WCAX - Local News

Fire Rips through St. Albans Apartment Building

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:14:00 EST

There was dramatic escape from a burning apartment building for a handicapped man in St. Albans.

Vt. Farm Crackdown Over?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:14:00 EST

Vermont farmers are breathing a sigh of relief. It appears an immigration crackdown could be over. The feds visited four farms Thursday, demanding documentation for all workers. Rumors circulated that more than 80 farms would be targeted.

Possible Penalties from Immigration Crackdown

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:22:00 EST

There are still questions about what penalties farmers and their workers will face after an immigration crackdown in Vermont Thursday. For the answers, Kristin Carlson sat down with an immigration lawyer.

Escaped Inmate May be in Connecticut

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:41:00 EST

Police say an inmate who carved his way out of his Sullivan County jail cell could be in Connecticut.

Vt. orchestra director facing child porn charge

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:29:00 EST

The director of the Windham Orchestra is facing charges he possessed child pornography and that he tried to lure a minor via electronic means.

2 Killed in Morrisonville Crash

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:42:00 EST

Two people are dead following a car crash Friday morning in Clinton County, N.Y.

Firing Range Danger

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:27:00 EST

Some Vermont outdoorsmen are putting themselves in danger by venturing onto a military firing range. And they're interfering with the National Guard's preparations for Mission Afghanistan.

Salmon Speaks Out on DUI, Finances

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:35:00 EST

Vermont State Auditor Tom Salmon talked about his recent drunk driving arrest and what the political impact may be. He also addressed concerns about his own finances.

Officer Under Investigation

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST

The criminal division of the Attorney General's office is investigating an award-winning officer at the Windsor County Sheriff's Department.

Principal's Unexplained Resignation Sparks Outrage

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:34:00 EST

A school board meeting in Concord turned emotional on Thursday night. School board members accepted the resignation of Principal Karl Stein, but wouldn't tell a packed room of parents, students, faculty and staff why he was resigning.

Details Emerge About Ex-Crossett Brook Teacher

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:35:00 EST

An art teacher and girls soccer coach in Duxbury who surrendered his teaching license this week reportedly displayed unprofessional conduct over email and Facebook while communicating with teen girls.

Boiler Overheats at School

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:18:00 EST

The St. Albans Town Educational Center shut down Friday because officials were afraid the boiler might explode.

Vt. Unemployment Down

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:46:00 EST

Vermont's unemployment rate dropped again last month-- down two-tenths of a percentage point to 6.5 percent.

NH real estate experts say housing sales up

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:42:00 EST

New statistics show that New Hampshire's real estate market is in the midst of a slow and steady recovery.

Montpelier Mayor to Seek Re-election

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:42:00 EST

Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper hopes to win a fourth two-year term.

Sayward, Duprey Blame Dems for N.Y. Budget Crisis

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:40:00 EST

The North Country's legislative delegation is blaming the Democrats for failing to take action on New York's budget crisis.

Rail Action network plans kickoff Friday

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST

Advocates of train travel who successfully fought a plan to cut service to Rutland last year are gearing up to promote rail travel to - and for - Vermont.

Vergennes Names New Chiefs

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:14:00 EST

Vergennes has a new police chief and a new fire chief.

Burlington Winter Farmers Market

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:19:00 EST

The farmers market in Burlington begins its winter season Saturday.

Montpelier, U-32 Merger Talks

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:23:00 EST

Merger talks have begun again between the Montpelier and U-32 school districts.

Attorney Anita Hill named to S. Vt. College board

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:26:00 EST

A Brandeis University professor who rose to national prominence during the 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Justice Clarence Thomas has been named to the board of trustees of Southern Vermont College in Bennington.

Saturday H1N1 Clinic in South Burlington

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:41:00 EST

A free public H1N1 flu clinic is being held in Chittenden County on Saturday.

Winooski, Vt., brings peanuts back to city schools

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:28:00 EST

Peanuts are back in Winooski schools.

MiVT: King of the Kitchen

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:55:00 EST

You may never have heard of this Dorset company, but its Made in Vermont wood products are found in kitchens all over the world.

Vermont celebrating centennial of first forest

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:27:00 EST

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is getting ready to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first state forest.

Burlington's Christmas Tree Arrives

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:47:00 EST

Burlington has its official Christmas Tree.

Vt.'s News Among "Weirdest" in the Nation

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:31:00 EST

Are you in the mood for a strange story? Well, according to a recent analysis, Vermont and New Hampshire's news rank among the weirdest in the country.

For the Birds: A Bird Visitor from the South

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:51:00 EST

A visitor from Carolina visits the Green Mountains. What is this bird doing in Vermont?

Democrats for Governor Discuss Environment at Forum

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:41:00 EST

The five Democratic candidates for governor talked about environmental issues, Thursday night, at a forum hosted by the Vermont League of Conservation Voters.

Plattsburgh Council Votes to Keep Fluoride

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:42:00 EST

Plattsburgh is keeping its fluoride.

Immigration Agents Raid Vt. Dairy Farms

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:10:00 EST

Immigration officials are raiding dairy farms across the region searching for illegal workers. It's part of a nationwide crackdown on businesses to make sure their foreign workers have proper documents.

Foreigners on the Farm: Vt.'s Reliance on Immigrant Workers

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:19:00 EST

Putting Thursday's immigration raids on Vermont dairy farms into perspective.

Inmate Conceals Escape Plot with Toothpaste

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:28:00 EST

A daring escape at the Sullivan County Jail early Thursday morning... Authorities say an inmate slowly carved his way out through the ceiling-- covering his tracks with toothpaste until he was ready to make his escape.

Robbery Surveillance Video Released

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:08:00 EST

Can you help police identify the suspect who robbed a Waterbury quick stop last week?

Plattsburgh Man Sentenced in Stabbing

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:02:00 EST

A judge sentenced James Farrell to probation for stabbing another man during a fight in a Plattsburgh parking lot.

Rutland man jailed, loses home in child porn case

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:45:00 EST

A 58-year-old Rutland man convicted of child pornography is going to federal prison for 12 years and losing his home and other assets.

Ex-Teacher Facing Conduct Accusations Surrenders License

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:11:00 EST

An art teacher and girls soccer coach at Crossett Brook Middle School is accused of having inappropriate electronic communication with students and now he's surrendered his teaching license.

Police: Underage Drinking a Factor in Fatal Crash

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:14:00 EST

Police now say underage drinking may be to blame for a car crash that killed a Montpelier teen in June.

US Senate committee approves Vt. judge nominee

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:18:00 EST

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the nomination of a Vermont state judge to become the state's next federal judge.

$3M for NY businesses near closed Champlain bridge

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:19:00 EST

New York officials say nearly $3 million has been allocated to help businesses hurt by the closing of the Lake Champlain Bridge to Vermont.

N.Y. Company Moving to Burlington

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:15:00 EST

Terry Precision Cycling is relocating from Rochester, N.Y., to the Queen City.

Vt. Yankee Critics Campaign Against Plant's Re-licensing

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:36:00 EST

Opponents of Vermont Yankee want to have a referendum on Vermont Yankee on Town Meeting Day.

Clock Still Ticking on Vt. Yankee Deal

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:32:00 EST

The clock is still ticking on a power deal between Vermont power companies and Yankee Nuclear.

Feds report fewer workplace deaths in New England

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:21:00 EST

A federal agency says 136 people died in New England from work-related injuries last year, 27 fewer than in the previous year and the lowest number since it began compiling the statistics in 1992.

Burlington Avoids Air Traffic Glitch

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:14:00 EST

A computer glitch led to major delays for air travelers across the country Thursday, but Burlington was spared.

Still No Official Lt. Gov. Candidates

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:05:00 EST

While the race for governor of Vermont is crowded, no candidates have entered the lieutenant governor's race.

GOP advisers: Giuliani leans toward a Senate race

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:33:00 EST

Two state Republican advisers say Rudy Giuliani has not decided whether to run for governor of New York but is becoming more interested in running for the U.S. Senate.

Vt. May Expand Anti-Idling Law

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:42:00 EST

Vermont lawmakers may move to expand the state's anti-idling law to trucks and delivery vehicles.

Finger pointing, but no deal on NY's deficit

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:49:00 EST

A day after the latest missed deadline to act on a worsening $3.2 billion deficit, New York lawmakers found no agreement, but several ways to blame each other for inaction.

Vt. town signs off on National Forest land buy

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:43:00 EST

The town of Arlington is backing a plan by the Green Mountain National Forest to buy 812 acres of land from a timber company.

Former Woodstock Buffalo Farm to Become Dairy, Not Slaughterhouse

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:17:00 EST

South Woodstock will not be the site of the state's newest slaughterhouse, but rather the state's newest dairy.

NH panel approves Mega Millions

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:32:00 EST

The New Hampshire Lottery Commission has approved the sale of Mega Millions tickets.

Decorations to Spread Cheer, Support for Troops

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:43:00 EST

At their annual holiday show, the Vermont Hand Crafters will be raising awareness of a special nationwide effort.

Radio Stations Work to Help the Hungry

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:42:00 EST

Three radio stations have joined forces to help feed hungry neighbors.

Captain freed from pirates thanks Navy rescuers

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:38:00 EST

Capt. Richard Phillips who was captured and held by Somali pirates has thanked the U.S. Navy crew and captain who were part of his daring rescue.

Channel 3 News: Now at 10:00 PM

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:45:00 EDT

Vermont's Own Channel 3 News is also on at 10:00 PM on WCAXtra, Digital 3.2

NH AG seeks bankruptcy for mortgage co.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:55:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 5:55 PM ET CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The New Hampshire attorney general's office wants to force a mortgage company that closed suddenly into bankruptcy.

Bridge reopening to NH-Maine traffic

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:55:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 4:55 PM ET PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) - The Memorial Bridge connecting Portsmouth, N.H., to Kittery, Maine, has reopened to motor vehicle traffic after some...

Search for NH jail escapee turns to Connecticut

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:25:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 11:45 AM ET CLAREMONT, N.H. (AP) - A New Hampshire county sheriff's office says an inmate who cut a hole in the ceiling of his cell and escaped was last...

News Minute: Here is the latest Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont news from The Associated Press

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:05:00 EST

Click through for continually updated top news from around the state.

NH gov distributing turkeys

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:55:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 2:55 PM ET MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is helping to give out Thanksgiving turkeys in Manchester.

NH man sentenced to life in beating deaths

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:25:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 2:25 PM ET MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - A Manchester, N.H., man has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in the beating deaths of a woman and her...

NH father wishes his son had learned lesson

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:25:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 2:25 PM ET CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The father of a New Hampshire teen charged with burglary in connection with the fatal attack on a Mont Vernon woman wishes...

NH sees sharp drop in fatal work injuries

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:25:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 1:25 PM ET CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A federal agency says seven people died on the job in New Hampshire in 2008, a 50 percent drop from the previous year and...

Man convicted in NH murder-for-hire trial

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:05:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 12:05 PM ET BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) - A New Hampshire jury has convicted a man accused of helping his father plot a 2005 murder.

Vt. orchestra director facing child porn charge

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:15:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 9:15 AM ET BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) - The director of the Windham Orchestra is facing charges he possessed child pornography and that he tried to lure a minor...

NY police arrest man in deaths of mother, daughter

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:05:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 11:05 PM ET GENEVA, N.Y. (AP) - Police in New York have arrested a man in connection with the stabbing deaths of a woman and her 12-year-old daughter in...

Maine woman says meat caused E. coli sickness

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:55:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 10:55 PM ET PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - An Augusta woman who says she contracted an E. Coli infection after eating meat produced by New York-based Fairbank Farms...

NYC judge allows new "green" taxi lease rates

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:15:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 10:15 PM ET NEW YORK (AP) - A judge has ruled that the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission has the authority to use taxicab lease rates to encourage...

NYC students rescued from burning bus on bridge

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 7:45 PM ET NEW YORK (AP) - Thirty-five young children were safely evacuated from a burning school bus by workers at New York City's Verrazano-Narrows...

Business associate: NY's Bruno hired for contacts

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:35:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 7:15 PM ET ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Prosecutors have ended their case against former New York Senate leader Joseph Bruno with testimony from a friend and...

Ex-Vivendi CEO: I made mistakes but never misled

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:35:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 2:15 PM ET NEW YORK (AP) - Vivendi's former CEO says he made mistakes in his troubled bid to turn a French water company into a global media giant, but he...

NYC opens weekend swine flu vaccination clinics

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:05:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 7:05 PM ET NEW YORK (AP) - New York City will operate swine flu clinics this weekend to vaccinate residents in high-risk groups.

FAA says equipment outage caused 819 flight delays

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:55:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 6:55 PM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration is blaming an equipment outage this week for delaying 819 flights.

NYC TV newsman guilty of attempted assault on wife

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 6:25 PM ET SUFFERN, N.Y. (AP) - A judge has convicted an influential New York City television newsman of attempting to assault his wife.

FDNY modifies 911 reporting system

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Associated Press - November 20, 2009 6:25 PM ET NEW YORK (AP) - The New York City fire department is temporarily changing the process by which 911 calls reporting fires are handled.

Astronauts await word of baby girl on Earth

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

Atlantis' astronauts anxiously awaited word Friday on the birth of a crewman's daughter as they moved more supplies into the International Space Station and geared up for another spacewalk.

Calif. requires TVs to be more energy-efficient

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

California regulators have adopted the nation's first energy-efficiency standards for televisions, a move that will eventually ban power-hungry sets from the state's store shelves.

Biologists save fish after landslide

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

A gigantic landslide that buried a highway, uprooted homes and rerouted a river in Washington state's Cascade Range left hundreds of smaller victims: fish.

Measure to change U. of Neb. stem-cell rule fails

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

The University of Nebraska's governing board on Friday voted not to place tighter restrictions on embryonic stem cell research than those outlined under federal guidelines, which were expanded after President Barack Obama...

Authorities: Man tied lizards to chest at airport

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

Federal officials say they arrested a man who strapped 15 live lizards to his chest to get through customs at Los Angeles International Airport.

FAA says equipment outage caused 819 flight delays

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

The Federal Aviation Administration is blaming an equipment outage this week for delaying 819 flights.

Couple pleads guilty in Cuban spying case

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

A retired State Department worker and his wife accused of a decades-long plot to spy for Cuba pleaded guilty Friday in a deal that will leave him behind bars for the rest of his life but gives her a chance at freedom in six...

Pentagon looking for Fort Hood management lapses

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

The Pentagon said Thursday it will scour its procedures for identifying volatile soldiers hidden in the ranks following the Fort Hood shooting rampage and lapses that might allow others to slip through bureaucratic cracks.

Ethics committee: No punishment for Burris

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Democratic Sen. Roland Burris for misleading investigators about his maneuvering to get Barack Obama's old Senate seat from the governor who was ousted for trying to sell it.

US to drop shooting case against Blackwater guard

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

The Justice Department intends to drop manslaughter and weapons charges against one of the Blackwater Worldwide security guards involved in a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting, prosecutors said in court documents Friday.

GOP: Health test recommendations could affect care

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:12:00 EST

Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer Pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care - and to try to chip away support by women for President Barack Obama's...

More states add jobs, but many for temporary staff

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:00 EST

In a sharp improvement, more than half of U.S. states added jobs in October, though economists said many of the gains likely occurred in temporary employment.

Stocks fall for 3rd day as dollar strengthens

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:00 EST

Investors can't shake their fears that the economy isn't keeping up with the stock market.

Americans save more but earn less as rates fall

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:00 EST

The U.S. is finally becoming a nation of savers. Now if only we could get something for our money.

D.R. Horton sees 26 perecent spike in 4Q orders

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:00 EST

Homebuilder D.R. Horton Inc., saw new home orders spike 26 percent from a year ago in the latest quarter as buyers raced to close deals and take advantage of a federal tax credit. But a wider-than-anticipated loss fueled by...

Ex-Vivendi CEO: I made mistakes but never misled

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:00 EST

Former Vivendi CEO Jean-Marie Messier told a jury Friday he made mistakes in his troubled bid to turn the French water company into a global media giant, but he never misled shareholders about the risks.

J.M. Smucker 2nd-quarter profit soars on coffee

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:00 EST

J.M. Smucker Co. nearly tripled its profit in the second quarter as the addition of Folgers coffee gave a jolt to its lineup and lower commodity prices for coffee beans and other items fattened its profit margins.

Chase drops arbitration from card contracts

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:00 EST

JPMorgan Chase&Co. said Friday it is dropping a clause from its credit card contracts that required disputes with customers to be handled through binding arbitration, a move that could lead to consumers filing...

Texas high court agrees to rehear Exxon case

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:00 EST

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday said it will again hear arguments in the nearly 15-year legal battle over accusations that Exxon Mobil Corp. loaded abandoned wells with junk, sludge and even explosives to keep other...

Small Florida bank shuttered, 124th this year

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:00 EST

Florida banking regulators on Friday shut down Commerce Bank of Southwest Florida, marking the 124th U.S. bank to succumb this year to the struggling economy and rising loan defaults.