Interview: Islam in the U.S.
VPR’s Steve Delaney talks with UVM professor Gregory Gause about Islamist movements in the United States. Gause is speaking on the topic Wednesday night in Woodstock. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)
Permit reform plan
House Democrats have come up with their own plan to improve Vermont’s environmental permit process. Permit reform is a hot issue in the Statehouse, with proposals advanced by both Governor Jim Douglas and by business groups. (VPR)
Act 60 reform bill
The Vermont Senate has given preliminary approval to changes in the Act 60 education funding law. The Senate plan would simplify Act 60 and would send more money to towns to pay for schools. The vote on Tuesday sets up a conflict with the House, which has passed a much different plan to provide property tax relief. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
McNulty steps down
Vermont’s education commissioner announced his resignation Tuesday after just over a year on the job. Ray McNulty says he received an offer that he couldn’t pass up. So he’s leaving to work on education issues for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Dog mushers race
When people think of sled dogs, they typically think of Alaska. But in Vermont, there are close to 100 dog mushers. Beginning in December, many of them will load up their custom-fitted dog trucks and make the rounds to nearly 30 races from Pennsylvania to Maine. More than 200 mushers and fans braved ice, sleet and rain last weekend in Waitsfield for what turned out to be an abbreviated running of Vermont’s largest race – the New England Regional Championship. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
New England governors’ conference
Governors from the six New England states Tuesday elected Vermont Governor Jim Douglas as vice chairman of the New England Governors’ Conference. (VPR)
Dean speaks to labor leaders
Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean is courting labor leaders in Florida Tuesday. (AP)