The Frequency

Concerns that artificial intelligence use in politics could undermine public trust in government. Plus, the EPA says Vermont needs to change how it regulates farm water quality, an investigation begins into a plane crash in Ferrisburgh that killed four Connecticut residents, Rutland City officials court New England housing developers, a proposed development in the Upper Valley is facing some local opposition, dog trackers are available for hunters who have wounded an animal but can’t follow the blood trail to recover it, and applications are open for hunting coyotes with dogs.

Going out in the field with agriculture officials collecting mosquitoes to find out if they’re carrying Eastern equine encephalitis. Plus, support staff at Central Vermont Medical Center have voted to unionize, federal financial aid may be available for Vermonters who saw damage to privately owned infrastructure during early July flooding, a nonpartisan group that trains elections officials finds poll workers are increasingly subjected to harassment and abuse, enrollment is up at Vermont State University, and free insect repellent is being made available to unhoused Vermonters to help protect against EEE.

Joining an elderly couple who celebrate their birthdays each summer by taking a cruise along the Connecticut River. Plus, Sen. Welch discuss FEMA reform legislation on the Weather Channel, low-income Vermonters may get some financial help hooking up their homes to the state’s high-speed fiber network, physicians urge parents to make sure their kids are up to date on vaccinations as they head back to school, a new book makes the case for protecting Vermont’s old growth forests, Vermonters got a sneak peek at the new Beetlejuice sequel filmed partially in Orange County, and we preview the WNBA playoffs on the weekly summary sports report.

Prices for homes along the Connecticut River have soared, pricing out many people who lived there years before the waterway underwent a massive pollution clean-up. Plus, the Scott administration says it’s time to take advantage of a temporary pause on Act 250 to create more affordable housing, climate change is lengthening mosquito season in some parts of Vermont and putting people in those regions at greater risk of illnesses like EEE, Rockingham receives money from a National Park Service award to preserve its meeting house, a winning Vermont Lottery ticket for more than $6 million was sold in Franklin County, and Vermonter and rugby sensation Ilona Maher announces she’ll compete in Dancing With the Stars.

Charting the changes in the health of the Connecticut River over time in the second part of a special series from the New England News Collaborative. Plus, why the next month or so could be critical for farmers hoping to salvage crops from the July floods, updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available in Vermont, an expert recommends ways older people can minimize the risk of debilitating falls, the Burlington Electric Department gets a federal grant for building out new electric vehicle charging stations, and Burlington’s Oktoberfest has been canceled due to concerns over eastern equine encephalitis.

Part one of a special series from the New England News Collaborative about a reporter’s bike ride along the Connecticut River, and what he learned about the people living nearby. Plus, Vermont public health officials say the state is seeing an increase in mosquitoes infected with Eastern equine encephalitis, schools try to limit student exposure to mosquitoes, concerns about EEE prompted a cancellation of Summervale in Burlington, some child welfare advocates say the state should slow down plans to build a new locked facility for juveniles, and federal relief money has started to flow into Vermont to partially cover costs related to flooding in early July.

Checking in with a Plainfield couple that suffered back-to-back years of major flood damage to their home. Plus, testing ramps up for a potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus, a new COVID booster vaccine will soon be available in Vermont, the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation says it mistakenly donated money to an anti-abortion group, a Vermont-based think tank describes its plans to dramatically increase the state population over the next 11 years, and the Department of Corrections pilots a new strategy to increase court attendance and reduce recidivism. And, in a slightly altered form, we bring back—the sports report.

A small, rural community struggles with the difficult decision to permanently close its elementary school. Plus, the aid application process starts today for businesses, farms, and other entities that suffered flood damage this summer, a flood disaster recovery center opens in Waterbury, a new poll shows continuing strong support for Gov. Phil Scott as he seeks a fifth term, Green Mountain Transit plans to cut services due to a sizable revenue gap, and a new DMV program aims to ease interactions between autistic motor vehicle drivers and law enforcement.

Navigating a new Vermont law that allows former foster care children access to their state records. Plus, why all the Progressive candidates for statewide office have withdrawn their candidacies, Vermont is getting federal money to help limit lead exposure in schools and daycare centers, weather forecasters predict a warmer and wetter autumn than usual, the union for full time law professors at McGill University launches an unlimited general strike, and a Calvin Coolidge museum plans to add more context to its exhibits about the Vermont-born president.

A mother and daughter recall finding a farm to live on in Brattleboro after moving from Paraguay. Plus, why several hundred households may have to exit the state's emergency motel housing program next month, a woman is charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting a man outside a bar in downtown Burlington, state health officials report a modest rise in COVID cases in August, Rutland’s Paramount Theatre is undergoing a $6 million expansion, and North Country Union High students will start classes a week late due to elevated levels of toxic chemicals in their school building.