Interview: Bishop Angell
In the second of two interviews, Bishop Kenneth Angell of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington reflects on his career. At the age of 73, Angell is nearing retirement. At 75, Angell will be required to submit his resignation to the pope. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)
Leahy calls for investigation
Senator Patrick Leahy is calling for a full scale independent investigation to determine if the Bush administration misled the American public about the key reasons why this country took military action against Iraq. (VPR)
Economic recovery
According to a new report, the Vermont economy will not show definite signs of recovery for at least another six months. The forecast says the recovery will be delayed because there’s very little new investment in the business community. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Electricity transmission line
Various citizens groups are organizing against a major power line project planned for western Vermont. The Vermont Electric Power Company says the new line is needed to prevent power blackouts in Chittenden County. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Leahy campaign funds
The latest campaign finance reports show Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy has raised $1.2 million for next year’s campaign. Leahy, a Democrat, has spent nearly $505,000 so far, with more than $90,000 spent between April and June. (AP)
Yankee water discharge
State and federal regulators are raising questions about Vermont Yankee’s proposal to put warmer water back into the Connecticut River. The nuclear power plant says it wouldn’t have to use its cooling towers as often if it could raise by one degree the temperature of water it discharges. But regulators say Yankee’s parent, Entergy Nuclear, hasn’t done a good job evaluating how that would affect Atlantic salmon smolts and migrating American shad. (AP)
Rutland commuter airlines
Two regional airlines want to continue passenger service out of the Rutland State Airport. CommutAir and Cape Air have both applied to the U.S. Transportation Department for a subsidy to provide the service. They say they can bring down the costs and attract more customers. (AP)
Noise ordinance
Bennington wants to keep the noise down. The select board has adopted ordinances that put defined limits on how much noise is acceptable. And the laws also give police a little more muscle in enforcing them. Violations carry fines that would be imposed by a municipal court. (AP)
Shriners convention
The Northeast Shrine Association has chosen Burlington for its annual meeting. The four-day September gathering is expected to bring an estimated $4 million and 4,000 people to Vermont. (AP)
Scenic Route 9
The state transportation board has approved making Vermont Route 9 – from New York to New Hampshire – a scenic byway. Now the group behind the effort must put together an application for federal money to make improvements to the road. Supporters say the byway designation will draw tourists onto Route 9. (AP)
Perkinsville arson
State police say a fire that destroyed a home and a car more than a week ago in southeastern Vermont was intentionally set. Police are still investigating the arson fire in Perkinsville and are asking anyone with information to call the arson tip line at (800) 32-ARSON. (AP)
Montpelier fire
Fire investigators say they may never know what caused the fire that destroyed several businesses in downtown Montpelier in May. The historic brick building had to be demolished after the blaze. Fire investigators say they do not have enough evidence to determine what caused the fire. (AP)