The state of Vermont is among eleven across the country that successfully pushed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to tighten standards for airborne soot.

Vermont State Police are urging drivers to slow down in hazardous winter conditions after numerous vehicles slid off roads in southeastern Vermont over the last two days.

Senator Patrick Leahy has now become the senior most member of that chamber and he's in line to become the chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee.

Days after the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., educators across Vermont are reassuring families that they've put plans in place to handle emergencies. The state's largest school district is hoping to learn from the tragedy that left 20 children and six teachers dead.

A group of concerned residents in Burlington wants to create a co-operative to buy the city's embattled telecommunications utility. The grassroots idea comes as city officials are hoping to settle a federal lawsuit aimed at reclaiming taxpayer money from the municipally-owned Burlington Telecom.

Many kids are getting out on the slopes this winter, thanks to learn-to-ski-and-ride programs offered to local students at resorts across the state. The low-cost programs are designed to be accessible to all Vermont school children.

University of Vermont-based Peace Corps recruiter Kelly Dolan helps send people to the farthest reaches of the globe, where they'll spend two years working on development projects as varied as community gardens in Central America or health education in Africa.

Green Mountain Power is holding a commissioning ceremony to start up a new solar park in Rutland.

Vermont House Speaker Shap Smith says he has his own misgivings, but he won't block the Vermont House from debating decriminalization of marijuana.

The Vermont Public Service Department is holding two public hearings on a final draft for a change to the state's electric plan.

Red Cross workers from across the northeast are going to be descending on Rutland for the Gift-of-Life blood drive in the Vermont city.

Two Vermont hospitals that affiliated a year ago say they've been able to realize more than $1 million in cost savings in the first year of their partnership.

The Shumlin administration has signed a contract with global information technology provider CGI to provide the computer and networking infrastructure that will support Vermont's new health insurance exchange to be set up by the beginning of 2014.

Three Vermonters are planning to gather to cast the state's three votes in the Electoral College that will formally elect President Barack Obama to a second term.

A special legislative panel supports granting Vermont drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrant farmworkers.

Gov. Peter Shumlin was in Florida most of the day Wednesday to hear how F-35 fighter jets compare to F-16s. Shumlin says he doesn't think the new jet is appreciably louder than the one it would replace at the Vermont Air National Guard.

All three members of Vermont's congressional delegation may be ready to allow the so called "payroll tax holiday" to expire at the end of the year. That would boost tax burdens for middle income families.

Environmental officials and emergency responders say a failure in hose at a Barre gas station led to the leak of as much as 3,000 gallons of gasoline into the ground.

A federal appeals court has set a date in mid-January for oral arguments in a case that tests the limits of a state's authority to regulate nuclear power.

Governor Peter Shumlin said he was surprised that he didn't think an F-35 fighter jet was much louder than an F-16. Shumlin and the mayors of Burlington and Winooski were in Florida on Wednesday for a demonstration of the two jets.

It's been more than a year since Jon Graham and Beth Frock lost their home to Tropical Storm Irene, and their life since then has taken on the feel of a Samuel Beckett play.

The Campaign for Vermont, which describes itself as an independent policy group, wants lawmakers to consider a plan that makes major changes to the state's education system.

The number of homeless people in Vermont increased by one percent in the past year. A Council on Homelessness appointed by Governor Peter Shumlin was given the task of drafting a plan for ending homelessness.

Federal prosecutors in Vermont say a Burlington man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding a federal department by lying about his income to receive rental subsidies.

State Auditor-elect Doug Hoffer says Susan Mesner will be his top lieutenant after he takes office in January.

One of two New Mexico men who authorities say traveled to Vermont to murder two people has waived extradition and will be returned to New Mexico.

The mayor and a special committee of the city council in Burlington are encouraging the public to take part in a meeting about redistricting.

Investigators say an Alaska man who confessed to killing eight people across the country had researched Ted Bundy and other serial killers and enjoyed watching suspense crime movies.

The head of a company targeted by Senator Bernie Sanders for allegedly overcharging for gasoline says his stations are competitive.

As the holidays approach, Vermont State Police are stepping up enforcement.

The state of Vermont's insurance company has tentatively agreed to a multi-million dollar out-of-court settlement with the family of a Vermont State trooper who was killed during a car chase more than nine years ago.

When Jay Peak co-owner Bill Stenger made a stunning proposal earlier this fall to bring over $500 million and about 10,000 jobs into the Northeast Kingdom, there were loud cheers, and only a few skeptics. Now the hard work has begun: finding investors and training workers.

Organizers of Rutland's Gift of Life Marathon say appointments for the upcoming blood drive on December 18^th are lower than expected. They say that may be due to long wait times last year. But the Red Cross says it's pulling out all the stops to ensure Rutland has one last shot at setting a national record.

Gov. Peter Shumlin is planning a trip to Italy this week to address European leaders in Rome and then take some vacation time.

A 168-foot-long replica of an iconic Vermont covered bridge that was swept away by Tropical Storm Irene is nearing completion.

A public forum will be held this week in Middlesex to gather feedback on the Vermont State Police barracks.

Dartmouth College is still implementing its new hazing policies, and officials say the changes are producing positive results.

One of two New Mexico men who authorities say traveled to Vermont to murder two people is due in court.

It's a situation that has many Vermonters in equal parts frustrated and baffled. They've been approved for buyouts of their storm damaged properties by the Federal Emergency Management Agency following last year's visit from Tropical Storm Irene, but they money has yet to come through.

One of the biggest health care issues of the upcoming session will be Governor Peter Shumlin's plan to reduce the benefit package for some of the participants in the Catamount Health Care program at the beginning of 2014.

The Waterbury Police Department is getting help from the Vermont Sheriff's Association to continue its recovery after flooding from Tropical Storm Irene inundated its downtown headquarters.