Hoff joins Clavelle on campaign trail
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Clavelle is launching a new phase of his campaign today with an effort to tie Republican Governor Jim Douglas to the war in Iraq. In a speech prepared for delivery Tuesday afternoon, Clavelle says Douglas has failed to show leadership by supporting the president’s policies in Iraq. Appearing with Clavelle Tuesday is Democratic former Governor Phil Hoff. (VPR)
Hawk watchers congregate on Putney Mountain
The Connecticut River Valley is a major migration corridor for hawks and other birds of prey. During the migrating season, which is happening now, a ridge between the Connecticut and West River Valleys is a magnet for hawk watchers. (VPR)
Sanders opposes corporate tax bill
Congressional Bernie Sanders says he opposes a new corporate tax cut bill because it will increase the size of the federal deficit, and because it encourages businesses to outsource their jobs to foreign countries. Sanders’ Republican opponent, Greg Parke, says he supports the measure because he feels it will help stimulate economic activity. (VPR)
Bennington Bypass opens after 30 years of planning
More than four decades after it was conceived, the first leg of the Bennington Bypass will open to traffic on Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock. Local residents are waiting with anticipation – and a little bit of concern – to see the effect the new highway will have on downtown Bennington. (VPR)
Enosburg Falls native killed near Tikrit
A North Carolina man who was a graduate of Enosburg Falls High School has been killed in Iraq. U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Michael Voss was serving with the First Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment out of Wilmington, North Carolina. (AP)
Homeland security jobs won’t be privatized
Congress has approved a proposal that would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from privatizing certain jobs. Senator Patrick Leahy says that would help to protect 100 jobs in St. Albans. (AP)
Auditor’s race
A Vermont lawyer who works for a prominent Washington law firm has accused State Auditor Elizabeth Ready of blocking his attempts to get information related to her personal expenses. Ready says any redacted information is either personal or could lead to the identification of whistleblowers. (AP)
Democratic presidential ticket
Elizabeth Edwards will be in Vermont Tuesday – giving a boost to state Democrats. The wife of vice presidential nominee John Edwards will attend a Democratic fundraiser at a private home and also attend a rally Tuesday evening in Burlington. The rally will be at Burlington’s Union Station and is open to the public. It starts at 6:45. (AP)
Flu clinics cancelled
Many flu clinics have been canceled in Vermont as the state decides who most needs the vaccination. A private provider of the flu vaccine canceled three clinics in Vermont this week. The company, Maxim Health Services, says it can’t wait for the states to make decisions over who is high risk. (AP)
FAHC Psychiatric facility
Construction has started on a $17 million in-patient psychiatric unit at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Dr. Melinda Estes, the medical center’s chief executive officer, says the process has taught Fletcher Allen valuable lessons. (AP)
St. Albans drug problems
School officials at the Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans are asking for the public’s help to confront drug problems at the school. Headmaster Paul Clark is holding a community forum Tuesday night in the school gym. In a letter to the St. Albans Messenger newspaper, Clark called this year’s drug incidents “alarming and frightening.” (AP)
Proctor Page memorial service
A memorial service is planned for Tuesday for longtime Chittenden County publisher Proctor Page, who died Saturday at the age of 83. Page and his wife, Ruth, published the weekly newspaper The Suburban List for 21 years. (AP)