donald Trump's tariff policy was illegal. The next day, the White House imposed a 10% global tariff — then switched the number to 15%. Repr...

One of Vermont’s most beloved annual traditions is tomorrow – Town Meeting Day. Have you read through your school budget and town report?  Today on Vermont Edition, we’ll get a preview of some of the big issues and elections going on this town meeting day. Rutland City residents get to select their next mayor. Pomfret will decide if non-residents can hold town office and whether to add a local opt...

With more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface covered by water, what’s contained in all that H2O is pretty important. A Granville-based marine conservation and expedition scientist has traveled as far as Antarctica to sample and study microplastics in the world’s water supply, chronicling and explaining the dangers they pose. Rachael Z. Miller explores the choices around the plastics in our dai...