Vermont's Catholic diocese isn't going to rebuild St. Mary's Church in Mount Holly, which was destroyed by fire in December.

Richard Feldman is a former police officer, regional political director for the NRA, and attorney who received his degree from Vermont Law School in South Royalton.

He speaks with VPR's Mitch Wertlieb about his new book "Ricochet: Confessions of a Gun Lobbyist.”

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.:

Officials at several Vermont electric utilities say more people are falling behind on their bills.

Progressive Anthony Pollina says he hoped he'd have a clear shot at defeating Governor Jim Douglas this fall. But Democrat Gaye Symington got into the race earlier this week. And Pollina says that will change the dynamics of the campaign.

VPR's Jane Lindholm reports.

A handful of people say the University of Vermont Medical school is wrong to use live pigs to help train surgeons to deal with traumatic injuries.

After dozens of failed attempts in 10 years, the New Hampshire House kept its record intact on Wednesday, rejecting a proposed constitutional amendment to let the state give the most school aid to needier communities.

Lawyers for Vermont's Roman Catholic Church say they'll appeal an $8.7 million verdict.

On Tuesday, a Chittenden Superior Court jury found in favor of a Colorado man who says he was repeatedly abused by a priest in a Burlington church in the 1970s.

Vermont State Police fire investigators are trying to determine the cause of a barn fire that killed more than 100 dairy cows in Swanton Wednesday morning.

New Hampshire is hoping to shore up its sagging budget by attracting smokers from other states to buy cigarettes at relatively bargain prices.

Vermont's congressional delegation says the federal farm bill passed by the U.S. House is good news for Vermont.

Rutland officials want to know if city residents are willing to pay to continue adding fluoride to the public water system.

A former Republican consultant who served three months in prison for his role in the Election Day 2002 phone-jamming operation against New Hampshire Democrats says he knows of no connection between the White House and the plot.

A Quebec company wants to expand a large-scale Franklin County egg farm that in the past has drawn complaints from neighbors; Lawyers for Vermont’s Roman Catholic Church say they’ll appeal an 8.7 million dollar judgement; An upcoming trial will be challenging for Rutland jurors; and commentator Deborah Luskin on traveling when your plane is grounded. 

The state of Vermont is considering investing a portion of its multibillion dollar pension fund in businesses that promise to strengthen the state's economy.

The House voted overwhelmingly in favor of Congressman Peter Welch's plan to suspend shipments to the national strategic petroleum reserve. 

The Vermont Frost Heaves are moving on. The state's only professional basketball team isn't leaving Vermont for greener pastures, but is switching leagues, moving from the long-established American Basketball Association to the fledgling PBL, Premier Basketball League.

VPR's Mitch Wertlieb speaks with General Manager Alex Wolff.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.: 

Vermont has seen an increase of 172 home foreclosures in Vermont over this time last year. That's prompting state officials are urging people facing foreclosure to seek help before it becomes a crisis. A Quebec company wants to expand a large-scale Franklin County egg farm that in the past has drawn complaints from neighbors. A House panel is probing the Election Day 2002 phone-jamming plot by GOP operatives against New Hampshire Democrats.

A Quebec company wants to expand a large-scale Franklin County egg farm that in the past has drawn complaints from neighbors.

The state denied a similar expansion plan six years ago.

VPR's John Dillon reports.

Vermont has seen an increase of 172 home foreclosures in Vermont over this time last year. That's prompting state officials are urging people facing foreclosure to seek help before it becomes a crisis.

Road crews will be out on Route 2A in Colchester today laying down the first pavement under this spring's special supplemental Vermont state paving program.

A new Lowe's Home Improvement store could be coming to Essex.

A House panel is probing the Election Day 2002 phone-jamming plot by GOP operatives against New Hampshire Democrats.

Just days after announcing she's running for governor, Gaye Symington has a campaign manager.

A former member of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife board is being fined $200 for baiting deer last November.

Former diplomat Peter Galbraith says he will not run for governor of Vermont.

Governor John Lynch is hoping the 34th attempt by New Hampshire lawmakers to pass a school funding amendment will be successful.

A jury has awarded $8.7 million to a former altar boy who sued the Catholic Church over sexual abuse he says he suffered at the hands of a priest.

Congressman Peter Welch’s plan to suspend shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is generating strong support in Congress; A jury has awarded 8.7 million dollars to a former altar boy who sued the Catholic Church over sexual abuse he says he suffered at the hands of a priest; A former member of the Vermont fish and Wildlife board is being fined 200 dollars for baiting deer; Many areas in Vermont had record-setting snowfall this winter; and commentator Olin Robison on the end of a cold war monument.

Many areas in Vermont had record-setting snowfall this winter, and the state's ski resorts welcomed it.

They had a steady stream of skiers and snowboarders who took advantage of the weather. But they didn't end up breaking any records.

Congressman Peter Welch's plan to suspend shipments to the national Strategic Petroleum Reserve is generating strong support in Congress.

Supporters of the bill say the legislation could help reduce the cost of gasoline by between 5 and 20 cents a gallon.

Price Chopper supermarkets is recalling pre-packaged hamburgers that might contain small bits of hard plastic.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.:

A jury in Burlington is expected today to begin deliberating a priest sex abuse case against the Diocese of Burlington. Vermont's Fish and Wildlife Department says the health of the state's big-game species is generally good. Biologists say they want that to continue. So they're drafting new policies that will guide wildlife management for the next decade...

Vermont's Fish and Wildlife Department says the health of the state's big-game species is generally good. Biologists say they want that to continue. So they're drafting new policies that will guide wildlife management for the next decade.

VPR's Ross Sneyd reports.

The Vermont Transportation Agency is announcing the arrival of spring.

Jury selection gets under way today in Rutland for the trial of the man accused in 2006 slaying of University of Vermont senior Michelle Gardner-Quinn.

New Hampshire's largest teacher's union is holding a news conference this morning to discuss its opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment on school funding.

Franconia Police Chief Mark Montminy says an annual memorial service to honor fallen New Hampshire officers helps with the healing but also brings back sadness over Cpl. Bruce McKay's death last May.

Ski areas across Northern England are declaring the just finished ski season the best they've had in years, perhaps ever.

A jury in Burlington is expected today to begin deliberating a priest sex abuse case against the Diocese of Burlington.

House Speaker Gaye Symington announces she will run as a Democratic candidate for Governor; A judge says jury deliberations will begin tomorrow in the case of a former altar boy suing the Diocese of Burlington in a priest sex case; Business picks up at discount food stores; and commentator Bill Mares on his slightly eccentric Book Club.

Vermont Democrats now have a candidate for governor - House Speaker Gaye Symington.

She stood on the Statehouse steps before several hundred supporters this morning. Symington says Vermont - quote - ``is stuck in neutral gear" and needs more effective leadership.

Middlebury College Freshman Nick Garza has now been missing for three months.

VPR's Mitch Wertlieb gets an update on the search from Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.:

Democratic House Speaker Gaye Symington is expected to announce today that she's running for governor;  The rising cost of food has pushed up food shelf use in Vermont and across the country. It's also made discount grocery stores a lot busier.  An anti-war group at the University of Vermont is pushing the school to divest its holdings in companies that profit from war.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices are expected to rise four to five percent this year. That's on top of skyrocketing heating fuel and gas prices. The situation has pushed up food shelf use in Vermont and across the country. It's also made discount grocery stores a lot busier.

VPR's Nina Keck has more.

An anti-war group at the University of Vermont is pushing the school to divest its holdings in companies that profit from war.

Expect delays, smooth surfaces, new bridges and culverts.

After two American Basketball Association titles, the Vermont Frost Heaves are switching leagues.

The 42 police officers who have died in the line of duty in New Hampshire over the years will be remembered this morning at a ceremony in Concord.

An animated polar bear is helping to remind Dartmouth College students to conserve power.

After being on the campaign trail for months, Republican John Stephen officially becomes a candidate for Congress from New Hampshire's First District today.

As New Hampshire looks at ways to increase revenue, the state lottery is revamping its marketing plan to focus on the Internet instead of television and radio ads.

A state land-use permit application filed by a developer hoping to double the size of a Bennington Wal-Mart is incomplete.

The board of the Chittenden Solid Waste District is expected today to agree to run the state's largest composting operation in an effort to keep open the facility that composts tons of food waste from local institutions.

A Chittenden County judge says he will not delay the summer trial for Essex shooting suspect Christopher Williams, preventing the defense from calling a third witness to support its insanity defense.

For a fourth year in a row, sugarmakers have donated maple syrup to Vermont soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Closing arguments are expected today in a priest sex abuse trial in Burlington.

Democratic House Speaker Gaye Symington is expected to announce today that she's running for governor.

The sudden closing of a Randolph water bottling facility has thrown dozens of people out of work; Letter carriers will do their part tomorrow for local food shelves; House speaker Gaye Symington is expected to announce on Monday her intent to run for Governor; Governor Douglas and Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie were among the recipients of Freedom Team Salute commendations at a statehouse ceremony; More complaints filed over the now-shuttered Bennington State Office Building; Remembering former Vermont Supreme Court Justice Louis Peck; and commentator Barrie Dunsmore on dealing with Iran as a nuclear power.

Former Vermont Supreme Court Justice Louis Peck is being remembered today for his wit and his dedication to the law.

Peck died Thursday at the age of 89 in Berlin.

The sudden closing of a Randolph water bottling facility has thrown dozens of people out of work and sent the state scrambling to help them.

ClearSource Incorporated shut down last week, taking state and local officials by surprise.

Letter carriers will do more than just drop off the mail across Vermont tomorrow.

VPR's Ross Sneyd has more.

Senator Bernie Sanders is sponsoring a series of Town Hall meetings around Vermont this weekend on preserving and strengthening two federal programs some people fear are under threat. The keynote speaker at these meetings is Barbara Kennelly, the President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

She speaks with VPR's Mitch Wertlieb.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.:

Vermont's prime student loan agency says it has avoided that upheaval because it's struck a deal with a bank for $390 million in financing. This weekend at Mill River Union High School, middle school students will be presenting Robert Frost's work on stage in an original, multimedia adaptation called "Frost Rimes.''

Upheaval in credit markets has thrown many college loan programs into chaos, just as students are making choices about where they'll study next year. Vermont's prime student loan agency says it has avoided that upheaval because it's struck a deal with a bank for $390 million in financing.

VPR's Ross Sneyd reports.

Most students, at some point in their academic lives, study the poetry of Robert Frost. This weekend at Mill River Union High School, middle school students will be presenting the poets' work on stage in an original, multimedia adaptation called "Frost Rimes.''

VPR's Nina Keck has more.

Employees who worked in an office building that was closed last year over health concerns now say they've gotten sick from handling files housed in that building.

The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife says bats with white nose syndrome are continuing to die across the state.

Republican state Senator George Coppenrath will not seek another term in the Legislature.

A former altar boy who says he was sexually abused by a Catholic priest in Burlington told a jury on Thursday he didn't fight the abuse because the man was ``the next-closest thing to God.''

The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife is reminding turkey hunters that trying to stalk birds is ineffective and it can be dangerous.

Lower water levels in the Otter Creek are enabling Middlebury Police to resume the search for missing Middlebury College student Nicholas Garza.

Wind advocates say there is a double standard when it comes to decommissioning Vermont Yankee and wind projects; Democratic Congressman Peter Welch says he’s encouraged that a number of prominent Republicans are now backing his plan to suspend shipments to the national Strategic Petroleum Reserve; Vermont’s prime student lending agency negotiates loans for the next school year; and commentator Kenneth Davis on the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.:

Wednesday, Democrats in the Senate rolled out a bill targeting high gas prices. Both of Vermont's senators are firmly behind the bill, which targets record profits at oil companies. Vermont members of the Democratic National Committee say it's now pretty clear that Illinois Senator Barack Obama is going to be their party's presidential nominee.

Wednesday, Democrats in the Senate rolled out a bill targeting high gas prices. Both of Vermont's senators are firmly behind the bill, which targets record profits at oil companies.

Todd Zwillich has this report.

A former Brattleboro man who accused police of violating his civil rights when they stunned him with a stun gun has reached an out-of-court settlement with the town.

The New Hampshire House has passed a new school aid system that changes little for the next three years.

The New Hampshire Senate is expected to vote today on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

New Hampshire State Police are feeling the pinch of rising gas prices and making some changes to make up the difference.

A complaint about the casting of a teenager in a sex-related scene has prompted a Brattleboro area community theater group to pull the plug on its rendition of the musical ``The Lift.''

The Vermont Yankee nuclear plant isn't going to be penalized for allowing a cooling tower to degrade so badly it collapsed last summer.

Governor Douglas has vetoed a bill that would have required Vermont Yankee to guarantee there’s enough money to dismantle the nuclear plant when it shuts down; Vermont Yankee will not be penalized for allowing a cooling tower to degrade so badly it collapsed last summer; Vermont super-delegates way it’s now pretty clear that Senator Barack Obama will be the Democrat’s presidential nominee; and commentator Ron Krupp on how the state is facilitating the ruse of locally grown food..

Vermont members of the Democratic National Committee say it's now pretty clear that Illinois Senator Barack Obama is going to be their party's presidential nominee.

They hope the campaign between Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton can end on a positive note. They want Democrats to unite for the fall campaign against Republican nominee John McCain.

Governor Jim Douglas has vetoed a bill that would have required Vermont Yankee to guarantee there's enough money to dismantle the nuclear plant when it shuts down.

Douglas said the legislation would have forced Yankee to charge more for electricity.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.:

Service has been restored to about 250,000 Unicel cell phone customers in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and parts of Massachusetts and New York; Vermont's leading economic development lender says business has dropped dramatically this year; Vermont's top music students are gathering in Vergennes this week for the 81st annual All-State Music Festival.

A former Vermont National Guard soldier has admitted stealing weapons while in Iraq, mailing them home and trying to sell them.

Defense lawyers for Essex shooting suspect Christopher Williams now plan to argue that he was insane at the time of the 2006 rampage that left two dead and two wounded.

Service has been restored to about 250,000 Unicel cell phone customers in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and parts of Massachusetts and New York.

Vermont's top music students are gathering in Vergennes this week for the 81st annual All-State Music Festival.

Vermont's leading economic development lender says business has dropped dramatically this year. The Vermont Economic Development Authority is still lending money to growing companies, but only half as much as it expected. The agency hopes to turn that around with economic stimulus loans that it will unveil in the next few weeks.

VPR's Ross Sneyd reports.

New Hampshire legislators are exploring delaying a proposed cigarette tax increase and have revised a discount for retailers who buy wine from the state.

New Hampshire Congressman Paul Hodes has co-sponsored a measure that would require the United States to fund reconstruction in Iraq through loans.

The leader of the Vermont National Guard says the Guard could be notified soon about a new call-up.

Major General Michael Dubie hinted today that there may be word in the in the next two weeks.

The town of Manchester and the state of Vermont are hoping a first of its kind highway-for-cash swap will save the state money and let the town fulfill a goal town officials have had for 30 years.

The longtime head of the Vermont State Employees Association is stepping down.

Annie Noonan is resigning after 28 years with the union that represents Vermont state workers, half of that time as director.

A horse that fell into a well and had to be rescued by firefighters in Pittsford is expected to make a full recovery.

The head of the Vermont Republican Party says he hopes a candidate will emerge to challenge incumbent Democratic Congressman Peter Welch; The Vermont National Guard will be forming a State Partnership with the African Republic of Senegal; Northbound commuters on I-89 should expect delays for much of May; Service has been restored to about a quarter of a million cell phone customers in New England; The town of Manchester and the state are hoping a highway-for-cash swap will save the state money; The head of the Vermont State Employees Association is stepping down; and commentator Leora Dowling is looking forward to a new summer job.

The Vermont National Guard will be forming a State Partnership with the African Republic of Senegal. Vermont's Adjutant General, Major General Michael Dubie, announced the partnership this afternoon.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.:

Vermont's commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs is leaving his post to return to the private sector;  Last month, Toyota announced that it had found problems with some of the frames on its popular Tacoma trucks, and it's made a busy time of year in Toyota service departments even busier...

The owner of the Putney General Store hopes to reopen the business that was heavily damaged by fire over the weekend, but he says he doesn't know how long it will take.

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss will try to negotiate a deal to build a new hotel near the city's Lake Champlain waterfront.

In March, Toyota announced that it had found problems with some of the frames on its popular Tacoma trucks. American-made frames on 1995 through 2000 model year Tacomas were rusting and failing at a higher than normal rate.

As VPR's Nina Keck reports, it's made a busy time of year in Toyota service departments even busier.

Vermont's commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs is leaving his post to return to the private sector.

John S. Hall of West Danville has been at the department since January 2003.

Cabot Creamery has been fined $50,000 and placed on two years' probation for a 2005 ammonia spill that killed plants, fish and macroinvertebrates in the Winooski River.

A New Hampshire Senate committee is holding a hearing today on Governor John Lynch's proposal to raise the cigarette tax 25 cents a pack, among other budget measures.

The new owner of Vermont's Pepsi bottling franchise has laid off 15 workers in the state.

A spokesman for Pepsi Bottling Ventures of Raleigh, North Carolina, says the layoffs were the result of an evaluation of the Vermont operations.

A Green Up Day discovery in the town of Ira has Vermont State Police scratching their heads, and asking for help.

A high-ranking former Diocese of Burlington official says the Diocese didn't fully look into the background of a priest who allegedly went on to molest boys in Vermont --- even though the church was warned by the priest's former bishop.

Reverend John McSweeney took the stand yesterday in Chittenden County Superior Court.

Senator Bernie Sanders has unveiled a plan to significantly lower gas prices for the rest of the year; Cabot Creamery has been fined 50 thousand dollars and placed on two years’ probation; The new owner of Vermont’s Pepsi bottling franchise has laid off 15 workers in the state; The Vermont Health Department has a newly revamped Quit Network with free tips and other help; Filming is scheduled to begin this fall for a movie set in an iron ore mining town in the eastern Adirondacks; and commentator Bill Schubart says we need more discussion on the role of government in our lives.

Senator Bernie Sanders has unveiled a plan to significantly lower gas prices for the rest of the year.

Sanders wants to suspend both the federal and the state gas tax for the next 6 months - he says he'll pay for his plan by imposing a windfall profits tax on the major oil companies.

Smoking rates in Vermont have been dropping steadily, but 18 percent of adults are still hooked.

Studies show that about 70 percent of all smokers want to quit. If you're one of them, the Vermont Health Department hopes you'll check out their newly revamped Quit Network to find free tips and other help.

In the coming weeks Vermonters are expected to receive about $300 million in cash from the U.S. Treasury as part of the national stimulus plan.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.:

Lawmakers in Montpelier finished their work over the weekend, ending a session dominated by energy issues, housing initiatives, and the state's worsening economy; One of the last bills to break out of the legislative logjam was a bill designed to make it easier for developers to build housing near downtowns or village centers.

One of the last bills to break out of the legislative logjam was a bill designed to make it easier for developers to build housing near downtowns or village centers.

Lawmakers in Montpelier finished their work over the weekend, ending a session dominated by energy issues, housing initiatives, and the state's worsening economy.

The House also said good-bye to Democratic Speaker Gaye Symington, who is leaving her post and is considering a run for governor.

VPR's John Dillon has this report:

A small cemetery is causing big problems for a man trying to buy an old farm in Hartland.

Bennington Senator Dick Sears say the changes will eventually steer non-violent offenders to treatment programs or community-based services. He says that should reduce costs and keep people from returning to jail.

House speaker Gaye Symington will not seek re-election this fall from her Chittenden County district that includes the towns of Jericho, Underhill and Bolton.

She made the announcement in the waning hours of the legislative session on Saturday.

Eight lawsuits have been filed against companies involved with the heating system that malfunctioned at a Burlington student apartment complex in 2005, killing one and sickening others.

The lawsuits target as many as 10 companies, including the maker of a pipe that malfunctioned, the manufacturer of the apartment complex's heating boiler, the landlord and others.

A trial is set to begin today in one of 32 priest sex abuse cases filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington since 2002.

Five of the cases have been settled out of court. One has gone to trial.

Skiers who bought their season passes early for next season at the Killington ski area are going to be getting refunds.

The ski resort began collecting a 1 percent local option tax when it began selling its season passes last month.

The Legislature adjourned on Saturday afternoon. The 2008 session was marked by tight money and legislation aimed at energy efficiency, revamping the state's prison system and a late-in-the-session bid to stimulate a sagging economy.

Congressional negotiators have agreed on a renewal of the farm bill that includes an expanded milk price support program; Negotiators in the Vermont House and Senate have reached agreement on next year’s budget, one of the final steps before adjournment; A provision that contains an exemption to the billboard ban draws criticism; Questions remain about whether Governor Douglas will sign legislation dealing with the Vermont Yankee decommissioning fund; A St. Johnsbury company has closed, putting 80 people out of work; Workers have repaired a gate on a Connecticut River hydroelectric dam; and commentator Mary McCallulm on one special graduation ceremony.

One of the biggest issues still to be resolved at the Statehouse is whether or not Governor Jim Douglas is going to sign legislation dealing with the decommissioning fund for the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant.

Congressional negotiators have agreed on a renewal of the farm bill that includes an expanded milk price support program.

Negotiators in the House and Senate have reached agreement on next year's budget, one of the final steps before adjournment.