The state Senate has advanced a bill that would toughen environmental review of an oil pipeline if its use changes.

VPR's John Dillon looks at two energy stories: the legislative debate over S.30, a bill that would give towns the ability to veto a wind energy project, and the ongoing regulatory oversight of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, which has now been operating without state permission for one year.

Statehouse Schedule: Friday, March 22, 2013

A lawsuit filed against the state last year focused scrutiny on the department that investigates cases of elder abuse. But the governor says the Adult Protective Services program is well managed and doesn't need increased oversight that the Legislature wants.

Newscast: Thursday, March 21, 2013, 5:50 p.m.

After weeks of studying Vermont's prescription drug problem, House lawmakers on Thursday advanced a sweeping bill that would address opiate addiction and abuse.

History writer Mark Bushnell talks about the epic battle between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans over the future of the country and the role of Vermont congressman Matthew Lyon played in it.

Statehouse Schedule: Thursday, March 21, 2013

Thursday marks a year from the date when Governor Peter Shumlin hoped the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant would shut down. Instead, the reactor is still operating and the state is locked in a legal battle in federal court with Yankee's owner, the Entergy Corporation.

By a three to one margin, the Vermont House has given its preliminary approval to a bill that makes a significant change in the way that the state taxes the sale of gasoline.

Senate President John Campbell discusses the key issues facing lawmakers, we hear about the political battle fought by Vermont congressman Matthew Lyon and learn about Killington Search and Rescue.

Statehouse Schedule: Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Newscast: Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 5:50 p.m.

Malvine Cole was a well known Vermont writer and activist, based in Jamaica and Stratton. At the Community College of Vermont, Cyndy Bittinger often teaches about many of the same issues Malvine addressed

A bill that would subject renewable energy projects to more regulation has bitterly divided environmentalists. Most mainstream environmental groups oppose the legislation, saying it presents unnecessary hurdles to clean energy projects.  

Newscast: Monday, March 18, 2013, 5:50 p.m.

Vermont's political leaders visited Burlington High School Monday, highlighting a new initiative between Burlington and Winooski. The state's two most diverse school districts are working together to remodel and rethink their education systems, and they're getting a little help from civic leaders.

VPR News Editor, Ross Sneyd talks with Vermont Edition about the "crossover deadline" in the Vermont Legislature, where all bills are supposed to be voted out of the committee where they originated.

Statehouse Schedule: Monday, March 18, 2013

The Vermont House gave preliminary approval Friday to a bill that would require out-of-state employers to offer the same health coverage to employees with a same-sex partner as those provided to their employees in a heterosexual marriage.

Lawmakers were busy Friday trying to meet a deadline to move bills out of committee. A few bills got an extension of the deadline.

The Vermont Senate will debate a bill next week that would significantly change the way that renewable energy projects are reviewed by the state. The bill would give towns much more authority to ban projects.

Newscast: Friday, March 15, 2013, 5:50 p.m.

Kathryn Stearns, whose newspaper career began in Washington, finds a kindred spirit in Frances Parkinson Keyes, who left her home in the Upper Valley to write about the social scene in the nation's capital at a pivotal time for women's rights.

Statehouse Schedule: Friday, March 15, 2013