

Vermont Edition
Vermont Public
Vermont Edition brings you news and conversation about issues affecting your life. Host Mikaela Lefrak considers the context of current events through interviews with news makers and people who make our region buzz.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 17, 2026 • 50min
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with Vermont's Irish history and food
Happy St. Patrick's Day! The Irish have deep roots in Vermont. We’ll learn about Irish immigrants’ arrival in the Green Mountain State with Vincent Feeney, a Montpelier historian and co-founder of the Burlington Irish Heritage Festival. Seven Days Food writer Jordan Barry will share ideas for where to order traditional Irish food and other food news from our region.Plus, Vermont Senate leader Phil Baruth recently announced his retirement. The Chittenden County Democrat reflects on his years in state government and shares his priorities for the rest of this legislative session.

Mar 16, 2026 • 50min
Reporter roundtable: Vt. legislature's 'crossover day'
Reporter roundtable: Vt. legislature's 'crossover day'

Mar 12, 2026 • 50min
Vermonters respond to major clash between ICE and protesters
Vermonters respond to major clash between ICE and protesters

Mar 11, 2026 • 50min
Brattleboro Chief reflects on her 30 years in law enforcement ahead of retirement
Brattleboro Chief reflects on her 30 years in law enforcement ahead of retirement

Mar 10, 2026 • 50min
A professional taste tester tells all
Taste is in many ways subjective, but it’s also a learned skill. There is a craft to tasting, and it plays a big role in the food and beverage industry.Today's guest, Roy Desrochers, is a global sensory expert— what you could call a professional taster. He works with University of Vermont Extension’s northwest crops and soils program, which helps local farmers and manufacturers gain traction in the marketplace. He’s trained thousands of tasters all around the world, including at Borderview Farm in Alburgh.Roy joins us to tell us about his long career helping major brands develop their best-selling flavors, training others to become finely tuned tasting experts, and about the subtle notes found in Vermont delicacies like maple syrup and milk from grass-fed animals. Broadcast live on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Mar 9, 2026 • 50min
Debating the future of nuclear energy in Vermont
Vermont has a plan to stop using nuclear power by 2035. But Governor Phil Scott says we need to change course.To discuss the future of nuclear power in Vermont, we're joined by the state’s public service commissioner Kerrick Johnson, and Ben Edgerly Walsh, Climate and Energy Program Director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). Johnson says today’s standards are too inflexible and that nuclear would lower energy costs for Vermonters. But Edgerly Walsh disagrees, saying nuclear power doesn't live up to the hype.Then: An update on the Yankee Nuclear Plant in Vernon. It was shut down over a decade ago. What’s next for the land and the community? We're joined by Jim Pinkerton, one of two local representatives on the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel. He is also the chair of Vernon’s Planning & Economic Development Commission.Broadcast live on Monday, March 9, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Mar 5, 2026 • 50min
Musical traditions from around the globe converge in All the Rivers
Six languages. Ten countries. Countless musical traditions. One home — Vermont. A musical ensemble brings musicians from across the globe together.We’re joined by members of All the Rivers for a live performance and discussion of the diverse musical journeys that brought them together. Hear from the group’s founder and guitarist Avi Salloway. We’ll also chat with Dr. Jules Wetchi, founder of a Congolese Catholic choir that now sings with the group, percussionist Assane Coly of Senegal, and guitarist and singer Cintia Lovo Arias, who was born in Colombia and grew up in the U.S.Broadcast live on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Mar 4, 2026 • 50min
Vermont looks to study -- and possibly block -- data centers
Vermont looks to study -- and possibly block -- data centers

Mar 3, 2026 • 50min
Tariffs or no tariffs? Vermont businesses react to Supreme Court ruling
There’s been near-constant change when it comes to U.S. trade policy. Soon after entering office, President Trump raised import taxes on China, Canada and other major trade partners. On Feb. 19 of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that much of President Donald Trump's tariff policy was illegal. The next day, the White House imposed a 10% global tariff — then switched the number to 15%.Representatives from a variety of industries discuss the tariffs' impacts on business and their reactions to the Supreme Court ruling.Nik Holm is the CEO of Terry Precision Cycling, a Burlington-based women’s cycling apparel company. Terry Cycling was one of the small businesses that sued President Trump and his administration over tariffs.Holmes Jacobs owns Two Brothers Tavern, a bar and restaurant in Middlebury. His recent Facebook post about the tariffs' negative impact on small businesses drew hundreds of comments. Allison Hope is the executive director of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association. The U.S. imports syrup and sugaring supplies from Canada.Jesse Mitchell works in imports and exports with Strader-Ferris International, a customs brokerage company with offices in New York and Ontario. He says the past year has been the most challenging in the company's 75-year history, due to the tariffs.Broadcast live on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Mar 2, 2026 • 50min
Town Meeting Day 2026: What's on the ballot in your town?
One of Vermont’s most beloved annual traditions is tomorrow – Town Meeting Day. Have you read through your school budget and town report? Today on Vermont Edition, we’ll get a preview of some of the big issues and elections going on this town meeting day. Rutland City residents get to select their next mayor. Pomfret will decide if non-residents can hold town office and whether to add a local option tax. Folks in the Woodstock area will vote on a bond to rebuild their middle and high school. Ripton is deciding what to do with its shuttered elementary school building. And Grande Isle is one of the numerous towns battling the emerald ash borer. They’ll vote on whether to allocate tax dollars to remove ash trees killed by this invasive bug.


