Chittenden County has been using buses to move people around for almost a century. But with ridership down and the bus system heading toward a fiscal cliff, one listener wants to know — is there a better way?

In the not-too-distant past, Burlington and its surrounding towns dreamt big transit dreams: more efficient buses, commuter trains and light rail. In 2024, those dreams remain unrealized or abandoned, and we’re fighting to keep the system we do have alive.

Winning question-asker Nathaniel Eisen wants to know what happened. He asks:

Why doesn't Chittenden County have better public transit options?

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux, with editing from Burgess Brown and Mark Davis. Our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane and our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Charles Dillard, Gregory Rowangould, Marshall Distel, Chris Cole, Patrick Garahan, Corey Dockser, Bobby Lussier, Jordan Mitchell, Richard Whiting, Patty Wight, Irwin Gratz, Caroline Losneck, Winston Lumpkins, Zack Barowitz and Paul Detzer and Elodie Reed.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

• Ask a question about Vermont
• Vote on the question you want us to tackle next
• Sign up for the BLS newsletter
• Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt
• Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
• Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880
• Make a gift to support people-powered journalism
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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

There’s a tooth embedded in a retaining wall alongside East State Street in Montpelier. Who put it there?

This question has been keeping Brave Little State producer Burgess Brown up at night. He and question-asker Elvira Dana channeled their best Holmes and Watson to crack this cold canine case right open. And they enlisted the entire town of Montpelier for help along the way.

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported and produced by Burgess Brown, with editing from Sabine Poux and Brittany Patterson. Our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane and our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Ann Lee, Lexi Krupp, Tim Heeney, Kevin Marlier, Jason Kass, Gideon Kass, Natalie Kass, Dan Groberg, Paul Carnahan, Tom McArdle, Corinne Cooper, Steve Gray, Mike Doyle, and many many other Montpelierites for their help.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

• Ask a question about Vermont
• Vote on the question you want us to tackle next
• Sign up for the BLS newsletter
• Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt
• Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
• Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880
• Make a gift to support people-powered journalism
• Leave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast app
• Tell your friends about the show!

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Vermont’s messy transition from winter to spring always brings its fair share of surprises and obstacles. And this year has been no exception: The mud came early, and it came often.

Keith Gadapee is on the front lines of battling mud season as road foreman for the town of Danville — which has more dirt roads than anywhere else in Vermont. We spoke to Keith back in 2022 for an episode we called “Mud Season Madness” and put your pressing mud questions to the expert. We dug out that episode for an encore and checked back in with Keith as this year’s roller coaster of a season comes to a close.

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux and Angela Evancie, with editing and additional production from Burgess Brown. Angela Evancie is our executive producer, and our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to April McCullum and Sophie Stephens.

As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:

• Ask a question about Vermont
• Vote on the question you want us to tackle next
• Sign up for the BLS newsletter
• Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt
• Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org
• Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880
• Make a gift to support people-powered journalism
• Leave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast app
• Tell your friends about the show!

Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.