The acclaimed “Travels With Charlie” Vermont news and policy video series this week issued its 10th episode, wherein host Charlie Papillo emerges from Lake Elmore wearing a plastic bag. Then he leads an illuminating, civil discussion between Sen. Chris Bray (for the Bag Ban) and Rob Roper (Against it) that reveals both the science and practical problems surrounding the ban, and the ideological differences that separate supporters and opponents.

The Climate Caucus of the Vermont Legislature Monday night at Sterling College in Craftsbury discussed its aggressive, expensive plan to require the statewide reduction of all carbon emissions by 75% over the next 30 years. True North Reports reporter Michael Bielawski was there.

The latest installment of real-life video conversations on hot-button topics takes host Charlie Papillo to the Elmore School, where Vermont Education Secretary Dan French and former school board member Jay Eshelman talk mergers and the current state of public education in Vermont. More school choice – fewer mergers – lower taxes? You decide.

What do you think? Who is driving the narrative on climate change and what are the climate-facts versus climate-fiction?

The flip side of President Trump's campaign promise of a travel ban from Muslim countries, candidate Bernie Sanders said that if elected president, he would stop all ICE raids and impose a moratorium on deportations 

Bernie Sanders said during the Democratic presidential debate Wednesday night that he supports abortion as a form of birth control in Third World countries. The NYT didn't notice. Maybe the Gray Lady was having a Biden moment? 

The People's Republic of China has done a lot for its people, Sen. Bernie Sanders said recently. Does he have a point - or just playing to his socialist base? Or, both?

An energy consultant says Hydro-Quebec power costs about six cents per kilowatt-hour. That's twice the cost of "market power" sourced mostly from natural gas, but it's still twice as cheap as most wind and solar power. And it's renewable. Good deal? Or should we look elsewhere?

Vermont's mostly male State House press corps tended to interview more men than women - even though women are strongly represented among House and Senate leadership and committee chairs. Alas, True North, Vermont State House Headliners, WCAX and WPTZ weren't included in the survey because according to John Walters of VPO, "Seven Days, VTDigger and VPR are the only outlets that produce significant quantities of in-depth state government reporting." Bias showing?

Charlie Papillo hosts as Guy Page and veteran newsman Mike Donoghue discuss the challenges and future of newspapers in Vermont.