St. Johnsbury needle exchange
The selectboard in Saint Johnsbury has asked the Health Department to decertify a controversial needle exchange program that recently started in the community. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Iraq invasion policy
All three members of Vermont’s congressional delegation say it’s critical to have the support of the United Nations before the United States invades Iraq and attempts to remove Saddam Hussein from power. And they say it would be a mistake for the United States to act alone in a mission against Iraq. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Milk commission
A state panel is looking for ways to help dairy farmers who have been hit hard by a severe drop in milk prices. The Vermont Milk Commission was recently reconvened to find ways to boost farm income. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Water company expansion
The Vermont Pure water company in Randolph has won approval for part of its planned expansion project. (AP)
Northfield reappraisal
Norwich University will increase the amount it pays the town of Northfield in lieu of taxes over the next decade. The agreement between the town and the university was the result of a town-wide reappraisal. (AP)
Northfield reappraisal
Norwich University will increase the amount it pays the town of Northfield in lieu of taxes over the next decade. The agreement between the town and the university was the result of a town-wide reappraisal. (AP)
West Nile virus
Senator Patrick Leahy says it’s worth asking whether the current outbreak of West Nile virus around the country might be the work of bio-terrorists. Leahy later said he had no evidence of that, but said he believes the appropriate federal agencies are or should be investigating the question. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there’s no reason to believe the recent, nationwide outbreak of West Nile virus is the work of bio-terrorists. (AP)
State Democratic convention
The Vermont Democrats will meet over the weekend in Plymouth. Delegates from across the state will gather to approve the party’s platform for the upcoming elections. The event starts at 10:00 on Saturday at Camp Plymouth in Plymouth State Park. (AP)
Foliage season
Scientists and foresters are urging New Englanders to put their drought worries aside and enjoy the fall foliage. Scientists say little rain and fluctuating summer temperatures have caused some leaves to turn brown and others to turn color early this year. (AP)
Treasurer’s race
The Republican candidate for state treasurer says he doesn’t think the state should increase its amount of borrowing. John LaBarge says the state has been borrowing no more than $39 million in recent years. (AP)
Circ Highway
The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to put the brakes on the Chittenden County Circumferential Highway. The EPA wants a new environmental review of the Circ that one supporter of the highway says could delay it indefinitely. (AP)
Springfield prison
Construction of a new Vermont state prison in Springfield is ahead of schedule by a month and could finish several months before the deadline of next August 31, 2003. With the arrival of 20 pre-made cells, the construction site is starting to look a lot like the $27 million, 350-bed prison that is envisioned. (AP)
Flanagan post-mortem
Criticizing your political opponent can be legitimate, but such negativity must be handled with care. That appears to be the upshot of post-mortems being written about the defeat this week of Edward Flanagan in the Democratic primary for state treasurer. (AP)