Among the teachable moments from Tropical Storm Irene is a new approach to bridge repairs designed to save time and money. The state has plans to apply those lessons to bridge projects this summer and it's offering incentives for towns to do the same.

The town of Bristol is headed to court over a proposed gravel pit near its downtown. At issue is whether this old lumber town should permit a project that supporters say could bring much-needed revenue and industry.

Bristol is headed to court over a problem facing many other towns: whether its town plan should permit gravel extraction that supporters say could create much-needed jobs.