Farm pollution case
This year, Vermont lawmakers are examining how to regulate large farms. On Tuesday, they took testimony from a farm neighbor who said that the state lacks the oversight to control agriculture pollution. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Hospital whistle-blower bill
By a vote of 16 to 12, the Vermont Senate has given its preliminary approval to legislation that prohibits hospitals from taking retaliatory action against employees who report violations that could threaten patient safety. Opponents say the measure isn’t needed and will cause more problems than it solves. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Consensus on stormwater
The Water Resources Board says there’s widespread scientific and technical agreement on how to clean up streams damaged by stormwater. On Tuesday, the board released a report that tries to tackle one of the most vexing pollution problems that faces Vermont. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Parke t run for U.S. House
Republican Greg Parke says he wants to run for the U.S. House because he’s convinced he can defeat incumbent Independent Congressman Bernie Sanders in the November election. The retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel ran unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination two years ago. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
School for sale on eBay
Educators in Bennington have a novel idea for disposing of the old Mount Anthony School when the town’s new middle school opens this fall. They might put the 90-year old building up for sale on eBay. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Rural school choice
A top federal education official says that there are ways to make expanded school choice work in a rural state like Vermont. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Vermont economic recovery State officials say that Vermont’s job recovery began earlier and has been stronger than the rest of the nation. Secretary of Commerce Kevin Dorn says the labor market recession that began in January 2001 ended in May 2003, four months before the rest of the country. (AP)
Democratic primary voters
A record number of people chose Democratic ballots in Vermont’s presidential primary. The Secretary of State released the official returns from last week’s primary yesterday. (AP)
Decline in birth rates
Vermont is leading the nation in the decline in the number of children from birth to age 14, new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show. The new data reinforce the aging of the state’s population that many officials have been talking about for years. (AP)
Adelphia settlement
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas is heralding a recent settlement between the state and Adelphia Communications. The settlement requires Adelphia to expand its service to some 20,000 Vermont consumers. (AP)
Towns request redistricting
The towns of Worcester and Woodbury don’t like sharing a Vermont House district with Morrisville and Elmore. On Tuesday, a lawyer for the two Washington County communities went before the state Supreme Court, asking that it reject a legislative redistricting plan drawn up two years ago. (AP)
Shooting suspect to be evaluated
A 45-year-old St. Albans man is being held for a mental health evaluation following his arrest for allegedly shooting at officers during a drug raid at his trailer. Police say one officer dived for cover behind an upturned table as the shots rang out. No one was hurt, and Eegipp Ala surrendered moments later in the incident. (AP)