The Fall Forest: logging in Chelsea
Today in our series, VPR’s Mitch Wertlieb visits a logging site in Chelsea for a conversation with Kevin Bramen, who got his inspiration to work in the woods from his grandfather. (VPR)
Nader speaks at UVM
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader says he’s the only real anti-war candidate in this year’s race. Appearing at the University of Vermont last night, Nader said both President Bush and Democratic candidate John Kerry support continued U.S. involvement in Iraq. Nader, who is on the ballot in Vermont, also strongly rejected the argument that he could be a spoiler in the election. (VPR)
Candidates for auditor debate
Incumbent Democratic Auditor Elizabeth Ready is questioning the ability of her Republican opponent to offer objective audits of the Douglas administration. (VPR)
Marlboro school board to comply with test requirements
The Marlboro school board says it wants to “keep the conversation going” with the state on the No Child Left Behind Act. The board voted last year not to comply with yearly tests mandated by the new federal school assessment law. (VPR)
Medicare’s impact state budget
The state Agency of Human Services warns that the new federal Medicare drug law could have an enormous impact on the state budget. Democrats are using the state’s comments to criticize the Douglas administration’s support for the law. But administration officials say that they will protect Vermont seniors from any cuts in benefits. (VPR)
Iraq an issue in governor’s race
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Clavelle says he plans to highlight Governor Jim Douglas’s support for the war in Iraq in the final weeks of their campaign. Douglas says this strategy shows that Clavelle’s campaign is running out of real issues. (VPR)
Flu vaccine shortage
Health Commissioner Dr. Paul Jarris is asking healthy Vermonters to forego getting a flu vaccine this year. The call comes after a British vaccine supplier announced that it wouldn’t ship any doses of flu vaccine to the United States this year. (AP)
Substance abuse programs for pregnant women
The Lund Family Center in Burlington has won a $1.5 million federal grant. The money was awarded by the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration. (AP)
Drinking water standards
Vermont U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords has joined Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York in calling for a probe into federal enforcement of drinking water standards. The senators wrote to the Environmental Protection Agency’s inspector general after a report in the Washington Post showed that many public water systems around the U.S. cheat on tests. (AP)
Disabilities and long-term care
Vermont will get $3.5 million in federal grants to help people with disabilities or long-term illnesses to live in their homes and participate in community life. More than $2 million will go to the state Office of Health Access to help chronically ill adults coordinate health care services with other community support systems. (AP)
Teacher resigns
A Hyde Park teacher who was reprimanded for having sex with a teacher’s assistant in his classroom has resigned. Wayne Nadeau has agreed to leave his teaching post at the Lamoille County High School after school officials offered him a settlement. (AP)
Celtics at UVM
New England basketball fans have their attention focused on Burlington this week. That’s because the Boston Celtics are holding their training camp at the University of Vermont. Fans are looking for signs that team leader Paul Pierce will rebound from an off season last year. (AP)