Deal with South Korean firm brings promise of jobs to Vermont’s Orleans County

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Gov. Jim Douglas’ office says his trip to Asia is paying off, with an agreement with a Korean firm that’s expected to bring more than 200 jobs to northern Vermont’s Orleans County.

Vermont utility regulators to hold lottery for renewable energy developers

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont utility regulators are doing something unusual. The Public Service Board is holding a lottery to see which solar and biomass power developers get to sell their power at above-market prices.

Farm Bill grants available for Vermont producers of fruits, vegetables, maple, honey

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Producers of Vermont’s “specialty crops” — including fruits, vegetables and maple products — could be in line for more than $200,000 in grants made available through last year’s federal Farm Bill.

State Senate leader questions Entergy spinoff of Vermont Yankee nuclear plant

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Vermont Yankee nuclear plant’s future as a provider of a third of the state’s electricity could be in jeopardy if the plant’s owner spins it off to a newly created company, the head of the state Senate said Wednesday.

President signs emergency aid for dairy farmers; Vermont’s delegation says more help needed

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont’s congressional delegation says $350 million in emergency funding will give struggling dairy farmers across the country a temporary boost but more help is needed to stabilize the dairy industry and preserve family farms.

Vt. renewable energy program draws overwhelming response as developers seek to lock in prices

MONTPELIER, Vt. — A new Vermont renewable energy program has more applications than it can handle.

Vermont’s capital city comes clean about accounting mistake that cost it hundreds of thousands

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont’s capital city is coming clean about a 5-year-old accounting mistake that cost it hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Woman thrown off plane in Vt. for not covering up while breast-feeding in 2006 sues airlines

MONTPELIER, Vt. — A New Mexico woman who was thrown off a plane for breast-feeding her child in 2006 is suing the three airlines involved in operating the flight.

Con man in style of ‘Catch Me If You Can’ in custody after arrest at US-Canadian border

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Authorities say a con man who has made a living stealing from wealthy hotel guests around the world has been arrested in Vermont.

Federal officials: Con man in style of ‘Catch Me If You Can’ arrested at US-Canadian border

MONTPELIER, Vt. — A smooth-talking, globe-trotting serial swindler who is wanted in Nevada on a burglary charge has been arrested after crossing illegally from Canada to Vermont, federal authorities said.

In Vermont, same-sex weddings not the draw that civil unions were when state held a monopoly

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Bed-and-breakfast owner Jeff Connor was hoping for a boom in business once Vermont opened the door for same-sex couples to marry.

Transgender teenager helps gay-rights group advocate for gender-neutral bathrooms in Vermont

MONTPELIER, Vt. — A transgender teen is lending his voice to a movement in Vermont to require the state’s middle and high schools to offer genderless bathrooms.

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas won’t seek fifth term in 2010, has no plans to seek any other office

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas announced Thursday he won’t seek re-election, saying that after 36 years in the spotlight, it was time to call it quits.

State lawmaker, congressional aide tell AP Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas won’t seek re-election

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Sources tell The Associated Press that Gov. Jim Douglas won’t seek re-election.

Feds to seek death penalty for uncle accused of drugging, molesting, killing 12-year-old girl

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Federal prosecutors say they’ll seek the death penalty for a Vermont man accused of kidnapping, molesting and strangling his 12-year-old niece before burying her in a shallow grave.

APNewsBreak: States probe whether FairPoint faked readiness to take over phone system

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Regulators in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are looking into an allegation that FairPoint Communications faked its readiness to take over the region’s dominant telephone network from Verizon during a review by a consultant to the states, officials said Monday.

Critics of sales tax ‘holidays’ complain they do more harm to economy than help

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Brad Borofsky hopes a sales tax holiday this weekend will draw more buyers to his outfitters shop in search of kayaks, canoes and other high-end outdoor items. After all, who wouldn’t like a break on their taxes?

Bill would extend benefits to relatives of paramedics and EMTs who are killed in line of duty

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont’s two U.S. senators are sponsoring legislation that would extend death benefits to relatives of paramedics who work for nonprofit ambulance services and are killed in the line of duty.