Internet filtering at libraries
Libraries in Vermont are trying to decide what to do in the wake of this week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Internet access. The court ruled that Congress can require libraries to filter what Internet sites can be viewed by children. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Teacher contract votes
Governor Jim Douglas says he wants the Legislature to consider a plan to have all teacher contracts put before local voters for their approval. The governor says the proposal might be a good way to help contain education costs, but the state’s largest teacher’s union thinks it’s a terrible idea. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
IBM water permit
The state Agency of Natural Resources holds a hearing Wednesday on a water pollution permit for IBM’s manufacturing plant in Essex. Several environmental groups say that the permit is too lenient, and that it allows the computer company to dump tons of waste into the Winooski River. IBM says its wastewater meets all state and federal standards. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Clarendon cancer cluster
A group of Clarendon residents discussed their concerns about a possible health risk in their community with local lawmakers. Clarendon FIRST stands for families Interested in Researching Sickness Together. The group formed earlier this year to look into what it believes is an unusually high incidence of cancer among townspeople. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Education commissioner
Vermont education officials say they hope to find a new commissioner by late September. The state Board of Education announced Tuesday it will begin its search next month for a new person to lead the Department of Education. (AP)
Public Service resignation
The veteran planning director for the Vermont Department of Public Service is out of a job. William Steinhurst left the job he had held for 17 years because of philosophical differences with new Commissioner David O’Brien. (AP)
Hate crime charges
Bennington County prosecutors are considering hate-crime charges against a group of teenagers accused of vandalizing a classmate’s car. Court documents say two swastikas were scratched into the paint of a car owned by a Manchester man. (AP)