Here are the top stories at the noon hour.
Vermont is part of a multi-state lawsuit that will be heard in the U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow; an economist says strong holiday shopping reflects a strong regional economy; some new ideas are emerging on how to get young Vermonters to stay in state after graduation; a Vermont District Court judge has refused to throw out charges against a man accused of killing a University of Vermont student last month; two legislative oversight committees are considering whether the state should subsidize private health insurance that Vermonters get through their employers.