Rivers defeats Backus in lt. gov. primary
Cheryl Rivers defeated Jan Backus to win the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in Tuesday’s primary election. Rivers won the race with roughly 53 percent of the vote. (VPR)
McMullen wins GOP Senate primary
Jack McMullen has cruised to an easy victory in his race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. The Burlington businessman acknowledges he has a far more difficult challenge to unseat five-term incumbent Patrick Leahy. (VPR)
Interview: women and money management
With a focus on money management, retirement planning and investment strategies, the Vermont Women and Money Conference takes place this Friday in Burlington. The event is co-sponsored by the State Treasury Department and the Vermont Commission on Women. Befitting a conference on how to be smart with money, the day-long event is free. (VPR)
Long-term power from Hydro-Quebec
Public Service Department Commissioner David O’Brien says the state should strongly consider renegotiating its power contract with Hydro-Quebec as part of Vermont’s large range energy plan. The Hydro-Quebec contract currently accounts for about 28 percent of the state’s energy mix and it’s scheduled to expire in 2016. (VPR)
Douglas unveils health care plan
Governor Jim Douglas unveiled a health care reform plan on Tuesday that aims to reduce the number of uninsured people in Vermont by 20 percent. Douglas says the proposal will also help reduce premium rates for many Vermonters who currently have health care policies. But Douglas’ challenger in the gubernatorial campaign says the plan is a rehash of old ideas that don’t work. (VPR)
ATV use on public land
A task force appointed by the governor will recommend that all terrain vehicles be allowed on public land. The group’s draft report also says that ATVs should be subject to strict enforcement measures in order to control unauthorized use. (VPR)
Burlington Diocese abuse lawsuits
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington is facing at least three more lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Vermont priests. But William O’Brien, a lawyer for the diocese, says the church will argue that the suits have no merit because the allegations date back to the 1970s. (VPR)
Fletcher Allen income
Fletcher Allen Health Care reported an increase in operating revenue in the quarter that ended June 30 but the increase was short of what the hospital had expected. (AP)
Vermont CARES funding
A Burlington based HIV and AIDS advocacy organization this year did not apply for nearly $100,000 in federal money because of concerns over regulations attached to the funding. Vermont CARES says the money would mean the organization would be required to disclose information about people seeking HIV testing. (AP)
Daley sentencing hearing
A sentencing hearing will continue Wednesday for Eric Daley who is accused of striking and killing a Vermont state trooper on Interstate 91 last year. In emotional testimony Tuesday, the widow and family of Sergeant Michael Johnson told a crowded courtroom about the man they lost. (AP)