VPR News

The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. is recognizing 15 emerging young artists with disabilities from around the country between the ages of 16 and 25. Aurora Berger of South Strafford is one of them.

In a good horror movie, it's easy to identify what makes it scary. Maybe it’s the chainsaw-wielding maniac that makes an indelible impression on the viewer, or the killer clown or other supernatural monster tormenting those plucky protagonists. But can the landscape itself inspire horror? Two Vermont-made films screening across the state the week before Halloween aim to do just that.

The Vermont Rural Life Survey , a part of the VPR and Vermont PBS This Land reporting project, highlights the opinions and experiences of those living in the state. Vermont Edition is talking with key lawmakers about how they plan to keep up with changes, the challenges to revitalize our rural economies, and the limits of state government to address issues like broadband, demographics and health care.

Six percent of those surveyed in the new VPR-Vermont PBS Rural Life Survey said they had a "major problem" with access to high-speed internet, while another 14% said that not having broadband was a "minor problem" for them or their family. While these numbers may seem low, Vermont's telecommunications chief said the survey results line up accurately with the state's own data.

Living in rural areas can sometimes feel isolating, something that's especially true for less represented demographic groups, such as people who identify as LGBTQ or people of color. Now a Vermont literary magazine is re-launching to feature the voices, literature and art of those identities in rural places.

Of the 801 respondents to the Vermont Rural Life Survey conducted as part of VPR and Vermont PBS' This Land project, 40% said they would have a problem paying off a $1,000 unexpected expense right away. According to census data, 11% of Vermonters live in poverty. On the next Vermont Edition , we'll dive into the wider economic realities and stresses in our state.

Many Vermonters would have trouble covering an unexpected bill. A VPR-Vermont PBS survey released this week found 40% of respondents said they would not be able to afford an unplanned $1,000 expense right away.

Daniel Bernard Roumain , who also goes by DBR, is the community artist-in-residence this season for three Vermont arts organizations: the Flynn Center , the UVM Lane Series , and the Vermont Symphony Orchestra . The collaboration between the artist and these organizations explores themes of immigration and community. One of their events begins midday on Thursday.

There are now roughly 100 days before the Iowa caucuses and the pace of the Democratic presidential race is picking up. In the past few weeks, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has been rising in the polls while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has lost some ground. While Sanders and Warren share a progressive position on many key issues, the two candidates are now beginning to highlight their differences.

Data released this week from the Vermont Rural Life Survey , a part of VPR and Vermont PBS's This Land project, reveal 66% of respondents are optimistic about the future of their communities. On the next Vermont Edition , we'll explore the reasons behind this positive outlook and take a look at what makes Vermont communities strong.

Vermonters who took part in the new VPR-Vermont PBS Rural Life Survey said that traveling distance was one reason why they had trouble getting the health care they needed. Some health experts say telehealth services could be one way to better serve people in rural areas that need health care.

The results are in from Monday’s election north of the border, and Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to serve a second term leading Canada . But, his party did not win a majority in parliament, so he’ll have to form a minority government.

One takeaway from the Rural Life Survey conducted by VPR and Vermont PBS is how closely tied the dairy industry is to the state's self-image. Dairy is a cultural touchstone, but it's also an industry in decline. VPR's John Dillon joined Vermont Edition to discuss the recent survey findings and his reporting on the dairy industry.

The results of the Vermont Rural Life Survey, a part of the VPR and Vermont PBS This Land project , were released Monday morning. Many Vermonters feel optimistic about the future, but some are lacking a strong sense of community. At noon, join Vermont Edition for a discussion on isolation and loneliness.

Researchers at the University of Vermont are hoping to give nature a hand in fighting a deadly parasite devastating moose populations in Vermont.