Governor’s Race: Candidates’ approach to taxes
One of the key issues in this year’s race for governor is the debate over tax policies. In the first part of a series looking at issues in the gubernatorial contest, VPR’s Bob Kinzel looks at how the candidates are trying to frame the issue of taxes in the eyes of Vermont voters. (VPR)
Elizabeth Edwards holds rally for Vermont Democrats
Vermont Democrats got a brief up-close glimpse of their party’s national campaign Tuesday night when the wife of vice-presidential candidate John Edwards attended a rally in Burlington. (VPR)
Candidates for attorney general debate on Switchboard
Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Bill Sorrell defended his record in office during a debate Tuesday night on Vermont Public Radio. His Republican challenger Dennis Carver charged that Sorrell has been wasting valuable resources and energy by filing a series of lawsuits over a variety of federal issues. (VPR)
Interview: Childhood hunger program wins national recognition
A Vermont organization that fights childhood hunger is receiving a national award for its efforts. “The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger” is based in Burlington and was chosen from a national field of 1,000 nominees for the Ford Foundation’s “Leadership For A Changing World” award. A $115,000 prize will go towards furthering the campaign’s work. Mitch Wertlieb talks with the program’s director, Robert Dostis. (VPR)
Neighbors rally to help farmer control runoff
When a dairy farmer in Worcester tried to find a way to stop the manure from flowing into the Winooski River, he found it would be an expensive proposition. Enter some friends and neighbors who are raising money to help him build a manure pit. (VPR)
Clavelle ties Iraq war to domestic policy questions
Gubernatorial candidate Peter Clavelle says the war in Iraq is draining much needed resources from Vermont’s domestic programs. In campaign stops at two southern Vermont colleges, Clavelle criticized Governor Jim Douglas for his support of the president’s foreign policy. (VPR)
Advocacy group lauds Machia’s tax policy
A national tax reform group says 20 candidates for statewide and legislative offices in Vermont have signed a pledge not to support any tax increases in the coming two years. Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Hardy Machia emerged as the only candidate in the governor’s race to embrace the pledge. (VPR)
Vermont Yankee uprate hearing
Federal regulators will come to Vermont next week to hear arguments on whether there should be a full-blown hearing on the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant’s request for a power boost. (AP)
Crime rate down
Crime is continuing to decline in Vermont. The number of crimes reported last year dropped by 5.4 percent last year over 2002. (AP)
Grand jury to discuss prison riot
A Kentucky grand jury will consider criminal charges against 15 Vermont inmates believed to have helped start a prison riot last month. (AP)
Flu vaccine priority list
Health Department officials are trying to decide how to ensure Vermonters who need one most can get a flu shot this year. Officials estimate there are about 36,000 doses of vaccine in the state. About 50,000 more doses are needed to cover the highest risk groups. (AP)
Coffee roaster expands to Asia
Green Mountain Coffee is heading east, to China. The Waterbury-based Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has entered into an agreement that makes Green Mountain Company the exclusive importer and distributor of Green Mountain Coffee in Hong Kong and China. (AP)
Chittenden County tech school
Opposition is continuing to grow to a plan to build a new technical academy in Essex for students from throughout northwestern Vermont. The Burlington School Board voted seven to six yesterday for a resolution withdrawing its support for the plan. (AP)
Affordable housing in Burlington
There’s a new affordable housing complex opening its doors today on the Lake Champlain waterfront in Burlington. Officials say that more than 20 of the 40 apartments in the new building between Lake and Depot streets are occupied or spoken for. (AP)