Kiana Burks
Multimedia Journalist
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Kiana Burks joined the WCAX News Team in June of 2022 as a weekend Multimedia Journalist.
She was born and raised in south Texas and graduated in 2021 from Texas State University's College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
She loves to try new restaurants, draw, sing, dance and pet any cat she can get her hands on.
She is ecstatic to be a part of this exceptional news team and is looking forward to sharing impactful stories with our viewers.
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After years of back and forth with Vermont health care regulators, The University of Vermont Health Network now says it has a plan to spend $18 million earmarked for mental health care.
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“It was like daylight all of a sudden -- flames 70 to 80 feet in the air," said one witness.
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The Newport City Council met Wednesday for a special meeting in the wake of last week’s sudden resignation of the city’s mayor.
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Vermont Governor Phil Scott Thursday signed into law a bill intended to address the epidemic of overdose deaths plaguing the state.
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The Olympic flame cauldron built for the 1980 games has seen better days. Now, town officials say it's time for the community to come together to protect their Olympic legacy. Our Kiana Burks reports.
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Overdose deaths continue to climb across Vermont as the tranquilizer xylazine and other drugs blunt the effectiveness of opioid reversal drugs. It’s forcing health care workers to find new ways to provide life-saving resources.
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As swimming season approaches, it's a race against time to fill aquatic positions at recreational facilities and beaches in Burlington.
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Town officials in Stowe are trying to figure out a way to keep their recreational fields dry as beavers cause the surrounding wetlands to expand.
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Summer is a busy season for employment across the region, with customer service and outdoor recreation jobs some of the most in demand. But with many businesses already struggling to fill key roles, attracting seasonal applicants has been an added challenge.
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The spotlight is on two Vermont high school seniors for excellence in education.
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Fred Webster, a WCAX Super Senior known for his “gift of gab” and barns full of farm machinery from the past, died back in 2021 at the age of 99. On Friday, his family was getting ready to honor the Coventry man's legacy in a way they know he’d love.
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Vermont officials are once again warning Vermonters to think twice before investing in cryptocurrency. Reporter Kiana Burks spoke to one investor on what it’s like dealing with what the state calls a “risky” industry.
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Eligibility changes are coming to Vermont’s emergency hotel program by the end of June, leaving an estimated 1,800 people to find somewhere else to live.
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There’s a new registry to provide Vermonters information on trusted contractors to work with.
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State officials are weighing in on a potential interstate partnership for Vermont's largest health insurance company and what that might mean for Vermonters' coverage. Our Kiana Burks reports.
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The Central Vermont Medical Center has become the first hospital in Vermont to offer an innovative new treatment for ACL tears that doctors say can help the body heal itself. Our Kiana Burks reports.
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People gathered at the University of Vermont Friday to discuss the concept of “race shifting” or playing “pretendian.” It’s an issue that scholars say has negative effects on Indigenous communities and something that Vermont’s state-recognized tribes have been accused of taking part in.
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Community members say a large number of cats were recently abandoned in a Monkton park. Our Kiana Burks spoke to a shelter that took some of the cats in, and has the latest.
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Students from the Vermont Law and Graduate School are helping people in Puerto Rico fight a dredging project in San Juan Bay.
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Storefronts and restaurant windows throughout Montpelier are plastered with poems during the month of April.
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After 28 days on strike, staff at Goddard College in Plainfield have struck an agreement with the administration that union members are calling a success.
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It’s Earth Week at the University of Vermont and campus organizations gathered Wednesday to celebrate the environment and sustainability at the university’s 2023 Eco Fair.
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The University of Vermont is committing to a carbon neutrality goal by 2030.
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Spring is here and with the growing season upon us, state agencies are trying to get Vermonters to think about using their food assistance benefits differently. Our Kiana Burks reports.
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Domestic cats are catching bird flu in some states, and as the country continues to deal with poultry disease, local vets say it might be a good idea to keep an extra close eye on your feline as the weather heats up.
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Some Lake Champlain beaches are being bombarded with smelly, dead fish.
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A Vermont town has switched banks after countless fraudulent attempts to access its account. Our Kiana Burks reports on what happened, and why town officials say they don't blame the bank.
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An investigation is underway in Rutland City where school officials say a middle school student threatened a classmate on social media with a gun.
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The governor is facing a budget backlash from North Country health care workers, who rallied Wednesday in Plattsburgh over what they say is a widening Medicaid reimbursement gap.
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Public libraries across Vermont are dealing with tight budgets, staffing shortages, and a push to go digital, making it hard for some to keep up. Reporter Kiana Burks caught up with librarians for some perspective on what they’re seeing.
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Plans to demolish the St. Stephen Catholic Church in Winooski have been halted after the city reversed its decision to grant a permit. State preservationists say despite what the parish wants, they’re committed to saving the iconic marble church.
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A successful settlement in Burlington where the U.S. Justice Department says the city school district now has the tools to confront sexual harassment at school. Our Kiana Burks has an update.
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Castleton University students caught tampering with laundry machines on campus were apparently inspired by a TikTok hack to do their laundry for free.
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Vermont lawmakers are once again trying to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol. But there are continued concerns about the potential loss of millions of dollars in tax revenue from the products.
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Vermont lawmakers are trying to increase protections for victims of sexual assault or misconduct on college campuses.
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A controversial hill-leveling project in Morrisville is now moving forward.
A Morrisville developer's plans to raze a hill and sell the gravel that creates is stirring up controversy in nearby communities. Our Kiana Burks explains why people say they want to save the mountain.
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Vermonters Friday celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with parades, green beer, and other celebrations of Irish culture.Reporter Kiana Burks was in Burlington to catch the party.
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Graduating students at UVM’s Larner College of Medicine learned about their immediate futures at this year’s Match Day.
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Vermont lawmakers are working to repeal the state’s prostitution laws, decriminalizing adult sex work in the state.
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More housing is in the works for UVM faculty, staff and students. Our Kiana Burks was at the groundbreaking Wednesday and has the latest on the university's solution to its housing struggles.
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Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark Thursday said her office is launching a new effort to reduce scams in the state.
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As of Town Meeting Day, 100 Vermont cities and towns have adopted a "Declaration of Inclusion."
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As costs for pet health care and insurance rise, some veterinary professionals are on a mission to save animal lives and lend a helping hand to those who can't afford it. Our Kiana Burks reports.
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Central Vermont pet health and safety advocates got together to help local pet owners get their furry friends prepared for extreme weather.
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Would banning non-dairy alternatives like oat milk, soy milk and almond milk from using the word “milk” make a difference to consumers at the grocery store? Kevin Gaiss hit a breakfast spot to find out what people are reaching for to add to their coffee.
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A Vermont tradition continued Friday as Governor Phil Scott celebrated the start of maple season with a ceremonial tree tapping.
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A bill that would prohibit losing primary candidates from running in the general election was debated on the House floor Thursday.
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Vermont housing advocates gathered at the Statehouse Wednesday to show their support for Act 250 reform efforts that could lead to new developments. But environmental groups are cautioning that any changes could have sweeping effects including sprawl in rural communities.
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Long-term care advocates say there is not enough money flowing through facilities to support aging Vermonters. They gathered in the Statehouse Friday to push for more. Our Kiana Burks reports.
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