Libertarian Works Toward Public Funds
The Libertarian Party’s candidate for governor, Hardy Machia, is hoping to qualify for public financing for this year’s campaign. If he does, Machia will receive over $100,000 for his gubernatorial campaign. (VPR)
Vermont Yankee Uprate
Federal regulators said on Monday that they won’t approve Vermont Yankee’s proposal to boost its power output unless they’re assured that the plan is safe. Officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission told the state Public Service Board that they’ll use new inspection procedures to examine the 32-year-old reactor. (VPR)
Vermont Opposes Mercury Emissions Rules
Vermont is one of 11 states opposing a federal proposal that would give coal-fired power plants flexibility in cutting mercury emissions. The group claims the rules being considered by the Environmental Protection Agency would weaken pollution standards. (AP)
Lawyers Answer Survey on Judges
The Vermont Bar Association is surveying its members about the people who rule over them. The bar association recently sent out its first Vermont Trial Judge Feedback Survey to about 1,700 of its 2,100 members. (AP)
VINS Director Steps Down
The director of the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences is resigning. Sherman Kent led VINS for four-and-a-half years as the organization planned its new Nature Center in Quechee. He says now that the center has opened, it’s a good time for him to retire. (VPR)
Douglas Re-election Campaign
Governor Jim Douglas is making official what’s been plain for months: He’s running for re-election. Douglas plans to formally announce his bid for a second term at an event in an industrial area of Barre Tuesday. A reception featuring a barbecue is planned for after the announcement. (AP)
Mayors’ Conference
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has adopted a resolution regarding prescription drugs that was offered by Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle. The proposal urges mayors across the country to set up programs to re-import prescription drugs from Canada for their employees and citizens. (AP)
Idlenot Dairy Plant
Black River Produce in Proctorsville has won state backing to buy the former Idlenot dairy plant in Springfield. Governor Jim Douglas announced that the Vermont Economic Development Authority has given $648,000 worth of support to the project. (AP)
Skeleton Found at Construction Site
Burlington police say construction workers tried to hide a skeleton they found when they dug a trench on North Street. A Burlington police detective came to that conclusion after investigating the body found at the project earlier this month. It’s thought to be the remains of a soldier from the War of 1812. The skeleton is now being examined by University of Vermont archaeologists. (AP)
Millett Arraignment Postponed
An arraignment for a Franklin County man shot by a Vermont State Police trooper has been postponed while the suspect is in the hospital. Forty-year-old James Millett was hospitalized in Newport Sunday night, a day after he had been placed in the Newport jail. (AP)
Drunk Driving Plea
A 22-year-old Manchester man could be sentenced to jail for a drunken driving crash that killed his friend in March. Jeffrey Parker has pleaded no contest to grossly negligent operation and drunken driving, both with death resulting. The plea deal will allow prosecutors to ask for a sentence of five to 15 years in jail with all but two years suspended on probation. (AP)