r e g i o n a l n e w s
NCPR News Staff: Sarah Harris
Champlain Valley Correspondent
Sarah Harris was a sophomore in college when the radio bug bit. She spent the year producing audio narratives of students' journeys to Middlebury (where she went to school) through the Middlebury Fellowship in Narrative Journalism. A long-time public radio lister, Sarah thought she might've found her niche. She spent the money she earned from the fellowship on equipment and promptly headed abroad to the Maldives and Nepal, where she did a ton of interviews and spent a month at Community Radio Madanpokhara, South Asia's first rural-based community radio station.
Upon returning to the United States, Sarah decided she needed to learn how to do radio for real. So she called NCPR on a Friday afternoon and proceeded to pester station manager Ellen Rocco until she agreed to give Sarah an internship. Sarah spent the following summer interning at the station and living on Ellen's Dekalb farm. She's been producing stories for NCPR ever since.
Sarah now covers the Champlain Valley. Her work has aired on Morning Edition and All Things Considered and has been published in The American Prospect and Slate. She reported on cement production in Chanute, Kansas through the Middlebury Fellowship in Environmental Journalism and contributed to the award-winning NPR/Center for Public Integrity collaborative series "Poisoned Places." Sarah assistant taught the first session of the Transom Story Workshop in fall 2011. She lives in Burlington, Vermont. E-mailStories filed by Sarah Harris
The Vermont State Capitol. Photo: Adam Fagen, Creative Commons, some rights reserved
VT end-of-life bill to become law
May 20, 2013 — Vermont will become the 4th state in the nation to allow physician assisted suicide when Governor Peter Shumlin signs the end-of-life bill into law Monday afternoon. Go to full article
The Vermont State Capitol. Photo: Adam Fagen, Creative Commons, some rights reserved
Vermont lawmakers pass end-of life legislation
May 14, 2013 — Vermont lawmakers passed end-of life legislation last night. The House approved the Senate's new version of the bill, 75-65. The bill would allow doctors to give terminally ill patients who wish to end their lives medicine that hastens the dying process. Oregon, Washington, and Montana have similar laws.
The bill will now go to Governor Peter Shumlin's desk for his signature. He has said he supports the measure. Go to full article
The bill will now go to Governor Peter Shumlin's desk for his signature. He has said he supports the measure. Go to full article
McKnight Farm, Montpelier, Vermont. Photo: Sarah Harris
Vermont grants driver's licenses to migrant workers
East Montpelier, VT, May 09, 2013 — Dairy farms in Vermont and northern New York have faced a major labor shortage, which means that migrant laborers from Mexico and Guatemala are now milking many of the region's cows.
Farm country here is not an easy place to be a migrant worker: It's rural, hard to get around, and there's not a big Latino population. But a new law means that migrant workers in Vermont will soon be able to drive legally. Go to full article
Farm country here is not an easy place to be a migrant worker: It's rural, hard to get around, and there's not a big Latino population. But a new law means that migrant workers in Vermont will soon be able to drive legally. Go to full article
The Vermont State Capitol. Photo: Adam Fagen, Creative Commons, some rights reserved
VT legislature tackling major issues before session's end
May 07, 2013 — The Vermont legislative session is winding down for the year, but lawmakers still plan to tackle some hot button issues over the next week. Go to full article
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Les and Erica Goodman. Photo: Sarah Harris
From milk to beer: Dairy family switches to hops
Apr 29, 2013 — Agriculture in the North Country is changing - and the evidence is everywhere. For the Goodmans, a longtime dairy family in Fort Ann, in Washington County, it's time to get out of the business. But Erica and Les Goodman are trying something new on their land: growing hops. And they're using social media to do it. Go to full article
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State police inspect the crime scene. Photo: Sarah Harris
Officer-involved shooting in Winooski, VT
Apr 26, 2013 — An independent investigation is planned in Winooski, Vermont, after police there shot a man accused of trespassing. Go to full article
VT House weighs driver's licenses for migrant workers
Apr 19, 2013 — The Vermont House is hearing testimony on a bill that would grant drivers' licenses to people living in Vermont regardless of their legal status.
At yesterday's hearing, migrant workers, farmers, and clergy members all testified before the House Transportation committee in support of the measure. Go to full article
At yesterday's hearing, migrant workers, farmers, and clergy members all testified before the House Transportation committee in support of the measure. Go to full article
Artist's depiction of cable laying operation on bed of Lake Champlain. Video still from TDI Cable Deployment
NYS Board approves Quebec-NYC underground power line
Apr 19, 2013 — The New York State Public Service Board approved the Champlain Hudson Power Express Thursday. The Power Express is a proposed underground transmission line that would bring hydropower generated in Quebec under Lake Champlain, under the Hudson River, and into New York City.
Now it's one step closer to becoming a reality. Go to full article
Now it's one step closer to becoming a reality. Go to full article
An Amish farm in St. Lawrence county. Photo: Sarah Harris
Amish farmers partner with Agri-Mark
Apr 18, 2013 — Most of the North Country is losing population, and losing farms. But there's one group that keeps growing: Old Order Amish. They're drawn to the St. Lawrence Valley by the area's cheap, available farmland.
They Amish live an agrarian lifestyle that's more 19th century than 21st century. But in order to support their communities and their culture, the Amish have had to find a place in the local economy, including the dairy industry and an unlikely partnership with Agri-Mark. Go to full article
They Amish live an agrarian lifestyle that's more 19th century than 21st century. But in order to support their communities and their culture, the Amish have had to find a place in the local economy, including the dairy industry and an unlikely partnership with Agri-Mark. Go to full article
VT Senate considers driver's licenses for migrant workers
Apr 05, 2013 — A bill in the Vermont Senate would allow migrant farm workers access to driver's licenses.
Vermont is home to approximately 1500 migrant workers - many of whom don't have legal status. They live and work on dairy farms throughout the state.
And as a study commissioned by the legislature last year found out, it's hard for migrant workers to get to the doctor and the grocery store without a driver's license. Go to full article
Vermont is home to approximately 1500 migrant workers - many of whom don't have legal status. They live and work on dairy farms throughout the state.
And as a study commissioned by the legislature last year found out, it's hard for migrant workers to get to the doctor and the grocery store without a driver's license. Go to full article
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St. Lawrence University, Canton,
New York 13617 • phone: 1-877-388-6277 • email
radio@ncpr.orgNCPR is a proud affiliate of:
NPR • American Public Media • Public Radio International
