Brave Little State

What's the story behind the asbestos mine in Eden?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0000

This is a tale about what happens when a toxic industry booms and busts, the mess that’s left behind and the fight over how to clean it up.

Thanks to Morgan Pratt, Ann Fano and Carol Fano for the great questions.

You can find the web version of this story here.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Join us in April in White River Junction for a behind-the-scenes look at the show!

This episode was reported by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from the BLS team: Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Abagael Giles, Matt Kierstead, Gary Lipson, Dr. Arti Shuckla, Marjorie Gale and Kyle Casteel.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Who are Vermont’s volunteer firefighters, and why do they do it?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:36:38 -0000

Fire departments across the country are struggling to find volunteers. But in Norwich, new recruits are lining up.

We spent a weekend at the firehouse to find out why.

You can find the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported by Josh Crane. Additional editing and production from Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Camila Van Order Gonzales, Alex Warner, Chris Pike, Prescott Nadeau, Gerald Levesque, Ronald Morse and Michael Skaza.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

When is it safe to go ice fishing on Lake Champlain?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:12:09 -0000

Ice is unavoidable during winter on the Champlain Islands. Surrounded on all sides by an icy expanse, islanders embrace this seasonal terrain — as a place to walk the dog, to skate and to fish.

One North Hero resident sees trucks of ice fishermen driving out onto the lake and wants to know: How do they know when it's safe?

You can find the web version of this story here. For ice fishing guidance from the state of Vermont, head here.

Thanks to David Erich, of North Hero, for the great question.

This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux. Additional editing and production from Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Kevin White and Andy Julow.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What do Vermont counties actually do?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:28:00 -0000

Vermont has among the weakest forms of county government in the United States, placing a big burden on towns. Is there a better way forward?

You can find the web version of this story here.

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions about counties, including Gary Novosel of Addison County, Paul Hochanadel of Chittenden County and Michael Moser of Lamoille County.

This episode was reported by Howard Weiss-Tisman and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Becca Golden, Alicia Freese, Catherine Hurley, Ted Brady, Cheryl Morse, Dona Brown, Chris Campany, Austin Davis, Carolyn Partridge, Grant Reynolds, Joyce McKeema and Peter Gregory.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Who controls the deployment of the Vermont National Guard?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:20:00 -0000

The Vermont National Guard usually takes orders from the state. But at the end of 2025, President Trump deployed the Vermont guard to the Caribbean — and Gov. Scott said he had no control over the president’s orders.

It gave this question from a listener newfound relevance:

“Who controls the deployment of the Vermont National Guard if orders from the federal government and the state are in conflict?”

You can find the web version of this story here.

For more about the Vermont guard, check out this 2010 VPR series, which covered some of the 1,500 Vermonters who were deployed to Afghanistan.

This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Editing and additional production from Burgess Brown. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Michael Bosworth, Jill Lepore, Mikaela Lefrak, Jon Ehrens, Alicia Freese, April McCullum, Peter Hirschfeld, Peter Teachout, Steve Zind and Zoe McDonald.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Off the Path: Where the Appalachian Trail began

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:00:00 -0000

Today, the origin story of the Appalachian Trail, which stretches more than 2,000 miles from Maine to Georgia. But it was a peak in southern Vermont that inspired the idea of the trail in the first place.

Thanks to one of our favorite podcasts, Off the Path, for sharing this story with us. Here’s a link to the original web post.

For more stories from the trail, check out our episodes, “What’s it like to hike the Long Trail?” and “What’s the deal with Vermont’s fire towers?”

This episode was reported and produced by Davis Dunavin at WSHU Public Radio. The Brave Little State team is Josh Crane, Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our Executive Producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

The case of D.W. Bancroft’s curious cure-all

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:44:39 -0000

A few years ago, John Haffner was digging in his White River Junction backyard when his shovel hit a glass bottle buried underground. Then he found another, and another — all with words like “remedy,” “tonic” and “quick cure” embossed on them. John wants to know why there are so many of these old bottles around and, more importantly, what was in them?

Local historian and independent reporter Kelby Greene is on the case, unraveling the snake oil sensation that swept the Green Mountain State.

You can find the web version of this story here.

Reporting for this story was supported by a grant from Vermont Humanities, in partnership with the Vermont 250 Commission and JAM, Junction Arts and Media. For more, check out the podcast series Roadside Vermont.

This episode was reported by Kelby Greene and produced by Josh Crane. Editing and additional production from the rest of the BLS team: Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Catherine Hurley, Shirley Duso and Creighton Hall.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What happened to all the halfway houses in Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 21:55:39 -0000

Question-asker Manny recently got out of prison. He wants to learn about his options for transitional housing — a place where he could stay sober while readjusting to life outside a prison cell.

It turns out, those options look very different today than they would have even a few years ago.

To see photos from our reporting, check out the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported by Carly Berlin and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from the rest of the BLS team: Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Our intern is Camila Van Order González. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Phil Edfors, Liam Elder-Connors, April McCullum, Susan Pullium, Glenn Russell, Paul Dragon, Tiffany Rich, Brenna Bedard, Jeff Moreau, Mary Verner, Jess Kirby, Jim Curran, and all the residents of the Burlington Dismas House.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Why is Rutland made to feel like Vermont’s ‘ugly child’?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 21:13:50 -0000

Rutland — or, “RutVegas” — gets a pretty bad rap outside the city’s limits. But some of Rutland’s most passionate cheerleaders say there’s a side of the city people are missing.

Thanks to Linda Mullin of Rutland for the great question. If you want to be part of a future BLS live voting round, join us in Jeffersonville on Dec. 3 at Lot 6 Brewing. Reserve your ticket and find more information here.

Check out the web version of our story here.

This episode was reported by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from the rest of the BLS team: Sabine Poux and me, Josh Crane. Our intern is Camila Van Order González. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions and Dead Street Dreamers.

Special thanks to Nina Keck, Phil Edfors, Joey Palumbo, Hannah Davidson, Sam Lucci, Paul Gallo, Barbara Giffin, Tom Giffin, Tom Fagen and Jacob Houser.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

The case of the missing Tinmouth apple

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 21:10:00 -0000

Leave your grocery store apples at home and join our search for this most unusual Vermont fruit.

For photos from our journey, check out the web version of our story here. And if you want to read up on apples, here are three books that were helpful in our research:

Apples of Uncommon Character by Rowan Jacobsen (2014)
The Illustrated History of Apples in the US and Canada by Daniel J. Bussey (2017)
The Apples of New York by Spencer Ambrose Beach (1905)

Thanks to Ben St. James of Barnet for the great question.

This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Our intern is Camila Van Order González. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Catherine Morrissey, John Bunker, Ryan Yoder, Erin Robinson, Dan Bussey and Paige Heaverly.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

200th episode extravaganza

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:31:00 -0000

For the 200th episode of the show, we set ourselves a challenge: take on 20 listener questions in a single episode.

We went back to the very beginning of our archive — combing through thousands of questions — and picked out some of our favorites that we’ve never answered before: about apple pie, nudity laws, haunted houses and Subarus. Laughter ensues.

Find the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported and edited by the BLS team: Josh Crane, Sabine Poux, Burgess Brown and Camila Van Order González. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Phil Edfors, Frank Alwine, Zoe McDonald, Catherine Hurley, Pete Hirschfeld, Thomas Mather, Judy Rosovsky, Steven Picazio, Pamela Cartier, Hazel Brewster, Brian Vaughan, Justine Curry and Arthur Ruben.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Class in the classroom

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 21:17:00 -0000

“There was this huge divide in, like, social grouping and connection … No one really talked to each other.”

“Making friends at the high school wasn't really my priority because I felt like I had nothing in common with them at all.”

“I think the closer we got to graduation, the more it kind of came out.”

“Financial class absolutely affects everything beyond financial class in the classroom. Absolutely it does.”

In this episode, a series of recent grads from Middlebury Union High School in Addison County wrestle with class differences among classmates — and how those differences shaped their experiences there.

One of those grads is winning question-asker Ari Graham-Gurland from Middlebury, who asked the question at the heart of this story: “How does socioeconomic diversity affect classroom dynamics in high school?”

Find the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported by Sabine Poux, with editing and production from the rest of the BLS team: Burgess Brown, Camila Van Order González and Josh Crane. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Stephanie Sherman and Ariell Slater.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Lake Champlain’s brush with ‘Great’-ness

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:44:38 -0000

There are five Great Lakes: Superior, Ontario, Michigan, Huron and Erie. But for a few fleeting weeks in the late 1990s, Lake Champlain made six.

How did this happen? To answer that question from Erin Robbason of West Rutland, we pass the mic to our friends at Interlochen Public Radio and the podcast Point North for a story about Lake Champlain’s brief and controversial stint as the sixth Great Lake.

Find the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported and produced by Ruth Abramovitz and Dan Wanschura. It was edited by Morgan Springer. Additional editing from Dan Wanschura, Ellie Katz and Claire Keenan-Kurgan.

The Brave Little State team is Josh Crane, Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Camila Van Order González. Our Executive Producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Twelve hours at the Richmond park and ride

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0000

We took a full-day detour to answer this question from Heather Channon of South Burlington:

"Who is using all of the park-and-ride lots?"

We spent 12 straight hours (yes, you read that correctly) at one of the busiest park and rides in the state, on one of the busiest travel days of the year, to find out.

This is the story of our day — and all the people we met along the way.

Check out photos from our experience, and a full episode transcript, in our web post.

A big shoutout to a little-known podcast called This American Life, which has done two all-day (and all-night) episodes that inspired this piece: “24 Hours at the Golden Apple” and “Rest Stop.”

This episode was reported and produced by Josh Crane, Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Camila Van Order González. Our Executive Producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Elodie Reed, Amy Tatko, Tricia Roy, Jessica Fay, Betsy LeBlanc, Sara Walker, Robert Blandon, Terrance Sayers, Glenn Varricchione, Tricia Roy, Cliff Mix, Minda Stridsberg, Brendan Grahn, Jean Koegler, Brenda Rose, Pete Niarchos and everyone else we spoke to at the Richmond park and ride on Labor Day 2025.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Our 8th Annual Brief History of Vermont Road Names

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0000

Every summer, we add a new chapter to our favorite annual tradition: investigating the origins of Vermont’s strangest road names, as chosen by our listeners.

This summer’s crop included Horn of the Moon Road in East Montpelier, Scotch Hollow Road in Newbury and Goodenough Road in Brattleboro.

Tune in to hear us raid town archives, chase down local lore… and spend an inordinate amount of time driving up and down the three roads in question (sorry, neighbors!) — all in the name of journalism.

And don’t miss the seven previous installments of this road-names-extravaganza. You can find them all here.

This episode was reported by Burgess Brown, Lucia McCallum and Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane. Our Executive Producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; Other music by Blue Dot Sessions and Universal Production Music.

Special thanks to Craig Goodenough, Bill Holiday, Joe Rivers, Mary Collins, Aroline Putnam, Paul Cate, Steve Picazio, Karalyn Mark, Jessica Leal, Trina Magi, Olivia Campbell, Eric Anderson, Corinne Cooper, Jennifer Boyer, Sarah Wilds and Bob Nuner.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Quebec is trying to save its bees. What can Vermont learn from them?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:47:29 -0000

Starting this summer, Vermont farmers are some of the first in the nation to face major restrictions on neonicotinoids — a kind of pesticide widely used to treat corn and soy plants. In part, that’s because neonics are killing honeybees.

Quebec has had a similar law on the books for years. So we head north of the border to see what we can learn from our Canadian neighbors and answer this question from Curtis Mraz, of New Haven:

“What is Vermont doing to protect our pollinators?”

For a full transcript of this episode and photos from our reporting, check out our web post.

This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. Editing and production from the rest of the BLS team: Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Additional support from Ainslie McClellan, journalist at CBC Montreal and the host of a podcast called This is Montreal. Our intern is Lucia McCallum. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Abagael Giles, Howard Weiss-Tisman, Andrea Laurion, Laurie Kigonya, Todd Mallory, Seth Bedard, Noah Villamarin-Cutter, Valérie Fournier and Steve Dwinell.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Essential Salt

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:16:10 -0000

Today, we're sharing an episode of a podcast we really like. It's called Essential Salt, a show about connection, local storytelling and how getting to know your neighbors might change the way you see yourself. It's a collaboration between Maine Public and the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies at the Maine College of Art and Design.

In this episode, we get to know a famous figure who drew a city together while remaining completely anonymous. Then, we look at what being a good opponent at chess can teach us about building strong, long-lasting relationships.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What did the sale of the Lake Monsters mean for Vermont baseball? (Encore)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 17:34:51 -0000

July in Vermont means hot dogs and peanuts and Cracker Jacks… and summer baseball. A few summers ago, reporter Liam Elder-Connors joined question-asker Emma Ramirez-Richer in the stands at Centennial Field to share some Dippin’ Dots, root for the Lake Monsters and chat with fans about Emma’s winning question. The team had just been sold the year before and Emma wanted to know:

“What does the sale of the Vermont Lake Monsters mean for the team, and what does minor league baseball mean to Vermonters?”

We’re revisiting that episode this baseball season.

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported by Liam Elder-Connors and produced by Angela Evancie. Editing and additional production from Myra Flynn and Josh Crane. Engineering support from Peter Engisch. The encore was produced by Burgess Brown. 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 Kate Phillips and Kevin Trevellan.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Vote on the question you want us to tackle next
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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Is it time for a new Vermont state flag?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:18:46 -0000

Close your eyes and try to picture the Vermont flag…

If you’re drawing a blank — you're not alone.

Our flag defies almost all the flag design rules set out by the North American Vexillological Association.

That’s part of the reason why Brian Sewell, of Burlington, thinks Vermont should consider an upgrade. He asked:

“Other states are undergoing redesigns of their state flags. How much do Vermonters know about our flag? And is it time to update ours too?”

Have an idea for a new Vermont flag design? Check out our web post for a template and instructions to submit it to the show — we’ll post our favorites! We’ve also included question-asker Brian’s proposed redesign as inspiration.

For more on flag design, check out this TED Talk from Roman Mars: “Why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you've never noticed”

This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak. Editing and production from the BLS team: Sabine Poux, Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Our intern is Lucia McCallum. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Zoe McDonald, Amanda Gustin, Ted Kaye and Katie Grant.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

How are Vermonters staying social after they can no longer drive?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:57:45 -0000

Not being able to drive in this state can be isolating — especially for older Vermonters navigating the challenges of aging.

Ninety-two-year-old Gerry Quinlan has found a way, with a network of friends that can drive her to their weekly coffee dates in Essex.

But she’s wondering how others do it, so she came to us with this question:

"How do you maintain a social life in Vermont once you can no longer drive?"

Join us as we ride along with Gerry and others who have given up their keys, but not their communities and friendships.

For a full transcript of this episode and photos from our reporting, check out our web post.

This episode was reported by Burgess Brown. Editing and production from the rest of the BLS team: Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Additional editing from Erica Heilman. Our intern is Lucia McCallum. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Lilias Ide, Andrea Stauffeneker, Laura Brooke, Martina Anderson and Andrew Bernstein.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

Ask a question about Vermont
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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Reimagining life without kids

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:58:43 -0000

Wanting children, and not being able to have them, is an experience people rarely discuss publicly. But it’s one that cuts close to the bone for many — like Gina Accorsi, of Milton.

Gina is grieving the loss of a path she can’t take, and she’s looking for support as she charts a new one. She reached out to us with some questions:

“How common is childlessness in Vermont today? Is there a support system or community acceptance here for childless people?”

If you’re looking for more support, check out AllPath Family Building. We also posted a callout seeking advice from Redditors.

For a full transcript of this episode and photos from our reporting, check out our web post.

This episode was reported by Nina Keck. Editing and production from the rest of the BLS team: Sabine Poux, Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Our intern is Lucia McCallum. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Kim Butterfield, Felicia Kornbluh and Ananda Boyer.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

Ask a question about Vermont
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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Why does Vermont still require car inspections?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 22 May 2025 19:59:15 -0000

Do you know what rocker panels are? No? Well, one listener found out hers were rusted during her annual car inspection — and that they were in need of a pricey repair. Vermont is one of just nine states that still requires annual safety inspections for all cars. And over and over, car inspections — especially car inspections that end in failure — bring frustrated Vermonters to the BLS question box.

Three listeners want to know why Vermont’s inspection requirements persist, even as other states have axed theirs. And they ask: Do inspections actually make the roads here safer?

For photos from our trip to Brian’s North End Automotive (feat. Potato the dog) check out the web version of this story.

Thanks to Keese Lane and Mike Santos of Essex Junction, and Julianne Jones of Derby, for the great questions.

This episode was reported by Josh Crane. Editing and production from the rest of the BLS team, Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Rick Green, Steve Belitsos, Brian Chase, Drew Cline, Amy Tatko, Scott Davidson, Jeremy Reed, Ernie Patnoe, Pete Hirschfeld, Abagael Giles, Joey Palumbo, April McCullum, Melody Bodette, Mike Dunn, Andrea Laurion and Lola Duffort, .

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Is logging bad for the climate?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 08 May 2025 20:51:20 -0000

Vermont’s logging industry has changed a lot over the last several decades. But one thing remains true: We just can’t agree about how to manage our forests in the face of climate change.

This raises a lot of questions about how Vermont should manage its forests — and it has led to heated debates around the state.

For photos from the episode, check out the web version of this story.

This episode was reported by Abagael Giles. Editing and production from the BLS team: That’s Sabine Poux, Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Digital support from Zoe McDonald. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Katharine Servidio.

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Correction 5/9/25: A previous version of this story included an incorrect estimate for acres of forest that could be logged under the Telephone Gap Project. It has since been updated.

Correction 5/15/25: A previous version of this story included an incorrect estimate of the amount of forest Vermont loses per year. Over the last few decades, Vermont has been losing about 5,000 acres of forest each year, not 10,000.

Some people leave Vermont. Does Vermont ever really leave them?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 18:52:02 -0000

What does it mean to be a Vermonter if you’ve left the Green Mountain State?

Reporter Myra Flynn brings us on a sonic journey across the globe from Los Angeles to the Dominican Republic, to Jamaica. There are love stories, tales of taking chances and conversations about what it means to call somewhere home.

Thanks to question-asker Jesse Wingate of Virginia – formerly of North Troy, Vermont – for the great question.

For photos and an episode transcript, head to our website.

This episode was reported by Myra Flynn. It was edited and produced by Josh Crane, Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

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What’s next for Vermont’s only law school?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 20:52:56 -0000

South Royalton has something that no other Vermont town does: a law school. But for a long time, there’s been one rumor the town and the school can’t seem to shake — that Vermont Law & Graduate School is on the verge of upping sticks for Burlington.

Question-asker Tess Mix, of neighboring Tunbridge, has been hearing this rumor her whole life. She wants to know, is it true? And how reliant is the community on the law school, anyway?

For more photos and an episode transcript, head to our website.

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This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. It was edited and produced by Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Stephanie Clark, Don Hayes, Lisa Lance, Todd Tyson, Katie Merrill, Victoria Paquin, Andrew Hockenberry, Matthew McGovern, Drew Collins and Kelli Cigelnik.

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What’s the story behind the omnipresent ‘Stowe’ logo?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:00:00 -0000

You can find the swoopy, stylized version of the word “Stowe” everywhere — police cruisers, store windows, a covered bridge. It’s as if the entire town is part of one giant marketing campaign. Question-asker Joe Emery of Essex finds this sort of weird, and wants to know how it came to be.

We made a video version of this episode! Check it out here.

For more photos and an episode transcript, head to our website.

Special thanks to Nina Keck, Poppy Gall, Carrie Simmons, Amy Spear, Emily Hurd ,Tommy Gardner, Marina Gisquet, Abby Blackburn, Tim Hayes, Courtney Difiore, Sarah Tauben, Keri Smotrich, Maggie Hughes, Ezra Spring and the folks at the Stowe Free Library..

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What is the Bennington Triangle?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:00:00 -0000

Five mysterious disappearances were the talk of Bennington in the mid-20th century. Now, they’ve developed a cult following online. We revisit the initial cases and trace the rise of the “Bennington Triangle” in the popular imagination.

Thanks to Kevin Landry of Claremont, New Hampshire for the great question.

Check out the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported by Howard Weiss-Tisman and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane and Sabine Poux. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Laura Nakasaka, Jon Ehrens, Betty Smith, Eric Ford, Laurie Kigonya, Matt Harrington, Ashley Jowet, Nancy Koziol, PJ DeVito, Tyler Resch and Brian Campion.

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Why is health insurance in Vermont so expensive?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 22:45:00 -0000

Cha-ching. Vermont health insurance is pricey, and getting more expensive really quickly. For one listener in Montpelier, it’s just not adding up.

Rosie Krueger says sky-high health insurance costs were a real pill when she was building budgets on the Montpelier City Council a few years ago. Since then, this health insurance dilemma has only gotten worse.

The good news: There’s a pretty straightforward answer to Rosie’s question. The bad news: It’s hard to know what to do about it.

For a closer look at the data we mention in the episode, check out the web version of this story.

Thanks to Rosie for the great question.

This episode was reported by Josh Crane, with additional reporting from Lexi Krupp. Editing and additional production from Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Digital support from Zoe McDonald. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions and Universal Production Music.

Special thanks to Laura Nakasaka, Michelle Goodell, Phil Galewitz, Kiana Moore, Annie Mackin, Kristen LaJeunesse and Sara Teachout.

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Correction 3/5/25: If you have commercial insurance and get an outpatient procedure, treatment or test done in Vermont, it’ll run you about 11% more than the national median — not 30% more. We’ve updated the audio to reflect this.

Inside Vermont's weird and wonderful town forests

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 21:33:00 -0000

Forests for the people! Democracy in the woods! Most towns in Vermont have a locally owned forest, but no two are exactly the same — and their stories are still unfolding.

Check out the web version of this episode for photos and a full transcript. You can participate in UVM’s town forest census project here.

Thanks to Anne Wallace of Bristol for the great question.

This episode was reported by Lexi Krupp. It was produced by Burgess Brown, with editing from Josh Crane and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Larry Bush, Neal Maker, Bob McCullough, Callie Brynn, Michael Giammusso, and Reg Dearborn.

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New Hampshire has 6 landfills. Why does Vermont only have 1?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:45:00 -0000

Vermont used to have hundreds of dumps all over the state. These days, most of the state’s trash ends up in one place: a landfill in Coventry. Question-asker Sylvia Dodge, of Lyndon, wants to know why all that trash ends up in just one small town.

We visit the Coventry landfill, trash bag in hand, and talk to the people doing the dirty work. You can find photos from our reporting, and a full transcript for the episode, here.

Share your feedback about BLS! We’d love to hear from you and it will help us make the show even better. Plus: prizes!

This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak. It was produced by Josh Crane, with additional editing from Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Kari Anderson, David Littlefield, Chris Bray and Jeff Weld.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Who takes care of Vermont’s tiny cemeteries?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 20:04:00 -0000

We track down the Lorax of Vermont cemeteries and visit a farm in East Putney where the past and present collide.

Share your feedback about BLS! We’d love to hear from you and it will help us make the show even better. Plus: prizes!

Thanks to Kathleen Cuneen of Thetford for the great question. Check out the web version of this episode for photos and a full transcript.

This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. It was produced and edited by Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. 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 Sam Eaton, Tom Giffin and Martha Howard.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

BLS goes hunting

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 21:08:00 -0000

Alex Larrabee is in 10th grade at the Danville School in the Northeast Kingdom. She doesn’t hunt, but her family does and her classmates do. And she’s noticed that people who go hunting… it’s not a casual interest. They’re passionate about it. Alex, on the other hand, doesn’t really get what all the fuss is about.

Now, we at Brave Little State are not big hunters, and neither is Lola Duffort, our reporter for this episode. So, we figured the best way and probably the only way to answer Alex’s question was to head into the woods and see for ourselves. We hope you’ll tag along.

Check out the web version of this episode for photos from our hunting excursion and a full episode transcript.

This episode was reported by Lola Duffort. It was produced by Burgess Brown and edited by Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. 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 Abagael Giles, Travis Tremblay, Mike Covey, Matt Breton, Rachel Keach, Natalie Conway, Chris Bray and all the teachers and administrators who helped facilitate the high school voting round that led to this episode.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

How has Vail’s acquisition of Vermont ski areas impacted locals?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 21:08:00 -0000

It’s been seven years since Colorado-based Vail Resorts bought the ski resort at Stowe. Almost immediately, Vail cut the cost of a season pass there in half. But cheaper skiing hasn’t deterred people from lampooning Vail online or displaying angry bumper stickers in ski town parking lots — spotlighting a tension over the soul of Vermont ski culture and ski towns.

In this episode, we look into what’s changed since Vail’s entry here, from chairlift upgrades to stress on the housing market. Plus, a general sense of transformation that’s harder to pinpoint.

Check out the web version of this episode for photos from our reporting and a full episode transcript. And to learn more about a new exhibit on Vermont’s lost ski areas, check out the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum in Stowe.

Thanks to Nathan Evans for the great question.

This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. It was produced and edited by Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. 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 Laura Nakasaka, Abagael Giles, Nina Keck, Robert Parrish, , Jason Blevins, Tom Gianola, Lindsay DesLauriers and Izzy Mitchell.

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Why is there such a problem with the U.S. Postal Service in Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 21:33:00 -0000

Government for the people! A beacon of democracy! The Postal Service has been essential for free speech and the circulation of ideas since before the founding of the United States. These days, it's becoming increasingly important during elections, as more people vote by mail. And it’s still a vital part of many communities, from beloved local mail carriers to shiny, gold P.O. Boxes in general stores.

But in recent years, it’s been struggling to make good on its public service — and Vermonters are fighting back. Check out the web version of this story here.

If you have questions about the 2024 election and its aftermath you want us to answer, we’d love to hear from you. There’s a form on our website, or leave us a voicemail at 802-552-4880.

This episode was reported by Burgess Brown. It was produced and edited by Josh Crane and 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 Zoe McDonald, Bob Kinzel, Adiah Gholston, Rachel Hellman, Paul Montague, Trevor Braun, Alexia Murray, Bruce Olsson, Ned Swanberg, Justin Hopkins and Alice Angney.

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Emelia's Thing

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:12:00 -0000

We’re sharing a story from New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team.

A young police officer unexpectedly finds herself back in New Hampshire, and she’s not the same person she was when she left. Something happened to her – to all of us. But for Officer Emelia Campbell, this thing still lives in her brain and her body.

NHPR’s Lauren Chooljian brings you Emelia’s story of survival and resilience in the wake of Jan. 6, 2021. You can find the full transcript here.

Heads up: This episode contains unbleeped swears and mentions of death by suicide. If you need support, call or text 9-8-8, or click here, for the Suicide and Crisis lifeline.

This story was reported and written by Lauren Chooljian. Jason Moon produced and mixed this piece, and composed all the music. Katie Colaneri was the editor, with additional editing by Dan Barrick, Todd Bookman, Taylor Quimby and Kate Dario.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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What does the state’s energy transition mean for Vermonters?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 20:51:00 -0000

Climate change is here. So is Vermont’s energy transition. Ahead of the 2024 election, voters want to know: How do they fit in?

Environment and climate reporter Abagael Giles looks into efforts to both mitigate and adapt to climate change in this pivotal moment. And she explores how Vermont can make sure its most remote communities aren’t left behind.

Thanks to Laura Zettler of Fairfax and Pam Ladds of Newport for sharing their curiosity with us.

There’s a full transcript for this episode here. If you want to learn more about the Affordable Heat Act or any other Vermont climate policies — and to find out more about where specific candidates stand on climate issues — click here.

And for more about how climate change is impacting Vermont, check out more of Abagael’s recent reporting.

This episode was reported by Abagael Giles. It was produced and edited by Josh Crane, with help from Sabine Poux, Burgess Brown, Brittany Patterson and Sophie Stephens. 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 Mark Davis, Rachel Cleetus, Terry Callahan, Jennifer Durgan, Tony Eprile, Donna Smyers, Johanna Nichols, Jennifer Francoeur and Jenel Ronn.

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What invasive species in Vermont has done the most damage?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:22:00 -0000

For centuries, humans have transported plants and animals and fungi all around the globe. Whether exotic plants for a home garden or spores hitching a ride on a boot, flora and fauna have found their way into ecosystems that were unprepared for their arrival. These “invasive species” have no natural predators to keep them in check and in that absence, they wreak havoc.

But which of these species has wreaked the most havoc in Vermont? That’s what Ashley Wojnarowski and Mike Mezzacapo of Pomfret want to know.

Josh Crane searches for answers and falls into the “bottomless pit” of invasive species management — and he gets up close with one of Vermont’s most fragile ecosystems.

For photos from our reporting, check out the web version of this story.

For help with species identification and to record your findings, check out iNaturalist.

This episode was reported by Josh Crane. It was produced and edited by Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. 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 Mike Bald, Matt "Beagle" Bourgault, Betty Smith, Lexi Krupp, Abagael Giles, Corey Dockser, Charlie Nardozzi, Tim Parsons, Mary Walz, Mike Kiernan, Elise Schadler, Kim Jensen, Noah Hoffman, Evan Horne, David Moroney, Jay Herbert, Jack Lentz, Don Wenner, Virginia Barlow, Tony D’Amato, Markus Bradley, Mariano Rodriguez-Cabal, Noelia Barrios-Garcia, and Mary Holland.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Why are there no strip clubs in Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 20:22:00 -0000

The “girlie shows” are long gone from the county fairs. Former clubs like Planet Rock in Barre and Club Fantasy in South Burlington have all shut down. Vermont is now the only New England state without strip clubs. One stripper who grew up in Vermont reached out with a simple question: Why?

For photos from our reporting, check out the web version of this story.

Thanks to Susan Meiselas and Magnum Photos for the materials from Carnival Strippers and Carnival Strippers Revisted.

This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. It was produced and edited by Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Additional support from Sophie Stephens. 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 Liam Elder-Connors, Jeff Haig, Steve Taylor, Scott Rogers, Fern Strong, Elaine Howe, Gail Weise, Jordan Mitchell, Matt Sutkoski, Lydia Flanagan and The Mutual Zine Society, as well as everyone we spoke to at the Tunbridge World’s Fair: Gary and Martha Howe, Baxter Doty, Dave Smith, Louise and Frank Mier, Elliot Morse, Betsy and David Race and Gary Young

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Is Vermont’s motel program a ‘magnet’ for out-of-staters experiencing homelessness?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 20:17:00 -0000

For as long as Carly Berlin has been reporting on housing issues for Vermont Public and VTDigger, she’s been hearing some version of this question: Is Vermont’s rise in homelessness due to unhoused people moving here from out-of-state?

She hasn’t been able to track down an easy answer to this question. And in the absence of information, the idea that Vermont’s benefits are a “magnet” for those experiencing homelessness has taken root, from the aisles of grocery stores to the Statehouse floor. It’s a narrative that’s shaping the conversation about homelessness in Vermont, and what the state should do to address it.

But is it even true? In this episode, Carly goes digging for data.

Find the web version of this story here.

Thanks to Joseph Valaske and Mark Tarmy of Putney for sharing their curiosity with us.

This episode was reported by Carly Berlin and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Sabine Poux and Josh Crane, with support from April McCullum and Alicia Freese. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Lola Duffort, Laura Nakasaka, Sophie Stephens, Jess Graff, Sarah Russell, Rick DeAngelis, Frank Knaack, Stephen Waclawik and Mary Mojica.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Updated: September 7, 2024 — We removed a caveat about data presented in this story to avoid repetition and the potential for misinterpretation.

When the Space Race and arms dealing came to the NEK (encore)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 19:59:00 -0000

A chapter of Northeast Kingdom history that is most mysterious. A man whose talent and ambition led him down a perilous path. To answer a question from Eric Lucier of Jay, Henry Epp tells the story of the Space Research Corporation and its founder, Gerald Bull.

We originally released this episode in 2022. Check out photos of the Space Research Corporation site, then and now, in our web feature.

Henry Epp reported this episode. It was produced by Angela Evancie, with additional editing and production by Myra Flynn and Josh Crane. This encore presentation was produced by Burgess Brown. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Anna Ste Marie, Kevin Trevellyan, Mark Davis, Michael Rogers, Kate Phillips and Paul Carnahan.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

Our 7th Annual Brief History of Vermont Road Names

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 23:36:00 -0000

What’s summer without a road trip? Every year, Brave Little State travels around Vermont to find the stories behind the road signs. But even with several years of investigations under our seatbelts, we’re still finding plenty of surprises.

This year, we looked into the stories behind Lake Willoughby, Hells Peak Road and Pumpkin Harbor Road.

You can find the web version of this story here. And psst — check out our new Brave Little State landing page, which, for the first time, has a searchable archive of all our past episodes.

Check out our previous brief histories of Vermont road names:

This episode was reported, produced, edited and mixed by Adiah Gholston, Burgess Brown, Samantha Watson and Sabine Poux. Our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane and our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Thanks to this year’s question askers: Beverly Decker, Sarah Hazleton and John Finlay.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Are Vermonters happy?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 21:20:00 -0000

Whew… a big question. And certainly not one with a yes or no answer. Happiness looks different depending on who you ask. So we visited five Vermonters to learn what happiness looks like to them.

Question-asker Courtney Rabuffo is a recent transplant to Vermont. She’s found a lot of happiness in her new home in North Hero. But she wants to know how other Vermonters are faring, which is why she asked us:

"Are Vermonters happy? And are they happier than people in other New England states?"

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported by Mitch Wertlieb and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane, Burgess Brown and Kevin Trevellyn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Zoe McDonald, Winona Johnson and Heather Call.

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Jeezum crow!

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 18:57:00 -0000

Jeezum crow, is it tough to find the origin of the phrase ‘jeezum crow’! Join us for our exploration into this quintessential Vermont saying, as we journey from folklore to linguistics to… crows.

Thanks to Sandra Bettis of Middlesex for the great question:

“Where did ‘jeezum crow’ come from and is it just a Vermont saying?”

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak. It was produced and edited by Angela Evancie, Josh Crane, Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions and Banjo Dan.

Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Laura Nakasaka, Jim Stanford, Martha Barnette, Grant Barrett and Mary Danko.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

P.S.: An earlier version of this story said Vermont History is a magazine. The audio has been updated to reflect that it is a journal.

What 'old streams' can teach us about flooding (encore)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 23:41:00 -0000

Here we are again. Exactly one year after historic floods ravaged Vermont, parts of the state are again dealing with devastating flooding following heavy rains. We turn back to a 2023 episode about how understanding why these floods are so destructive is not as simple as measuring rainfall.

Last year, reporter Lexi Krupp took on what turned out to be a very timely question from Gus Goodwin of East Montpelier. He wanted to know:

“What does an old stream look like? Does Vermont have any? And can we manage for them?”

We’re revisiting that episode as Vermont assesses the damage from yet another round of flooding. You can find the web version of this episode here.

For the most up-to-date flood coverage, you can visit vermontpublic.org.

This episode was reported by Lexi Krupp and produced by Josh Crane with help from Mae Nagusky. This re-run was produced 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 Sophie Stephens, Mark Davis, Mikaela Lefrak, Bill Keeton, Mary and Greg Russ, Ellen Wohl, Will Elridge, Skip Lisle and Elizabeth Trail.

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What were Vermont’s ‘poor farms’ like?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 19:56:00 -0000

For about a century, a farm operated on a hillside in Hardwick. At one point, it was said to have one of the finest herds of cows in town. But life for those working the farm was less rosy. They were known as “inmates” — though they hadn’t committed crimes. This was Hardwick’s “poor farm.”

Vermont towns used to be required by law to provide welfare locally. That’s where poor farms came in. A listener from Shelburne wants to know if there’s anything we can learn from this approach — in spite of its problems:

“What were Vermont's 'poor farms' like, and could parts of the poor farm model of local aid be adapted for the needs of today?”

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported by Elodie Reed and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s executive producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Zoe McDonald, Lexi Krupp, Erica Heilman, Liz Gauffreau, Tara Reese, Kent Osborne, Carlotta Hayes, Eric Jonathan, Jackson Miller and all the folks we spoke to at Heartbeet Lifesharing

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Why is it so hard to get a primary care provider?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 19:55:00 -0000

Hours and hours of calls. Months-long waitlists. Vermonters are spending a lot of time looking for primary care providers — and those providers are struggling, too.

Question-asker Jen Kaufman is a doctor practicing in Vergennes who got into primary care because she likes spending time with patients. But she’s cut back on her hours seeing patients to manage her workload. She wants to know:

What is the state of primary care in Vermont and where is it anticipated to go? Why is it so hard to get a primary care provider?

Find the web version of this episode here.

If you can, help us keep Brave Little State free for everyone by making a gift to Vermont Public at this link. It isn’t possible to make this show without your support. Thank you!

This episode was reported by Lexi Krupp and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s executive producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Bobbie Groves, Alex Spieler, Jon Holmer, Gary Drown, Paul Capcara, Jessa Bernard, Susan White, Stuart May, Yalda Jabbarpour, Margaret Gadon, Leigh LoPresti, Fay Homan, John Saroyan, Jess Moore, Sheila Keating, Kristin Barnum, John Olson and Stephanie Pagliuca.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Why doesn't Chittenden County have better public transit options?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 23 May 2024 21:20:00 -0000

Chittenden County has been using buses to move people around for almost a century. But with ridership down and the bus system heading toward a fiscal cliff, one listener wants to know — is there a better way?

In the not-too-distant past, Burlington and its surrounding towns dreamt big transit dreams: more efficient buses, commuter trains and light rail. In 2024, those dreams remain unrealized or abandoned, and we’re fighting to keep the system we do have alive.

Winning question-asker Nathaniel Eisen wants to know what happened. He asks:

Why doesn't Chittenden County have better public transit options?

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux, with editing from Burgess Brown and Mark Davis. Our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane and our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Charles Dillard, Gregory Rowangould, Marshall Distel, Chris Cole, Patrick Garahan, Corey Dockser, Bobby Lussier, Jordan Mitchell, Richard Whiting, Patty Wight, Irwin Gratz, Caroline Losneck, Winston Lumpkins, Zack Barowitz and Paul Detzer and Elodie Reed.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

The case of the mysterious Montpelier molar

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 09 May 2024 20:29:00 -0000

There’s a tooth embedded in a retaining wall alongside East State Street in Montpelier. Who put it there?

This question has been keeping Brave Little State producer Burgess Brown up at night. He and question-asker Elvira Dana channeled their best Holmes and Watson to crack this cold canine case right open. And they enlisted the entire town of Montpelier for help along the way.

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported and produced by Burgess Brown, with editing from Sabine Poux and Brittany Patterson. Our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane and our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Ann Lee, Lexi Krupp, Tim Heeney, Kevin Marlier, Jason Kass, Gideon Kass, Natalie Kass, Dan Groberg, Paul Carnahan, Tom McArdle, Corinne Cooper, Steve Gray, Mike Doyle, and many many other Montpelierites for their help.

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Mud Season Madness (encore)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 18:51:00 -0000

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Vermont’s messy transition from winter to spring always brings its fair share of surprises and obstacles. And this year has been no exception: The mud came early, and it came often.

Keith Gadapee is on the front lines of battling mud season as road foreman for the town of Danville — which has more dirt roads than anywhere else in Vermont. We spoke to Keith back in 2022 for an episode we called “Mud Season Madness” and put your pressing mud questions to the expert. We dug out that episode for an encore and checked back in with Keith as this year’s roller coaster of a season comes to a close.

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux and Angela Evancie, with editing and additional production from Burgess Brown. Angela Evancie is our executive producer, and our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to April McCullum and Sophie Stephens.

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What’s up with the Vermont wave?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 20:53:00 -0000

If you live in a rural part of Vermont, you know it — the one-finger lift or full-hand gesture from the steering wheel. Everyone has their own take on the so-called “Vermont wave.”

Who gets a whole-hand wave and who doesn’t? When exactly do you do it and what does it mean? Reporter Nina Keck set out with question-asker Mica Tucker to learn the unwritten rules of the road and find out: “What’s up with the Vermont wave?”

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported by Nina Keck and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. 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 Brittany Patterson, John Delgadillo and Sophie Stephens.

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‘Recognized’: An update

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:43:00 -0000

Two Abenaki First Nations headquartered in Canada contest the legitimacy of Vermont’s state-recognized tribes. How are Vermont lawmakers responding?

Last October, Brave Little State published “Recognized”: a three-part investigation into contested claims that Vermont’s four state-recognized tribes are not legitimate. The Abenaki First Nations making those claims have called on Vermont lawmakers to reconsider the state recognition process.

Reporter Elodie Reed followed up on her original reporting and shared her findings with The Frequency podcast host Mitch Wertlieb. We’re resharing their conversation here.

You can find a transcript of that conversation here.

You can listen to the entire “Recognized” series here.

This story was reported and produced by Elodie Reed, with help from Mitch Wertlieb. The Brave Little State team is Josh Crane, Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer.

We’ll be back soon with more people-powered Vermont journalism. As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

P.S. This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the response of Vermont's state-recognized tribes to scrutiny of the state recognition process. Additional context has also been added about genealogical documentation cited — but not made public — in state recognition applications.

Investigating far-right extremism in northern New York

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 14:54:00 -0000

This week, a story from our neighbors at North Country Public Radio. If All Else Fails is a recent podcast about the growing presence — and threat — of far-right extremism in northern New York, and the voters and local law enforcement that are engaging with the movement there.

You can learn more about the series here. That’s also where you can find photos from NCPR’s reporting, and listen to the rest of the series.

Heads up: The show contains some harsh language and some listeners might find certain parts of this episode disturbing.

This episode was reported by Emily Russell and Zach Hirsch for North Country Public Radio, with grant support from Grist and the Center for Rural Strategies. A big thanks to NCPR for letting us share their show here.

The Brave Little State team is Josh Crane, Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer.

We’ll be back soon with more people-powered Vermont journalism. As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:

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What impact does the VAST trail have on Vermont's economy?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 19:39:00 -0000

The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, better known as VAST, maintains more than 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails across the state. Today, snowmobiling is one of the top contributors to Vermont’s winter economy. But for a sport so dependent on reliable snow, the future is uncertain.

The majority of VAST trails are on private land. One of those landowners is winning question-asker Barb Huibregtse of Danville, who asks:

“What is the impact of the VAST trail on Vermont’s economy?”

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported by Howard Weiss-Tisman and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. 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 Augie Melendez, Brian Henderson, Joan Cwirka, Kevin McDonnell and Zachary Amerling.

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Correction: We removed a statistic that said that the number of days with an inch or more of snow in Vermont had dropped 40% since 1960, because we could not verify where it originated. According to data from NOAA, the total days of snow cover greater than one inch in Vermont was actually the same in 1960 and 2016, with variability from year to year. The story has been updated with additional reporting.

What is the Upper Valley?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 16:21:00 -0000

A smattering of Vermont and New Hampshire towns on either side of the Connecticut River are known collectively as the “Upper Valley.” We set out to learn more about the origin of that phrase, and what makes the Upper Valley a geographic and cultural outlier.

Our mission comes from question-asker David Watts, of Norwich:

“What is the Upper Valley? And how did it get its name?”

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported and produced by Josh Crane. Editing and additional production from Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Bob Green, Sophie Stephens, Mark Davis, Bill Kane, Pat Boerum, John Lowe, Richard Hastings and Kat Blanchard.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

P.S. A previous version of this story indicated that the Claremont Eagle Times shut down in 2009 and reopened under new ownership in 2022. The Eagle Times did shut down in 2009, but reopened under new ownership later that same year. It was sold again in 2022. We’ve updated the audio to reflect this, and also fixed our pronunciation of the town of “Topsham.”

How do Vermont libraries stay alive and vibrant?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:37:00 -0000

Vermont is home to almost 200 independent and locally funded libraries. This means they each must evolve to meet the unique needs of their communities with sometimes limited resources. That got listener Diane Church of Fairlee wondering:

“How do our public libraries manage to stay alive and vibrant in this age of technology?”

Vermont Public’s Sabine Poux and Andrea Laurion visit two of Vermont’s libraries to see how things are going.

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported by Sabine Poux and Andrea Laurion, and it was produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Catherine Delneo, Oceana Wilson, DeAnna Romstad, Max Maylin, Carol Plante, Sarah Lloyd and Paul Dunn.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What relationships are possible between Burlington and her sister cities, Bethlehem and Arad?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 21:16:00 -0000

Burlington has sister cities all over the world — including in Nicaragua, Mississippi and Japan. Winning question-asker Peg Clement is curious about the city's relationship with two, in particular: Bethlehem, in the West Bank, and Arad, in Israel.

Find the web version of this episode here.

The Burlington-Bethlehem-Arad sister city committee holds public meetings on the first Monday of every month in Burlington’s Miller Center. You can find more information here.

Additional resources:

NPR: Special Series: Middle East crisis – explained
Al Jazeera: What’s the Israel-Palestine conflict about? A simple guide
Vox: What are Israel and Palestine? Why are they fighting?
The Washington Post: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: A chronology
Throughline: A History of Hamas
Throughline: Palestine (from May 2021)
The Ezra Klein Show: The Sermons I Needed to Hear Right Now

This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux, Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Sandy Baird, Prudence Doherty, Chris Burns, Rob Bliss, Emery Mattheis, Jonah Spivak, Jim Rader, and the CCTV Center for Media & Democracy.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Why do people like Phish? (Encore)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:50:00 -0000

We journey into the weird world of Vermont's favorite jam band to explore the culture of "phandom” and Phish’s early roots in our brave little state.

We originally released this episode in 2021. In it, Ethan Weinstein of South Woodstock asks: “Why do people like Phish? And how did they become such a big part of Vermont music culture?”

(Heads up: There’s a bit of profanity in this episode, and some discussion of drugs and drug culture.)

To see photos of Phish from their early Vermont days, check out our web post. You’ll also find a Phish starter kit with resources to further your Phish education, should you so desire.

Josh Crane reported this episode, with editing and production from Myra Flynn and Angela Evancie. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Thanks to Phish Inc. for permission to use some of the band’s music.

Special thanks also to Jonathan Heller, Billy Glassner, Paul Brill, Stephanie Jenkins, Jay Curley, Anne Rothwell, Jenn Moore, Beth Montuori Rowles, Anna Van Dine, Mary Engisch, Peter Engisch, Laura Schoenfeld, Steve Zind, Patti Daniels, Chris Albertine, John Van Hoesen, Mitch Wertlieb, Alex Burns and everyone who left a voicemail on our Phish hotline — Chris, Chris, Christina, Jonathan, Jim, Antonia, Ron, Philip, Andy, Stephanie, Molly, Robb, Shannon, Bryant and Nina.

Music featured in this episode, in order of appearance:

"Orejitas" by Blue Dot Sessions
“Gotta Jibboo” by Phish
“Ghost” by Phish
“Hardboil” by Blue Dot Sessions
"BLS Theme" by Ty Gibbons
“Sargento” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Halley’s Comet” by Phish
“Trois Gnossiennes 3” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Wilson” by Phish
“The Queen of Cones” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Tyrano Theme” by Blue Dot Sessions
“The Curtain With” by Phish
“Maldoc” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Auld Lang Syne” covered by Phish
“Leaves” by Phish
“Cran Ras” by Blue Dot Sessions
"Ferus Cut" by Blue Dot Sessions
"BLS Theme" by Ty Gibbons

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a member of the NPR Network.

How are towns hit by summer floods doing?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:44:00 -0000

Volunteers were still pumping water out of basements from the July floods when another round of flooding hit this week. Vermonters on the front lines say the frequency of these events point to the need for more durable solutions.

On this episode of Brave Little State, a question from Sophi Veltrop, of Woodbury:

"How are towns hit by 2023 flooding doing? What locally-driven solutions are helping those most harmed and setting the stage to rebuild better?"

Reporter Pete Hirschfeld talks to some of those who were hit hardest over the summer, from a family whose home is still uninhabitable to a woman on dialysis who lives alone. He also explores how local recovery responses are filling the gaps where state and federal relief have fallen short — as Vermont barrels toward a future filled with more severe, and more frequent, flooding events.

Find the web version of this episode here.

Pete Hirschfeld reported this episode. It was produced and edited by the Brave Little State team: Sabine Poux, Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Lexi Krupp, Tom Drake, Sarah Henshaw, Rev. Dr. Wendy Jaine Summers and Meghan Weyland.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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What’s the deal with Act 250?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 20:22:00 -0000

Vermont’s pastoral, small town charm didn’t just happen out of thin air. It’s been legislated. And it’s especially baked into one really important Vermont law — Act 250. But as Vermont changes, there’s an increasing push for Act 250 to change with it.

That’s why Danielle Laberge of Wells submitted this winning question to Brave Little State:

“What's the deal with Act 250, Vermont's signature land-use law? Why is it important and what's changing?”

Reporter Sabine Poux digs into the story of Act 250, from its origins in the 1960s to a present-day battle over how it should be implemented. This isn’t just a story about a law. It’s a story about our shared values, and how we want our state to change — or not — over the next 50 years and beyond.

Find the web version of this episode here.

Sabine Poux reported this episode. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Pete Hirschfeld, Bruce Post, Mikaela Osler, Marjorie Strong, Prudence Doherty, Katherine Sims, Peter Gregory, Caleb Elder, Todd Heyman, Christine and Mark Hughes, Brian Shupe, Mary Kasamatsu and Mimi Aoun.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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What effect has noncitizen voting had in the Vermont cities where it's legal?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 20:55:00 -0000

In recent years, Winooski, Montpelier and Burlington made it possible for all legal residents to vote — including asylum seekers, refugees and green card holders like our winning question-asker, Charlotte Blend. Charlotte has been excited to vote on local issues and she’s curious about the impact of the rule changes in the towns where it’s now legal.

Reporter Mikaela Lefrak talks to new Vermont voters — and a lot of city clerks — about how the at-times controversial changes in local election policy have affected three Vermont cities, from their councils and school boards to their residents.

Find the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Martin Austermuhle, Elaine Wang, Liz Edsell, Tracy Dolan and Anna Tadio.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Raising biracial kids — and preserving heritage — in Vermont

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 20:13:00 -0000

We met Sweeney Grabin at a Brave Little State mixer last year, right after she moved to South Burlington with her husband and her baby, Maya. She wants to know how other parents with biracial kids are maintaining their heritage in one of the country’s whitest states.

Myra Flynn turns to old friends and her own experiences to answer Sweeney’s question.

You can find a full transcript of this episode here. Also, check out Myra’s show, Homegoings, for more deep dives into race and identity.

Myra Flynn reported this episode. The Brave Little State team is Josh Crane and Sabine Poux, with additional support from Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions, Jay Green and Myra Flynn.

Special thanks to Corey Dockser, Marlon Hyde and Erin Baker.

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Recognized: Chapter Three

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 20:20:00 -0000

Who gets to decide who is Abenaki? Vermont’s four state-recognized tribes — and the state recognition law — have different definitions and criteria for what it means to be Indigenous than many Indigenous Nations. In this episode, we look at this disconnect, and lay out what’s at stake, including power, money and authority.

This is Chapter Three of “Recognized,” a special series from Brave Little State. Chapters One and Two are available right now in this podcast feed. Find a transcript of the series here.

And to learn more about our approach to this story, you can read our editor's note, here.

***

“Recognized” was reported by Elodie Reed. Sabine Poux is our producer. The senior producer and managing editor is Josh Crane. Additional editing from our executive producer, Angela Evancie, as well as Tristan Ahtone, Brittany Patterson, Myra Flynn and Julia Furukawa. Julia Furukawa, Corey Dockser and David Savoie contributed reporting to this episode. Extra support from Mark Davis and Sophie Stephens. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

There are lots of other people who contributed to this series along the way — too many to name everyone here. You can find a full list on our website..

As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Recognized: Chapter Two

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 20:18:00 -0000

After the original group of self-proclaimed Vermont Abenaki failed to gain federal recognition, Vermont lawmakers created a state recognition process of their own. One theory in particular informed the state’s consideration: that Abenaki peoples hid in Vermont to avoid persecution, including statewide eugenics policies. In this episode, we look at recent evidence, as well as older reports, that cast doubt on this narrative.

This is Chapter Two of “Recognized,” a special series from Brave Little State. Chapters One and Three are available right now in this podcast feed. Find a transcript of the series here.

And to learn more about our approach to this story, you can read our editor's note, here.

***

“Recognized” was reported by Elodie Reed. Sabine Poux is our producer. The senior producer and managing editor is Josh Crane. Additional editing from our executive producer, Angela Evancie, as well as Tristan Ahtone, Brittany Patterson, Myra Flynn and Julia Furukawa. Julia also contributed reporting to this episode. Extra support from Mark Davis and Sophie Stephens. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

There are lots of other people who contributed to this series along the way — too many to name everyone here. You can find a full list on our website..

As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

P.S. A previous version of this story described Gordon Day as a historian. We have updated the audio to describe him as an anthropologist.

Also, this story has been updated to note that only the Vermont Senate instituted a state residency requirement for testimony on state recognition legislation in 2011 and 2012. The Vermont House does not appear to have made a similar requirement.

Recognized: Chapter One

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 20:16:00 -0000

Two Abenaki First Nations in Canada contest the legitimacy of the four groups recognized by the state of Vermont as Abenaki tribes. This is a dispute that goes back at least two decades, and has gained more prominence in recent years. In this episode, we trace Abenaki history up to 2003, when Odanak First Nation first denounced Vermont groups claiming to be Abenaki.

This is Chapter One of “Recognized,” a special series from Brave Little State. Chapters Two and Three are available right now in this podcast feed. Find a transcript of the series here.

And to learn more about our approach to this story, you can read our editor's note, here.

***

“Recognized” was reported by Elodie Reed. Sabine Poux is our producer. The senior producer and managing editor is Josh Crane. Additional editing from our executive producer, Angela Evancie, as well as Tristan Ahtone, Brittany Patterson, Myra Flynn and Julia Furukawa. Julia Furukawa and David Savoie contributed reporting to this episode. Extra support from Mark Davis and Sophie Stephens. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

There are lots of other people who contributed to this series along the way — too many to name everyone here. You can find a full list on our website..

As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:

Ask a question about Vermont
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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

P.S. A previous version of this story described Gordon Day as a historian. We have updated the audio to describe him as an anthropologist.

Why are so few Hollywood movies and TV shows filmed in Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:57:00 -0000

The smash hit Netflix series Wednesday takes place in Jericho … and was filmed in Romania. Megan Matthers of Sutton wants to know — why?

Mae Nagusky learns about the barriers keeping Hollywood from setting up shop here, and why things used to be different.

Check out the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported and produced by Mae Nagusky. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane, Sabine Poux, Angela Evancie and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie.

Special thanks to Eric Ford, Tim Kavanaugh, Cemi Guzman, Sarah Witters, Myles Jewell and Hyon Joo Yoo.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What’s the deal with Vermont’s fire towers?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 21:30:00 -0000

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, at Okemo. He’s been curious to learn more about the history of these remote towers scattered across Vermont peaks ever since.

Reporter Sabine Poux searches for answers in the early 1900s, when timberland owners and railroads ruled the Vermont landscape. And, she arrives at the doorstep of a couple that found a lifetime of artistic inspiration as fire tower lookouts in southern Vermont.

We compiled a map of Vermont fire towers past and present. Find it here.

Sabine Poux reported this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Josh Crane produced and edited it. Additional support from Sophie Stephens, Corey Dockser and Joey Palumbo. 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 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 UMass Amherst Libraries for finding the copy of Visitors, Hugh Joudry’s radio play.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What if Vermont were to buy motels for emergency housing?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 17:18:00 -0000

During the pandemic, Daniel Luttrel heard a lot about how Vermont was renting rooms at hotels and motels to shelter people. And he heard that the state was using a lot of money to do it. So, he asked: “Can’t we just buy them?”

Reporter Liam Elder-Connors digs into Vermont’s motel housing program, and learns that Daniel’s question has been asked by everyone from housing advocates to those in charge of the motel program itself. He also meets current and former motel residents to get a better sense of the impact this program has had on one of Vermont’s most vulnerable populations.

Find the web version of this story here.

Liam Elder-Connors reported this episode, and it was produced by Josh Crane and Sabine Poux. Additional support from Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s executive producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Our 6th Annual Brief History Of Vermont Road Names

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 19:12:00 -0000

Every summer, we delve into the history behind unusual road names around the state — as voted on by you. This year’s show took us to Tigertown Road in Norwich, Hateful Hill Road in Wallingford and Gerts Knob Road in Underhill.

Thanks to this year’s question-askers: Claudia Marieb, Sarah Aubry and Judy Raineault.

You can find photos from our reporting at the web version of this episode. Check out our previous brief histories of Vermont road names:

This episode was reported, produced, edited and mixed by Josh Crane, Andrea Laurion, Mae Nagusky, Joia Putnoi and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

From gold mines to witch windows (Encore)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 14:10:00 -0000

Instead of taking on one of your questions about Vermont, we’re taking on three — in a kind of local history lightning round. We explore those crooked windows you see on Vermont farmhouses, Vermont’s defunct gold mines and the history of Burlington’s Church Street.

This episode was originally released in 2017.

To see photos from our reporting, check out the web version of the episode here.

This episode was originally produced, mixed and edited by Angela Evancie, who’s now our executive producer, with help from Lynne McCrea. Theme music by Ty Gibbons. Other music in this episode was by David Szesztay, Podington Bear, Jockers Dance Orchestra and Avon Comedy Four. We had engineering support from Chris Albertine, and Josh Crane remixed today’s encore.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What is it like to be a rapper in Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 20:16:00 -0000

“Something was always telling me poetry is your purpose. Being an artist, you know, with the power of words, is your purpose. I was just scared of it.”

Omega Jade grew up in church choir in San Diego — far from destined to become one of the most unique voices in Vermont’s rap scene. This episode focuses on her journey, and the rise of rap in the Green Mountain State.

Thanks to Jeremy Buente for the great question: “Who are some current Vermont rappers? And what's it like to be a rapper in Vermont?”

***This episode is explicit. There is swearing and mentions of drug abuse and domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website. Or, find substance abuse and mental health support here.***

To see photos from our reporting, and find more info about the music in this episode, check out the web version of this story here. And you can find all of Omega Jade's music here.

Special thanks to Mary Engisch, Joia Putnoi, Hannah Braun, Amelia Catanzaro, Matthew Fisher, Nadia Frazier, Amina Rhoads, Janvier Nsengiyumva and Luke Gauthier of Equal Eyes Records.

This episode was reported by Mae Nagusky, who also did the mix and sound design. Editing and production by Josh Crane, with additional support from Myra Flynn and Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Music from Rico James and Omega Jade.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What 'old streams' can teach us about flooding

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 18:50:00 -0000

Just as we were putting the finishing touches on an episode about Vermont rivers and streams, historic flooding ravaged the state. Our rivers weren’t always this fast, deep or powerful — we made them this way. And efforts to bring them closer to a more natural state are vital to build future resiliency.

Visit vermontpublic.org/flood for ongoing reporting about the flooding and recovery efforts. And check out the web version of this episode here.

Thanks to Gus Goodwin of East Montpelier for the great and timely question.

Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Mark Davis, Bill Keeton, Mary and Greg Russ, Ellen Wohl, Will Elridge, Skip Lisle, and Elizabeth Trail.

This episode was reported by Lexi Krupp. Josh Crane edited and produced it, with help from Mae Nagusky. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What do families do when they're stuck on waitlists for child care?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 21:44:00 -0000

Julie Cadwallader Staub is curious about the families who are on waiting lists for child care. “What decisions are they forced to make? How are they managing?”

To answer Julie’s question, we visit with four families in wait list limbo, and learn about the tradeoffs they’re making.

To see photos of the families we featured today, head to our website.

This episode was a true team effort, with reporting, producing and mixing by all of us – Mae Nagusky, Josh Crane, Myra Flynn, and Angela Evancie. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Jan Buonanno, Rob Gurwitt, Peter Engisch, Maria Aguirre, and all the folks who replied to our callout for this episode, to share your own stories about child care waitlists. We are rooting for you! And our show gets lots of help behind the scenes, so a special shoutout to Bryan Holland for starting to get our episodes up on YouTube.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public, and a proud member of the NPR Network.

How do you pronounce the name of the Waitsfield supermarket ‘Mehuron’s’?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 19:23:00 -0000

One of the most common genres of questions we get has to do with local dialect and pronunciation. Today, thanks to question-asker Noah Waxman of Starksboro, we help settle a regional debate involving a beloved market in Central Vermont.

Check out the web version of this episode to see photos from our reporting.

Thanks to all the people who spoke to us outside the market: Brooke Haynes, Jo Palmer, Niclas Thein, Gail Helmer, Brian Albrecht, Karen Rookwood, Toby Bellows, Scout Vitko and Dick Atkinson. Special thanks to Anna Van Dine, Anna Ste. Marie, Celia Cadwell and, of course, the Mehuron family.

This episode was reported and produced by Josh Crane, with support from the rest of the BLS team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Student Takeover

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 18:15:00 -0000

In honor of graduation season, we’re featuring local stories from high school and college students — all on the theme of “change.”

(Heads up, this episode contains a few un-bleeped swears.)

You can find the web version of this episode here. A big thanks and good luck to the students whose work we shared today: Emma Ginsberg, Samantha Watson, Bre Glover and Addey Lilley. Thanks to the University of Vermont, Dartmouth College and Harwood Union High School for supporting audio journalism, and to Brittany Patterson, Kevin Trevellyan, Anna Van Dine and Sophie Crane for being excellent teachers. (Full disclosure: Sophie is married to Brave Little State’s own Josh Crane.) Special thanks to Kate Youngdahl-Stauss.

This episode was produced by Josh Crane, with editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and our intern, Mae Nagusky, who also happens to be a student — she’s a rising senior at UVM. Music by Blue Dot Sessions, Podington Bear and the band Tallahassee.

Our show gets lots of help from colleagues behind the scenes, so we also want to shout out Francesca Orsini for teaching us how to make the BLS newsletter look extra fancy.

As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

The nickname Barre would like you to stop using

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 25 May 2023 14:29:00 -0000

When Tim Rapczynski moved to Barre City, he was caught off guard by a nickname he heard some people use to describe the place: “Scary Barre.” So he asked us about its origin. To find the answer, we confront classism, social stigma — and the role of the media.

Thanks to Tim Rapczynski for the great question. You can find photos from our reporting, as well as a full episode transcript, in the web version of this episode. Amanda Gustin, the Barre City resident who left the voicemail at the top of this episode, was also in another episode of ours recently, talking about the history of intentional living communities in Vermont.

Special thanks to Ashleigh Ricciarelli, John Ricciarelli, Marianne Kotch, Jim and Larissa Haas, Fran Spaulding, Bob Purvis, Hilary Denton, Ellen Kaye, Scott McLaughlin, Jeannie McLeod, Lila Rees, Tracie Lewis, Braedon Vail, Bern Rose, Peter Hirschfeld, Liam Elder-Connors and the Aldridge Library.

Our show gets lots of help from colleagues behind the scenes, so we also want to shout-out Anna Ste. Marie for helping BLS shine on social media.

This episode was reported by Mary Engisch and Angela Evancie. Production, mix and sound design by Angela Evancie. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

5 Vermonters talk about guns

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 11 May 2023 15:12:00 -0000

A question from a listener prompts a different kind of conversation about guns. Reporter Erica Heilman talks with five Vermonters about how their lives have been impacted by them, and why they have them.

Content warning: This episode contains conversation about suicide, domestic and sexual violence; profanity; substance abuse and gun violence, which might be difficult for some to hear.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Just dial 988 to talk to someone at the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

If you’re experiencing abuse or violence against you of any kind, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is also available to you for help or conversation. You can reach them at 800-799-7233.

Access a transcript of this episode here.

This episode was reported and mixed by Erica Heilman. It was produced by Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky, with editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie and Josh Crane.

If you want to hear more of Erica’s interviews, check out her podcast Rumble Strip. She’s also the creator of a Vermont Public series called What Class Are You? John Rodgers, one of the folks in this episode, is also featured there.

Special thanks to Susan Clark, Louis Porter, Amelia Meath, Renee Falconer, Aimee Farr, Kirk Postalwaite, Marilyn Skoglund, Ingrid Jonas, Karen Tronsgard-Scott, Conor Casey, Will Staats, Tena Starr, Kelly Green, Tobin Anderson, Wynona Ward and Russ Shopland.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public, and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What’s the deal with intentional living communities in Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 16:30:00 -0000

Ella Wegman-Lawless has done her fair share of communal and intentional living in Vermont. She wondered: “How much of Vermont as a place cultivates that?”

So she asked us: “Does Vermont have a high number of communes, and if so, what’s the deal?”

To answer Ella’s question, reporter Mae Nagusky surveys intentional living communities in Vermont, past and present: communes, co-ops, eco-villages and the like. If your mind immediately goes to the peace and free love hippies of the ‘60s and ‘70s, you’re not alone. And that’s a part of the story. But intentional communities take many shapes in our state — and not all of them fit that stereotype.

To see photos from Mae’s reporting check out our web feature.

Mae Nagusky reported this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Josh Crane produced it, with editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Myra Flynn and Angela Evancie. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Lexi Krupp, Eric George, Marlie and Julia Hunt, Hannah Braun, Colin Bradley, Sara Peterson, Colton Francis, Luigi Morelli and the Hungerfort Community House.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it!

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public, and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Where did all Vermont’s stone walls come from?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 13:34:00 -0000

A few years ago, Jack Widness of Wilmington and Malcolm Moore of Marlboro were part of a crew clearing trails on Hogback Mountain. They noticed stone walls “all over the place, going up at steep angles, very close to the tops of the mountain.”

So Jack and Malcolm asked us: “For what purpose did our Vermont forbears do all the hard work of building stone walls in such different and unusual locations?”

When we announced this winning question, a lot of you were like, “Come on, it’s totally because of sheep.” But is it really? Or is there more to the story?

Reporter Anna Van Dine digs through the layers of Vermont’s history, and finds not just an answer about stone walls, but a story about them — and the stories they hold.

For deeper reading on this topic, and to see lots of photos of stone walls, check out our web feature. For more on Vermont’s geologic history, check out our episode: “How has the geology of Vermont affected its character?”

This episode was reported and mixed by Anna Van Dine. Angela Evancie produced it, with scoring and sound design by Josh Crane. Editing and additional production from all of us, and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Tom Wessels, and to Rebekah Irwin at the Middlebury College archives.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it!

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public, and a proud member of the NPR Network.

What has put Vermont on the pop culture map?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:30:00 -0000

Musician Noah Kahan wrote “Stick Season” after moving back home to Vermont during the pandemic. Now, it’s a worldwide sensation, and listener Sara Morin is wondering what else has made Vermont culturally relevant.

So, grab a pint of Phish Food and crack open your favorite local beverage, or go for a wander through the woods wearing homemade mittens — whatever you have to do to get ready for a pop culture edition of Brave Little State.

Check out our web feature for photos and a breakdown of some of the cultural highlights discussed in this episode.

Myra Flynn reported and produced this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from the rest of the team: Angela Evancie, Josh Crane and Mae Nagusky.

Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions, Noah Kahan, Ari Joshua, Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski.

Special thanks to James Stewart, Mikaela Lefrak, Peter Engisch, Mary Engisch, Mike McCallum, Clay Thomas, Alice Thomas, Oscar Deal and Skylar Clauder.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

How many Airbnbs are 'taking away' from Vermonters? It's complicated

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:19:00 -0000

Christiana Martin wants to know how much short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, are exacerbating Vermont’s housing crisis. We survey the data, and visit two Vermont neighborhoods — Decatur Street in Burlington and Gorham Drive in Kirby — to find out how communities across the state are responding to a growing industry.

Thanks to Christiana for the great question. To explore the data from this episode, and see photos from Josh’s reporting, check out our web feature.

Josh Crane reported and produced this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. Data guidance from April McCullum. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Howard Weiss-Tisman, Jacob Mushlin, Amy Ash Nixon, Madeleine Parkin and Jade Tinsley.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public, and a proud member of the NPR Network.

How much does Vermont's power grid depend on fossil fuels?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:19:00 -0000

So, your electricity rates are rising. Oil and gas costs … also rising. This led Remington Nevin of Quechee to wonder if Vermont’s electricity is truly as environmentally friendly as some claim it is. Turns out, the answer is complicated.

Climate and environment reporter Abagael Giles provides an education in our power grid and explores how Vermont could generate more renewable energy in the future.

Additional resources:

Find out how you can participate in the Vermont Department of Public Service’s public engagement campaign on renewable electricity here
Check out a tool from ISO New England that shows you what energy source is powering your electricity right now
Check out photos from Abagael’s reporting in our web feature

Abagael Giles reported this episode. Angela Evancie produced it, with lots of help from Mae Nagusky. Mix and sound design by Angela Evancie and Mae Nagusky, with additional help from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Myra Flynn and Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Ben Storrow, John Dillon, Anne Margolis, Matt Kakley, Mara Hoplamazian, Miriam Wasser, Oliver Tully, Jared Duval, Peter Hirschfeld and Brittany Patterson.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

How has the geology of Vermont affected its character? (Encore)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 14:30:00 -0000

Matt “Beagle” Bourgault wants to know how Vermont’s bedrock and soil shaped our identity — and made us different from our neighbors.

We originally released this episode in 2017. A lot has changed since then, but our geologic history has not.

To see maps showing the “folds” and “blobs” in our local bedrock, check out our web feature.

Related listening:

Vermont vs. New Hampshire: What’s the beef? (Brave Little State, 2021)
Geology is destiny (NEXT New England, 2017)

Lynne McCrea edited this episode. Angela Evancie reported and produced it, along with Henry Epp, and did the mix and sound design. The re-release was supported by Brave Little State’s Josh Crane, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. This episode featured original scoring by Liam Elder-Connors, with other music by Podington Bear and the Sturbridge Colonial Militia. Our theme music was composed by Ty Gibbons.

Special thanks to Andy Friedland, Mary Searles, Paul Rumley, John Dillon and Oliver Riskin-Kutz.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

The complexities of medical aid in dying in Vermont

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 21:34:00 -0000

If you live in Vermont, and you have a terminal illness, where and when you die could be up to you. Charlie Bestard of Hartland asked us about the state’s medical aid in dying law: How many Vermonters have used it, and how does the medical establishment view it?

To see photos of the Fitch sisters, and their parents, Stanley and Elaine, check out our web feature.

Additional listening, from our Vermont Edition colleagues: Connecticut patient sues Vermont over residency mandate in aid-in-dying law

Mikaela Lefrak reported this episode. Josh Crane produced it and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional help from the rest of the BLS team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Jaina Clough, Erica Heilman, Tim Lahey, Lynda Bluestein and Chelsea Chalfant.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

Homegoings #7: Liza Phillip

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 00:35:00 -0000

Paintbrushes and blank canvases helped Burlington artist Liza Phillip love their biracial identity. Now, they paint colorful genderless monsters and sing songs on the ukulele to celebrate life beyond traditional binaries.

Find original artwork related to this episode at bravelittlestate.org.

This is the latest installment of Homegoings, a series from Brave Little State that features conversations with Vermont artists of color. Find the full series here.

Also, we have exciting news! On February 11, some of the artists featured in the series will join forces for a soulful evening of performance, art and conversation. Learn more and get your tickets to Homegoings: A Live Performance here.

Have a recommendation for a future Homegoings interview? Get in touch with our team by emailing hello@bravelittlestate.org.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Homegoings is a production of Vermont Public, created by the Brave Little State team: Myra Flynn, Josh Crane, Angela Evancie and Mae Nagusky. Mae Nagusky reported, produced and mixed this episode. Myra Flynn composed the theme music. Other music by Liza Phillip, including the song “Do It Cause It Feels Good.”

Special thanks to Hannah Braun, Dan Cahill and Remi Lemal-Brown.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

Why doesn’t Vermont have freestanding birth centers?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 20:33:00 -0000

Vermont is the only state in the Northeast without a freestanding birth center. We dig into the reasons why, and talk to folks who are pushing for change.

To see the inside of a freestanding birth center, and some super cute baby photos, check out the web feature for this episode.

Special thanks to Scott Fleishman, Gail Zatz, Peter Hirschfeld and all the midwives and birthing peoples who trusted us with their stories.

This episode was reported by Joia Putnoi, with mix and sound design by Myra Flynn. Additional editing from Lynne McCrea and the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Josh Crane and Mae Nagusky. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

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What happened to all the restaurant workers?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 17:46:00 -0000

Many Vermont restaurants are understaffed and struggling to stay open. Khrista Trerotola of Waitsfield wants to know, “What happened to all the restaurant workers? Where have they gone? And what are they doing now?”

To answer Khrista’s question, Josh Crane tells the story of one restaurant, from the very beginning to the end of an era. Also, he finds out what the people who used to work there are up to now.

To see photos from Josh’s reporting, check out our digital story.

Josh Crane reported and produced this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from Lynne McCrae and the rest of the BLS team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions and XTaKeRuX.

Special thanks to Nicholas Martin and all the other former restaurant workers who shared their stories with us. Also thanks to our colleagues Bob Kinzel, Liam Elder-Connors, Henry Epp, Lexi Krupp, Nina Keck and Mark Davis.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

How do Vermont breweries manage their wastewater?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:57:00 -0000

Vermont has the most breweries per capita. But the more beer they brew, the more they have to deal with their wastewater.

Caleb Henderson of Winooski asked us this: “Breweries and cideries were in the news a few years ago for the wastewater. How are they mitigating their waste now? Has it improved?”

Reporter Howard Weiss-Tisman learns how breweries — and communities — are grappling with this issue in different ways. And in many respects, Vermont is ahead of the curve.

To see photos from Howard’s reporting and find a transcript of this episode, check out our web feature.

Howard Weiss-Tisman reported this episode, and Angela Evancie produced it, with research and studio help from Mae Nagusky. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane, Mae Nagusky and Angela Evancie, with additional help from Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to the crew at the Richmond wastewater plant, the Vermont Brewers Association and Lui Schmit.

Disclosure: A lot of the folks Howard talked to and mentioned in this episode either are or have been Vermont Public or BLS underwriters, including The Alchemist, Switchback, Citizen Cider and the Agency of Natural Resources, which houses the Department of Environmental Conservation. And Lawson’s Finest Liquids, which also brews a beer named after our show that helps support our station.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

What’s the Asian American experience like in Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 18:36:00 -0000

On Anna Costello’s first visit to Vermont, she was surprised by the large number of Chinese restaurants compared to the seemingly small number of Asian Americans. So, she asked us: "What’s the Asian American experience like in Vermont?"

To find the answer, Myra Flynn learns to make bao, tours an Asian market, and talks to some of the leaders within this quiet but booming community here in Vermont.

Check out lots of photos from Myra’s reporting in our web feature.

Myra Flynn reported this episode and did the mix and sound design. Engineering support from Peter Engisch. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Josh Crane and Mae Nagusky. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Mae Nagusky, Marlon Hyde, Ita Meno and Anna Ste. Marie.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

What role did Vermont play during Prohibition?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 18:08:00 -0000

When the federal government banned alcohol in 1920, Vermonters took matters into their own hands. We head to the Northeast Kingdom to collect stories of cross-border bars, liquor hidden in baby bottles and potato cellar robbery.

Thanks to Nathan Bangs for the great question. Check out old photos from Prohibition-era Vermont in our web feature.

Want to have a say in which question we tackle in an upcoming episode? Vote here!

Kevin Trevellyan reported this episode. Josh Crane produced it, and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.

By the way, December 5 will mark the 89th anniversary of the repeal of federal Prohibition. If you want to honor this very random anniversary (or any other special occasion), might we suggest a toast with Brave Little State Pale Ale — that’s right, our show has a namesake beer. It's brewed by Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Waitsfield and it’s available throughout Vermont.

Special thanks to Andy Kolovos, Kate Phillips, Peter Martin, Odette Crawford and Adrian Thibeault.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

What's the secret to downtown revitalization?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 19:46:00 -0000

A listener asked us how White River Junction became such a thriving place, “when it used to be so bleak.” We talk to some of the people behind the transformation.

To see photos of White River Junction, check out our web feature. This year’s Gory Daze Halloween Parade is on Saturday, October 29. Find more info here.

Angela Evancie reported and produced this episode, with help and editing from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Myra Flynn, Josh Crane and Mae Nagusky. Music in this episode courtesy of local artists Chico Eastridge and Matt Mazur.

Special thanks to David Briggs, Joie Finley, Kristen Connor, Jordyn Fitch, Chico Eastridge, Samantha Davidson Green, Pat Stark, Lori Hirschfield, Rebecca Bailey, Rob Schultz, Karen Jamiel and James Stewart.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

How did Vermont profit from slavery?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 16:48:00 -0000

“Vermont was the first state to abolish slavery.” That’s the common refrain around here. Except, the history is more complicated. Reporter Lexi Krupp answers a question from Peter Langella about this oft-misunderstood history, and explores how the legacy of slavery is still reverberating in Vermont today.

Check out the web version of this story for photos and additional resources from Lexi’s reporting. And thanks to Peter Langella for the great question.

Recommended episodes from the BLS archive:

Additional reading:

The Problem of Slavery in Early Vermont, Harvey Amani Whitfield
The Blind African Slave, Or Memoirs of Boyrereau Brinch, Nicknamed Jeffrey Brace, Jeffrey Brace as told to Benjamin F. Prentiss, Edited and with an introduction by Kari J. Winter
Dark Work: The Business of Slavery in Rhode Island, by Christy Clark-Pujara
From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century, William A. Darity Jr., A. Kirsten Mullen
"Eat the Rich," NPR's Invisibilia

Lexi Krupp reported this episode. Mix and sound design by Myra Flynn, with editing and additional production from Angela Evancie, Josh Crane and Mae Nagusky. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Kari Winter, Stephanie Seguino, Lindsay Varner, Erica Donnis, Rebecca Zietlow and Thomas Denenberg.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

Telling Indigenous stories through music

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 18:03:00 -0000

Question-asker David Hess was curious about Native stories that speak to the Vermont landscape. Enter Mali Obomsawin’s new album, Sweet Tooth. Across three movements, she blends Wabanaki music with free jazz, and ancient stories with new ones, all of which offers a unique look at the land called Vermont.

Check out the web version of this episode to see photos and music from Mali Obomsawin. And thanks to David Hess for the great question.

Josh Crane reported this episode. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane, with editing and additional production from Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn, Elodie Reed and Mark Davis. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Mali Obomsawin.

Special thanks to Savannah Maher, Gregory Cajete, Seth Bedard, and Melody Mackin, and to Mali Obomsawin for her input and help with this episode.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

What did the sale of the Lake Monsters mean for Vermont baseball?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 15:31:00 -0000

The sale of the Vermont Lake Monsters in 2021 would bring lots of changes. In some ways, it’s a story of renewal. But the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Reporter Liam Elder-Connors walks us through the changes since the sale, and the traditions that have remained.

Check out the web version of this story for photos from our reporting. And thanks to Emma Ramirez-Richer for the great question.

Liam Elder-Connors reported this episode. Mix and sound design by Angela Evancie. Engineering support from Peter Engisch; editing and additional production from the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Josh Crane and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Kate Phillips and Kevin Trevellan.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

Why do people leave Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 16:53:00 -0000

We hear from former Vermonters about their love/hate relationship with our state, why they left and what it would take for them to come back.

Check out the web version of this story for photos from our reporting. And thanks to My Le Goel for the great question.

Myra Flynn reported this episode and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Josh Crane and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions, the Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir and Myra Flynn. Special thanks to Peter Hirschfeld, Heidi Kalb, Louise Brill, Kate Blofson and Joe Pace.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

What’s Vermont’s small-town dating scene like?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 16:48:00 -0000

A question about finding companionship in the Green Mountain State – from wide-eyed hopefuls to frustrated giver-uppers. Plus, a love story.

Thanks to Silas Olsen for the great question. To see photos from this episode, check out our web feature.

This episode was reported by Anna Van Dine and produced by Josh Crane. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane. Editing and additional production by the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Owen Daniel-McCarter & the folks at Babes, and Torrey Carl, journalistic matchmaker.

Love BLS? Want to be part of the team? Come be our first-ever intern! Applications due July 31.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Our 5th Annual Brief History of Vermont Road Names

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 19:21:00 -0000

Every summer, we trek across Vermont to uncover the origins of bizarre road names of your choosing. This year’s installment includes Iranistan Road in Burlington, Snipe Island Road in Jericho and … a bit of a wildcard.

Thanks to this year’s question-askers: Ali Jalili, David Boyle, Sam Graulty and Katie Ruffe.

And special thanks to Ken Picard, Carol McGranahan, Gary Irish, Wright Preston, Harriet Riggs, and Amy Tatko.

Check out our previous road name histories:

This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak, Mary Engisch, Matthew Smith, Lexi Krupp and Brittany Patterson. Angela Evancie produced and mixed it, with editing and additional production by the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane, Myra Flynn and Angela Evancie. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Love BLS? Want to be part of the team? Come be our first-ever intern!

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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What's the status of cannabis dispensaries in Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 19:48:00 -0000

Vermont’s first recreational cannabis dispensaries are set to open to the public on October 1, 2022. Reporter Bob Kinzel walks us through how we got here and how the new cannabis marketplace will work.

Check out photos from Bob’s reporting on our web feature.

Bob Kinzel reported this episode. Myra Flynn produced it, and she also did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane and Angela Evancie. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Geoffry Pitzzutillo.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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What’s it like to hike the Long Trail? (Encore)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 18:53:00 -0000

The trail follows Green Mountain ridgelines from one end of Vermont to the other. To answer this question from Eliza Keller, we go deep into the woods — and deep into a hiker hostel in downtown Rutland.

We originally released this episode in 2018. For photos from our reporting, click here.

Angela Evancie and Lynne McCrea reported this episode. Mix and sound design by Angela Evancie; engineering support from Chris Albertine. Additional production by Josh Crane and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks Liza Morse and the Green Mountain Club.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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When the Space Race (and arms dealing) came to the NEK

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 May 2022 15:50:00 -0000

Check out photos of the Space Research Corporation site, then and now, in our web feature.

Henry Epp reported this episode. Angela Evancie produced and mixed it, with scoring by Josh Crane, and additional editing and production from the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane, Myra Flynn and Angela Evancie. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Anna Ste Marie, Kevin Trevellyan, Mark Davis,Michael Rogers, and Kate Phillips and Paul Carnahan of the Vermont Historical Society.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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How are people who moved to Vermont during the pandemic doing now?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 05 May 2022 15:51:00 -0000

Vermont has been a popular destination for those who’ve relocated during the pandemic. But, how are they doing? We check in with some who made the move to see how they’re adjusting to their new lives.

Check out our website for photos of the newcomers featured in this story.

This episode was reported by Myra Flynn, who also did the mix and sound design. Additional production and editing from the rest of the BLS team: Angela Evancie and Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions, Jay Green and Myra Flynn.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

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How can older Vermonters 'age in place'?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 18:40:00 -0000

We’ve been hearing a lot about the housing shortage in Vermont, and how hard it is for people to buy homes right now. For this episode, we’re flipping the script.

Imagine that you’ve not only found your dream house, but you’ve lived in it for years and made it just so. Maybe it’s even paid off. Now, as you get older and more comfortable in your house, the looming question becomes … How long can you stay there?

To access the many resources we mention in this episode, check out our web feature. Some highlights:

The Community of Vermont Elders' “aging-in-Vermont” resource guide
AARP's Long-Term Care Cost Calculator
Vermont's Senior Help Line: 800-642-5119

This episode was reported by Nina Keck, and produced by Josh Crane. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane; editing and digital production by the rest of the BLS team: Angela Evancie and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

If you have story tips for Nina as she continues covering aging in Vermont, you can leave her a voicemail at 802-552-8899. Or send a letter to: PO Box 321, Pittsford, Vermont 05763.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

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A history of Jewish life in Vermont

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:43:00 -0000

A question from Sam Leveston about a religion, and a people, who have often been overlooked. An answer in five chapters.

To see photos from Josh Crane’s reporting and lots of additional resources about past and present Jewish life in Vermont, check out our web feature here.

Special thanks to Bruce Post, Paul Carnahan, Kate Phillips, Sue Halpern, Rabbi Linda Motzkin, Rabbi Jonathan Rubenstein, Stacie Gabert, Mikaela Lefrak, Mary Engisch, and Robert Resnik. Thanks also to everyone who reached out to BLS on this topic: Thomas Hudspeth, Marc Estrin, Alison Novak, Alex Venet, Rachel Stoll, Selene Hofer-Shall, Jonah Ibson and Suzie Felber.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Josh Crane reported and produced this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Additional production and editing from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and VPR News Fellow Marlon Hyde. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Myra Flynn, Blue Dot Sessions and the Nisht Geferlach Klezmer Band.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

bravelittlestate.org

Would Vermont be a good place to ride out an apocalypse?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 13:43:00 -0000

It’s a scary thought, to be sure. We discuss a few different apocalyptic scenarios, including some that have already begun. And, we test our social fitness: Just how neighborly would we be, really, if the world were ending?

Check out the web version of this story here.

This episode was reported by VPR’s news fellow Marlon Hyde, and produced and mixed by Myra Flynn, with additional editing and support from the rest of the BLS team: Josh Crane and Angela Evancie. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

Ask a question about Vermont
Call our BLS hotline at 802-552-4880
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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

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Mud Season Madness

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 15:07:00 -0000

This year’s mud season is full-on. So, we compiled your questions about dirt roads and put them to Keith Gadapee, road foreman in Danville — the town with the most “dirt mileage” in Vermont.

Also: How bad is it out there? You sent us photos from your own impassable roads. Check them out here.

Thanks to everyone who recorded a question for this episode: Geoffrey Bok, Michele Morris, Coco Moseley, Jackie Spain, Rich Grogan, Amanda Scull, Nancy Wilson, Steve Gladstone and Ed Green.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Lead production, mix and sound design by Angela Evancie, with support from the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane, Myra Flynn and VPR news fellow Marlon Hyde. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

bravelittlestate.org

Homegoings #6: Naomi, Faith and Don

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 18:38:00 -0000

A conversation with three teenagers about history and hope, featuring your questions about being young, Black and new American in Vermont in 2022. These teens performed in “The Listen Up Project,” an original musical based on interviews with hundreds of teenagers across Vermont. The show toured across the state in summer 2021.

Find music, original artwork and video related to this episode here.

This is the sixth installment of Homegoings, a series from Brave Little State that features conversations with Vermont artists of color. Find the full series here.

Have a recommendation for a future Homegoings interview? Get in touch with our team by emailing hello@bravelittlestate.org.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Homegoings is a production of Vermont Public Radio, created by the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane, Angela Evancie and Myra Flynn, with help from Elodie Reed, Marlon Hyde and Peter Engisch. Myra Flynn produced and mixed this episode, and composed the theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Thanks to Bess O'Brien & Kingdom County Productions.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

What if we funded public education differently?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 18:55:00 -0000

Amanda Calder of Winooski asked us what it would look like if we raised money for our schools in a totally different way. It’s a hypothetical some lawmakers want to turn into a reality.

Amanda asked: “What would it look like if the taxes we had to pay for education were based on income rather than property value, with an equal tax on capital gains income?”

Check out the web version of this story here, featuring photos and further reading.

ICYMI: Check out VPR’s feature from 2018: The Shift: Collecting School Taxes From Paychecks Instead Of Property.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Peter Hirschfeld reported this episode. Lead production, mix and sound design by Angela Evancie, with additional production and editing from the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane, Myra Flynn and Marlon Hyde. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to everyone who reached out to share their thoughts on this topic, including Maggie, Jonathan, Bob, Caleb and Michael.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

bravelittlestate.org

How can Vermont solve its housing crisis?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 20:06:00 -0000

A question from Dani Gagnon of Montpelier leads VPR’s Mikaela Lefrak to find out why Vermont’s housing crunch has become a crisis — and what people are doing about it.

Check out the web version of this story here, featuring photos and further reading.

ICYMI: Our 2019 episode about Vermont’s housing crunch.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak who’s also the host of VPR’s Vermont Edition, with editing by Josh Crane, Angela Evancie and Myra Flynn. Myra Flynn produced and mixed this episode. Digital production by Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Liam Elder-Connors and to all the Vermonters who shared their housing stories with us, including Emily, Sam, Dennis, Molly, Shane, Ross and Joslyn.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

Why are Vermont co-ops so successful?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 19:25:00 -0000

When question-asker Kate Phillips moved to Vermont, she was surprised to find three different food co-ops within driving range of her place. She then received a notice from her new electric company – yet another co-op. So, she started to wonder: What is the history of co-ops in Vermont? Why are they so successful here?

VPR reporter (and former co-op manager) Howard Weiss-Tisman visits the oldest food co-op in the country and digs into the Vermont Historical Society archives to get to the bottom of Vermont's co-op boom.

Check photos from our reporting here.

Mentioned in the episode:

“Everyone Welcome? Personal Narratives about Race and Food Co-ops” (from Columinate)
The Rochdale Pioneers (from the International Cooperative Alliance)
The Co-op Movement, 1919 (from the Vermont Historical Society)
“Turning on the Lights: Electricity Comes to Rural Vermont, 1943” (from the Vermont Historical Society)

This episode was reported by Howard Weiss-Tisman and produced by Josh Crane. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane. Editing and digital production by Angela Evancie and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Alex Burns, Regina Thompson and Elise Graeves and Kate Phillips.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

Ask a question about Vermont
Vote on which question we should answer next
Sign up for the BLS newsletter
Say hi on Twitter, Instagram and reddit @bravestatevt
Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

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How’s Vermont doing with composting?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 21:47:00 -0000

Food scraps have been banned from Vermonters’ trash since July of 2020. Question-asker Bella Fearn wants to know: How’s that going?

To answer Bella’s question we check out one of the biggest composting operations in the state, and one of the smallest. And for those of you who need a confidence boost to try backyard composting, we get a pep talk from an urban homestead in the heart of Winooski.

Check out a video and photos from our reporting here.

Mentioned in the episode:

Learn about Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law: vtrecycles.com
Contact your solid waste district: 802recycles.com
From the BLS archive: What happens to Vermont’s recycling?
From Seven Days: Market to Farm: A New Food Waste Disposal Method Raises Fears That Microplastics Will Taint Fields

This episode was reported, produced and mixed by Angela Evancie and Myra Flynn, with editing help from Josh Crane and engineering support from Peter Engisch. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music, other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Matt Stuart, Krystyna Oszkinis, Ham Gillett, Mary O’Brien, Lexi Krupp, Bob Kinzel, Kyle Ambusk, Mike Dunn and Brian Stevenson.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

Ask a question about Vermont
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Sign up for the BLS newsletter
Say hi on Twitter, Instagram and reddit @bravestatevt
Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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Tell your friends about the show!

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

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Homegoings #5: Rajnii Eddins

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 20:29:00 -0000

A conversation with poet Rajnii Eddins about using “courageous vulnerability” to navigate the darkness.

Find a photo of Rajnii and the lyrics to the poems he reads in this episode at bravelittlestate.org.

This is the fifth installment of Homegoings, a series from Brave Little State that features conversations about BIPOC art and experience in Vermont. Find the full series here.

Have a recommendation for a future Homegoings interview? Get in touch with our team by emailing hello@bravelittlestate.org.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

Ask a question about Vermont
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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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Homegoings is a production of Vermont Public Radio, created by the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane, Angela Evancie and Myra Flynn, with help from Elodie Reed. Myra Flynn produced and mixed this episode, and composed the music.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

Why do people like Phish? A guide for the uninitiated

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 21:31:00 -0000

We journey into the weird world of Vermont's favorite jam band, to explore the culture of "phandom” and Phish’s early roots in our brave little state.

In our 100th episode, Ethan Weinstein of South Woodstock asks: “Why do people like Phish? And how did they become such a big part of Vermont music culture?”

Warning: There’s a bit of profanity in this episode, and some discussion of drugs and drug culture.

To see photos of Phish from their early Vermont days, check out our web feature. We’ve also got a whole Phish starter kit with links to other great resources to further your Phish education.

Music featured in this episode, in order of appearance:

“Gotta Jibboo” by Phish
“Ghost” by Phish
“Hardboil” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Sargento” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Halley’s Comet” by Phish
“Trois Gnossiennes 3” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Wilson” by Phish
“The Queen of Cones” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Tyrano Theme” by Blue Dot Sessions
“The Curtain With” by Phish
“Maldoc” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Auld Lang Syne” covered by Phish
“Leaves” by Phish
“Cran Ras” by Blue Dot Sessions

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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Josh Crane reported and produced this episode, with editing and digital production from Myra Flynn and Angela Evancie. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Thanks to Phish Inc. for permission to use some of the band’s music.

Special thanks also to Jonathan Heller, Billy Glassner, Paul Brill, Stephanie Jenkins, Jay Curley, Anne Rothwell, Jenn Moore, Beth Montuori Rowles, Anna Van Dine, Mary Engisch, Peter Engisch, Laura Schoenfeld, Steve Zind, Patti Daniels, Chris Albertine, John Van Hoesen, Mitch Wertlieb, Alex Burns and everyone who left a voicemail on our Phish hotline. That’s Chris, Chris, Christina, Jonathan, Jim, Antonia, Ron, Philip, Andy, Stephanie, Molly, Robb, Shannon, Bryant and Nina.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

The mysterious fire that destroyed a beloved sugar house

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 23:53:00 -0000

Question-asker Chris Jacobsen of Norwich grew up eating the renowned pancakes at Eaton’s Sugar House in Royalton. Brave Little State reporter Myra Flynn did too. They team up for our first true crime episode to explore the mysterious circumstances surrounding the fire that burned down a delicious Vermont institution.

See photos of the Eaton's fire — and remains — in our web feature.

If you have any information about the Eaton’s fire, you can call the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program at 1-800-32-ARSON. That’s 1-800-322-7766.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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This episode was reported and produced by Myra Flynn. Mix and sound design by Myra Flynn. Editing and digital production by Angela Evancie and Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. A very special thanks to Mark Davis.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

An investigation into a prominent Vermont landlord

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:14:00 -0000

A joint investigation into a growing rental empire finds a pattern of neglect — and reveals how ill-equipped Vermont is to oversee the quality and safety of some of the state's most affordable housing.

VPR's Liam Elder-Connors and Seven Days' Derek Brouwer join us to discuss their reporting.

Read the story here: Roaches and broken locks: Mark and Rick Bove’s growing empire of affordable rentals vexes code enforcers
Read Mark Bove's letter to the editor in Seven Days: Bove Family Responds

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Sign up for the BLS newsletter
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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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This episode was produced by Angela Evancie, with help from Josh Crane and Myra Flynn. The investigation was edited by VPR's Mark Davis and Seven Days' Matthew Roy. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

What would it take to end Daylight Saving Time?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 15:05:00 -0000

As we enter the darkest season of the year, you may be wondering: Why do we have to fall back and spring ahead? And is there anything that can be done about it?

That’s what Olga Ardova of Georgia asked us.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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This episode was reported by Bob Kinzel and produced by Matthew Smith, and our BLS team: Josh Crane, Myra Flynn and Angela Evancie. Special thanks to Mitch Wertlieb. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

How's Vermont's Amish community doing?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 19:32:00 -0000

To answer this question from Dean Lehrke of Kansas, reporter Elodie Reed travels to the Northeast Kingdom to explore the ways that isolated Amish families have become fixtures in their Vermont community.

Elodie also draws on her own experiences growing up in Christian Science — a different culturally isolated community — to better understand Amish practices and Amish beliefs that go against convention.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

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Sign up for the BLS newsletter
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Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
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This episode was reported by Elodie Reed and produced by Josh Crane. Mix and sound design by Myra Flynn. Editing and digital production by our team. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public Radio.

When will there be a vaccine for Lyme disease?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 18:39:00 -0000

To answer this question from Robert Small of Stannard, we take stock of not one, not two, but three pharmaceuticals currently in development.

This episode features reporting from Sue Halpern, who coincidentally answered Robert’s question for The New Yorker in August: Why It Took So Long to Develop a Vaccine for Lyme Disease.

Vermont vs. New Hampshire: What's The Beef?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:18:00 -0000

Call us rivals, or frenemies...But where does this half-serious tension come from? Ian Harding of Los Angeles asked us to break it down.

Check out our 2017 episode about how some of the differences between Vermont and New Hampshire stem from our geology, and go back literally hundreds of millions of years.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

Our 4th Annual Brief History Of Vermont Road Names

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 21:39:00 -0000

In the latest installment of a Brave Little State tradition, we journey to the back roads of Vermont to learn about three mystifying road and place names: Cow Path 40 in Marlboro, Agony Hill Road in Reading, and Texas Falls in Hancock.

Check out bonus content, including maps and photos of the roads in question, at bravelittlestate.org.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

Tropical Storm Irene, 10 Years Later

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 17:34:00 -0000

A listener's request about the legacy of Tropical Storm Irene prompted us to tell three stories about resilience — personal, entrepreneurial and spiritual.

Check out bonus content, including photos of the Graham-Frock family, the Woodlawn Cemetery project, and other people and places from this episode, at bravelittlestate.org.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

The Vermont Accent, Explained

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 16:10:00 -0000

In honor of the show’s 5th birthday, we revisit our inaugural episode — about the past, present and future of the Vermont accent.

Thanks to Erin Creley for being our first-ever question-asker, and to Alex Keefe for helping us launch the show back in 2016.

To find more audio recordings that demonstrate the features of the Vermont accent, and learn about some recent research on the “glottal stop,” check out our web feature.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

Why Is The F-35 Based In Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 21:59:00 -0000

A question from Bobby Arnell of Winooski about the complex, controversial decision to base fighter jets in Vermont's most populous county.

Check out bonus content, including video by VPR's news fellow Marlon Hyde, at bravelittlestate.org.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

Black Comfort, Or Lack Thereof, In Vermont

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 20:30:00 -0000

We get comfortable — or uncomfortable — and talk about living in Vermont with, or as, a Black kid.

See photos of the families we heard from in this episode, some adorable pix of producer Myra Flynn as a Vermont kid, and archival photos of Randolph Union High School's "Galloping Ghost" mascot, here.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

The Secret Life Of Moose ... Crossing Signs

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 20:11:00 -0000

What factors go into placing those yellow road signs? A question from Jocelyn Hebert gets to the heart of a tension between the natural world and human infrastructure. Check out photos of "Moose Alley" and data visualizations here. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

Homegoings #4: DonnCherie

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 20:34:00 -0000

A conversation with DonnCherie about compassion, artistic authenticity and taking Blackness back. (Warning: Profanity)

This is the fourth and final installment (for now) of Homegoings, a special series from Brave Little State that features conversations with musicians of color who live in Vermont.

Check out the lyrics to DonnCherrie’s “For Keeps,” see the original art for this episode here. Explore the rest of our series at here.

We'd love your feedback on this series. Drop us a note at hello@bravelittlestate.org

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

Homegoings #3: Rivan Calderin

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 20:05:00 -0000

A conversation with Rivan Calderin about BIPOC exhaustion, safety and music as a platform for consciousness.

Check out the original art for this series and read the lyrics to "Mayday to Pilot" here.

This is the third installment of Homegoings, a special series from Brave Little State that features conversations with musicians of color who live in Vermont.

Follow the series here as we release new episodes weekly through June 15.

bravelittlestate.org

Homegoings #2: Senayit Tomlinson

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 20:10:00 -0000

(Warning: Profanity) A conversation with Senayit Tomlinson about Black trauma, music and getting through.

See a photo of Senayit, read the lyrics to "Hard Reign" and watch the music video here.

This is the second installment of Homegoings, a special series from Brave Little State that features conversations with musicians of color who live in Vermont.

Follow the series here as we release new episodes weekly through June 15.

bravelittlestate.org

Homegoings #1: Bobby Hackney Jr.

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Tue, 25 May 2021 20:23:00 -0000

A conversation with Bobby Hackney Jr. about Black grief, resilience and music.

This is the first installment of Homegoings, a special series from Brave Little State that features conversations with musicians of color who live in Vermont. Follow the series here as we release new episodes weekly through June 15.

bravelittlestate.org

What's Going On With Vermont's Pensions?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 20 May 2021 20:22:00 -0000

(Warning: Profanity) Vermont's underfunded pension system has forced an awkward question: If the state makes a promise to its workers, does it have to keep its word? And just how urgent is the problem, anyway?

Jon Cherico, of Waterbury asked us to look into Vermont's pension tensions.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

Meet And Greet

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 06 May 2021 16:37:00 -0000

Normally you hear a mixture of VPR reporters on this show, and that’s not gonna change -- but you’ll also be hearing a lot from our new producers, Myra Flynn and Josh Crane.

We journalists like to show, not tell. So today, Myra and Josh are gonna introduce one another to all of you, so you can hear for yourselves how excellent they are, and get excited for what’s to come here on Brave Little State.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

Vermonters On The Edge Of The Benefits Cliff

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 16:16:00 -0000

What if you had to choose between working full time and keeping your benefits? We take on a question from Matthew LeFluer of Alburgh about the conundrum facing some Vermonters with disabilities who rely on federal benefits.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

The History Of French Canadian Immigration In Vermont (Encore)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 18:42:00 -0000

It's an aspect of Vermont history that some say is overlooked.

We return to an episode from May 2018, which explored your questions about Anglicized names and discrimination.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

The Vermonters Lost To COVID

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:36:00 -0000

More than 200 Vermonters have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. How did they live?

VPR reporter Liam Elder-Connors spoke with their loved ones and recorded their memories.

Hear more memories, and see photos, on VPR's digital COVID memory wall.

As always, Brave Little State's journalism is better when you're a part of it:

The Rise And Fall Of Vermont's One-Room Schoolhouses

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:24:00 -0000

How did Vermont end up with so many small, one-room schools? And why don’t we use them anymore?

That's what Chelsea Smiley of Monkton wants to know. To see archival photographs from Vermont's one-room schoolhouse heyday, check out our web feature here.

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

What Do I Need To Know About Moving To Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 18:17:00 -0000

This one goes out to our future neighbors. With your help, we answer a question from soon-to-be Vermonter Samantha Spano, of South Florida.

See photos of Samantha, Wylene and Tul, and find some bonus advice from our Twitter community, here.

We mention several episodes from our archive in this listen. They are:

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

A Vermont Town & City Pronunciation Guide

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 21:34:00 -0000

Not sure how to say Calais, or Topsham, or Beebe Plain? With your help, we've built a guide for all those tricky names on the Vermont map.

If you've lived here a long time, you might think you don't need this guide. But trust us: You'll learn something.

Explore an interactive version of the guide, and check out a map of Abenaki place names, at bravelittlestate.org.

Thanks to Samantha Spano of Florida for inspiring this special episode. If you liked it, may we recommend:

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

Ask Bob: Leahy And The Impeachment Trial

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 22:54:00 -0000

The Senate impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump is set to begin on Feb. 9. And Vermont’s own Sen. Patrick Leahy will preside.

How did Leahy land this role? And, given his recent health scare, what will happen if he’s not up to the task? Our colleague Bob Kinzel answers these Qs and more.

Plus: We need your help! We're creating an audio guide for Vermont's hard-to-pronounce towns and cities. Check out our list and add your voice. We're also collecting advice for a question-asker who's moving to Vermont. What does she need to know? Send a voice memo to hello@bravelittlestate.org or call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880

As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

It Was A Pandemic 'Escape Community' In 1918. And Now?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 22:42:00 -0000

The small town of Fletcher did notably well during the 1918 flu pandemic. How did they manage that, and how are they managing COVID?

That's what Chris Crawford of Exeter, N.H. and Holland, Vt. wants to know.

To see photos of Fletcher, and find a transcript of the episode, head to our web feature.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

If You're Worried About Climate Change, Where Should You Live?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 23:10:00 -0000

A listener question with some local implications. We pass the mic to our friends at New Hampshire Public Radio's Outside/In.

Find more from Outside/In here.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

Where Do The Terms 'Woodchuck' And 'Flatlander' Come From?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 22:42:00 -0000

A question about blatant stereotypes, and the Green Mountain lingo we use for them.

Today's question comes from Ryan McLiverty, of Woodstock. Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

Who Are Vermont's Electors?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 19:24:00 -0000

Bonus episode! Who are Vermont's three Electoral College members, and how were they chosen?

Let us know what you think of this super-short format. Drop us a line at hello@bravelittlestate.org.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it:

bravelittlestate.org

How Are The U.S.-Canada Border Restrictions Affecting Vt. Families And Businesses?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 19:27:00 -0000

Gabrielle Coburn of Kingston, Ontario, asked us to examine this cross-border quandary.

See the photos accompanying this episode, and view a transcript, here.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

What's Vermont Doing To Improve Broadband Access?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:22:00 -0000

The pandemic has shifted even more of our lives online. So what's being done to address Vermont's internet inequities?

That's what Maggie Eppstein of Hinesburg wants to know. See a photo of Maggie, and access a transcript of this episode, here.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

The Pros And Cons Of Wood Heat, Rekindled

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 16:04:00 -0000

Burned out on election news? We've got you. Revisit our 2019 episode about the fuel that warms you twice.

Explore our web feature here: What Are The Pros And Cons Of Heating With Wood?

Find the current wood heat rebates and incentives for Vermonters here.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

bravelittlestate.org

Is Vermont Really Having A COVID Boom?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 17:20:00 -0000

Is our population growing because of the pandemic? And what impact are COVID transplants having on their new communities?

Today’s question comes from Mike Leonard, of Montpelier. Find the web version here, and explore related coverage from VPR:

Love our show? Ask a question, sign up for our newsletter or make a gift at bravelittlestate.org.

Bob Answers Questions About Vermont Voting

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 18:35:00 -0000

What are your options for returning your mail-in ballot? What should you do if you lose it? And how can you track your ballot to make sure it’s received?

Check out VPR's Guide To Voting In Vermont For The 2020 Election to learn more. Still have questions? Let us know at bravelittlestate.org.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it — and stronger when you support it. Make a donation at bravelittlestate.org/donate.

Are Trump's 2016 Voters Still Behind Him?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 17:35:00 -0000

With mail-in voting already underway and a president who has COVID-19 — and who has not pledged to accept the results if he loses — we talk to some of his supporters.

This episode is a follow-up to our 2016 episode: Almost 100,000 Vermonters Voted For Donald Trump. Why?

Love our show? Ask a question about Vermont, make a donation and sign up for our free newsletter at bravelittlestate.org.

What's The State Of Religion In Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 23:05:00 -0000

And how do Vermonters characterize their beliefs? That's what Sue Leroux wants to know.

Check out our web feature to see photos of BLS reporter Liam Elder-Connors as a 9-year-old church-goer.

Love our show? Sign up for our newsletter, ask a question and donate to Vermont Public Radio at bravelittlestate.org.

Our 3rd Annual Brief History Of Vermont Road Names

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 19:57:00 -0000

Every summer, we drive across Green Mountain creation to find the origins of the strange road names you're wondering about.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

Who Will Get The COVID Vaccine First?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 20:35:00 -0000

When a vaccine becomes available for COVID-19, who gets it first?

How To Support Vermonters Of Color: 'Listen To Us'

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 20:12:00 -0000

How can a state that is 94% white do better? BIPOC Vermonters weigh in to answer this listener question.

Check out our web feature for bonus audio, written submissions and visuals from Vermont artists of color.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

Why Do Some Vermonters Display The Confederate Flag?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 21:01:00 -0000

What's a symbol from the South doing in the Green Mountain State? Jason Broughton and Megan Bellavance (both, as it turns out, librarians) asked us to investigate.

Plus: Our next winning question takes our exploration of Vermont race relations in a very different direction: "How can the state, both its government and its people, support Vermonters of color?" If you're a BIPOC Vermonter, we'd love to hear from you. Please consider adding your voice to our next episode at bravelittlestate.org. Thanks so much.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

A Master Class In Finding The Bright Side

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:35:00 -0000

Michael and Stacy Lee have had a really tough year. So why do they feel so positive?

Love our show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

Remembering Vermont's 19th Century Black Communities

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 20:23:00 -0000

How did these communities form, and how are they being remembered? That's what Gale Harris wanted to know.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

Is Vermont Really 'So Expensive'?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 19:33:00 -0000

Everyone loves to grouse about our cost of living. Bruce Post wonders: How bad is it really?

And some recommended listening this week. On current events:

Re: today's listener question, here are two deep dives:

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

End-Of-Life Wishes In A Pandemic

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 22 May 2020 19:43:00 -0000

If people — particularly elderly people — don't want doctors to take extreme measures to potentially save their lives, does that increase Vermont's COVID-19 death rate?

In A Food Shortage, Could Vermont Farms Feed The Whole State?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 08 May 2020 20:06:00 -0000

This hypothetical listener question has gotten a little more real.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

What Happens If A Presidential Candidate Dies?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 01 May 2020 20:28:00 -0000

Bonus episode: Our current president, and his presumptive opponent, are in an age group vulnerable to the coronavirus. What happens if...?

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

How Are Vermont Prisons Handling COVID-19?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 20:44:00 -0000

Parole officers doling out hand sanitizer. Inmates cooking for those in quarantine. At the Department of Corrections, it's all hands on deck.

Want more of the Brave Little State experience? Ask a question about Vermont, vote on our next episode, and sign up for our newsletter — all at bravelittlestate.org.

Special thanks to Vermont Public Radio's sustaining members. If you like our show, consider becoming one.

How's Everybody Doing?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 20:13:00 -0000

Dispatches from our fellow Vermonters, including a nurse on the front lines and an expectant dad. Plus, some essay and poetry for our times.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

Tips From A Home-Schooling, Remote-Working Mom

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 20:49:00 -0000

With Vermont schools now closed, many parents are facing a daunting reality. Today, a conversation between two moms — one is a veteran home-schooler and remote worker. The other is new to all of this.

Plus: How's everybody doing? Whether you’re out doing essential work, or staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus, we want to hear how it’s going for you. Share your voice/art/music for our next episode.

Goodbye, Ollie: Remembering Vermont's Favorite Camel

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:01:00 -0000

A question about a popular camel won in one of our recent public voting rounds. Sadly, our reporting did not go as planned.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

Is Town Meeting Outdated? (And More)

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 16:36:00 -0000

It's "Ask Bob" on Brave Little State! VPR's senior political reporter Bob Kinzel takes on your questions about Town Meeting, the location of Vermont's capital, the limited functions of our county governments and more.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

Why Has Vermont Never Sent A Woman To Congress?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:48:00 -0000

Vermont is the only state in the country that's never sent a woman to D.C. We dig into the disparity, and poll Vermonters on whether they think it's a problem.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

As Colleges Close, How Will Vermont Schools Survive?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 20:54:00 -0000

Low enrollment and financial troubles have caused a slew of Vermont’s small, independent colleges to shut their doors. What’s causing the problem — and is there a solution?

Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio with a $5/month sustaining membership. We can't do this work without you!

And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next.

Vermont's 'Brand' Helps These Businesses. Do They Help Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 18:15:00 -0000

Tanya Ocker of Burlington wonders about businesses that emphasize Vermont's "brand." Do they help our economy?

Check out our web feature to see photos from our reporting. And if you liked this episode, may we recommend:

Love Brave Little State? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. And remember: Be brave. Ask questions.

Why Does Vermont Have So Many Dollar Generals?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 19:47:00 -0000

There are 37 Dollar General stores in Vermont. And what Danielle Drogalis of Swanton wants to know is: How did that happen?

Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio. And check out our web feature to see photos from our reporting and a map of all of D.G.'s Vermont locations.

And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next.

If you liked this episode, may we recommend another one from our archives: What Does It Take To Start And Run A Successful Small Business In Vermont?

What Do Vermont Constables Do, Anyway?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 19:46:00 -0000

What's the history and function of town constables in Vermont? That's what Richard Dumughn wants to know.

Check out our web feature to see photos of Constable Silas Loomis and his cruiser full of constable essentials.

Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio.

And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next.

How Can Vermonters Drive Less?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 20:02:00 -0000

For a state that calls itself green, Vermont sure has a lot of drivers. So what can be done?

That's what Eve Jacobs-Carnahan of Montpelier wants to know. Eve's question about public transportation forces us to confront some difficult truths about life — and travel — in Vermont.

Check out our web feature to see photos from our reporting and much more. And here's our related episode on Vermont's housing crunch.

Love Brave Little State? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. And remember: Be brave. Ask questions.

Will Burlington's Champlain Parkway Ever Get Built?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:08:00 -0000

The highway project has been tangled in red tape for so long that there's a monument to bureaucracy in Burlington’s South End. What's the status?

In other news: We're excited to announce that we're going twice-monthly, so we can answer even more of your questions about Vermont! Our mid-month episodes will be a little different, so let us know what you think of the format.

Love the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. And remember: Be brave. Ask questions.

Why Are Child Care Professionals Paid So Poorly In Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:37:00 -0000

The typical angle for stories about child care is about how expensive it is for parents. But the professionals who educate and care for Vermont's youngest kids are struggling too.

Bonus content: See photos of a day in the life of preschool teacher Nicole L'Esperance, featured in our episode.

Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio!

And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next.

Another Taste Of Star Pudding

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 19:40:00 -0000

Podcast extra! After we aired our story about Marshfield's Star Pudding Farm Road, former longtime resident Laura Johnson got in touch to tell us more about the special property.

Looking for more? See paintings of Star Pudding Farm by Susan Abbott, and return to our original piece about the road, which includes Robert Coffin's poem "Star Pudding."

Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio!

And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next.

What Happens To Vermont's Recycling?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 21:06:00 -0000

Are people following Vermont's new recycling laws, and where does our recycling end up? That’s what Julie Ste. Marie of Troy wants to know.

A(nother) Brief History Of Vermont Road Names

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 18:50:00 -0000

We take on more of your questions about mysterious Green Mountain byways in our Second Annual Brief History of Vermont Road Names.

Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio!

Happy Third Birthday To Us!

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 19:28:00 -0000

We celebrate three years of people-powered journalism with a listen back to some memorable moments from our archive.

What's The Plan For The 'Pit' In The Middle Of Newport?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 20:51:00 -0000

A development project gone wrong. A community living with the fallout. And an uncertain path forward.

Does Vermont Have Any Patches Of Old Growth Forest?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 20:49:00 -0000

A question about Vermont's most elderly woods, from Andrew Wild of Burlington.

What Draws So Many Writers And Poets To Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 03 May 2019 21:28:00 -0000

This month on the podcast: Exploring the literary luminaries of Vermont, and why so many writers seem to thrive in the Green Mountain State.

How Is Climate Change Affecting Vermont Right Now?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 21:13:00 -0000

We know the predictions are dire; we know there are urgent conversations to be had about policy. But to answer this listener question, we stay focused on the present.

Why Does Vermont Have Such A Housing Crunch?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 20:23:00 -0000

What are the causes of Vermont’s tight housing market — and why aren’t things getting better?

Legislation vs. Investigation: How Is Rep. Peter Welch Balancing His Work?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 20:47:00 -0000

Now that Democrats control the U.S. House, we head to Capitol Hill to get a sense of how Vermont's Congressman is approaching things.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Heating With Wood?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:25:00 -0000

Who doesn't love a cozy fire? There are benefits to heating with wood — but some drawbacks, too.

What Does It Take To Start And Run A Successful Small Business In Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 21:48:00 -0000

To answer this listener question, we collect entrepreneurial wisdom from self-starters all over the state.

Why Are There So Many African-Americans Incarcerated In Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 18:16:00 -0000

Overall, Vermont has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country — but one of the highest rates of African-American incarceration. So why is that?

What's It Like To Hike The Long Trail?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 20:52:00 -0000

The 272-mile trail follows Green Mountain ridgelines from one end of Vermont to another. So what’s it like to hike the whole thing?

Presenting JOLTED, A New Podcast From VPR

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 02:00:00 -0000

A story about a school shooting that didn’t happen, and the surprising things that did. This month we’re sharing Part 1 of JOLTED. Hear more at joltedpodcast.org.

A Brief History Of Vermont Road Names

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 20:30:00 -0000

You know the feeling. You’re driving along, and you turn onto a road with an intriguing name. And you wonder where it came from.

4 Vermont Towns Vs. 1 Utah Developer: What Happened With NewVistas

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 15:33:00 -0000

This month’s question led us straight into an unfolding story — about an outsider with deep pockets and big ideas, and the towns that banded together to reject those ideas. And now that their efforts have paid off, what happens next?

Those 'Aging Hippies' Who Moved To Vermont ... Where Are They Now?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 21:01:00 -0000

The past may be obscured in a cloud of … wood … smoke. But what does the present look like?

What's The History Of French Canadian Immigration Into Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 04 May 2018 19:30:00 -0000

There was a time when it was totally normal to hear French spoken in some of Vermont's smallest towns and biggest cities. This month on 'Brave Little State,' we delve into the history of French Canadian immigration in Vermont.

Is Vermont Really Losing Young People?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 18:50:00 -0000

Since we started this show, there's a question we've gotten a lot: Why are so many young people leaving the state?

Is The Northeast Kingdom Really So 'Different'?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 20:32:00 -0000

Just how culturally different is the Northeast Kingdom from the rest of the state? Can it be quantified in any way, or is it largely legend?

Who Oversees Vermont's County Sheriffs?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:54:00 -0000

If Vermont's county sheriffs are accountable to their voters, but most of their voters don't pay much attention to them, what happens when they do something wrong?

The Complicated History Of Hydro-Quebec

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 19:48:00 -0000

From our friends at the podcast Outside/In, the story of how a massive, state-owned utility company came to be a symbol of the French-Canadian people.

Vermont Hustle: What It's Like To Work 3 Jobs

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 18:42:00 -0000

There's a joke about the employment scene in Vermont: "What do you call a Vermonter with two jobs? Lazy." In other words, it can take three or more jobs to make a living in Vermont.

What Would It Look Like If Vermont Seceded?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 18:44:00 -0000

We aren't endorsing it, but ... if Vermont did manage to secede from the United States, how would we fare?

What's The History Of The Underground Railroad In Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 17:46:00 -0000

When it comes to Vermont's history with the Underground Railroad, where's the line between myth and truth? And whose voices are missing from the story? Those are the questions 'Brave Little State' set out to answer.

How Has The Geology Of Vermont Affected Its Character?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 17:54:00 -0000

If you've lived in a state for a long time, or grew up there, you probably have this feeling - when you drive into or out of it, you feel like you can tell the difference. For many people, this is very true for crossings in and out of Vermont.

Low Pay, Weird Schedule: Who Exactly Can Pull Off The Legislator Lifestyle?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 17:58:00 -0000

Vermont's citizen legislators get paid about $12,700 for five months of work. So, if you have a career and/or a family, how do you pull it off? This is the question recently brought to "Brave Little State."

Your Vermont History Fix, From Gold Mines To Witch Windows

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 18:49:00 -0000

This month, we're doing things a little differently. Instead of taking on one of your questions about Vermont, we're taking on three. We've got a question about those crooked windows you see on Vermont farmhouses, a question about Vermont's defunct gold mines and one about the history of Burlington's Church Street.

What's It Like To Be A Migrant Worker In Vermont?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 18:53:00 -0000

If you drink Vermont milk, or eat Vermont apples or vegetables, it's likely that you have foreign workers to thank. But do you know any? This month, we spend time with some of the members of the work force that keeps many of Vermont's farms running.

What Can Be Done About Vermont's Aging Sewer Systems?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 May 2017 18:56:00 -0000

This month on "Brave Little State," a subterranean question about wastewater treatment in Vermont.

A Tribute To Vermont's Old, Falling-Down Barns

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 18:59:00 -0000

This month on "Brave Little State," a question about the many barns in Vermont that are left in a suspended state of disrepair.

Why Is Vermont So Overwhelmingly White?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 19:39:00 -0000

The history of Vermont's whiteness - both racial and cultural - and stories from people of color about what it's like to live here.

Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism.

What's The Deal With Coydogs?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 20:03:00 -0000

There's a creature that lives in Vermont that you don't see very often. It comes across the night in a cacophony of howls, yips and barks. Some attribute the sounds to coydogs, others to coywolves, still others to plain old coyotes. And everyone is right. This month: the fascinating canine that goes by all of those names.

Almost 100,000 Vermonters Voted For Donald Trump. Why?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 20:14:00 -0000

On Election Day, nearly one in three Vermont voters cast ballots for Donald J. Trump - and VPR reporters teamed up with "Brave Little State" to hear from a few of them.

What Is The Status Of The Abenaki Native Americans In Vermont Today?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:08:00 -0000

A question about the descendants of this region's first residents.

Love the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. And remember: Be brave. Ask questions.

Your Vermont Ghost Stories: A Halloween Special From 'Brave Little State'

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 19:19:00 -0000

In this Halloween special from "Brave Little State," a terrifying compendium of spine-tingling Vermont ghost stories, as told to us by ... you.

Are Utility Bills 'So High' In Vermont? It's (Really) Complicated

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:48:00 -0000

This month on "Brave Little State," a question about utility bills in Vermont - and a small sampling of Vermont ghost stories.

Does Vermont Really Have An Embezzlement Problem?

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 19:22:00 -0000

This month on "Brave Little State," VPR's people-powered journalism podcast, a question about embezzlement in Vermont - and a myth about stone walls and woodland fairies.

'Cow' Or 'Ke-ow'? The Past, Present And Future Of The Vermont Accent

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 16:00:00 -0000

In the inaugural episode of 'Brave Little State,' VPR's new, people-powered journalism podcast, we tackle a question about the history of the Vermont accent, and a question about a strange "thing" at the Waterbury rest area.

Welcome to Brave Little State

webmaster@vpr.net (Vermont Public) — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:00:00 -0000

Be brave. Ask questions. Brave Little State is podcast for Vermonters and Vermonters-at-heart, powered by your curiosity. Every episode answers a question that's been asked and voted on by you, our audience — because we think our journalism is better when you're a part of it. From Vermont Public.