Interview: Woodward supporters protest in Brattleboro
A fatal police shooting of a man in a Brattleboro church two years ago today will be marked with a silent march of protest this afternoon by those who insist the shooting was unjustified. Mitch Wertlieb talks with Paul Borneo, a spokesman for the protest. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)
Medicare package and rural medicine
Vermont doctors and hospitals say the new Medicare bill passed by Congress last week will help strengthen health care services in the state. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Dean defends sealed records
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean sealed his official records for a longer period of time than two previous Vermont governors. The secrecy received more attention this week with a report in Newsweek magazine. In an interview on Monday at Vermont Public Radio, Dean said he doesn’t know what’s in the sealed files, and that he followed the practice laid out by earlier governors. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Douglas job growth plan
Governor Jim Douglas has unveiled a new plan to stimulate job growth in different parts of the state. The governor is calling for the creation of special job zones that will offer new businesses expedited permit reviews and certain tax exemptions. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Prescription drug bill
Congressman Bernie Sanders says he plans to introduce legislation that will repeal two key provisions of the Medicare prescription drug bill that passed Congress last week. (VPR)
Marc Hull dies at 61
Former education commissioner Marc Hull has died. The 61-year-old Cabot resident served as commissioner from 1996 to 1999, when he left due to health concerns. Vermont Education Commissioner Richard Cate says Hull will be missed greatly. (AP)
Historic preservation grants
The 183-year-old Pierce House and Store in North Shrewsbury will be getting a facelift, thanks to a historic preservation grant. The Freeman Foundation and Preservation Trust of Vermont are awarding $35,000 for general renovations at the site. (AP)
Vermont Yankee construction
Entergy Nuclear says it was an honest mistake when the company started construction on a project to boost power at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant without state approval. A company spokesman says construction on two temporary buildings designed to support the power boost project was halted earlier this month after preliminary site work had begun. (AP)
Dean Vietnam deferment
Howard Dean says he was hoping for a deferment from the Vietnam War when he took medical records to the draft board that showed he had a back problem. But he says he was prepared to accept the board’s decision. Dean was diagnosed with a back problem that enabled him to avoid going to Vietnam. (AP)
Douglas’ first year
Vermont’s administration secretary says the first year of Governor Jim Douglas’ administration has been successful. Secretary Mike Smith says the only big agenda item that hasn’t been enacted is Douglas’ proposed regulatory permit reforms. Smith says that remains a priority and the governor hopes to get it done in the next few months. (AP)
Holiday highway safety
Vermont State Police say the Thanksgiving weekend was a safe one on state highways. There were no traffic fatalities over the four-day weekend. A year ago, three people were killed on the highways. The number of accidents with injuries was virtually unchanged at 27, one more than last year. State police say a big part of the reason for the improved statistics was the level of enforcement of speeding and seat belt use. (AP)