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A red floor sign designates an aisle at Shaws grocery story in Montpelier as one way — Peter Hirschfeld / VPR

'Lives Are On the Line': Vermont Workers Seek More Protections From COVID-19

State records show that more than 200 workers have filed pandemic-related complaints at the Vermont Department of Labor over the last eight months, but none of the alleged workplace safety violations has resulted in an enforcement action against an employer.

A man in a face mask handling a sewer grate cover. — Elodie Reed / VPR

Vermont Sets Yet Another Record With 178 New COVID-19 Cases

Major N.H. Addiction Treatment Provider Dealing With COVID-19 Outbreak

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Brave Little State

A sign reading north 139 and Canada Border 2 miles with a holiday wreath hung up next to it — Elodie Reed / VPR

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

In the heart of this strange, sad holiday season, businesses and families continue to navigate the ongoing border closure between Vermont and Canada. So how are they doing?

Vt. Lawmakers Face Bleak (But Better Than Projected) Revenue Forecast

By Henry Epp & Peter Hirschfeld • 10 hours ago

A zoom screen with many faces — Elodie Reed / VPR

About a month from now, Vermont lawmakers will kick off the 2021 legislative session, and incoming legislators are facing what might be the most volatile fiscal landscape the state has ever seen.

Thursday morning, members and members-elect of the House and Senate got an overview of the economic forces that they'll be contending with.

VPR’s Henry Epp and Peter Hirschfeld discussed the legislative briefing. Their conversation below has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Call-In: Coping During COVID-19

By Bob Kinzel, Mitch Wertlieb & Lydia Brown • 20 hours ago

Hearts taped to window with messages like "thank you health care workers" and "hope". — Howard Weiss-Tisman / VPR

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47:30

State officials say Vermont is at a tipping point in terms of controlling the spread of COVID-19. This hour, VPR's Bob Kinzel and Mitch Wertlieb explore some of the ways we are coping during these challenging times.

President Trump Seriously Considering 2024 Run As He Continues False 2020 Claims

By Tamara Keith & Franco Ordoñez • 23 hours ago

Even as President Trump fluctuates between false claims he really won the 2020 election and that it was stolen from him, he is also seriously considering launching a bid for 2024, two campaign sources and a third source with close ties to Trump's circle tell NPR.

U.S. Hits 100,000 COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Breaks Daily Death Record

By Jaclyn Diaz • 23 hours ago

Updated Thursday at 11:20 a.m. ET

More than 100,000 Americans are in the hospital with COVID-19, at the same time the nation recorded its worst daily death toll since the start of the pandemic.

Data from the COVID Tracking Project show 100,226 people were hospitalized on Wednesday with the disease caused by the coronavirus — a figure that has been steadily rising for weeks.

CDC Adviser On COVID-19 Vaccine Priority Groups And Why Some Aren't Eager To Be First

By Mary Louise Kelly • 23 hours ago

For those fighting the COVID-19 pandemic — and those hit hardest by it — a vaccine could be just weeks away, as the Food and Drug Administration weighs emergency approval for two vaccines. On Tuesday, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel recommended that the first vaccines should go to health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.

Vermont Tallies 2 New COVID-19 Deaths, 101 New Cases

By VPR Staff • Dec 2, 2020

White sign that reads Hang In There Neighbors in read, on a green lawn — Nina Keck / VPR

Vermont reporters provide a roundup of top news takeaways about the coronavirus and more for Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Want VPR's daily news in podcast form? Get up to speed in under 15 minutes with The Frequency every weekday morning. How about an email newsletter? Add our daily email briefing to your morning routine.

The latest coronavirus data:

New (And Old) Vermont Books And Authors To Get You Through The Pandemic

By Emily Aiken, Jane Lindholm & April Qian • Dec 2, 2020

A book sitting open on a table. — artisteer / iStock

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46:02

How have you been spending time during the pandemic? By picking up a new hobby, or browsing the shelves for a new book to read? If the latter is true for you, then you're in luck. This hour, we listen back to our recent conversation with some of Vermont's most voracious readers. We introduce you to some of the region's newest and most popular authors and books, and we hear your picks.

Justice Department Investigating Possible Bribery-For-Pardon Scheme

By Ryan Lucas • Dec 2, 2020

Updated at 10:53 p.m. ET

The Justice Department is investigating a possible secret scheme involving a bribe in exchange for a presidential pardon, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday.

The 18-page court opinion is heavily redacted, and the names of the individuals under investigation are blacked out, as is the identity of the person to be pardoned under the alleged plan. Still, the filings provide a glimpse into what investigators are probing.

U.K. Approves Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine For Emergency Use

By Jaclyn Diaz • Dec 2, 2020

Updated at 4:30 a.m. ET

The U.K. has formally approved Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, becoming the first Western country to OK its use for the general public.

The British regulatory agency, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority, or MHRA, announced early Wednesday the approval of the vaccine from Pfizer and the German company BioNTech for emergency use. The vaccine promises up to 95% protection against COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Enrollment By International Students In U.S. Colleges Plummets

By Kavitha Cardoza • Dec 2, 2020

Nikita Chinchwade moved from India to the U.S. last fall to get a master's degree.

"It had been a dream of mine for a very long time because of the quality of education here," she says.

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Inside VPR

A portrait of Beethoven, painted in 1820. — U.S. Public Domain

Celebrate 250 Years Of Beethoven With VPR Classical

Classical music lovers around the world celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth this December. Join VPR Classical for an on-air celebration of this historic milestone. Is there a piece by Beethoven that has special meaning for you? Let us know what it is and why. Send us an email and share your thoughts. You might hear your piece and comment on VPR Classical as we approach Beethoven 250.

Listen For Guest Hosts On 'All The Traditions' This Fall And Winter

Vermont Edition Host Jane Lindholm — Daria Bishop / For VPR

Jane Lindholm To Move Into New Role At VPR, Expanding 'But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids'

Eye On The Sky

Remote Learning Resources

But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids

Why Are We Still Talking About The Election?

A few weeks ago we talked about why kids can't vote and we also answered some questions about the U.S. Presidential Election. It's been two weeks since the November 3rd election, but we're still getting questions about it! We get answers from NPR political reporter Ayesha Rascoe. TRANSCRIPT

Amy Van Cise / Cascadia Research Collective