Interview: fall foliage
Steve Delaney talks with UVM Forestry Program Chair John Shane about the impact of weather and pollution on fall colors. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)
UVM faculty contract
After almost ten months of contract negotiations, the University of Vermont and the union representing the faculty have declared an impasse. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Climate change lawsuit
A Burlington law firm has filed the first-ever lawsuit over the role of the federal government in climate change. The suit was filed in federal court in San Francisco on behalf of several people who argue that they are victims of global warming. One of the parties in the case is a maple sugar maker from Vermont. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Debate: Flanagan and Spaulding
The two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for state treasurer clashed over campaign spending, school vouchers and each other’s personal style during a debate Tuesday night on Switchboard. (VPR)
LaBarge defends pension funds
Republican state treasurer candidate John LaBarge says he’s disappointed that some statewide Democratic candidates are trying to score political points using the poor performance of the state’s three pension funds over the past 18 months. (VPR)
School bus crash
A fatal accident involving a school bus closed U.S. Route 7 in Danby and Wallingford Wednesday morning. State police troopers are investigating, but report the fatality did not involve anyone on the school bus. Police rerouted traffic onto Route 140 via local town roads. (AP)
Plane crash investigation
Federal investigators are trying to determine if the fuel was contaminated in a small plane that crashed and killed seven members of the same family. The victims had spent the Labor Day weekend in Newfane, Vermont, visiting relatives. (AP)
Anti-heroin appropriation
Eleven police and sheriff’s departments are splitting a $230,000 state appropriation to improve training and make more officers available for heroin investigations. (AP)
Bank robbery conviction
A Windsor man could be sent to prison for up to 40 years for robbing an East Thetford bank last year. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Burlington says David Clayton Moodie pleaded guilty to participating in the armed robbery. (AP)
Murder suspect denied bail
The teenager accused of killing a co-worker last April in Waitsfield will be held without bail until his trial. Isaac Turnbaugh of Moretown is charged with shooting Declan Lyons at American Flatbread restaurant. A judge says the evidence against Turnbaugh is strong. (AP)
Judges’ retirement age
Vermonters will decide on Election Day whether to give the Legislature the power to change the age at which judges must retire. (AP)
Windham Democrats
Democrats in Windham County are trying to sort out the crowded field running for the Vermont Senate. Both of the county’s incumbent Democrats are retiring this year, setting off a scramble to succeed them. Democrats are presumed to have an advantage in Windham County and so eight got their names on next Tuesday’s primary ballot for just two seats. (AP)
Taft Corner construction
More construction is planned for the busy retail center in Williston. Three or four more buildings will go up between now and the middle of next summer at the Maple Tree Place development, near Taft Corner. The intersection has become one of Vermont’s most concentrated retail centers. (AP)
Animals confiscated
A Vermont District Court judge says a Reading woman must forfeit 41 animals seized from her home. Judge Paul Hudson says he concluded the dogs, cats and rabbits at Peggy Stevens’ home were being kept in substandard conditions. Stevens faces charges of animal cruelty, the second time such counts have been filed against her. (AP)