An update on what has been accomplished so far and what is left to rebuild after Tropical Storm Irene and end-of-year giving trends in Vermont.

The state is still tallying the total damages from Tropical Storm Irene, but the overall cost could exceed $2 billion when state and town infrastructure damages are combined with private property loss.

Green Mountain Power says Neale Lunderville, the former secretary of administration, will head up GMP's efforts to move to smart-grid technology.

The Douglas administration has unveiled a proposal to cut spending in the new state budget by $28 million.

State government faces another year of declining revenues and almost-certain budget cuts. So the Legislature is looking for 30 million dollars in efficiencies throughout government.

A union that represents state workers says it's going to court to stop the layoff of more than 120 people, 100 of whom are to be let go Friday.

The state plans to lay off more workers next week unless there's progress on cutting employee pay. That was the word Thursday from officials in the Douglas Administration.

The union representing state workers is resisting calls by the Douglas administration for more pay cuts and is expected to face up to 320 layoffs instead.

Vermont's historic sites could face major changes as the state grapples with a $66 million budget shortfall.

The Douglas administration's top budget officer says it's not time to tap into the state's rainy day fund, despite Vermont's fiscal woes.

Administration Secretary Neale Lunderville says the cuts would be "in the neighborhood" of $28 million and could include layoffs.

The state of Vermont is set to announce an expansion of its Low Income Heating Assistance Program. Officials say the expansion is possible because federal funds for the program have doubled this year and heating oil prices have declined in recent months. VPR's Bob Kinzel reports.

There are new signs that the Vermont economy has slowed even more. State revenues for August declined more than 10 percent. Officials say they'll know in about a month if millions of dollars in additional budget cuts will be needed. VPR's Bob Kinzel reports.

One of the key issues of this year's gubernatorial campaign is the condition of Vermont's transportation infrastructure. Progressive candidate Anthony Pollina says the sudden closing of a bridge in Middlesex symbolizes the failed policies of the Douglas Administration. VPR's Bob Kinzel reports.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.: The top member of Governor Jim Douglas's cabinet, Mike Smith, plans to leave the administration this summer, but he'll be replaced by Transportation Secretary Neale Lunderville; Acting Health Commissioner Sharon Moffat is also stepping down;A farm bill includes provision allowing Bromley Resort to buy Green Mountain National Forest land is drawing criticism...

State transportation officials say the floating bridge in Brookfield is closed indefinitely to vehicles.

The top member of Governor Jim Douglas's cabinet plans to leave the administration this summer. But, as VPR's Neal Charnoff reports, he'll be replaced by another high-ranking official who's close to the governor.

Three years after the state got $30 million dollars for rail improvement in western Vermont, there's little to show for it. Have important rail projects come off the track? VPR's John Dillon has a special report.

Governor Jim Douglas announced today that Secretary of Administration Mike Smith will step down at the end of August. Douglas will appoint Transportation Secretary Neale Lunderville to the post.

Governor Jim Douglas is getting down and dirty. Douglas plans to pick up trash along Interstate 89 today as part of State Employee Green-Up Day.

Vermont's top transportation official says he's willing to consider new ways of raising money to pay for road and bridge repair. But Transportation Secretary Neale Lunderville says raising taxes is not one of the alternatives that the administration would accept.

We talk about our state's deepest ruts and potholes with Transportation Secretary Neale Lunderville and with the director of the National University Transportation Center at UVM. Also, we hear from the Vermont Retail Association about whether or not Vermonters are opening their pocketbooks in today's economy. And commentator Peter Gilbert reflects on the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s death.

The House Transportation Committee is frustrated by the worsening condition of the state's roads and highways. So the committee has taken the unusual step of trying to force the Douglas Administration to borrow money to pay for the needed repairs.  

The Vermont Agency of Transportation is going to reconsider a plan to buy small, self-propelled train cars that would be used on one of the state's Amtrak passenger routes.