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A failure of the ice-making system at the BOR arena has set off a passionate volunteer attempt to find a fix in time for hockey and skating season.

This Sunday, local birders will gather in a 17-foot-diameter circle at the Birds of Vermont Museum to participate in The Big Sit!

Incumbent Democrat Becca Balint, Republican Gerald Malloy and independent Adam Ortiz debated immigration, healthcare, voting and relations with Canada.

Around 200 people protested outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement surveillance facility in Williston on Thursday. The rally at the Department of Homeland Security’s Law Enforcement Support Center, was billed as the largest planned action during a series of anti-ICE protests held this week.

Vermont State Police are investigating a Williston police officer who shot and injured a man early Thursday morning. State police didn’t release any details about what led to the shooting.

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In this episode of "What Class Are You?" Kaye Phipps talks about why eating the marshmallow right away instead of waiting to get two makes sense in a world where nothing's promised.

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Amanda Eldridge talks about growing up very Christian and very poor in this episode of "What Class Are You?"

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Erica Heilman has a conversation with Steve Giroux about work ethic and class in this installment of "What Class Are You?"

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Darlene Carey took care of her father after her mother died, and it changed her financial life for good.

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A jury in Burlington rejected Jason Eaton's insanity defense today and found him guilty of attempting to kill three Palestinian men in 2023.

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Vermont Edition hosted a debate between three candidates for Vermont's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Incumbent Rep. Becca Balint, a Democrat from Brattleboro, faces challenges from Republican Gerald Malloy of Weathersfield and Independent Adam Ortiz of Newport City. Broadcast live on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

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The curators of Art at the Kent in Calais are gearing up for their final weekend of the year. Beyond that, the annual exhibition faces an uncertain future. Seven Days arts editor Alice Dodge shares her experiences from reporting a recent cover story on the annual contemporary art show. Art at the Kent concludes on Sunday, Oct. 11, with a closing celebration from 3-5 p.m. Then: A recent podcast episode from the team at Brave Little State looks into private equity's growing role in the veterinary market. These companies are drawn in by the increasingly important role that pets play in our lives and how much we're willing to spend to keep our dogs and cats healthy.

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Vermont Edition hosted a debate between Vermont's two major party candidates for lieutenant governor on Tuesday. Current Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, a Republican from Glover, faces a challenge from former Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, a Democrat from Burlington. During the debate they shared their policy priorities and traded pointed criticisms. Broadcast live on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

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The general election is just under one month away. In Vermont, multiple statewide and federal positions will appear on this year’s ballot. Today on Vermont Edition, we'll hear from candidates running for statewide office. You’ll hear from two of the Secretary of State candidates, incumbent Democrat Sarah Copeland Hanzas and Republican H. Brooke Paige. Then, we turn to the Attorney General’s race, where incumbent Charity Clark faces Republican challenger Edwin Kemon.

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Before social media, before the internet existed at all, local newspapers kept our communities informed and connected. But even in print’s heyday, making newspapers profitable has always been an uphill battle. Today on Vermont Edition: veteran journalist and publisher Nat Winthrop. He wrote stories about everything from IVF experiments in Randolph to drug smuggling on Lake Champlain. He published the alt weekly the Vanguard Press from 1978 to 1990. A new book collects some of his most notable pieces. Plus, the 5th annual comics and zine fair comes to White River Junction. TWIST features students and alums from the Center for Cartoon Studies. Broadcast live on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

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Afternoon Forecast, Thursday, October 8, 2026

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Morning Forecast    October 8, 2026

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Recreational Forecast    October 8, 2026

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Farm & Garden Forecast    October 8, 2026

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Eye On The Night Sky For Thursday, October 8

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Wesley Davis grew up in the woods of Mount Holly. But there was always one place where he could get high above the trees: the fire tower on top of nearby Ludlow Mountain. He’s been curious to learn more about the history of these remote towers scattered across Vermont peaks ever since. In this episode from 2023, reporter Sabine Poux searches for answers and arrives at the doorstep of a couple that found a lifetime of artistic inspiration as fire tower lookouts in southern Vermont. For photos from our reporting, and a map of fire towers around the state, check out the web post for this episode. This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from the rest of the BLS team: Burgess Brown and me, Josh Crane. Our intern is Sarah Bokelberg. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Mark Haughwout, Ron Kemnow, Peter Hayes, Alan Thompson, Keegan Tierney, Prudence Doherty, Juls Sundberg and Liam Elder-Connors. And thanks to Danielle Kovacs and the Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center at the University of Massachusetts for finding the copy of Visitors, Hugh Joudry’s radio play. Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

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McKayla Baker has two dogs, Casey and Nettles, who for years she took to the same local veterinary clinic — until a few years ago, when she noticed changes like extra fees and recommendations for expensive treatments.  She found out that the clinic she thought was still independently owned had been acquired by a big corporation backed by private equity. That got her wondering: To what extent has private equity quietly consolidated Vermont's veterinary market? And what are the primary hidden risks for pet owners like me? Click here for photos and a full episode transcript. Update 9/16/26: Before publication, we contacted McKayla’s vet to give them an opportunity to respond to the concerns she raised in the story. The practice didn’t respond until after publication. They did not address the specific treatment decisions McKayla described, but said while the practice is part of a larger network, clinical decisions remain with its local veterinarians and care teams — and added that being part of a network provides additional resources and treatment options.  Further resources: SEARCH: Private Equity Vet SEARCH: Independent Vet LISTEN: "Loving Their Pets to Debt," from The Daily LISTEN: "Should You Trust Private Equity to Take Care of Your Dog?" from Freakonomics Radio LISTEN: "A pro-worker experiment in private equity," from NPR's Planet Money READ:Plunder: Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America, by Brendan Ballou This episode was reported by Josh Crane. Editing and production from the rest of the BLS team: That’s Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Our intern is Sarah Bokelberg. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Zoe McDonald and Francis Wong, Kathleen Lanphear, Pam McCann, and Kim and Scott Martin. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show!

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Vermont is home to tons of peculiar road names. Every year, you nominate your favorites — and we crisscross the state looking for answers. Dive right into our exploration of Green Dolphin Drive in South Burlington. Wade into the origin story of Butternut Gutter in Arlington. And crack open our investigation of Old Shincracker Lane in Baltimore (and, yes, that’s Baltimore, Vermont).  If you’re craving even more weird road name stories, explore all eight previous installments in this annual road names series. You can also submit your favorite road name for consideration in the future! Also – get a wicked cool limited-edition BLS Road Names tote bag by supporting our work for $10/month. Click here to get started. This episode was reported by Burgess Brown, Sarah Bokelberg and Josh Crane. It was produced and edited by Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Mikaela Lefrak, Karen Jamiel, Maddison Potter, Al Farrington, Missy Marcell, Rick Hecht, Amanda Gustin, Steve Picazio, Gail Weisse, Sandy Rich, Carla Westine, Andy Kolovos, Theo Avent, Ellen Clattenburg, Josh Morse, Marla Krueger, Dale Bergdahl and Katie Dixon. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

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Today, instead of chasing down leads and crisscrossing the state to satisfy your curiosity about one Vermont story or another, we’re going to indulge your curiosity about the show itself.  A few months ago, the BLS team welcomed friends and fans to Northern Stage in White River Junction for an event we called “Behind the Mic with Brave Little State.”  We lifted the hood on how we make the show, dissected all-time favorite episodes and answered questions from the audience. We even revealed a mortifying “blooper” (eek!). We had a great time, so we decided to share a (lightly condensed and edited) recording from the event with all of you! To mark a decade of BLS, we’re releasing a limited edition tote bag! It features original art with some of our favorite Vermont road names from episodes past. To get one, support our work for $10/month. Click here to get started. Sign up for our (free) newsletter to get updates about future events. This episode was edited and produced by the BLS team: Burgess Brown, Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Our intern is Sarah Bokelberg and our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons. Special thanks to Amy Zielinski, Jason Smoller, Joshua Davis, Milena Zuccotti, Rachel Thomeer and everyone who joined us for a special evening at Northern Stage. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

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Bethel, Vermont is home to a rare geological treasure: a brilliant granite that’s often described as the whitest in the world. The stone has been quarried there for generations and sent as far as Paris and Abu Dhabi. Two local residents want to know: Why is this stone found in Bethel, of all places? And is it found anywhere else? Thanks to Bennett Law and Owen Daniel-McCarter for the great questions. Click here for photos and a full episode transcript. For more on granite in Vermont, here are some suggested resources: Vermont Stones/Italian Bones (2016) by Bill Johansen, published by the Bethel Historical Society A three-part series about the Woodbury Granite Company by Paul Wood in The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association, 2021 “How has the geology of Vermont affected its character?” (Brave Little State, 2017) “Meet Giuliano Cecchinelli, Barre's last Italian stone carver” (Vermont Public, 2023) This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. Editing and production from the rest of the BLS team: That’s Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Our intern is Sarah Bokelberg. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Gail Wiese, Timothy Rath, Laurie Grigg and Denise Guilmette. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi onInstagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

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As kids, you are constantly growing. You may not be able to feel yourself growing day to day, but if you’ve ever had achy legs at the end of a long day and been told, “Those are just growing pains,” it certainly SEEMS like you can feel yourself growing! In this episode we get answers to all kinds of questions about growing. Dr. Zurisadai Gonzalez Castillo, a pediatric neurologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, helps us understand: how tall can people grow? How do bones grow? Why do our nails and hair keep growing–and is it true our noses and ears never stop growing either? Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

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This is But Why’s 300th episode! It’s safe to say we’ve answered several thousand questions from kids all over the world. We asked our listeners to tell us about their favorite episodes and today we’re hearing from all of you! We also hear a bit from a few of the podcasts you have on repeat!  Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

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How does our body make our voice? How do voice boxes work? What makes our voices so different? Why are boys' voices often lower than girls' voices? Why does your voice sound different when you are sick? Why does your voice sound weird when you listen to a recording of yourself? Answers to questions about voices with Dr. Anne Hseu, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) at Boston Children’s Hospital.  Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

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What is a fossil? How are they formed? Where are they found? What’s the oldest fossil, and what’s the biggest? When you think of a fossil you might be picturing a full dino skeleton preserved at a museum. But fossils come in many different shapes and sizes. We taped this episode all about fossils in front of a live audience at the South Burlington Public Library in Vermont, with special guest Charlotte Mehrtens, a retired geology professor from the University of Vermont. Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

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How are constellations formed? How many stars are there? What are stars made of? Why are there stars in the sky? Why are stars white? Why are some stars red? Why do stars twinkle? Why do we only see the stars at night? Why is the north star always facing north? We answer your questions about the stars and astronomy with Talia Sepersky of the Museum of Science in Boston. Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

Zebra Mussels are an invasive species in Lake Champlain. Not only do they consume a great deal of the food supply in the lake, but they also attack native mussel species by sticking to them and robbing them of fresh water and food. The Zebra Mussel can reach a density of 100,000 per square meter, covering exhaust and intake pipes for water treatment and power plants.

There are 19 species of worms in Vermont. Three of them are considered invasive; they are known as snake worms or jumping worms. These busy, invasive worms change the forest floor and the content of the soil, making it difficult for new growth to take root. This affects the habitat and food source of wildlife and the future of the forest itself.

Fen grass-of-Parnassus has a beautiful white flower that blooms from mid-August to mid-September in Vermont. It is the sole food source for a rare species of bee, which are only referred to by their Latin name, andrena parnassiae.

In these times of social distancing, when people can feel disconnected from one another, it's important to realize that nature is just outside your door. From bird songs to green frogs' croaking chatter, stay connected to the outdoors by exploring your own "backyard biodiversity."

Birdwatchers know that when they see the Red-winged Blackbird return, spring is on its way. These birds are numerous and everywhere. The males are stark-black with a red epaulette, a striking flash of color on their wings, that they use to attract mates and ward off other competing males.

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We’ve been exploring the life of Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a multi-talented violinist, composer and conductor who was famous in France in the 18th Century. In the last four episodes, as we’ve relayed all of this history, I’ve left something out on purpose, but it’s now time to address the elephant in the room. Anyone who has studied or listened to the music of Chevalier will know him by a particular nickname, “The Black Mozart” a title given after his death.

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Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges was a world-renowned fencer, a composer, violinist and conductor in 18th century France. Even with all of his success, there was a limit to what Chevalier was allowed to achieve.

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This is our third episode exploring the life of 18th Century French composer, violinist and conductor Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges. We’re answering the question, why was this incredibly talented individual, who was quite popular in his day, barely known to us today. In the last episode we spoke about Joseph’s heritage, being the son of a Senegalese enslaved individual and French aristocrat. In this episode we’ll dive into the early life of this multi-talented prodigy.

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***Just a quick content warning before we begin. This episode will make references to sexual assault and might be triggering for some listeners.*** Chevalier’s father, George, was born into a long line of colonists. The family owned extensive sugar and coffee plantations in Guadeloupe and beyond, meaning they were quite wealthy and had participated in slavery.

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Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges was an 18th Century French composer, violinist and conductor of mixed race. Why was this talented individual, who was quite well known in his day, all but forgotten in ours?

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Greg and Jordan Camp are the fourth and fifth generations running the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, Vermont, which has been in business for more than a century. Funeral homes can seem so mysterious, like they're in their own world. But at the same time, they're almost unavoidable. They're the place most people go to when there's a death in the family. What is that like to be the person who's helping, to be the person everyone else is turning to? In this story, Greg and Jordan talk about their job, which is pretty much the same job that all small funeral homes do, not only in Vermont but across the country. The work is practical, but also delicate; full of logistical details, but also big, complicated emotions. What’s it like to be the person who’s caring for community members when they’re at their most vulnerable, feeling grief, confusion, and loss?  This story is produced by Elissa Pine and Jennifer Sutton of Two Daughters Productions.

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July 1st, 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of civil unions in Vermont. This legal alternative to marriage was the first of its kind in the United States. In the Vermont Supreme Court case Baker v. Vermont, the court ruled that the state had no legal basis to discriminate against same-sex couples. If the legislature would not allow same-sex couples to get marriage licenses, lawmakers would have to figure out a legal alternative. The result: civil unions. Vermont Public's Andrea Laurion spoke with LGBTQ+ Vermonters who were coming of age — and coming out — when civil unions became legal. They were likely too young at the time to be thinking about marriage for themselves, but old enough to know what was going on and how it might affect them one day. See photos and learn more at vermontpublic.org. Support Vermont Public's longform audio storytelling with a donation.

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For Tibetan-American artist Migmar Tsering, music and dance are inextricably linked to being Tibetan. Migmar first learned traditional dance in the village of Langkor in the county of Tingri. He was born there almost 3 decades after the invasion of Tibet by communist China in 1950. Since the 1950s, the Tibetan diaspora has expanded, with multiple groups of Tibetans relocating to India and later the U.S., Canada, Australia, and some European countries. Under the United States 1990 Immigration Act, 1,000 Tibetans living in exile in India, Nepal, and Bhutan were chosen via lottery to receive U.S. visas. In 1993, Vermont became one of 25 resettlement sites in the U.S. Migmar arrived to Vermont in 2011 and soon began teaching traditional music and dance to kids in Vermont's Tibetan American community. The Arts that Shape Us is a podcast by Vermont Folklife, produced with support from Vermont Public's Made Here Fund. Hosted by Mary Wesley, it’s devoted to exploring the state’s cultural heritage and what different local artforms say about the past and present of Vermont.

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Since at least the 1870s, people in central Vermont have cut, chiseled, hoisted, polished, and carved local granite, creating monuments, statues, and especially memorial grave markers. The granite industry brought Italian, French, Canadian, Scots, Scandinavian, Irish, Greek, and Spanish workers to the city of Barre, each bringing their own stone carving traditions. Over time, these artisans and the manufacturers they worked for shaped an enduring identity: The Barre stone carver. The Arts that Shape Us is a podcast by Vermont Folklife, produced with support from Vermont Public's Made Here Fund. Hosted by Mary Wesley, it’s devoted to exploring the state’s cultural heritage and what different local artforms say about the past and present of Vermont.

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“There is a lot of change from the beginning up to now, and we are still learning every day.” The experience of resettling in Brattleboro has changed not only the Afghan women who had to rebuild their lives, but also the people and the town that helped them do it. There are many challenges—a housing shortage, the loss of federal funding that supports refugee programs, pockets of resentment among local residents. But in the words of one longtime Brattleboro citizen, the town has learned a lot “about resiliency, support, and what really matters.” The Afghan Women of Brattleboro was produced by Two Daughters Productions with support from Vermont Public's Made Here Fund.

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What role does storytelling have in addressing the opioid crisis? In March, Vermont Public Radio hosted a gathering at the Turning Point Center of Burlington to talk through that question with the team behind My Heart Still Beats .

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"When you have anxiety, or chronic depression, your mind is constantly going. And I tried opiates and realized that my brain was just quiet for a little bit."

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"When you're told over and over, 'Your child's a problem child — he's bad, he's bad, he's bad, he's bad!' ... You believe your kid's bad."

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"There were three things you could be good at: fighting, drinking or sports. So, I stink at sports. I can't fight. But I guess I can drink."

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"You’re right, I probably do deserve to be in jail the rest of my life. Or, I do deserve to give my life for hers. But since I can’t, let’s save somebody else’s life."