The Frequency

Vermonters and the throngs of visitors who traveled to see the event recount how it felt to witness Monday’s total eclipse of the sun. Plus, Vermont’s longest serving member of the state Senate announces his retirement, I share a few thoughts on my own eclipse watching experience, and we’ll have an update on traffic as the visiting post-eclipse crowds head out of the state.

Vermonters and state officials prepare for today’s total eclipse of the sun, and we visit Alburgh where they’re holding a totality festival. Plus, a suspect is arrested in connection with a fire at Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Burlington office, a bill banning the use of so-called forever chemicals in many products is sent to House lawmakers in Montpelier, an earthquake that hit New Jersey last week was felt by some in Vermont, and the effect today’s eclipse may have on some bird species.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic state lawmakers agree that public safety should be a priority this session. But there's little agreement in Montpelier on how to move the needle.

Checking in with the Islamic Society of Vermont just before the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Plus, Vermont moves a step closer to creating a fund that would force big oil companies to pay a share of damages related to human-caused climate change, the state moves to curb online betting tied to performances by individual college athletes, two Vermont sports teams wrap up their seasons with losses in the playoffs, why Vermont’s first responders don’t want eclipse watchers to go hiking on Monday, and clear skies are forecast for the total solar eclipse.

Revealing the finalists for this year’s Vermont Book Awards. Plus, Copley Hospital gets approval for a rare mid-year service price increase, Gov. Scott vetoes a bill to ban flavored tobacco and vaping products, strategies for getting kids to wear safety glasses during the eclipse, and the state Senate moves a bill to screen students earlier for learning differences like dyslexia.

Prepping pets for the total solar eclipse, and helping the visually impaired experience the historic celestial event. Plus, the state Senate approves a bill to create a new disaster mitigation fund, Vermont moves closer to a statewide vote that would protect the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain, how New England power grid operators are preparing for the solar eclipse, and a plan to turn the former campus of Green Mountain College into condos and a destination hotel.

Why Vermont has an educator shortage, and how it’s affecting schools. Plus, Montpelier is finally poised to have a post office again, the owner of the Green River Reservoir dam doesn’t want to operate it for electricity anymore, state lawmakers consider overhauling Act 250, and town officials are preparing to close trail access roads during next week’s solar eclipse.

Two Vermont youth reflect on International Transgender Day of Visibility. Plus, The Vermont House approves a state budget proposal, the Senate supports a bill that would create a climate superfund program, Copley Hospital is running out of money, and Emma Mulvaney-Stanak is giving up her House seat to take over as mayor of Burlington.

Democrats in the Vermont House have passed three bills that would raise taxes and fees by $130 million per year, and Republican Gov. Phil Scott is sounding the alarm. We'll break down that dynamic for this week's edition of the Capitol Recap, and share how it could impact local elections in November.

A couple from Craftsbury has been planning for years to get married on the day of the total solar eclipse. Plus, a major Act 250 overhaul bill appears headed to the state Senate, House lawmakers vote to indefinitely pause Vermont’s PCB testing program for schools, two state police troopers accused of using excessive force have their cases transferred to diversion, a college professor’s quest to visit as many Vermont public libraries as possible while on sabbatical, and a new rescue vehicle for the Swanton Village Fire Department.