The cable would travel 97.3 miles underneath the lake to Benson, then 56.7 miles to Ludlow By Morgan True, VTDigger.org The U.S. Department of Energy has released a draft environmental impact study on a development firm’s proposal to run a 154-mile high-voltage transmission cable beneath Lake Champlain. It would carry electricity from Canada to markets in…

On May 28, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the FY 2016 transportation bill, which builds on recent years of progress in improving the overall condition of Vermont’s transportation infrastructure. Joined by legislative leaders and Transportation Secretary Sue Minter, the governor signed the bill to authorize $616 million in infrastructure improvements in support of the Agency of…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org Hearts went out to Marselis Parsons’ family on Wednesday, May 27, when Channel 3 News announced that the veteran news anchor had lost his battle with skin cancer. He had received treatment for several months before he died on Wednesday morning at a hospice care facility in Williston. Parsons, who was…

“Under 2 MOU” signatories commit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Governor Peter Shumlin announced May 21 that Vermont has signed onto a first-of-its-kind agreement with international leaders from 11 other states and countries, collectively representing more than $4.5 trillion in GDP and 100 million people, to limit the increase in global average temperature to below…

State and federal officials announced May 27 that more than $1 million in FEMA aid has been delivered to the state to help cover the costs of the Dec. 9-12, 2014, winter storm that wreaked havoc on Vermont’s infrastructure, downing trees and power lines. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the aid package…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org A recent listing of the 100 most affordable small colleges in the country includes three of Vermont State College system’s four-year institutions: Castleton, Johnson and Lyndon. The list was published last month by a website called Best Value Schools. The website whittled the top 100 from 700 eligible schools overall.…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org Vermont will soon join a number of other states in launching a children’s savings account program aimed at encouraging more low-income children, and their parents, to consider higher education. Under a bill passed by the Legislature, savings accounts will be opened for every baby born in Vermont—$250 will be deposited…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org Vermont’s unemployment rate fell again in April to a seasonally adjusted 3.6 percent. The drop from 3.8 percent in March is statistically significant, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Vermont is now tied with South Dakota for the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the U.S. The unemployment rate…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org WATERBURY CENTER — Gov. Peter Shumlin remains “cautiously optimistic” the state and its contractors will complete the needed functionality for Vermont Health Connect, the state’s troubled health care exchange, by the May 31 deadline. Shumlin said he receives daily updates on VHC and the progress of its primary contractor, Optum, in…

Spraying restrictions debated By Lee J. Kahrs LEICESTER — In what local mosquito control officials are calling a “perfect storm” for breeding, the 2015 mosquito season may be one of the worst in recent memory, especially for residents living on private roads. The first hatch of the season created mosquito swarms of epic proportions in…

Submitted Charles Smith The Vermont Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors has named Charles Smith of Burlington, Vermont, as Interim Executive Director. Alan Jordan, who held the position of Executive Director for 16 years, has stepped down to pursue other orchestra management opportunities. “I’m delighted that Charles Smith has agreed to be our interim executive director,”…

By ANGELO LYNN BURLINGTON — “BERRR-NIE, BERRR-NIE, BERRR-NIE,” roared the enthusiastic, hometown crowd of 5,000 supporters as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took the stage late Tuesday afternoon, May 26, at Burlington’s Waterfront Park to kick-off his presidential campaign. In his trademark style gesturing with his thumb and forefinger pinched together and dramatically jabbing the air…

RUTLAND COUNTY—Beginning May 18, 2015, law enforcement officials will be out in force, taking part in the 2015 national Click It or Ticket (CIOT) seat belt enforcement mobilization. "As we kick off the busy summer driving season, it is critical that everyone buckles up every time they go out, day and night—no excuses. Our officers…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org The House vote to eliminate a philosophical exemption to childhood vaccines at the time of school entry left a bad taste in the mouths of some lawmakers, but efforts to reconsider that decision failed Wednesday, May 13. The legislation passed by the House on Tuesday would eliminate the philosophical exemption on…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org Lawmakers gave their final stamp of approval this week to a bill that provides a quicker path to scrubbing certain convictions from a person’s criminal record. Under the new law, individuals convicted of certain crimes they committed before they turned 25 will have an expedited process to expunge their records if…