Inn bans sledding
Like other businesses in the state, Vermont’s innkeepers are paying much more these days for liability insurance. And in at least one case, the insurance companies have deemed that some activities are just too risky to allow. For example, a favorite sledding hill in Brookfield is now off limits because of liability concerns. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Interview: biography of Governor George Aiken
VPR’s Neal Charnoff talks with Steve Terry about the life of Governor George Aiken. Terry and co-author Bill Porter are writing a biography of Aiken. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)
Bush’s “issues list”
Vermont Governor Howard Dean says a list of priorities that was recently put together by the White House is “another attempt to play politics with terrorism.” The internal White House document outlines President Bush’s re-election agenda. It starts with the war on terrorism and homeland security. (AP)
State Democratic Party
Mark Michaud, executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party, is leaving his job next month to work for Governor Howard Dean’s presidential campaign. He will work in the financial arm of the Dean campaign, overseeing compliance with federal rules. (AP)
Montpelier transportation
City officials in Montpelier are meeting Monday to decide what to do about a financial crisis at Wheels, the capital city’s only bus service. Wheels is on the verge of bankruptcy because it must pay off loans that were taken out in anticipation of federal funding it hasn’t received yet. The funding was approved two years ago. (AP)
Federal defense program
Vermont stands to profit from a new program that would bring U.S. defense dollars to New England companies. A federal grant of $6 million is going to help smaller manufacturers break into the business of defense. (AP)
Fire damages Jewish center
A nearly complete Jewish community center in Woodstock has been badly damaged by fire. The blaze was reported to firefighters Monday at about 2:45 a.m. Fire crews from Woodstock, South Woodstock and Bridgewater responded to the smoky fire. (AP)
Skiers found
A group of skiers from New York state spent part of the night in the snowy woods near Mad River Glen. Vermont State Police say 52-year-old Jefry Rosmarin notified them via cell phone that he, his two sons and a family friend were lost. They were found nearly eight hours after they reported being lost. (AP)
Appalachian Trail
Officials say moving a portion of the Appalachian Trail in Killington would cost about $200,000. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,100-mile-long hiking route between Maine and Georgia. (AP)