Senate GOP candidates differ on Iraq war policy
The three Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate have different views concerning the war in Iraq. The candidates appeared Thursday night on VPR’s Switchboard program. (VPR)
Warhol exhibit excites Brattleboro
Artist Andy Warhol once said that, “In the future everyone, will be famous for fifteen minutes.” The town of Brattleboro is hoping for a little bit of that fame this weekend when it celebrates a new exhibit of the artist’s work. (VPR)
Interview: Burlington’s South End Art Hop
A two-day event this weekend in Burlington will feature the work of artists from the area and beyond. It’s the twelfth annual South End Art Hop.’ This combination open house and block party has been getting bigger every year, with close to 450 artists involved and 110 locations where visitors can check out a variety of artwork. Mitch Wertlieb talks with Bruce Seifer of Burlington’s Economic Development Office about the event. (VPR)
Homeland security funds
Congress is considering a plan to drastically cut homeland security funds for many small states. The final decision could mean a potential loss of tens of millions of dollars for Vermont. (VPR)
Seniors’ health care becomes campaign issue
Health care – and who would do more to protect the state’s seniors – has emerged as a dominant issue in the Vermont governor’s race. Democratic candidate Peter Clavelle says that Governor Jim Douglas’ support of a new federal Medicare reform law threatens prescription drug benefits for thousands of Vermonters. Douglas says he’ll make sure that Vermont seniors keep their benefits. (VPR)
Backstage with ‘Of Mice and Men’The credo of Burlington’s On The Verge Theater Company is “bringing theater to students, and literature to life.” The company hopes to inspire high school students by presenting plays to area schools. VPR’s Neal Charnoff went Backstage with On The Verge’s first production, “Of Mice and Men.” (VPR)
Federal assistance for flood damage
Vermont’s congressional delegation is calling on President Bush to speed up a disaster declaration for seven counties in the state. Senators Jim Jeffords and Patrick Leahy and Congressman Bernie Sanders sent a letter to the president Thursday. (AP)
Peterson Dam removal
The chairman of Vermont’s Public Service Board says he doesn’t know when the board might rule on whether the Peterson Dam should be removed from the Lamoille River in Milton. Board Chairman Michael Dworkin presided over a public hearing on a dam removal plan put together by Central Vermont Public Service Corporation, two state agencies, two environmental groups and the town of Milton. (AP)
Route 22A reopened
Vermont Route 22A in Bridport is open again Friday but traffic could still be slow past the site of Thursday’s oil tanker spill. Clean up workers will be back at the scene of the accident to continue cleaning up the thousands of gallons of motor oil that spilled onto the ground. (AP)
Lowe’s construction project
Lowe’s Home Center must work to control erosion at its South Burlington construction site. A Wednesday order by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources says Lowe’s must ensure that sediment from the construction site doesn’t enter nearby Potash Brook. (AP)
Minor league baseball
The Vermont Expos contract with the Montreal Expos is due to expire at the end of the month and it’s unclear whether the Vermont franchise will switch affiliations for next season. The company Vermont Expos, Inc. is owned by Burlington businessman Ray Pecor. It is guaranteed a minor league team under a professional baseball agreement. (AP)
McMullen and ‘Champ’
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jack McMullen wants to make it clear he does not believe in “Champ,” the legendary creature said to live in Lake Champlain. (AP)
Suspended midwife sentence
A Mendon midwife who was charged with unprofessional conduct is seeking to get her license back. A lawyer for Roberta Devers-Scott argued today in Washington Superior Court that the state had improper information when it suspended Devers-Scott’s midwife’s license in February. (AP)