Vermont Edition
12 noon-1 p.m. Weekdays
House Speaker Gaye Symington
Bob Kinzel talks with Speaker
Symington about proposed changes to school funding, budget priorities
and Vermont Yankee's push to extend the nuclear power plant's license
for 20 more years. Also, news analysis with VPR's John Dillon, and we listen back to some of the voices in this week's news.
Economic Development in the Northeast Kingdom
Live broadcast from St. Johnsbury
We broadcast live from the Northeast Kingdom with a look at the region's economic development
plans with Senator Vince Illuzzi and regional planner Steve Patterson. Then we talk with sibling writers Leland Kinsey and Natalie Kinsey-Warnock about what inspires them to write about the Kingdom.
Getting More Local Food into School Lunches
School lunch programs rely on federally
subsidized foods that are trucked in from out of state, but schools are
also turning to local farmers to provide more of what they serve. We
examine the challenges of putting more local food in school cafeterias.
Also, we look beyond the hand wringing over Lake Champlain's health to possible solutions, and a report from the Northeast Kingdom
on a controversial constable who faces a serious
challenger on March 4.
Undecided Primary Voters
One week from now, Vermonters will go to the polls and choose which
party and which candidate to vote for the presidential primary. But some Vermonters are still weighing which candidate will get their vote. We talk with political analyst Eric
Davis and take your calls. Also, a controversy over when it's appropriate
to relocate an old cemetery, and we listen to the sounds of winter necessity for those who take the
ice: getting your skates sharpened.
Getting By in the Green Mountains
To help kick off VPR's weeklong series, "Getting By," we talk with a livable wage advocate and a free-market economist about who is -- and who isn't -- making ends meet in Vermont. Also in the program, an interview with a single mom about her struggles. And we visit with a worker at a beverage container redemption center, who reminds us that every job is important.
Superdelegates and the Vermont Primary
Vermont's seven Democratic superdelegates will cast
their votes at the national convention for the candidate of
their choice, and not necessarily the candidate preferred by voters in the March 4 primary. We talk with two
superdelegates about the role they play in
deciding the Democratic candidate.
Also, reporter Louis Porter analyzes
some of the big stories in Montpelier and we listen back to some of the
voices in the week's news.
Removing jail penalties for marijuana
A plan to reduce the penalties for possessing marijuana easily passed the Vermont Senate last week, and the House will take up the issue soon. The bill removes jail sentences for most people caught with 2 ounces of marijuana, but stops short of fully decriminalizing marijuana.
Tell us what you think about the measure.
Nerds: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them
We talk with Bennington College Psychology
Professor David Anderegg about his new book,
Nerds: Who They Are and Why we Need
More of Them. Also, an update from Rutland Herald Business Reporter Bruce Edwards on stalled plans for a ski village at the base of Killington Mountain. And VPR's Nina Keck treats us to a preview of a machine that can print and bind a high quality trade paperback book in mere minutes.
Instant Runoff Voting
We examine the pros and cons of Instant Runoff Voting with Burlington Rep. Chris Pearson,
and Rutland Sen. Kevin Mullin. Also, Valley News reporter John Gregg joins us to talk about
how some neighbors are fighting a proposed homeless shelter in White River
Junction. And, we hear sounds from this year's White Coat Ceremony at
the University of Vermont.
Faith of our Founding Fathers
Author Gary Kowalski
This President's Day we turn back to our Founding Fathers and explore their religious beliefs. Gary Kowalski, of Burlington's First Unitarian Universalist Society, has written a new book on the subject. Also, presidential historian Willard Sterne Randall joins us to talk about President Calvin Coolidge's 1924 campaign. And, VPR's own Robert Resnik sings a famous Coolidge campaign tune.
Vermont's Energy Future
A few hundred Vermnters particiapted in an in-depth study of what the state's energy portfolio should look like i nthe future. We take up the question with leaders in Vermont's power companies and regulators. Also in
the program, news analysis with VPR reporters, and we listen back to
some of the voices in this week's news.
Education Commissioner Richard Cate
Last week Vermont Education Commissioner Richard Cate said Vermont
schools aren't meeting the needs of half of its students. Richard Cate joins us on the program to talk
about what he means when he says the education system needs to be revamped. Also, we explore the connection between St. Michael's College
and the Ilula Orphan program in Tanzania. And, on this Valentine's Day, we go looking for love on Burlington's
Church Street.
Children with Parents in Prison
We talk about the challenges for Vermont children whose parents are in prison and examine
efforts to offer those children more support. Our guests are Tara Graham of the
Vermont Children’s Aid Society, and Burlington Representative Jason Lorber, who
just introduced legislation that includes a bill of rights for children of
incarcerated parents. Also, we visit a coffee cupping -- think wine tasting, only with caffeine. And
we preview a performance of “Love Letters” by octogenarian Sam Lloyd and his
wife Barbara.
Preview of Town Meeting Day and the Vermont Primary
Town Meeting is just three weeks away, and we talk with with Secretary of State Deb Markowitz about the local balloting and the Vermont primary. Also, New York's north country may be seeing an infusion of economic development aid, and we check in
with people ice fishing on Lake Champlain.
Citizen Legislature
Can an average Vermonter afford to be a legislator?
This session, the General Assembly has 1220 bils before it-- more than double the number fifty years ago. And a lawmaker can expect to earn $614.30 per week during the session. We look at the time and financial demands on
our citizen legislature. Then, we hear from reporter Candace Page about a mysterious fungus infecting bats. And local comedian Martha Tormey makes us laugh.
Senator Bernie Sanders
Democrats in the Senate are seeking Senator Bernie Sanders' support in expanding the economic stimulus package that was passed by the U.S. House. Bob Kinzel talks with Sanders about the economic package and the results of the Super Tuesday presidential primaries. Also, analysis of a new school funding proposal and we listen back to some of the voices in the week's news.
Inclusion: students with disabilities in the classroom
We talk with filmmaker Dan Habib and University of Vermont education professor Michael
Giangreco about the concept of inclusion for students with disabilities, and how it plays out in the
classroom.
Also, reporter Erin Demuth Judd of the Glens Falls Post-Star tells us whether the
north country will see an infusion of economic development aid from New York state.
And we ring in the Chinese New Year with celebrants as they prepare banners for New Year's Day on Thursday.
A special effort is being made to recruit female police
officers across the state. We talk with a veteran of the force and learn aout a program that's training more women to join policing. Also the Nametag Project,
an effort to break down social barriers and build up community by
getting people to introduce themselves.
Challenging times for local rescue services
We talk about the challenges facing Vermont’s non-profit ambulance services with
Jim Finger, president of the Vermont Ambulance Association, and Dan Manz,
director of EMS Services for the Vermont Department of Health. Also on the
program, a conversation about Earmarks with Valley News Reporter Jon Gregg –
and an audio postcard from Morrisville.
Bill targets domestic violence
Experts in domestic violence have been coming to the Senate Judiciary
Committee one day a week since the 2007-08 legislative session began. We check in on the effort to formulate policy that addresses the problem. Also, Burlington airport director Brian Searles talks about about new services and the airport's role
in the regional economy. And we hear from the Nametag
Project, an effort to build community through simple introductions.
Leasing the state lottery
Governor Jim Douglas proposed to the
Legislature that the state lease its lottery to a private company. The plan could potentially
generate $50 million in revenue, but critics have raised a philosophical objection. We hear the pros and cons adn take your calls. Also, news analysis with VPR's Ross Sneyd, and we listen back to
some of the voices in the week's news.
