Newscast: Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 7:34 a.m.

Governor Peter Shumlin is set to increase his national political profile. Last night, Shumlin was elected as the new Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Shumlin says he hopes the DGA can play a key role in negotiating a compromise plan to help Congress avoid going over the so called "Fiscal Cliff" at the end of the month. The state mental health system has suffered another setback with the resignation of the medical director of the Vermont State Hospital. The system was already under strain because patients who need psychiatric help have sometimes waited days in emergency rooms for care. The resignation could delay the planned opening this month of a new residential treatment facility.