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Senator Peter Welch: Senator Welch Delivers First Major Speech on Senate Floor 07/18/2023

From the Office of Senator Welch:

Last night I gave my first major speech on the Senate floor. This is a Senate tradition that allows every new Senator the opportunity to lay out their vision for how Congress can better serve all Americans. I shared my deep love for Vermont and the people that make the Green Mountain State so special. Never has the pride I feel for Vermont been stronger than right now, as neighbors come together to help each other recover from the recent flooding. I spoke about what we all share in the Senate, regardless of party affiliation: the deep respect for the folks we have the honor of representing. And I asked this question: If we share this deep respect for our constituents who all need the same things—access to good health care and affordable child care, good-paying jobs—why can’t we make more progress on these key issues? Why are we so divided?

We face two major challenges: First: Our democracy is more imperiled right now than at any time since the Civil War. Second: Working and middle-class Americans have been treading water economically for the past 40 years. Top-down economic policies have failed them. Democracy depends on trust. It also depends on results. If conditions stagnate for working Americans and they fall further behind, their trust in democracy will erode. And we need democracy to ensure that working families have a seat at the table. My years of service—as a community organizer in Chicago, as a State Senator in Vermont, as your Representative in the House—have taught me that democracy is more than an ideal we strive for; it's the tool we use to make meaningful differences in the lives of people we love and in the lives of people we may never meet. There are so many challenges facing our country right now. But like Vermonters know, we can succeed if we work together.

Mugs Up! With Annie Cooper: Chittenden County Mask Army 04/20/2020

Today's guests are the Chittenden Mask Army: Sachi Hergesheimer, Nikki Mayhue, Barb Greck, Patty Croce, Chris Kimler Miller, Kathy Deemer, Annie Cooper and many more who usually attend our daily meetings but didn't happen to be at today's meeting, and those who make masks with regularity and simply get them to Nikki's door, with the kind of speed movies are made of.

Mugs Up! With Annie Cooper: Ethan of Owl's Head Blueberry Farm 04/18/2020

Today's guest is Ethan of Owl's Head and he is the first of Annie's youth guests on Mug's Up Morning Show.

Mugs Up! With Annie Cooper: Saskia Kirby of Kirby Swim School, Australia 04/17/2020

Today's guest is Saskia Kirby of the Kirby Swim School. Kirby Swim - Passionate about swimming!

Saskia and her husband, Bill Kirby, run several swim schools in Australia. Saskia and I have been Facebook friends for several years now but have never met before. With the time difference earlier today this was me, early in the morning, and Saskia, later on in her evening, having our first live conversation, ever.

I keep laughing when I watch it, so I haven't made it all the way through, yet, and wanted to post it for Australia's morning coffee time. This is live, unscripted, and it made me laugh, a lot. I don't seem to know anything about the world, swimming, or the Olympics. Don't ask me, I have no idea what happened. But it's super funny to watch me falter, repeatedly. I look forward to doing this more frequently. We all need a little Saskia in our lives. Much love to Saskia and her family. Thanks for mugging it up with me this morning.

You can find out more about the Kirby Swim School here: https://kirbyswim.com.au/

Mugs Up! With Annie Cooper: Dennis Bruso of East Coast Printers 04/16/2020

Today's guest is Dennis Bruso. Dennis Bruso owns East Coast Printers on Park Street in Essex Junction, Vermont.

Dennis and I discuss how we met, the donations East Coast Printers have provided to our community, and a surprise visit by Dennis' pet.

Mugs Up! With Annie Cooper: Sheila Porter - Childcare Specialist 04/15/2020

Today's is guest Sheila Porter. Sheila is a local Essex Junction celebrity whose fame runs deep amongst the younger crowd and their parents. Sheila is an extraordinary community member and she makes Essex Junction a better place, every single day.

Today we did something new for Mugs Up! Morning Show.

Annie taped her side of the conversation, then Sheila taped hers. Sheila's son, Sam, then took the two videos and edited them into one.

From Annie: "This short, sweet, beautiful conversation brought me to tears. Thanks to Sheila, for your contributions to our community and for taking the time to speak from your heart, today. Thanks, too, to Sam, for taking the time to help your mom and I put this all together. We are so grateful. Much love to you all."

Mugs Up! With Annie Cooper: Keira Cameron 04/14/2020

Today's guest is Keira Cameron. Keira is an Essex High School and University of Vermont graduate who has been in Guinea with the United States Peace Corps for two years. Keira talks about having to leave her host village in only 24 hours, due to COVID-19, teaching hundred student classes in French, and how the local saying "little by little" has influenced her attitude to life in a pandemic.

Mugs Up! With Annie Cooper: Laura Matuszak - Green Mountain Aquatics 04/13/2020

Today's guest is Laura Matuszak of Green Mountain Aquatics. We discuss our passion for aquatics and our love of community.

For more information: www.gmaswim.com

Mugs Up! With Annie Cooper: Liz Subin - Heart and Soul of Essex 04/12/2020

Today's guest, Liz Subin of Heart & Soul of Essex, speaks to the grants being made available for Essex and Westford residents impacted by COVID-19 and to the donations from the entire community that are helping make the grants possible.

For more information please go to www.heartandsoulofessex.org. Much love to you all.

Talking with Citizens on North Street at Night 06/24/1989

Talking with Citizens on North Street at Night

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Applications Now Open for the Spring 2025 Cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship Program

Town Meeting TV is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Spring 2025 cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship program. Join up to 8 other youth to engage in interesting media making projects! This paid media internship opportunity is designed for youth aged 16-20 who are eager to gain professional experience in the audio-visual field and develop a deeper understanding of their local community. The group will meet under the leadership of Town Meeting TV's Travis Washington from the end of January 2025 to the beginning of June 2025, on a schedule agreed upon by the whole cohort. Click here to apply!