After getting sick of all the negativity in the news, a Westminster man started writing feel-good profiles about the working people of southern Vermont for his local newspaper. Plus, the Burlington Housing Authority is suspending rental vouchers in anticipation of federal funding cuts, COVID-19 appears to be on the rise in Vermont after the holiday…

Garden design author Gordon Hayward has been writing a series of profile pieces for the Brattleboro Reformer. He thinks knowing more about our neighbors is one way to address the global challenges we all face.Av Howard Weiss-Tisman

It happens to all of us, but isn't a topic that's easy to broach: death. Then New Hampshire entrepreneur Laura Cleminson founded a social club to do just that.Av Mary Williams Engisch, Adiah Gholston

In his fifth inaugural speech this week, Republican Gov. Phil Scott pledged to fix a “broken and failing” education system – and the rising costs associated with it. Democrats in the Legislature seem receptive to the broad strokes of Scott’s preliminary proposals, despite butting heads in prior sessions. Vermont Public’s Lola Duffort will break dow…

We speak to 2025 Rhodes Scholar and Shelburne native Lena Ashooh, who’s interested in animal ethics and legal philosophy. Plus, Gov. Scott reiterates the need to make Vermont more affordable during his inaugural address, Republican John Rodgers is Vermont’s new lieutenant governor, a national cyberattack may have compromised local school district d…

Lena Ashooh is Vermont's 43rd Rhodes Scholar, and the state's first since 2006. After earning Harvard University's first ever animal studies degree, she'll head to the University of Oxford to study legal philosophy.Av Jenn Jarecki, Nathaniel Wilson

A gas pipeline that once generated a lot of buzz in Addison County has largely faded from the headlines. But a few years ago, investigators identified several issues with the line’s construction. And now, reenergized by a recent Supreme Court ruling, some neighbors are still fighting.Av Sabine Poux

The Vermont Supreme Court has re-opened public comment on a natural gas pipeline in Addison County, following years of fighting by neighbors. Plus, Vermont lawmakers elect a House speaker for the new legislative session, Senate leadership says the chamber will focus on property tax relief and reforming the education system this year, a former Addis…

We prime you for the start of this year’s legislative session, after Vermont Republicans picked up more seats than in any other state during the November election. Plus, an early report shows an above-average number of Vermonters have ALS, Vermont Democrats are looking for new leadership, Killington Ski Resort is beefing up security amid passholder…

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Petroleum Institute have sued Vermont over a landmark climate law that seeks damages for climate change from big oil companies, and is modeled after the federal Superfund program.Av Abagael Giles

The road to getting anything big accomplished this year in Montpelier is going to require collaboration between Democrats and Republicans. Here are some of the key issues to watch.Av Peter Hirschfeld, Jenn Jarecki, April McCullum

Vermont Public’s Peter Hirschfeld breaks down the politics of climate policy in Montpelier, with Republicans potentially poised to block a sweeping energy proposal that would reduce Vermonters’ use of fossil fuels to heat their homes. Plus, the fossil fuel lobby is suing Vermont in a first-of-its-kind case, Vermont’s top federal prosecutor is stepp…

Where Vermont gets its energy, and how many tons of greenhouse gas emissions it generates, will be one of the most pressing policy questions for lawmakers and the governor when they return to Montpelier on Wednesday.Av Peter Hirschfeld

Despite delays, Killington town and ski resort officials along with developers say the proposed ski village is going to happen.Av Nina Keck

We speak with Vermont’s lone congresswoman Becca Balint about what she learned from her first term in the U.S. House, and the challenges ahead as she begins her second. Plus, Franklin County Republican Randy Brock is challenging Democrat Phil Baruth to lead the Vermont Senate, Sen. Peter Welch joins the powerful Senate Committee on Finance, a new f…

Rep. Becca Balint discusses her priorities around housing issues, as well as how she hopes to work across the aisle and be fearless as she enters her second term in the House of Representatives.Av Bob Kinzel

Visiting Woodstock for the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count, a citizen science project used to track the health of different species. Plus, the Agency of Agriculture begins testing Vermont’s milk supply for bird flu, the Scott administration considers allowing Vermonters to play the lottery online, a long-serving member of Bur…

"You don't get up at 7 o'clock in the morning and spend the whole day stomping around outside, freezing to death or getting soaking wet, unless it's something you're really committed to," said Sally Laughlin, who has organized the Christmas Bird Count in Woodstock for 50 years.Av Lexi Krupp

A dental clinic in Middlebury specializes in serving Spanish-speaking immigrant farmworkers, who typically face big barriers to care. Plus, Vermont still has one of the highest per capita homelessness rates in the country, a Shelburne nonprofit hopes to provide free online resources for people caring for aging loved ones, the new year means a new O…

According to an oral health equity report recently published by the nonprofit Voices for Vermont’s Children, people without legal immigration status face particularly big barriers to dental care. But there are local efforts to overcome these challenges.Av Elodie Reed

Two Vermonters from Burlington and Sheldon meet for a One Small Step conversation about politics, education, family life, racial dynamics and bridging the political divide. Plus, towns and cities are holding New Year’s Eve celebrations across Vermont, Montpelier deals with an ice jam scare on the Winooski River, a new law is intended to expand acce…

Kyle Dodson of Burlington and Jason McConnell of Sheldon met for a One Small Step conversation about politics, education, family life, racial dynamics and bridging the political divide.Av Vermont Public Staff, Karen Anderson

Burlington launches an initiative allowing first responders to give opioid addiction treatment at the scene of an overdose. Plus, a flock of birds in Franklin County tests positive for bird flu, the most recent statewide survey on youth mental health shows levels have not rebounded from the COVID pandemic, a commission charged with overhauling Verm…

Vermont’s largest city has launched a new initiative that allows first responders to administer opioid addiction treatment medication at the scene of overdoses. Research indicates it’s an effective way to get more people who struggle with opioid misuse into treatment.Av Liam Elder-Connors

Paul Yoon, Vermont State University's new chief diversity officer, answers questions about his approach to DEI work and his early efforts since starting the role in October.Av Jenn Jarecki, Nathaniel Wilson

A conversation with the new chief diversity officer for Vermont State University, who’s starting work amid nationwide efforts to roll back diversity, equity , inclusion and belonging initiatives. Plus, the state sees a 60% jump from last year in wages paid to workers under investigation for alleged misconduct, a meeting for Bennington property owne…

Touring a factory that’s home to the world’s oldest maker of musical cymbals. Plus, a judge rules a state lawsuit filed against major oil companies can proceed, Vermont and New Hampshire show a recent spike in pneumonia cases, the health department has a new plan for urging young adults to get a flu shot, St. Michael’s College announces undergrad s…

A Christmas tree farmer in New Hampshire tries a new tree variety in the face of climate change, which is making it harder to grow traditional species in New England. Plus, Vermont will receive flood assistance after Congress passed a short-term spending bill over the weekend, state House Republicans will introduce legislation to repeal the clean h…

Sara Forman and her cow Sassy shined at this year's World Dairy Expo, earning two ribbons. Sara and her mom, Angela Toms, joined Vermont Public's Jenn Jarecki to share more.Av Jenn Jarecki, Nathaniel Wilson

Visiting a farm in the Northeast Kingdom keeping alive the centuries-old winter tradition of horse-drawn sleigh rides. Plus, the inpatient psychiatry unit at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin will close early next year, the state’s attorney general says two Vermont state troopers were justified in the non-fatal shooting of a man in Burke, Ve…

Jeff Simpson, owner of The Kingdom's Horse Drawn Wagon and Sleigh Rides, takes us on a winter journey in the NEK, highlighting this longtime holiday tradition.Av Jenn Jarecki, Nathaniel Wilson

We finish reporter Erica Heilman’s week-long series of interviews about class with a man whose parents immigrated to the U.S. to find better lives for themselves, then opened a Thai restaurant in Montpelier. Plus, Vermont’s motel voucher program for unhoused people has turned away hundreds of eligible households this month for lack of space, a more…

In this episode of "What class are you?" Tankhun Thongjunthoug talks about what it was like to grow up in an immigrant family, and how he experienced the undercurrents of the American class system.Av Erica Heilman

The last new village in Vermont was established in 1933, so there wasn’t a modern roadmap. Westbury also didn’t have money for lawyers or professional support for guidance.Av Olivia Conti

"What class are you?" It's a question that Vermont Public reporter Erica Heilman has been asking people in Vermont, and this is the fourth installment of a new five-part series. Mark LaRouche grew up in a middle class family in Rutland, but says he prefers "the lower class," and he believes that addiction is the hardest class of all.…

A social services worker describes the role addiction plays in class, in reporter Erica Heilman’s series “What Class Are You”. Plus, an environmental organization says Vermont isn’t on pace to meet a legally mandated deadline to lower carbon emissions, an electric co-op is selling the Wrisghtsville Hydro Plant, the state Department of Taxes is call…

An Upper Valley therapist considers how the area has changed over her lifetime, in the latest episode of reporter Erica Heilman’s recurring series “What Class Are You”. Plus, the University of Vermont men’s soccer team returns to Burlington after winning their first ever NCAA national championship, a committee tasked with considering reforms to sta…

Reporter Erica Heilman talked with Katrin Tchana about her childhood in Lyme, New Hampshire, and how it has become increasingly difficult for people who grew up there to remain.Av Erica Heilman

A retired Vermont State Police trooper is featured in the return of our recurring series "What Class Are You", where reporter Erica Heilman talks to Vermonters with various backgrounds about money, class and privilege. Plus, a St. Johnsbury man faces a charge of attempted murder after allegedly shooting and wounding a police officer, Gov. Scott tou…

Inventor and business owner Damian Renzello is featured in the return of our recurring series "What Class Are You", where reporter Erica Heilman talks to Vermonters with various backgrounds about money, class and privilege. Plus, the Christmas Bird Count is back, Brattleboro residents revoke a “public nuisance” ordinance enacted in response to crim…

A county in Kentucky gets robbed by computer criminals who used software to trick county computers into transferring funds into money mole bank accounts. Those moles were people who thought they were working for a legitimate business, but later found out that they’d been scammed.Make sure you check out any company that offers to hire [...]…

A short episode this week, running through some of the tech news from last week. There was a major outage around Washington and Rutland counties due to a fiber line that was blasted by a shotgun. Fairpoint may go into bankruptcy, but not to worry there are alternative ISPs in Vermont and Fairpoint won’t [...]…

Send ideas for the poll question to feedback@technewsvt.com.For people interested in the Commodore 64. I’d recommend the wikipedia entry as a great starting place to find out all about one of the first truly mass market personal computers.Enhanced podcast:Av Jack Skoda

The first few days with the iPhone 3.0 software has been fairly good. I lost my contacts and calendars when I tried to turn on Push, but I restored them from backup. I still don’t fully understand the relationship between the Mac applications, .mac (or as it’s know now-a-days MobileMe *ick*) and the iPhone.I mentioned [...]…

I didn’t change the episode tag at the front of the podcast, I know it says episode 4 then after the music I start into episode 5…. Sorry for the confusion, this is really episode five.Don’t forget to check out www.vtsda.org. The Vermont Software Developers Alliance is hosting a lunch and learn on the 17th.Enhanced [...]…

After a long break the podcasts are back. I received an email from Verizon about some comments that were posted on the Concord Monitor’s web site. I cover some of the hightlights from E3 and talk about the troubles with Conficker seen in certain hospitals. Short show this week, working on getting back into a [...]…

I talk about how the iPhone handled being used as a GPS on my road trip. Some more Fairpoint information about the transition from Verizon. Good luck to the Green Team, team 885 at the Granite State Regional. Check out http://www.baesystemsfirst.org/regional/ or http://www.thebluealliance.net/ For a taste of what the Lego League is all about, check…

In addition to talking about the past weeks blog posts, I cover my Fairpoint service call. I’m part of the 28,000 people that WCAX is talking about in this news story http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=9793260 For the security corner we talk about how to prevent having your credit card compromised and I introduced the FIRST organization, check …

Episode one is a quick introduction to the podcast, the podcaster, and a survey of the iPhone mania that swept Vermont this month. The purpose of technewsvt.com is to talk about tech in Vermont. The best place to get Vermont iPhone news is at radmacdaddy’s blog http://iphonevt.wordpress.com/In the security corner I talked about Downadup and you [..…