Dean supporters continue the cause
Howard Dean’s supporters aren’t ready to give up. They want to carry on the campaign by making their movement a force for change inside and outside the Democratic Party. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Adelphia settlement
State utility regulators have approved a settlement that requires the state’s largest cable company to extend service to more customers. The Public Service Board issued an order on Friday that says Adelphia Communications must bring new cable TV and high-speed Internet service to more than 1,500 miles of rural roadways. The new service will reach about 20,000 households. (VPR)
Soldiers head overseas
About 190 soldiers with the Vermont National Guard are on their way to Iraq. The soldiers from the First Battalion of the 86th field artillery have been training for six weeks in Fort Dix, New Jersey. They flew to Kuwait on Sunday, where they will receive additional training before being sent into Iraq. (AP)
Democratic fundraising
Democrats from out of state are pouring money into Vermont campaigns. Senator Patrick Leahy, who is seeking is sixth term, has raised $1.6 million , with only $250,000 coming from Vermont. The Vermont Democratic Party received $132,000 in contributions – most of which came from out of state. (AP)
Hospital whistle blowers
Vermont state senators are set to debate this week a bill that spells out protections for hospital whistle-blowers. The bill would ban retaliatory action by hospital administrators if an employee reported to a supervisor or outside public officials violations of law or hazards that threaten patient safety (AP)
Medical marijuana
Some advocates of legalizing medical marijuana are putting their hope in a Burlington lawmaker. Supporters say Representative Bill Keogh is critical in the vote to pass a measure this year. Keogh says he supports the medical marijuana bill but its status is not up to him. (AP)
Deer herd
Deer hunters around the state will get a chance to tell state officials this month what they think about the state’s deer population. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will hold a series of public hearings to discuss the status of the deer population and how to manage it. (AP)
National forest land swap
The Green Mountain National Forest supervisor has turned down a land swap that would allow a wind project to expand. Supervisor Paul Brewster says the project in Searsburg could expand but it would have to be on national forest land. (AP)
Slow sugaring
The warm start to March has maple sugar producers wishing for cold. Last week’s temperatures in the 40s and 50s followed by above freezing temperatures at night have reduced sap runs to a trickle. (AP)
Vermonters win mogul contest
Two Vermonters have won in international skiing competition. David Babic of the town of Washington won his first World Cup mogul contest. And Hannah Kearney of Norwich has won her first mogul contest. (AP)
Church settles abuse case
Vermont’s Catholic Church has paid $120,000 to settle a lawsuit that charges a priest with child sexual abuse. In return, 46-year-old Michael Bernier of California has dropped his court case against Reverend James McShane and the Diocese of Burlington. (AP)
Teacher threatened
A Fair Haven High School student is due in court on Monday after allegedly threatening a teacher at the school. Joshua Bruso is facing two charges of disorderly conduct. He and another student were arrested for making unrelated threats at the school on Friday (AP)
Suspect shoot at police
A Sheldon man is facing attempted second-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting at police when they tried to search his home for drugs. Police say 45-year-old Eejipp Ala went into his bedroom and fired shots at police Friday night. No one was hurt in the shooting. (AP)