Interview: Middlebury College president
For just the third time in its 204-year history, Middlebury College has chosen a new president from within its own ranks. The Middlebury College Board of Trustees announced recently that Cornwall resident Ronald Liebowitz will succeed outgoing president John McCardle. Mitch Wertlieb talks with Liebowitz about his new role at the college. (VPR)
Vermont Yankee storage exemption
A key Senate leader doesn’t want the Legislature to rush through an exemption for Entergy Nuclear’s plan to store radioactive waste at the Vermont Yankee site in Vernon. (VPR)
Circ Highway costs exceed estimate
Another big highway project is coming in over the estimated costs. The state Transportation Agency says the 16 mile Chittenden County Circumferential Highway will cost $222 million – about $43 million more than previous estimates. (VPR)
“Democracy for America”
Former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean wants his new organization – “Democracy for America” – to play an important role in this year’s elections. Dean also has some long term goals for the group. (VPR)
Methadone clinic
State Senator Vincent Illuzzi has proposed a plan to establish a methadone clinic in the Northeast Kingdom. Until now, state efforts to start a second clinic to treat heroin addicts have been unsuccessful. (VPR)
Memphremagog swim
Organizers of a 27-mile Lake Memphremagog swimming marathon will break tradition and move the start of the race from Vermont to Magog, Quebec. (AP)
AHS appointment
The head of a Burlington child care and family center has been named to a key post in the Agency of Human Services. Steve Dale, director of the Baird Center for Children and Families, will supervise 12 field directors around the state for the Department of Children and Family Services. (AP)
VEDA projects
Six projects around Vermont are getting $7 million in financing from the state’s economic development lending agency. The Vermont Economic Development Authority’s board of directors approved the funding at their April meeting. (AP)
UVM research funding
The University of Vermont has won a million and a half dollars in federal funding for research. The money will go toward six projects on topics including acid rain, stormwater management, a wetlands system for treating agricultural runoff, and improving the quality and safety of cheese made with unpasteurized milk. (AP)
Guard member injured
A 22-year-old Army Ranger from Bennington has been critically injured in Iraq. Corporal Ricky Greene was wounded when the gun turret of a U.S. tank swung around and struck him in the head. His mother, Wendy Greene, says the accident happened on Sunday. She’s preparing to fly to Germany to be with her son while he recuperates. (AP)
Prison guard fired
A Kentucky prison guard who was involved in an alleged assault on a Vermont prisoner has been fired. The incident happened last week at a prison in Marion, Kentucky, where 233 Vermont inmates are being housed because Vermont prisons are full. The Marion prison is run by the for-profit Corrections Corporation of America. (AP)
Toll lawsuit won’t proceed
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to take up a Vermont man’s lawsuit over toll discounts. Peter Doran of Brattleboro, Vermont, sued the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority in July 2002 after the state raised its tolls. He said a discount for drivers who use the state’s automatic transponder, called Fast Lane, violated U.S. commerce laws. (AP)
Wagner Rehabilitation investigation
Vermont’s largest vocational rehabilitation provider is being investigated for sending a threatening e-mail to a smaller competitor. The e-mail was allegedly sent just as the competitor was about to tell a legislative committee about questionable spending practices in his industry. It was written by John Wagner of Wagner Rehabilitation Incorporated. (AP)