Lawmakers are reconsidering the philosophical and religious exemption to the childhood immunization law in the face of a rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases. They’re also set to discuss the contentious end-of-life bill next week. VPR’s Bob Kinzel talks with Peter Biello about the week in legislative news.
The
Vermont Senate Health and Welfare Committee has started its week-long review of
one of the most controversial and emotional issues of the session. A
bill under consideration would allow physicians to prescribe drugs to help
terminally ill people end their lives.
A
lot of Vermonters have been sharing their thoughts today about the death of
Senator Edward Kennedy. Senator Patrick
Leahy remembers Kennedy as a close friend, a tireless worker, and a gifted
legislator.
People
in Rutland were saddened to learn about the death of well known
Castleton sculptor Patrick Farrow, who police say took his own life Monday
night.
Only a handful of Vermonters have competed in the Summer Olympics and a few of them join us to share their memories of reaching the highest goal in athletics. Also in the program, the Vermont Supreme Court will be hearing a case that tries to determine what the death of a pet is worth.
We talk with two Vermonters – a medical researcher and a reporter –
about the cutting edge work underway to understand and treat memory loss
and Alzheimer’s Disease. We’ll also hear from farmers about the difficult
loss when a farm animal dies unexpectedly.
Police are still trying to figure out why
40 year old Nicole Waring of Wolcott avoided a would-be rescuer and plunged
into the Wardsboro Brook carrying her 6-year-old daughter on Saturday. Both died, and the body of 2 1/2-year-old
Grace Waring was found yesterday, although police haven’t said how she got into
the brook.
Vermont State police have identified the trooper who they say was
driving the patrol car that struck and killed a 22 year old Dover man early Sunday morning.
Another Vermont family is grieving the loss of a loved one in the war
in Iraq.
21
year old Adam Muller died Monday when the Humvee he was riding in struck a
roadside bomb.
Muller
served as a gunner in the U.S. Army.