Episode 239: What High-Speed Rail Could Bring To New England; Vermont Town Mourns The Loss Of A Historic Bridge

The River Road covered bridge in Troy, Vermont collapsed in February due to a fire. (Anna Van Dine/VPR)

A new report shows that millions of homes across the country are at risk of flooding — and insurance companies aren’t keeping up. This week on NEXT, we explore the inequities and how this affects our region. Plus, we hear more about a proposal for high-speed rail across New England that Congress may consider soon. And we visit a Vermont town that’s mourning the loss of its historic covered bridge.

Guests:

Rebecca Hersher, reporter at NPR’s Science Desk

Robert Yaro, leads the planning process for the North Atlantic Rail

Tina Cane, poet laureate of Rhode Island, founder and director of Writers-in-the-Schools, Rhode Island, and the author of multiple books of poetry, including “Once More With Feeling”

Contributors:

Frannie Carr Toth and Cloe Axelson, editors at WBUR’s “Cognoscenti”
Singing Bollywood In The Sunroom: A Daughter Remembers Her Dad As He Was Before COVID

Todd Bookman, senior reporter at New Hampshire Public Radio
Local Lady, Stranded in New Zealand During Pandemic, Lands Herself a Lockdown Fellow

Kirk Carapezza, managing editor and correspondent for higher education at GBH News
Growing Frustration On Campus Over How Hate And Harassment Incidents Are Handled

Sarah Gibson, education and demographics reporter at New Hampshire Public Radio
Nashua Students Connect To Outer Space From Home

Anna Van Dine, reporter at Vermont Public Radio
In Memoriam: Troy’s Only Covered Bridge

About NEXT

NEXT is produced at Connecticut Public Radio
Host/Producer: Morgan Springer
Freelance Producer: Lily Tyson
Executive Editor: Vanessa de la Torre
Senior Director: Catie Talarski
Music: Todd Merrell, “New England” by Goodnight Blue Moon, “Fresh Like A Dollar,” by West End Blend, “Wanderer” by Francesca Blanchard and “On My Way To You” by Noelle Micarelli. 

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