802 News With Mark Johnson podcast

38:42

Send us a text Burlington-based historian Garrett Graff discusses "Life Became Very Blurry," an oral history of the pandemic featuring interviews of Vermonters. The Vermont Historical Society initiated the project.

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America's "Creep Towards Authoritarianism" 15:08

27 days ago15:08

15:08

Send us a text Burlington-based journalist and historian Garrett Graff says the country is at an "enormously dangerous moment" and has seen "the quick unraveling of many of the foundations" of American democracy since Donald Trump's return to the presidency in January.

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Medicaid Cuts: A Scalpel or Sledgehammer? 35:39

5 weeks ago35:39

35:39

Send us a text A key Vermont official is worried federal cuts to Medicaid could hurt patients, rural hospitals, physician practices and nursing homes. Congress is considering cuts to the program which costs more than $2.2 billion a year in Vermont. DaShawn Groves is the commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access, which oversees the Medicaid program, which covers 172,000 Vermonters.…

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Vermont v. Trump 50:47

6 weeks ago50:47

50:47

Send us a text Attorney General Charity Clark discusses the court cases Vermont has joined alongside other states against the Trump administration.

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Farewell, Chief Murad 1:15:47

8 weeks ago1:15:47

1:15:47

Send us a text Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad will step aside in April after almost five years running the department. He cited differing views on policing than Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak for why he's leaving. Murad said the new chief will face multiple challenges, including recruiting more officers to a department still affected by city leaders' "tremendously bad" decision in 2020 to reduce the force by 30 percent.…

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Your Medical Debt May Disappear 45:38

10 weeks ago45:38

45:38

Send us a text State Treasurer Mike Pieciak is promoting a program to wipe out medical debt for many low and moderate-income Vermonters. The proposal would also prevent medical debt from being included on an individual's credit report.

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Patrick Leahy: Back Home 34:21

12 weeks ago34:21

34:21

Send us a text The former eight-term senator discusses his accomplishments while in office, the presidents he served alongside, hip surgery, returning to Vermont and "the rock," his wife Marcelle.

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Patrick Leahy: Trump's "Orwellian Fiction" 46:17

12 weeks ago46:17

46:17

Send us a text Former Senator Patrick Leahy criticizes President Donald Trump's rampant misstatements, misguided pardons and cabinet nominees. Leahy also highlights some of his accomplishments during his 48-year Senate career.

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Runaway Ruby & The Pet Detective 48:41

14 weeks ago48:41

48:41

Send us a text Sue Wear has been helping families find their lost pets since 2013. She solved one of her most challenging canine cases recently, Ruby, a mixed breed rescue who was on her own for four months throughout Chittenden County before being humanely captured in December.

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The Baker Decision Revisited, Pt. 1 45:01

16 weeks ago45:01

45:01

Send us a text In December 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled the state's prohibition on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. In the Baker decision , the justices ordered the Legislature to either allow gay marriage or establish an alternative system to afford those rights. The Legislature created civil unions. Plaintiffs Stan Baker and Peter Harrigan discuss the ruling and the vitriol surrounding the passage of the civil union bill. In part 2, then-House Judiciary Chair Tom Little discusses how the civil union legislation came about and the political backlash that resulted.…

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The Baker Decision Revisited, Pt 2 47:06

16 weeks ago47:06

47:06

Send us a text In December 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled the state's prohibition on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. In the Baker decision , the justices ordered the Legislature to either allow gay marriage or establish an alternative system to afford those rights. The Legislature created civil unions. In part 1, plaintiffs Stan Baker and Peter Harrigan discuss the ruling and the vitriol surrounding the passage of the civil union bill. Here in part 2, then-House Judiciary Chair Tom Little discusses how the civil union legislation came about and the political backlash that resulted.…

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Queen City Blues 1:01:03

19 weeks ago1:01:03

1:01:03

Send us a text An internal survey found widespread dissatisfaction among Burlington Police officers. Officers feel overwhelmed -- still -- after the city council voted to reduce the force in 2020 soon after a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd. Burlington detectives Eric Dalla Mura and Padric Hartnett discuss the rank and file concerns, including public support for more police oversight , and the challenges they see finding a replacement for outgoing Chief Jon Murad, who requested city leaders apologize for cutting the force and raise the cap on the number of officers.…

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How to Fix and Fund K-12 59:54

20 weeks ago59:54

59:54

Send us a text Lawmakers responded to the property tax revolt and budget defeats earlier this year by forming the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont. Chair Meagan Roy discusses some of the findings and funding ideas in the draft report the commission will share with the Legislature next week.…

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Legal Weed: Seed to Sale 1:04:26

22 weeks ago1:04:26

1:04:26

Send us a text Vermont is the 11th state to allow legalized sales of cannabis. James Pepper is the chair of the Cannabis Control Board which oversees regulation of the industry from seed to sale.

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Ginny's Battle 1:00:47

24 weeks ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Send us a text Ginny Sweetser died by suicide after battling PTSD from her military service in Iraq. Her mother, Susan , is part of an effort to have wreaths placed at the gravesites of all Vermont veterans this holiday season. Click here to sponsor a wreath as part of the Wreaths Across America project.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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A Song Before I Go 48:40

27 weeks ago48:40

48:40

Send us a text Singer-songwriter Jon Gailmor's musical impact on Vermonters has stretched across 45 years and been particularly profound on children through his long-running radio program "Just Kidding." Now 76 and facing health challenges, Jon is moving to New Orleans to be closer to family. He promises to come back and visit the Green Mountains as often as possible.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Emergency! 58:36

28 weeks ago58:36

58:36

Send us a text Owen Foster, the chair of the Green Mountain Care Board, discusses an analysis by Dr. Bruce Harmory that paints a bleak financial picture for many of the state's 14 hospitals and why health care reform is urgently needed.

802 News with Mark Johnson

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The Mayor's First Six Months 59:39

30 weeks ago59:39

59:39

Send us a text Progressive Emma Mulvaney-Stanak took over as mayor of Burlington in April with a focus on community safety.

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Can Vermont Afford a $2 Billion Operation? 58:18

32 weeks ago58:18

58:18

Send us a text University of Vermont Medical Center officials say the state's largest hospital costs more than $2 billlion to operate. UVMMC President Stephen Leffler points to Vermont’s older population as one major reason. The Green Mountain Care Board, which recently approved "painfully high" double-digit health insurance premiums for the third year in a row, wants to hold down hospital costs , including cutting UVMMC's requested increase in patient revenues. Observers and consultants say Vermont's entire health care system is "broken," and without major reforms will be financially unsustainable by 2030. Dr. Leffler agrees: "Without change, yes, we have a giant problem."…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Farm to Innovate 52:34

33 weeks ago52:34

52:34

Send us a text Ellen Kahler, executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, was recently inducted into the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame as an innovator for her work on the state's Farm to Plate program, which has benefited farmers and people by increasing the amount of local food consumed by Vermonters.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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VT's Health Care System is "Broken" 50:56

35 weeks ago50:56

50:56

Send us a text Retired businessman and opinion writer Bill Schubart explains why he thinks Vermont's health care system is at a "tipping point" with costs rapidly rising and accessibility diminishing. A recent study by Rees Partners presented to the Green Mountain Care Board showed where savings could be achieved.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Black and White and Red All Over 47:48

38 weeks ago47:48

47:48

Send us a text Print and digital news outlets in Vermont are struggling financially. Seven Days reporter Colin Flanders discusses the in-depth analysis he and colleague Kevin McCallum conducted on the difficulties and efforts media sites are making to stay alive.

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Why Watergate Still Matters 1:10:38

40 weeks ago1:10:38

1:10:38

Send us a text Historian/Journalist Garrett Graff of Burlington discusses why the crimes and coverup that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon still resonate today. Graff is the author of "Watergate: A New History" that details the events and explains why the scandal has endured 50 years after Nixon stepped down in August of 1974.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Biden's Age Old Dilemma 39:40

42 weeks ago39:40

39:40

Send us a text Historian Will Randall discusses past presidents who've faced the same pressure as Joe Biden to not run again. Some allies of the 81-year-old president have been concerned about his electability after a poor debate performance against Donald Trump. On Wednesday, Vermont Democrat Sen. Peter Welch said in Washington Post opinion piece that Biden should step aside.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Combating Sexism 51:28

45 weeks ago51:28

51:28

Send us a text Doris Sumner is the author of "Camp Life: Combating the Sexism We Tolerate and Why the Military Should Take the Lead." She served in the military for 36 years in several capacities, including as State Equal Opportunity and Diversity Manager for the Vermont National Guard.

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Why an Overdose Prevention Center Makes Sense 43:47

47 weeks ago43:47

43:47

Send us a text Lawmakers will try later this month to overturn Gov. Phil Scott's veto of a bill allowing for the creation of an Overdose Prevention Center in Burlington. Ed Baker , a retired psychotherapist, and David Mickenberg of the Drug Policy Alliance discuss how the center would save lives and reduce the strain on emergency workers.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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The Long Shot 39:00

49 weeks ago39:00

39:00

Send us a text Ashley Van Zandt, a mother of two from Lyndonville, suffered from an unusual aftereffect from Covid that left most foods tasting and smelling like "moldy garbage" or the "bottom of your compost bucket" for a year until she tried a radical treatment in Texas.

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Vermont's Stretched Medical Safety Net 47:39

51 weeks ago47:39

47:39

Send us a text The head of the coalition of Vermont's free health care clinics says: "More people falling through the cracks into the safety net is indicative of a system that is failing." Olivia Sharrow blames "out of control hospital costs" for the rise in uninsured and underinsured people seeking help at the state's nine free clinics.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Why Mike Pieciak Sent Me $29 1:10:16

1 year ago1:10:16

1:10:16

Send us a text State Treasurer Mike Pieciak was elected in 2022. Before that he served as Commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation, where he played a key role in the state's Covid response and helped untangle the Ponzi-like fraud at Jay Peak. Part of his job as treasurer includes overseeing the Unclaimed Property Division , from where I received my $29 check.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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The Holocaust and the "Long" Second World War 1:06:40

1 year ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Send us a text UVM History Department senior lecturer Andrew Buchanan discusses why it's important to look at what happened before 1941 and after 1945 to understand the full implications of World War II... even to today.

802 News with Mark Johnson

1
State Officials and the EB-5 Scandal 54:10

1 year ago54:10

54:10

Send us a text Auditor of Accounts Doug Hoffer has released a 69-page report on the role of state officials in the EB-5 ponzi scheme scandal. Three developers, Ariel Quiros, Bill Stenger and William Kelly were sentenced to jail in connection with the fraud.

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Just Getting By 52:39

1 year ago52:39

52:39

Send us a text Ten years ago, Vermont documentary filmmaker Bess O'Brien put the spotlight on opioid addiction in "The Hungry Heart." Now, she aims to raise awareness about Vermonters facing food and housing insecurity in "Just Getting By." The film tours from March 22 - April 12 throughout the state .…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Covid Hunter 48:23

1 year ago48:23

48:23

Send us a text Dan Daltry served as a contact tracer for the Vermont Department of Health in the frightening early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, which was declared a national emergency four years ago. Daltry, an infectious disease program manager, has worked for the department since 2006. This interview will also appear as part of the Vermont Historical Society's oral history project on the state's response to Covid-19.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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School Taxes Sticker Shock 59:41

1 year ago59:41

59:41

Send us a text Lawmakers and Vermonters are bracing ahead of Town Meeting Day over potentially staggering increases in education property taxes.

802 News with Mark Johnson

1
Howard Center: Help (and Hope) Is Here 55:32

1 year ago55:32

55:32

Send us a text Howard Center helps people and communities by providing services to address mental health, substance use, and developmental needs. Beth Holden, Chief of Client Services, Dan Hall, Director of Outpatient Services, and Dr. Heidi Melbostad, Director of the Chittenden Clinic discuss some of the challenges clients and the Burlington-based organization are facing.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

1
Bill Stenger: Fall from Grace, Pt 1 1:00:51

1 year ago1:00:51

1:00:51

Send us a text Northeast Kingdom developer Bill Stenger served jail time in connection with the EB-5 scandal that rocked Vermont. The Newport businessman led the effort to raise more than $400 million from foreign investors to fund projects in Jay, Burke and Newport. In part 1 of "Fall from Grace," Stenger discusses his 9 months at a Massachusetts prison and his relationship with business partner Ariel Quiros, who siphoned off $50 million in investor money and was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay back more than $81 million. Stenger pleaded guilty to a federal felony charge of providing false information about one of the projects and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution.…

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Bill Stenger: Fall from Grace, Pt 2 57:51

1 year ago57:51

57:51

Send us a text Northeast Kingdom developer Bill Stenger served jail time in connection with the EB-5 scandal that rocked Vermont. The Newport businessman led the effort to raise more than $400 million from foreign investors to fund projects in Jay, Burke and Newport. In Part 2 of "Fall from Grace," Stenger discusses his culpability, remorse and post-prison efforts to help see some of unfinished projects completed. Stenger pleaded guilty to a federal felony charge of providing false information about one of the projects. Stenger's business partner, Ariel Quiros, who siphoned off $50 million in investor money, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to three federal charges and was ordered to pay more than $81 million .…

802 News with Mark Johnson

1
Gimme Shelter 49:14

1 year ago49:14

49:14

Send us a text Michael Monte, the executive director of Champlain Housing Trust, discusses the complex challenges to create affordable housing and the recent surge of homeless people in Vermont.

802 News with Mark Johnson

1
Bolton Valley 2.0 44:57

1 year ago44:57

44:57

Send us a text Lindsay DesLauriers, president of Bolton Valley , discusses her family's history owning the Chittenden County site and some of the challenges of being an independent ski operation.

802 News with Mark Johnson

1
Losing Charlie 45:35

1 year ago45:35

45:35

Send us a text Former Ambassador Skip Vallee talks about the suicide of his 27-year-old son, Charlie , and the foundation the family started for research on Long Covid.

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Legislative Preview: VT House 42:21

1 year ago42:21

42:21

Send us a text House Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, discusses priorities and goals for the second half of the 2023-2024 biennium.

802 News with Mark Johnson

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Legislative Preview: VT Senate 43:16

1 year ago43:16

43:16

Send us a text Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden Central, discusses goals for the second half of the legislative biennium starting January 3, as well as accomplishments in 2023.

802 News with Mark Johnson

1
Ken Squier: The Legend 59:40

1 year ago59:40

59:40

Send us a text Ken Squier, the voice of NASCAR motor racing and owner of WDEV Radio, died two weeks ago at the age of 88.

802 News with Mark Johnson

1
Douglas v. Middlebury 38:04

1 year ago38:04

38:04

Send us a text Former Gov. Jim Douglas discusses the lawsuit against Middlebury College leaders for removing the Mead Memorial Chapel sign in 2021.

802 News with Mark Johnson

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BTV Mayor's Race -- Emma Mulvaney-Stanak 41:11

1 year ago41:11