Security Questions Raised for Democratic Convention in Boston
Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy is concerned about potential terrorism strikes against the Democratic convention this summer in Boston. He posed security questions to Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney at a recent hearing. (VPR)
Sanders Applauds Court Decision on New FCC Rules
Congressman Bernie Sanders says a new federal court decision that overturns an effort by the Federal Communications Commission to further deregulate the media is an important step to keep large corporations from controlling news outlets across the country. (VPR)
Democrats Criticize Governor’s PSA on Prescription Drugs
Governor Jim Douglas is taking to the airwaves in a campaign to help Vermonters spend less on prescription drugs. But Democrats suspect there’s politics at work. They point out that Peter Clavelle, the governor’s Democratic challenger, has made prescription drugs a major issue in his campaign. (VPR)
Clavelle to Address U.S. Mayors’ Conference in Boston
Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle says he’ll be encouraging mayors from around the country to take an active role in making prescription drugs from Canada available in their communities. Clavelle plans to raise the topic at this weekend’s U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Boston. (VPR)
Douglas Attends Governor’s Day in Brattleboro
Governor Jim Douglas was in Brattleboro Thursday for the city’s annual “Governor’s Day.” Among other things, Douglas was asked about recent problems at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, the most recent being a fire in a transformer outside the plant. (VPR)
Cheney Has Words with Leahy
Vice President Dick Cheney had some choice words for Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy on the Senate floor the other day. Senate aides said Cheney was upset with Leahy’s criticism of alleged impropriety in Iraq military contracts awarded to Halliburton. Cheney is a former CEO of Halliburton.
Toxic Chemical Statistics
Vermont’s industries are releasing fewer toxic chemicals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says emissions declined by about six percent in Vermont in 2002. The decrease is part of a long-term trend. The report shows the amount of chemicals released into Vermont’s air, water and land has dropped by 97 percent since 1988. (AP)
Hall Confirmed to Court of Appeals
The U.S. Senate has approved Peter Hall of Rutland as a judge on the second circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Hall has served as a U.S. attorney in Vermont for three years. His nomination to the federal appeals court was approved by a unanimous voice vote Thursday. (AP)
Search and Seizure
Two Texas men arrested last year on Interstate 91 with 100 pounds of marijuana in their car are getting out of jail. A judge has ruled that Christopher Davis and Kevin Donnawell were victims of an unreasonable search and seizure. (AP)
Military Helmet Contract
The U.S. Army is working to provide every soldier state-of-the-art helmets made in Newport. And as a result, MSA Gallet has received a $26 million order for 85,000 more helmets. The company employs 112 people. No new jobs will be created. (AP)
Vermont History Expo
Visitors to the Vermont History Expo in Tunbridge will get some insight this week into life in rural Vermont 100 years ago. The Brookfield Historical Society will be displaying turn-of-the-last century photos taken by local woman, Ella Colt. (AP)