Burlington's Progressive Party may be one of the most successful third parties in the country, but it has run into a rough patch lately. For the first time in decades, Progressives won't have a candidate for Burlington mayor.

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss has vetoed a city ordinance that would ban outdoor smoking, calling it a compromise plan and bad public policy.

Burlington mayor's race... Vermont Supreme Court... "Eat More Kale"... poet Ruth Stone... these were some of the voices in the news this week.

Seven Days columnist Shay Totten talks with VPR's Bob Kinzel about the impact of Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss' announcement that he will not run for re-election.

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss won't seek re-election. The Progressive mayor is stepping down in the midst of several ongoing controversies in the state's largest city, and he says he may try to return to the state Legislature.

With four months until voters go to the polls, the field of candidates in Burlington's mayoral race is getting crowded and the current candidates have one thing in common: they're all taking aim at incumbent Mayor Bob Kiss.

The only Republican candidate for Burlington mayor is proposing that the city sell its municipal electric utility to solve the city's current fiscal crisis. Kurt Wright said Wednesday that selling Burlington Electric could bring in more than $100 million.

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss is encouraging people to make donations to the local Red Cross to help those affected by the record Lake Champlain flooding.

Officials in Burlington are urging residents to take extra precautions as Lake Champlain waters reach record levels.

Burlington Telecom has failed in its months-long attempt to renegotiate a lease that provides the equipment that is the cornerstone of the utility's infrastructure. But Mayor Bob Kiss says the city is exploring a purchase of the equipment outright and says the terms of that purchase could be more favorable than the previous lease.

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss discusses the future of Burlington Telecom, the city-owned utility that broke its equipment lease this month due to inability to make payments.

Burlington Telecom is a publicly-owned cable, Internet and phone utility that's significantly in debt, and some city residents are worried they're going to wind up paying. But Mayor Bob Kiss says he's confident the company can be saved. 

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss talks with Jane Lindholm about instant runoff voting, the financial managment of Burlington Telecom and the plan to redevelop the northern end of Waterfront Park.

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss discusses the repeal of Instant Runoff voting, the financial status of Burlington Telecom, and takes your questions. Also, a new biography of Dartmouth alumnus Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

Burlington voters used an instant runoff system to re-elect Mayor Bob Kiss to a second term.

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss says a long-stalled road project is moving forward.

Senator Bernie Sanders says federal policy should encourage the creation of "green jobs" that can reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Sanders chaired a hearing in Washington Tuesday about what states and cities across the country are doing in the field.

The mayor of Burlington is calling city council together Thursday for a special meeting.

The Republican candidate who lost the Burlington mayor race in the third round of instant runoff voting has called off a recount.

The Republican candidate who lost the race to become mayor of Burlington in the third round of the city's instant runoff voting system is asking for a recount.

Voters in several Vermont cities elected mayors yesterday, including Burlington. The city is unique because it uses Instant Run Off voting to elect their top office. Burlington's Progressive Mayor Bob Kiss is headed for a second term after narrowly edging out Republican City Council President Kurt Wright.

Election officials in Rutland say it's been a fairly quiet day at the polls.    Hurley Cavacas has been monitoring voting at Rutland's Legion Post - one of four polling places in the city. 

Voters choosing the mayor of Vermont's largest city next week can be forgiven if they take a little extra time at the polling booth. Burlington's mayor will be chosen by Instant Run-off voting, or IRV for short. But this time around some critics of IRV fear that no matter who the eventual winner is...the process that got him there will leave a bitter aftertaste.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m. The administration of Gov. Jim Douglas is reviewing a proposal made by the Vermont State Employees Association that the union says could prevent more job cuts. Town Meeting Day is a little more than a week away; more...

Town Meeting Day is a little more than a week away, when Vermonters will vote on a variety of municipal issues. The highest profile contest is the race for mayor of Burlington. And, as VPR's Ross Sneyd report, the race could well be decided by an instant runoff.