Irene Teaches New Lessons About Managing Rivers

A Vermont river expert says that only recently have officials begun questioning the decades long practice of dredging, widening and straightening rivers after floods. It’s estimated that 40 percent of the river repairs done after Irene actually increased the danger from flooding.
art_300.jpg

Keeping the arts in business

This economy has people in Vermont’s arts scene looking at practical questions of keeping community theater, gallery exhibitions and music festivals in business.  Also, two Vermont rivers may earn the congressional designation of "wild and scenic." And VPR’s Steve Zind continues our series of reports from Iran.

Midday Newscast: September 12, 2008

Advocates say they’re heartened that two northern Vermont rivers could be recognized as "wild and scenic” by the federal government; The Vermont State Hospital has won accreditation from a national health care organization; more…

Midday Newscast: August 5, 2008

Here are the top stories at noon: Rutland has adopted a new ordinance restricting where convicted sex offenders can live after their release from prison; A big swath of forestland in northern New Hampshire has been preserved with the help of snowmobilers, anglers, preservation groups and an anonymous donor…

Rains make torrents of once-sleepy swimming holes

Three girls are safe after they went to a popular swimming hole only to be swept downstream by the fast-moving Castleton River and were finally pulled from the stream just above a series of waterfalls.

Midday Newscast: July 25, 2008

Scientists have detected increased radiation near Vermont Yankee since the nuclear power plant boosted its power level by 20%; all the water flowing down Vermont rivers has helped most hydroelectric operators; the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says it’s looking for some help counting the state’s wild turkey population.

Bill to establish buffer along lakes, rivers sidelined

The Vermont House today waged a contentious debate about water pollution and property rights. The bill would require landowners to leave an undeveloped buffer strip along lakes and streams. But after hours of wrangling, Democratic leaders shelved the bill after watching support slip away.