WVTK Local & State News May 11, 2015

Governor Peter Shumlin is asking a state senator to resign amid allegations of sexual assault. Franklin County Senator 63-year-old Norman McAllister pleaded not guilty Friday to several charges of prohibited acts and sexual assault. Court documents say he tried to get sexual favors in exchange for rent. The documents outline three victims in the case. House Speaker Shap Smith and Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell have also called for McAllister’s resignation. McAllister did not show up to the Statehouse today. Lt Governor Phil Scott says McAllister is expected to resign from the Senate by tomorrow morning.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the establishment of a multi-agency task force to tackle abuse in the nail salon industry. According to the governor's office, the task force will try to prevent unlawful practices and unsafe working conditions, recover unpaid wages, and shut down unlicensed businesses and businesses out of compliance with state law. A New York Times Investigation found nail salon workers were forced to toil long hours amid toxic chemicals performing manicures and pedicures for little wages. The Times also reported many workers suffered serious health problems and there was little, if any, protection for them.

A man is dead after being struck by an Amtrak train in the town of Braintree. Police say 25-year-old Kevin Kenyon of Braintree was walking on the tracks running along Route-12A when he was struck. Kenyon was walking with his back to the train, and officials say he made no effort to get out of the way. No injuries were reported aboard the train, and the death remains under investigation.

A Burlington man is being held on charges accusing him of attempting to lure a 13-year-old girl into sex. Police say 63-year-old Kenneth Atwood posted a message on Craigslist leading detectives to believe he was trying to lure a young girl for sexual relations. An officer posed as a 13-year-old girl and responded to Atwood, agreeing to meet him for sex. Atwood was arrested when he arrived at the meeting location Saturday.

The Northern New England Red Cross says warmer weather means fewer people are donating blood. Locally, the Red Cross relies on young people for donations but with graduations and the end of the school year for college students heading away for the summer, the Red Cross says they will see about a 20 percent drop in blood donations. You can help out, tomorrow there is a Blood Drive taking place at the Middlebury American Legion from 10 am to 4 pm.