Treasurer’s debate
The two major party candidates for state treasurer disagree about the possibility of increasing the state’s bonded debt level next year. (VPR)
Candidates debate at Montpelier High School
The candidates for lieutenant governor debated a number of key issues at Montpelier High School on Thursday. The forum found the candidates disagreeing on school vouchers, a parental notification abortion bill, and economic development issues. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Gov. candidates on family leave
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Douglas and Democrat Doug Racine on Thursday clashed over a proposal to provide paid family leave in Vermont. (VPR)
Movie industry moves abroad
When a major motion picture films in Vermont, it can mean millions for the state economy. But more and more film companies are choosing to shoot their movies in Canada or eastern Europe to take advantage of lower production costs. A small but growing film company in Rutland has found a successful niche in Hollywood while continuing to make movies in Vermont. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Island Pond furniture factory
The final financing fell into place earlier this week on a new furniture factory in the Northeast Kingdom village of Island Pond. That means work can begin on a new factory where some laid-off workers of the Ethan Allen company plan to start a new business. The company plans to create roughly 35 jobs in the first year, making prototypes of furniture for Middlebury College, Craftsbury Public Library and the University of Vermont. (AP)
Springfield equipment auction
A preview of the three-day machine tool auction begins Friday, and the auction is set to start next Tuesday. Organizers have advertised in trade publications and newspapers and are expecting people from all over the country. (AP)
Chemical spill
Officials today are assessing the impact of an accidental ammonia spill in Barre. Emergency crews worked until late last night flushing a storm drain system after they received reports of a fish kill in the brook where the storm drain empties. The spill happened earlier this week when workers were removing a piece of old refrigeration equipment at the newly renovated BOR Arena. (AP)