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Brave Little State

Vermont Publicbravelittlestate.org
What if you could decide what stories Vermont Public should be covering, before they're even assigned? That's the idea behind Brave Little State.
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Episodes

Who Are Vermont's Electors?

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: Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for our free BLS newsletter Make a gift to support people-powered journalism bravelittlestate.org...

Dec 11, 20204 min

How Are The U.S.-Canada Border Restrictions Affecting Vt. Families And Businesses?

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! Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for our free BLS newsletter Make a gift to support people-powered journalism bravelittlestate.org...

Dec 03, 202027 min

What's Vermont Doing To Improve Broadband Access?

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! Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for our free BLS newsletter Make a gift to support people-powered journalism bravelittlestate.org...

Nov 19, 202024 min

The Pros And Cons Of Wood Heat, Rekindled

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! Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for our free BLS newsletter Make a gift to support people-powered journalism bravelittlestate.org...

Nov 06, 202033 min

Is Vermont Really Having A COVID Boom?

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: City Buyers Eye Vermont Property As COVID Sanctuary Chester Changes Marketing Message To Reach COVID Refugees How Do We Build A Welcoming Vermont? Love our show? Ask a question, sign up for our newsletter or make a gift at bravelittlestate.org ....

Oct 23, 202019 min

Bob Answers Questions About Vermont Voting

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 ....

Oct 12, 20207 min

Are Trump's 2016 Voters Still Behind Him?

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 ....

Oct 06, 202033 min

What's The State Of Religion In Vermont?

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 .

Sep 18, 202018 min

Our 3rd Annual Brief History Of Vermont Road Names

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.

Sep 04, 202034 min

How To Support Vermonters Of Color: 'Listen To Us'

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....

Aug 07, 202040 min

Why Do Some Vermonters Display The Confederate Flag?

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 . Th...

Jul 17, 202014 min

A Master Class In Finding The Bright Side

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....

Jul 02, 202015 min

Remembering Vermont's 19th Century Black Communities

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....

Jun 19, 202015 min

Is Vermont Really 'So Expensive'?

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: Why Are There So Many African-Americans Incarcerated In Vermont? Why Is Vermont So Overwhelmingly White Re: today's listener question, here are two deep dives: Why Does Vermont Have Such A Housing Crunch? Are Utility Bills 'So High' In Vermont? It's (Really) Complicated Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter , submit a question about V...

Jun 05, 202026 min

End-Of-Life Wishes In A Pandemic

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?

May 22, 202012 min

What Happens If A Presidential Candidate Dies?

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....

May 01, 20208 min

How Are Vermont Prisons Handling COVID-19?

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 ....

Apr 17, 202015 min

How's Everybody Doing?

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....

Apr 03, 202031 min

Tips From A Home-Schooling, Remote-Working Mom

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. Sign up for the BLS newsletter , submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to s...

Mar 20, 202018 min

Goodbye, Ollie: Remembering Vermont's Favorite Camel

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....

Mar 13, 20204 min

Is Town Meeting Outdated? (And More)

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....

Feb 28, 202035 min

Why Has Vermont Never Sent A Woman To Congress?

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....

Feb 21, 202018 min

As Colleges Close, How Will Vermont Schools Survive?

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....

Feb 07, 202033 min

Vermont's 'Brand' Helps These Businesses. Do They Help Vermont?

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: Vermont's A Hard Place To Do Business? Darn Tough CEO Calls BS What Does It Take To Start And Run A Successful Small Business In Vermont? Love Brave Little State ? Sign up for the BLS newsletter , submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journa...

Jan 17, 202014 min

Why Does Vermont Have So Many Dollar Generals?

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 fr...

Jan 03, 202029 min

What Do Vermont Constables Do, Anyway?

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. Related episode: Who Oversees Vermont's Elected Sheriffs? 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....

Dec 20, 201912 min

How Can Vermonters Drive Less?

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 Ver...

Dec 06, 201934 min

Will Burlington's Champlain Parkway Ever Get Built?

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...

Nov 15, 201913 min
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