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Petition seeks vote on Al-Jazeera TV

The Defenders Council of Vermont, a small group that led the fight against Burlington Telecom's continuing to air the 24-hour news channel Al-Jazeera English, will mount a petition drive to place a referendum question on the Burlington ballot in the November general election. (Burlington Free Press, John Briggs)

Link: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080703/N...

Speculation begins over who will seek speakership

With House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) relinquishing her position in Vermont's Legislature to attempt to unseat Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury), the state House's top spot is up for grabs for the first time in five years when Symington was unanimously elected. While no state representatives have publicly stated if they will make a bid to wield the gavel next year, some are considering the prospect. (PolitickerVT.com, Megan Stewart)

Link: http://www.politickervt.com/meganstewart/1273/speculation-begins-over-wh...

Supreme Court OKs North Ave. project

The Vermont Supreme Court this week gave The Hartland Group, a Burlington development company, permission to move ahead with a planned mixed-income residential project at 237 North Ave.  (Burlington Free Press, John Briggs)

Link:  http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080703/N...

GOP: Voters need choice

MONTPELIER - A leading Vermont Republican says the absence of the Democratic state auditor while his Navy Reserve unit is deployed to the Middle East is a legitimate issue for the fall campaign.

When news broke last week that Auditor Tom Salmon was being deployed, Randy Brock, the former auditor whom Salmon narrowly defeated in 2006, indicated he likely wouldn't challenge Salmon again - out of respect for his military service. (Rutland Herald, Staff)

Link: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS03/...

Vermonters eligible for unemployment benefit extension

MONTPELIER — As many as 4,000 Vermonters could be eligible for extended federal unemployment insurance benefits.

Under a compromise reached between President Bush and members of Congress and signed into law Monday, the federal government will extend emergency unemployment payments for an additional 13 weeks in some cases. Gov. James Douglas on Tuesday signed the agreement between the state and the feds that allows the Vermont Department of Labor to administer the program. (Rutland Herald, Louis Porter)

Link: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080703/NEWS03/...

State panel OKs GMP solar push

COLCHESTER — The state Public Service Board has approved a plan by Vermont's second-largest power company to encourage the installation of solar power by homeowners and businesses. (Rutland Herald, AP)

Link: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080703/NEWS03/...

Gubernatorial candidates to debate on environment

MONTPELIER—Vermont's three major gubernatorial candidates have agreed to square off for their first debate of the 2008 campaign on July 20, with the environment, energy, food and farming up for discussion. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link:  http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2008/07/02/gubernatori...

Spaulding urges speaking out on credit rules

MONTPELIER—Vermont State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding is urging Vermonters to speak out before the Aug. 4 deadline for comments on changes to federal rules designed to crack down on what Spaulding calls unfair charges and billing practices by credit card companies. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link:  http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2008/07/02/spaulding_u...

Douglas administration hits nuke panelists

MONTPELIER- The Douglas administration is criticizing legislative leaders' picks for members of a special panel set up to review operations at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant before lawmakers decide whether it should continue to operate past 2012. (WCAX)

Link:  http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=8610996