Vermont retailers and state officials are pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided it will not get involved in efforts by states to collect sales taxes for online purchases.

They are hoping the decision clears the way for Congressional action on the issue.

Vermonters are supposed to pay a sales tax on any purchases that would normally be subject to the tax when those purchases are made out-of-state or online.  However, paying the tax is voluntary and most people don’t do it.

After Tropical Storm Irene, some property owners who lost everything were not approved for a federal buy-out. But last March the state said it would come up with the funding. The first state-funded buy-outs have gone through in Jamaica.

We’ve all heard about the glass ceiling. And the fact that there are fewer women in science, math, and engineering jobs. But that’s not just bad for women…it’s not so great for the economy either.

A new report recommends ways to get women and girls prepared to enter Vermont’s economy. We’ll talk about those recommendations with Tiffany Bluemle, Executive Director of Vermont Works for Women, and Stephanie Seguino, Professor of Economics at University of Vermont.

After years of gathering data, filing reports and debating where to base the F-35 fighter jets, a decision has been made. The Vermont Air National Guard at Burlington International Airport will serve as a base for the planes beginning in 2020.

But rather than ending the debate, the decision may just change the discussion. Supporters and opponents of the decisions will weigh in on the Air Force’s choice. And we’d like to hear from you.

George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" is part of the soundtrack to the Christmas season, with the Hallelujah chorus providing an especially familiar refrain. Adding to the tradition of the season is the Messiah Sing-Along, presented by churches and community groups throughout December. VPR Classical’s Walter Parker keeps an ear out for those events in his annual Messiah Watch, and shares the tradition with Vermont Edition.

Lt. Gov. Phil Scott wants to delay  the mandatory provisions of the state’s new health care exchange for a year because of ongoing technical problems at the Vermont Health Connect website.

The Shumlin Administration was hoping that the online payment system at the exchange would be operating by Dec. 1. But state officials said on Monday that the system isn’t ready and they aren’t sure when it will be.

The Vermont National Guard announced Tuesday that the controversial F-35 fighter jet will be based at Burlington International Airport.

The decision from the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force comes after years of intense debate, with proponents saying the jet will keep the Vermont Air National Guard going, and opponents arguing that increased noise from the F-35 poses a risk to public health.

Adjutant General of the State of Vermont Steve Cray spoke with VPR’s Neal Charnoff about the decision.

Last month, the University of Vermont asked the low-cost bus line Megabus to no longer stop on campus. The University made the request after several passengers were arrested for transporting drugs. On Monday, Megabus announced that they will resume using a bus stop near the UVM campus on University Place. Mike Alvich is Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for Megabus.com. He spoke with Vermont Edition about the decision to relocate the stop and what it means for students and others using the service.