New England News

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders says "smart grid" electrical technology offers real benefits for Vermont consumers and the environment.

Sanders and some Vermont environmental leaders said at a news conference on Monday that Vermont is a national leader in developing a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electrical system.

Sanders says Vermont received $69 million in federal stimulus funds to modernize its electric transmission system.

A special committee of the Springfield City Council appointed to weigh casino development proposals is going to hear today for the first time from a casino operator.   Springfield has become the focus of several major gaming companies competing for the lone casino license that will be issued in western Massachusetts. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports...

  Friday is the deadline to register to vote in next month’s primary in Massachusetts.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

   The Massachusetts September  primary is unusual this year. It’s taking place on September 6th..a Thursday…Concern that people will be unaware of the change has prompted more get out the vote efforts according to Gladys Oyola, the city of Springfield’s Election Commissioner.

It's back to school, and Connecticut is kicking off its annual sales tax holiday. WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports…

Beginning Sunday and ending Aug. 25, items of clothing and footwear costing less than $300 are exempt from the 6.35 percent state sales tax.

Sports equipment, specialty clothing, jewelry and accessories are not included.

The tax-free holiday covers items valued at more than $300 and discounted with sales, coupons and other promotions.

The town of Bennington, Vt., is looking at boosting the amount people can borrow under its business loan program.

The proposed change would allow people to borrow from $25,000 to $100,000 to start or expand a business.

Officials tell the Bennington Banner the language and requirements of the existing municipal loan program date back to the late 1990s. They said commercial banking and lending requirements have changed a lot since then.

Vermont State Police say it's going to be a few more weeks before autopsy results are available on a man who was shot with a stun gun.

The New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy on Macadam Mason in June. That included tests that can take several weeks to complete.

A Vermont State Police spokeswoman told The Burlington Free Press the investigation is ongoing.

Connecticut officials say a New Haven resident has been infected with the first human case of West Nile virus in the state this year. WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports…

The State Mosquito Management Program says the person became ill during the first week of August and was hospitalized with a related case of meningitis. The patient who is in their 30s has since been released from the hospital.

Officials say mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been found in 40 towns across Connecticut his summer.