WVTK Local & State News February 19, 2010

In a procedural move, the Senate Finance Committee has voted to send to the full Senate a bill that would authorize the state to grant a new license for Vermont Yankee. The full Senate is expected to vote down the bill, putting lawmakers on record as opposing the continued operation of the nuclear plant.

State regulators are looking into whether the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant had past problems with leaking radioactive tritium. Legislative consultant Arnie Gundersen says he received a tip from a plant employee about prior leaks and passed the information on to the Department of Public Service.

A nanny charged with molesting a 10-year-old boy at a state park in Vermont is facing new charges. State police say an examination of digital devices owned by 24-year-old Donald Shepherd turned up hundreds of images and dozens of videos of suspected child pornography.

State officials have unveiled a plan to replace the aging Vermont State Hospital with a new, 15-bed unit in Waterbury and regional facilities in Rutland and White River Junction. The move would create 45 new slots for mental health patient, but some lawmakers are questioning how it will be funded.

Vermont Technical College is using federal energy funding for a new biomass project that will both heat the campus and give students some hands-on experience. The project will use a wood pellet boiler, with students using the boiler to test other forms of biomass fuels.

Gun control laws in northern New England are being given low marks in the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence's annual survey of state gun laws. The survey gave Maine a score of 11 out of 100 for its laws, while New Hampshire was given a 9 and Vermont was given an 8. The Brady Campaign says laws in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont allow the sale of guns without background checks, put children at risk and help feed the illegal gun market. Utah was at the bottom of the survey with a score of 0, while California was given the highest score, a 79. The Brady Campaign is a Washington-based group that advocates for stronger gun control laws.

The head of Vermont's Film Commission is fighting to spare the agency from the budget ax. Joe Bookchin says the office brings in millions in spending across the state from filmmakers, and helps promote the state.

Vermont's half-pipe heroine's Hannah Teter and Kelly Clark claimed their second Olympic medals Thursday night at the 2010 Winter Games. Teter won silver and Clark bronze in the women's snowboard half-pipe in Vancouver.