Best WCAX News Podcasts (2025)

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Escape from Afghanistan 57:47

Play Pause

17d ago57:47

57:47

Send us a text Mitra Mahtab (Naeimi), a 29-year-old Afghan woman, fled her country in 2021 after the United States completed its troop withdrawal and the Taliban regained control. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after the 2001 9/11 attacks seeking to root out members of Al Quaeda. The Taliban greatly restricts the rights of Afghan women. Mitra had a l…

1
BTV Police Chief: 'We Need Greater Accountability' 50:42

1M ago50:42

50:42

Send us a text Interim Police Chief Shawn Burke says a lack of accountability is a major factor behind the increase in drug use, theft, violent crime and other illegal activity in Vermont's largest city. Burke was police chief in South Burlington but agreed in March to return as the interim chief in Burlington, where he previously worked for 21 yea…

1
No Drought of Wisdom at Darby Farm 54:42

1M ago54:42

54:42

Send us a text Heather Darby is a seventh generation farmer in Alburgh. She is an expert in sustainable agriculture at the UVM Extension Service. She has a Masters in Agronomy and a PhD in crop and soil management. We talked about this year's severe drought and her concerns about the future viability of farming here in Vermont.…

1
The Notorious Murder that Brought Clarence Darrow to Vermont 47:21

2M ago47:21

47:21

Send us a text Former Vermont Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeff Amestoy writes about why famed lawyer Clarence Darrow became involved in a grisly murder case in the Green Mountain State in the 1920's. The book, Winters' Time: A Secret Pledge, a Severed Head, and the Murder that Brought America's Most Famous Lawyer to Vermont, can be purchased from t…

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Protecting Voters and Elections in "Unprecedented" Times 37:56

2M ago37:56

37:56

Send us a text Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas says the Trump administration is attempting to tamp down voter participation with false claims about the accuracy of elections, "witch hunt" requests she'll oppose to turn over sensitive voter information and calls to scrap mail-in voting. Those efforts, along with sending National Guard troop…

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Burlington Boosters 56:16

3M ago56:16

56:16

Send us a text A grassroots group, Building Burlington's Future, recently formed to confront some of the issues facing the Queen City and advocate for policies to make the city "affordable, safe and vibrant."

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Culture Shift at UVM Health Network? 45:16

3M ago45:16

45:16

Send us a text Owen Foster, chair of the Green Mountain Care Board, discusses the recent cost reductions proposed by the University of Vermont Health Network and the improved communications between the regulator and the state's largest health care provider. Hospital budget hearings before the GMCB start in August. Also, Chris Pearson of Vermont Hea…

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Ray Suarez on Immigration 48:59

4M ago48:59

48:59

Send us a text PBS journalist and author Ray Suarez will preach and discuss his book "We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century" at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington on Sunday, July 20th. The book is an oral history of immigrants who've come to the United States. Suarez will also discuss the recent immigration crackdown by the…

1
Taking Aim at UVM Health Network 39:36

4M ago39:36

39:36

Send us a text A new advocacy group, Vermont Healthcare 911, is taking aim at the rising costs of health care and increasing insurance rates. Coalition members Lisa Ventriss and Dr. Craig Jones discuss why they think their group's efforts -- along with the Green Mountain Care Board, the state's regulatory body -- will be more successful than past a…

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Early Detection 39:59

5M ago39:59

39:59

Send us a text WCAX veteran photojournalist Joe Carroll talks about his journey after learning last year he has advanced prostate cancer. The 62-year-old host of "Super Seniors" is currently in remission.

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Fear on the Farm 49:24

5M ago49:24

49:24

Send us a text The recent arrest of undocumented farmworkers by federal agents in Franklin County at the state's largest dairy operation has sparked fears of further enforcement efforts, as well as outrage against the Trump administration. Will Lambek of Migrant Justice discusses the reaction of the farming community and the resilience of the migra…

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How Tariffs Work (Or Don't) 49:45

5M ago49:45

49:45

Send us a text Does increasing tariffs make sense? UVM Economics professor Rich Sicotte explains the history, mechanics and wisdom of President Trump's push to levy higher fees on imported products.By WCAX News

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Welch: "We've Got To Hang In" 30:47

6M ago30:47

30:47

Send us a text Sen. Peter Welch says there are limits to what he can do to stop the "lawless and pretty cruel" policies of the Trump administration given that Democrats are in the minority in the U.S. Senate. "It's hard, it's dangerous, but these are the times we're in. And I think we've got to hang in."…

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Chronicling Covid 39:43

7M ago39:43

39:43

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" 16:08

7M ago16:08

16:08

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? 36:40

7M ago36:40

36:40

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 Med…

1
Vermont v. Trump 51:48

8M ago51:48

51:48

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

8M 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…

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Your Medical Debt May Disappear 46:39

8M ago46:39

46:39

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 35:21

9M ago35:21

35:21

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" 47:18

9M ago47:18

47:18

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 49:42

9M ago49:42

49:42

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

10M 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 …

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The Baker Decision Revisited, Pt 2 48:07

10M ago48:07

48:07

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…

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Queen City Blues 1:02:03

11M ago1:02:03

1:02:03

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,…

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How to Fix and Fund K-12 1:00:55

11M ago1:00:55

1:00:55

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.…

WCAX News Podcasts

1
802 News with Mark Johnson

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1
WCAX Election Podcast

WCAX Channel 3 News

1
Escape from Afghanistan 57:47

1
BTV Police Chief: 'We Need Greater Accountability' 50:42

1
No Drought of Wisdom at Darby Farm 54:42

1
The Notorious Murder that Brought Clarence Darrow to Vermont 47:21

1
Protecting Voters and Elections in "Unprecedented" Times 37:56

1
Burlington Boosters 56:16

1
Culture Shift at UVM Health Network? 45:16

1
Ray Suarez on Immigration 48:59

1
Taking Aim at UVM Health Network 39:36

1
Early Detection 39:59

1
Fear on the Farm 49:24

1
How Tariffs Work (Or Don't) 49:45

1
Welch: "We've Got To Hang In" 30:47

1
Chronicling Covid 39:43

1
America's "Creep Towards Authoritarianism" 16:08

1
Medicaid Cuts: A Scalpel or Sledgehammer? 36:40

1
Vermont v. Trump 51:48

1
Farewell, Chief Murad 1:15:47

1
Your Medical Debt May Disappear 46:39

1
Patrick Leahy: Back Home 35:21

1
Patrick Leahy: Trump's "Orwellian Fiction" 47:18

1
Runaway Ruby & The Pet Detective 49:42

1
The Baker Decision Revisited, Pt. 1 45:01

1
The Baker Decision Revisited, Pt 2 48:07

1
Queen City Blues 1:02:03

1
How to Fix and Fund K-12 1:00:55