New England News

Massachusetts lawmakers have given initial approval to a bill designed to save up to $200 billion in health care costs over the next 15 years.

Legislative leaders say the bill will also help guarantee the future of the state's landmark 2006 health care law and set Massachusetts on a path to being the first state to holding the future growth of health care costs close to the rate of inflation.

A new report by an environmental group is pointing to what it says is a clear sign of climate change: The frequency of storms in the region with extremely high rain or snowfall is up 85 percent since 1948.

Environment America says New England leads the country in the increasing frequency and intensity of severe storms, with the weather events more than doubling in frequency in New Hampshire.

In Vermont, the group says the amount of precipitation being dropped by the biggest annual rain and snowstorms is up an average of 30 percent.

The Vermont State Police say a Clarendon man is the state's first victim of bath salts.

An autopsy determined that the June 23 death of 28-year-old Christopher Tsacoyeanes was caused by an overdose of a variety of drugs commonly known as bath salts.

The office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the death was accidental substance abuse.

Police say troopers investigating the death of Tsacoyeanes recovered a large amount of chemicals at his home.

The former head of the Vermont State Police has been chosen to be Rutland's new police chief.

James Baker had been serving as interim chief in Rutland when a committee charged with finding a permanent chief for the city recommended him for the job.

The Rutland Herald says the 13-member committee was unanimous in choosing Baker. The decision must be ratified by the Rutland Police Commission, but no opposition is expected.

While Governors from across New England and Premiers from the eastern provinces of Canada were meeting at the Hilton in Burlington, outside there were protesters. On Sunday they were a bit unruly, but on Monday they were much more subdued.