Stewart Ledbetter will take over in the host's chair at Vermont This Week starting in January, Vermont Public Television announced Tuesday.

Among Vermont political geeks, the question of who would host the show has been hotly speculated.

Ledbetter, a veteran reporter at Channel 5, will replace Chris Graff, the former Associated Press bureau chief who will become vice president of communications for National Life in Montpelier. Graff has been the show's host since 1992.

The show, which airs on VPT on Friday nights at 7:30 and again on Sunday mornings at 11:30, is in its 25th year. The host and a smattering of Vermont reporters debate the week's news, with a heavy orientation toward political news.

Joe Merone, the show's executive director, said the show has very committed followers and
no huge changes are in the works regarding the format, though he's open to making tweaks.

Ledbetter's first show will be Jan. 5.

- Terri Hallenbeck