

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

Apr 23, 2025 • 50min
New indie-folk musical brings the lives of Vermont farmers to Northern Stage
An original indie-folk musical premieres at Northern Stage in White River Junction next month. Set over the course of one working day, "The Vermont Farm Project" tells the stories of eight farmers. It's based on three years of interviews with farmers from Vermont and the surrounding region. Director Sarah Wansley of White River Junction and Hudson Valley-based writer Jessica Kahkoska tell us more about this unique production. Plus, Vergennes native Alexandria Hall is based in Los Angeles, but a lot of Vermont's essence is found in her work. Her poems reflect the daily life and language of rural Vermont.

Apr 22, 2025 • 51min
A cross-border conversation with Québec
Vermonters and Quebeckers share much more than a border. We do business together, get our passports out for vacation, and visit family. But this year, the threads that hold us together have frayed.Vermont Edition co-hosted a cross-border conversation in partnership with Radio Noon, a call-in program from the CBC in Quebec. Mikaela Lefrak and Radio Noon host Shawn Apel took calls and emails from listeners on both sides of the border about the current state of U.S.-Canada relations. We also heard about the real-world repercussions of President Donald Trump’s “51st state” rhetoric.Vermont Public reporter Peter Hirschfeld joined the conversation as well to talk about the effect the Trump administration is having on Canadian tourism in Vermont, and how the state's lawmakers are reacting to the increased tensions. Broadcast live on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Apr 21, 2025 • 50min
Here's how Vermont's dairy industry has transformed in the last 10 years
A new report finds that Americans consume more dairy than they did a decade ago. Vermont dairy farmers are trying to capitalize.

Apr 17, 2025 • 50min
Arrests of two university students sparks debate over ICE detainments in Vermont; plus poet Geof Hewitt
Vermont is at the epicenter of two high-profile arrests by federal immigration officers. Both involve pro-Palestinian university students, Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, and Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk.Our reporters covering these detentions, Sabine Poux and Lexi Krupp share the latest updates. The cases shine a light on changing federal immigration practices, and Vermont's role in them. We also hear from immigration attorney Brett Stokes and state senator Becca White. who represents Mahdawi's district and was present when he was detained.Plus: For our National Poetry Month series, poet Geof Hewitt tells us about building a daily writing practice.Broadcast live on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

Apr 16, 2025 • 50min
Made Here Film Festival showcases local filmmakers
Made Here Film Festival showcases local filmmakers

Apr 15, 2025 • 50min
3 tips for weathering the current financial upheaval and trade wars
A Montreal economist, Burlington financial advisor and Waitsfield money mindset coach share their best advice for this uncertain economic time.

Apr 14, 2025 • 50min
Vt.'s Secretary of State and two superintendents on the real-world effects of federal cuts
Today on Vermont Edition, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas. We’ll discuss the SAVE Act, which she opposes, and get her take on Vermont’s election integrity in the face of cuts to the federal office that handles election security infrastructure.Then, we'll be joined by the superintendents of two school districts, one from central Vermont and the other in the Northeast Kingdom. We’ll hear how their school budgets are shaping up and how they're preparing for education changes from Washington.

Apr 10, 2025 • 50min
Spring bird show: the Bird Diva's favorite migratory species
Spring bird show: the Bird Diva's favorite migratory species

Apr 9, 2025 • 50min
Layoffs at Health and Human Services, and Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone
Today on Vermont Edition, we'll explore the massive changes underway at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A program known as LIHEAP offsets utility bills for more than 6 million Americans. Vermont Public reporter Abagael Giles tells us about the future of the program. We’ll also talk with a Head Start supervisor in Windham Southeast school district, and the head of an agency that feeds hundreds of low-income, older Vermonters. Plus: Vermont’s poet laureate, Bianca Stone helps us celebrate National Poetry Month.

Apr 8, 2025 • 50min
Bike commuters face an uphill battle in Vermont
For some Vermonters, biking is simply a fun form of recreation or exercise. But for others, it’s how they get to work or school.Bike advocates across the region are trying to make commuting by bike more accessible and safe for Vermonters. Joining us is Jonathon Weber of Local Motion, Hanif Nazerli of the Capital City Corridor bike share project, and Darren Ohl of the Vermont Bicycle Shop in Barre discussed road safety, to discuss bike infrastructure development, and access to good bikes and gear.Broadcast live on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.


