VPR News

A study authored by trauma surgeons at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center looks at the effect that wearing a helmet while skiing or snowboarding has on injuries. As one might expect, the research found that helmet use reduces some types of injury. It also found, however, that serious head injuries actually went up with helmet use.

The Brattleboro Retreat is in financial crisis . The state’s largest psychiatric facility, and the only inpatient option for children, told state officials last week it would have to close, sell or dramatically scale back without emergency funding. State officials now say an immediate closure is no longer imminent, but much remains uncertain . We're talking about what the Retreat’s financial woes mean for Vermont's mental health system, and how the Retreat—and the state—are moving forward.

In recent months, the St. Albans Police department has been scrutinized after a high profile case in which a cop allegedly punched a handcuffed woman in the face . The officer was fired and the Attorney General filed assault charges . However, this wasn’t the first time something like that happened at the department. A similar case, not publicly reported until now, quietly played out at the department years before and didn’t result in criminal charges. Now, prosecutors have reopened the case.

A string of recent anti-Semitic hate crimes, mostly in or around New York City and mostly directed at Orthodox Jews, has shaken the Jewish community across the country.

Vermont Edition Presents brings you a collection of interesting public talks, lectures, and events from different communities. Madelyn Linsenmeir became addicted to Oxycontin at the age of 16. Her older sister, Kate O'Neill, witnessed her adored younger sibling struggle with opioid-use disorder, get sober, struggle again, get on top of her disease again, and eventually die because of complications with the disease.

Last week Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman said he'd made a decision about running for governor, and now that decision has been confirmed: He's going for it.

Each week, we check in with local newspapers around the region. This time, Madeline Clark, reporter for The Other Paper in South Burlington joins us to discuss the recent presentation and price tag for a proposed school campus and athletic complex.

Last month, a 6-year-old boy in Cabot was suspended from school for 10 days after he drew two pictures which the principal of the Cabot School said "depicted a specific threat of violence." The incident is not isolated: According to state records, more than 300 Vermont children in first through third grades were suspended last year. VTDigger education reporter Lola Duffort covered this topic in an article published Jan. 5 .

Capitol Police Chief Matthew Romei is in charge of one of the smallest deputized police forces in the state. At just four full-time officers, his job is to keep the Vermont Statehouse safe and open to the public — while also providing security for state lawmakers.

Gov. Phil Scott delivered his State of the State address Thursday afternoon, but climate change activists made sure it did not go as planned. Officials had to temporarily halt the speech while police escorted 16 demonstrators from the House chamber.

Gov. Phil Scott delivered his State of the State address Thursday and detailed key elements of his legislative agenda. Two administration officials join Vermont Edition to discuss Gov. Scott's top priorities for the 2020 session.

Vermont's population continues to shrink, and the latest U.S. Census Bureau figures show that since 2016 there have been more deaths in the state than births. Not only that, but if the the numbers hold, 2010-2020 could be the first period of population loss between two censuses since the Great Depression in the 1930s.

Vermont's 2020 legislative session opened Tuesday, and Gov. Phil Scott delivered his State of the State address Thursday afternoon.

Activists are rallying on the Statehouse steps at noon today to demand action on climate change ahead of Gov. Phil Scott's State of the State address. Many lawmakers say addressing a changing climate is a top priority this session. We're talking about what activists want and what lawmakers are pursuing when it comes to fighting climate change in this legislative session.

Vermont's workforce shortage affects many industries. In construction, companies here are having a hard time finding skilled carpenters. But in Bennington, a company is offering free classes in advanced carpentry to train the workers they've hired for the $31 million Putnam Block project.