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Who will win in the 2024 elections? If Vermont Public has its way, the voters. – The Boston Globe

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Who will win in the 2024 elections? If Vermont Public has its way, the voters. – The Boston Globe


The effort, called the “Citizens Agenda,” is a departure from the conventional political reporting that Kinzel has made a career on, spending days calling politicians, advocates, and experts. But in August he and Patterson, the outlet’s executive editor, set up a table outside of Montpelier’s Federal Building with a sign that asked passersby: “What do you love about Montpelier?”

Most pedestrians declined to stop. But those that did made an impression.

“We all feel property taxes are an issue,” Kinzel said. “But when you actually meet somebody who says, ‘I’m not sure I can stay in my house any longer because the property taxes are so high’ … it reinforces the belief that this is a very important issue.”

In following the Citizens Agenda, Vermont Public is trying to forge relationships with the public at a time when trust in the media has never been lower and the business has never been harder. The effort, which aims to strengthen democracy and civic engagement, comes as traditional news organizations have lost large shares of their audiences, contributing to job losses and cutbacks across the industry.

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Journalists at the outlet — which includes a news website, TV station, and radio station — have spent the year speaking to more than 600 residents at diners, gas stations, and concerts about state and local politics across all 14 Vermont counties.

“They’re really able to dig into these local issues that people are concerned about, as opposed to how is [Donald] Trump pronouncing Kamala [Harris’s] name right now,” said Michael Wood-Lewis, CEO of the Front Porch Forum, a Vermont social network that counts nearly half of the state’s adults as active members and is helping amplify Vermont Public’s election coverage.

Hearken, a company that builds technology for audience engagement, and Jay Rosen, a journalism professor at New York University, established a guide for the Citizens Agenda ahead of the 2020 elections to give newsrooms a blueprint for changing their political coverage. The goal is to hear directly from news consumers about the issues most urgent to them, then use those responses to shape coverage.

Vermont Public reporter Bob Kinzel spoke to a resident in Montpelier during one of the publication’s “office hours” to engage residents in conversations about what they want politicians to address.Aidan Ryan

”No longer as news organizations can we presume to understand what our public needs from us, nor can we assume that being first with the latest salacious turn in a campaign is what actually matters,” Rosen and Hearken CEO Jennifer Brandel wrote.

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The initiative was, in part, born out of the 2016 election, when many traditional new organizations were shocked that Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton. That was a prime example of broken political coverage, Rosen and Brandel wrote, illustrating a lack of understanding about issues that resonated with wide swaths of voters and gaps in polling quality.

“It’s not compelling enough to organize your coverage around who’s ahead and who’s likely to win, and tactics needed to win,” Rosen said. “That’s part of politics, but it’s not enough.”

Several other newsrooms across the country have adopted the Citizens Agenda this year, including Spotlight PA, Washington state’s Cascadia Daily News, and over 30 newsrooms in Colorado including The Denver Post and Colorado Public Radio.

Elodie Reed, a Vermont Public reporter who hosted one of the outlet’s “office hours” in northern Vermont this summer, said she usually starts by asking people how they spend their days. She jots down notes and asks residents if they mind being contacted later.

Reed recalled talking to one woman who said she doesn’t usually vote or otherwise participate in politics.

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“I was like, ‘Well, everyone cares about things. So what do you care about? Are there things in your life that could be easier, that you’d like to see change?’” Reed said.

The woman began talking about how her grandkids couldn’t get into pre-kindergarten. She added she has a disability and applying for disability benefits is difficult. Those were all important public policy issues, Reed said, but the woman didn’t think of them that way.

A flash flood destroyed two bridges and multiple private residences in Plainfield, Vt., in July. Climate change has been a top concern voiced by Vermonters, Vermont Public has found. Dmitry Belyakov/Associated Press

After the conversations, reporters enter notes into a database. The top issues for Vermonters, gleaned during the conversations and an online form, were climate change, housing, taxes and affordability, education, and health care. While Patterson and others expected most of these issues to be important — especially in a state that’s seen devastating floods — hearing directly from residents helped validate their coverage.

The bulk of Vermont Public’s reporting from the effort is still to come, but some takeaways are already reflected, like in a voter guide that focuses on candidates’ responses to top issues. Patterson also said an environmental reporter is devising a climate glossary. And a section of Vermont Public’s Democratic gubernatorial debate focused exclusively on climate change.

After asking candidates Peter Duval and Esther Charlestin if they supported the state’s Climate Superfund Act, host Mitch Wertlieb asked: “Christina from Barre City is concerned about energy costs. … Esther, how do you propose addressing climate change while keeping affordability top of mind?”

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Duval, who lost the Democratic primary held on Aug. 13 for governor to Charlestin, said he appreciated the substantiveness of the questioning.

“I was pleased not to be asked a horse-race question,” he said.

The Citizens Agenda effort is aimed not only at providing voters with more information about candidates, but also trying to establish trust with residents. That includes visiting some of the more remote northern parts of the state.

A 2023 Gallup poll found that only 32 percent of Americans trust the media “a great deal” or “a fair amount.”

“One tried and true way that we have of building back that trust is to just talk with people and be in the communities as best we can and take the veil off of the work that we do,” Patterson said.

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Vermont Public is one of several news outlets across the country that has adopted the Citizens Agenda for the 2024 election, an effort to center voters and their concerns in political coverage.Aidan Ryan

Paul Heintz, editor of the VTDigger, said the publication is watching Vermont Public’s coverage and trying to incorporate some of the Citizens Agenda approach into its own reporting. He cited an expanded voter guide, which this year includes more campaign finance information and translations into different languages.

“It’s important to respect your readers and to not assume that they’re just looking for entertainment,” Heintz said.

Not every resident wants to take part. The vast majority of the people who walked by Vermont Public’s table in Montpelier didn’t even glance at it, reflecting how much work it takes to reach voters. But for those who did, the chats forced them to think of what questions they had for candidates.

“I had to stop and think, well, I mean, there’s a million questions,” said Gary Hass, a Barre resident and publisher of the weekly newspaper The World, who stopped by the table. He suggested asking how candidates can prevent efforts to overturn the election and how spending programs passed by state Democrats affect affordability.

“This is good,” Hass said. ”Reaching out to the public right here.”

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Aidan Ryan can be reached at aidan.ryan@globe.com. Follow him @aidanfitzryan.





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46 anti-Trump No Kings protests planned in Vermont. How to go

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46 anti-Trump No Kings protests planned in Vermont. How to go


Vermonters protest against deportations, stand in solidarity with LA

Vermonters marched up Church Street in solidarity of Los Angeles protestors and against the federal government’s immigration policies June 10.

Large scale anti-Trump protests are coming to Vermont for a third time, with at least 46 No Kings protests planned across the state for March 28.

This round of No Kings protests might be the biggest so far: organizers anticipate it’ll be “one of the largest single-day nonviolent nationwide protests in U.S. history,” with more than 3,000 events already planned across the country on March 28.

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“As President Trump escalates his attempts to control us, it is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country,” the “No Kings” website says. “If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken. We are coming together again on March 28 because we know we can overcome this repression when we unite.”

In Vermont, protests are being held in all corners of the state, from Bennington to Newport. There are about six protests listed in Burlington, including a march to City Hall, a New North End Honk and Wave and a rally at the intersection of Shelburne Rd and Hannaford Drive.

Here’s what to know ahead of the protests.

What are ‘No Kings’ protests and what does it mean?

In June 2025, large crowds of Vermont residents took part in the first round of “No Kings Day” protests, planned the same day as the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebration and the president’s birthday.

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Another wave of nationwide “No Kings” protests came several months later in October, in which over seven million Americans joined events in all 50 states, according to the organization. In Burlington, thousands of protesters brought homemade signs protesting Trump, dressed in colorful inflatable costumes, played music and chanted.

Organizers behind the No Kings protests say that it is a “peaceful movement” to push back on President Donald Trump’s policies, including on immigration, foreign policy and the economy.

“With every ICE raid, every escalation abroad, and every abuse of power at home, Americans are rising up in opposition to Trump’s attempt to rule through fear and force. Each day Trump crosses a new red line, and more people are deciding they’ve had enough,” said Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible, one of the many organizations backing the mass protests.

Others include American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, MoveOn and 50501.

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No Kings protests near me: See events, rallies in Vermont

As of 2 p.m. on March 26, there were 46 No Kings events planned in Rhode Island for March 28. Some towns and cities are holding multiple events.

Here’s a list of events in Burlington:

  • Burlington New North End Honk and Wave: 11a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1127 North Ave, Burlington
    • “Invite your friends and neighbors and meet up at 11 a.m. at 1127 North Avenue along the sidewalks at the entrances of the Ethan Allen Shopping Plaza (home to Hannaford Supermarket and many other shops). Bring your signs, banners, noise makers, and American flags,” the listing reads. “This joyous, non-violent honk and wave action will wrap up at 12:30 p.m. Following the Honk and Wave, participants are welcome to proceed to City Hall Park to join the conclusion of the North End and South End marches.”
  • Patchen Road Overpass: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Patchen Road & Landfill Road, South Burlington
    • “We’ll be unfurling our huge NO KINGS banners on the overpass as 4,000 – 5,000 vehicles per hours pass below on Interstate 89. Bring a sign, bring an American flag, and bring a friend,” reads the listing. It says to register and to follow the guidance of safety marshals, and encourages attendees to carpool as “parking is tight.”
  • Burlington South End March: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Calahan Park, 45 Locust St, Burlington
    • “We’ll be marching from Calahan Park to City Hall Park,” says the event description. “If you don’t want to march or are unable please join us at City Hall park at 12:30 p.m. for singing, chanting and more.”
  • South Burlington: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Intersection of Shelburne Rd and Hannaford Dr in South Burlington, 1001 Shelburne Rd, South Burlington, VT
    • “Join Champlain Valley Indivisible at the intersection of Shelburne Rd and Hannaford Drive in South Burlington to stand up and speak out against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence,” the event listing says, adding that those interested should register.
  • Burlington March to City Hall: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1 S Prospect St., Burlington
  • Burlington Old North End March: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Roosevelt Park, 57 Oak St., Burlington
    • “We’ll be marching from Roosevelt park to City Hall Park,” the listing says. “If you don’t want to march or are unable please join us at City Hall park at 12:30 p.m. for singing, chanting and more.”

Here’s a list of all the towns in Vermont holding protests so far, plus when, where and other helpful information listed on the event pages or provided in press releases:

  • Bellow Falls
  • Bennington
  • Bradford
  • Brandon
  • Brattleboro
  • Burlington
  • Charlotte
  • Chester
  • Essex Junction
  • Fair Haven
  • Fairfax
  • Hardwick
  • Hartford
  • Huntington
  • Jericho
  • Manchester
  • Middlebury
  • Milton
  • Milton
  • Montpelier
  • Morrisville
  • Newbury
  • Newport
  • Northfield
  • Randolph
  • Randolph
  • Richmond
  • Rutland
  • Saint Johnsbury
  • Shelburne
  • South Burlington
  • South Burlington
  • St. Albans
  • Wallingford
  • Waterbury
  • Westfield
  • Williston
  • Wilmington
  • Windsor
  • Winooski
  • Wolcott
  • Woodstock

More events may be planned. You can check the map on the No Kings website to see if your town is holding a protest.

What time are No Kings events?

“No Kings” protests in Vermont start at various times on March 28, with some events planned at 10 a.m. and others planned throughout the afternoon, according to the online map of events.

Contributing: Paris Barraza

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Vermont Sports Hall of Fame adds two members to 2026 induction class

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Vermont Sports Hall of Fame adds two members to 2026 induction class


An international ambassador for tennis from South Burlington and a three-sport captain at Burlington High School and the University of Vermont more than 100 years ago are the final members for the 2026 Vermont Sports Hall of Fame banquet, the organization announced in a news release on Thursday, March 26.

Jake Agna, the former legendary tennis coach at South Burlington High School, is the 2026 David Hakins inductee, which honors an individual or a group or organization for exceptional promotion of sports, athletics and recreation in the state. Fenwick Watkins, a pioneer and exceptional athlete and coach who helped break color barriers in sports in the early 1900s, has been named the hall’s historic inductee.

Agna and Watkins join 10 other members previously announced this year who will officially be enshrined during a celebration banquet at the Delta Marriott Burlington Hotel on 1117 Williston Road in South Burlington on Saturday, April 25.

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The dinner begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the induction ceremony. To purchase tickets to the 2026 event, visit the VSHOF website at vermontsportshall.com. The cost is $95 per plate with part of the proceeds going to Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, the longtime designated charity for VSHOF.  

Over 38 years coaching girls tennis at South Burlington, Agana compiled a 489-95 record with eight perfect seasons, 16 Division I titles and 13 runner-up trophies before stepping down prior to the 2023 season.

Agna is also founded Kids on the Ball in 2000, which is designed to teach children life lessons such as relationships and respect by learning the game of tennis. He has led 31 trips to Cuba to help expand the sport. His tennis programs reach out to over 200 kids each day in school and after school programs.

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Agna’s work to help resurface 10 courts and renovation of the National Tennis Center in Cuba in 2017 was recognized by the Tennis Channel.

Watkins was a three-sport star in football, basketball, baseball at Burlington before graduating in 1905. At UVM, he is believed to be the first Black captain of a non-historical Black college or university sport and was captain for all three sports at both BHS and UVM, according to VSHOF.

After UVM, Watkins went on to become a high school and college head coach in North Dakota at Concordia College (football) and what is now known as North Dakota State (baseball and football). He died in 1943.

The previous winners for the Hakins award are: Barry Stone (2024); Thomas Dunkley (2023); Ted Ryan (2022); Cochran’s Ski Area, Mickey & Ginny Cochran (2020); Mal Boright (2019); Helmut Lenes (2017); Ernie Farrar (2015); Tom Curley (2014) and Ray Pecor (2013).

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The previous historic winners include: Leo Papineau, St. Michael’s College, athlete, coach and official (2025); Clarence Demar, South Hero, distance running, (2017); Fred Harris, Brattleboro, outdoors/ski jumping, (2015); James Taylor, Windsor, outdoors, (2014); and Charles Adams, Newport, National Hockey League, (2013).

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.





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See the Brattleboro student who won the Poetry Out Loud state finals

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See the Brattleboro student who won the Poetry Out Loud state finals


Eason DeMarsico-Thorne, a student at Brattleboro Union High School, won the 2026 Poetry Out Loud State Finals, held the Flynn on March 5, according to a community announcement.

DeMarsico-Thorne will represent Vermont at the national competition at the end of April in the nation’s capital. Gretchen Wertlieb of South Burlington High School was the runner-up, and Aiva Reed of Windsor High School placed third.

The state finals featured 10 students who recited poems over three rounds. The top three, with the highest cumulative scores after the first two rounds, advanced to the final round.

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DeMarsico-Thorne recited “Fruit of the Flower” by Countee Cullen, “I Shall Return” by Claude Mckay and “A Southern Road” by Helene Johnson.

Wertlieb recited “To a Young Dancing Girl” by Elsa Gidlow, “Thoughts in Jail” by Katharine Rolston Fisher and “I shall forget you presently, my dear” (Sonnet IV), by Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Reed recited “Why We Oppose Women Travelling in Railway Trains” by Alice Duer Miller, “Militants to Certain Other Women” by Katharine Rolston Fisher and “If I Had Known” by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson.

The other finalists were Phoebe Gresham from Mount Mansfield Union High School, Ranee Hall from Thetford Academy, Marcus Burns from St. Johnsbury Academy, Taylor Daleb from Peoples Academy, Moya Thayer from Burlington High School, Theo Novak from Champlain Valley Union High School and Patrick Tester from Lyndon Institute.

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Eighteen schools across Vermont registered to bring the national Poetry Out Loud program to their classrooms for the 2025-26 school year, reaching 2,000 students with about 60 teachers participating, according to the announcement. Fifteen students were selected by their teachers as school champions and participated in the statewide semifinals, held on Feb. 12 at the Barre Opera House.

DeMarsico-Thorne received $200 and advances to the national finals, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends are distributed. The state champion’s school receives $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. Wertlieb received $100, with $200 for her school.

Poetry Out Loud is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Vermont Arts Council. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4 million students across the country have participated. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers the monetary prizes.

For more information about Vermont Poetry Out Loud, visit flynnvt.org/Education/poetry-out-loud.

This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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