VPR News

The health department continues to track 30 people as part of a COVID-19 outbreak associated with hockey and broomball leagues in central Vermont. This hour, we get the latest from deputy health commissioner Tracy Dolan. We also find out what researchers at the University of Vermont have learned about the body’s immune response to COVID-19.

The province of Quebec is experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Vermont schools have moved to Phase III of reopening, which means an increase in in-person learning. And while some subject areas have received specific guidance, the arts have had to be creative.

Despite hot, dry growing conditions and a pandemic, Winslow Farms, a popular pick-your-own pumpkin patch in Pittsford, has been enjoying brisk business.

The state's new law that bans household food scraps in landfills went into effect on July 1. Vermonters are getting on board with the new system, which means transfer stations are struggling to keep up and new businesses are popping up to haul the food scraps to composting facilities.

The lieutenant governor's race has been one of the closest in Vermont's 2020 election. Amid record-setting early voting, the two major party candidates — Democrat Molly Gray and Republican Scott Milne — are making final appeals to undecided Vermonters. This hour, Vermont Edition continues its series of one-on-one interviews with candidates for top offices continues with Democratic nominee Molly Gray. 

Last week, a familiar voice to VPR listeners passed away. Peter Fox Smith, who hosted weekly opera programs on VPR for 40 years, died on Oct. 5 at the age of 85 at his home in North Pomfret, Vt.

The Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction has been working on creating comics that present complicated information in clear and accessible ways. Last year, they put out a graphic guide to Democracy and Government. Now they've collaborated with a mental health organization in Ohio and with Mass. cartoonist Cara Bean to produce a new comic called Let's Talk About It, a graphic guide to mental health.